While winter is going to be in full swing soon, summer will peak its head around the corner before you know it next year. The summer in most places brings with it extreme heat and often heatwaves that last for weeks on end. A heatwave is defined as a bout of extreme heat that lasts for more than two days and can end with illness and even death if people aren’t careful.
If you’re remodeling your kitchen this upcoming summer season, while you’re researching the difference between a standard backsplash and a full kitchen backslash, make sure to get prepared for the heatwave the weatherman will most certainly be predicting in the days ahead. If you’re not sure how to prepare your family or your home for a heatwave, keep reading for some tips to get you started.
Have your AC inspected.
Trying to get past a heatwave without air conditioning can lead to heatstroke, or worse if you aren’t careful. If you have an AC, the best thing to do is to make sure to have the unit inspected by your service technician before the heatwave begins. You’ll also want to make sure that your air filter is changed and free of debris and dust and that none of the vents in your home are covered or closed off. It’s recommended that homeowners have a reputable AC company come out and check your HVAC unit every season, just in case something needs to be fixed.
Make sure all windows are covered.
In order to prevent the sun from heating up your home, cover any windows that are exposed to direct sunlight. Almost 76% of the sunlight that shines into a home is turned into heat, even when it’s through double-paned windows. In order to deflect heat away from your home, you can use tinfoil on the windows as well.
Purchase an attic fan.
A high-quality attic fan can help draw the heat out of your home so that it doesn’t settle into the rooms, making the AC work even harder. If you live in a town where heatwaves are common during the summer, this one-time investment can go a long way towards keeping your family cool and your energy bills lower.
Stock the fridge with water.
It’s super important to stay hydrated during a heatwave, so keeping the fridge stocked with water is the best way to accomplish that goal. Drinking cold water from the fridge does double duty by keeping you hydrated and cooling you off at the same time. Even though you’re inside with the air conditioning running full blast with the windows covered, you still need to drink to stay hydrated. Besides, there’s nothing better than an icy bottle of water on a hot summer’s day to quench your thirst and cool you down.
Study the signs of heat exhaustion and stress.
In reality, the best way to stay safe is inside your home with the air conditioner on if your state is suffering through a heatwave. However, that’s not possible if the heatwave goes on for weeks or if you have things you have to do outside of the home. You should know the signs of heat stress so that you don’t end up suffering from heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or even a heat stroke. You can combat this by drinking water and not staying outside for long periods of time.
These are just a few of the ways you can prepare your home and your family for a heatwave to travel through your area. Remember, it’s best to stay inside your home with the air conditioning on if at all possible.
More and more investors are entering the real estate market these days. Properties have replaced gold and other precious metals as the vogue investment opportunity for those looking to continue building upon the successes found in the stock market. However, the real estate marketplace has always been a fantastic source of wealth generation – the most profitable investors in our world understand this, and the layman is starting to catch on to this long-range trend in creating lasting cash flow and wealth.
Anyone can begin to buy into the real estate market, but it takes a savvy eye to find properties that offer unique dividend creation potential, and an even better journeyman to move properties from unwanted to cash creators. Entering the property market takes a lot of sweat and equity, but done well, your new investments will yield massive returns on investment in short order. The property market creates incredible upward mobility for fast learners willing to take on risks and ride the reward that follows.
Keep a close eye on cash flow.
The most important aspect of a successful real estate investment strategy is the cash flow. Understanding that you will have major expenses on the outgoing side is the first piece of the puzzle – the question is how you will make up for that outgoing cash with your targeted property buys. Real estate offers a unique advantage in that the majority of your buying will be done with someone else’s money. Instead of routinely pumping your own cash into the stock market or commodity purchases in order to facilitate a long term buy and hold strategy, you will be borrowing money from the bank or a private lender in order to make rapid buy and sell transactions.
It may be difficult for a new real estate investor to keep track of all this moving capital, but the long and short of it is that you will want to account for every single line-item expense, including interest on the mortgage payments that you make while in possession of a property.
Depending on your strategy here, there are divergent paths for securing the funding for a property purchase, but both patterns hinge on a similar strength: Your top notch credit score. Keeping a pristine credit report is essential for maximizing your return on investment in any local property market. Your credit score is the tool that lenders use to size you up as an investment. Keeping this relationship in mind is crucial to finding success here, and in borrowing for your own mortgage at some point.
This is because no matter the path you choose for capitalizing on generated returns, you will need to rely on creditors to lend you the startup capital required to get your business venture off the ground. This is what separates REIT investors from real property owners. The REIT marketplace is a sector of the stock market and is a fantastic proving ground for investors to cut their teeth in the ways of real estate trading. However, nothing quite replicates the value and growth potential as the real thing.
The first stream of real estate income: Rent payments.
