Category: Home Design

Let’s Discuss Regulating Emotions Before & During Your House Move
Anxiety · Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Home Buying · Home Design · Men & Womens Health · Money

Let’s Discuss Regulating Emotions Before & During Your House Move

Looking for the Light7 Comments

If you type “moving house guide” into Google, you return over 1,410,000,000 results. Odds are, a great number of these returns are comprised of articles detailing the exact same moving plan – find a good removalist, plan your utilities, pack and load your goods, hand over the keys, travel to the new home, unpack, and organize again. Rinse and repeat however many times you move.

Of course, there’s a reason this kind of advice is so prevalent. It works. Moreover, it’s not as if you can “have an opinion” on whether you’re supposed to bring your items with you from house to house, most people will be more than interested in doing so, and it doesn’t really matter if you use self-storage, ask your friends to help you, or move each possession one at a time, the end result is the same.

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All of these plans and warm advisory tips are there for one reason – to make this big life change seem surmountable and even exciting. This is certainly achieved by good planning and care. 

But what if you still feel quite upset without really knowing why? It’s widespread for people to feel near-distraught when moving house, even if they’re quite looking forward to the new chapter of their lives.

It’s not hard to understand why. To move is to pick up everything and move the entire orbit of your life from one focal point to another. Sure, you’re welcoming something new, but you’re also stepping into the unknown. It will alter almost everything. In some cases, it may mean moving away from friends or family for the first time. It’s not hard to see why some people struggle with this, and it doesn’t mean they’re being weak or theatrical at all.

In this guide, then, we hope to provide you with a little support should you feel this way. Let’s discuss emotional regulation during a house move, so you can contend with those intense emotions and feel calmer about the whole ordeal.

Give Yourself Time

Often, the best thing you can do for heavy emotions is to process them with time. Fighting them, dismissing yourself, and even covering those emotions by never sitting down, never discussing them, or never allowing them to properly express themselves can be a mistake. Otherwise, you might bottle up your worries, and then when an inconvenience strikes, you might find yourself arguing with your partner or acting out unpredictably. Again, you don’t have to be an irrational and silly person to feel this way, as many have had episodes like this before.

It’s good to give yourself time to move, then. Have the chance to visit the new home you’ve purchased. Book a weekend getaway in the new town you plan to live in, so you can explore its surroundings, cafes, restaurants, and flow of life. Meet the locals. Take a drive to the commute for your new job or school run. If you can settle into that, then the experience feels less like diving into an icy pool from 20 meters up, instead, you’re eased into calm waters.

Use This Opportunity For A Clearout

Moving house is an opportunity to clear out the unnecessary junk and built-up possessions that you’re hanging onto for no purpose. As we all know, moving house is expensive, and so selling some of these items may even help you raise money and feel a little less worried about the stringent budget you’re planning this move from.

For example, you might run a yard sale to get rid of your old, unnecessary items. You could decide to use cash for gold services for a quick sale of old jewelry, or perhaps even donate some goods to charity if you think they could do some good.

Most of us have drawers, cupboards, and even full rooms filled with items that we can’t remember the origin of or haven’t used for years. Don’t be afraid to let this go. Not only does this give you the chance to gather new items, but there’s a great deal of freedom that comes with letting go of unnecessary attachments. 

Additionally, if you willingly let certain items go, then you can feel as though you’ve done so with autonomy and purpose, as opposed to feeling like you’re losing things out of your control thanks to the move.

Throw A House Leaving Party

Yes, we’re certain that the plans to move out of your home are quite enough thank you, and so we won’t recommend that you put together a big blowout party with entertainment, catering, and private chaperones.

However, it can be nice to enjoy “an event” dedicated to saying goodbye to your friends in the local neighborhood, even if you’re still going to come back from time to time to meet your family and friends.

This can be as simple or as complex as you’d like. Again, we’d certainly skip the five-act stage show unless you’re really into making this a blowout event, but heading to a nice restaurant with a few friends, or even having a cheese board and wine night while you play board games with your favorite neighbors and friends can be enough.

Thanks to this effort, your final memories of this property will be pleasant, and you’ll have given yourself the closure and comfort you deserve.

Enlist Help Where You Need It

There’s no shame in asking for help in any capacity, especially during a once-in-a-while event like a house move. After all, it’s not as if you stoically move everything from one house to another yourself (except when moving very short distances), you enlist the services of removalists, even if you’re paying for them.

So, could it be that friends, family, or neighbors can help you? Maybe your neighbors are happy to leave space outside the street by not parking near the curb so your removalist van can come. Maybe your parents are happy to take your children for the weekend so you don’t have to worry about caring for them as you pack everything and turn off all the utilities in your household.

Perhaps a sibling or relative of yours is more than happy to take a flight to the new home and ensure they greet the removalists as they arrive, while you focus on a long-haul drive as you bring your cars with you, stopping off in hotels to break up the journey and feel a little less worn by the road. No matter your reasoning, don’t feel bad asking for help. You might genuinely need it.

Work With The Right Professionals

When moving home, you may need to work with professionals within the real estate industry such as realtors, conveyancers, mortgage brokers, and professional movers. Hire the right professionals and you could find that they take away a lot of stress. Hire the wrong professionals and you could find that they create extra stress.

For example, a good moving company will be able to provide services like disassembly/reassembly of furniture, and boxes and even provide temporary storage. A bad moving company may add stress by breaking items, refusing to move certain items, or taking too long to transport everything. 

By hiring professionals with a good reputation, you can increase the likelihood that they will take away your stress rather than adding to it. Look out for positive online reviews and professional bios such as this one from Caron Jones Burlington. A well-designed website and good rankings can be a positive sign too.

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Give Yourself Enough Time To Settle In

Moving into a property is effort enough without immediately having to meet all of your new neighbors, enroll in your new job, start with the school run, and begin your new life with a day to spare.

If you can, move at least a week earlier than you have to contend with all this. Give yourself a little time to deflate after all the excitement, and make sure to get plenty of rest. This is especially true if you’ve moved a long distance, and especially if you’ve gone abroad.

This isn’t just a small change, in some cases, the new environment can actually weigh you down physically, which impacts your mood and outlook. For example: if moving to a higher altitude area, then the air will be thinner than you’re used to, which is why many high-performance athletes will often train at this level so the oxygenation inspires harder work. It can take time to get used to this, let alone recovering from the long commute, let alone living without all of your usual utilities for a day or two, let alone having new social experiences, let alone getting used to managing a new property.

In other words, give yourself a break. Moving is hard, and you’re not a lazy person for feeling the effects.

If You Need Further Help, Just Ask

Of course, so far we’ve given a range of tips for how to transition to a new home and a new life with care and focus. However, in some cases, the issues you’re experiencing may be beyond the scope of this article.

If you feel as though certain issues might not be because of the move, but have been uncovered by this new process, then it’s good to find someone to help you. Counseling services, visiting your doctor, or even discussing your worries with a therapist can make a big difference.

This way, you might notice that actually, the move has become a shorthand for your worries which extend more deeply. That’s not to say you’re going to conduct a full course of treatment right before or after a move, but be sure to give yourself space for that outcome if you need it. 

We would be negligent not to mention this because after all, a move offers a healthy leverage point to springboard into better self-care and good habits. 

With this advice, we hope you can enjoy better emotional regulation even during an intensive house move.

This a collaborative post.

Melinda

Thinking of Changing Homes? Here are Some Options
Family · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Home Buying · Home Design · Men & Womens Health

Thinking of Changing Homes? Here are Some Options

Looking for the Light2 Comments

The cost of living is going through the roof these days with rising energy prices, food prices, and mortgage payments; it’s no wonder people are starting to think about alternative modes of living. The good news is there are plenty of options; read on to find out more about alternative homes. 

Photo by Melike Benli on Pexels.com

Smaller Homes 

Living in a large family home might have made perfect sense a few years ago when you took out the mortgage, but nowadays, the financial landscape looks somewhat different. The mortgage market has changed, making homes more expensive, and there is an energy crisis. 

One solution is to sell a larger home and downsize; why not move to a family-sized apartment or a smaller family home? A smaller family home is a chance to live in a new area, but it’s also a way to reduce your mortgage payments and your energy bills. It might also free up some cash.  

Tiny Homes 

If you’re feeling ambitious and adventurous, or you want to try something novel, why not consider a tiny home? Tiny homes come in all shapes and sizes; some of them have a chassis that allows you to move them around by car; others are in fixed locations with beautiful views. 

