Home-Selling Checklist: 5 Things to Do Before Selling Your House

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.

Most Common Kitchen Injuries and How to Avoid Them

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.

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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.

6 Ways to Transform an Old House Into a Home

Whether an old house is simply more affordable than a new one, or it is just more exciting to fix up, there are plenty of homeowners looking to transform their properties into the home of their dreams. Learning how to do a great job with a fixer-upper can be quite difficult, though, especially if you don’t have years of experience renovating houses. If you have an old house that needs to be remodeled to transform it into your vision, here are six ways to transform an old house into a home.

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From a House to a Home

1. Clear Out Debris and Pests

There is a major difference between an old home and one that has been abandoned or neglected for a number of years. In either situation, the best way to get started is to focus on clearing out debris and dealing with pest problems, such as insects like cockroaches and earwigs and larger pests like rodents. Clearing out your house of any trash or dirt can help you get into the right mindset as you prepare for some of the bigger projects that you will be tackling later on.

On the other hand, pests can be a major hassle. You may find yourself dealing with a small but problematic pest infestation that could include the following pests:

  • Centipedes or millipedes
  • Mosquitos
  • Silverfish
  • Spiders
  • Cockroaches
  • Wasps
  • Bed bugs
  • Termites
  • Ants
  • Fleas
  • Rodents

If you find yourself with any of the above home pest issues, reach out to a residential pest control company who can successfully clear your house and provide you with the peace of mind you need in your new home.

2. Focus on Improving Worn-Down Areas

While some large renovations may make your list, you may only need to touch up some areas that show signs of wear. Whether this is a certain area of flooring within the house, areas like baseboards or the wood on staircases, or peeling paint and wallpaper, show these sections some love and spruce them up to make them look like the other areas of the house. The extent of these repairs will depend on how much of the old design you want to keep and what you want to change completely. With every improvement you make, your old house will begin to look and feel like a home.

3. Repair or Replace Old Appliances

Appliances are arguably some of the most impactful assets in a house, as changing them out will completely change the look of your kitchen and other areas. For example, if you have the original oven or stove (in good condition) and can find a matching refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher to go with these old appliances, you can easily keep sections of the house as-is. Additionally, you may be able to hire a technician or appliance repair company in your area like Oregon Appliance Repair to help you restore older appliances to working condition.

4. Tackle the Biggest Projects Before Starting on the Small Details

Each room of the house will most likely require your attention; however, long before you begin going from room to room working on them, you should tackle some of the larger projects that may get in the way. For example, taking care of the roofing, replacing the windows, or removing portions of the house will take precedence over smaller projects you may have. Make sure to handle these projects before you begin working on the inside of your home. Just make sure that you take overall aesthetic into consideration when you are redoing these larger areas.

5. Give Your House a Fresh Coat of Paint

A fresh coat of paint brings color and life to whatever wall it is placed on. Unless you need to keep a certain set of wallpaper in a room, look for swatches that would either bring new life to the original color or completely reinvent the room to meet your personal needs. With just a little bit of paint, you can have a whole new room by the next day.

6. Make the Most of Your Space With New Furniture and Decorations

The furniture that you choose to fill your home with sets the tone in each area. For some sections, you may want to redesign a room with a modern look to improve both its style and its functionality. In other rooms, you may want to match the style that was in the original house by filling it with antique furniture and decorations. Take some time to build a vision of what you see for your new house and how you can make that vision possible.

Taking an old house and transforming it into a dream home is no easy feat, but it is possible. If you are looking to renovate your old home, use the six tips above to get started!

Banishing Clutter and Waste

Americans have a lot of “stuff.” Studies have shown that Americans own more things now than ever, and that much of what we own is little more than “junk”—cheap, mass-produced stuff that fills up homes and landfills alike. We’re buying more of that sort of thing, and we’re not getting rid of it as fast as we’re acquiring it.

The American obsession with “stuff” is not good for people, nor is it good for the environment. A home crowded with possessions can be stressful in the best of cases and completely overwhelming in the worst. The “throwaway society” that produces such hoarding is bad for the environment, too, as cheap goods get trashed and replaced without a thought—and then headed off to landfills.

We don’t have to live this way. Here’s how to reduce your waste and clutter.

Going Digital

Living with less has been made quite a bit easier in recent years thanks to the advent of the computer age. Using modern technology, it’s possible to reduce waste and clutter while still enjoying the things we care about.

