Category: Guest Blog Posts

Looking For An Investment Property? How To Choose The Right One

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Ten years ago, savings accounts earned interest and those of a less risk-averse persuasion could earn a decent income by investing their spare cash in the stock market and other investment vehicles. But since the global recession, savings accounts and investment funds are no longer performing in the same way, so if you want to make your money work harder, property investment is a much better choice.

Buy To Let Property

Investing in rental property can be a smart move. There is always a demand for rental property, particularly in certain parts of the world such as London, New York, Tokyo and Shanghai. Young people are far more likely to rent an apartment than buy, and with the demand for rental property so high, it is possible to enjoy excellent profit margins on an investment property.

Location, Location, Location

Choosing the right location is vital. Some areas are always more attractive to tenants than others. In the case of student lets, student tenants will want to be close to their college or university campus as well as in the middle of the nightlife. Young professionals will prefer to have public transport links at close hand, plus they too will want to be in the thick of it. Executive lets are a different story. To attract higher paying tenants, you would be better off investing in larger properties in more affluent areas.

Do Your Homework

If you are looking to invest in an unfamiliar area, be sure to do your homework before you buy a property. Talk to property agents and find out where the most popular areas are and whether there are any large developments being planned which could affect local property prices in the near future. Once you have identified a few potential properties, investigate the average rental income for such a property to help you decide whether (or not) it would be a worthwhile investment.

What Type of Tenant Are You Aiming For?

There are several key types of tenants in rental properties.

  • Students – You will never be short of tenants if you aim at the student population, but properties are more likely to suffer from wear and tear.
  • Young professionals – Young people in the early stages of their careers make good tenants. They don’t have huge amounts of disposable income, but they will generally treat a property better.
  • Executives – This is the higher end of the rental market, but the cost of the investment property will be higher and profit margins lower.

Apartment or House?

The type of property you invest in will probably depend on which area you are looking at. In many large cities, rental apartments and multiple occupancy properties are the norm. This type of property will often be cheaper to buy, but it may be subject to different legislation, so always make sure you are familiar with your obligations as a landlord before you invest.

Before investing in an apartment or house to let out to tenants, think very carefully about whether the investment is right for you. Property prices can go down as well as up and if you end up with a significant void period between tenants your investment property could end up costing you a lot of money.

The author of this post, Wei Wong, is an avid blogger who often writes about Orlando Realty, a company providing homes in Orlando, FL.

Let's Keep In Touch!

New ORC Form Lead

"*" indicates required fields

Dressing Windows with Curtains

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

There are numerous ways to dress up your windows but curtains offer the most luxury and variety. You have a huge range of possibilities for different materials from sheer to think or embossed or embroidered, a number of textures are available such as velvety materials or denim or suede etc. while colour and pattern can also easily be added especially if you want to complement a rug or your wall canvas.

For an elegant touch, it’s best to let your curtains hand to the floor while if your window is small and you want it to appear large then the trick is to place the curtain rod higher, here are different ideas you can use when decorating with curtains:

  • Patchwork Curtains

Not many patchwork curtains are scene nowadays thus it’s a pretty unique technique and a highly attractive way to add colour, pattern and even texture. For a neutral room, numerous different neutral coloured fabrics can be taken and patched together to go along with the theme while for a child’s room a multitude of colours such as blue, orange and yellow can be selected to brighten it up. A colourful check pattern can be created, stripes are a possibility while an abstract pattern can also be created using squares and rectangles of different sizes especially if you have matching canvas prints art on the walls.

  • Bordered Curtains

Curtains can be used to greatly add to the decor of a room if they are given extra decor by the addition of a border. A plain curtain can be given a patterned border or vice versa while a neutral coloured curtain can be brightened up by a contrasting border or a rich colour curtain can be toned down by a neutral coloured border. The width of the border is completely up to you, also depending on the size of your window, choose as much as you want it to show. Remember to add the border on all four sides else it will only look out of place.

  • Curtains With Creative Ends

This is an excellent decorating technique if you are sure no piece of furniture will be placed in front of your curtains to hide their end. Basically, this technique involves adding a border only to the lower horizontal ends of the curtains; this will draw the eye to the length making them seem longer and elegant. A patch of a different fabric can be added for texture, print can be added subtly or bold colour can be added in fewer amounts. This technique is also great to introduce decorative elements to the curtains by saving costs as you won’t have to work on the entire fabric, thus only the bottom can be embroidered or appliquéd etc.

Let's Keep In Touch!

New ORC Form Lead

"*" indicates required fields

Beginning the hunt for a new home

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Whether you’re looking to rent a property or buy one, there are many things to consider when deciding to move home. Choosing a new home for yourself or your family is a lengthy process and it’s not a decision to take lightly. A new home is a commitment and not just a financial one, so make sure you’re aware of all the pitfalls of real estate before jumping in head-first. Whether you’re new to the property market or just aren’t really sure when it comes to renting, take a look at this guide before beginning the hunt for your new home.

It’s important to know exactly what you’re looking for before calling up an estate agent or starting to look online. Consider what it is you need versus what it is you want. For example, if you have pets or kids it may be worth looking into properties with a garden. If you’re living alone think about the extra space you might require – do you need an office or space bedroom? Make a list of what you’ll need as well as a list of extras you might like, such as an extra bathroom or utility room. Try to keep your list to a minimum, especially if you’re house-hunting on a budget. It would be nice to live in a five-bedroom detached house with a pool, but if it’s not in your price range then don’t consider it!