Forget about waiting all year for a family holiday and a chance to “get away from it all,” turn your everyday life into a dream life and benefit from a holiday lifestyle every day. Again, tiny homes offer plenty of advantages, such as lower energy bills, lower maintenance, and lovely vistas.   

Forget about waiting all year for a family holiday and a chance to “get away from it all,” turn your everyday life into a dream life and benefit from a holiday lifestyle every day. Again, tiny homes offer plenty of advantages, such as lower energy bills, lower maintenance, and lovely vistas.   

Condominium Living 

There are several advantages to remortgaging your home and living on a smaller scale with your family; you free up some cash that you can use to upgrade a smaller home or take your family on a special break, and you save a lot of money in general thanks to the cost of living. 

Condominiums are an excellent choice. With a condominium, you get a sizable living space for your family, friendly neighbors all around you, and services in the area, such as cleaning services, a swimming pool, and more. Find out more about Multifamily Construction today. 

Build a Home 

If none of the options above take your fancy, why not design and build a bespoke home for your family? There’s no doubt that building a home is a big project, but it has lots of advantages; creating a bespoke home means you have exactly what you want, and it’s a great investment. 

Start by choosing the perfect site for your home; since you have the option, you might as well choose somewhere that suits your family, such as a location close to schools and amenities or one with a wonderful view. Also, select the ideal architect to design and build the property.  

Move Overseas 

If you have an adventurous spirit, why not take your family overseas to live? Living overseas is not only an enriching experience for your growing children, but you can usually find some bargain properties in stunning locations. Chances are the cost of living is much lower as well. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

5 Ways to Make an Old House Look Modern
Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Home Design · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Money

5 Ways to Make an Old House Look Modern

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If you live in an old house, you might be wondering how you can bring it into the modern age. With a few home improvement tips and some additional accessories, you can turn a traditional building full of rich history into a place that looks brand new. Follow these five tips to add value to your property and impress friends and family with your sleek, stylish living space.

Photo by Vecislavas Popa on Pexels.com

Remove old decor

If your rooms are covered in peeling wallpaper and your ancient floorboards are warped and cracked, it’s time to get rid of them. Replacing a few old furnishings with modern upgrades will make a big difference. Get rid of wallpaper and paint over your walls with bright colors that stand out instead. Hire a flooring company to rip up your floorboards and install shinty hardwood floors or plush carpets for optimum comfort. If you have unfashionable popcorn ceilings, you can call a firm that specializes in popcorn ceiling removal to replace them.

Repair any damage

It’s important to deal with any issues before you start to upgrade your home. Fix any cracks in your walls or flaws, and deal with any structural issues that might cause further problems later down the line. Don’t neglect the exterior of your house. Go over any peeling paint and repair damaged window frames that might be affecting your home’s curb appeal.

Add some color

Modern decor is all about stark whites and chromes or bright, vibrant colors. When painting walls, installing flooring, or buying furniture, make sure you pick a color scheme and stick to it. You can use different shades to create any mood you like in your home. Light, pastel blues, and pinks are fantastic for establishing a sense of calm and tranquility, while bold bright reds and oranges create an upbeat, cheerful mood.

Update fixtures

Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. All the small fixtures around your home like light switches, brackets, cupboard handles, and taps are probably old-fashioned and keep your house looking older. By replacing these with modern versions, you can transform every room of your house. Just take a trip down to your local hardware store and find sleek, metallic versions of your existing furnishings and your home will be transported into the 21st century.

Buy new appliances

The bathroom and the kitchen are the two most important rooms in your house. If either of them looks old and tired it can affect the appeal of your entire home. If you are really committed to modernizing your home, you might have to spend a little money on new appliances. A brand new fridge-freezer can completely transform any kitchen while replacing your old bathtub with a modern rainfall shower will change your life.

These five tips are just a few of the ways in which you can modernize your old home. It will take a lot of work and potentially a lot of money to get there, but it’s ultimately cheaper and easier than buying a brand new house. Just remember to be patient and you will achieve your beautiful modern home in the end.


This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

What To Think About When Buying A New House
Business · Health and Wellbeing · Home Buying · Home Design · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

What To Think About When Buying A New House

Looking for the Light5 Comments

Buying a house, whether that be your first home or you have bought it before, is a big step in your life. It is going to be one of if not the biggest investments you will make in your life, so getting it right is really important, not only financially but for your mental health too. There is nothing worse than feeling trapped with a purchase that you just do not like, without the means to rectify it or to sell it and start again. This is why knowing what to look for and what to think about when buying a house is really important.

Not everyone knows what to think about when buying a home, even if you have bought a home before there are things you could overlook, if you are unsure what to look for when buying a home then hopefully, these few tips will help you to understand it better.

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Do your research 

When it comes to buying a house it can be easy to just jump at the one you like the most without really taking into consideration any other factors. It is a wise idea to speak to a real estate agent and consider looking into Concierge Auctions reviews to ensure that the property you buy is a fair price and finds the best auction opportunity.

 You need to look at things like amenities such as what shops are available nearby, whether there are schools should you have a family and if there are parks and things to do where you live. All of these things need to be researched when looking into where to move so that you know you are not only going to get the house you want but also a great area to live in.

What sort of property do you want?

When it comes to finding a new home you need to look into what sort of property you want and what you want including the property. For example, should you want some outdoor space or a garden then narrow your search by looking for apartments with outdoor spaces, or if you want a garage then make sure you are filtering your searches to find this then you are going to make sure you end up a property that is perfect for you and what you want? This is a big investment so try not to settle for something you do not necessarily want. 

The affordability

Something that can be overlooked when looking to buy a house is what you can actually afford. You don’t have to spend more just because you are selling your house, you could save the money made on the sale and buy a cheaper property. Also make sure when you are looking at buying a house you know what work needs to be done on that house if any, as that needs to be factored into the overall cost of you buying the house. If you do not factor in all costs when it comes to buying you could end up short of what you need or having to borrow more than you would have wanted or can afford to.

If you are looking to buy a new property, this could be your first home or second home, it can be hard to know what you should be thinking about and what to look out for when buying your home so these few tips should help you to understand what you can do to make sure you make the best decision when buying your new home.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

5 Luxurious Ways to Make Your Back Yard Your Own
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Home Design · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

5 Luxurious Ways to Make Your Back Yard Your Own

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There are many mental health benefits to a backyard oasis for your family. And there are just as many luxurious ways to make your backyard somewhere you won’t want to leave.

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Your Very Own Bar

A fantastic way to upcycle your old outdoor shed is to cut a hole on the side and place a surface on it. Then you can install an at-home beer pump for pulling the perfect pint in your own garden. This is a simple design, but one that works. But with some crafty DIY work and creativity, you can install a sound system, lighting, and even cooking facilities. Of course, no shed company wants you to butcher their creations, so reusing an old one is best. Just make sure you give it a thorough cleaning, inside and out, and make sure it’s safe for purpose before you go sitting at it.

A Deck to Proud Of

Nothing makes a good garden shine like the installation of high-quality decking. Wood and the backyard just go superb together, and you can make many great memories sitting among the scent of wood and flowers on long Summer nights. Additionally, decking can add a lot of value to your home’s value should you consider selling later on. First, however, make sure you use a reputable builder. Poor decking is dangerous. Splinters, loose boards, and even collapse are real possibilities. And a lousy installation isn’t likely to last long either.

Heat and Bubbles

You can relax and have fun in a hot tub. So much fun, in fact, that since coming to market in the late 1950s in the USA, around 6 million have been sold all over the country. Hot tubs are excellent no matter your age. They can provide an intimate way of relaxing for couples and friends. And the kids love the bubbles. However, there are multiple health benefits as well. The heat helps soothe aching muscles, and bubbles help with tension. Some medical experts believe the effects of a hot tub to be somewhere around the same as a professional massage.

An Outdoor Cinema

How fun is your very own outdoor cinema? Cozying up on a warm night under the stars with a movie and a drink with your partner is nothing short of amazing. And if you have kids, well, they will just go nuts for something like this. You can purchase an HD projector for very little these days, and some even work with your phone. And a screen isn’t required either. Just a sheet and something to hold it. But before going and doing this, make sure you are far enough from your neighbors, or the sounds of Bridget Jones doing Bridget Jones stuff might not end well.

