The expression “Secret Real Estate Agent” almost looks like it was borrowed from some action movie. In reality it is a little bit less spectacular but, without a doubt, equally exciting.
What is a Secret Real Estate Agent?
“Secret Real Estate Agent” – does not mean you do this profession without being registered. Of course, also a secret (real estate) agent has to be registered and fulfil everything that is required by law. By “secret” we mean, that the agent is not publicly advertising a specific property he or she was asked to sell. He/she may not even have a website or advertise the business and in many cases the main profession is another real estate related profession, such as architect or engineer.
They are usually approached by a client who asks if they may know someone who would be interested to buy one of their properties. And that’s the only way there are allowed to sell it, by offering it directly to someone.
This might seem strange at first, but among certain groups that is exactly what they want. The best to explain this is by giving an example.
Seller doesn’t want to look like he needs money
In many cases the properties in question are from rich families. Having a certain popularity and their place in society they like to give no reasons for gossiping.
Huge estates can cost a lot of money in maintenance, tax and so on… If they actually don’t use it anymore it makes sense to let it go. This is regardless of their financial situation – nobody likes to throw money out of the window, no matter how rich you are.
Of course, if people see the big family estate for sale, the first thing they may conclude is that the family is in financial difficulties – that’s how people start talking…
That’s why it is better to sell it secretly – through a secret real estate agent of course.
Or in another case, the seller might be having an apartment block for sale and he doesn’t want his tenants to find out. Also, he would approach such agent, who will then go and talk directly to investors who may be interested to buy.
How does a Secret Real Estate Agent sell?
The only way you are allowed to sell it, is by offering it directly to someone. Or in some cases you are allowed by the seller to advertise it in another country. Like this you can get a foreign buyer.
It is a far more difficult job than a regular agent. You need a pool of good contacts, including millionaires, investors … etc. But of course, it pays off big time as the properties that are sold this way usually have a high value. You can find foreign buyers by listing real estate internationally.
Are you one of those agents? Then drop us a line and let us know how did you get started? Do you have any advice?
All year long most of us are looking forward for the few weeks when we can go on vacation and finally embrace our true passion: travel. If we could prolong this to a few months it would be a dream come true. If you can’t work while travelling another way to be able to do this is through passive income.
The pursuit of passive income has become increasingly popular these days. No wonder, because it gives people the freedom to pursue their passions without relying on their salary for sustenance. So now, you can start a travel blog or create content for another website where you can share your experiences with others and make money at the same time! Writing about you experiences in a travel blog is top of the list on how to generate some passive income while you travel. Another big one is to rent out your home while you are away.
The Wealth of Experiences that can be Achieved on Full-Time Travel
A full-time traveller can visit one of the best places in the world. He can go to an exotic location and enjoy the culture. He can also go to places which are more offbeat and less visited.
The world is a very large place, and it is imperative that you make sure that you take time out for your own self-discovery. This will give you valuable life experiences which you will never forget.
Making Your Travel Dreams a Reality
The steps to make your dream a reality is about goal setting, investing, and the mindset shift.
First you need to set goals that are achievable in the next one, three, five or ten years. The rule is simple, if you don’t have goals, you will not achieve them.
Then you need to invest in yourself by learning new skills or strategies. And lastly you need to change your mindset because there is no such thing as “too late”. You can achieve anything!
Creating Your Own Path in Life while Embracing Every Moment Along the Way
You have to create your own path in life while at the same time embracing every moment along the way.
It’s time to take control of your life and start making choices that will define who you are. You have to be making decisions on a daily basis about what you want for yourself and for others. It’s also important to set goals for yourself so that you can move forward with your life instead of just drifting around aimlessly.
Full-Time Travel with Passive Income as the Ultimate Goal
Making full-time travel a reality is not everyone’s ultimate goal. This might be your goal if you’re an avid world traveller or if you like to explore new cultures and experience different lifestyles. Many people, though, want to do it because it seems so awesome and romantic. They might be retirees who want to spend their days doing what they enjoy the most after working for 40+ years and saving up for their retirement.
