SkyFive Properties Blog

89% of tiny house owners have less credit debt than the average American.

While that isn’t the only perk of owning a tiny home, it’s one of the biggest.

If that’s enough to pique your interest in a small home, there are a few things you’ll want to consider before making the investment. Small space design is different from traditional interior design.

Here’s what you need to know about optimizing the interior of your tiny home.

Small Space Design Hinges on Visual Tricks

Interior designs for small spaces are all about playing visual tricks on your visitors (and even yourself).

To really optimize the space that you have, you’ll want to design in a way that doesn’t add clutter. Then, you’ll want to focus on incorporating trending colors and furniture that make the space feel larger.

Some of these small space interior design tips include:

• Adding floor-to-ceiling drapes to draw the eye towards natural light. This will also help make the ceilings look taller.
• Incorporate mirrors into the natural decor. Mirrors help reflect light and create an amplifying effect if they’re large enough.
• Choose paint colors that reflect light and make the room feel more inviting. Off-whites, light blues, and warm greens help with this.

Remodel Spaces to Fit Your Needs

If your tiny home is pre-built and you find that it doesn’t quite jive with your style, consider a remodel.

Remodeling the kitchen is one of the most efficient ways to optimize a small space. During this remodel, you can ensure you’re organizing appliances and islands in a way that makes the most sense for you.

Beyond the Horizon Construction Inc. recommends that during a remodel of this kind, it helps to splurge on countertops while mixing new and vintage items.

This will help increase the value of your tiny home while ensuring it feels luxurious, albeit small.

Get Creative with the Lighting

The lighting in a room changes the mood of the environment. It also changes the perceived size of the space. Getting creative with your lighting choices has been quite a popular trend these past years. From hanging trails of Christmas lights on walls to ordering your own custom neon signs online, it’s not unusual that this has become such an entertaining phenomenon.

If you can, you’ll want to allow natural light to enter as much as you can. Living in small spaces is going to feel a lot lighter in a physical sense if you have large windows to let light in and air out.

If you’re going to build your home yourself, this is important to consider in the design phase.

Small house design ideas that include backlit countertops and tall floor lamps help increase the space of a home’s interior as well.

Designing a House that Feels Like Home

Small space design is a great way to ensure your tiny house feels like home.

By incorporating design tips that include choosing the right paint, letting natural light into the space and getting creative with lighting, you’ll be able to amplify any small space.

This all will help it feel more spacious and comfortable.

If you’re still looking for the home of your dreams, browse our homes for sale or contact us to see what’s on the market.

In every young adult’s life, there comes a time when they must leave the nest. We know free rent is tempting but having a social life (free from your parent’s watchful eye) is worth it–trust us.

Your parents are great, your meals and laundry are graciously take care of, and you’re living rent-free..so why leave? Oddly enough, you’re not the only person thinking this.

The percent of young adults living with their parents is the highest it’s been in 75 years. In 2016, a whopping 33% of 25-29 year-olds still lived with their parents.

Moving out of your parent’s house opens up an entirely new world for you that you can only experience for yourself.

So how do you know it’s time to move out? In this article, we’re covering 10 telltale signs you’ve got to go.

Start packing; we’re getting started!

10 Signs You Need to Start Moving out of Your Parent’s House

Of course, if you’re taking care of an elderly relative, or helping out around the house because your parent’s count, these signs don’t apply. Family first.

Thinking it’s time to move on but you’re a little nervous to make the move? Don’t worry, you don’t have to be alone. There are great options for house shares and roommate finders.

1. You’ve Still Got Posters of the Terminator in Your Bedroom

Or maybe it was the Spice Girls. Either way, you haven’t redecorated in decades. Getting your own space means you can style it however you want.

If your room is full of old knickknacks from your childhood and you’re still rocking the same flowered bedspread from Walmart circa 1998, it’s time to not only redecorate but pack up and leave.

2. You Have a Curfew

Your parents will always see you as their ‘little baby’, it’s common psychology. With that often comes curfews, questions, and a lack of privacy.

You growing up can be hard for them, especially if they still see you as the boy or girl who’s still living in their house and getting their laundry done.

Taking responsibility for yourself by paying your bills, folding your clothes, cooking and shopping for food, and moving out can change the way our parents see us.

3. Your Mom makes the Same 6 Dinners Every Week

You haven’t expanded your palate in a while. As good as mom’s meatloaf is, it’s time to explore different cuisines and stop depending on a home-cooked meal.