Fire Pit Arrangement

Being outdoors evokes memories of nature and a primal sense of social atmosphere. One of the most primal elements is fire. Fire is dangerous, but it can be tamed when treated with respect and controlled. A fire pit makes an excellent centerpiece for your garden, and you can make one for very little money. You can buy premade pits with various designs. Or you could use an old washing machine drum, a barrel, or even a tire. Then arrange your rattan or wicker furniture around the centerpiece for an intimate and sophisticated addition to your backyard tranquility.

Summary

Your backyard is an extension of your home and yourself. So, it would help if you spent time making it special. But, gardening aside, you can add luxuries such as a bar, hot tub, or even a cinema.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Newly Painted Office
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Home Design · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Working From Home

Newly Painted Office

Looking for the Light16 Comments

I have to thank my husband for painting my office! We painted it dark green when I moved in over 20 years ago and I was so ready for a change.

This is where I relax with a good-smelling candle to think and write.

I can’t wait for later this week when the temps drop low enough to use the fireplace!

Fireplace

 

I hope you have a comfy spot to call your own. I’m very blessed to have an extra bedroom to call mine.

Here’s to relaxing!

Melinda

The Cost Of Creating A Self-Sustaining Home
Business · Education · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Home Buying · Home Design · Men & Womens Health · Money

The Cost Of Creating A Self-Sustaining Home

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Recently, there has been a big change in the way people think about the environment and about how they’re living on this planet. While not the norm as yet, self-sustaining homes are certainly becoming more popular because of this. And the idea of living ‘off-grid’ is something that many people are starting to consider. Although there will be plenty of challenges associated with this kind of lifestyle, the long-term positives outweigh the negatives.

One thing that you would need to consider, of course, is the cost of creating a self-sustaining home. Read on to find out more about what this would cost you and how you can offset those costs in the end. 

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Cost Of Land And Building 

Assuming you want to buy a property from scratch, you will need some land to build it on, and this will be the first cost to consider. How much you spend will depend entirely on how much land you need to buy and where you need to buy it. When you have a budget in mind, the best thing to do is to speak to a land expert who can source you the ideal plot. 

Once you have the land, you’ll then need to build the property. Again, this will differ from place to place, so it’s worth speaking to Philadelphia architects to get some idea of how much it might cost. 

Cost To Run 

The house is going to save you money in the long-term due to its sustainability factor – that’s one of the big benefits of building this kind of property in the first place, as well as the fact that it will help the planet hugely. However, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be other things to pay out for, at least initially. 

Energy bills still need to be paid out until the house becomes entirely self-sustaining. It can take anything from months to years to become completely self-sufficient, so be aware that you might still need to ‘import’ electricity and water until you have enough for yourself. The same goes for your food. 

Plus, you’ll need to spend money to ensure that the house is self-sustaining in the first place. This might mean installing solar panels, digging a well, or creating a vegetable garden – or all of the above, plus more. Many people choose to take out a short-term loan to cover these initial costs, knowing that the money they save overall will help them to pay it back more quickly. 

Conclusion 

There’s no doubt that building a self-sustaining home is going to cost you money. From the land to the labor costs and materials to the fact that self-sustainability doesn’t happen overnight, you could be spending many hundreds of thousands of dollars. Yet when you consider that you would have spent the same on a normal house but that ordinary house wouldn’t be good for the planet and wouldn’t eventually pay you back and allow you to live off-grid, you’ll see that it’s money well spent. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

How To Cut The Stress Out Of Home Hunting
Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Home Buying · Home Design · Men & Womens Health

How To Cut The Stress Out Of Home Hunting

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Home hunting can be a stressful thing, right? It can take ages, and you might never find the house you really want, and you might have family on the way that makes it even harder to go from property to property, or maybe the house hunting is just getting in the way of the honeymoon period. No matter what the reason is, you’re dreading the thought of trying to find a new place to live. 

And that’s where we can help. We’ve got some ideas for stress-busting the process below, so be sure to keep them in mind if you’re about to hit the market and secure a property that could become your forever home. 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Whoever you’re buying with, and whatever reasons you’re buying for, you all need to be on the same page. Most new home buyers are couples, either newlywed or with a young, growing family, and while both groups have a lot in common, you and your partner need to be in the agreement above all else. 

We don’t want any arguments here, or to delay the house-hunting process by any number of weeks, which will really help with keeping the stress off of your shoulders. So, you need to both be looking for the same thing – sit down together, and don’t stop workshopping until you have the same list on your minds. Only then should you get in touch with an estate agent. 

You’re also going to want to work with an agent, to allow them to do all of the hard work for you, such as scouting out properties and negotiating the price with the seller. Because when you’ve got someone knowledgeable and professional on your side, such as PropertiesMiami, you have a much better chance of scoring a smooth and budget buying process.

Plus, an estate agent will help you to decide what it is you’re looking for or need if you’re struggling to come up with these features yourself. They can help you to come to an agreement, or even reach a compromise together. 

Finally, there’s a good chance you’re not going to score the home of your dreams here (but it’s not impossible!), and you’ll need to have some compromises ready in advance. What are you willing to negotiate with your partner on? What features aren’t quite a must-have, and you’re willing to live without and/or renovate in at a later date? 

For example, maybe you want a breakfast nook, but none of the houses you like have one? Decide if this really matters or not, and then buy the house that could become a proper family home, and still has room for that breakfast nook when you’ve got the cash later on… 

Stress is at an all-time high when house hunting and moving, so try to eliminate it from the start. You’ve got some great tools on your side to do so!

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Want To Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient?
Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Home Design · Men & Womens Health

Want To Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient?

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Energy efficiency is a bit of a buzzword of late, right? But what does it really mean for us and for our homes? When you are more energy-efficient you can save yourself a lot of money, which makes sense for anyone. So if you are wondering what you can do to be more energy-efficient, then here are some things to think about and what an energy-efficient home actually means.

Photo by Vivint Solar on Pexels.com

Wall and loft insulation

Heat rises, as the science goes, so if you have heat in your home, where do you think it is going to leave from? It is going to leave from the walls and the ceiling, which is why having loft insulation can really make a difference to how energy-efficient the home is. If your home loses heat quickly, then you will keep spending more and more money on your heating bill to keep the home at a temperature that you like. So check your wall and loft insulation and see if there needs to be an update.

Consider solar panels

Natural and renewable sources of energy are the way forward, but can they be used in the home? The answer is quite simple, yes! One of the most commonly used is solar panels on the roof of people’s homes. This often means a massive cut in electricity bills, even being able to sell some of the power back to the grid. If you’re not too sure about the upfront costs of getting solar panels, then looking at a site like ChooseSolar could be a good idea. The idea there is that homes are connected to solar farms in the local community and can use the power of those solar panels, rather than needing their own.

Windows

Much like loft spaces and walls, heating can also be lost through your windows. If there are even the smallest of gaps, they can let in a lot of air and if it is cold, can mean that you have to keep your heating on for longer, as it will not keep the warm air in the home. If you have single-glazed windows, which can be present in a lot of older homes, then they need to be replaced. This can have quite large upfront costs, but you will quickly see the benefit when it comes to the energy efficiency of the home, not to mention the noise reduction that you will experience when inside the home too.

Switch your energy provider

If you want to pay less on your energy bills, then think about how long you have been with your current energy provider. Are you on an acceptable tariff with them and do they offer the use of renewable energy? When you move to a different provider that does offer such terms, then you can save money and know that you are using better sources of energy that are natural and renewable. 

It would be great to hear what you think. How do you make sure that your home is energy-efficient? 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Preparing Your Home & Your Family For Natural Disasters
Caregiver · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Home Design · Men & Womens Health

Preparing Your Home & Your Family For Natural Disasters

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The truth is that you most likely don’t want to think about the idea that a natural disaster could leave your home completely destroyed. But, the fact is that a natural disaster – fire, flood, or storm – could leave your home in a mess, which is why it’s so important to prepare yourself and your family for a situation where a natural disaster strikes. 

Of course, knowing how to go about doing that isn’t always easy, is it? After all, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to protecting your home and it’s easy to see why you might feel overwhelmed. However, the process of protecting your home and knowing how to respond in this kind of situation is vital. 

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Bearing that in mind, below are a few useful tips and suggestions for how you can prepare your home and family for a natural disaster – read on for everything that you should know. 