Few things illustrate this better than digital photography and online digital photo storage systems. With so many of us carrying around high-quality cameras in our pockets (thanks, smartphones!), we’re taking more photos than ever before. But those photos are not all being printed onto photo paper or collected in scrapbooks and photos albums. Those physical (and sometimes wasteful) solutions have been eclipsed by high-tech alternatives. A good digital photo storage device can now do everything that a photo album can and more, including connecting photo collections to secure online storage (in the cloud), which allows photographers to download, share, and move their files simply and securely.

Similarly, digital solutions can help you swap paper books for e-books, CDs for mp3s, and more.

Conscious Consumption and Buying for Life

Extreme minimalists live with next to nothing. Other than what they need in order to survive, these people get rid of everything and avoid acquiring new possessions. That’s impressive, but there’s absolutely no reason to assume that these sorts of extreme minimalists have a monopoly on living with less. Plenty of people have downsized and decluttered without becoming ascetics.

With that in mind, you can certainly continue to buy and use the products in this new and decluttered phase of your life. You should be conscious, though, of how you’re doing so. Buying cheap stuff that wears out or breaks is a poor choice for the environment. Even if you get the broken or worn-out stuff out of your home quickly, the clutter lives on in landfills.

Be more conscious of your consumption. Be more discerning about what goods you buy, as well as about which versions of them end up on your shopping list. Choosing to spend more on solutions that last longer—”buying for life,” as conscious consumers like to say—can be a great way to cut down on waste.

Reusing, Recycling, and Upcycling

Not everything that you buy and use will last you a lifetime, and that’s okay. But just because something has reached the end of its useful life doesn’t mean that it belongs in a landfill. You should always dispose of recyclable materials properly. Recycling is one of the most important things that we can do for our planet, explain experts in used cooking oil collection and recycling.

What’s more, you may find that you don’t have to dispose of certain things at all. Possessions that still have life in them could be re-used or donated to individuals or organizations who will get more out of it. You should also consider “upcycling” certain items. Worn-out goods can get a new lease on life by taking on a different purpose or becoming a part of home decoration.

Be a Little Better Every Day

Building a better lifestyle isn’t about changing your entire life overnight. On the contrary, the process of self-improvement should take a long time—and, ideally, should never stop. Don’t beat yourself up about not eliminating waste and clutter fast. Instead, focus on reachable goals and positivity. If you strive to be a little bit better every day, your little efforts will add up to big long-term changes. That’s good news for you, your lifestyle, and our planet!

5 Reasons to Buy a Mountain Home

You could hunt for a perfect, peaceful vacation destination, or you could live at one. It’s time to start thinking about mountain homes and why you should purchase one. Here are five excellent reasons to do just that.

It’s Endlessly Beautiful

No matter which mountain town you move to, you’ll find endless beauty. You can move to Homer, Alaska, and explore the Homer Spit, which stretches into the Kachemak Bay. Telluride, Colorado, is the perfect home for anyone looking to enjoy both mountain and town. The beautiful views stretch over the main street, and you’ll love doing your grocery shopping under these mountains. Move to Lake Placid, New York, and you can hike the 46 Adirondack High Peaks. In North Carolina, you can experience gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Different towns offer different cultures and opportunities, but each has its own incredible beauty.

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It’s Private and Secluded

Do you dread the idea of visiting New York City or Los Angeles? You’ll never have to worry about swarms of people when you live in a mountain town. Your home can be separated from the main town (which is usually small and private anyway) and you’ll have tons of space to yourself. You can go entire days without seeing anyone outside your home, which is absolutely perfect for the introverts. If you like the idea of privacy but prefer to spend some time with other people, you can find what you’re looking for in a quick visit to town. In mountain towns, everyone knows each other. Just grabbing a coffee in town will give you the chance to reconnect with people, and then you can head back home to your privacy and perfect peace.

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You’ll Feel Less Stressed

The peace of the mountains will help you feel calm and less stressed. Reducing your stress can have huge benefits. You’ll sleep better, feel happier, and become less angry or irritable. Your relationships with others will be improved, and your physical health will improve. When we feel stress, it affects every aspect of our lives. Breathing fresh mountain air every day will remind you to take things easy and not get worried about everything. This reduction in stress will make an incredible change in your life.

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You Can Still Stay Busy

If you need to work to stay sane, you don’t have to worry about lacking opportunities in a mountain town. Many areas have lots of job opportunities, and you might even be able to work remotely for a bigger company. Working remotely has become extremely popular, and as technology improves, more and more people will want to work from home. Give yourself a gorgeous home office in your mountain house and let the views of nature inspire your work. You’ll be more productive and happier, which can lead to more money and success.

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You’ll Become Less Wasteful

Living in the city, you’re purchasing and using plenty of wasteful items. You might be ordering dinner every night when you have access to so many places that deliver, but when you live in a mountain town, you fend for yourself. You’ll get to make yourself a meal every evening, and you can grow your own vegetables or raise your own animals. Being surrounded by nature will inspire you to become less wasteful, which is great for the environment and your wallet. Growing or raising your own food will make you self-sufficient and proud of your work.

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There are countless other benefits to living in a mountain town. Make the move and you’ll find yourself filled with happiness, motivation, productivity, and love. Being surrounded by nature and a slower way of life will improve your mental and physical health, and who wouldn’t want that?

How to Find the Best Candidates without the Stress of Searching

When you are running a hospitality business like a hotel, resort, or casino, your staff is the lifeblood of your company. They are the ones that interact with your customers and ensure the customers come back again and again. The staff will either make your business the most successful it can be, or they will ensure customers never come back.

While employees are always crucial to a business, hospitality businesses are unique in that they are entirely dependent on the personalities, proficiency, and hospitality of their entire staff. From the cooks in the kitchen to the maids that clean the rooms and everyone in between, the whole team must be focused on ensuring the customers have the most enjoyable experience.

Even if you have the best staff in the business if you do not have enough people, the quality of your establishment will suffer. The small details will start to get overlooked as the staff is entirely focused on the central portions of their job. For example, if you do not have enough on your cleaning service, the employees you do have may rush through each room to get to every room before the next round of check-ins. While having rooms ready by anticipated check-in times is essential, so is having a perfectly clean room.

Maintaining a large staff that is thoroughly trained and upholding the standards of the facility can be a difficult job for even the most proficient business owners. Fortunately, as a business owner, there are steps you can take to ensure you always have the staff you need to thrive within the hospitality industry.

The first step is to search for hospitality staffing agencies near me to find an agency like A Plus Staffing Solutions that can meet all of your staffing needs. They can set you up with pre-screened and selective employees that are ready to get started and eager to work.

You can use an online service like Golookup to get background information on the selected candidates to ensure they are the quality you are looking to employ. Verifying the work of companies you contract with will give you the confidence needed to step back and let them do what they are most skilled in doing.

Anytime you outsource a service; you may have reservations about a third party doing the job as well as you feel you would do the job. However, your time as a business owner is valuable, and you need to consider the cost of the service compared to the amount of time it would take you to accomplish the same task. While this is true for any job, it is particularly true for hiring because it is a highly time-consuming process. Handling staffing internally will require you to have a human resources department that will oversee monitoring the positions needed, advertising open positions, reviewing resumes and cover letters, arranging and conducting interviews, follow-ups, background checks, and finally, job offers.

Once a candidate is selected, the human resources staff will then have to ensure the new employee is on-boarded efficiently and trained quickly for their new position while also making them feel welcomed and encouraging them to embrace the culture of the environment.

The hiring and onboarding process for new employees will take many hours over many weeks. The larger your staffing needs, the more continuous the process. For medium-sized companies, the best approach is to outsource the hiring and focus on onboarding internally to ensure new employees are trained the way you want them to be trained. You can work with the staffing agency to ensure they understand your business philosophy and what you are looking for in new employees.

3 Reasons Why You Should Consider Starting a Business in Oregon

 

Oregon is known for its lush forests, rainy climate, artisan breweries, and quirky Portland hipsters. But what most people don’t know is the state is booming with entrepreneurship. With a thriving start-up scene, more than 320,000 small businesses, and big-name brands like Adidas and Nike, Oregon is the nation’s best-kept commercial secret.

So what makes Oregon so desirable for businesses? The reasons abound as to what makes the Beaver State a business-friendly capital. From a highly educated workforce to low operating costs, the state gives you access to a talented network of potential employees and inexpensive means to set up shop. Oregon also has an impressive business climate that welcomes and rewards small businesses and motivates investors. The state’s largest city — Portland — cracked the Top Ten in Inc.’s recent list of the 50 best places in America for starting a business. Beaming with a range of industries, Oregon will make any business feel like home. Portland’s foodie scene is brimming with possibilities for potential bars, restaurants, and cafes. Outdoor and athletic apparel will certainly attract attention to Oregon’s outdoor enthusiasts. With cannabis legal for medicinal and recreational use, businesses focused on the plant are sure to be popular. Tech and software companies are growing in the state’s budding start-up community. And health care and electronics and computer manufacturing companies are expected to prosper in the coming decade in Portland.

