SkyFive Properties Blog

The demand for mirrors is on the rise, with the global mirrors market size expected to surpass $4.05 billion by 2026. That’s more than $1 billion more than the industry’s size in 2020 when the market was valued at just over $2.91 billion.

Mirrors play a central role in helping us look our best. It’s no wonder that the average man spends 56 minutes a day looking at themselves in the mirror. Women spend 43 and half minutes per day doing the same.

Some mirrors do more than just help you see your reflection. Decorative mirrors, for instance, are an essential part of your wall decor.

If you’re considering investing in decorative wall mirrors, you’ll be happy to know that these mirrors come in several types. Here are three of the top varieties of decorative mirrors on the market today.

1. Plane Mirrors

Plane mirrors are the most popular type of mirrors today. These mirrors typically have a flat reflective surface. Some of them may have a slight curve.

Plane mirrors are designed to produce images that are identical or almost identical to the image they portray. That means that the image is usually the same shape and size as the original object. Images are always upright and laterally inverted.

When it comes to size, plane mirrors come in almost all sizes imaginable. If you’re looking for large decorative mirrors, then plane mirrors are the ideal option.

Plane mirrors also come in a variety of shapes. Whether you’re looking for rectangle, oval, square, or round decorative mirrors, you’ll be able to find them.

2. Spherical Mirrors

As the name suggests, spherical mirrors come in shapes that resemble pieces cut out of some spherical shape. Among the most popular types of spherical mirrors are convex mirrors and concave mirrors.

Whenever you stand or place an object close to the mirror, the reflection appears magnified. The images may also appear farther away than the actual distance.

You can use these types of mirrors as accent mirrors, vanity mirrors, coasters, bath bars, globes, and in your jewelry box.

3. Customized Mirrors

Custom mirrors come in just about any design you can imagine. That’s because they’re designed to fit your specific needs and preferences.

You can have customized decorative bathroom mirrors if you so wish, or go for a backsplash made entirely out of custom mirrors to add a unique touch to your kitchen. You could also order mirrors with specialized frames that help accent specific features in your bedroom. The choices are endless.

When it comes to colors, some manufacturers provide a vast array of options for you to choose from. You can also pick any size or shape you fancy.

You Can Always Find Decorative Mirrors That Suit Your Needs

No wall decor is complete without a thoughtfully-picked decorative mirror. These mirrors can quickly upgrade the appearance of an otherwise drab space, whether it’s your living room or your office. And with decorative mirrors coming in so many options, you can always find something that works best for you.

Are you interested in reading more great content like this? Keep visiting our blog.

Real estate investment is an excellent choice among many other forms of investment. The idea of investing in real estate has been common for last many decades. But for beginners, it can be a bit daunting thinking about the return their investment can supposedly bring.

Real estate investment has very little correlation with the stock market, which means it suffers very little from volatility. Additionally, when you invest in real estate, you can enjoy more tax redemption than other types of investments.

If you are embarking on the journey of building a portfolio of geographically diverse assets, we have top 5 strategies to share with you. These strategies will help you become a more resilient investor soon, and let’s look at those strategies.

Top 5 Real Estate Investment Strategies You Cannot Miss

Invest In Rental Properties

Investing in rental properties means you will enjoy an excellent passive income as long as you have good tenants residing at your property. Well, you must have the skill to find good residents for your rental property. And it entirely depends upon knowing how to write a great rental listing to approach the right tenant. When you start with a good tenant and make them feel adequately valued, they love to stick around and stay in your investment property for years.

To bring the most from your rental property, you can always hire a property management company by paying them 6 to 12% of the total collected rental income.

Buying And Retaining For Rent 

Buying and retaining property is also known as a great strategy that worked for many. The underlying idea behind buying and keeping properties is that each property will appreciate over time. And as a result, you can enjoy a great steady income flow when your properties go up in price. But remember, you have to be a little proactive in this strategy as excessively holding can reduce your profits.

You can buy and retain properties such as homes, apartments, to industrial complexes. However, you might need to do a little extra work while researching and finding a suitable property to invest in. But trust me, the effort will pay you back fair cash in return.

Property Flipping

Though property flipping might sound like buying and retaining properties, there is a difference between both. In the first one, you are purchasing and keeping the property for a while, whereas, in the latter, you are selling the property instead of rehabbing or holding it.

Even in property flipping, you can do a minor renovation to make your property more vendible and make as much profit as possible. Flipping sounds like a get-rich-quick scheme, and many first-time buyers prefer this realistic investing strategy.

Live-In Flip

Live in flip aspect is all about rehabbing the property while living in it. Many property owners try to make necessary changes in the property while staying in the same property. The idea is to save money by living in the property while improving it. But the risk of a live-in flip is that if something comes up in the middle of the process, you might need to move in a hurry.

Wholesaling

Like house piping, hold selling is also not a passive form of investment. If you are an investor with no is bad credit, you can still become a part of this investment strategy. The only requirement of wholesaling is you require every skill you can imagine making use of in this real estate investment. The process of a wholesaling property is:

• Finding a property and arranging the price and conditions that align with the purchase agreement
• Find a buyer, especially someone who is willing to flip or buy and retain
• The buyer buys the property as per the terms of the agreement
• The buyer becomes the homeowner, the seller gets the money, and you collect the assignment fee

Though wholesaling might not sound like for beginners, if done correctly, it is a good process.

There are many investment strategies out there for beginners. But remember, you need to be a little involved in your investment to make it work for you. You also must know about various tax incentives to know which strategy will work best for you. If you are willing to invest in real estate and don’t have that kind of money, you can partner with private money lenders in Florida. The beauty of real estate investment is that there is something for everyone.

You might be more than ready to sell or buy a house, and you’re considering whether to hire a real estate company or not. Many individuals may avoid third-party companies and realtors because they think it would be too expensive. Others avoid hiring a pro because they might have had a bad experience in the past.

However, know that you can save more when you get in touch with an expert in Vancouver. Not all agents are created equal, so you must choose ones whom you’re comfortable working with and who are knowledgeable about the current market in Downtown Vancouver. Some companies like Milad Khavari Personal Real Estate Corp. can help you find what you’re looking for that’s within your budget. They will give you a hassle-free experience with excellent customer service that you may want to consider these pros the next time you’re looking for a house.

Why Hire the Experts?

1. The Pros Know What Property to Look For

You might be in the market to buy an investment property that will yield rentals every month. If so, then the realtors in Vancouver will show you a list of homes that may fit your criteria. They have listings on their website with a specific number of bedrooms, pools, and bathrooms that require little to no renovation.

When you see a more comprehensive list of homes currently available in the downtown area, you may be more comfortable visiting an open house because you know what to look for when you understand their value. Here’s things to look for when visiting an open house.

When there are hundreds of options to choose from, the pros will suggest a property that will suit your budget and needs. You won’t have to go through the time-consuming tasks of going into open houses, and there’s already a shortlist of homes ready for you. After you’ve selected the property, the buying process can be a hassle-free experience because your agent will guide you.

2. Extensive Knowledge of the Market

You need someone who understands the trends and is knowledgeable about the real estate industry in Vancouver. One of the primary benefits of hiring an agent is that they are very well-versed in every aspect of the housing market, especially the interest rates, terms, and other fees. They know which ones are for sale on a particular street, and they have access to the buyers and sellers list.

Other types of data that they have access to are the average price per square foot, ratios of list-to-sold pricing, averages, and more. This way, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision quickly. Other knowledge can help you determine which homes are near train stations, schools, marketplaces, and more. All of these will help you determine which neighborhoods are ideal for investing in real estate. Check the definition of a real estate on this site: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/realestate.asp.

3. Get Connected with the Firm’s Professional Networks

You might be looking for a landscaper, interior designer, construction worker, and more to do improvements and renovations for your home. If so, you can get recommendations from your real estate agent, so you’ll be able to get high-quality work. You might still be in the process of buying, and if so, you can work with their preferred providers that they trust.

You can obtain a list of home repair professionals, plumbers, electricians, landscapers, title companies, and even staging firms that will improve your home in no time. A buyer may also need to work with a lawyer, inspector, appraiser, and other mortgage brokers when it comes to real estate. Instead of individually reaching out to these people, you’ll be able to get access to their phone numbers and offices instantly with the help of a realtor. The network of professionals is going to be extremely helpful for a hassle-free transaction.

4. Know Potential Problems in the Property

The other benefit of hiring a pro is that you have someone who can appraise the home you want and make sure that everything is in great shape. You can get a higher amount if you’re the seller because the realtor will help you with the staging phase and open viewing. Buyers need to look for homes in good condition to minimize their repair and renovation expenses.

With a realtor in Vancouver, you can be assured that all the possible problems will be identified before buying a property. This may include pest infestation, roof leaks, furnace issues, plumbing problems, and more. Find tips on how to find a leak on your roof in this link.

They will give you a more detailed report of the house and whether they will recommend it to you or not. An agent for the buyer will put in a reasonable offer that can save you more money. They will also know more about fixing the potential problems that you may have in the property. For a legitimate real estate firm, you can expect them to protect your best interest. The knowledge that they can help you with can save you thousands of dollars in the future.

5. Provide Valuable Guidance

Homeowners may not have a good idea about the current worth of a property in today’s market. Without any data to work on, they may not identify which ones are reasonable and affordable. At first glance, some may fall in love with a property, and they can agree to the seller’s quote without any questions.

One of the realtor’s jobs is to make sure that you put things into perspective. It’s best if you could avoid overestimating a home’s value and you don’t stumble at the wrong side of the deal. Companies can confirm the correct price range, so you’ll be able to get a more reasonable deal.

Bungalows, especially found in areas like Southern California, Seattle, and beyond, are perhaps one of America’s best-loved housing secrets. Despite not necessarily offering quite the same scope as a two or even three-floor house with plenty of room to boast, bungalows are certainly affordable and tempting options for homeowners at least looking to invest in a fantastic first-home or a viable retirement property.

If you’re interested in the bungalow lifestyle then you certainly won’t be disappointed when you take even a brief glimpse at homes for sale in your area of choice. American real estate certainly has plenty of fantastic bungalows on offer. That said, just as with any property purchase, making sure that this is a wise investment in the first place also comes down to crucial considerations that we’re going to discuss here.

Picture Credit: CC0 License

Consider resale value

Just as you would with any other property, it’s first essential to consider the resale value of a bungalow. After all, even if you’re mortgage-free, selling a particularly reasonable bungalow is unlikely to afford you a substantial property in the future. Instead, it’s typically worth avoiding areas where the vast majority of properties are bungalows in place of locations with at least a range of properties to ensure extra appeal during resale. Make sure, too, that you consider the population in any given location to guarantee that you’re easily able to sell later on. For example, quieter areas that appeal to an older audience are far more likely to sell well than bungalows in already popular areas among younger crowds.

Make sure it suits your needs

As great as they can be, bungalows don’t offer the same room that other properties might. As such, it’s essential to make sure that a property like this truly does offer the space and requirements that you need. Making sure that a bungalow offers enough storage, or at least has the potential to do so, is especially essential for guaranteeing that you don’t end up feeling claustrophobic. Ensuring that your bungalow is large enough to grow with your family needs as you require is also fundamental for ensuring that an investment like this has the staying power to truly make the money you’re spending here worthwhile.

Consider extension potential

To some extent, it’s also worth considering whether a bungalow has renovation potential should you require it. After all, even if a bungalow looks like it fits your lifestyle now, growing families and increasing belongings could soon see such properties failing to meet your needs. Worse, bungalows that often have smaller outside spaces aren’t always great for enhancements later on. As such, if you imagine yourself requiring a family or planning to add more to a bungalow down the line, then you’re going to want to ensure that properties like these have the space necessary to truly grow.

Bungalows can be a fantastic way to either start out on the housing market or to downsize in later life. Just make sure you’re buying bungalows right by keeping these pointers in mind!

The more you expand your arsenal of garden tools, the more possibilities you get. Plants are delicate and require special attention with using the right equipment. When cutting, it’s best to use a special gardening knife instead of a regular knife or scissors. Perhaps it isn’t as famous as the Swiss Army knife, but the Japanese gardening knife is highly regarded by gardeners worldwide.

Also known as hori hori (the Japanese word for dig), this tool has long been a gardening staple. Its unique design allows you to use it for different tasks with equal success. Transplanting plants? No problem. Measuring soil depth? Likewise. Most often, they’re used for cutting problematic roots, all kinds of plants, and digging. You can use various tools for these purposes, of course, but the hori hori does it all, and then some. Visit https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/tools/using-a-hori-hori-knife.htm to learn more.

A Brief Description

Some people know the hori hori under the names “weeding knife”  or “soil knife”. They all refer to the same multipurpose Japanese tool. For those interested in etymology, this one’s quite funny: you probably won’t notice it when reading, but if you say the words hori hori out loud, you’ll hear the sound of digging. Sometimes onomatopoeia can yield some interesting names, that’s for sure.

The design of this knife makes it the perfect cutting tool for any garden plant.  Handles and blades come in different sizes, so the total length varies between 11 and 15 inches. Its stainless steel or carbon blade has a mirror finish when polished, adding to its attractive look. Apart from being an eye-catcher, it’s also highly functional. One side is razor-sharp for cutting, while the other’s serrated for sawing.

The blade’s concave shape, along with the comfortable, smooth handle, allows you to perform all kinds of work in the garden for hours on end. Other tools might have rough handles that give you blisters after only a few minutes, but not the hori hori. It’s also very comforting knowing you can rely on a knife intended for gardening purposes only instead of looking for a new knife each time.

A Multipurpose Tool

The main draw of Japanese gardening knives is their boundless versatility.  If you’re a longtime gardener, you’re probably familiar with the struggle of sawing thick roots or cutting through weeds. Perhaps you’ve done it with old, blunt blades, wishing you had that ultra-sharp blade that cuts through everything and anything. For this reason, those who come across the hori hori usually stick with it for good.

This knife allows you to cut all kinds of things: stems, weeds, twine, fertilizer bags, and so on. As for thicker staff, it saws branches and roots with no problem at all. Of course, in the case of a thicker root, you might have to work harder, but then you’d probably use a saw anyway. Plant transplantation is a breeze with these cutters: it makes the whole process way faster. You can also make troughs for seeds or measure the depth of the soil before planting.

Maintenance Tips

Taking care of your hori hori doesn’t require much effort, yet it’s necessary if you want it to last longer. You can do a few easy things to ensure your knife’s always in top working condition.

The obvious one is cleaning the blade after use. Sometimes it’s enough to remove bits and pieces with your fingers, but other times you’ll need to scrub harder. Before you store your knife, it’s always good to use a well-oiled rag for wiping. Sheathing it is also highly recommended to protect it from air pollution. Eventually, you’ll have to sharpen the blade, depending on how often you use it.  People use linseed oil, mineral oil, or even regular cooking olive oil to preserve the handle.

Things to Have in Mind

Maybe at first glance, a gardening knife seems like something that doesn’t need too much research before buying. It’s a knife, you cut with it, and you’re done? Right? Well, there are a few more details involved that are worth considering. Hori hori knives have various features, so it helps to spend some time studying before you decide what to buy.

Let’s start with the handle. You need something durable that can withstand a lot of gardening work, so it’s best to go with bamboo or riveted wood. These two are top picks for experienced gardeners and are also very comfortable to hold. You should avoid plastic handles as they could easily crack during more challenging tasks. Some knives have resin handles, which are extremely durable.

Next, you should consider the most crucial part: the blade. As we said, the knife should have two different edges (serrated and sharp) to get the best results. Click here to read more. The former should have large teeth; otherwise, it won’t cut thick roots, twigs, and weeds. As for shape, blades are either concave or flat. The concave variant is more versatile, although flat blades won’t leave you disappointed either.

One useful thing that knife shoppers often overlook is measurement markings. Why use a knife and a ruler for your garden when you can have both in a single tool? The blade is a perfect measuring device, and the markings will help you dig just the right hole for your seeds.

The material of the blade is way more important than you might think. The steel quality can vary a lot, and stainless steel remains at the top of the list. It’s easy to sharpen, it doesn’t rust, and it looks very appealing. Needless to say, the tip should be very sharp and pointy.  Sharpening should be done after a year or so, not when you buy the knife.

A quality hori hori is easy to find once you know what to look for. This well-balanced, comfortable, and razor-sharp knife will boost your gardening to a new level and make you a confident gardener who can tackle any issue. Even working in the sunlight will feel like a breeze.

If you’re moving from California to Florida, you are essentially moving across the whole continental country. That’s a huge undertaking, and you should not approach the task lightly. Before you get overwhelmed by all you need to do, check out these top tips for making your move from California to Florida just a little easier.

Need more info about Florida real estate? There are plenty of amazing destinations in Florida; find which one is right for you.

Ship Your Car

One of the downsides of moving so far across the country is traveling from one place to another. It’s not like you’re moving across town or even across the state where you could make multiple trips or get friends and family to help you move. If you’ve got a huge moving load, you’re probably already wondering how to get everything from the West Coast to the most southern tip of the continental U.S. These car shipping companies are highly rated for moving your vehicle across the country for a reasonable rate. Compare car shipping companies for their rates, along with their insurance policies, availability, drop-off options, and reviews. View Sherpa auto transport reviews to see what others have to say about their prices and service. As soon as you know your moving dates, be sure to book early to lock in the best rates and availability.

Hire a Crew

You have enough going on with your move without worrying about how you’re going to get your belongings across the country. Moving companies can be expensive, so should compare and check their rate structure before you book anything. But in a move as big as going from California to Florida, you might just want to splurge. Another option is to hire a container company, like PODS, to be delivered to your home, picked up when you’ve finished packing, and hauled to your new home in Florida. That way, you can have the flexibility to pack at your own pace and have someone else do the heavy lifting. Keep in mind that hauling your belongings across the country can put wear and tear on your vehicle and your peace of mind. You and your belongings are safer in the hands of a trusted professional.

If your schedule is even busier, consider hiring other professionals, such as declutter specialists or a packing and unpacking company, to do the hard parts for you. Professional organizers can help you lose the trash and organize the treasure so you can move with ease. Professional packers will pack your stuff, load your boxes, and help you unpack on the other end. Keep in mind packers are not declutter experts and so they will pack everything in your home. It’s up to you to do a purge before you call them. Otherwise, these professionals can save you loads of time and hassle. If you’re moving coast to coast, consider two different companies. One to pack you in California and another to unpack in Florida.

Plan Well

A cross-country move isn’t for everyone. You should be aware of the differences in climate, activities, real estate prices, and more between California and Florida. Research is the first component of moving across the country. Since you’re not moving to the other side of town, you’ll need to plan everything well in advance because you cannot make multiple trips easily or cheaply.

Your moving plan should contain everything you need to make a cross-country move. You can start with your property needs and assessments and move on to tackling changes over your utilities and mailing address. Go room by room and decide what needs to go and what can make the trip with you. Make a note of all the things that you can pack early and what must stay unpacked until the last few days.

Pack the essentials like chargers and toilet paper last and in a separate box or bag that you can keep with you for the move. Making the journey from California to Florida means you will probably have to stay on the road for at least one night. Make sure you have everything you need with you before you get on the road.

Are you struggling to pay your monthly mortgage installments? Do you fear foreclosure? There is no reason to panic, as you might qualify for a home loan modification. Most individuals mistake this term for refinancing, but both strategies are different.

Loan modification refers to the action of changing the terms of your existing mortgage, whereas refinancing means replacing it with a new mortgage. Nowadays, there is a myriad of companies, such as https://floridahomeownersolutions.com/florida-home-loan-modification/, providing solutions to homeowners who face issues with their properties.

Here is everything you need to know about the modification strategy.

Who is eligible?

Borrowers coping with financial hardship for a variety of reasons might be eligible for a loan modification based on the eligibility criteria of different lenders. For instance, some moneylenders require borrowers to have at least one missed or late mortgage payment to qualify. Nevertheless, they are also curious about the reasons that led to financial hardship to decide if a modification is a feasible solution.

Let us assume you have recently lost your job and have been deprived of your monthly income. In such an unfortunate scenario, making a change to the mortgage terms will not get your job back. Conversely, if you have switched jobs but earn less than before, a change in loan terms might help you pay your installments regularly.

The reasons for no longer being able to afford mortgage payments vary across individuals, but not all of them are accepted by lenders. The usual ones include income loss, divorce, separation, increased housing costs, illness, disability, pandemic, natural disaster, etc. Nevertheless, borrowers should keep in mind that moneylenders will require proof of financial hardship. It is of tremendous importance to discuss your situation with your lender to see if you have a chance of qualifying.

Modification options

Mortgage lenders provide borrowers with a couple of alternatives for a home loan modification, depending on their financial situation. For example, one of the options is reducing your current interest rate, which results in a reduction of the monthly mortgage installments by as many as hundreds of dollars. Check out some helpful tips for choosing the right mortgage modification strategy.

A mortgage payment of $200,000 with a four percent interest rate is approximately $950 a month. Conversely, the same home loan with a three percent interest rate would cost approximately $840 monthly. This alternative is almost identical to refinancing, but you will not be required to pay any closing fees.

Another viable strategy offered by lenders is the extension of your loan term. By lengthening the term, borrowers are provided with an opportunity to pay more affordable monthly payments. Many individuals whose mortgage terms have ten to fifteen years left decide to extend the terms by ten more years to reduce the monthly installments. Anyhow, such an extension results in paying far more interest during the life of your loan.

Another successful modification strategy is the switch from an adjustable rate to a fixed-rate mortgage. This option is not meant to reduce your current payments but prevents a dramatic increase in interest rates in the long term. The rates of adjustable-rate mortgages tend to change in accordance with the changes in the market. Therefore, by switching to a fixed-rate home loan, you will have your interest rate locked, irrespective of the market changes.

The least practiced strategy by lenders is the reduction of the principal balance. In such unusual circumstances, lenders decide to reduce the sum you owe. This strategy is also known under the name principal modification. It was prevalent in the past, during the housing crisis when the value of homes plummeted. A moneylender can opt for this strategy only after attentively considering the momentary housing market and the sum you owe.

Some lenders decide to combine a few strategies to make the monthly installments of borrowers more manageable. After looking at your situation and requirements, you might get your interest reduced, as well as your loan, extended. Nevertheless, before making any decisions, moneylenders conduct a cost-benefit analysis to see the benefits for both parties.

Final thoughts

Check whether you qualify for a home modification.

If so, minimize your worries and start planning!

Best known as either Chicagoland or the Windy City, Chicago is a popular city for real estate investment. In this article, we will go over the details on what makes the third-most-populous city in Illinois such an attraction.

A Look At Real Estate

The pandemic has impacted activity and pricing in the real estate industry across the country. However, recovery is underway and all indications point to a rebound trending in both city and suburb properties for both residential and commercial in and around Chicago. With a record-setting low for inventory, getting into the real estate market will be challenging for anyone looking in the Chicago area to invest or relocate. The stats from September 2021 are promising and show the following:

A total of 2,604 properties were sold during the month generating $1.1 billion in volume. Although that is down 3% from September 2020, it is also down from the 2,924 properties sold in August 2021 ($1.3 billion in sales volume), which is customary as the market adjusts for the transition from a hot summer of sales to cooler totals in fall. The average price of homes sold in September 2021 was at $430,000 with the time spent on the market totaling 58 days. There were a total of 980 detached homes sold during the month generating a total sales volume of $420-million. 1,624 properties sold in the same period were attached homes with sales volume totaling $695-million. Read more here.

Other Key Market Indicators

Home values in Chicago have increased by 9.5% in the past year and over 26% over the past five years. The median listing price of a single-family home is $347,000 which breaks down to a median list price per square foot of $265. The median time a home spends on the market in Chicago is 65 days and the median selling price of a single-family home is $350,000. That means homes in the region are selling for just about the asking price as the sale-to-list ratio figures out to be 99.4%. The most affordable of Chicago’s 78 neighborhoods is West Ridge with a median listing price of $199,900. The most expensive of the neighborhoods is Lincoln Park with $650,000 as the median listing price.

Chicago Is A Sellers Market

A tight home inventory best describes the real estate situation in Chicago at present. In September 2021, there were a total of 6,813 properties on the market. This amounted to an average supply of 2.29 months. In other words, based on sales activity, the total number of properties currently available would take about 2.29 months to sell. What that means is Chicago is a seller’s market. Anytime the inventory totals less than six months of supply, it indicates that buyers have fewer options available to choose from. The benchmark for a balanced market is six months of inventory. When there is more than six months’ worth, there is a lot of choices available to buyers and this generally leads to a drop in pricing by sellers attempting to attract sales.

Chicago Is Also A Renters’ Market

With prices continuing to climb as the Chicago real estate market bones back from the pandemic, more people are opting to rent where they live. Stats to support this include the following:

Rents in the Windy City have increased by 2% year-over-year, and almost 26% in the past three years. The median rent is pegged at $2,250 per month for a 3-bedroom unit and over half of the occupied housing in Chicagoland (53%) is rented. The most affordable neighborhoods to rent in the region are Auburn Gresham, Pullman, and Riverdale. Rents in these areas average no more than $1,200 a month. On the there end of the scale, the highest rental rates are in the neighborhoods of Near North Side, Loop, and South Loop where rentals average up to $5,000 per month. It is interesting to note that 41% of Chicago’s population is made up of Millennials and Generation Z residents (aged 20 to 49).

Lifestyle Indicators

There is something for everyone in and around Chicago as the cost of living in the city is still considered affordable compared to many other major cities in the country. For example, compared to San Francisco, the Windy City is 39% less expensive to live in and 52% more affordable than New York City. The best neighborhoods to live in Chicagoland are West Loop, Printers Row, River North, and Streeterville with Oak Park, Naperville, Evanston, and Hinsdale coming out as the top suburbs to settle in. According to Forbes, and based on criteria related to household income growth and high-tech employment, Chicago is considered an excellent location for business and career development. Niche.com states Chicago ranks near the top for family living, diversity, and nightlife and comes in at the 21st best city in the US for young professionals. The city hosts several professional sports teams including the NFL Bears, NHL Blackhawks, NBA Bulls, and MLB Cubs and White Sox earning the distinction of being the Best Sports City in the country. As for major attractions for locals and tourists, Chicago has many including the Magnificent Mile, the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum Campus, and Millennium Park to name a few.

Final Thoughts

Chicago is a popular place for real estate investment for several reasons. It is still an affordable place to live compared to other big cities in the US and has a large population of residents 49 years of age and younger. With 78 different neighborhoods and a diverse collection of cultural and artistic offerings, there is something for everyone. If you choose to move to Chicago, you will not be sorry. Your life will be full and active with high-paying career options and no shortage of activities to fill the time not spent working. If you are planning on raising a family, Chicago offers an amazing network of educational institutes from primary to post-secondary and beyond. Chicago is a lot more than a sports town situated on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is a great place to live and grow.

Accidents can happen anytime. And even when you are at work, these untoward incidents may occur. Regardless of your company has established all the necessary rules and regulations. Even if they have set up several safety measures, accidents are bound to happen in one way or another.

And if you have suffered a workplace injury, you are entitled to compensation for the losses incurred. In addition, there are several types of payment for workplace accident victims that the company may give in addition to workers’ compensation.

For example, suppose the injury you incurred was caused by the negligent behavior of someone in the same workplace. In that case, you may also demand compensation for your psychological or mental pain and suffering.

Construction Industry

Construction is United States’ most prominent industry. Unfortunately, thousands of workers are injured and killed at construction sites. Despite the current legal and trade provisions established to help prevent accidents in construction sites.

And based on recent statistics, one out of ten (10) construction workers suffer on-the-job injuries. So what are the most common work-related construction site injuries in the country?

Construction Industry Injuries

These are the injuries sustained when doing construction work. And according to recent data, here’s the list of the most common damages incurred when working at construction sites:

• falls
• all accidents involving heavy construction equipment such as scaffolding, cranes, conveyors, ladders, backhoes and more
• power line injuries
• trenching injuries
• fires and explosions
• builder neglect
• building collapse
• inadequate barricades
• OSHA noncompliance

What Do You Need To Do?

Suppose you’ve been hurt while on the job; you must immediately report your injury to your employer. You need to inform them in thirty (30) days from the time you got hurt. Or from the date you knew your injury or illness was related to your job.

If you do not tell your employer regarding the details, you may not get the benefits. Furthermore, most injured construction workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, these benefits do not cover all of the expenses incurred.

So, when a construction site accident occurs, several individuals or businesses are held liable. These people or businesses are the ones responsible for making the construction site a safe place to work:

• Owners
• Contractors and subcontractors
• Engineers
• Electricians
• Scaffolding companies
• Architects
• Insurance companies
• Equipment manufacturers

The general contractor and subcontractors need to ensure that the environment they are working in is safe for everyone. Likewise, equipment manufacturers need to ensure that the tools and equipment they provide passed proper quality control measures.

Who Do You Need to Call?

Did you know? Having negligence and workers’ compensation may not be enough. So you need to have a dedicated construction accident lawyer to help you out. Why? Because legal principles and corporate laws are essential to establishing your case so you can get better remuneration.

A construction accident lawyer has an in-depth understanding of federal and state regulations governing construction sites. Having one on your side is crucial when developing a case against those responsible for an accident.

Conclusion

Having a construction accident lawyer on your side will help you obtain the remuneration needed to rebuild and move forward with your life. So when you are choosing a workplace injury lawyer, there are several things that you need to consider:

• Make sure that they have experience in inspecting worksites
• Knows how to preserve evidence
• Experienced in identifying and questioning critical witnesses

Do not immediately sign your rights away! Instead, make sure that a seasoned construction accident lawyer Houston is on your side to defend your case. They will help you get better compensation so you can move forward with your life.

The unmistakable hum and buzz of operating appliances can be heard throughout most workplaces and homes. They make our lives easier, yet using them necessitates paying for power because of how often and how long they run.  What appliances use the most electricity in your business?

The quantity of energy used might vary greatly depending on the appliance, increasing the overall ownership cost. The following are the household appliances with the highest power used to know which ones are the most expensive.

Heater:

Percentage of energy used for heating: 27%

The usage of heat in houses is essential to manage the indoor environment when the temperature often falls. The usage of heat in rooms has a far heftier price tag when compared to the cooling it can provide.

How to save money:

It is possible to save money on home heating expenses while still enjoying a good level of life by using a variety of tactics. Consider performing your duties instead of changing the thermostat when it becomes cold. Laundry machines and ovens produce a significant quantity of heat, which warms your home without costing you anything. Even better, you’ll be able to do two tasks at once and get a head start on the rest of your to-do list. Open your drapes, curtains, or blinds during the day to let the sun heat your house, then shut them at night to keep the heat in.

Air Conditioner:

19% of cooling energy is used.

Using the air conditioner to chill things down is another way to regulate the temperature in our houses. During the summer months, its usage spikes in regions with more distinct seasons, although it may be used at any time.

How to Save Money

Lowering the temperature in rooms is a simple way to reduce the amount of energy it consumes. Opening windows and utilizing fans are two of the simplest and least energy-intensive methods to achieve this. A programmable thermostat configured to warm or cool the home according to preference may assist you in both cooling and heating efforts. Take advantage of this by setting the thermostat to a lower temperature or going from home when you sleep. This may save you money by lowering the amount of power the gadget uses.

Conclusion

There are several devices and gadgets in our homes that we don’t see regularly. While most household appliances consume some energy, there is a select number that is very wasteful.

Keep this list close at hand and alter how often you use these high-energy-consumption gadgets to prevent them from depleting your financial account completely. There are a plethora of different options for lowering your power bills. Get a quotation from Utility Builder now and start saving money on your power bill right away!