Ensure that you have adequate insurance in place 

When it comes to preparing your home and your family for a natural disaster, it’s important to make sure that you have adequate insurance protection in place for your home. The last thing that you want is for a natural disaster to destroy your home and be unable to afford to repair and rebuild it because you don’t have solid insurance in place. 

It’s also worth thinking about looking into having insurance claim attorneys on hand should disaster strike, to make sure that your insurance provider gives you everything that you are entitled to. Far too often, insurance providers try to avoid paying out a fair amount, and working with an attorney can help to prevent this. 

Make backups of important documents 

To ensure that should your home be damaged by a serious disaster you don’t lose all of your important paperwork and documents – think birth certificates, marriage licenses, vehicle paperwork, etc. – it’s a good idea to make copies of these documents and store them securely on a cloud storage platform. 

You might also want to consider making copies of all of your favorite photographs so that you have copies of these, should you lose the originals in a disaster. Making copies of things is just good sense, as it can ensure that no matter what happens, you have access to everything that you need. 

Know your escape route 

It’s also important to make sure that you and your family have a plan mapped out in terms of an escape route. If you’re at home when disaster hits, it’s vital that you have an adequate escape route in mind, so that you’re able to get to safety with your family. 

Think logically about your options for an escape route, map one out, and then explain the plan to your family, so that everyone knows what the escape route should be in an emergency. 

There you have it, a simple guide to preparing your home – and your family – for natural disasters and how you can navigate them. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You
Celebrate Life · Fun · Fun Facts · Home Design · Men & Womens Health

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You

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I’m so glad you are enjoying the new weekend tradition. We learn something new each week, even if it’s weird. I love hearing your comments! 

There are no seagulls in Hawaii.

The sound of Darth Vader’s difficult breathing was made with a scuba regulator.

Luke Skywaker was originally named Luke Skykiller

A moonbow is a rainbow produced by moonlight rather than direct sunlight

The # symbol isn’t officially called a hashtag or a pound. It’s technically called an “octothorpe.” The “octo-” means “eight” to refer to its points

“Respair” is a 15th-century word meaning ‘fresh hope’ or a recovery from despair.[

A group of stingrays is called a fever.

The plural of cul-de-sac is culs-de-sac.

The term “lawn mullet” means having a neatly manicured front yard and an unmowed mess in the back.

Raccoons have four times more sensory cells in their paws than most mammals. This allows them to “see” with their hands and get images of the object they touch without even looking at them.

I really enjoy this week’s Fun Facts!!!!!! There are some good ones in here. 

Enjoy!

Melinda

Tips For The First Time Property Investor
Healthy Living · Home Buying · Home Design

Tips For The First Time Property Investor

Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Buy to rent has really become an invaluable asset for the last 20 years or so. Many individuals are turning their hand to this form of investment so that they can get a major source of income. Right now, market confidence is high and the property market is certainly looking bright too. If you are thinking about making a property investment then believe it or not, now is certainly the right time. If you are a first-time investor then it helps to know where to start so that you can make yourself aware of the decisions you are going to have to make when buying a property so that you can come out on top overall.

Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

Before you do anything, you have to make sure that you do all of the right research. If you are a first-time investor, then you need to make sure that you think about which property is right for you and even what you can achieve from it. It doesn’t matter whether it’s capital growth, rental income, or even a mixture of both. At the end of the day, there are many different types of property out there for you to buy and it helps to consider things like renovation and even what type of tenant you are hoping to achieve. By doing this, you can then begin to get the best result out of your investment and the goals that you set for yourself overall. If you want to make a smaller property investment, why not look into bungalows for sale?

The location that you choose will make all the difference between a successful investment and an unsuccessful one. Some investors choose to actively limit their property search to areas where they live so that they can have some peace of mind. It may be wise to consider some of the other areas if you want to maximize the returns you are going to get. Do your research and find out how you can capitalize on the highest amount of profit depending on the city you choose to invest in. Check out this article by Reed Pirain on the best metro area for first-time buyers for more insights into this

If you do this well, then there’s no reason at all why you shouldn’t be able to come out on top.

You have to know that purchasing a buy to let property is very different from buying a home for yourself. If you are looking to try and attract young professionals or even students as your tenants, then you need to try and think about all of the amenities that are likely to appeal to your market. Bars, shops, schools, restaurants, or anything else of the sort can easily increase your rental yield by a huge amount. While these factors might not be something that you personally look for when buying a home, you may find that it is in fact a deal-breaker for any potential tenants.

There is absolutely no doubt that buy to let can be profitable, to say the least. A lot of landlords will use the properties that they have as their sole source of income. Increasing your portfolio will give you the chance to maximize the returns that you have but at the same time, you have to make sure that you have a good outlook when it comes to your finances. You have to make sure that you make a budget and that you plan how much you can afford or borrow. It doesn’t matter whether you are a cash buyer or whether you have a buy to let mortgage because there will be various tax implications that you need to keep in mind.

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Ultimately, it is very crucial for you to decide what kind of property landlord you would like to be. If you want to remain more hands-on then you will need to try and find tenants, conduct any viewings, and also maintain the property as well. If you are a hands-on landlord then you will be able to save some money by simply opting for a DIY approach. This will give you some extra responsibility, however, and you may not be able to manage all of this. If you are time-limited or if you have a lot of properties, then you may want to think about adopting a more hands-off approach instead. If you are willing to pay a small fee, then there are tons of letting agents out there that will manage your property and you won’t have to get involved at all with the day to day dealings of having a tenant. This includes any ongoing maintenance, viewings, paperwork, and more. So many landlords prefer to go down this route because it gives them way more time to focus on some of the other ventures. It also helps to try and start out slow so that you can build gradually as well, so keep this in mind if you can.

Knowing what you want will really help you to create a nice and coordinated time frame for your achievement. If your objective is to try and make a return in a very short space of time, then it may be wise for you to flip properties instead. This may sound like the best way forward but at the end of the day, it does put you at a very high level of risk. If you want a high return over a much longer period, then buy to let may be a much more suitable option. Yields of around 12% can easily be expected, but of course, you do have to think about things such as vacancy rates and even maintenance costs as well.

Try and make sure that you don’t use more than 50% of your mortgage when financing a property. This may be difficult when you are first starting out but as you explore the idea of property investment, even more, you will soon find that you can make it more feasible. Even though there is a lot of surface attraction with mortgaging, you have to remember that it is in fact a bad idea. The longer you carry on this way, the more pain and stress it will cause you at a later date.

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Even though a shared mortgage can give you the chance to take out an even bigger mortgage, they do require one person to be the main borrower. The other person will then borrow less. The person who has the highest income will usually be the core borrower. If you have a lower credit rating, then you may find that your interest rates are much higher as well and this is the last thing that you need. Shared mortgages tend to allow for one property owner as well so arranging all of this can be a stressful and daunting process.

It’s also very helpful for you to constantly review your plan. Keep some clear notes of your process and also make sure that you plan at least 6 months in advance as well. You have to remember that no two six-month periods are the same, so you have to make sure that you are able to adjust your investment according to property prices rising and falling. If you can do this, then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to reap the benefits.

If you do not have enough confidence in the world of domestic property, then why not try and use foreign currencies to your advantage? At the end of the day, there are so many markets out there that don’t require as much investment, but that can easily give you a much higher yield. You have to make sure that you don’t just look at the value or even the potential of the property. Instead, think about the economy, the stability, and the political state of the company too. If you know that there is a tourist hot spot then this could indicate that the market is lucrative. Overseas hotspots include Berlin, Sofia, Sao Paulo, and even Istanbul too.

You have to know that timing is everything when it comes to investments. Knowing when you need to exit is half of the job. You have to make sure that you keep an eye on the market and you also need to know when to pull out of a certain investment too. If you have a valuable workplace exit strategy, then this will save you a lot of time and effort when the time comes for you to liquidate. Remember that the property market gives you way more data now when compared to just a few years ago. Keep track of it and take your time but never make any knee-jerk reactions. If you do, then you will soon find that you are able to make better decisions and that you can also stabilize your investment too.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

First Time Home Renovator? What To Know
Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Home Design

First Time Home Renovator? What To Know

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Home renovation is an exhilarating, frustrating, emotional, challenging, and often addictive process. The journey of seeing a house go from unloved wreck to home of your dreams is a feeling quite unlike anything else. Getting there can be quite the ride, but you may find that you love the end result so much you’re soon itching for your next big project. There are many reasons to renovate an older home. Generally speaking, you can get much more for your money and it may enable you to buy a bigger plot or in a nicer area that would normally have been just out of your budget.