Hopefully, over the years, you’ve managed to get a few recipes under your belt. If not, ask your mom to help you cook a few staples before leaving the nest for good.

4. Your Parents Still Pay Your Bills

We know getting on a new phone plan can be expensive and difficult, but we hope you’re at least contributing to it, as well as groceries and living expenses, if not rent.

Dare we even ask who makes your doctor appointments?

Becoming an adult means taking on these responsibilities for yourself. That means doing your own laundry, cooking your own meals, and yes, doing your own laundry.

5. Your Friend’s and Younger Siblings Have Moved Out

We’re not saying “if your friend’s jumped off a bridge, would you?” but if all of your friends moved out of their parent’s place and so did your little brother….don’t you think you’re getting left behind?

Take a good look around at your social situation and consider if it’s time you should start living on your own.

6. You Have No Privacy

Does your mom constantly ask you where you’ve been, who you were with, or what time you’re coming home?

You may not pay rent in theory, but you sure pay it in eye rolls, heavy sighs, and the answering of a million and one questions.

The lack of privacy is a real threat to one’s social life when living with their parents.

You probably avoid taking significant others home, because, well…the first date is a little too early to be meeting the ‘rents’. You also don’t want to hear your parent’s asking “so hows that nice girl from last week? Have you seen her?” every time they meet a new ‘friend’.

7. Your the Butt of “Living at Home” Jokes

You’ve likely heard the saying “there’s a grain of truth in every joke”. If your family and friends are joking around about you still living at home, maybe it’s time to give it some thought.

Have your parents started dropping hints and clues about moving out? It’s likely they’re more ready than you are to hit the road. It’s worth having a serious conversation with your

If you’re pushing 30 or already have 30 candles on your birthday cake, it’s about time to move on.

8. You’ve Got Too Much (Outdated) Stuff

Over the years you’ve likely accumulated a lot of stuff. From soccer participating trophies to your high school cap and gown, you probably want to leave it all behind instead of cluttering your new space with it.

Here’s the thing: your parents won’t love that idea. Instead, rent a storage space and put all your memorabilia in one spot. Click here for more info on preparing yourself for the big move.

9. You’ve Got Conflicting Schedules

If you’re a night owl and your parents are early risers, this can cause a lot of friction in the house having to tiptoe around everyone’s schedule.

It’s also difficult to have a social life unless your parents are down for a house party every now and then.

10. You Have a Steady Job and Reliable Income

If you have a steady job with a reliable income this can only mean one thing: it’s time to move out.

You’ve got all the pieces of the puzzle figured out and you’re ready to live on your own. Now you just need to find somewhere to live…

Find the Perfect Place

Even before reading this, you probably knew you should start moving out of your parent’s house but now that you’re sure, it’s time to find the perfect place.

That’s where Sky Five Properties can help. If you’re ready to start looking in the Florida area, check out our condos today and give us a call.

One of the great catch-22s of our warming planet is that as we get warmer, we’ll need more air conditioning, which can make the planet warmer. Thankfully, room air conditioners have gotten more energy efficient and the latest models can work wonders on a space with little effort.

Here are five things to look for when you’re shopping for a room air conditioner.

1. Don’t Skimp On Power

When you’re looking for an air conditioner to suit your needs, you need to start by thinking about power. When you’re thinking about power, you also need to think about the kind of space that you’re dealing with. There are few air conditioning units that could cool and entire home evenly, but the bigger your space is, the more kW you’ll need.

Air conditioner capacity is rated in BTUs with the power that they put out measured in kilowatts. When you’re looking for the right sized air conditioner, you need to know that size really matters. You can get an air conditioner that’s too big and costs too much to use or one that’s too small and won’t give you the power you need.

If your room is about 50-square feet, you can get a unit that’s around 2.5 kW. For a room that’s more like 100 square feet, you’ll have to double that size to 5kW or more. Rooms that are 200 square feet or more need to have units that start around 7kW to make any impact on temperature.

If you’re buying from an appliance store, ask staff what they recommend. You’ll also find that high-efficiency air conditioning units are far better suited to handle large spaces than ever before. Check out some window air conditioner reviews before you make any final decisions.

2. Consider the Types

There is more than just one type of air conditioner available. Window units and indoor units offer more flexibility than ever before.

Split system air conditioners are made up fo two different elements. There’s one that’s attached to your wall from the inside and another component that sits outside and throws heat out. These are your standard window air units that you’ll find in most homes.