So if you are an entrepreneur thinking about starting a new company, but are not sure where would be the ideal location for economic growth, look no further than Oregon for your business venture.

Flourishing start-up community

Oregon is fast becoming the quintessential home for start-ups. And Portland, specifically, is on the rise to rival the pricier areas of Seattle and Silicon Valley in terms of an impactful start-up scene. With a variety of industries from bio diesel recycling to commercial roofing in Oregon, any entrepreneur can find success in Oregon. Both Portland, and the state as a whole, boasts numerous resources, groups, pages, events, and training programs for new business owners. Oregon’s culture encourages business independence, collaboration, and a do-it-yourself attitude that speaks to start-ups.

Business-friendly tax system

Oregon’s tax system is not just friendly to consumers, but to businesses, as well. Known for not having a sales tax on its products, the Beaver State provides retailers with copious profits. The no sales tax policy makes stores the biggest recipients of Oregon’s generous tax system.

So whether you are selling expensive outdoor power equipment in Gresham, OR  or a small cup of coffee in Portland, you will be reaping the full profit.

Big incentives for small businesses

Oregon offers several opportunities for emerging businesses to take advantage of. The state’s Emerging Small Business certification program gives priority to new businesses with various government contracts, including municipal and city contracts.

The state also offers the Oregon Investment Advantage, a program that helps businesses start or locate operations in counties across the state. If your company creates at least five full-time jobs in the county and sets up new facility operations that are the first of their kind in the state, you could deduct or completely erase your state business income tax liability for up to ten years.

Oregon might be a skeptical choice for some entrepreneurs who assume California would be better suited to their needs. But don’t judge a book by its cover because with Oregon’s favorable business atmosphere, variety of industry markets, and a cheap office space surrounded by redwood trees and water, the more business savvy decision could be where you least expect it.

What Is a Mortgage Offset Account?

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.

What’s the Best Way to Pay for Home Improvements?

If you are ready to make some improvements to your home, the cost is likely at the top of your mind. Some improvements may be cosmetic things that you have saved up for. However, other home improvements, such as foundation repair or a new roof, are vitally important to your home and can prevent you from having more expensive repairs or updates later on. If you are stressed about funding the project, it may cause you to put the needed repairs off until it is too late. If you want to learn about some of the best ways to pay for your home improvements, keep reading for some options to consider. 

Look into getting approved for a loan

One of the easiest ways to finance your home improvements is to apply for and get approved for a loan. If your credit score is high, you should have no problem being approved for a home improvement loan with a low-interest rate. Although, you still have options even if you do not have a great credit score. There are some installment loans with no credit check in Canada and other countries. Always do your research to see what is out there for your country. These types of installment loans are best for smaller amounts of money, typically under $1000. Getting a loan for your home improvements allows you to pay for needed updates, repairs, or additions while maintaining flexibility with your money.

Putting the total on your credit card

While not an ideal option, you have the choice of putting your home improvement costs on a credit card. Be careful with this option, though, as credit cards often have higher interest rates than most traditional loans. However, the benefit of using a credit card is that you could accrue mileage points or rewards, and you do not have to fill out any applications, which could cause a hard pull on your credit report. If you choose to use a credit card, always make sure to do your research and make sure it is the best option for you.

Using your savings for interest-free payments

If you have the assets, it may be in your best interest to pay for your home improvements using the money in your savings account. If you pay out of pocket, you avoid any interest you may end up paying with a credit card or home loan. This means that you will pay less for your home improvement than you would otherwise because you will not be charged an additional percentage each month. This could be especially beneficial if you do not have the best credit history because you avoid having to get an interest rate at all. Interest rates for loans are typically better for those with excellent credit than they are for those with poor credit scores. 

Investing in cost-saving home improvements and updates

Something you may not have considered when thinking about your upcoming home improvement projects is how to actually save money long term by making certain updates or substitutions to your home. Consider researching some energy-efficient options for your home so that you can save money on energy bills in the future. For instance, if your household’s monthly energy bill is more than $75, you may be a good candidate for residential solar panels. Not only are solar panels energy efficient, but they also produce a cleaner energy alternative to traditional fuels. You may also want to consider “low flow” faucets, bettering your home’s insulation to maintain temperatures, and weather-stripping your windows. All of these things will help you save money on your utility bills, which is more money in your pocket for the future.