If the property is liveable, you can then give yourself some extra time to save up the money needed for construction work. It can also prove a good investment – if you buy at the right price and are able to make the renovation budget work, and you don’t overdevelop the property when it comes time to sell hopefully you will have made a profit. It’s also a chance to design and develop a home exactly as you want it, specific to all your own needs and preferences. There are a lot of plus points to renovating your first home. On the other hand, being prepared is everything, or first-time renovation projects can be quite a shock. The expense, noise, mess, unexpected problems, and missed deadlines can be enough to put some people off for life. So how do you get ready for renovation if you’ve never done it before? And what do more experienced home renovators wish they had known before their first project?

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It may not be very romantic to hear, but everything within your project is driven by one factor: budget. There’s no denying the extensively redeveloping property is hugely expensive, so understanding from the outset exactly what your renovation budget is, and estimating realistically are vital. After all, no one wants to run out of cash part way through a building project. It’s quite likely you may have to scale back some of your expectations, especially on a first project, when you’re unlikely to have huge cash reserves to fall back on. Plan out the projects you want to do in phases, in order of how urgent they are. You may have to wait a while between phases if you need to save up more money or secure a loan for the building works. Keep a close eye on the budget during the project and remember that the small things can be expensive and quickly add up.

Decide in advance what features of the renovation are an absolute deal-breaker for you, and what you will be prepared to compromise on if you have to. Always create a contingency fund. It’s likely that there may be unforeseen issues that pop up during the course of the project – especially with older properties – that you haven’t budgeted for, so this margin could save you. You may find yourself having to pay for additional structural work, new electrics, or even things like local pest control. And if by some miracle, you don’t spend it, it can be spare cash to spend on the final decorative touches. Remember that it is possible to save money on a home renovation. Learning to DIY some of the slightly easier bits yourself can be very cost-effective, so jobs such as painting, adding skirting, etc are all easy wins. Shop around for everything, from equipment hire to kitchens, to get the best price, and consider what preloved elements you could either reuse from the original property or source elsewhere.

The key to a successful renovation is to find a new layout that works. You will either be working within the original floorplan of the house, but with the option to remove and add walls and reconfigure the space – or you may be extending your home to add on additional space. You’ll be surprised what the right layout change can do to transform both the feel and the usability of a property – for example, opening up a maze of little rooms to form a free-flowing, open-plan space. If you do want to keep smaller rooms, there are lots of tricks to make them appear more spacious, from the clever placement of mirrors to dressing the windows so that they look taller and choosing paint techniques that make the room look bigger. 

It’s a time in your life you will always remember, so be prepared, do your research and embrace the chaos – your ideal home is now within reach.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

What Type Of Home Should You Consider When Buying For Your Family
Family · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Home Design · Men & Womens Health

What Type Of Home Should You Consider When Buying For Your Family

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Every family needs a safe and secure place to call home – this is why housing is a significant global issue, as many families seek decent and affordable accommodations. According to the World Property Journal, the US real estate market is worth about $33.6 trillion. There are several residence options suitable for families. Are you keen to learn about the different types of homes best suited to your family? Here are six home types you should consider.

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Single-family homes are one of the most popular housing options among American families. These homes are designed for one family only. There are numerous benefits of single-family homes that make them worth considering. They offer more privacy than other housing options since you do not share any walls. Personalizing your landscape in a single-family home is even more effortless compared to other home types. Therefore, it would help if you consider single-family housing when looking for your family’s perfect accommodation.

A condo living space is a single unit in a larger building or housing community. Condos are usually located in the heart of cities, unlike many single-family homes and apartments. The benefits of condominium living are worth considering for your family. Condo residents typically enjoy easier access to major roads and public transport systems. Convenience is another key benefit of condos because facilities like malls are easily accessible due to the dense area population. There is an excellent provision of security in condo buildings due to the presence of round-the-clock security personnel. Many families that chose condos agree that it is a great place to raise kids because of child-friendly amenities and vibrant community life.

Apartments are living spaces within larger buildings and housing communities, differing from condos because you would have to pay rent. Apartments provide a cost-effective housing option for families, as the exorbitant home prices on the market are overwhelming for many. The perks of apartment living include access to amenities like pools and gyms, which single-family homes usually do not have. You can also have quality family time since you do not have to spend time on yard work, as apartment owners hire professionals to take care of the property.  The apartment home is also financially flexible, as the rent is usually yearly. Not owning the place also allows you to relocate should the need arise.

Statista data projects that US multifamily buildings will be worth almost $80 billion by 2022. Multi-family homes are single buildings with more than one dwelling unit that serves as homes to one or more families. Duplexes and triplexes are typical examples of multi-family homes. These units differ from condos because the various units cannot be purchased, as one person owns the building. It would be best to choose multi-family housing as a long-term investment to give you rental income. This rental income will increase your cash flow and help you to defray your housing cost. Also, multi-family homes allow for comfortable living with other family members together but separately. Securing a multi-family home mortgage is also easy because of your potential to generate income as a landlord. If you want to make and save money, these homes would be the perfect choice for you and the family. 

A 2016 study showed that the ranch-style home is the favorite of American homeowners, being the popular pick in thirty-four states. These houses are known for their simple single-story design, with low-pitched roofing, plenty of windows, and attached garages.  Many homeowners mentioned the size, layout, and functionality as elements they like about this type of house. Ranch homes have open floor plans, meaning living spaces are not too compartmentalized. The typical ranch house design offers a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors due to many windows and glass doors that lead into your backyard. Also, ranch homes are easy to maintain and energy-efficient. It would be best to consider ranch housing if these features and benefits appeal to you and your family. 

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Townhomes allow you to experience both condo living and single-family housing in one building. They are usually described as a single-family home sandwiched between or next to similar single-family homes. Unlike the condominium residents, townhouse residents own both the interior and exterior space. But, like condos, there are little maintenance responsibilities. Townhome communities are also safe, peaceful, and quiet. These homes cost less than houses, and many real estate experts agree that they are better investments than apartments. Finally, consider townhouse living because of your access to many amenities and recreation opportunities.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Get Creative With Your Outdoor Structures
Family · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Home Design · Men & Womens Health

Get Creative With Your Outdoor Structures

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We regularly think of our home as one big building. We tend not to even think of our gardens as being truly part of the property per se. This is because it’s easy to become more attached to the space that we live in day after day than the space that we hardly visit. This could be solved by sitting in our gardens for more times of the year but that’s not the issue that is being looked at. We are going to focus on what types of outdoor living structures could be best for your home and why? It’s quite simple. We want to look at the cost of building, space and leisure as well as style.

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A garden home is separate from the home. It’s not attached (usually) and it can be styled in a totally different way to your main property. It’s usually for guests as it will provide one bedroom, a small kitchen that is probably linked to the living room. It makes sense to have an open plan for this just so there is a feeling of more space. It should be seen as about half or maybe two-thirds of the space that a normal ground floor would provide. But what can you do about it? Well, it’s best used as an extra space that can be converted into a different kind of space when needed. It can be a game or entertainment area. Maybe it could be a play area for your small children, or maybe, a guest room. 

An annexe is linked to the main home. This means it will have a hall or corridor that allows the occupant to enter the home directly, from the annexe. Many people might not understand why this is so, but when you see this granny annexe explanation, you’ll understand why. It helps older people to essentially move into your home, without actually, living inside it. They will have their own bedroom, kitchen, bathroom or shower but they won’t have a lounge area or dining room. Usually, this kind of property may cost anywhere from about £5,000 to £30,000. However, the living conditions are excellent and there is a separation that you can create, physically, so you have privacy and space for yourself.

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The next best option aside from these two is the log cabin. This is great for properties that are by waterfronts such as lakes, rivers, or streams. But it can also double as a cabin for a home that is in the forest or countryside. It’s cheap to build as the materials are essential, insulation in themselves. Logs don’t need insulation like a normal house with hollow walls does. To build a cabin, it might cost anywhere from £5,000 to £15,000. It provides space for one or two people. It can be a two-story building or just a bungalow.