Positioning the heat generating component away from any other hot appliance so that the cool air is distributed around the room. If the external part is put in the shade, you can avoid having it overheat. Keep it away from falling branches as well.

A reverse cycle split air conditioner is going to give you cool air in the summer and heat during the winter. You’ll need to have a duct system for most of these types of units. The ducts can be installed in your floor, on your walls, or in the ceiling.

Alternate types of systems include inverter systems that vary the temperature with constant flow and multi-split systems that connect multiple units together. Ultimately, you’ll want a system that’s easy to maintain and simple to install.

Portable air conditioners that roll along the floor and just require you to position a collapsible duct out the window are perfect for flexible needs.

3. Consider Extra Features

When you’re looking for an air conditioner that offers more than just a steady temperature, you’ll find lots of extra features loaded on them.

If you’ve installed your air conditioner high up and out of reach, you can get one with a remote control. This allows you to control the temperature of your space from far away.

Others come with timers so that the unit turns off at the same time each day to keep your energy bills low.

If you’re in an extra humid place some will also include a dehumidifier to keep your air drier all throughout the year. This is great on the top floor or especially warm spaces. If you get a reverse cycle air conditioner, you can get heat during the cold parts of the year sd cool things down during the warmer days.

You can even find units now that have mosquito traps to ensure that your space is not only free of uncomfortable heat and humidity. You can also keep pests out along with unwanted heat.

4. Cleaning and Maintenace Should Be Easy

When you’re investing in an air conditioner, it’s only going to give you life for as long as the components can last. Some air conditioners will last for a decade or more. Other larger units need regular seasonal maintenance to ensure that they can keep running.

When you fail to keep your air conditioning unit clean, you end up causing more than just a mess at the edges of your unit. You also end up with potential air quality and breathing problems. If your home is prone to mold and mildew, this could add to the number of issues you deal with when it comes to breathing.

If your air conditioner has an accessible filter, clean it out at least every month. You’ll get rid of those harsh airborne particles that could end up hurting your ability to breathe and end up making your system more efficient in the process. As you unclog your filters, you end up allowing air to flow in more smoothly.

Finally, Room Air Conditioners Need to Be Affordable

If you’re paying for room air conditioners that are overpriced or cost too much to maintain, then it’s probably not worth the cost. Air conditioners should be simple to install, easy to use, and shouldn’t require you to call up a maintenance person on a daily basis to stay comfortable.

If your AC breaks down, check out our guide to see if it’s covered by your insurance.

Throughout the U.S., different housing markets are getting increasingly competitive. If you work it real estate, is particularly important that you be on top of your game. If you want to wow your clients and make sales, you need to go the extra mile, especially when it comes to selling new properties.

High rises and luxury apartment buildings are cropping up in urban and suburban areas across the country. You could be tasked with trying to sell a pre-construction property that isn’t built yet. That’s where a 3D architectural rendering can give you the advantage you need.

What is 3D rendering? It’s a tool that can help you land sales – if you know how to use. Below, we’re taking the time to explain 3D rendering and how it can help you secure more sales. Read on to learn more, so you can start taking advantage of this important tool today.

1. Save Time and Money

Traditional real estate renderings can be time-consuming and expensive to produce because they have to be updated constantly. Each time the design of the building evolves, you have to go back to the drawing board and create a brand new rendering from scratch. That’s frustrating both for you and for the client, who has to wait to see the changes.

With a 3D architectural rendering, changes and additions can be made almost instantly. You don’t have to waste time producing sketches and models because everything already exists in the 3D real estate rendering software. You and your clients will be able to move through the process of finalizing the sale even faster.

2. Bring a Vision to Life

One of the best ways to make any kind of real estate sale is to show your clients how space fits their vision. Everything from the color to the design to the style of the paint matters.

There is no better way to visualize a space than by working with a company. For example, a company like GSW Animation, that specializes in 3D architectural rendering.

The 3D aspect of the rendering brings the entire space to life. Your client will be able to explore every nook and cranny with ease, and they’ll be able to picture themselves in the space better than they ever could with just a 2D sketch.

3. Stand Out from the Crowd

3D real estate rendering technology is here to stay, but not everyone has explored the benefits of it yet. The sooner you adopt 3D technology for your real estate renderings, the more competitive you’ll be. It will give you that edge that will help you stand out to clients and garner more business.

Want to Know More about 3D Rendering Technology?

When you’re working in real estate, you want to be able to convince your clients that the space you’re showing them is the only place they’ll be happy. You want to make them feel heard, and be able to easily incorporate their ideas into a design so that they know you’re listening.

All of that is possible with 3D rendering technology. The more comfortable you get with this important tool, the more successful you’ll be.

For more information on real estate properties, please browse the site.

How often would you like to see wildlife up close? Want a change of view in your horizon? It may be time to migrate to South Africa.

Often, South Africa has the description of “a world in one country.” This is because the country houses many different terrains and unique flora and fauna.

Allow us to give you 10 tips about moving to South Africa.

1. Find a Community to Move Into

The first thing you need to do is to look for an abode. Do some research on areas with friendly communities. If you already know a place where you will move into, that’s great!

South Africans are very polite, friendly, and welcoming. Meet people and get to know them. The key here is respect and sociability.

When you are conducting a search for homes, go for areas in a reputable part of town. Avoid areas with high crime rates. Don’t worry too much since the majority of crimes happen in poorer areas in big cities.

Try to contact expats about places they would recommend. You can also ask local real estate agents. Having your own property is a good investment, most especially if you plan to move with your family.

2. Prepare All Needed Documentation

There was a time when you could up and leave and start a new life somewhere else. Now, it’s a different story. When you are looking to move into another country, you need to apply for and process many papers.

The most important documents for immigrants are:

• Residence visa
• Passport
• Residence permit
• Work permit
• International driver’s license
• Customs forms
• Employment letter

Find the time to process all your documentation requirements. As a note, it’s wise to carry certified copies of your documents when you travel within South Africa.

3. Set Up a Local Bank Account

When you relocate to South Africa, you will need to set up a local bank account. Most services in South Africa use electronic funds transfer. These services include phone and electricity bills.

If you want to pay bills via internet banking, it’s also possible. The country’s currency is South African Rand. Be careful when you use foreign credit cards.

Using foreign credit cards have a huge risk of fraud, so get a local credit card. Moving out is expensive enough on its own. Save yourself a headache by taking precautionary and safety measures for your money.

As a note, the cost of living in South Africa is cheaper compared to western countries.

4. Learn the Language When Moving to South Africa

One of the most common languages spoken in South Africa is English. Still, the experience of moving to a new country isn’t complete without picking up a new language. It will allow you to integrate with the culture better and understand the people right away.

Even before moving to South Africa from the USA, start watching videos or listening to podcasts on language lessons. Watch South African movies with subtitles and try to imitate what you hear. You can take language lessons in the country, too.

Don’t worry if you take a while to pick up the language. The language-learning process takes longer for adults. If you immerse yourself in the culture, you may learn the dialect within a year or two.

5. Buy Adapter Plugs and Transformers

Buy adapter plugs for your appliances. This tip is more for migrants who plan to take their electronics with them to South Africa. Most appliances in South Africa use Euro plugs.

While South Africa uses 220V, the US uses 120V for appliances. You want one or two step-down transformers. This is to ensure your appliances get the right power and work well.

If you don’t want the extra weight of adapter plugs and transformers, you can buy them at places like Builder’s Warehouse instead. If you don’t plan to bring your appliances, you can also opt to buy them once you’ve moved in. The downside is that it’s not as cheap an option as buying adapter plugs.

One way to get around this problem is to sell your appliances before you leave the US. As you clean your home before the move, put aside the things you are willing to sell away. You can at least use the money to buy new appliances.

6. Get a Prepaid Phone

We recommend buying a cheap prepaid phone in South Africa. After you get your phone, get a long-term plan. This way you don’t have to jailbreak your phone so it works with the service providers in the country.

This will be useful after the first few weeks of your move. Local agents, contractors, or security may call you through your phone. Getting an internet connection may take a while so it’s best to buy a prepaid phone first.

7. Arrange Your Internet Connection

When you’re living in South Africa, you may want to get in touch with your friends or family back in the States. Get a stable and reliable internet connection so you could catch up with them. The key is to find an internet provider that offers uncapped internet connection.

Note that the connection can be slower and pricey. You could get a landline internet connection. ADSL, ISDN, and Diginet are what landline companies offer.

8. Find Out Where Expats Hang Out

If you want to know how to move to South Africa in the cheapest, easiest ways, talk to expats. They’re likely to share their experiences with you. What they have to say about the country may be worth listening to, as well.

As you travel around your area, look for places where expats hang out. These sites can also give you a slight sense of home whenever you’re feeling homesick. You can also learn a lot from tourists or expats who are not from the US.

9. Live Like the Locals

South African living is very different compared to the American lifestyle. Everything from your shampoo brand to your car will change once you’ve moved. And depending on where you are transferring, the climate could be extreme.

If you plan to do a lot of outdoor activities, it’s best to get a car made for the terrain. You want an all-wheel drive or a car that can go off-road. Pick a vehicle that you won’t mourn over for daily dust buildup or thorn bush scratches.

Observe the local culture and immerse yourself in it. Eat what the locals eat and do other activities. You can better appreciate the people when you put yourself in their shoes.

10. Prepare for Culture Shock

Unless you’ve tried living in South Africa for a month or more, it could take you a long time to adjust to your new environment. The culture shock could result in a life of fear or paranoia. Take your time to adjust and try to appreciate the country.

Keep in mind that South Africa is still a developing country. The World Bank foresees that South Africa will have a 1.3% economic growth in 2019. Even then, that doesn’t mean the South African lifestyle will change too much.

There are some customs in America that South Africans also do. Like in the US, tipping is a common practice. The typical tip is 10% – 15% of the bill.

Get Ready to Settle in South Africa

That’s our 10 tips for anybody who’s moving to South Africa.

We’ll give a couple more last tips. This goes without saying: be wary enough but not terrified. Practice common sense when you are traveling and avoid crime-ridden areas as much as possible.

Looking to move but don’t know what to do with your house? Check out our post giving tips to sell your house. Do it fast and without too much hassle with our guide.

When it comes to finding your perfect ‘forever’ home, the search can seem never-ending. Yet, we all know that when you’re looking to buy a home, that you have to be patient. Because the kind of home you want may not be available right away. And it may take you months or even years of searching to find it. Or, sometimes, you may never be able to find it at all! And that possibility can be quite overwhelming to some – especially for those looking for something quite specific. This is often why some people decide that they want to build instead of buy. Yet, if you are going to build your own home, it’s essential for you to be able to ask yourself some key questions to see if you really are cut out for it.

What Will It Cost?

First of all, you’ll want to establish some kind of budget. Because the cost to build a home can vary. So you need to work out what you can afford or what you’ll willing to pay – and then research how much this is likely to cost you.

How Long Will It Take?

The second big question that you not only need to ask yourself, but also be aware of, is just how long it can take for you to build a property. And there will be two parts to this question. The first is that you need to know how long on average it takes to build a family home. And then, from there, you can estimate just how long your project might be. It is so important to do this so that you can manage your expectations.

Do You Have The Equipment?

Next up, you’re going to want to make sure that you have all of the equipment necessary. And, if you don’t, that you can get access to it. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to look for mini diggers for sale if this will save you time and money. If not, you may be okay with simply looking to hire the equipment you need or even people that will come and do some of the work for you.

Will You Get Help?

And so, as a step on from the previous point, you will also want to work out whether or not you are going to bring in some expert help. Because sometimes, it’s much better to hire expert tradesmen to help you than to try and do it yourself.

Can You Really Do This?

And Finally, it’s also incredibly important for you to be as realistic with yourself as possible. Do not just hope that can make this work or embark on it when you know that perhaps it really is a pipe dream! If you are going to commit to building a house yourself, it’s just so important that you have the time to do it, that you’re aware of the stress you may experience and any risks, and that you’re happy to go ahead. Because it’s a big task – but if you’re not afraid of the challenge, hop to it!

Over the last few years, millennial pink, forest green and even black have been touted as the hottest new colors for house paint trends.

While life’s too short to play it safe with plain white walls, you want to make sure you get it right when it comes to decorating your biggest investment. After all, the paint colors you go for can make or break the feel of your home.

If you’re ready to give your home an interior makeover, here are some of the leading 2019 color trends to look out for this year.

Vanilla

When it comes to color trends 2019, delicious shades of vanilla, buttermilk, and French cream are top of the crop. With a hint of soft yellow and a touch of nude, this creamy color palette is ideal for giving your home a warm and inviting glow.

It’s also versatile enough to work in different rooms, including your kitchen, bathroom, hallway or bedrooms. But, as expert residential painters will tell you, different home environments need different kinds of paint. As such, it’s worth investing in a professional service to make sure all your walls get the best color treatment.

For a modern look that’s anything but ‘vanilla’, this shade works best with dark wooden flooring, cool grey marble, and bold furniture.

Cornflower Blue

Another leading paint color trend for this year is cornflower blue. While people naturally gravitate towards blue, it can sometimes seem cold for your interior walls. Although, this particular shade has a hint of lilac, giving it a warmer edge.

Cornflower blue is also striking without being overwhelming, especially if you choose a more muted tone. We’d also recommend opting for a matte or eggshell paint to ensure that the color feels more subdued.

Cornflower blue works well for any room for the house, including the kitchen, bathroom or living room. It’s also a great choice as an accent wall in a bedroom. In terms of interior decor, this shade looks best combined with brass accents, tortoiseshell detailing, and a mix of dark and light wooden furniture.

Coral

With ‘Living Coral’ named as Pantone’s color of the year for 2019, it’s only natural that this vibrant shade is one of the top paint colors for 2019.

Somewhere between pink and orange, coral is an uplifting and optimistic color that’s sure to bring life to your walls. And, although it’s not for the faint-hearted, it’s more versatile than you might think.

While it could be a tough sell for a bathroom or kitchen, coral can work well in living rooms and hallways. It looks great against stark white furniture but also complements dark wood for a more sophisticated feel. And, if your child insists on a pink bedroom, coral offers a modern compromise that you can all be happy with.

Sage Green

Create a haven of calm for your home with this muted shade of green. With slight grey undertones, this color works well to create a sophisticated ambiance in living rooms and bedrooms.

It’s also ideal for a zen-style bathroom. Although you should avoid pale greens for your home office as green walls can reduce productivity and lead to stagnant thinking.

Mix sage green walls with soft textiles, thickly textured rugs, dark wood and a variety of plant life to tap into its soothing effects.

Terracotta

If coral is a little too bright for your walls, you might prefer terracotta, another popular paint shade on the 2019 color forecast.

Warm and luxurious, this shade provides the ideal backdrop for your home. It also helps bring the outdoors in, creating the feel of a sun-kissed Mediterranean patio or desert oasis for an instant lift.

Terracotta is perfect for decorating a relaxing living room or an inviting hallway. But, make sure you stick to matte or flat paint to hide surface imperfections. Complete the look by adding in heavy wooden furniture, worn leather, and plenty of greenery.

Dove Grey

Although dove grey is one of the hottest colors for 2019, this timeless shade has real staying power. As such, it’s sure to look just as fresh and sophisticated in years to come.

While grey can be cool, the warm undertones of dove grey give a soft and dreamy feel that will add a soothing ambiance to your home. As such, it’s the ideal shade for your bedroom walls or an inviting entrance hall.

Alternatively, dove grey would add a luxurious look to a kitchen, or turn your bathroom into an oasis you won’t want to leave.

Dove grey is also perfect for spacious living rooms. Combine grey walls with bare wooden floors, layered rugs, and plush furnishings for optimal comfort and relaxation.

Teal

Jewel colors like magenta, teal, and sapphire are popular choices for making a statement with soft furnishings like armchairs and sofas. But teal has now come into its own to lead the way as one of the top 2019 paint colors for your walls.

This bold shade of blue-green looks elegant in a hallway or living room, while updating your kitchen with teal walls is a stylish choice for a contemporary feel.

Mix teal walls with warm wooden furniture, polished floors, and accessories in pale greys and creams for a touch of sophisticated glamour.

The Leading 2019 Color Trends

When it comes to adding life to your walls, these 2019 color trends offer a variety of different shades that are sure to suit many different tastes and preferences.

Whether you’d prefer the subtle warmth of vanilla, a bright coral, or a bold teal if your walls could do with a makeover, let this 2019 color forecast be your guide.

And, while you’re upgrading your interior walls, you might want to consider how to improve the curb appeal of your home with an exterior paint job.

Are you about to buy a home with propane heating?

Propane is a clean and efficient heating method, which makes it a valuable addition to any home. But if you’ve never owned a home with propane before, make sure you know what you are buying in to.

Read on for some important questions you should ask before buying a home with propane heating.

What Else Is The Propane Used for?

Propane is most often used to run a home’s heating system, but that is not all it can do.

A versatile fuel, propane is also used to directly fuel cookers and outdoor barbecues. It can even power many electrical appliances, such as clothes driers and even generators.

When looking at a home with propane heating, it is important that you know exactly what it is used for. This will give you a better idea of how much propane you will be using.

Where is the Tank?

Tanks can either be above ground or buried underground. Overground tanks are easy to access, and underground tanks are hidden.

Maintenance is easier on overground tanks, but they take up a lot of valuable room. