SkyFive Properties Blog

What is Energy Benchmarking:

Building energy benchmarking, simply put, refers to a systemic and continuous process of reviewing your building’s ongoing energy consumption to determine how optimally it’s functioning. It can be internal- measuring the building’s present performance to the past or it could be external, which involves comparing two buildings or more altogether.

Regardless of the type, the data studied motivated owners and occupants to strive for improvement.

It facilitates in identifying the poorly performing buildings, establishing a baseline for measuring the improvement, enhancing a competitive spirit through comparison.

Moreover, it is also in many ways an initial step towards partaking in green compliance for studying the building’s energy consumption probes the required interventions to make it energy-efficient and ultimately enjoy the credibility that comes with various certifications.

How It Works
Energy benchmarking essentially involves tools like ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, internal or external data is collected, following which the data is verified to ensure reliability and accuracy.

Energy benchmarking is becoming mandatory with grappling threats of climate change that have only blown outpost the pandemic. Therefore, it is wiser and safer to participate and invest in energy benchmarking and reap the benefits.

5 ways to get started

1. Make an energy benchmarking plan
This shall help you deal with uncertainties and initial confusion. Begin with explicitly stating the purpose of your and goals for your benchmarking plan along with mentioning the intended audience for the results.

The audience could be clients, management, investors, etc. The next step is to pick your metrics which will be necessary to communicate the results clearly and also finalizing how to proceed with data collection. We also recommend having a separate team with individual role clarity devoted to benchmarking. Further, let the team determine the benchmarking tool & software they’re comfortable with. Also, determine the verification process (that’s been explained above) beforehand.

2. Utilize the available resources
The most widely used energy benchmarking tools are ENERGY STAR and GRESB. Both their websites provide excellent sources and information related to energy benchmarking.

However, there are numerous other benchmarking tools, guidelines, and standards all of which are offered upon downloading the EnergyWatch E-book.

3) Use energy benchmarking software
Energy benchmarking is a long-drawn and comprehensive process for managing a company’s energy usage and keeping tabs on the utility bills for it is a complex job and requires round-the-clock attention. This is unachievable without the assistance of certain reliable software.

EnergyWatch’s watch was platform offers a platform for energy management & benchmarking in order to comply with the policies as mandated in Local Law 84. It also collects and monitors the data making sure it’s detailed, consistent, and accurate.

4) Compare Energy Performance
Once your building is benchmarked, it creates an annual energy performance baseline against which future energy assessments are made. This facilitated further evaluation and goal setting. Many benchmarking systems generate ratings on their own comparing to similar building types.

5) Lastly, Engage in Energy Efficiency
This also involves the tenants in tenant-occupied buildings as they essentially consume more than half of the total energy used within the building. Tenant sensitization and involvement is tricky but crucial as building professionals may have limited influence over their behavior. 

NYC Local Law 84, introduced in 2009 mandates buildings over 50,000 square feet or groups of buildings on a single lot larger than 100,000 square feet to partake in ‘energy benchmarking’ – to annually measure, track, and report the energy & water consumption. This is done to facilitate a comparative understanding of the building’s energy usage.
It is one of the four plans part of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan and it easily applies to at least more than 16,000 buildings in NYC

Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you will ever make.

Buying a home can be stressful, especially if this is your first time buying or if you don’t have much home buying experience. The key to making this process less overwhelming and stressful is to do as much research as possible before buying a home.

This article will help guide you through some of the key questions that should be asked when buying a new house.

How Much Can I Afford?

Before buying a home, the first thing one should do is determine how much one can afford.

Home buying experts recommend buying within your means. Many people get into financial trouble after they buy their houses because of making the mistake of buying a house that’s too expensive.

The more money you have to spend on housing payments, the less cash you will have for all other types of expenses in life such as vacations, shopping, cell phones, etc.

The best way to find out how much you can truly afford is by getting pre-qualified for a mortgage loan at your bank or credit union. Your banker will evaluate your income history, current debt, and other factors to determine how much you can afford.

What Is My House Buying Strategy?

Another important question one should ask before buying a house is what their buying strategy will be.

The buying strategy is the path you choose as an individual or family when buying a home. It’s essentially the approach/method that you will use to buy and secure your perfect house.

Ask yourself questions such as:

• Do I want my own place or do I prefer renting?
• Would I like to move into an apartment, condo, or townhouse with roommates?
• Should I live in the suburbs or the city center?
• Will buying new or pre-owned be more beneficial for me financially?

The answers to these questions will make buying a house much easier and more stress-free.

What Is the Best Location for Me?

The location where you buy your new house can make a huge impact on your overall buying experience and costs.

Many aspiring first-time homebuyers choose to live in the city center or downtown area because of the convenience factor by having many different stores, restaurants, bars, and entertainment options close by. One should also consider buying homes near schools or workplaces, so it’s easier for them to get around conveniently.

What Type of Financing Do I Want?

There are two main types of mortgage loans or financing: buying a house with cash and buying a mortgage.

Many first-time homebuyers choose to buy their new homes using mortgages. When buying a house with cash, the buyer will pay all the money to purchase the property in full, and nothing else is owed to anyone for buying it.

Buying a house with a mortgage can be more practical because it gives the buyer more flexibility in buying a house out of their price range. Mortgage loans are also easier to get, and there are many different types of them, such as FHA, VA, conventional mortgage, and reverse mortgage.

Buying a Home Made Easy

The homeownership journey is a big step in anyone’s life, and it should be done after careful thought about where, how, and what type of house one can afford to buy. Remember that buying the wrong house can ruin your happiness and your finances. Therefore, it’s important to ask yourself many questions before buying a home.

Thanks for reading this article. For more informative content, keep reading our articles.

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Downsizing from a spacious property to a smaller house is something that many people do each year. Downsizing is something that is often associated with retirement and preparing for your later years. However, this is not always the case; a growing number of homeowners of all ages are taking this route. Choosing to downsize your home is a significant decision to make and one that needs careful consideration. Here are some of the factors to consider before downsizing your home to help you make the right decision:

Consider Your Reasons for Downsizing

Downsizing your property is something you are likely to do only once in your life. Therefore, it is essential to get your decision right on your first attempt. Considering your reasons for downsizing and establishing what you hope to achieve is vital.

Some people choose to downsize as their finances are under strain. If this is the case and your finances have become hard to manage, you will need to downsize carefully. If your finances are particularly precarious, you may wish to consult with a chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney to explore your options.

What Does Your New Property Need?

Going from a large, spacious family home to a much smaller residence can be quite a shock. Making the transition to your new, smaller home easier on yourself is essential to make downsizing work for you. Drawing up a list of must-haves that your new property needs is a helpful way to ensure you have everything needed to settle in. Writing your list of non-negotiables will ensure you have a home that you can live in happily for many years.

What is Your Budget?

Selling your home may sound like an easy way to free up some cash and reduce your living costs. However, to ensure that you see the most significant financial benefit, you will need to do your calculations carefully. You will need to make sure you factor in all the costs involved in moving to make it worthwhile. Along with ensuring that you get an excellent price for your current home you also need to be sure you don’t overspend on your next property.

As well as considering the one-off costs associated with the move, don’t forget to calculate living costs in the smaller property. If the property has an HOA, you will need to consider the fees this generates. The HOA fees may be in addition to the general running costs for the property and could increase your monthly outgoings.

Is Downsizing the Right Option for You?

There is certainly plenty to consider when you plan to move to a smaller home. Making the decision to downsize can be beneficial, especially if much of your cash is tied up in your property. But, before you call in the realtors and put your home up for sale, it is wise to do your research. Carefully weighing up your options will ensure you make the right choice for you and prevent you from making any expensive mistakes.

A lot of planning and research has to go into buying a real estate property. This is so that you will not have regrets at the end of the day.

For instance, you have to think long and hard about the right location. You cannot just go for anything that is on the market.

Speaking of ending up in the right location, the Island of South Padre is somewhere you should seriously consider in Texas. Many benefits come with settling down in this amazing area. There are also some downsides you should be aware of.

About the advantages, the living cost in this area in Texas is fair enough. Feeding, transportation, healthcare services, utility bills, and some other things are below the national average’s cost. For more information about this, you can click here.

Also, the area is quite safe compared to many other parts of Texas and the United States at large. This is especially when college students are not running wild during spring break. Furthermore, living here means you enjoy a good climate and beautiful scenery.

There are so many other benefits of living in this Texas location. As you should expect, there are some not-so-good sides as well. The cost of real estate properties and accommodation at large is one such. This area is way above the national average in this regard.

Many reasons could explain why this is the case but that is not our focus in this article. Here, we will discuss how you can end up with the right property in South Padre Island. This is at least important considering the huge cost of real estate properties in this area.

We will do this by discussing how to identify a good real estate service provider. This is important because the quality of properties and customer service you get depends on the real estate agent. So, we advise that you follow through to the end of this article.

How to Find a Good Real Estate Agent in South Padre Island

Many realtors and real estate service providers see South Padre Island as a gold mine in Texas. This is because many people want to experience life in this area and look forward to living here.

A good number of these people are retirees who consider the location as calm and equipped enough to meet their needs. The whole point is that many real estate agencies can have you as their client in this area.

Some of them are good enough while some are not. To help you identify and eventually work with the right one, here are some tips for you:

 Work with a Service Provider that Knows the Area

We did establish how this location is considered a goldmine among many real estate companies in all of Texas and beyond. As a result, many of them just want a piece of the pie.

This means that they want to make sales in this area and keep doing so. The problem is how some of them do not know the area well enough. Well, you cannot afford to work with such companies as they do not offer the best experience.

To get good homes for sale in South Padre Island, work with a company that knows every bit of the area. This is so that they can feed you with all the information you need before you end up owning a property.

For instance, having pets is not allowed in some parts of South Padre Island. By working with a company that knows the area well enough, you would be told about this. This will help you make informed decisions in your quest for a new property.

Take Advantage of the Competition

The fact that many real estate companies have their eye in the area can be a good thing for you. This is considering how you can take advantage of the competition.

Against this backdrop, we strongly advise that you do not work with only one company at the initial stages of your search. Reach out to at least 3 companies that you consider good enough.

Doing this will allow you to compare their properties, rates, incentives, customer service approach, and other things. You will then be able to make the best choice after seriously considering all your options. So, take advantage of the competition for property sales in South Padre Island.

Do Not be in a Hurry to Buy

Experience has shown how people make terrible decisions in the real estate market when things are done in a hurry. Sometimes, the aggressive sales approach of these companies makes it seem like the client is losing out if they do not buy the property soon.

Well, this is not always the case. The agent might only be protecting his interest even if it is at the expense of the client. So, make sure your decisions are calculated. Make all necessary findings before committing financially.

Deal with Highly Recommended Service Providers

Some real estate service providers have made a good name for themselves. This is because of their commitment to offering their customers the best properties their money can buy and the best deals.

For instance, some of them take critical assessments by home inspection teams seriously. They do not try to cut corners to take undue advantage of the system and their clients.

The customer-minded service approach by such companies does not go unnoticed by pleased clients. Also, industry experts that handle review platforms make mention of them. Make sure you deal with one of such service providers to get the right property and deal.

Work with a Good Home Inspection Company

It is a fact that real estate service providers work with home inspection companies. However, you may not be able to trust the report. This is because many of these home inspection companies are dependent on real estate companies for jobs.

So, they cannot bite the fingers that feed them. This could mean not being detailed enough in their report when it does not favor their client – the real estate companies.

This is why you are strongly advised to work with an unbiased home inspection team. This is regardless of the provision for this by the real estate company. For more on this, you can visit: https://www.wisebread.com/thinking-of-skipping-the-home-inspection-heres-what-it-will-cost-you

Conclusion

The decision to live in South Padre Island is a good one for so many reasons. However, you need to make sure you get the right property and the best deal by engaging a good real estate agent. This is why we have discussed how to identify the right one and hope that you make informed decisions going forward.

Dividing a room is a great way to get more utility out of a large space. It can even make small rooms feel bigger. However, people often run into issues with light when breaking up rooms. If you start adding partitions to your room, you risk blocking the natural flow of light. This makes certain areas feel very dark and dingy, which is not what you want. When this happens, you don’t get the desired effect because the lack of light makes the space feel even more cramped. Adding more artificial light can help to alleviate the problem, but it’s not an ideal solution. Luckily, there are ways to break up a room without affecting the flow of light. Here’s how you can partition a room without losing natural light.

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Glass Partitions

Glass partitions are the most obvious solution here. A glass partition breaks the room into distinct areas without upsetting the flow of natural light. Companies like Glasscrafters can manufacture and install custom architectural glass to divide the room, letting the light flow straight through. This is a good option if you still want the space to feel social but you also want to change the layout. A glass partition with a steel grid gives you a slightly more definitive break. However, it still lets the light run through the entire space.

Wooden Slats

Wooden slats are another great way to partition a room without losing the natural light. They give a more defined break in the room. This is ideal if you want more privacy or want to add more utility to the room. Slats make it feel like two separate spaces by breaking the line of sight. But, the gaps between them let light through so it doesn’t feel dark. You can place slats horizontally or vertically for a different effect. If you have blinds, mimicking the pattern in the slats ties the room together. Wooden slats can also be painted so they blend with the color scheme.

Perforated Partitions

Solid walls can be effective but they block out all light. Perforated partitions act as a good middle ground. You still get complete separation of the two areas with lots of privacy. However, the small holes in the wall allow light to pass through easily. Perforated partitions can be made with wood or metal, depending on the aesthetic you want.

Add Some More Windows

Sometimes, the problem is not with the partition. Certain spaces do not have a good flow of natural light to begin with. Adding some more windows can help a lot in this instance. You give yourself more freedom by installing a new window. The added light on the other side of the room means you can use heavier partitions. This is often the best option if you want to divide a single room into two distinct spaces.

Dividing a room completely transforms a space and opens up a lot of opportunities. However, you need to consider the natural light. These are all excellent ways to partition a room without losing light.

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The best time to sell your home is always a difficult question. The answer depends on many factors. Such may include whether or not you have children in school and how long you plan to stay in the house.

If you are unsure, no need to worry. You can read KJ’s Real Estate Blog to learn more tips on how and when to sell your home the right way. You can also research other materials online to make a solid decision.

With that said, this post discusses why 2021 may be the perfect year for you to sell your home. You will learn local real estate trends and what’s happening with homeschooling. Furthermore, the changes in household needs and maintenance have become too much of a hassle.

Your Local Real Estate is in Demand

The housing market is currently in a buyers’ market. The real estate inventory is at its highest point since 2008 and the median home price has decreased for three years straight. As a result, there are more homes on sale than there were during any other time.  So, if you still want to sell your home, now would be the perfect time to do it!

However, this will not last forever since in 2025, the market might switch from a buyers’ market to a sellers’ one. The housing inventory is on track to decrease by 2021, and median home prices to increase starting next year. If you wait any longer than now, you may regret it later on.

Your Children Are About to Start School 

The first day of school is right around the corner. If you have any plans to send your children back to public school, then it’s time to start thinking about selling.  This will enable you to find a suitable place for them that can offer amenities such as larger bedrooms or private schools nearby.

This would also make sense if you had kids starting college in 2021. If they are away at college, chances are they will want their own space after being cramped up in dorms all year long!

Home maintenance is a drag

Home maintenance is a drag. It takes time, money, and energy to maintain your home. You buy the paint, hire someone to cut the lawn, and pay for pest control services. You also watch out for all of those little things that need fixing as they arise.

There’s no end in sight when it comes to maintaining your property. And frankly, sometimes you don’t have enough hours in the day or cash on hand to keep up with repairs. If you’re feeling this way, it might be time to consider a move.

With the right real estate agent and broker on your side, you could find a property that doesn’t require as much upkeep. Or at least has amenities in place for these chores. It’s possible to stop worrying about repairs once and for all!

There are many benefits to selling your home in 2021. If you have been thinking about getting out of the housing market but haven’t yet decided, this is an excellent time! You’ll be happy that you did.

A pivotal aspect of the American dream involves buying a home. As a first-timer, buying a home could be quite difficult considering the requirements involved. It’s okay to be cautious about making a costly mistake so you should ask specific questions.

You may also be thinking of the most suitable way to make a payment or close a deal. The information in this article will guide you to choosing the best and most beneficial home buyer programs.

Different Kinds of Home Buyer Programs for First-Timers

The expenses first-timers face when buying a home can be mind-blowing. Fortunately, they can get help with down payment assistance, closing fees, or from government-based and humanitarian projects/programs.

1. Down Payment (DP) Assistance

The first payment, usually a large one, which you have to pay whenever you purchase something with the agreement to pay later, is a down payment. This kind of payment is usually required for the majority of mortgages. Some first-timers may believe that a 20 percent down payment is needed to acquire a mortgage. However, there are a lot of lenders who disburse loans to beginner home buyers for as low as 3 percent.

2. Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Loans

You could get assistance for down payments through some types of loan payments such as deferred payment loans, forgiven loans, as well as second mortgages. This will help to lessen the cost of acquiring the home of your dreams.

For a deferred payment loan, you must pay completely when you pay off, trade, refinance, or move your mortgage plan. Second mortgage loans on the other hand are paid back during the period of the payment of main mortgages.

3. DPA Grants

If you are unable to acquire loans, you could get grants. The good part is that, unlike loans, they are not paid back. Every state or Government has its own conditions for receiving grants and loans. So, it’s better to check your state or local government website on available programs for first-time homebuyers.

4. Government Support Loans

There are some loans provided by the government as support to newbies to purchase their homes. These loans are well-insured which means they are of less risk to people. Some of them include Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans. You can visit this website to get more information on government support loans.

5. Tax Credits

You can save on taxes through several reductions. For instance, subtract the mortgage insurance you have to pay from your taxes if it is below $750,000 dollars. Examples of this are the PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) and MIP (Mortgage Insurance Premium). You could also check your local government to find out if there are additional credits and deductions.

6. Closing Assist

The Government also has programs to help first-timers make closing payments. Closing fees are the extra expenses you pay after concluding the mortgage operations. They usually span between three to six percent of the entire cost of the home loan. Your seller can also help with the closing assist in the form of title insurance, legal fees, and taxes on real estate.

7. Federal Programs for Beginner Home Buyers

Federal programs for first-time homebuyers are available to anyone from or legally living in the United States. You may not qualify for all the programs and you don’t need to reside in a particular state to qualify for it. Just check the requirements for each program. Some examples are VA loans, FHA loans, USDA loans, good neighbor programs, and the home path program.

8. Charitable Programs

Philanthropic organizations do have plans for persons with a below-average income, which you may qualify for. Though they vary from state to state, these organizations are non-governmental and also non-profit oriented. Therefore, it may be quite difficult to win this as many may be vying for the same package. Still, try!

9. Employer Backed Programs

Your employer can help you get a house. Some employers are starting to adopt housing incentives for their employees to cover closing costs and down payments. This may come in form of a loan that’s pardonable after a period of time, or a loan.

Additionally, the labor union you belong to may offer assistance with the closing. The employer-backed program is usually flexible but at the employer’s discretion. The programs here are based on what your employer offers you, and there are variances in workplaces. So you need to find out from your HR if there are any such packages.

Who Can Benefit from First-Time Home Buying Programs?

Having gone through the first-timer programs above, you might be wondering whether you are qualified. There are variances about who a first-time buyer is. However, the most accepted definition is one who hasn’t owned a home in the past three years.

If you own an investment or rental property, you are not eligible for these programs, even if you do not live in the property. Also, as a student, getting a house through your student loan may be quite difficult but the same programs for first-time buyers can still apply. You can click on https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/firsttimehomebuyer.asp to read more about first-time home buyers.

Conclusion

There are a lot of grants and loans available for beginner home buyers. You only need to check the requirements to be sure you are truly qualified for them. If you do qualify for any of the above-mentioned offers, do well to explore them and make a good choice.

The last thing you want to hear when you’ve set your heart on a property is that there is an issue with it. You may be tempted to skip the home inspection and live in blissful ignorance.

The only problem with this is that, if there is an issue, you’ll find out the hard way and it won’t be cheap to fix. That’s the point of employing a reputable construction consultant to complete the home inspection for you. They’ll identify issues, allowing you to prepare yourself and your finances.

In the worst-case scenario you can walk away, it’s better than being trapped in a dream home that has become your worst nightmare.

There are 5 things that are likely to create a bad home inspection report:

1. Electrics

Old electrics suggest you’ll have supply problems and increase the risk of fires. If these are identified by the home inspection then you’re likely to need a rewire. That’s not just expensive, it can also be invasive, especially if you want the wires run in the walls.

Of course, having modern electrics doesn’t guarantee there won’t be an issue, short circuits and other issues can still lead to expensive problems that need further investigation.

2. Cracks

Cracks in exterior and interior walls suggest the house has moved. This is normal at first. However, cracks that are larger than a few millimeters suggest there are structural issues. You can often find signs of these cracks in the foundations.

If the house has moved or is still moving you may be looking at subsidence. That means underpinning to ensure your house remains upright. It’s another expensive and potentially fatal issue with your home.

3. Roof Issues

You can usually tell by looking at your roof if it is nearing the end of its life. The roofline will start to sag as the beams rot. You’ll also find tiles are missing, very dirty, and faded.

While a visual inspection can be telling, if the roof is in the early stages f the end of its life it won’t be so noticeable. That’s why your home inspection will check it from inside and out.

4. Drainage Issues

Blocked drains are a nuisance and usually caused by the wrong items being flushed down toilets. They can be a pain to unclog but it’s a relatively simple process. However, if the clog is the result of damaged sewer pipes you’ll need to dig up the ground around your home to replace them.

That’s a much bigger issue and one you should be aware of before you buy.

5. Plumbing System

The final major part of your new home is the plumbing system. Pipes are often run behind or even in walls, making it difficult to see when they are corroded or leaking. A leak can cause expensive issues, including wet rot. It can also inflate your water bill.

But, that’s not all, leaks also cause moisture which allows mold to grow. Mold gives off spores which can be detrimental to your health.

It’s important to have a home inspection done before you buy, it will help you make the right decision and choose the correct purchasing price.

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A home upgrade can help you to lift the mood of its inhabitants. These desperate times put up a better case for such an effect. The gloomy and mundane surroundings can suddenly look interesting once again as you add a new lease of life to your old abode.

Such makeovers often miss the key design aspects that can change the outlook completely, like the windows.

The apt advantage that you seek can vary based on your preferences. However, you certainly can not miss the improvement in the way your house looks. The value addition that a full window or a glass panel change can bring is unparalleled.

Your feeling when you drive up to an organized and updated house plays a significant role in your decision-making process for the windows.

Design Cohesion

As is common with age, the potency of an item starts to fizzle out with prolonged usage. It is also true for the windows, with age they tend to slump and distort. Such instances make the house look older than it actually should look based on its age.

If you face such a situation, you will end up getting back to a house that looks outdated. Of course, no one will want to come back up to a house that has drab bowing windows. It makes the visitor presumptuous about the condition of the house, and more often they end up considering it to be old and rickety.

The aging will make your house look the worst on the block of houses with neighbors having newer windows. A good solution can be to opt for windows installers who take cognizance of your taste and help with a design that is in sync with the aesthetics of the house.