What is your favorite type of outdoor property? We think that space and leisure are a delicate balance, but the cost always plays the deciding role.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

How To Find Your Dream Home
Health and Wellbeing · Home Buying · Home Design · Men & Womens Health

How To Find Your Dream Home

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We all have a dream home in mind. Even if you don’t exactly know what it looks like, that’s okay. Most of us just know that there’s a certain style of home or caliber of property that we’re aspiring to. Whether it’s something that you want to start thinking about now, or it’s a property that you want to work towards in the future. It’s nice to know exactly what you’ll need to do to be able to make it happen.

If you’ve ever bought a property before, you’ll find that you know what the process is like. It can take time. You may spend months or years trying to find the right place. Or maybe you’re just not sure how to find it. Let’s take a look at what you can do to find the luxury home of your dreams.

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First of all, you might want to think about working with a specialist to help you here. You may find that working with the best real estate agents is going to be the key. They know the market the best and they may even know about houses for sale that aren’t listed yet. This could be the simplest option to start with.

From here, you might want to think about finding an area that you really love. It might be the case that there are certain luxury apartment communities that you know about and want to explore. Knowing the area is always a good start. So this is important to keep in mind.

It could even be that you decide that you want to find the house of your dreams by building it yourself. Sometimes, you just won’t find the house you want already out there. Or maybe you are inspired by a range of properties you’ve seen and you want to combine the things you love? When you build your dream home, you get to bring everything you want together for all the modern conveniences you desire. So this might be the option for you.

Sometimes, you don’t find your perfect home through the traditional route at all. It could be that you actually know which home you want to live in. Maybe it’s in your area or you’ve seen it before. It could be that it’s not actually for sale. But sometimes, you can actually reach out to the owners and make an offer. It’s obviously not the traditional thing to do, but it happens and there is no reason why you can’t ask. Sometimes it will mean that you get to live in the house you’ve always wanted to.

Searching for a luxury home isn’t always a quick process. When you have high standards and you know what you’re looking for, it can take time to find the right place. But with one of these options, you should be able to find your perfect luxury home.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

How To Make Your Garden Inviting
Health and Wellbeing · Home Design · Mental Health

How To Make Your Garden Inviting

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Your Garden needs gentle care and attention throughout the year. Of course, in the spring and summer, we clean away the winter debris, ready for outdoor parties and barbecues. Or simply just to relax in your little private space. 

However, when the winter is coming upon us, leaves from a Fall, as well as the severe weather, can cause damage to your garden. It is very important that you take a couple of steps to get your garden looking gorgeous.

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Photo by Arno Smit on Unsplash

Debris

Throughout the autumnal months, there will be many leaves falling, and a lot of rain too. It is very easy for your garden to go from clean and tidy to look a little bit messy, and it eventually will become hard to keep tidy. 

Head out and pick up all of the debris; then set it aside because you can use this for a protective layer of mulch for your seedlings.

Take a pair of shears or some secateurs and strip away any loose or dead branches. 

Furniture

If you have furniture in your garden, it is a great idea now to buy some furniture covers; this can protect your furniture when the weather gets more severe. Bring your furniture over the winter months also makes it much easier to clean when springtime comes around. 

Now is also the perfect time to cover your barbecue or put it in the shed, ready for use next year.

Pond

Depending on what type of pond, you will change how you need to prepare it for the winter months. If you have wildlife in your pond, it is essential that you prepare it correctly for the winter months. Getting a pond maintenance services company out to check over your pond it’s a great idea and can avoid any costly repairs or severe damage over the winter months.

Bottom to top

You must start at the bottom and work your way up. Sweep up as much as possible, and also, it is a great time to scrub your patio or your decking. This will mean there is limited damage or weathering over the fall and winter months.

To clean your decking, you simply need to have a firm, stiff brush your brush and apply pressure or use a pressure washer. The pressure washer, of course, being in the fastest way to clean those stains. 

After that, move to trimming back trees and bushes, wrapping roots in protective layers, and topping up any birdhouses with food. 

Pots

If you have plans that are dead or dying, you might have many planters that can be good and used for springtime planting. Remove all of the dead or dying plants and their roots and put them into your compost if you have one. 

Most often, the soil can be re-used, so put it somewhere safe ready for your big springtime planting session.

Your garden can be perfect all year round with just a few hours of maintenance here and there. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Can You Afford a Million Dollar Home?
Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Home Design · Men & Womens Health · Money

Can You Afford a Million Dollar Home?

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One of the biggest expenses in your life is going to be your home. A deposit is a large chunk of money that can take years to save up for. Even then, it’s not over yet and you still need to pay hundreds or even thousands every month to keep up with your mortgage. Buying a home outright in a single payment seems incredibly difficult. So how do people afford incredibly luxurious homes? What does it really take to be so wealthy? Is it all just luck, or is there some trick to it?

Unfortunately, there’s not really a trick to being able to afford an expensive home. Some people may have gotten lucky in life and ended up being born into wealth, but for most of us, grinding our way up to that level of wealth can take years of hard work and a sprinkle of good fortune. But what does it really take to be so wealthy? Is it all about managing your money, or are there personality traits and strategies that can help?

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Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/Cqvdb3bvmCY (CC0)

If you thought that a typical mortgage down payment was expensive then the equivalent for a million-dollar home will probably scare you.

Most mortgages have an upper limit of how much can be borrowed. The maximum that can be borrowed is usually around $700,000 in good circumstances. This means that to afford a million-dollar home, you’ll need to make a down payment of at least $300,000 in some areas. Most million-dollar homes will exceed that million-dollar threshold, and it’s unlikely that you’ll qualify for a loan that large unless you have an excellent credit score. In reality, your down payment is going to be much higher unless you can qualify for a jumbo loan with strict requirements.

The path to being rich isn’t linear. There are multiple ways to achieve it, and it’s going to depend heavily on your circumstances, education, knowledge, and ultimately motivation.

Here are a few tips on how you can develop a millionaire mindset:

  • Learn to focus on the things that you want. Don’t be timid when you want to achieve something. Do everything you can to learn about it and approach it with passion. When you wake up wanting to get things done, you’re halfway there already.
  • Set goals that are achievable. It’s impossible to make progress if you don’t track how far you’ve come. Set yourself some achievable goals and work towards them before setting harder ones.
  • Be frugal. Don’t just throw away your money. Make sure the money you spend is an investment in your life or in your wealth. Don’t just waste it away as soon as you have it.
  • Be hungry for knowledge. The more you learn, the more skills you’ll have. Don’t be afraid to fail occasionally to learn from your mistakes.

Becoming a millionaire and affording a million-dollar home are two very different things, but it all starts with a successful-oriented mindset that drives you to do better.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

If You’re a First Time Property Investor Read this
Healthy Living · Home Buying · Home Design · Money

If You’re a First Time Property Investor Read this

Looking for the Light1 Comment

Buy to rent has really become an invaluable asset for the last 20 years or so. Many individuals are turning their hands to this form of investment so that they can get a major source of income. Right now, market confidence is high and the property market is certainly looking bright too. If you are thinking about making a property investment then believe it or not, now is certainly the right time. If you are a first-time investor then it helps to know where to start so that you can make yourself aware of the decisions you are going to have to make when buying a property so that you can come out on top overall.

Photo by FOTEROS on Pexels.com

Before you do anything, you have to make sure that you do all of the right research. If you are a first-time investor, then you need to make sure that you think about which property is right for you and even what you can achieve from it. It doesn’t matter whether it’s capital growth, rental income, or even a mixture of both. At the end of the day, there are many different types of property out there for you to buy and it helps to consider things like renovation and even what type of tenant you are hoping to achieve. By doing this, you can then begin to get the best result out of your investment and the goals that you set for yourself overall. If you want to make a smaller property investment, why not look into bungalows for sale?

The location that you choose will make all the difference between a successful investment and an unsuccessful one. Some investors choose to actively limit their property search to areas where they live so that they can have some peace of mind. It may be wise to consider some of the other areas if you want to maximize the returns you are going to get. Do your research and find out how you can capitalize on the highest amount of profit depending on the city you choose to invest in. If you do this well, then there’s no reason at all why you shouldn’t be able to come out on top.

You have to know that purchasing a buy to let property is very different from buying a home for yourself. If you are looking to try and attract young professionals or even students as your tenants, then you need to try and think about all of the amenities that are likely to appeal to your market. Bars, shops, schools, restaurants, or anything else of the sort can easily increase your rental yield by a huge amount. While these factors might not be something that you personally look for when buying a home, you may find that it is in fact a deal-breaker for any potential tenants.