Achieving this ultimate goal will take a lot of time, effort, and money. Some people do it by saving up money while they’re still working and then quitting their jobs to travel the world while others work hard until they quit their jobs at 65 or 67 or whatever age that is in your country.
Of course, wasting all your life and energy to only achieve this goal at an advanced age seems a bit sad. That’s why some came up with a way of making this work before – with passive income.
Make Your Maths – How much passive income is needed?
The first thing to do would probably be to get your numbers right. How much money do you need every month to support yourself during your trips (food, accommodation, transport, travel insurance…)? How much money do you need to keep things back home?
The next thing would be to look at how much money you could possibly generate through passive income, such as renting out your home, having a travel blog etc. if the numbers don’t add up you might need some money and more time to build up more ways to generate passive income. On the other hand, you can also explore ways to save money on your travels, such as living in a van.
How Does the Van Life Work and How to Make it Work for You?
“Van life” is a popular lifestyle choice for those who are looking for a simpler life. You can find people living in vans all around the world. They are called “Van Dwellers.”
Van Dwellers choose this lifestyle not because they have no other choice, but because it best suits their needs. Living in a van lets them travel the world, be mobile and do what they want to do without having to answer to anyone else. The idea of living in a van is not only about the freedom and adventure, but also about saving money and enjoying sustainable living with minimal impact on environment.
Every summer, we can see hundreds of vans parked along the beaches where there are public toilets and showers. There is hardly any cheaper way to live.
How to Live in a Van and Travel Full-time on Low Budget
Some van dwellers will spend hours each day on Instagram and Facebook to document their adventures and share tips with others interested in joining the community. Of course, having an internet connection is a must.
If they have enough followers, they can also enjoy the financial benefit that comes with it. But what if you are not good at writing at all? Some choose to make certain investments that will give them passive income.
Investments You Can Make on a Low Budget
When you think of investing, you might think, “wow! That’s a lot of money.” But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, there are many low budget investments that can make a difference in your life.
The key to making the most out of your limited budget is to know what will give you the best return on your investment. You may be able to make a low investment and with your own work turn it into a big one. For example, if you are a handyman, you could look out for a cheap house. By putting in your own work you probably are able to sell it for a lot more later or even rent it out for good money, giving you a regular income to finance your travels.
Real estate Investments are one of the best ways to generate a regular passive income. Some people for example have looked up apartment blocks for sale as it is a lot easier to manage a whole block than to have apartments scattered around the country. Also, there are some management companies that can handle all issues that might come up with the tenants. By getting someone to look after your building you have a lot more time to enjoy your next travel adventures.
6 Other Ways You Can Get Passive Income
No matter if you want to travel the world or just like to have some more time with your loved ones. We all like to have a bit more money in our lives and there is a lot of opportunity these days with the rise of e-commerce and e-business. There are so many ways to make money from your home or van! Here are six ways that have been proven as lucrative by those who have tried them out:
1) Rent your property on Airbnb
2) Sell old clothes
3) Sell online courses
4) Invest in the stock market
5) Create an app or website that people use often and continue to pay for it with ads or subscriptions
If you are deciding your career and you like to know what’s the deal with architects vs real estate agents – maybe to decide whether you should be an agent now or study to become an architect than this article is for you.
Architects design buildings and carry a lot of responsibility – therefore one might think that an architect would gain more money. But this might not necessarily be the case. Of course, it depends on a few factors, such as the country you are working, how famous you are as an architect or how many social connections you have as an agent.
Who Gains More – The Architect or the Real Estate Agent?
Architects gain less on a house than real estate agents, and this is because they don’t get a commission on the sale of the house. They instead get paid by the hour or for their design.
Therefore, there is a sense of fairness in paying architects less than they would pay to an agent. Architects are rewarded for their creative skills that they put into the design of the house, whereas an agent may just be rewarded for negotiating skills.
In some cases, it might be that the architect gets as little as 1% of the house worth for his work whereas a real estate agent might get 3% or more to sell a property. Also, one house might be sold a few times over the years, giving more chances for agents to make money. If that’s the case it seems obvious that it is more profitable to be an agent rather than an architect.