The next area you want to look into is location. Try to pinpoint a couple of areas in which you wouldn’t mind living. If you’re moving with your family make sure you research local schools, libraries and the ease of public transport. It seems obvious, but the location is important. You may find the perfect house for you, but if it’s too far out of the way for you to travel to work then it’s probably not the right choice.
Safety is important and it’s worth researching crime figures for areas that you might want to live in. Be aware that properties on streets with high levels of street crime may be cheaper, but at what cost to you and your family? Information about crime is readily available online, but don’t let high figures put you off your perfect home. Choosing a property in a high-crime area doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to become a victim, especially if you put in place anti-theft measures such as house alarms.

There are now many ways you can source new homes that don’t necessarily involve real estate agents. Many landlords list their properties online without an agent so as to save on estate agent fees. While this can be beneficial to your wallet, as it also saves you paying a cut to the estate agent, there are many hazards of renting this way. If you’re new to renting then make sure you’re clued up about your rights as a tenant as well as what a landlord should provide. Before signing your name to any contract it may be worth having a professional have a look at it first. Things to be wary of include home insurance, deposit refunds, and where exactly your tenancy deposit is being housed. If you really aren’t sure then finding a property through an estate agent may be the best choice for you, especially if you’re new to renting. If you’d prefer to deal with your landlord directly then make sure you’re fully aware of all of your rights so as to avoid everything from minor quibbles to court cases!

Let's Keep In Touch!

New ORC Form Lead

"*" indicates required fields

What To Expect When Installing An In-Ground Pool

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

If you are ready to install an in-ground pool into your backyard that your whole family can enjoy, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind so that you are prepared for what is to come during the actual installation process of your pool, as well as what you need to do before the pool is installed and after the project has been completed.

Get a Permit

You will more than likely need to purchase a building permit in order to have an in-ground pool installed in your backyard. Visit your township’s office to determine the costs of the permit. Then you will need to wait for your permit to be given to you before you can go ahead and have the workers come in and install your swimming pool.

Hire a Reputable Company

You should really do your research into in-ground pool companies that will install your new pool at a great rate and using the right equipment and techniques. If you simply hire the first company you find, you may be disappointed by the way that they conduct business. Also, if you can, find pool installation companies by using referrals from trusted friends and family who have had in-ground pools installed successfully.

Be Prepared for Big Trucks, a Mess, and a Lot of Noise

During the installation of your in-ground pool, you should be prepared to make room for some very large trucks and machinery that will get to work digging up your lawn, leveling it out properly, and installing the materials for your permanent in-ground pool. These trucks and machines can be extremely loud, but you will just have to bear with it. They will rip up your lawn and throw dirt everywhere, but you will have to just deal with the mess until they are completely done.

The whole construction process can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to over a month, especially if a township representative comes in to inspect the construction process and if there are delays due to inclement weather. So, again, be prepared for the potential for delays and just be patient while the crew works, no matter how noisy or messy they may be.

Repair Your Lawn After the Pool is Complete

Even though your in-ground pool has been successfully installed, your work is not over just yet. Now you need to finish cleaning up the mess they have left behind by repairing your lawn. You will need to level out the area and put down new grass seeds in order to let it grow back quickly and beautify your space again. This is a small price to pay, though, for having the added value of an in-ground pool in your yard.

Installing an in-ground pool can be an exciting experience, especially if you have been saving up and waiting a long time to get the job done. However, it can also be a stressful experience, especially if the crew encounters delays, so it is important to stay level-headed and be prepared for the challenges that may lie ahead.

Let's Keep In Touch!

New ORC Form Lead

"*" indicates required fields

How can the citizens of Orlando get approval for mortgage to invest in real estate?

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

The borrowing standards are restricted by the lenders due to the increasing rate of bankruptcy, foreclosure, or short sale. If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage loan, then you’re required to keep some of the qualification requirements in mind. You need to be cautious when you plan to invest in real estate by taking out a mortgage. You’re required to keep some of the important points in mind when you plan to get approval for a mortgage to invest in real estate in Orlando.

Here are some of the important tips that you need to consider when you plan to get a mortgage loan to invest in real estate:

1. Stable Income: A mortgage lender may check whether or not you’ve stable income to pay back the owed amount. If you’re self-employed, then you’re required to provide tax proof to help the lender evaluate your total income. Therefore, you’re required to be ready with your pay stub or income tax return to provide evidence of your stable income.

2. Review your credit score: Before applying for a loan, make sure you check your credit report to qualify for better rates. According to Experian, the average US credit score of a consumer needs to be 750. Your mortgage loan can be approved on favorable terms if your credit score exceeds 750.  If you’re a citizen of Orlando, Florida homebuyer, then ensure that your credit score exceeds 750 to get a loan at a low-interest rate.

3. Save funds for a down payment: The lenders may approve your loan program only if you make a considerable amount of downpayment on the loan. If you don’t have enough money to use as a down payment, then save funds before applying for a loan or taking financial help from your loved ones. You’re required to make a down payment of as much as 20% of the total value of the home.

4. Low Debt-to-Income ratio: If you’re planning to apply for a new loan, make sure your debt-to-income ratio is low. Well, the industry standard for an acceptable ratio is 28/36. So, your primary ratio should not exceed 28% and the second ratio should not exceed 36% of your gross income.

5. Eliminate your debt: Try to eliminate your debt before you plan to apply for a new loan. However, it can be difficult but not impossible to get a new loan with a blemished credit report. But the interest rate on your mortgage may increase because of your blemished credit report. If you want to get the loan on the favorable term, then immediately work on eradicating your debts. Before applying for the loan, make sure you put a large amount of your money to eliminate your debt. You can get your loan on favorable term once you eradicate your debt.

Therefore, you’re required to keep the above-mentioned points in mind when you’re planning to apply for a mortgage in real estate.

Let's Keep In Touch!

New ORC Form Lead

"*" indicates required fields