There is absolutely no doubt that buy to let can be profitable, to say the least. A lot of landlords will use the properties that they have as their sole source of income. Increasing your portfolio will give you the chance to maximize the returns that you have but at the same time, you have to make sure that you have a good outlook when it comes to your finances. You have to make sure that you make a budget and that you plan how much you can afford or borrow. It doesn’t matter whether you are a cash buyer or whether you have a buy-to-let mortgage because there will be various tax implications that you need to keep in mind.

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Ultimately, it is very crucial for you to decide what kind of property landlord you would like to be. If you want to remain more hands-on then you will need to try and find tenants, conduct any viewings, and also maintain the property as well. If you are a hands-on landlord then you will be able to save some money by simply opting for a DIY approach. This will give you some extra responsibility, however, and you may not be able to manage all of this. If you are time-limited or if you have a lot of properties, then you may want to think about adopting a more hands-off approach instead. If you are willing to pay a small fee, then there are tons of letting agents out there that will manage your property and you won’t have to get involved at all with the day-to-day dealings of having a tenant. This includes any ongoing maintenance, viewings, paperwork, and more. So many landlords prefer to go down this route because it gives them way more time to focus on some of the other ventures. It also helps to try and start out slow so that you can build gradually as well, so keep this in mind if you can.

Knowing what you want will really help you to create a nice and coordinated time frame for your achievement. If your objective is to try and make a return in a very short space of time, then it may be wise for you to flip properties instead. This may sound like the best way forward but at the end of the day, it does put you at a very high level of risk. If you want a high return over a much longer period, then buy to let may be a much more suitable option. Yields of around 12% can easily be expected, but of course, you do have to think about things such as vacancy rates and even maintenance costs as well.

Try and make sure that you don’t use more than 50% of your mortgage when financing a property. This may be difficult when you are first starting out but as you explore the idea of property investment, even more, you will soon find that you can make it more feasible. Even though there is a lot of surface attraction with mortgaging, you have to remember that it is in fact a bad idea. The longer you carry on this way, the more pain and stress it will cause you at a later date.

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Even though a shared mortgage can give you the chance to take out an even bigger mortgage, they do require one person to be the main borrower. The other person will then borrow less. The person who has the highest income will usually be the core borrower. If you have a lower credit rating, then you may find that your interest rates are much higher as well and this is the last thing that you need. Shared mortgages tend to allow for one property owner as well so arranging all of this can be a stressful and daunting process.

It’s also very helpful for you to constantly review your plan. Keep some clear notes of your process and also make sure that you plan at least 6 months in advance as well. You have to remember that no two six-month periods are the same, so you have to make sure that you are able to adjust your investment according to property prices rising and falling. If you can do this, then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to reap the benefits.

If you do not have enough confidence in the world of domestic property, then why not try and use foreign currencies to your advantage? At the end of the day, there are so many markets out there that don’t require as much investment, but that can easily give you a much higher yield. You have to make sure that you don’t just look at the value or even the potential of the property. Instead, think about the economy, the stability, and the political state of the company too. If you know that there is a tourist hot spot then this could indicate that the market is lucrative. Overseas hotspots include Berlin, Sofia, Sao Paulo, and even Istanbul too.

You have to know that timing is everything when it comes to investments. Knowing when you need to exit is half of the job. You have to make sure that you keep an eye on the market and you also need to know when to pull out of a certain investment too. If you have a valuable workplace exit strategy, then this will save you a lot of time and effort when the time comes for you to liquidate. Remember that the property market gives you way more data now when compared to just a few years ago. Keep track of it and take your time but never make any knee-jerk reactions. If you do, then you will soon find that you are able to make better decisions and that you can also stabilize your investment too.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Importance of Having a Modern Kitchen
Health and Wellbeing · Home Buying · Home Design · Men & Womens Health · Money

Importance of Having a Modern Kitchen

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The kitchen is one of the most essential rooms in any home. It’s where you cook, eat, and spend time with your family or friends. Recently, there has been a trend towards more modern designs for kitchens that make them look nicer and better equipped to handle your cooking needs. 

With that, here are the main reasons it’s a good idea to invest in a modern kitchen.

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You Can Save Energy

You can lower your monthly bills by upgrading to a modern cooking system. Your kitchen is the heart of your house and one of the best places to start bringing in some extra green. You don’t need a new stove, oven, or refrigerator either – there are many ways to make small but effective changes that will have an impact on both your wallet and the environment. 

You can save energy by upgrading your appliances to more efficient ones, being careful not to buy too large of a unit or excessive for what you need it for (don’t get an oversized fridge). Well-maintained appliances will last longer and therefore use less energy.

You will Save on Home Improvement and Upgrade Costs

Kitchens are the most commonly updated and upgraded rooms in a house. It is also one of those rooms that can increase your property value, but only if you do it right. Updating an old kitchen immediately increases its selling price by 20% to 35%.  

There may be no better return on your investment than a kitchen upgrade, but it’s not just about getting more money for the home. The quality of life in your house can increase significantly with an updated and well-planned modern kitchen. Click here to find out more about how much it costs to remodel a kitchen. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Are You Ready For Homeownership?
Health and Wellbeing · Home Buying · Home Design · Men & Womens Health · Money

Are You Ready For Homeownership?

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Applying for a mortgage is a dream many Americans hold. Being able to live your life or raise a family in your home offers security and stability in a way that renting can’t always offer you.

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While there are many pros and cons to homeownership, especially with demand currently outstripping supply in the US right now, knowing when you are ready to purchase in more ways than just financially can help you make that next step.

How do you know you are ready to buy your own home?

Your Finances Are In Order

Your credit score is the key that can open the door to homeownership or keep it firmly locked for now. Ideally, your credit score should be over 800 for the best rates and terms, so make sure your finances are in order, you have paid down your debt, and make the most of the credit available to you.

Look at the Mortgage Lending Products available for you to make an informed choice of your options and what your repayment schedule will likely be once you have been accepted for your mortgage.

You Can Afford The Downpayment

Saving for a downpayment can greatly increase your chances of being accepted for a mortgage. The more you can put down, the more favorable you will look to the lenders. 

You Can Afford The Fees

There are many different types of fees and payments associated with buying a house, and when you close on a sale, you will be required to pay predetermined fees such as survey fees, closing costs, arrangement fees, insurance, and so on.

You Can Afford Home Owner Fees

While your mortgage payments may be comparable to what you are currently paying in rent, the mortgage repayments aren’t the only payments you need to make when buying a house.

Fees include;

  • Property taxes
  • Insurance
  • HOA (homeowner’s association) fees
  • City assessments
  • Water, sewer, and/or garbage
  • Other utilities your landlord may currently cover in your rental payment

You Are Ready to Settle Down

Unlike renting, where you can move once your lease is up when you buy a home, you need to sell your home to move. Renting affords people the option not to be committed to property or giving in the same area for a long time. If you are ready to stop and settle down and put some thought into your future, then it can be a good indicator that you are ready for the responsibility of buying your own home.

You Can Afford The Upkeep

One of the massive benefits of renting your home is that major repairs are someone else’s problem. Hole in the roof? All the landlord’s problems. Damp and mold in your rooms? Landlords problem and so on. When you own a home, all of these issues you might not have considered before are now your problem. 

Replacing kitchens, bathrooms, remodeling if required, or even ripping out flooring and rearranging the layout are all costs you will need to pay should you undertake this type of work.

If you have the income to put towards the upkeep of your home and keep it in good condition, then you are well placed on the responsibilities of owning your home.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Can You Prepare For These Horrific Home Nightmares?
Family · Healthy Living · Home Buying · Home Design · Men & Womens Health

Can You Prepare For These Horrific Home Nightmares?

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Your home should be a haven for you and your family. But we think you’ll agree this isn’t always the case. Indeed, it’s possible and in some cases even common to encounter numerous issues with your home. You need to be prepared for these possibilities with the right solutions and that’s where this article is going to help you a great deal. 

An Infestation 

One of the nightmares that you could experience is an infestation of some sort. These are actually extremely common, and you want to try and avoid letting it get any worse, as soon as you notice a problem you’ve got to call a professional like Mosquito Authority, of course depending on what the pest is. If you notice one bug, this isn’t really a cause for concern, but if you notice the same bug over and over again, you know there’s probably an issue. You can try to find the source yourself, but this could take you a long time and you still might never find it. At least if you hire a professional, you know that the problem will be dealt with quickly and efficiently. 