Financing Home Improvements 101: Here’s How to Upgrade on a Budget

Unless you have a lot of money saved up for home improvements, you’ll need to find a way to finance them. Being on a budget makes doing all the home improvements you need a little difficult, but they still can be done.

It is estimated that the average home improvement project could run you anywhere from $40,000 and can go as high as $130,000. The problem is, most people don’t have that kind of money just lying around to spend on remodeling costs. The following guide will examine a few of the smart ways you can finance your home improvement projects on a budget.

Save money in other ways

There are a few things around your house that you can do to cut costs while you’re financing your remodel. Checking into the smart lighting solutions such as Lutron lighting in Austin is a good place to start. A whole-home installation of smart lighting can be done without retrofitting or rewiring your home. Whether it’s automated shades, dimmers, timers, or sensors, you can take control of the lighting in your home and save money for your home improvements at the same time.

You can also pick up a few other smart devices that will help lower your bills as well and leave more for your remodel.

Sit down with a contractor

The very first thing you should do is sit down with a contractor so you know exactly what your home improvement project is going to cost. Plan the project out in full together, including every aspect and even a few emergencies that might crop up along the way. Once you know about how much the home improvement project is going to cost, you can check into the options for financing.

Apply for a home improvement loan

Another option you could consider is consulting with one of the private money lenders in Texas to see about securing a home improvement loan. Most of these companies have a fast and easy process, and the loans are offered with no hidden fees that will come back to haunt you later down the line. The fact that the rates are competitive makes these loans a great option for homeowners on a budget who need home improvement options.

Credit cards

It is possible to cover small renovations or even part of your larger renovations with a credit card. However, it’s important that you can cover the full amount that you charged at the end of the month to avoid interest fees piling up. When you’re on a budget, the last thing you want to do is add more bills to the list of monthly payments.

Cash

Of course, when it comes right down to it, cash is still the best way to go to cover any home improvement project, especially if it is a small one. It may take longer, but if your project isn’t something that needs to be completed right away, it’s better to save the money to finance it.

Saving for a remodel isn’t easy, especially with so many other things to save for, as well. The best thing to do is to take things one step at a time. Determine which improvement is most important, figure out how much it will cost, and make that your goal. It’s the best way to finance a remodel if you don’t want payments and interest fees.

These are just a few of the top ways to finance your home improvements on a budget that you could check into. One of them is sure to be the right option for your needs.

How to Maintain a Real Estate Investment Property

Investing in real estate can have a big payoff if it’s done right. But after finding the right property, making the necessary changes, and finding the perfect tenants, the work isn’t done—many investors forget to maintain their properties properly, which can mean bad news. A poorly maintained property can make it difficult to find good tenants and can result in lowered property value. So how can real estate investors effectively maintain their property?

Deep Clean Between Tenants

While tenants are responsible for cleaning while they’re living at the property, it’s up to property owners to clean in between tenants—before a new tenant moves in, property owners should do some deep cleaning. 

All of the floors should be cleaned and replaced as needed, countertops and other surfaces should be cleaned, and hard-to-reach areas, like behind furniture, should be given attention, too. This deep cleaning will help keep the house in good shape and ensure new tenants are happy when they move in.

Invest In Landscaping

Curb appeal plays a big role in both attracting new tenants and property value. This is why landscaping is so important. Simple landscaping tasks like mowing the lawn, trimming overgrown trees and bushes, and even planting some flowers can make a big difference. A major backyard renovation isn’t necessary, but basic upkeep is essential to keeping the property looking nice and maintained.

There may also be some bigger landscaping projects. For example, if there are dead or damaged trees in the yard, property owners shouldn’t let them stay—these trees are not only an eyesore, but they could fall and cause property damage or even injuries. 

With that in mind, property owners should conduct a search for “tree removal company near me” and find a reputable and experienced business to work with. Sometimes, outsourcing tasks, like tree removal, to professionals is the best option.

Make Necessary Repairs

Keeping up with repairs as needed is perhaps one of the most important tasks when it comes to maintaining a property. If repairs go left undone, bigger problems can arise. Repairs can be small tasks, like fixing a leaking pipe or patching a hole in a wall. But repairs can also be bigger tasks, like fixing a broken HVAC unit or repairing a roof. Either way, repairs should be completed as soon as the problem is noticed. 