Companies like https://www.archway-joinery.co.uk/, who take pride in their offerings for achieving the highest levels of customer satisfaction, can be your savior. Such organizations with a long history of patronage and specializations make the makeover work suit everyone’s budget and taste.

A Tool to Save

A fresh new look can add that missing showy feature to your house. Those cold mornings will look brighter with the absence of any condensation build-up in between the window panes. The dirty look of sodden window bars can transform into appealing wood panels that attract every onlooker.

A crucial thing to note here is that the windows can help save a lot of energy too. Inefficient windows having bigger gaps or malfunctions often let out a lot of energy. Heating solutions take more time to make the rooms comfortable during harsh winters. Thus, leading to higher spend due to energy outages.

Data suggests you can expect to save up to twenty-five percent on your utility bills with proper window systems. So, replacing the foggy windows can not only help get rid of an eyesore but also save big bucks.

A Clean Look

A house looks stunning when you tweak the finer points of the design. The doors, siding, or windows bolster the design thought and help uplift the imagery that all the items can create cumulatively.

You can not make a house feel whole unless you give due importance to these crucial aspects of the design. The color pallet, the patterns of the wood, or the designs of the doors and windows can make or break it all.

Due care and notice given to such objects can help heighten the overall appeal quotient of the house. A new color scheme and bay-style intricate window designs can help you create a picture-perfect facade for your house.

Added Value

Many windows come with window panes having blinds in the middle. It enables you to get rid of the daily dusting requirement of the windows. The availability of the vertical models has led to the creation of more enlightened spaces within the walls. These allow more natural light to come in.

The windows with triple panes ensure that the maximum heat stays back within the house. Thus, ensuring the house to be comfortable and save on energy bills. New windows will help you forget the wintry drafts that you feel during the colder months.

So windows can help add back that lost charm to your house. New windows can also ensure that you save on your energy bills. The creation of clean lines of the design will result in a better-looking, as well as a utilitarian house. You can check the ratings by the certifying agencies while shortlisting the materials.

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When moving or buying a house, we all reflect on the memories we have made at the property. We also do feel a sense of loss when moving on. Some owners leave notes in the attic so the new owners can remember who’s lived at the property. There are lots of stories where even time capsules have been left in the backyard. However, why don’t you start a legacy of Challenge Coins for your homes? Why not create your own exclusive club for the owners of your home?

What are Challenge Coins?

Challenge coins were given to those serving within the military as a token of welcome to the troupes and battalions. They were used as medals of honour for serving soldiers within companies to show they had served with them. Occasionally they were given after big militia events that had happened, as a memory.

In more recent years, corporate companies have given them as gifts to their employees. This is as a reward for working hard and as a token of appreciation. These coins are no longer only a symbol of military service but are given as a symbol of thanks.

Groups and fans have also taken Challenge Coins to show different levels of allegiance to their passions. There are coins for fans of Star Wars, so these tokens have become more mainstream in recent times.

Why a coin?

In WW1, American soldiers would collect German coins, and used these within a drinking game. The game is said to be; if a soldier is asked to produce a coin and they don’t that they have to buy the beers. This developed to be troupe coins and over time this has dropped off as a custom.

However, coins are still seen as a symbol of importance. The President receives coins throughout their time in office. Citizens can also be given Presidential coins as a symbol of great service. Obama would give a coin to every soldier who guarded the steps of Air Force One.

Usually, coins are given in a secret handshake and are not publicized when given out. They are still highly collectible and can be sold for a lot of money.

Leaving and arriving gift

It is becoming a custom when moving out of a house to leave a card and welcome present to those moving in. In which hopes for their future memories and enjoyment in the house are to come to the new tenants. Some gifts are lavish baskets of food and essentials, however, some are more meaningful, such as a challenge coin in a display case. Challenge Coins Ltd creates beautiful challenge coins with different pictures, patterns, and engravings which could be given as a token for your old house. What a legacy to leave to your old home and its new inhabitants!

So why not be the starting block of legacies for your homes? Why not create a lasting memory for everyone who has lived in the same place as yourself? Wouldn’t that be exciting!