Category: real estate

10 Things to Know About House Painting

Painting is one of the most enjoyable activities when you know how to do it properly. Most homeowners have been living with white walls for decades because they dread painting. You can easily improve the look and feel of your home by simply painting a new color. And this doesn’t take much effort.

Paint colors make a statement of the homeowner. You can use bold to mute colors depending on your preference. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to paint your house. Here are ten things that you should keep in mind when painting your house to make the task easier. You’ll probably enjoy painting after knowing these ten things. Let’s get started!

1.     Preparing a room makes a huge difference

All great painters know that painting is easy when there are no objects in the way. Emptying your room as much as you can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. If you are painting your bedroom, remove the beddings and move your bed and other furniture pieces to the center. And cover them with an old sheet.

While it may seem unnecessary to wipe down walls, it is a critical step. Whether you see it or not, there is a buildup of dust, dirt, and oil that will affect the quality of your work. Remove the debris before painting to allow the paint to stick to the walls.

You should also fill the cracks and nail holes and tape off the window trims, adjacent walls, and light switches. Cover the floor using newspapers, old clothes, or a roll of paper. Prepping the room before painting is a critical step that shouldn’t be ignored.

2.     Test the color

It’s quite difficult to know how a particular color will look on your walls before painting it. If you’ve been thinking of painting a new color, it’s important to buy a sample. Let the paint dry and observe its color during the day and at night.

This will give you a clear picture of how the color will look like after the paint job. If you are not sure about a particular color, buy a few samples, and test them. You’ll be amazed at the colors you’ll fall in love with. And even more surprised at how your favorite color looks in your home. Testing out colors before committing will save you precious time in the long run.

3.     Color your world

Choosing and mixing colors can be frustrating for some. However, you shouldn’t allow the fear of mixing colors to make you choose plain colors like white, beige, or off-white. Trying out different colors will help you evoke different emotions while in the room.

For instance, dark colors add depth and texture to your space. This is especially true if the room is enormous with high ceilings. On the other hand, if your room is small with little or no natural light, bright colors can open up space. Don’t be afraid to mix colors. You’ll be surprised by the result. Colors are fun. Don’t be afraid to add them to your rooms.

4.     Choose your finish wisely

While the color matters, the finishing does as well. High gloss paint finishes are easy to clean and durable. However, they usually highlight the imperfections on your walls. On the other hand, a flat paint finish hides these imperfections. However, it is more susceptible to damage. The egg shell finish hides imperfections, provides some gloss, easy to clean, and prevents damage. Choosing the correct finish will improve the look of your house.

5.     You can change the paint

After painting a small area of the wall and observing it, you may discover that it doesn’t look great once the walls are completed. Fortunately, the paint is usually cheap. And you can change it easily. If you discover that a particular color doesn’t look great, you can simply paint over it. If the colors are too overwhelming, you can consider leaving one wall painted your preferred color. Always know that you can change the paint whenever you want to. So don’t be afraid to try them out.

6.     Determine the amount of paint you’ll require

The last thing you want to happen is run out of paint while working on your project. Also, you don’t want to buy too much paint. You need to calculate the amount of paint you’ll need before going to the hardware store. You can do this easily by knowing the square footage of the room. You also have to think about the number of coats of paint that you want. If your walls are not primed, you’ll need two coats. Calculate the size of your room in advance to avoid buying too little or too much paint.

7.     Priming is crucial

Priming is a critical step during the preparation period. Primer enables the paint to stick to by sealing the walls. After filling in the cracks and holes, primer becomes more essential. Even if you’ll use primer, it’s still important to clean the walls. Primer improves the look of your room while minimizing the amount of paint that you use.

8.     Use the right brush

The use of a natural bristle brush with water-based latex paint will result in limp bristles that cannot absorb water thus making it harder for the paint to spread out. If you’ll be using water-based latex paint, always go for artificial brushes made from nylon or polyester.

9.     Roll after brushing

The idea of brushing corners before rolling your walls can be confusing. However, it’s essential for you to brush before rolling. Invest in a high-quality brush and paint out an inch from the ceiling, corners, and baseboard. These are common areas that rollers don’t reach. Use the roller afterward to flatten the brush marks and smoothen the surface. Brushing the corners and edges can be a tedious activity but it’s essential when painting.

10. Invest in quality supplies

All your supplies need to be in top shape before getting started. This includes your ladder, rollers, and paintbrushes. Investing in high-quality tools will save you time and reduce the risk of injury.

Conclusion

These are some of the essential tips that you should keep in mind when painting your house. By following these ten tips, you’ll end up with perfect walls. And you’ll enjoy the work of your hands. Taking the time to prep your walls will pay off in spades in the long run.

Author Bio:

Leon Collier is a blogger and writer at assignment help UK, professional essay writers and custom essay service from the UK. He loves to write about everything: pop-culture, history, travel, self-development, education, marketing. When not writing, you can find him behind a book or playing tabletop games with his friends. Follow him on Twitter @LeonCollier12

Image: Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Top Neighborhoods To Visit In Cairo

The capital city of the beautiful country of Egypt is Cairo, as well as it is well known around the globe, it is also very crowded and busy throughout the year regarding tourism, business ventures and future developments among the Arab region. When speaking about Egypt, Cairo is well known for its ancient history and artifacts around the city but there is more to see in Egypt than the capital but definitely it is a place to be noticed and visited as well not to mention, one of the top cities to live in when it comes to living in Egypt whether it is short term or long term stay. When considering the top places that you can choose from in the city of Cairo, there are actually very few places that arouse the interest of newcomers/expats or people trying to conduct their business within the country and they are included below in the article and worth reading if visiting Cairo is part of your future plans. Before booking a hotel, hostel or apartment, be sure that you have an idea of the area around it first so that you don’t spend most of your time commuting regardless the activity that you have in mind.