If something like a leaking pipe isn’t taken care of, it can result in major problems—a leak can lead to pooling water or even flooding. This can result in water damage and even mold, which can cause serious health problems for tenants living in the house. This is why it’s so important that property owners take care of repairs right away, which will save them more money and time down the line.

If a property owner is good about managing one property, they may be wondering how to buy multiple investment properties. There are a few important steps to take before investing in multiple properties—property owners should make sure they have the tools and resources they need to properly maintain each of their properties so they can continue getting good tenants and a steady income. 

Additionally, property owners may want to consider hiring a property manager to help with certain tasks, like repairs and renovations. And lastly, property investors will need to secure a good loan. Getting a good home loan is crucial because, with a large enough loan amount and a low-interest rate, property owners can invest in high-quality properties. This will allow them to put minimal work into the property before looking for tenants, ultimately increasing their income.

Real estate investments can be a lot of work, but they can be rewarding, too. So if property owners keep these tips in mind to help maintain their properties, they should have minimal complaints from tenants and continue with good property values.

5 Ways to Make Your Home Safer in 2019

You’ve turned on the alarm. Triple-checked the locks. Left a few lights or the TV on to trick potential intruders into thinking someone’s home. The house is safe now, right? 

Yes, it might be. But let’s think outside the box a little: home safety, for the most part, is linked to warding off burglars. While that’s the main reason why homeowners do all of the above, they should also remember that their own home is where the greatest accident risk is—even when there’s no thief visible. 

Truth is, there are more great ways to watch out for your home’s security, some of which you haven’t yet considered and could save your family from harm. We’ve listed a few of them below:

Substitute Blind Cords For Motorized Windows

You’ve probably heard: if you have children, blind cords can be deadly. 12 percent of kids can get caught in blind cords and the consequences are lethal. Even if you’re a stay-at-home mom, it’s improbable that you’ll be able to watch your kids without interruption. 

In this case, your best alternative is to consider motorized window treatments instead of blinds. They not only eliminate dangers for small kids but also reduce the accumulation of dust, making them an ideal choice for little ones and those susceptible to allergies. 

Choose Railings Made Of Stainless Steel

Whether on staircases or balconies, railings are undoubtedly the best way to prevent falls. Depending on the material you choose, you could also be preventing your family from toxin exposure. Let us explain:

When giving your home a paint job (and that includes railings), the characteristic strong paint smell shouldn’t be your only concern. Traditional paints release certain volatile chemicals—also called volatile organic compounds—that remain in the ambient even years after a paint job, contrary to the odor. These compounds can be harmful to the health of whoever’s in the house. 

Stainless steel, on the other hand, is durable and rust-proof. That means it’s your best choice for indoor or outdoor railings, regardless of weather conditions. You can do your best research by googling “stainless steel railings company near me”.

Have A Comprehensive Fire Escape Plan

Preventing home fires can be tricky. Even if you have installed smoke alarms, the fact that they’ll work when you need them the most isn’t a certainty seeing that, in a period of three years, 23 percent of fire-related deaths happened in homes where fire alarms didn’t work correctly. 

Of course, alarms are essential and so are fire extinguishers in strategic places. Speaking of strategy, you should create an uncomplicated fire escape plan for the whole family and conduct a monthly fire drill—this will make sure everybody knows how to escape in the case of a real situation, especially children. 

Automate Your Home

Just like smartphones, we can now have smart locks and smart lights in our homes. 

Home automation can put simple yet easily forgettable activities in the palm of your hands. You no longer need to wrack your brain trying to remember if you locked the front door—when in doubt, just check an app on your cellphone. If it’s unlocked, solve your problem with a click. 

Noticed suspicious activity in the backyard at night? Don’t put your life at risk by going out there. Simply turn on the lights without leaving where you are. If there’s an intruder, they’ll likely panic and go away.

Learn Everything You Can About Personal Safety

It doesn’t matter how convinced you are that nothing bad can happen in your home; taking some time to learn CPR and the Heimlich maneuver is always a good idea. You need to be prepared for life-threatening situations such as witnessing a loved one choking or drowning in a pool. These kinds of problems require fast thinking and acting, therefore you should already be aware of what to do to save a life. 

The only way to create a truly safe household is to see safety issues from all angles. From fending off intruders to avoiding tragic accidents, be sure to prevent all concerns from the inside out.