The first category of real estate investing comes in the form of property management. Any good real estate investor considers this monthly cash flow as a part of their portfolio of property holdings. As a landlord, you can count on the rent payments hitting your account like clockwork if you’ve created a professional and healthy relationship with your tenants. Whether in Fort Collins or Colorado Springs, rent prices are on a long upward trajectory and people are buying their first homes later in life than ever before – 33 is now the average first-time homebuyer age in the United States. This means the marketplace for landlords is ripe for capital gain.
There are some necessary considerations here though. Getting to know contractors that you trust at a Denver roofing company and utilizing the same work crew for each job is a great idea for lowering your overall costs throughout the years to come managing each of your properties. Using the same contractors on multiple jobs is important because finding a new crew each time you need repairs done is the surest way to end up with shoddy workmanship. Take the time to find an outfit that you trust with years of experience in the industry to do all your maintenance work on the kitchens, roof, windows, and elsewhere. Each need should be accounted for in your research before you buy into your first property so that you can organize rapid repairs in order to get your property ready for the market, and in the future should the need arise in the middle of a tenancy.
All this goes into the consideration of your times earned interest ratio. TIE ratio is a metric often used in relation to a company’s earnings. The TIE ratio defines a business entity’s solvency, or its ability to pay back debts, should it abruptly stop doing business. This is a hypothetical calculation, of course, but a high ratio means that your enterprise is in the black and moving in a positive direction. In real estate, you always need to know where your finances are trending in order to make midstream adjustments to keep yourself afloat.
Flipping homes as a powerful supplement.
Flipping houses is the second stream of real estate investing. In this approach, you will seek out foreclosure homes and other fixer-uppers that are on the market for a steal. Here you will want to invest as little capital as possible in the purchase and the upgrades while trying to squeeze out the highest value possible. Then, as quickly as possible, you’ll put the home back on the market and try to sell it for a profit.
House flipping can be incredibly lucrative for those with an eye for the price value. Many homes listed at bargain pricing have something severely wrong with them. Maybe the roof is falling in; there might be structural damage; possibly, the previous owners or tenants destroyed the interior of the home and it will need a complete rebuild. These homes go for incredibly low price points in the market because they are often sold by the bank in order to recoup a portion of their losses in the mortgage lending process. Finding the properties that look rough but won’t cost a lot of cash to fix up takes years of experience in the field, but with the help of a trusted team around you, this learning curve can be cut down significantly.
Invest in yourself in order to put your best foot forward.
Real estate is about research and smart money, but it’s also about swagger. In order to succeed in this space, you will need to invest in your look as well. Adding petite blazers, jackets, blouses, or other stylish outerwear to your dress is a great way to show off your best self to prospective buyers or renters. People form impressions at a rapid pace, sometimes as quickly as seven seconds. This means your look, attitude, and body language may be all that a person has to go on when evaluating your trustworthiness. In order to succeed in this business, you will have to learn to develop reports with customers in these first crucial seconds with your inviting attitude and professional looks. Only then can you start selling clients on the dream home they are standing in and raise your net worth in the process.
Real estate is a tough marketplace, but with a bit of practice, you can grow from an individual investor to a team leader that rakes in profit and grows net income every day of the week.
Chances are you didn’t plan on having to call in a plumber to fix your pipes. Chances are even better than you had no idea that you’d end up with no hot water, no water coming out of the faucet, and plumbing that needed a major overhaul. Now, that you’ve called in the plumber Arvada services to fix the major problems with your plumbing, you need to know how to handle the fact that you won’t have any water for a little while, maybe even longer, as well as make things more comfortable for the person coming to fix your issues.
There are a few things that you can do to prepare for a large plumbing project to happen in your home. From switching off the water heater to making sure your stainless steel appliances aren’t left running with no water in them. Read on below for a few tips to help you prepare for a large plumbing project to take place in your home.
Get a water dispenser.
One of the first things you want to do is make sure your family has the water that they need to get through the upcoming days. One way to do this is by purchasing the best water dispenser on the market today. This way you have water for cooking, coffee, and even just to drink when you’re home and the water is off for the project. Hot water and cold water are both key things your family doesn’t want to do without, so a water cooler is a must-have during a plumbing project.
Clear out the plumbing area.
While you’re going to be handling your plumbing emergency before the plumber arrives, you should also make sure that the area the large plumbing project is going to be performed in is clear and uncluttered as well. Make sure that you clean out the area around the main plumbing line, just in case the technician needs to get there to do something to fix your plumbing issues.
Most plumbing services have years of experience with drain cleaning and fixing other plumbing issues, however, it’s always nice to help them by making their job easier.
Think about other potential plumbing issues.
While you have the plumber on the way, it’s a good idea to think about any other issues you might have with your water line, flatirons plumbing, or any other plumbing problem you might be having. If you have other underlying issues that you’ve been putting off calling in help for, nows the time to talk to the technician about them. It’s not going to cost much more to get him to fix all the small stuff while he’s fixing the larger issue at the same time. For example, do your sink and toilets constantly stop up, is your dishwasher clogged on occasion? Ask for help now, instead of having to call the plumber back for another visit down the line.