You have to keep in mind though, that agents don’t sell all houses that they have on offer. This means they might be putting a lot of time and effort into some deals that will never give them anything in return.
Architect vs Real Estate Agent
An architect is the one who designs the building. They are responsible for the construction of buildings, buildings layouts, and more.
An agent is a person who sells real-estate property on behalf of the owner. They are also called property agents or estate agents. Their main job is to find clients and help them buy or sell their property.
Architects who are famous are more likely to make more money. They are the ones who design the big building, and they need to be paid for their expertise. On the other hand, real estate agents will always be needed in the process of selling and buying a property.
The Difficulty for Architects in Marketing Their Own Product
Architects face a lot of difficulty when marketing their own work. The architecture profession already suffers from low status and low pay, so it is increasingly difficult to get into marketing your work as well.
They must take on the role of artist, developer, manager, and marketer in order to market their work well. They must become a jack-of-all-trades in order to succeed in this industry.
What Are the Best Countries for Architects?
Architects are one of the most well-travelled professions in the world. They visit different countries for various reasons; such as to get inspiration, to network with other professionals, or even to find a better work environment.
While this is true for all architects, it is especially true for freelancers who have more flexibility in their schedule. Freelance architects often rely on connections with local firms abroad because they can’t afford to work without income for too long.
What is the Difference Between the Two Jobs?
Real estate agents are professionals who are responsible for the sale of properties. They market the property, show it to prospective buyers and negotiate the price of the property.
Architects are professionally trained in disciplines like design, construction, and engineering. They take up careers in building construction and design.
If you work as a real estate agent you would interact with clients on a daily basis who want to buy or sell their house or land. It is possible to work as an agent without any formal education. Although most people prefer experience over qualifications which is why it’s always better to start by working at another agency before branching out on your own.
Architects usually have graduate degrees in architecture from accredited schools/universities that take three years or more to complete.
Conclusion
Do real estate agents make more money than architects? Yes! While architects need to go to university and carry a lot of responsibility, real estate agents don’t need to go to university, and they make more money with less responsibility.
Real estate investment is a great way to make a passive income with a lot of potential. But what should you do before starting your own business?
There are a few things that you should know before you start your own real estate investment firm. The first thing that you need to know is what kind of business model do you want to use? Do you want to work with investors as an information broker or as an investor yourself? If this is something that appeals to you, then it is important for you to understand the risks associated with both options.
The Current State of the Real Estate Industry
The real estate industry has been a longstanding and profitable industry that has been around for decades. The market has shifted over the years where more and more people are going to real estate investment firms to buy property because of their low capital requirements as well as the profitability of the trade.
Might sound like an oxymoron but a lot of people want to be a “real-estate agent” these days. They want to be an authority on all things real-estate, but what they don’t know is that there are many other ways for them to invest in the field without being an agent.
How does One Determine if they have Enough Funds or Credit Scores to Start an Investment Firm?
A strong investor with a successful track record is not the only requirement to start an investment firm. They also need to have enough funds or credit scores that are relevant for the type of investment they are starting.
There are many factors that one needs to take into account when considering investing in an investment start-up. One of the most important ones is your credit score and your ability to borrow funds for investment start-ups.
Introduction of Potential Investors in Your Real Estate Business Venture
The first step in getting potential investors is to have a plan. You need to write down all the risks, the benefits, what will the company look like after it’s been funded – basically everything that can go wrong and what could go right.
The next step is to find people who are interested in your project. This typically involves networking or reaching out on social media.
The third step is to create a pitch deck for potential investors who are thoroughly interested. A pitch deck typically includes financial information about your business, information about the team running it, and other important details about your company’s future goals.
Networking Strategies for Successful Real Estate Investors
Finding a network of people with the same interests and goals is one of the most important steps in becoming a successful real estate investor.
Networking is a broad term that means connecting with others to share knowledge, skills, and expertise. There are many different networking strategies for entrepreneurs who want to make connections with others in their field. In order to create successful connections, you need to be remarkably genuine and offer something of value in your interactions.
In addition, there are many ways for entrepreneurs to get started when it comes to networking. For example, you can go out and attend events that will allow you the opportunity to meet new people and potentially find potential connections in your field. You can also use sites like LinkedIn or Facebook groups for this purpose as well.