ZAMALEK

The well-known beautiful island in the middle of the Nile River, Zamalek is the home to some of the most beautiful sights and views within the outstanding city of Cairo. Among the many points of interests, Zamalek also hosts most of the city’s embassies as well as plenty of places and activities around the neighborhood that can be enjoyed regardless if you are alone or with beloved family or friends. Zamalek is Cairo’s nightlife hub, with plenty of bars, restaurants and shisha cafés, it is most of the local’s or expat’s favorite neighborhoods to visit because you simply can’t go wrong when it comes to this place specifically for all those who love the outdoor life and common activities among the society. Zamalek also includes many art galleries that can be seen as dynamic as well as interesting stores that can carry everything from antiques to the latest fashion trend. Last but not least, one of the main neighborhoods known for its security, which makes it great for walking around and feeling secure at all times during the day. If you are choosing to live in Zamalek, the view among the Nile will take your breath away by enjoying the scenery of cars and boats crossing the river all day/night long. Gezira Club is in the center of the island as it one of the many places that you can actually enjoy fresh air among the city avoiding all its polluted areas and negative causes that one’s health, the club has many sporting courts, a running track and an outstanding gym.

MAADI

Better known as Cairo’s natural greenery oasis, where you will find most of the locals speaking mostly about the parks, trees, and grass and adoring sights among one of the favored neighborhoods of locals and expats alike. Maadi is well known for its foreign influence among the area which doesn’t always mean that it is the best place for nightlife spots as much as Zamalek, but it is definitely noticed by its hotspot areas such as Road 9 which is full of stunning restaurants, shops, cafes and possibly a bar or two around the area. Old Maadi, Maadi Sarayat and Degla are the top areas known among Maadi for being the best walking neighborhoods in the capital city of Egypt. 

NEW CAIRO (5th Settlement or Tagamoa’ El Khames)

This newly modern area in Cairo, just built over a decade ago is among the very few places that many people can choose from when it comes to living or staying in the country especially because all of the hotspot locations as well as being close to all the important places as well within the city. This eastern suburb in Cairo isn’t known for the usual sightseeing visits as well as it is a calmer and openly spacious when regarding traffic unlike central Cairo, and it is known for being closer to the airport which is less of a hassle for those who are staying for a short stay and trying to enjoy their trip as much as possible.

You will find all the best international brands, restaurants, and shisha cafés and last but not least, Cairo Festival City which is known now as one of the best malls that Egypt has to offer. One of the greatest aspects of living in New Cairo is actually the many amazing compounds included within the properties and having the luxury to reside in such tremendous locations within these secured compounds. Road 90 is the well-known destination among locals and expats both for a great lunch/dinner and even shopping experience. New Cairo is also amazing when it comes to all the needed educational needs that most families may need when choosing to reside in the city, but don’t worry New Cairo has you covered with all the best schools around the area such as Chouifat, American International School in Egypt, Narmer American College and the new campus of the American University in Cairo. It is better to stay within the area of New Cairo to enjoy its modern atmosphere if you aren’t too interested in the greenery of Maadi or the historical yet loud scene that Zamalek can offer.

6TH OF OCTOBER CITY

The city of 6th of October is the western equivalent of the 5th Settlement also known as New Cairo. This suburb located in Cairo is the home to many commercial centers full of restaurants, stores and many popular malls such as Mall of Egypt, Mall of Arabia and much more. 6th of October City might be the best place to stay if you are choosing to stay close to all the historical artifacts in Cairo such as the Great Pyramids of Giza and/or the Saqqara pyramids. When it comes to traffic, it is one of the most recommended places regarding that issue however it is the furthest neighborhood in Cairo from the airport. One of the few flaws of this neighborhood is that there must be a car/cab needed most of the time as it is another place that will be hard to get around on foot unless you like to walk long distances to the requested places.

DOWNTOWN (TAHRIR)

When it comes to living in a crowded as much as it is touristic, it can be chaotic for most but it is highly recommended for those who are looking forward to being adventurous and looking to get the real experience within the beautiful capital of Egypt. You can tell that this area is well known throughout the history of places such as the apartments that were built many years ago, shop after shop, and restaurant after restaurant you will recognize all the old streets and night sidewalks that dominate the landscape alongside the countless displays of historical sites along the location. Its known for being crowded but it is definitely a place that you won’t need a cab/car to commute around as it is easier to use public transportation or even walk the distances as it is definitely worth the experience to witness some of Cairo’s notable places such as the Cairo Museum, Khan El Khalili and the Islamic and Coptic Cairo that be adored when first seen.

HELIOPOLIS

When choosing the best place closest to the airport, Heliopolis is the best place to reside in Cairo as well as it also includes one of Cairo’s biggest malls which is City Stars, where it is nearby and you can shop for everything that you want in case you are under pressure with time. There is also the well-known place of “Korba” which is a nice yet unique place to enjoy walking as Heliopolis has it’s fair share of fancy restaurants and bars. One of the flaws of living in Heliopolis would be the usual Cairo traffic and congestion through prime hours as well as it will take quite some time to reach the center of the city and even longer distance to get to the Great Pyramids of Giza.

GARDEN CITY

Located on the right bank of the Nile River, Garden City used to be the home to the many elites living in Egypt as some of the beautiful architecture still stands until this present day. Garden City hosts some of the many best restaurants and bars, it is also walking distance towards the area of Zamalek which is convenient to all those willing to visit or enjoy the nightlife and the best that the area of Zamalek has to offer. Garden City is the best place to reside if you are looking for a spectacular view of the Nile River as well as delightful walks towards the fascinating places nearby that can be enjoyed by any local or expat.

OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS NOT INCLUDED:

HARAM (THE AREA OF THE PYRAMIDS)

While it is considered the best place and closest place to the Great Pyramids of Giza, it is also not the favored place when regarding safety and distance from other well-known attractions in Cairo. It is also not the closest to central Cairo as well as the airport.

MOHANDISEEN

When speaking about crowded and a place being super hectic, Mohandiseen is one of the top places to be remembered when it comes to these aspects.

MANIAL

While it does have some amazing Nile River views, it doesn’t have much else to offer regarding amazing sights or experiences, which can be seen as not so pleasant for most tourists and expats.

NASR CITY

One of the top crowded and congested areas in the city of Cairo, as it does have few touristic attractions, it is definitely not worth staying whether for short or long term and would be better to reside or a book a hotel in closer areas if you are choosing to visit Nasr City often.

If you are looking to stay in a hotel, then it would be best to aim for one around the Zamalek or Garden City area; If you are looking for a hostel then it would be best to go to the Downtown area and if you are looking to rent, purchase/sell properties within the beautiful capital city of Egypt, then you can check out our full recommended properties list right here housesolutionegypt.com/

Author Bio

Mohamed El Zaafarany is a digital marketing consultant with interests in the travel and real estate industries who loves to connect businesses with their target audiences.

zaafarany.com

Image: Image by Nick115 from Pixabay

Don’t Make This Mistakes While Renting Out Your Apartment During Pandemic

Coronavirus and the hustle and bustle that came with it changed things around the economy and not only. Because of the quick-spreading rate, we’ve seen big shifts in business-related practices and the stock market, which are important factors driving the economy. Companies quickly changed their policies, trying to prevent their profits from dropping dramatically. The people, however, felt the virus differently. Most of them lost their jobs during the pandemic, which posed further economic difficulties for their families. Renters barely made rent during the pandemic with almost all service-based businesses closing down, tourism dropped exponentially, while employment rates were higher than ever.

The economy was not friendly for either side. Landlords and their businesses suffered greatly as well, with fewer and fewer people being able to pay their monthly share. According to a report at CNBC, single-family home rents grew by 1.7%, which was the slowest rate seen in years. Demand decreased and so rent-out companies were left empty-handed, meaning that these companies will have to increase their rates once the spread abates. 

I’m sure that renting out during the pandemic can be quite a challenge, which is why you should think twice before taking this step. You should assess the costs and benefits of making such a move and try to avoid common mistakes. Here you can find a guide on the don’ts of renting out your apartment during COVID-19. Check them out and let us know if you have any questions.

Don’t allow tenants to disrespect your authority

Even though during coronavirus renting out has been a challenge to you, this shouldn’t mean that renters should do whatever they want in your apartment. You should not accept those who disrespect your rules and authority, since you are the sole owner of your personal space. In your space, rules should be enforced by you, and those who do not respect them should not be allowed in. Try to avoid renters who violate rules and policies, even if that means less money coming your way. In the short run, failure to accept these types of renters will look like a mistake, but in the long run, it will save you serious damaging costs, trust me.

Ensure that you set up clear rules before allowing them into your apartment. Inform them of any late fee payment policies. Make sure that they know what they can and cannot do in your space. For example, if your place is smoke-free, they should know this from the start and agree in writing that they won’t ever break this rule. They should also be informed from the very first start of the financial penalties that come with disrespecting your regulations.

Allow your renters to make partial payments… for now

As I mentioned earlier, the pandemic has made things difficult for everyone, including tenants, so don’t be mean about it. Allow your renters to make partial payments during this challenging period of time. However, don’t leave everything up in the air. Come up with a final deadline on when they will be able to make the full payment. Since the pandemic can be so unpredictable, your best bet would be choosing a far final payment deadline anywhere between 6-8 months from now.

Even if allowing tenants to make partial payments could be detrimental in the short run, things will get better in the long run. If you don’t make this temporary gesture of kindness, you might lose your tenants quicker than ever. After the pandemic, they will probably decide to move out, since your renting policies are so harsh to handle. Be understanding but don’t let them cross limits, or in this case, the deadline you have imposed.

Don’t forget to track rental payment history

If you’ve decided to help your tenants out with minimal payment rates, make sure you keep track of their payment history. I’m not saying all renters will try to trick you, but some of them might, especially during these challenging economic times. Ensure that you keep proofs of all the payments that they made and that you hand them a copy of each transaction separately. Keep a record on your file with their name of it and write down the dates in which they made the payments. This is a good foundation to have in case you must take immediate action against them. And you never know, do you?

Don’t be afraid to set up rules

To clearly convey your landlord expectations and prevent tenants from behaving in unwanted ways, you will need to set up the right rules at the right time before they sign the lease. Here are some of the most important house rules to impose during coronavirus:

  • Talk about the details of payment late rent, as I aforementioned.
  • Set up the conditions for your right of entry in the apartment, under what circumstances and how?
  • Talk about quiet hours and ensure that garbage removal policies are in place.
  • If your place has a kitchen, make sure you set up rules for the use of kitchen appliances and other additions.
  • Pet and smoking policies should also be implemented from the very first start.

Those tenants whose actions violate the status quo policies should be sent notices to draw attention to these issues. If these notices are ineffective, they should be asked to leave within 30 days. Don’t make the mistakes of accepting your tenant’s mistakes over and over again – this won’t get you anywhere. In fact, you could be missing out on better tenants because of your continued acceptance of unlawful action.

You can’t just evict your tenant

Most of the states in the U.S. have taken action to minimize the impact that the pandemic had on tenants; most states have imposed moratoriums on evictions, preventing landlords from evicting those tenants who hold off paying their monthly share. This policy will expire quite soon, but other regulations might be imposed. Do your research before giving your tenants ultimatums – you might be wrong and thus, faced with a serious trial ahead of you.