Make arrangements for your pets.
Pets have a way of going berserk when there’s a stranger in the house, and a plumber isn’t going to be any different. Make sure that your pets are contained in another room before the plumber gets there, for their protection and the plumbers as well. It’s hard for him to fix your problem if your pet is constantly in the way while he’s doing it. If your pet is the anxious sort, maybe you could take him for a walk or to a friend’s house while the technician is in your home.
These are just a few tips for preparing for a big project to take place in your home. From making arrangements for your pets to ensuring you have a water dispenser on hand so your family doesn’t run out of either cold water or hot water, these tips will help your plumbing issues get fixed without a hitch.
Buying a home is truly exciting but, even so, various challenges that come with being a homeowner are overwhelming to handle. For example, the inspection process for home buying is extensive and multi-faceted. For these reasons, you’re stuck not only navigating your finances throughout the house search but also left sifting through lists upon lists of things inspect before you commit to the purchase of the home. Keep in mind that though this process has its obstacles, there are ways to prioritize your inspection process. Here are five important things to inspect and consider before buying your new home.
1. Look at the outdoor spaces.
One cost that adds up in the purchase of a new home is the yard. If the yard of the home you’re interested in is badly maintained it’s an expensive and time-consuming feat to chip away at. You want to make sure the front and backyard of the house is nicely taken care of so that you don’t have to spend most of your time getting the outside looking right instead of focusing on the interior. Just a few examples of expenses that can occur with outdoor spaces include grass cutting, installation of sod, porch renovations, landscaping, and even brick paving. By choosing a home that passes this outdoors inspection you can focus on making the interior into the home your dreams.
2. Test out the appliances.
According to Avalon Gallery, there are great ways to test your appliances in the home. This way, you can see if you should follow through with repairs or simply replace entire appliance units. As a homeowner, this is a key part of the inspection, because buying new household appliances quickly add up. If the home you’re interested in comes with the appliances then you want to make sure they work before you’re stuck with a non-functioning refrigerator or stove. Plus, if you’re paying more for this special machinery coming with the place, you have to make sure it works to get your money’s worth on the sale of the home.
3. Check out all entrances and exits.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s critical to make sure all of the entrances and exits to your home are well inspected. By ensuring places like windows, crawl spaces, attics, doorways, and even basement barriers are well fitted and have the right type of insulation installed, you can save yourself time and money. When your spaces of entrance and exit do not have enough insulation, you’ll end up paying a lot more on your energy bills.
Attic insulation is one item on this list of things to consider. To stop air leaks and save yourself money and improve your energy efficiency you need to make sure that your insulation is keeping any heat from escaping your home. Proper attic insulation is important in a variety of climates. In a warm climate, you need insulation to protect you from the humidity and moisture which are the perfect breeding grounds for mold and mildew. On the other hand, cold climate poses a different threat. Without the right insulation, you’ll be racking up energy bills as you struggle to keep your house warm. Before you jump the gun and make the purchase, just be sure to check the insulation levels of the home before you buy it.
4. Look for potential water damage risks.
Another costly fix within a home is water damage. This kind of damage commonly occurs in the basement from flooding and leaks. However, water damage can also occur in areas where moisture content is higher like a bathroom. If your home has water damage then you might need to replace wood in the infrastructure, floorboards, and even floor joists. By ensuring that your inspector agrees that there are no signs of water damage, you can save yourself some money on expensive work.
5. Thoroughly read the contract.
Last up on the list is to read your contract before you sign it. The contract will show you the fine details of your sale. For example, you can see if your inspector agrees to pay for repairs that may come after the inspection. You can also see if they will simply pay back the inspection fee you likely paid for their services if something goes wrong. Overall, look at the fine details of your contract and negotiate prior if applicable, because once it’s in writing you can’t go back.
All in all, you’re now ready to buy your new home. With these inspection criteria in mind, you will confidently move forward with the search. In no time, you’ll be well prepared to buy and inspect as you eagerly begin your adventure as a new homeowner.
You’ve seen the shows on HGTV and Bravo that give you a first-hand look into the world of luxury real estate. And while you may not have the funds to invest in the kinds of houses you’ll see on “Million Dollar Listing,” your future home will be just as exciting and monumental. Becoming a first-time homeowner comes with a lot of responsibility to research and understand all the nuances about your purchase. You‘re looking for a dream home and a great place to establish your family for many years to come. It’s not a decision to take lightly.
As you begin your journey toward homeownership, it is important that you understand the business side of things and what trends can help or hurt you on your journey. Every year, different elements such as economic impact, generational growth, and unforeseen circumstances can alter the market. And in a year like 2020, that has been particularly crazy and unprecedented, experts have definitely observed some changes in the market.
The market affects your own plans to purchase your perfect home, but it can also have an impact on the general economy in your area. Big businesses are constantly relocating to take advantage of cheaper areas and neighborhoods grow and expand as the year pass. Know that certain trends from this year may not carry over to the next year. In fact, things can change from month to month in this business. As far as 2020, here are just a few of the top trends that experts and team members have recognized in the real estate market.