But can you take precautions to prevent it? Sadly, the answer is not really. In some cases, if you keep your home clean as much as possible you’re less likely to experience this problem, but that isn’t the case with all pests. Some will come no matter what the state or your home, so it’s not a foolproof plan. 

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Problems With The Roof

It’s absolutely vital that you fix a problem with the roof as soon as you notice an issue. Usually, an issue with the roof will be a small yet significant hole. This could be small enough that it only lets in water or large enough that insects and pests can break through. Regardless, it could cause major headaches and health issues for you. Water leaking into your home can bring the issue of damp and potentially even flooding. As well as costing you thousands in repairs, it might also make it impossible to sell your property until the problem is resolved. Problems with the roof are why you should always check your roof after a storm or a period of bad weather. You can use a professional team to complete this task for you and ensure that there aren’t any problems that need to be addressed. 

Of course, one of the easiest ways to check for issues is to head up into the attic and try to see if there is any natural light creeping through where it shouldn’t be. 

Flooding 

Since we already mentioned water dripping through the roof, it’s also worth exploring the problem of flooding. Usually, an issue with flooding will start in the basement and it could be because water is building up outside your home, pressing on the foundations. When this occurs, the water begins to seep into the property. If it is left alone it will lead to a problem with flooding. You can take preventive action here by speaking to a landscaper. They will be able

to alter the permeability of the ground around your home. Alternatively, they can change the level of the ground to ensure that water drains away from your home rather than towards it. 

It’s perhaps worth noting that a sump pump is the best way to handle water once it is inside your home. You do need to make sure that you have a working sump pump on your property. Be aware that most insurance companies won’t even cover your home if there isn’t a sump pump that is functional. 

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Mold

Finally, mold is a problem that is often overlooked by homeowners who assume it’s not a massive issue. But it can be a nightmare because of the health issues that it could cause. This is particularly true if you have young children. Research has shown that mold can lead to breathing difficulties and similar problems. This is due to the spores that are released into the air. Luckily, it’s easier to deal with mold than other issues. You just need a dehumidifier to keep the moisture levels in your home at the right point. 

We hope this helps you understand some of the nightmares that you can encounter around your home and the right way to deal with them. Remember, sometimes, the best option is going to be taking preventative action. With the right steps, you will be able to guarantee that these problems never plague your property. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Home Types You Should Consider For Your Family
Family · Healthy Living · Home Design · Men & Womens Health

Home Types You Should Consider For Your Family

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Every family needs a safe and secure place to call home – this is why housing is a significant global issue, as many families seek decent and affordable accommodations. According to the World Property Journal, the US real estate market is worth about $33.6 trillion. There are several residence options suitable for families. Are you keen to learn about the different types of homes best suited to your family? Here are six home types you should consider.

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Single-family homes are one of the most popular housing options among American families. These homes are designed for one family only. There are numerous benefits of single-family homes that make them worth considering. They offer more privacy than other housing options since you do not share any walls. Personalizing your landscape in a single-family home is even more effortless compared to other home types. Therefore, it would help if you consider single-family housing when looking for your family’s perfect accommodation.

A condo living space is a single unit in a larger building or housing community. Condos are usually located in the heart of cities, unlike many single-family homes and apartments. The benefits of condominium living are worth considering for your family. Condo residents typically enjoy easier access to major roads and public transport systems. Convenience is another key benefit of condos because facilities like malls are easily accessible due to the dense area population. There is an excellent provision of security in condo buildings due to the presence of round-the-clock security personnel. Many families that chose condos agree that it is a great place to raise kids because of child-friendly amenities and vibrant community life.

Apartments are living spaces within larger buildings and housing communities, differing from condos because you would have to pay rent. Apartments provide a cost-effective housing option for families, as the exorbitant home prices on the market are overwhelming for many. The perks of apartment living include access to amenities like pools and gyms, which single-family homes usually do not have. You can also have quality family time since you do not have to spend time on yard work, as apartment owners hire professionals to take care of the property.  The apartment home is also financially flexible, as the rent is usually yearly. Not owning the place also allows you to relocate should the need arise.

Statista data projects that US multifamily buildings will be worth almost $80 billion by 2022. Multi-family homes are single buildings with more than one dwelling unit that serves as homes to one or more families. Duplexes and triplexes are typical examples of multi-family homes. These units differ from condos because the various units cannot be purchased, as one person owns the building. It would be best to choose multi-family housing as a long-term investment to give you rental income. This rental income will increase your cash flow and help you to defray your housing cost. Also, multi-family homes allow for comfortable living with other family members together but separately. Securing a multi-family home mortgage is also easy because of your potential to generate income as a landlord. If you want to make and save money, these homes would be the perfect choice for you and the family. 

A 2016 study showed that the ranch-style home is the favorite of American homeowners, being the popular pick in thirty-four states. These houses are known for their simple single-story design, with low-pitched roofing, plenty of windows, and attached garages.  Many homeowners mentioned the size, layout, and functionality as elements they like about this type of house. Ranch homes have open floor plans, meaning living spaces are not too compartmentalized. The typical ranch house design offers a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors due to the many windows and glass doors that lead into your backyard. Also, ranch homes are easy to maintain and energy-efficient. It would be best to consider ranch housing if these features and benefits appeal to you and your family. 

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Townhomes allow you to experience both condo living and single-family housing in one building. They are usually described as a single-family home sandwiched between or next to similar single-family homes. Unlike the condominium residents, townhouse residents own both the interior and exterior space. But, like condos, there are few maintenance responsibilities. Townhome communities are also safe, peaceful, and quiet. These homes cost less than houses, and many real estate experts agree that they are better investments than apartments. Finally, consider townhouse living because of your access to many amenities and recreation opportunities.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Important Tips For Finding Your Dream Home
Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Home Buying · Home Design · Men & Womens Health

Important Tips For Finding Your Dream Home

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Whether you’re just getting on the property ladder or you’re moving to a larger home, finding the right property is essential. When you’re searching for your dream home, you don’t want to rush the process. By taking your time and waiting for the right property to come on the market, you can be sure that you’ve truly found the property of your dreams. To help you plan your search, take a look at these top tips now:
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Know What You’re Looking For

Before you start viewing properties, spend some time thinking about what features your dream home should have. It’s easy to be swayed once you start looking at homes, so taking the time to prioritize your ‘must-have’ features will ensure you have a clear idea of exactly what you’re looking for.

Get Financing in Place

You don’t want to find your dream property only to miss out because you don’t have the funds ready. By getting the financing in place now, you can ensure you’re ready to make an offer as soon as you find your dream property. Many mortgage firms and banks offer pre-approval, so you can get a mortgage lined up, ready for when you can complete a purchase.

When you are looking for the right loan for your home, it’s important that you understand everything that you need to know about the lender. The more information you have, the easier you will find it to trust that you are making the right decision for your future. The best companies such as New Century are an open book and you’ll find plenty of info about them online. 

Choose the Right Location

No matter what features a property has, it won’t be right for you if it’s not in a good location. Consider your commute to work, how close you are to amenities and, if you have them, what your kid’s journey to school will be like. By choosing the right location for your next home, you can ensure you have the lifestyle you’ve always dreamt of.

Stay Up to Date

When a dream home comes on the market, it probably won’t be available for long. Once you’ve decided what location you’re looking at, stay up to date with what properties are on the market. Fortunately, the internet makes it easy to keep on top of new properties. By searching for https://www.camijoneshomes.com/kansas-city-homes-for-sale/, for example, you can see the latest homes that are available. With regular checks, you’ll be the first in line when your dream home is listed for sale.

Think About Your Future

If you’re buying a dream home, then you want to think long-term. Imagining your future and how your lifestyle might change will give you an idea of how your dream home should look, feel, and function. The potential to increase the size of the property might be useful if you want to start a family, for example. Alternatively, the proximity to the local business center might be advantageous if you’re thinking about a change in your career.

Searching for Residential Real Estate

If you want to locate your dream home, it can be beneficial to build a good working relationship with local realtors. They’ll be the first to know when a property is coming on the market and can let you know when something fits your criteria. By moving quickly, you can ensure that you’re in a position to make an offer when the property of your dreams comes on the market.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda