How To Estimate Your Rental Property’s Operating Costs

Owning a rental property can be a quite lucrative investment. You are essentially able to build your assets, while having someone else foot the bill and cover the costs. But it’s important to get a full picture of what all of those costs may be, so you aren’t caught off guard and left in the red at the end of each month.

There are both regular monthly expenses that you’ll have to cover, as well as variable costs that can be recurring and anticipated or that can be unexpected. It’s important to plan ahead, especially when it comes to unexpected costs. Let’s take a look at what to expect from month to month.

Fixed Monthly Costs

Of course, you’ll have your mortgage costs to cover each month but what else should you anticipate paying out on a regular and ongoing basis?

Utilities

You’re going to have utility costs no matter what. But, depending on how your property is set up and where it’s located, those costs can vary quite significantly. When looking to invest in a rental property, remember to factor in the type of utilities you’ll be paying for and how that may change how much you set the rent at. Another big factor can be your tenants themselves, if they make use of their heat, hydro and water flippantly and without restraint.

Property Taxes

The good thing about property taxes is that you generally know what you’ll be paying out each year at the beginning of the year, making it easier to plan ahead. Property taxes can fluctuate greatly based on where you are located, so be sure to get this information before you close the deal on your rental purchase.

Insurance

While your renters can take care of their own renter’s insurance to cover their personal property, as the homeowner you will want to have your own insurance to cover the home itself. Your location will determine what type of coverage you may want to consider, based on what you may be prone to experiencing, such as earthquakes.

Variable And Unexpected Costs

You never know what the next month may bring, so it’s essential to plan ahead and keep a portion of the monthly rent collected aside for the unexpected. Here are just a few of the variable and hidden costs that you may be surprised with unexpectedly.

Gaps In Tenancy

While you have typically got anywhere from one to two month’s notice to replace a tenant, depending on your rental agreement, you may find yourself in the situation where that still isn’t enough time to find a suitable replacement to occupy your rental. If this is the case, you’ll be left to cover 100% of the costs until someone moves in. Before you purchase a rental property, realistically look at whether you can cover the costs of this if it sits vacant for any length of time.

Regular Maintenance

Landscaping, snow removal and routine clean up have got to get done. You can either take these tasks on yourself or you can outsource the work to someone else. Keeping up with your regular maintenance helps keep the value of your asset growing and prevents the property from falling into a dilapidated state.

Appliance Repair

Regular maintenance of appliances can help prevent a major repair, but as with anything, they are almost certain to break down at some point. Being prepared to either repair or replace a broken appliance expediently is important in maintaining a good tenant-landlord relationship, and in preventing your tenants from moving out if they aren’t provided with proper working appliances.

Emergencies

The unexpected always seems to happen at the worst possible time; Furnace decides to stop working at the first cold snap or the air conditioning breaks down in the middle of a heatwave. Having some of each month’s rent set aside in an emergency fund means, even though you may not be expecting an emergency to pop up, you’ll have the funds readily available to take care of things.

Planning ahead for your monthly rental property expenses can make becoming a landlord a very profitable endeavor. Remember that your rental property is a long-term investment that you will have to maintain properly in order to preserve its value and help it grow as an asset.

About the author

Emily Henry writes about property maintenance for EssayRoo and Buy Essay Online, as well as contributing as a tutor at BigAssignments.

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How to Reinstall a Broken Fireplace in 7 Steps

Whether gas or wood-burning, fireplaces are a cozy feature representing an epitome of the home for many homeowners. Yet, the masonry joints and brick may start to crack at some point, and this is an early sign that the fireplace is going to ruin. Repairing these cracks in the fireplace can help you save thousands of dollars in future repairs and ensure your family’s safety, as it reduces the possibility of a fire outbreak through the chimney. 

Leaving those small cracks unattended during the summer may lead to very large cracks when spring comes knocking, and it becomes more complicated. Letting these large cracks in your outer brick will allow rain, ice, and snow to get inside. The water finds its way through the flashing and the outer brick and may even go farther into the flue, and this causes far more damage. 

You can prevent this large damage by repairing the fireplace as soon as you notice it has broken with the following seven steps.

  1. Tuckpoint the brick mortar

Bricks are held together by mortar, but smooth and solid mortar may become battered due to other elements, and it starts crumbling. Mortar always deteriorates first because brick is harder. Tuckpointing or repointing allows you to scrape out the crumbly part and replace it with new mortar. 

You need a joint raker to scrap the weak and loose mortar and leave the good one in place. Then, use a garden hose to spray the brick down and leave it for 30 minutes and allow the roof to dry before continuing work. 

Mix up another batch of mortar till it has enough consistency and use a pointing trowel to press it into the cracks to match the existing mortar’s look. Finally, use a tuckpointing tool to smooth the joints down. 

  • Caulk around the crown and the flue

One way water can enter and cause damage in your home is the point that joins the crown and the chimney flue. Typically, it takes a while for gaps in this area to form, and water that gets to this point flows down through the flue’s sides. 

Clean out the debris, such as loose mortar and moss using a wire brush, and fill the gap with a complete caulk bead using a high-heat mortar tube and a caulk gun.

  • Patch cracks around the large crown

The crown is the sloping cap at the top of the fireplace. It’s there to protect the masonry and prevent water from staying over the top. When the crown starts to crack, this may give you more problems than those at the vertical section because water, snow, and ice quickly gather inside. 

If you have large cracks with a diameter between 1/8 and 1 inch around the crown, you can repair them using a pre-mixed mortar or cement patch. Use a squeeze bottle to inject the crack with your repair mix, or you can use a putty knife to force the repair mix in. Typically, it takes between four and six hours for it to cure, but wider cracks may require a longer time. 

  • Use a sealant to patch hairline cracks.

Hairline cracks, also known as spider cracks, are not treated the same way as large cracks because the mineral particles inside the mortar or patch are too large, so they can’t fit into the narrow space of the hairline crack. The solution to this problem lies in using a masonry sealer with a highly liquid consistency capable of penetrating through the hairline cracks. 

A bonus point is that this product seals up other porous parts of the crown and prevents additional hairline cracks. Scrape off loose particles with the corner of your putty knife but be careful not to enlarge the cracks. Then use a brush to apply the sealer. 

  • Repair cracked bricks

A caulk gun and high-heat mortar may repair chimney bricks with one or two small cracks. First, use a screwdriver or the edge of the putty knife to clean the crack. Then use a wire brush to sweep clean the crack. Next, squeeze high-heat mortar as far as you can into the crack.

Generally, unless it is a large crack, the mortar is unlikely to extend very far. So, with a glove on your finger, clean the mortar off the crack, and clean the areas surrounding the crack with a rag.  

If the cracks on the brick are clean hairline cracks, you can close them up using a masonry sealer and a brush.

  • Replace cracked bricks

If the bricks are severely damaged, you should remove and replace them. You can do this carefully without affecting the adjacent bricks. Use a flat-head screwdriver or masonry chisel to chip off the mortar from the bricks slowly. Boreholes through the mortar, with a masonry bit and a drill, speed up this process and reach farther back.

After you loosen the brick, pull it out with your hand and chip off the residual mortar from adjacent bricks with your hand to smoothen it. Butter all the sides of your replacement brick with a small trowel (except the back or front). Then gently push your replacement brick into place. Center it in a way that all the seams have equal width. Take off excess mortar and use a tuckpointing tool to smoothen the joints. 

  • Check the draught 

You can do this by lighting a candle and holding it in front of the fireplace opening. It should draw smoke and flame up the chimney. Otherwise, it means the chimney is not well capped off or blocked.

Conclusion 

You may not need all of these steps for all fireplace repair projects. It may just be cursory work for minor damage. However, you must examine the fireplace entirely and carefully to determine the full extent of any damage.

Author Bio

Leon Collier
Leon Collier

Leon Collier is a blogger and academic writer from the UK who works with essay help online as one of the dissertation writers. He likes trying new subjects and is always focused on proving his worth in new and challenging writing areas. His hobbies are reading books and playing pen and paper games with his friends. You can reach him via Twitter @LeonCollier12. 

Photo by Stéphane Juban on Unsplash

How to Prevent Making a Mistake as a First Time Home Buyer

Purchasing a house is a complicated, tiring process. Since there are lots of things to worry about, first time home buyers often make several mistakes. Before you do anything, take time to learn about the factors involved. If you want to have a great experience, follow these useful steps.

Preparation: Being Able to Afford a House

Buying  a house can be much easier when you’re prepared. Failing to prepare is one of the common mistakes made by home buyers. Establishing a budget, applying for a mortgage, and having money for a down payment are the three steps that will allow you to be ready.

  1. Budget

Houses on the market are currently set at higher prices today. Due to the skyrocketing costs, it is a challenge to find affordable options. Having a budget that works for you is crucial. If you happen to be purchasing with a partner, discuss a budget that works for both of you. When you know exactly what pricepoint of home you can afford, looking for a house is far less complicated.

  • Mortgage

Not everybody is able to apply for a mortgage. Without a mortgage, you can’t purchase a house. Before you shop, get preapproved for a mortgage. Not only will sellers be more likely to let you purchase, but being pre approved confirms you are able to do so. As long as you and whoever may also be involved has a positive credit score, then getting approved should be simple.

  • Down Payment

Another step forgotten by many is having money ready for a down payment. Even if you are approved for a mortgage, you need to pay the down payment before having ownership over the house. Down payments typically cost about 6% of your loan amount. Keeping your budget in mind, calculate what the down payment would be for you. You should have saved up for the extra costs in advance, but if not it’s time to start. Along with the down payment, there are other closing costs such as taxes. If you want to be fully prepared, save more than enough for a downpayment.

If you are able to complete those three steps, then you can afford to purchase a home. Don’t be unaware of your money situation, because that can lead to unwanted news, or embarrassment in front of sellers. When buyers have their money situation covered, they can then start to look at houses.

House Shopping: Selecting the Right Home

Finding the right house is a long journey. You have to know exactly what you want. It is a dangerous idea to settle for a house you don’t particularly like, this is because it will lead to huge regrets. Take the time to find your perfect home.

  • Ask Questions

Realtors are meant to inform you about anything related to the home they are showing you. If you have questions, ask them! Remember, you are the one looking to purchase a home. Become aware of what houses include, so you can quickly decide if they are potential options. Overall, questions save you time because you’ll immediately know if a particular home is meant for you.

  • Know Your Desired Features

When homes you’ve viewed are missing features you desire, then that’s a sign to keep searching. Knowing your desired features helps you avoid settling for a home you truly don’t love. If you want a home with a huge backyard, then don’t purchase one with a small backyard. Fulfilling every single feature you want is tricky, but you should make a list of what you want most in a home.

  • Keeping Budget in Mind

Don’t waste your time looking at homes that are way over your budget. Find houses you are interested in within your budget to make home shopping easier. Buyers who forget their budget often are disappointed if they can’t afford homes they’ve looked at.

Purchasing Your Home

Purchasing a home isn’t a race. It takes months, or even a couple of years for some. Eventually, you’ll be able to find your affordable dream home. As long as you are prepared and aware of what goes into purchasing a home, you are set!

Social media strategist Chrisitina Lee works at Custom essay, and State of writing. Chirsitina also writes about marketing topics on Order college paper and other sites.

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3 Tips for Choosing Cheap Houses

Getting our own house is what we wish for throughout our lives, and finding the one that suits our needs and is on a budget is like a dream come true. When buying a residential property, we seek help from brokers or real estate companies in Dubai to get our work done. At times, it might not be possible to find a home in your favorite neighborhood; however, you can find one in another area that will fit your demands. Here are three excellent tips that can help you find a home in lesser price:

Do a Survey:

As tiring as it may sound, but this is the crucial part of finding the right house. Seeing a lot of places help you decide what type of house you should expect for your budget. Doing a survey will help you redefine and readjust your demands and expectations according to your budget. Also, you will learn to differentiate if the amount the owner is asking for a house is justified or not.

Seeing too many cheap houses will help you find out the best of all. Visiting different neighborhoods will enable you to discover near areas within your city, which might be even better than the places where you wanted to live. Make sure you have seen a lot of houses before you make a final decision.

Consider Looking Outside the City:

 Truth to be told, the farther you move away from the metropolitan city, the lesser house prices you will find. This does not mean that you should consider buying a far-in middle of nowhere; instead, you should consider looking into housing societies developing in the outskirts of the city.

Although they might be far from your workplace and the central city, you can get a tremendous and even newly built house at a really low price. Considering the rapid urbanization and increasing population, there are great chances of cities to expand to their outskirts which means that the value of your property will surely rise in the upcoming years. Make sure to choose wisely!