Trending toward new home building.
When you’re looking to purchase a new home, you have a few options. You can choose to buy a home that is already on the market, or you can decide to create your dream home and work with a construction manager or subcontractor to help bring your vision to life. During this year, new homeowners have been opting for the latter. Custom home design is on the rise, and hiring a custom home builder is the new way to guarantee you end up in the right place that checks all your boxes.
When you turn to custom home builders you don’t have to settle on any part of your home. You work directly with an architect and contractor to develop a floor plan and home design that suits your family’s needs. They are with you every step of the way to create a home with every amenity you need whether that be a big patio, luxurious bathroom, or dedicated workspace. This flexibility and openness to specific suggestions are the reasons why new home building was predicted to increase eight percent during the year 2020.
How has the Coronavirus pandemic has affected the market?
As you near the end of 2020, it’s impossible to talk about the year without discussing the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Chances are, your finances and lifestyle were drastically changed in wake of the current situation. Layoffs and increasing unemployment numbers have meant people may not have the same amount of savings or career growth to pursue buying a house. Those who have continued working may now be working from home full-time. This requires new, specific suggestions for your living space. While you may not have needed a cleanroom or home office before, being forced to stay inside for an extended period of time has reminded you of the need for a livable enclosure. When your home becomes your workplace, school, gym, and leisure space all in one, you’re going to require some more space and potentially a different floor plan.
The emergence of Covid-19 also reminded individuals of the need to stay sanitary. The real estate business isn’t only for individual buyers and sellers, it impacts companies as well. Industries like medicine and technology have been leading the charge in fighting the pandemic, but they need clean, safe places to do so. This caused an increase in the need for clean room construction. A cleanroom design specifically creates a sanitary space to keep contaminant levels low or even nonexistent. The need for these new spaces has been a top priority and will continue to encourage the market into 2021.
A younger generation of home buyers has emerged.
As the years go on, the millennial generation, born between 1980-1996, is growing up and starting to settle down. Last year, 45% of homebuyers were millennials, and that trend is expected to continue throughout the next several years. And as home buyers become younger, agents need to up their game to keep up with the times. A generation that knows and understands technology will demand the same of their real estate agents. It can be hard work to improve your internet presence, but it can be a major step toward connecting with the right people who are hoping to become homeowners.
Demand for more equipped, experienced real estate agents.
Because of the advanced role technology has taken in the modern home-buying experience, real estate agents are being forced to keep up. Experts have noticed that experienced agents are bringing in more clients than smaller or independent agents. As the market expands and more young people get involved, average agents will start to fall off while the best and the brightest will thrive.
A successful real estate agency isn’t only about the relationships with clients. It’s imperative that the team works well together and shows solid growth as a unit. Groups like Venterra Realty have been recognized with an institute award for creating a happy, healthy workplace with excellent project managers and a collaborative employee experience. Companies like this with years of experience creating a good relationship between themselves and their customers are on track to take advantage of the current trends.
The economic impact creates a seller’s market.
The real estate business is really double-sided. You have buyers and sellers, and usually, the market benefits one or the other. The current trends indicate a sellers’ market. Due to the economic impact and uncertainty from Covid and other trends, many people agree that this may be a good time to sell their home. While this is excellent news for agents and sellers, it can be a negative point for those looking to purchase your first home. Prices may rise in a sellers’ market. With the uncertainty of the current financial picture for many Americans, it only makes sense that you want to get the most money for your biggest asset.
Prices slowly are rising, but mortgage rates are going down.
Through the years, housing prices continue to rise. The positive is that the increase in 2020 was a lower margin than the past few years, but that doesn’t mean prices aren’t still rising. However, the economic uncertainties have caused lenders to offer mortgages with lower interest rates than you’ve seen in almost a decade. So if you’re taking out a mortgage to buy a home or hire a custom builder, you may be in luck with a lower mortgage rate.
The market is looking healthy for the near future.
Overall, the real estate market is a good gauge for how the economy is doing, but it may not seem as relevant to you if you’re not looking to buy or sell a home. Experts have predicted that your home equity will continue to rise throughout 2020. You also shouldn’t worry about the market crashing anytime soon. Though there is a lot of economic uncertainty circulating in 2020, the housing market is staying strong.
There are many reasons why people up and leave a particular place. However, moving to a different location can be stressful and overwhelming at times, regardless of the cause. Besides planning your move ahead of time, there are other things you can do to make it hassle-free. Here are a few essential moving tips for people living in the city.
1. Hire a Professional Mover
Whether it’s a long-distance move, commercial move, or corporate relocation, hiring a professional mover will shield you from the risk and hassle associated with moving. Additionally, experienced movers are often quite efficient, so you’ll have peace of mind and the best moving experience.
Additionally, moving companies are usually very local. For example, if you stay around the Phoenix area and are looking for local movers in Phoenix, Muscular Moving Men & Storage is a safe bet, amongst others. Reputed as the best moving company in Arizona, they offer high-quality moving and storage services in the Phoenix Metro area.
The acclaimed Phoenix moving company runs background checks on all their staff and keeps them up to date on all necessary training. Additionally, they offer high end packing supplies, including boxes, tape, and padding materials at affordable prices. As a storage company, they provide short and long-term storage services for their clients. All in all, the company operates a secure, air-cooled storage facility in Phoenix to keep your belongings safe and protected.
2. Rent a Self-Storage Unit
Renting a storage facility makes it easier to move your belongings from one location to another. The interesting thing about renting a storage unit is that you can rent them for as long as you need it. More so, small businesses with limited storage space can keep their inventories in secure self-storage facilities for safekeeping. Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to locate affordable storage units closest to them, but a quick Google search should help.
For example, if you reside in Brooklyn, a search phrase of “affordable storages in Brooklyn” should bring a few options to choose from. Alternatively, on sites like U.S. Storage Units, you can find, compare, and reserve storage units anywhere in the United States—at no charge. The comparison self-storage network site features over 10,000 storage facilities spread across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
Additionally, its inventory holds more than 2,000,000 storage units. The website also features a Vehicle Storage Finder to help you locate a secure and affordable vehicle storage space in your area. U.S. Storage Units also offers the best deals on business storage units in case you’re looking to make some room in your office. What’s more, students have access to affordable public storage units near their universities and colleges.
3. Buy Your Own Home
Renting an apartment on a long term basis can significantly affect your finances. The best way to cut down on all that spending is to own your own home. If you can’t outrightly afford one, you may need to take out a home loan or mortgage. Sadly, no financial institution or traditional lender will give you a home loan without a good credit score and steady income stream. The good news is that an alternative mortgage is a viable option for people who don’t meet the requirements of a conventional mortgage.
The Mortgage Group are globally renowned alternative mortgage lenders who help with renovations, business capital, debt consolidations, pre-sales, and tax arrears. Their services are even available to those who are unemployed or bankrupt as well as people with low credit scores.
Additionally, the Mortgage Group has a variety of options to suit the needs of any homebuyer, including home equity loans, foreclosure financing, and stated income mortgages. Sure, their rates are higher than traditional banks, but approval is straightforward and quicker.
You probably haven’t been using your boiler much through the summer months. If you’ve turned it off, remember to turn it on often, so the heating system doesn’t get rusty from disuse. If you use a boiler as your primary heating system, you also need to ensure it’s in good condition through the summer months. Remember to do this once every year.
If your boiler is ancient, you may want to consider replacing it. However, if you focus on upgrades and boiler repairs, you won’t need to replace it. It’s also a good idea to consider servicing your boiler during the summer. The best time to call a boiler technician is during the summer months when your air conditioning is still running.
Even if you’re not using the heating system, you may need hot water throughout the year. So, it’s best to ensure it’s well-serviced. For more reasons to service your boiler at least once a year, preferably during the summer months, read on.
1. You can get better service.
If you don’t want to void your device’s warranty, you need to get your boiler serviced by a professional servicing team. Boiler services prolong the lifespan so that you won’t need a new boiler in the winter. And, you can catch any issues early so you won’t need emergency repairs in the winter. However, why is it crucial to choose the summer months for your boiler cleaning, repairs, and upgrades?
The most obvious reason is that if it’s not in use, servicing won’t interrupt anything. However, boiler servicing is also easier to book during the summer. Boiler companies are not busy dealing with emergency outage issues or emergency repairs that need fixing immediately. And, since summer months may not be booked solid, you can get a technician with years of experience to service it without waiting weeks for an appointment.
2. You can resolve issues faster.
If you’re trying to get your boiler up and running in time to heat your home for winter, you will have to postpone fixing anything that needs longer service time. You may have to buy a new boiler instead of repairing your old one. It is because emergency service appointments may be hard to book.
And, boiler components are not readily available in a hurry. Besides, several boiler components may be more accessible if your technician has the time to get the right parts. Not only will you be able to resolve issues faster, but you will also be able to keep your boiler in better shape if you call a technician a few months before you need one.
3. You can keep your family safe.
Like anything else that burns fuel, boilers may release toxic fumes and gases. One of these is carbon monoxide, which can put you and your family at risk. Even if you have a working carbon monoxide detector, the gas can seep into your room in small quantities before it is detected.
Since human senses cannot detect it either, you can go months breathing in the odorless, colorless fumes. Carbon monoxide can cause a series of issues, including brain damage and comas, so don’t let your radiant heat system put you at risk. And, since your boiler doesn’t run through most summer months, you may overlook wear and tear issues that can cause safety issues.
From leaks to blockages and starter issues, a technician is the best person to figure these out. A boiler servicing company that can perform any emergency repairs may also be quicker to respond in the summer. To prevent the risk of gas poisoning and other safety issues, boiler service during the summer is a great idea.
