SkyFive Properties Blog

Are you ready to move down under?

Buying a house is an exciting time and doing it in beautiful Australia is no different!

Whether you’re a native Australian or an ex-pat relocating, you want to be sure that you know the ins and outs of buying a house in Australia. Check out this guide for four ways to finance your home down under.

1. Family Pledge Loan

Do you have bad credit or no credit at all? If you’re looking to buy a house in Austalia and you have family members that are willing to help, you may want to consider a family pledge loan.

With this option, an immediate family member would put up some kind of security so that you can purchase the property. This could mean the entire deposit or only a percentage, depending upon what you need.

2. Owner’s Finance

Wondering how to buy a house in Australia? Owner financing may be the right choice for you.

With this option, the seller of the property will provide the buyer with the finances to purchase instead of the buyer going to the bank. While this is a more common option in the United States, it’s still possible to do in Australia.

With owner financing, the seller will retain the property deed until the buyer pays them back. Once the final payment is made, the deed will be transferred to the home buyer.

3. Joint Venture

Want to know how to buy a house in Sydney? Are you educated in investment properties and earn a great income, but you don’t have the means to make a deposit? Consider a joint venture. A joint venture is mutually beneficial to both parties.

Your partner would provide the deposit and you would both own the property. You would provide financing or property work to increase the value of the home. Negotiations would be between the two of you and would be whatever works best for both parties.

4. First Home Owner Grant

Did you know that it’s possible to get a grant from the government to buy your first home? If you’re buying your first home in Australia, you may be eligible to receive money from the Australian government to go towards the purchase of a house.

A first home owners grant has certain requirements that need to be met:

• You must be a first time home buyer in Australia.
• The value of the home cannot exceed $800,000.
• The grant cannot be claimed for land purchases only.

You will want to check into the specific standards of the state in which you’re interested in residing.

Buying a House and Starting a New Adventure?

Whether you’re buying a house in Sydney or buying a house in Perth, it’s important to know how you can finance that home. Once you have that checked off your list, you can begin your new adventure and live the life you want.

If you’re in the market for a new home, check out our listings today. Let us help you find the home of your dreams.

Did you know that 68% of households in the United States own a pet?

It’s no wonder that with so many people owning a fur baby they need to find a place that they can live with their pet.

Do you need an apartment that serves both your needs and the needs of your pet? Keep reading to learn how to find pet-friendly apartments you’ll love.

How to Find Pet-Friendly Apartments

Having a pet makes life exciting and full of love. Maybe the place you’re living at now doesn’t allow you to have pets and you want to adopt one. Pet-friendly apartments are not impossible to find all you have to learn is where to look.

Don’t Rush

When looking for a pet-friendly place to live you need patience. Apartments that allow pets have the lowest vacancy rates because once someone has a place to live that welcomes their fur babies they don’t vacate quickly.

If you’re currently renting give yourself plenty of time before your lease is up to find a place to live that allows pets.

Speak to Locals

Contact the local animal care hospitals or the local humane society and ask them if they have a list of apartments that allow pets. You can also pick up an apartment guidebook at a local store or supermarket and find which ones accept pets. Sometimes those guides will also specify if there are weight limits or breed restrictions.

Search Online

Thanks to the internet you are able to do a search for apartments that allow pets in the specific area you’re looking to move to. This website is a perfect example of how much searching online can help you make your list of the places that do accept pets.

This will save you the time of touring a place that you fall in love with only to find out that your furbaby isn’t welcomed.

Support Animal Option

Explore to see if your pet can be a support animal for you. People sometimes think that the only service animal is a seeing eye dog but there are pets that support their owners in other ways. If your pet is the one you rely on for comfort because you suffer from emotional issues you might be protected under the Fair Housing Act.

If a renter is diagnosed with an emotional disability and a landlord doesn’t allow their pets then that landlord risks facing discrimination charges. If this sounds like it might apply to you then you will want to talk to a doctor or therapist in your area and take the necessary steps to have your pet become your emotional support animal by law.

Put Together a Pet Resume

Take the time to have your pet ready to meet a potential landlord. You want them to be on their best behavior. If you have a puppy that’s still in their curious puppy phase, consider enrolling them in school and keep their certificate of completion as proof to a landlord in case they require proof of a well-behaved or a trained dog.

Keep your pet groomed, clean and smelling good for any last minute apartment tours that allow you to bring your pet. Make sure their vaccine records are all up to date and have those ready to show as proof as well.

Peace of Mind

Landlords and apartment communities are usually concerned with the damage the pet is going to cause. This is why so many apartment complexes don’t allow pets because they don’t want to deal with fixing or cleaning after a pet has been in the apartment. If they don’t require a deposit offer to pay one to help give them more peace of mind.

You also have the option of buying a renter’s insurance policy that covers pet damage and let your potential landlord or apartment complex know that you’re willing to do this.

Sign a Pet Addendum

Once you find the place that’s perfect for you and your pet you want to make sure you have this in writing. Make sure you sign a pet addendum with your rental agreement. This will protect you and your pet from getting evicted.

Verbal agreements don’t suffice if your lease has a no-pets clause. If there is a no-pet clause make sure it’s removed before you sign it or crossed out and initialed by the manager or landlord. Also, make sure that it’s removed or crossed out on the landlords copy also.

Before signing the pet addendum be clear on how much the pet deposit is and the stipulations on getting it back in the future. Also, clear up if there are any extra monthly pet fees that have to be added to the rent. These fees should also be in writing to avoid any discrepancies in the future.

If there are any rules for those that have pets make sure you get a copy of those rules and be very clear on what they expect from you as a pet owner.

Enjoy Your New Home

Once you go through the process of finding an apartment or home that accepts you and your pet it’s time to move in and enjoy your new home. Moving is already a stressful thing to do there’s no point in moving multiple times if you don’t have to. Finding pet-friendly apartments right from the beginning will help you avoid extra moves.

Make sure that once you’re moved in and enjoying your new home you build a relationship with the new landlord, or apartment manager so that you can be sure to enjoy your new home for years to come.

Once you’re ready to move to your new home check out our guide with tips to make your moving day as simple as possible.

Of all the controversial promises Donald Trump made during his 2016 presidential election campaign, Trump’s border wall was by far the most explosive. Love him or hate him Trump is determined to do good on the promise he made, against all the odds.

What Is the Wall?

President Trump’s border wall is a radical response to his belief that it is too easy to cross the U.S- Mexico border and this allows illegal immigrants easy access to the U.S where they then live and work undetected and engage in criminal activity.

However, politicians serving states on the border believe the current border is secure and the cost of a border wall will be a massive waste of taxpayer’s money.

Trump’s detractors say Trump is making generalizations about all Mexican immigrants being criminals and in-fact. most are law-abiding. They are simply escaping extreme poverty in Mexico.

Opposition to Trump’s Border Wall – A National Emergency?

After losing control of the House of Representatives in the 2018 midterm elections, Donald Trump has sought to bypass congress who, now under control of the Democrats, have voted down his plans to fund the wall.

After this stand-off led to the largest government shutdown in history President Trump finally backed down and agreed to a budget that did not include any funding for his border wall.

As a result, he has turned to a different tactic and has declared that the lack of what he believes his efficient security on the border constitutes a national emergency. Such a measure would ordinarily allow him to bypass Congress and find funds for the wall from other areas of government spending.

However, declaring a national emergency in this way is considered by many to be unconstitutional. His declaration is currently being challenged by the courts and it may well end up being considered by the Supreme Court.

Furthermore, there is a motion that has been passed by the House and is now being considered by the Senate that would end Trump’s national emergency. This is important because the Senate still has a Republican majority, although Trump could veto this bill.

A Land Grab?

So what does all the mean for homeowners? The biggest issue at stake for those that live along the border is that it might mean the government buying up private property or private land.

This is a huge worry to those who already have houses or land where the border wall is proposed to be built. It means there is little they can do and they might not get what they consider is a fair deal in terms of compensation.

Challenging the government in court would be costly and take so long the wall might already have been completed before the case even gets a hearing.

This could also hurt Trump’s voter base as although many Republicans do support a tough stance on border security they also typically place a lot of emphasis on the rights of the individual.

This means the right to own their land. Hardcore republicans also oppose big government and are fearful of a powerful government that has the power to simply take away land at short notice.

There is evidence that many Texans, home to Trump’s biggest and most vocal supporters, don’t support a wall.

And such a decision could affect more than just physical property, as the Philly Inquirer points out, it could even destroy the centuries-old graves of families that still live on the border.

Flordia in Trouble

Although Flordia is not on the Mexico-U.S border, the declaration of a national emergency could cause huge problems for residents of the swing state that swung the election for President Trump.

This is because Trump could divert money from funds designed to help Flordia recover from severe flooding as a result of a spate of recent hurricanes. Nearly $800 million is apparently being earmarked to help pay for the wall.