Conclusion

Make sure that you follow the rules and regulations on renting out and are updated on the latest trends of renting during the pandemic. Do not allow tenants to disrespect your authority, allow them to make partial payments if needed, and always track their payment history.

Author Bio

Leon Collier is an essay writer from the UK who offers essay writing help and essay writing service reviews. Leon loves to write about everything: pop-culture, history, travel, self-development, education, marketing. When he is not writing, you can find him behind a book or playing tabletop games with his friends. Follow him on Twitter @LeonCollier12.

Image: Photo by Ján Jakub Naništa on Unsplash

5 simple ways to invest in real estate

Investment is not an easy way to do with 100% surety whether you would profit. However, if you plan to invest in real estate, it could be a great way to make money with less amount. Even if you are lack money, you can simply take loans and pay them off on installments. Real estate investing is beneficial if it is being invested in the right way. Nevertheless, if you are deciding to invest in real estate for the first time, yet you are confused about where and how to invest in this business, there are plenty of ways to invest in real estate and get profited.

I would let you know about these tactics and approaches through which you can build enough money. When you start investing in real estate, it helps in expanding your investment portfolio and can be a suitable means of earning enough. Moreover, a decent investment in real estate grants you tax benefits through devaluation, which may help you increase your returns. Thus, you are requested to stay here and start your business with low investment though get high profit.

1.      Purchase a leasing property

Buying a rental property is the excellent and most common option to invest in real estate and build money. You can purchase any real estate property, residential or commercial property to lease to renters and earn the lease income every month. This way is beneficial in several manners; you have the authority to get your renters out, or you may use the property for your personal use. Anyhow, you would get a handsome amount of income every month regularly. On the other hand, where there are such benefits, owning a rental property may cause some downfalls as follow.

  • When you invest in real estate through renting properties, you may get less income from the renter.
  • Besides, obtaining a rental property can be a time-consuming task since it is difficult to find an ideal tenant.
  • When you buy your first property to lease it, it could be costly for you. Since this is your first investment, you could get further by keeping the profit once you bought your first property.

Warning!

Mortgage discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, or marital status is illegal. If you find such things happening with anyone, one can report a complaint against that person.

2.      Flip a property

Flipping property is another approach to invest in real estate. It uses the term fix and flips the house, which means that you purchase a house for your personal use and renovate it. Once you discover that the house is increasing its worth, you may sell it out at a decent rate. However, the flipping house is a task that requires much patience and endurance because it takes time to get a suitable client who would buy the renovated house in a great amount. 

Nonetheless, there are a few things that you need to bear in mind while flipping a house.

  • Try not to waste your time by focusing on little details while lipping a house. In the case of a flipping house, you should consume your time watchfully and make a schedule about how much time would you give in renovating the house. Also, focus more on the selling of the house, since it is an essential part of house flipping.
  • When you buy a property for flipping, you should watch your budget out. Try to buy a less expensive house that needs fewer renovation to save your maximum money. However, when it comes to the selling of the house, you should exceed 70% of the cost of what you expect; otherwise, you would be in loss.
  • While renovating the house, you must know the market scope; what trends and styles are in. Remember, if you renovate the house in a trendy way, it will increase the worth of the house.

3.      Rent out a part of existing property

This strategy does not need much investment; you can invest your own home where you are living already. If you decide to leave your house, however, don’t want to sell it out, you can lease your whole house and get income every month. On the other hand, if you live in a house and one portion is empty, upper or lower floor, you can give that part on rent and earn every month. This approach of real estate investment can be beneficial in numerous ways.

  • You can watch your renters closely about their living styles in your home.
  • You don’t need to visit every month for rent (if you rent out a far distant house).
  • No investment for spare property is needed.

4.      Purchase REITs

If you do not want to invest in real estate traditionally, you can choose to invest in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). In this approach, you only need to invest money and not be required to purchase or sell the property. When you invest in any organization, it is their concern or purchase and sale property. This corporation has to pay you 90% of the profit while avoiding paying business income tax and divide the money amongst all the investors. Nevertheless, REITs are a substantial investment for the stock market and are perfect for those who want a regular income.

Notification:

You are not applicable to invest in REITs if you are accompanying Traditional Rental Real Estate.

5.      Use real estate online platforms

You use some online real estate investment platforms to invest in this business if you are looking for a partner. It is usually used for investing in large commercial or residential properties. You can visit numerous online real estate platforms and link with the investors seeking partners for financial investment in real estate. If you find a decent partner with which u think you can associate, can contact and start a business. However, you need to pay the fee of using a certain online platform. This approach is beneficial in terrestrial divergence, and the profit would be divided according to the number of partners.

Upshot 

These were five simple ways to invest in real estate business; although, the most common and organic ways to earn a high profit are the first two. Besides, you can adopt multiple approaches to invest in real estate. Thus there is no rule to pick only one strategy; this thing would provide you higher profit. For instance, you can purchase multiple REITs and, at the same time, rent out your house for regular incomes. Anyhow, you invest in real estate through any means, there is all the profit you would get. So, initiate your real setae business and plan for a world tour.

Author: Jason Miles

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Email [email protected] or fill out our application form at: https://tinyurl.com/mddh-renovations, Do drop us a message if you have any questions. 

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We look forward to hearing from you!

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9 Home Upgrades to Make During Quarantine

Feeling bored during quarantine, looking for projects to do around the house? Maybe you’re interested in how COVID-19 affects real estate prices and considering sprucing up your property before putting it on the market.

Whatever the case may be, we have you covered! Here are nine home upgrades you can do over the next few months to make your place more beautiful and valuable. We’ve broken up these ideas by category to help you find the best solution to achieve your specific goals.