What are The Different Types of Property You can Invest In?
Owning property is an exciting prospect, but can also be daunting. There are many different types of property you can invest in, and the price ranges vary widely. To make it easier for you to narrow down your options, here are some of the most common.
There are four main kinds of properties that you can invest in: residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural properties. Residential properties are the most common type of property for people to buy because they require less work than other types when it comes to upkeep and they already come equipped with things like plumbing and electricity for your convenience. You may want to look for apartment blocks for sale.
Financing Your Investment Properties
Investing in property is not always the safest way to make money. However, it does offer a lot of investment opportunities and can be a great way to grow your wealth over time.
One of the most popular ways for investors to finance their properties is by taking out a loan from their bank. This option offers the simplicity of being able to get approved for up to 95% LTV on purchase or refinance transactions. The downside, however, is that you are not only securing your own house but also any other investments you have.
There are also many private lenders who offer financing options for real estate investors who have good credit scores and cash reserves set aside for their own down payment. As with any other investment opportunity, there are risks involved with private lending.
What Helps You Succeed as a Real Estate Investor?
It’s important to know that investing in real estate is not always an easy task. There are many ways to lose money and there are also many ways to make it. If you want to be successful as an investor, then the following tips will help you.
1. Do Your Research
Develop a game plan before you purchase your first property so that you’ll know exactly what you should buy and how much it will cost. You’ll also need to decide if you want the property for rental, flipping or long-term hold so that you can find the right place for your investment strategy.
2. Get Creative with Your Finances
It’s important that real estate investors have enough capital because their money is their most valuable asset in this business – they need enough of it to cover all ongoing expenses.
3D images are used in a variety of industries but they are especially common in the entertainment industry. This is because 3D images add another level of realism to the experience and make the viewer feel like they are present in the scene.
3D images captured in 3D photography are not only conducive to the needs of the client, but also have a greater effect on the prospective buyer.
It can be viewed so that buyers can get a sense of feel at home.
How You Can Make Your Home Look More Appealing to Buyers
The real estate industry has been using 3D rendering to create photorealistic images of homes for a long time now. The sales of virtual staging software and services is on the rise as it saves the seller from costly home makeovers and repairs.
Virtual staging refers to presenting a property virtually, through either a 3D model or photo-realistic renders. It’s an affordable and timely alternative to physically staging your home for sale, which can involve expensive makeover jobs and extensive repairs. It doesn’t matter if you are selling a flat, house or apartment block, a 3D image can perfectly present what it can look like in the future.
Why You Should Consider Investing in Professional 3D Visuals
Professional 3D visuals for your real estate agency can make a world of difference in your online presence. It will make the process of staging and marketing the property much easier, attracting more potential buyers.
3D visuals can help you to showcase a property in a way that 2D photography cannot. They allow viewers to better see the scale and scope of a space, as well as any features that might be difficult to identify from afar. The immersive nature of 3D visualizations makes them perfect for showings and tours, letting viewers explore even the smallest details of a space with ease.
What are the 3 Major Benefits of Using 3D Imaging in Real Estate Marketing?
In this article, we will find out what are the 4 major benefits of using 3D imaging in real estate marketing.
1. It’s a low-cost solution. 3D technology is well established in the industry. It is a well-understood technology which costs less than other technologies.
2. It can offer a window into space. 3D models allow for a more immersive experience with a sense of depth and scale, giving viewers an idea for what to expect before they visit the property in person.
3. It can generate higher engagement rates. By making properties feel more real, 3D images can elicit stronger emotional reactions from viewers. It entice them to take action such as scheduling an appointment or visiting an open house.
Conclusion: how 3d images can help sell your real estate
There are three ways in which 3D images can help sell your house faster.
The first way is that 3D images are much more realistic than the 2D images present in websites. The second way is that they give prospective buyers a better idea of what their house will look like in your neighbourhood. The last way is that it helps prospective buyers to see the different options available, which increases the probability of them making a purchase decision because they can get an idea about what other homes in your area look like.