Negotiate:

Never assume that the prices listed on a website or demanded by the owner are the final price. Always negotiate strongly as per your budget. Many sellers out there have already asked way more than the actual worth of the house to get to the accurate price when the buyer negotiates.

Do not let the fear of losing the deal make you purchase a house out of your budget. You will get the place you want within the price range you have; all you need is to be patient, look for many options, make a lot of offers, and finally end up locking a deal suitable for you. Negotiating with the seller is still the best-known way of getting a house at a lower price.

The Bottom Line:

You do not need to settle for an expensive house out of your fear of not getting a place at all. Buying a home is a tricky and lengthy process, particularly if you want to buy cheap houses. Look for newly developed societies. Talk to one or more brokers to ensure that you do not miss out on any great deal. Be consistent, keep searching; your dream house must be just a few days or months away from you!

Author: Jamie Roy

5 Best Ways to Implement a Backyard Pool

Have you always dreamed of having your own pool? This might be especially true for those who are living in areas where heat is more frequent than in other places. However, as the climate is changing, heatwaves have become increasingly common, which makes having a pool a necessity for many people. No matter if you want a pool to swim in or just to cool off, sometimes the space in your backyard is limited.

And it may also happen that you are simply unable to fit the pool in the space you have, even though you want it so much. Well, people can get a little bit creative and add pools in their backyards, even when the space is limited. There are many pool ideas and shapes to choose from, and they will transform your backyard instantly.

Depending on your budget, you can also choose from custom-made pools or inflatable ones, from comfortable variants to more affordable. Thankfully, there is a wide array of choices to make and think about, so we want to lend you some help. Here are the five best ways to implement a backyard pool.

1. Long and Narrow Pools

When you want to implement a pool in your backyard, there are many things you need to consider. But the major impediment is the space you have available. Many people think they do not have enough space for installing a pool; this could be due to the fact that most of them are used to seeing big and large pools, usually the ones that hotels have.

Well, you would need a lot of space to implement a big backyard pool, so you need to adapt to the conditions you have. Pools are customizable, so you only need to identify the spot where you want to add them.

Choosing a long and narrow pool could be one of the best ways to have it in your backyard. Many people think that the pool has to be separated from the house and the architecture of the garden, but in many cases, it can be beautifully incorporated. It can highlight the shapes and colors of the house, blending in with the entire architecture.

2. Secret Garden

If you have a secret garden or place in your backyard with lush and lump vegetation, this could be the place you will transform. Adding a pool can make the entire secret garden more welcoming and attractive. At the same time, it does not have to be the biggest pool you have seen.

It can be a small, intimate, and romantic one, a pool that does not destroy your garden but enhances its beauty. You can build your own private paradise; you only need to find the perfect spot for your backyard pool. You can also add stones to make it more rustic, but also plant the right trees such as banana trees, ferns, and many others of that sort. It is up to you what vibe you choose to have.

3. Replacing Blue Tiles

The great majority of pools have blue tiles that give you the feeling you are swimming in a blue ocean. However, this is very common for most pools, and if you have a small backyard, you would want to maximize the space as best as you can. By installing a pool, you take up a lot of your space, so you might feel yourself visually cramped. As if the trim of the pool occupies more space than it really does. You can replace those blue tiles with other colors that could blend in more naturally to the setting. The water will reflect the sky and the surroundings, making your backyard look bigger. And you will have more space to relax and cool off in your backyard pool.

4. Combine It with a Pergola

How you decorate your garden is up to you, but if you want to implement a backyard pool, things might get challenging. It will be challenging especially if you do not have so much space available and do not want to do extensive garden landscaping. Well, you can merge many garden landscaping features and make both the pool and the garden combine harmoniously.

If you have or build a pergola, you could add climbing plants that will make the atmosphere more intimate. At the same time, they will provide some shade during hot days. Near the pergola, you could add a small pool. Like this, you can stay near your pool in your pergola and then just take a step and enjoy the water of your pool.

5. Raised Pool

Another best way to implement a backyard pool is to consider building or buying a raised pool. Many people dream about those huge and deep pools, but sometimes you do not have the financial and spatial possibilities to implement a pool like this.