Having a baby brings many changes to your life. In order to get ready for a new baby, you have to buy clothing and supplies, attend regular prenatal doctor visits, and carefully baby-proof your home. Baby-proofing can be a tedious task because many everyday items are potential dangers to your baby. As your child gets older you have to child-proof your house even more thoroughly and in different areas because if your child is starting to walk, there’s no telling what they could get their hands on. One area that is crucial to child-proof is the garage. Here are some things to note as you work on child-proofing your garage.
1. Make sure that your garage floor is safe.
The garage can be a fun open space for your kids to play, but if your concrete floor has no coating or is unfinished it can become a hazard. TSR Concrete Coatings offers epoxy, polyurea, and metallic floor coatings for your garage. The innovative TSR concrete coatings can be installed and ready in a single day, making it a convenient option for protecting your concrete floor and your children.
Without a concrete coating, garage floors are rough and porous. With little children running around and playing, there’s a high risk of falling and risking injuries and abrasions if the concrete is left exposed. The concrete floor in your garage can also be absorbant because it is porous. This means that any accidental spills or substances that drip from your vehicle may be absorbed and pose a threat to your children.
TSR concrete coatings are formulated to be durable. They are resistant to water, chemicals, abrasions, and sun damage. TSR also offers textured concrete coatings that make your concrete floor slip-resistant as well. As temperatures rise, TSR’s floor finishes can expand and contract in order to preserve the integrity of the protective coat. TSR’s skilled team of full-service concrete coat installers can give your garage floor a beautiful and durable epoxy coat with the color of your choice in just a single day. TSR offers free no-obligation residential floor coatings estimate for potential customers who want to protect their garage and their children.
2. Lock up the chemicals.
We often tend to use our garages as additional storage, especially for things that we wouldn’t want to bring inside our homes. This is fine as long as these items are stored safely. Any cleaning products, toxic chemicals, or other dangerous materials that are not locked up are extremely hazardous to young children. While kids are learning and growing they have a tendency to put anything within their reach in their mouths. By putting any unsecured chemicals in their mouths, children ingest the toxins, some of which could possibly be fatal.
You should use your own best judgment as a parent when it comes to securing any dangerous substances. Using high shelves, putting a padlock on cabinets, and adding a waterproof epoxy coating on your concrete floor are all good starting points for keeping your child safe from toxic chemicals.
3. Test your garage door.
As a homeowner with a garage, you’ve probably been told to occasionally test your garage door and it’s safety mechanisms, but as a parent, it’s essential to do these checks often. According to the nonprofit organization Consumer Reports, the best way to test your garage door is by placing a block that is two inches high in the path of your closing garage door. Automatic garage doors have a built-in sensor that will cause the door to bounce back and reverse if something is in the way. If your door doesn’t reverse while performing this test, do not use the garage door’s automatic opener until you have the sensors looked at by a professional. You can still open and close your garage door manually to ensure that your children are safe while the door is in motion.
If you’re in love with your home, but not the space you cook and entertain in, you may want to consider upgrading things. A luxurious, chef-quality kitchen can be a major selling point if you ever decide to sell your home, and in the meantime, it gives you plenty to enjoy as you meal prep and cook food for family meals or larger get-togethers. Kitchens are often a vital component of entertaining, so it makes sense to spend money on upgrading your kitchen if it just feels a bit dated.
When you truly want to invest in your kitchen remodel, you may wind up knocking down a wall or two in order to make things more open-concept and improve the flow from your kitchen to your dining room. While that kind of construction comes with its own price tag, it’s equally important to budget for the materials that will truly make your kitchen shine, such as the cabinets, cookware, and other appliances. Here are a few areas to focus on if you want to take your kitchen from functional but bland to Michelin star worthy.
Use your cabinetry as a focal point
One of the most important considerations in any kitchen remodel involves the kitchen cabinets. As one of the biggest features of your kitchen, it’s thus important to take care to find the right cabinet style and finish that not only sets the tone for your new chef’s kitchen but ties it all together, too. Whether you’re looking for completely custom cabinets or semi-custom cabinets, picking a cabinet style can help you ground your overall remodeling plan, since modern cabinets will require different finishes for other appliances in your kitchen than traditional or transitional cabinets.
A consideration many people don’t think about when designing a magazine cover-worthy kitchen is the importance of keeping things organized and pristine. Being able to have enough storage thanks to wall cabinets and drawers can really make a difference when it comes to keeping your new kitchen looking great day in and day out. Make sure to talk with your cabinetry supplier about any premium features, accessories, or other innovative products that can help transform your new kitchen cabinets into an organizational solution that will keep things beautiful even after a large gathering with lots of dishes.
Upgrade the countertops
Once you’ve determined a style of cabinet, it’s time to find countertops that match your cabinetry. Quartz countertops can be incredibly striking when paired with a darker wooden cabinet, whereas darker marbled countertops may complement your white cabinetry. The top seven materials for countertops according to Consumer Reports are quartz, granite, marble, laminate, recycled glass, butcher block, and solid surfacing. Each has its own pros and cons, so definitely consider how durability and sustainability play a role in your kitchen remodel beyond aesthetics.
Buy the tools you need to feel like a chef
While how your kitchen looks and functions is important, the tools that you fill it with are equally important during a kitchen remodel. Buying new dishware and appliances can really help tie a kitchen together by allowing you to add extra details that really make a difference when taken as part of the whole.
If you’re on the hunt for durable and reliable pots and pans, a cookware set by Berlinger Haus could be right up your alley. Featuring a variety of colors and finishes, such as burgundy, black rose, and rose gold, these pots and pots are as stylish as they are functional. Best of all, you can buy Berlinger Haus cookware as part of a larger set of ten, twelve, or fifteen pieces, so it’s easy to find the right amount of pots and pans for the size of the kitchen you have.
If you are looking to move, you may feel a sense of dread entering your psyche. Booking movers, selling your house, buying a new house, relocating your family, and more can make moving to a new place feel overwhelming. Whether you are making a local move or moving from Greensboro to Fort Lauderdale, here are five key tips to keep in mind that will make the process of selling your house and moving much easier.
1. Declutter and deep clean your home
The first thing you should do before you even think about selling your house is to do a big declutter and deep clean of your home. Donate, sell, or toss anything you won’t need in your new home so that things go smoothly on your moving day and you don’t need to move items you don’t even care about. This will also be a lesson to you when you purchase new things: you will be thinking about your next move and how smoothly it would go without excess furniture, clothes, and electronics.
2. Decide how you’re going to sell
The next step you’ll want to take is to decide on how you will sell your home. You could do it the traditional way and hire a real estate agent, who will spend time trying to find the perfect buyers who will present a fair cash offer. Or, if you just want to sell your home fast, you could find home buyers who offer you a reasonable price to buy your home quickly. In North Carolina, property owners who search “buy my house Greensboro” would find Simply Sold Property. This company that buys homes in North Carolina and the surrounding area for fair and quick cash sums. This fast and simple approach is a great choice for families or individuals who are relocating or making a significant life change. Leave the trials of selling your home to the professionals and focus on your future.
3. De-personalize your home
Next, you will want to put yourself in the shoes of home buyers. Think about how personal your current home is and how you will make it more neutral, so it is attractive to people aiming to make it their own. That could mean repainting the interior and exterior in simple, neutral colors, fixing handles and doors that you’ve grown accustomed to, and opting for white kitchen and bathroom backsplashes instead of custom ones. You will need to make your house look like it could be anybody’s house because that’s how it will sell fast.
4. Figure out your next move
When you’ve sold your house or are close, make sure you find a reputable moving company to do your long-distance move or local move. Hiring movers can be a pain, but finding the perfect professional movers that have years of experience in the moving industry will make your life much easier when moving day comes along. Finding the best fort lauderdale movers to move your things safely from Greensboro to Fort Lauderdale will save you time, physical exertion, and money, as they have expertise in packing and moving breakable items you may otherwise need to replace. Hire a trustworthy moving company like Solomon and Sons so that, when moving day comes, you can relax knowing your stuff is in good hands.
5. Have a plan for moving day
To cut down on the stress of selling your house and moving to a new place, make sure you have a good plan for the day of the move. Think about the time frame in which you are moving, and pack a backpack with seasonally appropriate clothes and toiletries for an overnight stay if your clothes get packed away. Additionally, plan to unpack your bedding and mattress first so that you can ensure you get to sleep in your own bed in your new home.
Kitchens are where culinary magic happens, but they are also where accidents and injuries happen. Amateur and professional chefs alike need to practice kitchen-safety to prevent avoidable injuries. Taking precautions, using proper technique, and being aware can reduce common kitchen injuries.
Cuts
Knives and other sharp objects are everywhere in the kitchen. Not knowing how to handle knives with respect or how to maintain them properly leads to a common kitchen injury, cuts. To avoid cuts in the kitchen, start by keeping your knives sharp. Dull knives are prone to slipping when being used, so keep them properly sharpened for more accurate cuts and better control.
Always cut on a cutting board secured with rubber grips or a damp towel underneath to keep it in place. Keep knives organized in a visible place and use extra caution when washing them, as soap and water make them slippery and difficult to handle. When working with blades like mandolines and slicers wear cut resistant gloves for extra protection.
Burns
Burns are another dangerous and common kitchen injury that range in severity. Most burns are minor, but there are instances where an injury results in third-degree burns that require serious medical attention. Never handle hot objects without using oven mitts or gloves, and use the proper utensils to flip or turn food on the grill or stovetop.
Keep pot and pan handles turned inward on the stove to avoid bumping their hot contents onto the floor or you. Reduce the amount of exposed skin that can be burned by wearing long sleeves or a chef coat, long pants, and enclosed shoes. Always stand back from a hot pot or pan when removing the lid to avoid steam burns.
Accidents are bound to happen in an active restaurant kitchen. Dealing with a personal injury claim while seeking medical treatment for a severe burn is not a desirable experience. Ken Davis and Zackeree S. Kelin are personal injury lawyers in New Mexico who take an aggressive trial approach when representing clients in personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases. Davis Kelin Law Firm has years of experience defending injured people and winning the highest monetary compensation possible to cover medical care and damages.
Hot Pepper Burns
Thermal burns are common in the kitchen, but hot pepper burns do happen and they can be just as painful. When working with hot peppers like jalapenos and chilis, it’s important to prevent getting it on your skin. Wearing gloves when handling hot peppers will keep skin from coming into direct contact with pepper juices that cause a burning sensation.
Hot pepper juices can splash onto the face, which can be prevented by wearing eye protection. Never touch your eyes when handling peppers as residual juices on your hands can cause severe pain and irritation. Seriously hot peppers, like ghost peppers, can emit particles that when inhaled cause discomfort and serious injury. It’s a smart idea to consider wearing a mask if working with these kinds of peppers.
Falls
A fall can result in minor bruises or cuts or it can result in a major injury like broken bones or head trauma. Kitchen appliances like coolers and storage areas can leave water on the floor, so always be mindful to keep these areas dry and lay rubber mats where slips could happen.
Kitchen appliances need to be maintained to keep them functioning properly. Excessive water found around a refrigerator, dishwasher, or the sink is a sign that it’s time to call an appliance repair service. Honolulu Appliance Repair Pro is a family-owned company providing dishwasher, washer, freezer, and refrigerator repair in Honolulu. The appliance repair company prioritizes same-day servicing and employs experienced appliance repair technicians capable of repairing appliances from major brands like GE, Jenn-Air, and Whirlpool.
When working in a commercial kitchen, it’s imperative to wear non-slip shoes. They provide an extra grip on hazardous floors and help counteract wetness. Knowing how to prevent common kitchen injuries will make spending time in the kitchen more enjoyable.
Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or looking for an upgrade, understanding the differences between types of home loans is imperative. There are numerous types of home loans, with each varying in interest rates and monthly payments.
A mortgage offset account can help homebuyers reduce the interest charged on their home loan and allows account holders to access money when needed. So, what exactly is a mortgage offset account, and how do they work?
What is an offset account?
An offset mortgage account is a transaction account connected to a home loan. Like a traditional transaction account, offset account holders can deposit or withdraw cash at any time.
The main difference between an offset account and a traditional transaction account is that an offset account can reduce the amount of interest charged on your home loan. Holding money in an offset account can help you pay off your home loan sooner and accrue less interest. The higher the balance in your account and the longer you keep the money in the account, the less interest you’ll be charged on your home loan.
In most cases, offset accounts are only available for home loans with variable interest rates. However, some lenders allow homeowners to open an offset account for fixed-rate home loans.
How do offset accounts work?
When a homeowner opens a mortgage offset account, they’re only charged interest on the net balance of their home loan. The net balance of a home loan equates to the loan balance subtracted from the amount in the redraw offset facility or offset account.
For example, if you have $10,000 in an offset account and owe $200,000 in your mortgage, the interest on the home loan will be calculated on $190,000. Essentially, in the case of 100% offset accounts, the balance in your offset account is deducted from the balance of your home loan.
Opening a mortgage offset account does not change your monthly repayments. However, more of your repayments will go toward paying the principal balance of your home loan, rather than the interest accrued. Mortgage offset accounts help homeowners pay off their mortgage faster while accruing less interest and allow homeowners to access the money in their offset account at any time.
What are the benefits of an offset account?
Holding money in your offset mortgage account can save you thousands of dollars and can shorten your home loan repayment period by years. For example, if you take out a home loan at $400,000 with a 5 percent interest rate and a loan period of 30 years, storing $10,000 in your offset account for 30 years can save you more than $30,000 in accrued interest. Along with saving money, you’ll reduce your repayment period by a year.
Is an offset account right for you?
Although there are many benefits of an offset account, homeowners should review their current financial situation before opening an account. If you plan to regularly deposit and withdraw money, an offset account can give you immediate access to your cash. However, many lenders charge to open an offset account.
In some cases, homeowners are charged a monthly fee, while other lenders charge an annual package fee. Consequently, homeowners should consider whether saving interest will be more beneficial than paying account fees.
If you own a home and you’re planning to move soon, an offset account may not be for you. Instead, a simple google search like “Sell My House Fast California” can connect you to companies that make the process of buying and selling a home easy. Because selling your home “as is” can provide you with immediate cash to use toward your next home loan, you’ll start with a lower loan balance and you won’t be charged as much interest.
Opening a mortgage offset account can reduce the amount of interest accrued on your home loan and help shorten your repayment period. Ultimately, whether opening an offset account is the right choice for you depends on your financial situation.