When you are planning to build your own home in Portugal, you need to be aware of the documents and procedures that you need to undertake. The following will help you understand what documents you will need for construction permits to build your own home in Portugal.
There may be some cases where an application for construction permits is not required, such as when building with temporary materials or when reconstructing existing buildings.
1. Find the right location
Portugal is a small country and it may be more difficult to find a suitable location than you imagine. if you are thinking to be building your own home in Portugal you may already have a nice region in mind that you like most. But don’t overlook the hidden jems Portugal has to offer.
There are some regions that are more affordable than others, some are actually not far from the beach and mountains.
2. Apply for a planning permission
This is absolutely mandatory and will save you from potential problems later on. But don’t worry there is offices out there who are specialized in helping you in this process, such as an architectural office. Hiring an architect in Portugal is not as expensive as you might think. Depending on the size of your project it can cost you as little as 10 € per square metre.
3. Find and hire an architect
It might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it will make your life much easier in the long run by ensuring that everything gets done correctly, within budget and on time. Also, the architect in Portugal can design your home in a way that will actually save you money, in the end you probably pay the same that you would have without an architect.
4. Consider buying land
If you are only looking to build a home for yourself in Portugal, then make sure you look in the area that is right for you and have everything nearby that you will need. Also, it is important to check if the land is suitable for construction. If you buy a land in Portugal that is located in an estate make sure to check the estate rules – sometimes there are rules regarding colours of the house or windows or the roof needs to have a certain colour and angle… etc.
5. Speak to a solicitor
Better safe than sorry. Getting legal advice will help you to understand the procedure involved and be aware of potential pitfalls.
Conclusion: Building Your Own Home in Portugal
With these few simple steps you can be building your own home in Portugal and invest in the healthy and growing housing market of sunny Portugal.
Houses are expensive. Especially in densely populated urban areas. But there are some houses on the market that only cost a few thousand dollars.
Where can you find those dirt-cheap houses? One place we found for example is Bulgaria where you can get affordable houses, even some that are close to the beach.
Example: Cheap Houses in Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a country in the Balkans, Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Romania to the north and the Republic of Macedonia to the east. The country has a population of 7,6 million people and is one of the oldest countries in Europe.
Bulgaria offers beauty and history for all types of travellers willing to explore it. It is very affordable as well. For instance, a meal in a restaurant will cost you around 2 euros maximum, while accommodation will cost you anything from 10 euros per night for an apartment up to 50 euros per night for a hotel room with 4 stars. Bulgaria also has some remarkable festivals that are worth checking out – like the folk festival “Kukeri” during which participants dress up as masked characters with colourful outfits and dance around bonfires!
– There are plenty of opportunities for owning businesses
– Land prices are very low
4 Factors Affecting the Cost of a House
The cost of a house can vary in four main ways.
1) Location: the cost of a house will depend on where it is located. For example, a house right at the beach will cost you more than one in the middle of nowhere.
2) Size: the size of the property will also affect the price. For example, properties with a bigger backyard or more rooms might be more expensive than other homes with less space to offer.
3) Age: this factor is closely related to size and features but it also includes things like how old are the pipes? Or how new are the appliances? This is important because older homes might need lots of repairs and upgrades.
4) Amenities: another thing that affects housing prices is what kind of amenities, such as a pool or a gym, come with the property.
3 Ways to Make Your Home More Affordable
There are many simple ways to make your home more affordable. Here are 3 of them:
– Consider downsizing
– Look for a mortgage with a lower interest rate
– Consider walking away from your mortgage
– Consider to move to the Countryside
Downsizing is the most common way to make your home more affordable. The truth is that the size and space of your home can have an impact on its value. You could also look for a mortgage with a lower interest rate, which would help decrease the amount of money you spend each month. Lastly, it may be time to consider walking away from your mortgage if you have reached the end of what you can afford or if you are struggling to come up with additional funds.
Conclusion
Don’t look for a house that is bigger than you actually need it. Know what you can comfortably afford and then be flexible about the location as well as be ready to do some repair works yourself. Like that you will find cheap houses in no time.
Bio
Our Property under 20k team are the founders of www.all-real-estate.com and www.listproperty4free.com with the goal to search the cheapest real estate in the world and make it easy for others to find. The team is made up of landlords, real estate investors, architects and builders from several different countries. We just love to have a good strong cup of coffee while we write our experiences in this blog.
You may be surprised to learn that you don’t need to be rich in order to buy a house. In fact, there are many ways you can save money and still get a house under 100k.
Houses are a big investment and one that should not be taken lightly. That is why it is important to find the perfect house for you, in the best location and for a price that fits your budget.
Average house prices
According to the survey, the average amount people are spending on a house now is around $400,000. So, it would take a lot of research and work to find a house that’s cheaper than 100k.
There are many ways you can get a house for close to 100k or even less than that. It just takes some time and work on your end.
Find the best value for your money
It’s not always easy to find cheap homes in the marketplace. There are many aspects that affect the value of a home. The general rule of thumb, however, is to buy close to the city centre if you want better value.
Some people say that it might be easier to find a cheap home by looking at area listings, or by looking at other more affordable areas outside of the city centre. However, this might not be possible for everyone who wants to live in an urban setting.
Be more creative in your search
So, what should you do? Get creative with your search and don’t limit yourself too much by just looking at one area when there are so many others out there for you to explore!
Saving up for a down payment is the first big step in achieving this goal. You can save the down payment by living with your parents or by renting an apartment in an inexpensive location and then saving up more money over time.
A lot of people want to purchase a home but they don’t have the money. It’s not uncommon for people to spend their life savings on a house – which is why many people end up living in their parents’ basement. That’s actually not a bad idea if it helps you to save up for your own home at the same time.
There are certainly ways to get houses for 100k or less if you have patience and know where to look.
Be more specific in your search
Buying a house is one of the biggest purchases that you will ever make. That said, if you are looking for a cheap home, it’s best to be more specific in your online search and don’t just rely on general words like ‘cheap home’ or ‘good deal’.
Be flexible when it comes to DIY
If you are up for DIY, you can get a fixer-upper home at a lower price. All you need is to take some time off and do the renovation work yourself. Not only will it make your home look better, but it will also help in saving money on labour costs.
Fixer Upper Homes: Fixer-upper homes are properties that have not been renovated or updated for a long time. Even if the property doesn’t have any major structural damage, they may need new paint and flooring, as well as other cosmetic improvements.
Investors are starting to pay attention to the potential in fixer-upper homes. With a low purchase price and a lower mortgage, it is easier than ever to buy a fixer-upper house.
The process of fixing up a home can be very rewarding; you have the opportunity to make your house uniquely yours. It also has the potential to be profitable, too. Fixing up your home can increase its value by hundreds of thousands of dollars if you do it right!
Conclusion
Now, you’ve seen the best ways to buy a house for 100k or less. So, what are you waiting for? Start scrolling and find your dream home today!
Bio
Our Property under 20k team are the founders of www.propertyunder20k.com and www.listproperty4free.com with the goal to search the cheapest real estate in the world and make it easy for others to find. The team is made up of landlords, real estate investors, architects and builders from several different countries. We just love to have a good strong cup of coffee while we write our experiences in this blog.
For some reasons there have been a huge interest in abandoned bunkers for sale. Always there is an ad of a bunker for sale it gets at least ten times more hits than homes for sale. Surely, many just click on it out of curiosity but many are seriously interested. What is it that makes bunkers so attractive for buyers?
Although it is considered as the ultimate hiding place, the average underground bunker usually has no windows, just air vents and most of the times no electricity, toilet or running water.
Most subterranean shelters would be accessible through a straight up concrete shaft with a steel ladder, accessed by some sort of concrete or steel hatch on the ground.
The perfect historical restoration project
For all buyers who are interested in a historical restoration venture they are just perfect. It is a truly unique project that is sure to seduce. Unfortunately, there are not as many out there as interested buyers. That’s why, despite the bad state they usually are in they are not cheap.
Some people have been very creative and building their own amazing backyard bunkers. In this case don’t forget to get the proper permits before.
We could also see a recent movement of newly built bunkers – many especially for the upper class – that offer all modern comfort you can think of and look like out of a sci fi movie.