Home Upgrades for a Small Space

If you’ve been cooped up inside tight living quarters during quarantine, you’re probably experiencing more cabin fever than most. It might seem impossible to make improvements when you’re working with limited square footage, but that’s not true at all—it’s totally possible to beautify a small apartment. Here are some of our top suggestions.

  • Add more storage space. An area that looks cramped and cluttered feels just the same. From those old college moving boxes that you never got around to unpacking, to all the exposed cables strewn across various surfaces, try to put everything in its proper place. You’ll do your mind a major favor by eliminating the mess, so pick up a few storage bins that you can conceal beneath the couch or bed.
  • Change up your color palette.

Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint is all it takes to breathe new life into a stagnant living space. If you’re feeling like you’re staring at a prison of four white, bleary walls, invest in some color therapy to lighten the mood—you might be surprised to see what an effect hues can have on human psychology! Whether you opt for a vibrant, red accent wall or go corner-to-corner with a coat of soft, tranquil seafoam green, the difference will be noteworthy.


Gallons of paint can get pretty expensive, but you don’t have to break the bank to upgrade your color palette. If the bed is the largest object in sight, consider buying a new, cozy comforter that you’ll enjoy crawling into, rather than feeling confined to. Then, pick up some matching throw pillows and decorative accents to tie the revamped scheme altogether!

  • Bring the outdoors inside. Indoor plants are another great way to enhance your mental and emotional health, which is especially critical during this period of social isolation. If you can’t go outside, bring nature to you by adding touches of greenery throughout the space. Lacking a green thumb, or sufficient natural light to keep plants alive? No problem. Faux flowers and plants can achieve the same effect, minus the maintenance.

These changes may seem simple, but they can make a big upgrade to a small space in a short amount of time!

Home Upgrades that Save Money

Homeowners have endless possibilities in terms of renovations: an exterior facelift, kitchen expansion, bathroom remodel, outdoor patio… the list goes on and on. But although they’re less limited in space, there are still two constraints that can impact which upgrades they choose to pursue: time and money.

It’s essential to save money when owning a home. Otherwise, you run the risk of falling behind on property taxes, mortgage payments, and outstanding financial obligations. Those who value frugality might cringe thinking about the cost of renovation, but these energy-efficient ideas are simple and affordable—and they can actually help you save money down the road by significantly reducing monthly utilities.

  • Change your lightbulbs. If it sounds easy, it is. Simply switching out your old, incandescent light bulbs with LED ones is a low-investment, high-return upgrade. LEDs use 75-80% less energy and swapping out as few as five could save more than $30 per year in electricity—but the average home has 30-60 bulbs installed, meaning you could see hundreds in savings.
  • Xeriscape the yard. This big word helps reduce your environmental footprint, which then in turn reduces your water bill. Xeriscaping refers to the process of landscaping that’s designed to decrease or eliminate the need for irrigation. Swap out thirsty plants and grassy lawns with native, drought-resistant species, strategically located to cut back on water consumed by the yard and garden.
  • Optimize the insulation. One of the best ways to save money is by cooling and heating your home more efficiently, and there’s plenty of options for how you can do so depending on the size of your budget. Installing smart thermostats, dual-paned windows, and insulated roofing are a few options.

Most of these projects you can do yourself, but hire a professional for large and/or dangerous jobs. Be sure to do your diligence and research the contractor before signing any contracts—you never know what might show up in a background check, and it would be a shame to see your upgrade turn into an upset.

Home Upgrades that Add Value

The best upgrades are the ones with the biggest return on investment. Whether you’re looking to sell, build long-term equity, or simply pass the time, here are a few examples of renovations that can make homes more expensive.

  • Replace old hardware. Replacing outworn faucets and doorknobs in the bathroom and kitchen can make your home look cleaner and more up-to-date. Choose one type of metal and keep it consistent throughout the space for a cohesive aesthetic.
  • Get rid of old grout. The grout lining your shower is porous, which makes it pretty difficult to clean as time goes by. If your tub is looking a little lackluster, remove loose grout with a putty knife and squeeze a fresh application in its place to make it shine. Bonus points for upgrading the tile backsplash while you’re at it!
  • Repaint the front door. Enhance the curb appeal of your home by repainting the front door. Bold colors like teal are trending right now, but even a traditional tone will make the property look newer by concealing the toll of time.

These upgrades are cost-friendly and when it comes time to sell your property, they can help you drive a much higher asking price.

What home improvements are you picking up during quarantine? Let us know in the comments below.

Kaelee Nelson

Kaelee Nelson received her Master degree with an emphasis in Digital Humanities and pursues her career as a writer in San Diego, currently writing for 365businesstips.com. She enjoys informing readers about topics spanning industries such as technology, business, finance, culture, wellness, hospitality, and tourism.

Working from home? No, working from Paradise!

Working from home has become the new reality for many of us in the past year. Many found themselves in this very new and – no doubt – challenging situation. Depending on the circumstances of each individual it could mean to either be alone at home or to find a quiet corner in your busy family home. Both situations come with their very own set of problems as well as advantages.

I found myself in the second scenario. The bedroom became my office as well as my husbands’. In each video conference we hoped none of our children would storm in to scream out the latest mischief one of her siblings did… To tell a long story short: I believe many of us homeworkers wished for better working conditions.

Buy a covid friendly home

Buying a new home that better suits our needs in this time definitely crossed our mind. Looking at all the complications though, made us soon realize that it does not seem to be a good time for that, not just yet.

I saw many articles popping up about covid friendly homes – meaning it is NOT friendly to the actual covid virus but rather helps people to live with the new situation. There is a lot of speculation going on how such a home would look like.

Others might also suggest that soon there will be a vaccine and everything will be back to normal again – just like the time before the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Another thing to consider is that your house might not be worth what it used to be due to the financial impact the pandemic had on the real estate market.