Well, a raised pool makes implementing it easier, because you do not have to dig so much for installing it, as most of the pool is raised. It may sound odd, but a raised pool can make the entire backyard more welcoming and modern. And if you want and have the necessary means, you could also make the pool a water feature, adding a drop of relaxation and making it an oasis.

Ending Note

Many people are dreaming about having their own pool to cool off in, but the majority of them think they do not have the necessary space to implement a backyard pool. Well, even when you do not have the space you need and want, you can think about creative ideas to do what you are yearning for.

There are many pool models, shapes, and depths, you can choose from. Depending on the space you have available, you can combine the pool with the entire house architecture so that it highlights some of its most beautiful features. A modern approach will help you have a nice pool to relax in that will also enhance your garden landscaping and make your backyard that peaceful place you always wanted.

Leon Collier

Bio lines: Leon Collier is a blogger and academic writer from the UK who works with an essay writing service and dissertation writing services. He likes trying new subjects and is always focused on proving his worth as a writer in new and challenging writing areas. His hobbies are reading books and playing tabletop games with his friends. You can reach him via Twitter @LeonCollier12.

Photo by Larry Tseng on Unsplash

5 Ways to Invest in the Property Market without using Your Own Funds

Although it is definitely a nice head start on the property market with some capital, it is a commonly believed myth that you have to have a chunk of pre-existing money just sitting in your bank account to get a foot on the property ladder. If you want to get started on the property market and you don’t have a lot of free capital (or if you just want to be creative), buying a property with ‘no money down’ might be for you! There are options available which require a little bit of upfront finance, and others where you utilise other people’s money or non-traditional loan structures. Lets take a look at your options for getting started on the property market.

1: House Hacking or Renting Out

For young and upcoming members of the property market, this can be a great way to get their foot on the ladder. Although this is not technically purchasing a new property, it can be a great way to start out being a landlord and making some extra money on the side. Buying a multi-unit residence, and renting out sections, rooms, or flats in that residence can sometimes even eliminate your bills or mortgage payment if you’re bringing in enough rent from your tenants. House hacking can be a great way to start out and continue building capital to potentially invest in another property later down the line.

2: Use a Property as Leverage for a Home Equity Loan

This one is only for those of us who have a high credit score and own another property. If you are in possession of a property which holds equity and you have a good credit rating, you can put your existing property ‘on the line’ to get a home equity loan. This type of non-traditional financing allows you to obtain a loan of up to 80% of your property’s equity. Although this is a great option, it can be risky to put it all on the line with your existing residence.

3: Try out Seller Financing

This is probably the most non-traditional you can get with financing; and you have to find the right sellers in order to make this work. The basic principle of seller financing is that the owner of a property create a finance agreement between themselves and the buyer, rather than the typical buyer and bank agreement on a normal mortgage. This is a great idea if you know or trust the sellers; but can get tricky in the future if there are any issues with the agreement.

4: Obtain a ‘Hard Money’ Loan

Hard money loans are the most often used alternative finance option behind regular bank loans. For example, a flip property or a fixer-upper might require a hard money loan due to bank assessments on the property not matching the property price. With a hard money loan, you can obtain a loan for not only the property price, but a loan based on the future value of a property after renovations or a fix-up.

5: Finding an Investment Partner

One of the most well-known ways to get a foot on the property ladder is to find an investment partner. This is a great idea for people who want to do-up a house and an investor who wants to make money off of their money but doesn’t want to get their hands dirty. If you do have money to invest, it can be a great way to obtain a bigger property and make more money off of your investment in joining your capital with someone else’s. It is important to find an investment partner you trust in either scenario.

Getting your foot on the property ladder is no easy task, especially as a young person and during the 21st century. However, the idea that it is impossible unless you have an abundance of old family money handed down to you is a complete lie. There are even more ways than we have gone into today to be able to get money to put your foot on the ladder; but these are the most common and trustworthy ways to obtain that bit of start up for your property project.

About the Author:

George J. Newton is a business development manager and content writer for Essay Writing Services and Cheap Coursework. He has a very patient wife of over ten years, who is his biggest supporter. He also contributes his work to websites such as Thesis Writing Service.

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7 Ways to Deal with Extensive Heat in Your House

Most American households spend a lot of money trying to keep their houses cool. Depending on the state, the average household in America spends between $300 to $600 on cooling every year. Apart from installing a new and efficient air conditioner, there are several simple ways of dealing with extensive heat in your house. And most of these solutions do not require huge investments. When you are looking for solutions to deal with extensive heat in your house, you should consider the demands posed by your property, loved ones, and the climate. If it’s the daytime or summer heat that you want to beat, don’t invest huge amounts of money without learning about these simple ways to deal with heat.

1.      Check your vents

When organizing furniture in your house, you need to look at your vents. In most households, furniture is usually bulky and cumbersome to move around. However, investing in light quality furniture will minimize the space used and make it easier for you to access the vents. Apart from furniture, you should avoid blocking your vents with decoration or design items that restrict or prevent airflow. Once you’ve ensured that everything is out of the way, form the habit of cleaning them regularly to improve the movement of air. Heating and cooling systems have air filters that need to be changed regularly. Heating and cooling your home can be quite expensive. But you can easily deal with extensive heat in your house by cleaning the vents.

2.      Invest in darkened windows

To save money and deal with excessive heat in your house, you need to make small improvements that reduce heat transfer without requiring more energy. For instance, dark tinted windows block the sun’s rays. While the sun and heat can be beneficial in other seasons, ultraviolet light can cause sunburns and harm peoples’ lives. Darkened windows help in blocking a significant amount of heat while allowing the homeowner to enjoy the view. Some of these windows have a darkened film and a scratch-resistant coat. Manufacturers include a set of additives on these windows to absorb the harmful rays of the sun. Others use ceramics to reflect light. Window films come in different colors and shapes ranging from clear to opaque. Sometimes, they have a metallic look like bronze or stainless steel. Tinted windows are not only energy-efficient but also offer more privacy to your home.

3.      Form good habits

Small simple changes can go a long way in making all the difference in your home. When it’s cold in the morning, you should open the curtains to let heat and natural light in. As temperatures rise gradually, you should keep your curtains closed to prevent rooms from heating up too much. You can also consider upgrading your interior by investing in two different curtain sets. The ones with a thicker fabric should be used in the winter. During the summer, switch them to lightweight material.

You can keep the energy bills in line by adjusting the thermostat by a few degrees. Increasing the temperatures by a single degree in the summer and lowering it with the same amount in the winter will help you save on your energy bills. You can use space heaters and fans to enhance temperature in specific areas of your home.

4.      Invest in outdoor coverings

The southern side usually warms up quickly in the summer in most areas in America. One of the best ways to cool your home is by using a canopy or awning in these areas. Whether it’s a gazebo on the patio or carports for parking, covering up sections that face the southern side is one of the best ways to lower air conditioning costs. Roller blinds and retractable outdoor awnings will transform your external area by protecting it against shine or rain all while increasing your home’s value. A retractable roof can help in ventilating and insulating your home. You can also consider planting more trees around your house to shade it during the summer. The sun will still shine through the branches to warm up your home. Ensure that you plant trees near the air conditioner to save more costs.

5.      Upgrade key fixtures in your house

If you want to go green and reduce your energy bills, you need to implement some conservation arrangements on energy. The difference in temperature between the inside and outside of your house determines the rate of heat loss. It is also influenced by the construction materials. Heat loss occurs when cold air from the outside moves in and warm air from the inside moves out. Most homes lose heat through poorly insulated ceilings and walls, poorly sealed doors, and incorrect heating systems. You need to upgrade your home by correcting as many issues as you can. If your house is poorly sealed, you can end up wasting a lot of money on your automatic conditioner.

6.      Avoid cooking indoors

When it’s too hot, you should consider pre-planning your meals so that you are not forced to use the oven in the middle of the day. If you must use the oven, consider cooking your meal after the heat of the day or before noon to avoid excess heat in your house.

7.      Invest in ceiling fans

Ceiling fans can be of great help when it comes to dealing with extensive heat in the house. And there is a right way of using your fans. During the hot months, you should blow the fan forward in a counter-clockwise direction to force air down and make you feel cool. During the cold months, you should blow the fans in a clockwise direction for the air to circulate throughout the house. Ceiling fans will work well in sealed houses. Therefore, form the habit of constantly upgrading fixtures in your house.

Conclusion

Dealing with excess heat in the house has never been this easy. Thanks to the rapid advancement of technology, you can easily find the tools that you need to keep your house cool. With these tips, you shouldn’t have a problem achieving this goal.

Author Bio:

Leon Collier

Leon Collier is a blogger and academic writer from the UK who works with essay writing service UK and paper writing service. He likes trying new subjects and is always focused on proving his worth as a writer in new and challenging writing areas. His hobbies are reading books and playing tabletop games with his friends. You can reach him via Twitter @LeonCollier12.

Photo by David Veksler on Unsplash

Top 5 Tips for Building Your Own Home in Portugal

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.

Image by Steffen Zimmermann on Pixabay 

7 Benefits Of Investing In Properties Near Universities

Property investment can be a secure source of income, depending on the neighborhood and city you choose. One of the most interesting and successful areas for property investors are university towns. Not only is there high demand for rental properties, but you can also rely on stable rental prices and even see an increase in the value of your property. Here are seven benefits to investing in a property near a university.

1. High Demand And Many Prospective Tenants

By purchasing a property near a university, you will not have to worry about ensuring a steady rental demand. With universities attracting thousands of new students each year, there is usually an increase in the local population, which also increases the demand for accommodation. As such, there will always be a large pool of prospective tenants waiting to move in, even leading to a waiting list.

2. Reliable And Constant Rent Payments

Many landlords fear renting a property to students. This is mainly based upon a misconception that students’ rental payments are always late or missed altogether. Yet, in reality, much student accommodation is actually paid for by students’ parents. The result is often timely and reliable rental payments.

3. Stable Rental Prices

One of the biggest benefits of purchasing a property near a university is that the rent prices tend to remain largely stable and constant. Providing that the university stays in business, there will be a demand for accommodation from students.

“Typically, rent prices in university areas tend to remain stable or even grow. As such, you’ll be able to charge a consistent rental price and perhaps even become cash flow positive,” says Joanna Lockman, a real estate blogger at Boomessays and Essayroo.

4. Reduced Vacancy Time

As with all rental properties, there will inevitably be tenant turnover. Yet, whilst this turnover may be higher than usual with students, the upside is that you’re unlikely to face long vacancy periods. Each new academic year will bring a fresh set of students, all requiring accommodation. This will ensure that you are able collect consistent and reliable rent from your property.

5. Attractive And Vibrant Areas

Areas with universities and students have a tendency to attract larger numbers of local amenities. With young and energetic students, keen to explore the local night life, you’ll often find many of the most highly sought-after bars and recreational facilities located around universities.

From restaurants and bistros, to gyms, shops and entertainment venues, the area around a university campus tends to be more vibrant and livelier. Not only is this more appealing to students looking for accommodation, but it also makes the area more attractive to other types of residents, thereby helping to increase the value of, and interest in, your property.

6. Attract The Wider Workforce, As Well As Students

Despite being located near a university, students are not the only types of tenants you can expect to attract. There may be a wider workforce who also require accommodation, including university staff, such as professors or support staff. People who work in the local area, including in the hospitality sector, in retail or nearby offices, will also be attracted to a property situated nearby.

7. Increased Property Value

It’s common for the value of properties located near universities to increase over time. In part, this is driven by a limited inventory of properties surrounding university campuses, thereby increasing the demand and value of existing properties.

“As universities become more ingrained in the local economy, there tends to be an increase in businesses starting up in the area, which in turn attracts more people to the area,” explains Michael Williams, a writer at Liahelp and State Of Writing. “Additionally, many people stay on in the city after completing their degrees. The result of this self-sustaining economic cycle is increased property value.”

Conclusion

There are many benefits to buying a property near a university, including secure and consistent rental payments, a large and constant pool of interested tenants, increased property value and reduced vacancy times. Although there are some potential disadvantages, such as property damage, higher tenant turnover and low interest during summer months, these can be compensated for with forward planning and higher security deposits. You’ll soon find that your property is a worthwhile investment and a reliable source of income.

Lauren Groff is an experienced real estate writer at Academized and UK Writings. She is passionate about helping her readers to better understand the world of real estate and the options available to them. Lauren is also a successful editor at OX Essays. When not writing, Lauren enjoys spending time reading and exploring different cities and neighborhoods.

Image by Michael Kopp on Pixabay 

Cheap Houses: What You Should Know

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 also many other reasons why you might want to consider property investment in Bulgaria such as:

– The country has a low crime rate

– 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.

Image by Martin Winkler on Pixabay