The “bunker for sale scam”
Sadly, whatever triggers a lot of interest in many people also inspires others to come up with a scam. In the bunker story it is no different.
The scam we have seen so far is this:
There is an ad with nice and very cheap bunkers for sale. Once you contact the advertiser, he will explain that he is very sick that is why he priced his bunker for a quick sale. Due to his condition, he is also not able to show the property but someone else can be paid to show it. Therefore, he will ask you for some money to see the bunker before you buy it. Needless to say, that after paying the money you will not hear from him ever again or have any way to get through to him.
Here are some red flags to look out for:
Price is cheaper than normal
The seller asks money to show you the property
Another good way is to use the Google Reverse Image Search with the images the advertiser has in the ad. You may find that he copied them from another website.
Bio
Our Property under 20k team are the founders of www.propertyunder20k.com and www.listproperty4free.com with the goal to search the cheapest real estate in the world and make it easy for others to find. The team is made up of landlords, real estate investors, architects and builders from several different countries. We just love to have a good strong cup of coffee while we write our experiences in this blog.
Adobe – or earth construction as some may call it – is one of the oldest building methods in the world. Since ever, humankind has used earth in various forms to build their homes. It has a huge number of benefits most of us modern people forgot about.
I only came to love this type of construction when working on a renovation project of an old town house in Portugal. Until then, when thinking of an earth house I had a very different picture in mind. It was something like a simple hut in an African village.
Adobe walls are naturally energy efficient and can be load bearing. Often, they are very thick, forming a natural insulation from the environmental heat or cold. Earth-based products are naturally sustainable because you are building with the materials that surround you.
Interestingly, approximately 30% of the world population lives in homes made of earth materials. That’s no wonder if you think of the many financial and environmental benefits. That’s why people like me, once we know about it, just love it. It is not only a far cheaper construction method but also has many other advantages compared with modern materials.
The composition of the adobe—or some may call it the recipe—vary according to country and local customs. Usually most of it is made of earth and or clay. Besides that, it can contain other materials like straw, maybe even small amounts of lime. Once I even read about that it can include horse hair. Not sure if this is true though.
There is even a thing they call Superadobe. It is also made from earth and organic materials heartened with lime, compressed into bags which are stacked on top of each other, each layer of bags separated by barbed wire. This method is perfect for seismically active areas.
What is adobe construction
Buildings made of Adobe are very similar to a rammed earth house. The only difference is that the earth was rammed into some sort of brick shape before it was used for the construction. Like this it is very easy to build walls with earth.
Special treatment for adobe construction
Please note that the right plaster is essential to be completely waterproof. You don’t want your wall to crumble apart after a few years. They are several products on the market that are perfect for adobe construction. We can use it for the first plaster on a new wall as well as fixing cracks in an old one. It is very important that the plaster lets the wall still breath.
Also, there can be a problem with raising damp in those buildings if they have no horizontal barrier to stop it. I saw a layer of bitumen sheet or a special plastic be put before the first layer of adobe bricks. Therefore, it is good to keep that in mind before you start building your house.
One historic local custom in my area was that the builders would leave an air gap under the house to avoid any raising damp. With some houses being well beyond 100 years now and showing no sign of any raising damp we can say that it is a truly successful method.
If you live in an earthquake zone it is also advisable to apply a net within the construction to give it better structural properties.
Adobe construction surprises
Probably the biggest surprise was when I found out that adobe was even used for the first modern architecture in Portugal. This is something I would always associate with concrete and steel.
It seems there is no limit to what you can build with it starting with simple garden walls, garages, sheds, houses and even apartment blocks.
Conclusion
Adobe Construction is naturally energy efficient and sustainable because you are building with the materials that surround you. With the right know-how it can give the same or even better comfort than a modern building method.
Bio
Our Property under 20k team are the founders of www.propertyunder20k.com and www.listproperty4free.com with the goal to search the cheapest real estate in the world and make it easy for others to find. The team is made up of landlords, real estate investors, architects and builders from several different countries. We just love to have a good strong cup of coffee while we write our experiences in this blog.