So how much money is Trump asking for the border wall? Trump wants a total of $5.7 billion to build the wall.

If this were to happen it would spell disaster for the housing market as people realize that buying property in Flordia is a gamble.

Even residents of beautiful Myrtle Beach might decide that it is no longer worth buying property in the area if they feel they are not going to be covered when disaster strikes. Maybe they will decide to move to Vancouver and check it out instead.

It is important to remember, however, that none of Flordia’s politicians have been made aware of plans to do this and it is possible that the vast majority of the funds for the wall will come from the larger states of California and Puerto Ricco.

Will a Wall Actually Happen?

President Trump has a habit of defying expectations. Nobody thought he would win the Republican nomination, let alone win the Presidency and those that predicted that he would have also said he’d be impeached within his first year in office.

With the unpredictability of politics in 2019, nothing is certain. However, it looks unlikely that Trump will manage to pass all of the obstacles required to get the funding for his wall. With both houses set to vote down his plan for a national emergency and many lawyers suggesting that even if he were to use his controversial power of veto to pass it, it would be blocked the courts, it seems more likely that he will be forced to consider alternative measures.

Your Perfect Florida Home?

Ever dreamed of retiring to Florida and building your perfect dream home? Many people think Trump’s border wall might make this more difficult. It will be if it means diverting money from hurricane relief funds.

However, with Congress and all of Flordia’s politicians against this plan, it is unlikely to come to pass and Florida’s property market will remain well equipped to defend itself and, if necessary, re-build after a hurricane.

You care about your garage. You not only care about what goes inside it, but also what kind of door goes outside it. So you want a garage door that works best for you.

But with all the brands and options out there, it can be daunting to figure out which is the right one to buy.

And it’s not a decision that you want to get wrong, considering you’ll be opening and closing that door every time you drive your car in or out of the garage.

But fortunately, you’re in the right place. In this post, we go over everything you need to know about buying the best garage door for your home.

So you can rest assured that your garage entryway is efficient, safe, and secure.

Sound interesting? Keep reading to find out more.

Living in a Material World

One of the best places you can start when deciding on the right garage door is to figure out what kind of material you want to use.

This decision will affect things ranging from the general aesthetic of the garage door, to the way it withstands weather, to how dinged up it will look over time.

Often this decision will also be based on the overall look of the rest of the garage, as well as the house itself. So you’ll need to decide how much you’d like the garage door to match.

Popular Materials to Consider

The most popular four styles are aluminum, steel, wood and fiberglass/PVC overlay.

Aluminum is great because it’s rustproof and it comes in a wide variety of styles and colors. It also generally requires less maintenance than other materials, which can save you time and money in the long run.

Another positive is that it’s a light material, so the garage door will tend to operate with ease. That will generally extend the life of the garage door mechanism, so you can utilize a roll-up garage, like the ones in this helpful post.

Steel has possibly an even greater variety than aluminum, in terms of finishes, designs, colors. And it’s a sturdier material than aluminum, which translates into longer use overall.

One drawback is that it can potentially get dented or scratched and then can rust.

Wood is the most classic material for garage doors. It gives the garage a traditional look and is generally available in a large array of painted looks.

Or if you want the look of would without actually using it, you can have veneers or overlays placed on top of another material to give the door the look of wood.

Fiberglass/PVC overlay is a final option. It’s a newer material, so it’s a little less available. But it is less expensive than solid wood and comes in a wide array of styles and colors. It’s also more sturdy than wood and metal.

Design Is Key

Homeowners often want their garage doors to be more than functional. They make up a sizable portion of the visual space, so why not make them exactly as you want, design-wise?

Back in the day, there weren’t many options. Garage doors were basically either white or almond colors. But now you have many different, often customizable styles to chose from.

Some of the decision will depend on if you want the door to blend in with the look of your house, or stand out as an accent piece.

So, What Styles Are Out There?

Don’t get us wrong – traditional door looks are still very popular. If you get a Victorian, Georgian or Colonial garage door you’ll be in good company.

They generally use paneled wood and have a stable/coach house look. If there are windows in the garage door, they will often match the house’s window style.

You also get a chance to highlight with iron hinges or handles.

If you go with an Edwardian/Arts and Crafts garage door, you’ll be working with raised panels or sections. They will generally feature divided light windows or even arch-tops.

50’s Ranch Style garage doors are also still very much in vogue. They offer a clean look, often with banding and wood slates. They generally utilize a plain finish with an emphasis on horizontal lines.

Finally, you can opt for a more modern garage door. With this option, the sky is the limit as far creative expression. A modern garage door can be purely functional or be an art piece in and of itself.

Contemporary garage doors come in all sorts of materials, and their designs run the gamut from stained wood to frosted glass.

Insulation

The high cost of energy means that insulating your garage is a must. So you’ll want to pay attention to the thermal property of your potential garage door.

And garage door insulation can also help dampen the noise both coming in and going out of the garage.

It’s measured in what’s known as an R-value. A high R-value means it operates quieter and reduces outside noise more.

You’ll also need to choose from polystyrene or polyurethane, which is foamed in place. Polystyrene doors will tend to be thicker, but with a lower R-value. Polyurethane will look thinner but comes with a higher R-value.

How Much It Costs

Finally, you’ll want to take a look at what the garage door will cost, and how more you’re willing to spend.

There’s a rule of thumb saying that the garage door should cost around 1% of the price of the house. That’s only a suggestion, of course, so that’s not something you have to stick to.

But just keep in mind that this is an investment that will be with you for many years, and will affect the look, design, and insulation of your house. So choose carefully!

So What’s the Best Garage Door?

Now that we’ve gone over some of the options in garage doors, you are much closer to deciding what’s the best garage door for you.

It’s all a matter of taste, matching your house, and factors like price and material you’d like to use.

If you have questions or want to learn more about how to maximize your credit to pay for things like garage doors, check out this post on buying with bad credit!

One of the most important jobs of a property manager is to maintain a home. And a huge part of home maintenance is making sure there are no plumbing problems.

To keep an eye out for these issues, you have to know what the most common plumbing problems are. Then, you’ll be better prepared to deal with them.

Fortunately, many of these problems have fairly simple solutions that we’re going to discuss here.

Keep reading to find out more about what plumbing issues you should look for as a property manager.

Common Plumbing Problems and Solutions

Knowing what problem you have isn’t enough. That’s why we’re also providing you with the solutions for each of these most common plumbing problems.

1. No Hot Water

This is the most common plumbing problem people face, even in Florida where a hot shower isn’t always completely necessary. Even so, most people balk at the idea of an ice-cold shower.

There are a couple of reasons someone may be complaining of a lack of hot water:

• The pilot light on a gas heater has gone out
• The temperature is not set high enough
• The tank isn’t large enough for the unit

If you’ve already checked these things, it may be time to call in an expert.

2. Clogged Drain

The next most common plumbing problem people face is a clogged drain. In most cases, prevention is the best solution, but once it’s happened, you may need to plunge or snake out the drain to remove the clog.

If all the drains in the home are slow, it’s possible the problem is further down in which case you would need to call for septic repair.

3. Running Toilet

Another issue people face is a toilet that keeps running. This is a huge waste of water and the expense can quickly add up.

Sometimes, it’s as simple as needing to shorten the chain which is getting tangled in the flapper. Or, you may need to replace another small part in the back of the toilet.

4. Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes can cost homeowners hundreds of dollars every year, which is why it’s a huge part of house inspections. If someone complains of leaky pipes, there’s not much you can do about it.

If you can, locate the leak as best as possible before calling a professional.

5. Dripping Faucets

The final complaint we’re going to discuss is dripping faucets. While you’ll sometimes need to replace the whole faucet, in many cases the repair is far simpler than that.

Just replace the washer within the faucet to get the tight seal back so it won’t drip anymore. Then, advice the tenants to be gentler when turning it off.

Need More Property Management Advice?

Now you know five of the most common plumbing problems you need to look out for as a property manager. As you can see, many of them have quick fixes that will prevent a much larger issue from occurring.

If you want to get more advice about property management, be sure to check out our blog. We recently did a post on Chinese drywall and what to do if you suspect a property has it.

It might be cold outside, but spring is right around the corner! As the temperature heats up, you’ll be wanting to spend more time outdoors, entertaining family and friends on your patio space.

So now is the time to get your patio looking great! If you’re looking for some outdoor patio decorating ideas, you’ve come to the right place. This article will take a look at some fresh ideas that can take your outdoor space to the next level.

Here are a few great patio decor ideas that will help you make the most of your outdoor space this summer.

1. String Lights

When the weather is warm and the sun goes down, there’s nothing better than gathering on the patio with family to grill out and play games. But you’re going to need some lights to make the most of your evening.

Here’s a great idea for taking care of your outdoor illumination needs: string lights. String lights are the perfect touch for any patio space. They offer a look that is both charming and elegant. And they offer plenty of light during the night, yet are small enough to make them difficult to see in the daylight.

Bulb lights can be strung across your patio space in a number of different patterns to fit any look you’re wanting to achieve. This is a lighting option that offers plenty of variety and versatility, and you’ll be amazed by how much atmosphere they create, almost as if your patio is being illuminated by fireflies.

2. Incorporate Fire

Even as the weather begins to warm up, there’s really no better way to create a cozy environment than by adding elements of fire. And there’s more than one way of doing this.

Fire pits are not only beautiful, but they also create a place for people to gather and socialize. A fire pit or fireplace creates warmth and atmosphere, while also adding a warm glow that naturally helps people to relax and become talkative.

There are plenty of gorgeous options to choose from, whether you prefer stone, brick, or iron. The possibilities are endless. We suggest positioning patio chairs around the fire pit or fireplace to maximize your ability to fully absorb the warmth the fire adds to your space.

Another way to incorporate the element of fire into the backyard is with tiki torches. We recommend using citronella candles and tiki torches for a touch of warmth and atmosphere while also helping to repel unwanted mosquitos and gnats.

3. A Patio Cocktail Cart

Here’s a thought: why run back and forth into the house all night when you can park a drink cart right there on the patio?

After all, cocktails are generally a primary part of outdoor entertaining. Everyone has a favorite drink, and you can play bartender by taking drink orders without missing out on any of the action.

Cocktail carts come any many shapes and sizes. You could for everything from a simple metal cart on wheels to an elaborate setup complete with ice cooler, drawers for supplies, and shelves to hold a variety of adult beverages.

This is the ideal way to make sure everyone has a fresh drink in hand at all times.

4. Create a Game Space

You don’t need kids to have a game space. After all, even big kids love to play! The backyard is the perfect place to take advantage of actives that encourage friends and family to interact and have a blast.

Have you ever considered a life-size checker or chess board? Give it a go, and you’ll wonder how you ever got on without one. This is a fun idea that will turn your backyard into a real-life scene from Alice in Wonderland.

Or how about a horseshoes pit? Make the most out of your space with a design made of brick and sand. After all, everyone loves playing horseshoes, and it’s a game that can be positioned to take up limited space in your backyard. Adding some creative landscape edging ideas can also improve the aesthetics of your yard.

5. Shades

Shades are one of the most elegant touches you can add to your patio. This is an attractive and cost-effective way to add shade to the exterior of your home, and is the ideal option for providing coverage for patios, decks, pools, and gardens.

Shades come in a wide range of style and colors and are aesthetically pleasing to the eye while also proving shelter from the sun.

Here’s a wonderful resource where you can read more about finding quality shades for your home.

6. Create an Indoor/Outdoor Flow

Many homeowners are discovering the fun and convenience or linking their indoor and outdoor spaces. Having an indoor space that is covered yet open to the patio is ideal for enjoying the beauty of your outdoor environment without worry about rain or wind.

And when the party comes to an end, simply close the retractable glass panels before heading off to bed.

You can also take this design scheme to the next level by matching the indoor/outdoor furniture to create a seamless look that adds depth.

7. Archways

Archways are a design element that instantly add beauty and charm to any backyard space. They offer a great way to transition from one outdoor area to another.

You can choose from gothic designs to traditional country, or even a look that is a bit more “old English” style, transforming your space into a garden paradise.

Archways are inviting, and provide a way to break up your backyard or garden while still allowing a natural flow for casual strolls any time of day.

Patio Decorating Ideas for Spring

As the days of spring and summer approach, it’s time to start planning how to make your backyard space the ideal gathering spot in the neighborhood. These patio decorating ideas can turn even the most boring backyard patio into an architectural wonderland.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to invest a fortune to make your patio looking amazing. Even small touches can have a significant impact. Just be creative and fun!

Click here to see 10 landscaping tips to help you take the yawn out of your lawn.

If you’re like many middle-class Americans, you dream of owning a home. Whether it be in the suburbs, the city, or the middle of nowhere, you’ll need a loan.

When you go to apply for a mortgage, you run into a big problem. Your credit score is less than ideal for getting a mortgage loan for your new home.

You shouldn’t give up hope here. You still have options when it comes to getting a mortgage with bad credit.

Do you want to find out how?

Continue reading below to learn about buying a house with bad credit. Soon you’ll be resting easy in your dream home.

Improve Your Credit Score

It may not be what you want to hear, but you need to hear it. If you want to take out a loan of any sort, you’ll want to make sure your credit is fairly good.

Better credit will bring you better interest rates and terms. There are a few ways you can improve your credit score in no time.

Check Your Credit Report

You may wish to view your own credit report. This will help you determine where your credit needs work.

This will reveal to you any errors made on your credit report. If you don’t recognize any items, you can dispute the errors with the credit bureau.

If you file a dispute, the creditor has 30 days to validate the account. If they don’t do so within 30 days, the account will be removed.

Pay Down Existing Account Balances

If you have any credit cards, check your balances. In general, you should keep your balances under 30% of the total credit limit.

For example, if you have a credit card with a $2,000 limit, you should keep the balance under $600.

Lower balances lead to higher credit scores.

Maximize Your Down Payment

If you don’t have good to excellent credit, lenders will be more wary of lending to you. One way you can mitigate this is offering a larger down payment.

This means the lender will be lending less money to you. As a result, you take on more risk than most borrowers. Lenders may view you as less willing to walk away from the mortgage if you invest more upfront.

For those borrowers with great credit, they can make down payments as little as 3% of the total value of the home. If you have bad credit, you may need to make a down payment for as much as 20% or more.

Know What You Can Afford

Before you start shopping around for homes, you need to know how much house you can afford. This goes not only to size but also location and amenities.

As a general rule, your monthly payments shouldn’t exceed about 28% of your total gross income. Combined with other bills, you should never exceed more than about 36% of your total gross income.

This means you shouldn’t shop for homes costing millions of dollars when you only make $50,000 a year.

Be realistic in your home search and aim to keep your loan amounts within reason. Keep in mind you’ll need to pay for home insurance, which is another challenge. This useful post can help you tackle the insurance challenge.

Go Mortgage Shopping

If you want approval for a mortgage, you’ll need to do a bit of research regardless of your credit score. Some lenders may be more flexible than others.

Additionally, not all lenders view the same credit scores the same way. While one lender may view a score of 650 as fair, another may view it as poor.

Try to speak with a loan officer before you submit an application. This may help you gauge whether or not you’ll get approval.

Once you start submitting applications, try to do so as quickly as possible. All applications within a 45-day period will count as one hard inquiry on your credit report. This will keep your credit score protected from too much damage.

Consider FHA Loans

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers loans with looser credit requirements. You can get an FHA loan through a variety of different banks and lending institutions.

If your credit score is below 600, this may be the best option for you. If you have a score of around 580, you may get a loan with only 3.5% due at closing.

Even with a score of 500, you can secure a loan with only 10% down.

Keep in mind you’ll need to pay a mortgage insurance premium. This will depend on the size of the loan and the down payment.

An FHA loan may not be for everyone. However, if you find yourself with poor or limited credit, you may not qualify for a traditional mortgage loan. In such cases, an FHA loan may work.

Seek Pre-Approval

Have you ever gotten one of those letters in the mail with the words “You’re Pre-Approved” across the front? These letters usually pertain to credit cards, but you can get pre-approved for mortgages.

Once you find a lender who will work with you, you can ask for a pre-approval letter. The lender will gather important information such as your credit report and income.

They’ll use this information to determine how much you can borrow and under what terms.

This will help you as you move forward. You’ll get an idea of how much house you can buy, where, and with what amenities.

Get a Good Agent

Once you have an idea of budget, you’ll need a professional on your side to help you get in your new home. A real estate agent can find homes within your budget and with everything you need.

Buying a House With Bad Credit: It’s Possible!

Even if you have bad credit, you can still get into a new house and settle down. Making that transition from renter to owner is always tough, even if you have good credit.

With bad credit, you’ll face different challenges. Use the above information about buying a house with bad credit and put it in your pocket.

Go here to learn more about buying, selling, renting, and more.

Have you worked yourself into a panic as the purchase of a new home approaches? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Investing in a home is an extremely stressful life event.

Fortunately, there are ways to cope with the stress of buying property. One is to have a professional house inspection performed.

Not only will an inspection help put your mind at ease about your decision, but it also has financial benefits. Let’s have a look at five reasons you can’t neglect getting an inspection.

1. Safety

If you have a family, you need to know the home you’re moving into is safe. An inspection is a great way to pinpoint red flags that need fixing.

An inspector’s job isn’t to ensure the home is to your liking. Instead, they’re there to evaluate the condition of the house and uncover issues.

Problems with the electric system, an unstable roof, mold issues, and bad air quality all present health hazards. An inspection will expose these problems before you buy.

2. Leverage While Negotiating

If an inspection uncovers problems that weren’t initially disclosed or the owner didn’t know about, you can then negotiate a new asking price. The last thing you want is to have to pay for repairs down the road.

When negotiating new terms, you may want to have the owner make the necessary repairs before the final sale. This way you know you’re moving into a quality home.

Because the inspection can affect the details of the sale, make sure you hire a trusted home inspector to evaluate the property.

3. Predict Future Costs

In addition to exposing issues, an inspection will help you gauge how much money you’ll need to spend down the road. You’ll then know how to budget for the future after purchasing the home.

An inspector will be able to evaluate the condition of important components such as the water heater, HVAC unit, and plumbing fixtures. While they won’t give you financial advice, they can advise how long you have before you’ll have to make replacements.

4. A Better Understand of the House

This could be the biggest purchase you ever make. Knowing everything you can about the home is important before you buy and after you’ve moved in.

Remember, up to this point, you’re only familiar with the house on a superficial level. And while it looks great on the outside, the little nuances are what you’ll have to live with.

Make sure you attend the inspection and walk through the home with the inspector. This will give you peace of mind when signing the final papers.

5. It Provides a Way Out

Finally, an inspection provides you with an opportunity to walk away from a bad deal. If the inspection reveals countless issues, backing out will save you serious cash.

An inspection may also uncover problems the owner didn’t disclose. This is an indication you’re dealing with someone who may be trying to mislead potential buyers to get out of having to pay for repairs.

Make a House Inspection a Priority

Don’t let the excitement of buying a new home distract you from protecting you and your family. You’ll kick yourself when you’re stuck with major repairs.

Make sure you have a house inspection performed before signing on the dotted line.

If you’re in the market for a new home, check out this article for information on finding a qualified real estate agent.

Is your garden looking like it’s seen better days? The lawn hasn’t seen a mower in months and everything you ever planted died a long time ago.

Having a poor garden can make your house look dull and leave a bad first impression on people coming by. But when you have a good garden, it can make you much more proud to live there and people will envy it.

Landscaping your garden has some great benefits. Working in nature can help reduce stress and improve mental health. It will also make your house look much better and make you want to spend time there. If you’re looking to sell your house, a good garden is a great way to stage it too.

Looking for landscaping tips to help you get started? Read on for 10 ways to make your lawn the best it can be.

1. Learn About Your Lawn

Every lawn is different and depending on where you live and the climate, there’s a lot to learn about it. The amount of sun exposure and conditions of your yard will also create a micro-climate.

These factors mean you need to know all about your lawn and what it needs. Some helpful tips for looking after your lawn include regular watering and frequent fertilizing.

Take notice of the micro-climate in your lawn to help decide which plants you want to put there.

2. Plan for the Seasons

Another important factor to consider is the four seasons and how they will affect your lawn. Different plants sprout and thrive at different times of the year and they can make your lawn look great.

Spend some time researching which plants come alive throughout each season. If you can get your garden to have flowers and trees in full bloom no matter what season, it will look great.

It also gives you an ongoing project to work on and will help keep you motivated to care for your lawn.

3. Think About Who Will Use It

When landscaping your garden, you need to also think about who’s going to use it. Will you be hosting parties out there in the summer? Do you have kids or animals? Is it only there for show?

You can use your garden to cater to all these different situations. Add in a bar or seating area, make it a space that people want to be in. Also think about how often it will get used since that will affect how you maintain it. Will you need to hire a landscaper to take care of it in the long run?

Think about these factors when coming up with a plan and think about the long term budget of maintaining it.

4. Structure Your Plants

When it comes to picking out the plants for your garden, think about the structure of them. Think about how the plants will make your garden look depending on their placement.

Figure out how your plants will look grouped together, placed apart, or layered. One great tip is to put larger plants behind smaller plants to create a great layer effect.

Find patterns and structures that work and use them throughout your garden. They make the space look organized and inviting.

5. Start Off Small

When you first start landscaping your garden, you can get overexcited. You might end up running out to pick up every supply you need and you’re excited to get started.

But it’s a good idea to slow down and start small. Start with a small project like planting a few flowers or placing garden furniture. Don’t worry about getting everything done as soon as possible, enjoy the process.

If you rush yourself to get everything done fast, you will burn out and cut corners. But if you take your time, you get to enjoy and appreciate the process and do a better job.

6. Consider a Water Feature

If your garden has room for it, consider putting a water feature in it. Water features make the place look much more luxurious and inviting.

The most important part of getting a water feature is to make it look natural. Use stone to build around it and make it look like it belongs.

Water features also make the place more soothing and zen with the water sounds. They make for a great focal point too, which leads us into the next point…

7. Give it a Focal Point

Speaking of focal points, they’re an important part of having great landscape design. You should aim to have at least one focal point in your garden if you can.

There are so many things you can use as a focal point. You could go for a water feature, a sculpture or a great seating area. Or, you can use a tree or some shrubbery, the sky is the limit!

A focal point will draw the eye of anyone who visits and help them see the best details in the garden. It’s a great chance to get creative and use your imagination.

8. Pick a Theme

Giving your garden a specific theme is a great way to figure out what to include and how to structure it. It can be something small like a specific pattern or color scheme. Or you can go big and make it into your very own Japanese garden.

Look at your homes’ architectural style and think about how to make the garden match. Think about how natural vs styled you want the place to look. A theme will help you maintain your garden and make it suit your home much better.

When you have a theme in mind, it makes the place look more uniform and more inviting.

9. Add Lights

Lights are a great addition to any garden and you can use them to highlight the best features of it. You can use fairy lights to highlight higher structures like trees or a bar.

Lower lighting is great for highlighting your focal points too. Lights are also great for illuminating a stone or gravel walkway. They look fantastic at night and they can transform the whole look and feel of your garden.

They add to the attractiveness and stylishness of your home overall and they are easy to install too.

10. Accept Change

Another thing you need to bear in mind when landscaping your garden is that there will be changes. Your original plan might not happen as you wanted it to and you may make a few changes along the way.

Accept these changes and go with the flow. You might decide to give the place a radical change halfway through the project and that’s okay.

This could end up being a long project so patience and an open mind is key. By the end, you’ll have a garden you are proud of.

These Landscaping Tips Will Transform Your Garden

These landscaping tips are some great ways to start transforming your garden. It’s not too hard to give the place a makeover and before long you’ll help breathe new life into your garden.

Looking for more ways to improve your home? Check out our home improvement blog for more useful tips.

97% of pest control professionals treated a bed bug infestation last year. With numbers like that, the odds of your encountering a bed bug problem of your own aren’t insignificant. Knowing how to deal with bed bugs will keep you and your family sleeping safely.

Here’s a primer on bed bugs: what they are and how to deal with an infestation.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small, flightless insects that feed on the blood of animals, including humans. Adults of the species are about the size of an apple seed while their eggs look like specs of dust.

They get their name from their preferred habitat: our beds. They’re typically found in mattresses, bed frames, box springs, and headboards. They choose these areas for the easy meal we humans become at night.

Because bed bugs feed on blood, their presence isn’t an indication that your home is dirty. They thrive just as well in immaculate homes as cluttered ones. They also don’t spread disease so, while a pain to deal with, they’re not life-threatening.

1. Vacuum the Area

Using a vacuum to get rid of bed bugs is a good way to cull their numbers quickly.

That said, bed bugs can infest vacuums as readily as they do your bed. To reduce the risk of this you should use a vacuum that empties into a bag rather than a filter.

You should also avoid using vacuum attachments that have bristles or brushes. These are ready hiding places for bed bugs. Instead, use the open end of your vacuum on the affected areas.

Once vacuumed up, you need to work fast to dispose of the vacuum bag. Ensure it’s sealed in a plastic trash bag and disposed of outside the home.

2. Eliminate Clutter

Though bed bugs aren’t attracted to dirty spaces, clutter can provide them with multiple areas to hide. Clutter also reduces the chance of any pest control efforts being successful as they cannot be effectively treated.

Before calling in a professional, you should work to spring clean the affected area. Just be mindful that if you move infected material to another room, you’re just spreading the infestation.

3. Do Regular Laundry

Bed bugs don’t survive temperatures in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. This is why hot laundering can be an effective method for dealing with infected items such as clothes and bedding.

When tackling bed bugs, regular laundry cycles are a must. Even if you can’t see any bugs on your bedding, it might still carry eggs.

4. Call in a Professional

Bed bugs are insidious so the odds of you being able to eliminate the problem yourself are small. When in doubt, call a professional in.

Emergency pest removal services will be able to treat the area with formulated chemicals designed to kill bed bugs. They’ll also be able to advise you on preventative measures and maintenance steps going forward.

Now You Know How to Deal with Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are a nuisance but there are steps you can take to deal with an infestation. With savvy vacuuming, regular decluttering, and weekly laundry you can help cull their numbers. The gold standard of how to deal with bed bugs remains the same, though: call in a professional.

Hot enough to kill a bed bug? Here are some Summer survival tips to help you keep your house cool.