Therefore, it might be a hasty move to sell your home and get another right now.

What you can do

Many people did not go on their annual holidays abroad this year out of fear or due to complications, such as needing to be quarantined when they return to their home country. But what if you would get the chance to combine your holidays with your new working from home situation?

Speaking with many who worked from home even before the spread of the covid, you can be free to choose where you like to live. This is fantastic. I know some who choose really nice places where real estate is very cheap. They were able to keep their costs of living down and at the same time live in a great location.

If you like to get an idea where it would be very cheap to buy a house have a look at this map:

https://www.propertyunder50k.com/map_view.php?

Paradise Guaranteed

I recently came across the Barbados Welcome Stamp – basically it is a special visa for remote workers who want to work and live in Barbados for 12 months. So, if you are looking for a change and you like to try another country for a year why not have a look?

Looking to buy, sell rent real estate? Visit www.all-real-estate.com

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.

5 Ways to Begin Investing In Real Estate with Little or No Money

Lots of folks believe this to enter the world of property; you require plenty of money. But it doesn’t imply that a person with less or no cash can’t begin a real estate company. In This article we have covered the full topic of – how to do real estate business with no money?

The first thing required to initiate a real estate company (or any business, really) is the ideal mindset. You will need to work out creative and innovative ways of getting financing for your real estate deal, especially when you’ve got no funds to spend.

A business is successful once you earn profit by selling your goods or services. This is true for the real estate business, also. The best thing about the property sector is that everyone can start this business with the wish to sell the property and earn high returns.

So, how can you begin a real estate company with zero capital? How can you organize financing to back up your real-estate deal?

If these questions are running through your head, then we have got helpful answers for you.

How to Make Money in Real Estate Without a License

Real estate is an exciting business. I have met a few of the most driven and enthusiastic individuals, lots of whom are currently lifelong buddies. It keeps you on your feet! When most folks consider transitioning to a career in real estate, but the first thing that comes to mind is becoming a certified realtor. With all the licensing and education requirements, however, that may seem quite daunting. Many don’t understand that you may work in real estate without a license in most countries. In actuality, a quick scan of the internet job boards shows the assortment of opportunities.

How to Start a Real Estate Business with No Money

Here Are Five Powerful ways to start a property dealing Company (How to do real estate business with no money) with zero Cash in your pocket, Plans you can learn from and apply in other businesses as well:

1. Buy a House as a Main Home

You can buy a house to live in with a zero money down VA or USDA loan, remain there for at least one year, then move out and turn the house into a rental home. Do not forget that equity building through property investing also contains the houses where you live. Additionally, the down payment and credit rating requirements for a primary residence are always less strict compared to investment property. Living on your insignificant farms first is an excellent way to avoid the more rigorous lender rules for property investment properties.

2. Purchase a Duplex, and Reside in 1 Unit while You Rent Out another One

Did you know that you could fund a two-unit duplex using an FHA loan? You reside in one unit and rent out the other property for additional cash. Along with the reduced down payment requirement, the best thing about this property investing strategy is the lease you derive from the opposite side of this duplex will most likely play a significant part of your mortgage!

3. Create a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) on Your Primary Residence or another Investment Property. 

For those who have a large quantity of equity on your primary residence or another property rental property. Many banks will provide you with a HELOC, which you can then use for property investing. A normal HELOC will make a line of money in hand for around 70-80% of the instant equity in your currently owned land.

However, the HELOC can also be utilized as a zero-down mortgage to fund a rental property.

The HELOC interest rate is generally the prime rate and 1 or 2%, which now puts them around 5 percent. But the principal benefit of the HELOC is that it usually does not have any closing costs, and you’ll be able to close quickly with only a Drive-By evaluation on your premises. Some banks won’t charge you for this particular examination.

By way of instance, if the interest is $300, you can simply pay that minimum amount, or pay extra money each month to repay the principal. This permits you to make your mortgage under your terms.

Assuming the prime rate stays stable, the total amount of interest will fall as you pay down the principal monthly.

4. Ask the Seller to Pay your Closing Costs.

On many property transactions, the property seller is willing to cover buyer closing costs to incentivize a sale. However, the trade-off will most likely have to supply the full asking price or close to it. This is reasonable, so long as your lease is enough to cover all your expenses and give you little monthly cash flow. However, at full asking price in the event, the lender quotes you an entire mortgage payment (including insurance and taxes ). Which is equal to or higher than the lease you can reasonably cost, search for another deal.

5. Utilize a Bank that Pays Closing Costs or Supplies a Rebate on your Down Payment.

In combination with Freddie Mac’s Home Possible Advantage program, Quicken Loans has just promoted a 1% down payment option on single-family houses for owner-occupied properties. The buyer puts up 1 percent, and Quicken Loans provides a grant for another 2% needed. A 680 credit rating and a debt-to-income ratio of 45 percent or less will be required.

Sometimes the interest rate is slightly higher to get this deal, but some lenders are currently advertising. They’ll pay closing costs without increasing interest rates. Check with a site such as bankrate.com or do a Google search for a listing of those companies.

Whichever of these methods you opt to use, the most crucial point to bear in mind is that investing in real estate with very little money is a superb way to build wealth. It is among the very few investment approaches where you can begin without large quantities of cash. One never knows when particular property programs will come and go. So make sure to benefit from these ideas while they’re still around.

Is real estate an excellent way to earn money in 2020?

Real estate is best regarded as a long-term investment – it pays off best when held through the years. You can purchase property in 2020, but you would want to hold onto it for 20–30 years for the best results. Suppose you can find sellers that will sell their property for you at a substantial discount below market value. In that case, you can create a whole lot of cash in a couple of weeks through wholesaling or flipping. But finding people who will sell the property to you for 10–20 percent or more below market value is a whole lot tougher than finding quality properties that will appreciate and supply decent cash flow over the longer term.

How to Start Investing in Real Estate with Little Money

For many people, the term “investing” conjures up images of men in suits, tracking the exchange of tens of thousands of dollars on a stock ticker.

I am here to tell you: You do not have to be the Wolf of Wall Street to begin investing. It’s okay if you are more of a mouse of Main Street. Even if you just have a few bucks to spare, your money will grow with compound interest.

The key to building wealth is developing good habits–such as regularly putting money away each month. Replace the barista-made cappuccinos for coffee in your home, and you may already be saving more than $50 per month.

As soon as you have a little cash to play, you may begin to invest.

It’s just as straightforward. Having a robo-advisor or savings account, you can make your money work as you play. With a stock trading program, you can play a little money and learn valuable investing lessons simultaneously. Exactly like Halloween costumes, investing comes in several diverse forms. It should not be a scary word.

With so many diverse choices, investing for novices is more straightforward and more uncomplicated than ever before.

Conclusion

Property coping is a very profitable business. Use the ways mentioned above to enter this line of business even when you don’t have cash. But, do not forget that entry is simply the first step on the ladder of success. How your company grows and succeeds is mainly based on your hard work and your ability to recognize opportunities and take action accordingly.

Ready to begin taking advantage of the current opportunities in the housing market?

Whether you are new to investing or have closed a few bargains. Our new online property course will cover everything you will need to know to help you start real estate investing. Professional investor than Merrill explains the very best property plans to help get you on the path towards a better financial future.

About the author: My name is King kentus i blog at komback.com and i am the CEO of the said website.

Renting vs Buying: What to Consider

Buying a house is the pinnacle of success—or, at least it used to be. It seems as though more and more people are abandoning the popular dream of homeownership and setting their sights on financial accomplishments that are more realistically attainable, like luxury vehicles, designer watches, and worldly travels.

That’s not to say purchasing a property is entirely off the table, though. There are plenty of affordable properties under 20k that you could buy without sending yourself into debt for several decades. There are two sides to every coin, but ultimately, there’s no single “correct” answer—it all comes down to your personal priorities. If you’re debating renting vs buying, consider these points to help you decide which option suits you best.

What’s on your time horizon?

If you’re thinking about buying a house, make sure to consider your timeline in two to 10 years from now. Will you be in the same city? Have the same job? Are you ready to settle down?

The people who like to rent are usually those that value flexibility and mobility; they don’t want to be tied down to a 15- or 30-year mortgage that locks them into one location. Of course, life happens and plans can always change, but if you have to sell your home shortly after buying it in order to move to a new city or place your child in a better school district, for example, you could lose money on your initial investment.

Bottom line: Purchasing a home is an investment in your future, but it’s a long play that will require you to live in the same place for at least two years. Just like any investment, there’s risk involved should the real estate market crash and you owe more on the property than what it’s worth.

How is your credit looking?

You’ll need a positive credit history whether you’re applying to rent or buy a house, but it’s much more important in the case of the latter. Most of the time, homeowners rely on financing to purchase a property; it’s pretty rare for someone to have a few hundred thousand sitting around in cash that they can use to complete the sale in one fell swoop.

Lenders will look at several things when reviewing your mortgage loan application, including your age and income, but credit history is one of the most important qualifiers. Not only do you need a strong credit score to finance a house, but it’s in your best interest to take the time to increase your score as high as possible in order to receive low rates.

A good number demonstrates less perceived risk, so the lender will be likelier to charge less interest on top of the principal balance—saving you a significant amount of money in total borrowing costs in the long run.

Bottom line: If you’ve missed a few bill payments in the past and are sitting on mismanaged debt, you should clean up your credit history before trying to buy a home.

Do you have money saved up?

One of the biggest differentiators between renters and buyers is the money they have saved up in the bank. Even with approved financing, you’ll need to place a sizable down payment—or, the portion of the purchase price that you pay upfront in cash—to show the lender you’re invested in the property and likely to repay the loan.

Many people think they need a down payment of at least 20% of the total price in order to buy a home, but that conventional wisdom doesn’t apply much today. While it’s true that a 20% down payment can help you avoid private mortgage insurance and save you tens of thousands of dollars in the long run, this barrier to entry is pretty steep for first-time buyers.

You can buy a home with anywhere between 5-15% down upfront, and there are also down payment assistance programs that can help you come up with the cash. Renting will also require a down payment, security deposit, and money on-hand for application fees, but these costs are usually cheaper than a mortgage and its affiliated costs.

What many people fail to realize, though, is that every rent payment they make likely goes toward paying off the landlord’s mortgage, and the price comparison isn’t that far apart. For example, if rent costs a thousand per month, a mortgage payment might be only 15% more. Rather than throwing that money down the drain on rent, those funds could be better applied to building your own wealth in home equity and increasing your net worth. You could also look into rent-to-buy homes in your area that can help you achieve the best of both worlds.

Bottom line: You’ll need to budget and save up for a home, which often leads people to stick with rent that’s easier to afford while keeping up with the cost of living—but putting in the work can pay off tenfold if you apply the cost of rent toward a tangible asset that you eventually own over time.

Are you financially responsible?

When you buy a home, the hard work doesn’t end once you get the keys in your hand. There are a lot of ongoing costs that you’ll need to keep up with, such as property taxes and maintenance repairs. And, whereas a renter could simply call up the property manager to fix a leaking sink, that responsibility will fall on you to repair yourself—unless you prefer to pay someone to do it for you.

Bottom line: If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of property maintenance and the ongoing costs of homeownership, it might be better to rent so you know exactly how much money to budget every month.

Do you have competing goals?

Finally, check in with your financial goals to see if there are competing priorities. Let’s say you just graduated from college; would you rather pay off your student loans or invest in the real estate market? Do you need a down payment to purchase a new vehicle?

Bottom line: It can be challenging to pay off debt or save money when owning a home, so consider your financial goals and decide what to accomplish first.

By keeping these thoughts in mind as you compare renting vs buying, you’ll be more likely to make the right decision for your financial future.

Samantha Rupp

Samantha Rupp holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and is the managing editor for 365businesstips.com. She lives in San Diego, California and enjoys spending time on the beach, reading up on current industry trends, and traveling.

How and Where to Invest in Real Estate: The 4 Best Ways to Profit

It’s not a secret that real estate can yield bigger profits than most businesses, but did you know that you can earn in this market even if you don’t sell a house?

If you have ever experienced having a landlord, there’s a good chance that you have observed how challenging it is for them to field calls from tenants all day about overflowing toilets or giant bugs. But while it may not seem like the most glamorous job, being a real estate investor can be quite lucrative.

Aside from renting out a place, there are plenty of ways that you can get a significant return on investment in real estate. The only problem is that not all investors understand how they can do so, or even know which investments can get them a significant ROI.

If you’re new to the trade, this article is for you. Read on to learn the four best ways to profit by investing in real estate.

1.   Buy a rental property

This is probably the most straightforward method of becoming a real estate investor. ‘Investment property’ refers to any commercial or residential property to be rented out to tenants without any additional fixing or flipping.

When you own a rental property, you don’t just get what you paid for, but you also build wealth-generating income. Add to that equity appreciation and the leverage you have with real estate, and you have yourself a solid investment.

Still, it is worth noting that owning a piece of rental property may not be for everyone. When looking for houses or apartments for sale, you have to make sure that you consider your interests, lifestyle, and the potential drawbacks, including:

●      Time commitment

Owning a property and renting it out to tenants requires time, even with the help of a property management agency. Make sure that you can accommodate this in your schedule. Otherwise, it would be best to try something else.

●      Cost barriers

Another major concern most investors have about a rental property is the cost of buying one. If you’re taking out a loan for it, many lenders require a minimum of 25 percent down payment for an investment property loan. Thus, it would be better to consider undertaking this type of real estate venture if you have reserves worth several months’ expenses.

●      Uncertainty of yield

Although many rental properties provide a continuous source of income for many (especially if you pick an apartment in a highly desirable location, like a Business Bay property in Dubai, for example), it isn’t a 100% done deal. Vacancies can happen, and things may break. Although there is great potential in this sort of investment overall, there are considerable short-term risks.

2.   Invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs)

Real estate investment trusts or REITs allow investors to put in their money and let it grow without actual, physical real estate.

Although usually compared to mutual funds, REITs are actual commercial real estate properties like retail spaces, office buildings, apartments, and hotels that yield income through leasing. The revenue gathered through these properties is divided amongst the REIT holders – also called ‘trustees’ – in the form of a dividend, which they can automatically reinvest to allow it to grow further.

But while REITs are an excellent way to invest in real estate for people without the time to handle rental properties, they can also be complex and varied. Some of these are traded on an exchange the same way stocks are, but others aren’t publicly traded. This means that the kind of REIT you invest in is a huge factor in how big a risk you’re taking when engaging in this form of real estate investment.

3.   Purchase a vacation rental

Vacation rentals are quite different from the rental property mentioned previously. While the latter involves having long-term tenants, vacation rentals are only occupied by tenants on occasion.

One of the perks of having this type of investment property is that you can use it as your second home when it is vacant. It would also be easier to finance vacation rentals compared to long-term rental properties, particularly if your lender considers it your second home as it means you don’t need to use the rental income to qualify for the loan.

Moreover, these properties usually bring in higher rental income per day compared to long-term rentals.

But, like other investment options, vacation rentals also have some disadvantages.

For one, marketing and managing this type of rental property requires more involvement on your part compared to those leased out long term. Because of this, the cost of property management is a bit higher, with many property managers expecting to get paid 25% of the total rent. This is more than twice the 10% standard for long-term rentals.

4.   Fix and flip real estate

If you’re a fan of real estate TV shows, then you’re probably familiar with the term ‘fix and flip’ or the act of ‘flipping houses’. Fixing and flipping a property means that you buy a home for the sole purpose of refurbishing it and selling it quickly for a profit.

This particular investment option can be quite a lucrative option in real estate, especially if everything proceeds as planned. After all, what better way to earn some cash than by buying an underpriced home, showing it little love through inexpensive renovation, and reselling it for a higher price?

However, this strategy is a little bit harder to accomplish in reality compared to how they present it on TV. First, it comes with a higher risk as the maths behind flipping properties means you have to be very accurate in your estimated cost of repairs. That alone is a challenge in itself.

Plus, flipping homes is a job that requires not only your attention but a lot of time as well. This means that if you’re a passive investor, you should consider another investment option.

Remember that fix-and-flip investments can be quite daunting, even for the most experienced professionals. In fact, even the people you see doing this on TV require a team of four people or more, with varying expertise in real estate marketing, civil engineering, interior design, and others.

There are also some rules you must know about before deciding to jump into the fix-and-flip bandwagon:

  • You make money when you buy, not when you sell. Stick to the 70 percent rule; the acquisition, repair, and holding costs shouldn’t exceed 70 percent of the amount you expect to sell it for.
  • Time is equivalent to money in this trade. Dragging your feet during repairs and selling can destroy your profit margins.

Invest wisely in property

Property investment has a high potential of helping you build your wealth. When done right, you can even make it your main source of income.

Still, it would be best not to put all your eggs in one basket. Invest wisely by choosing the right kind of real estate investment among those listed in this article.

Author: Damac Properties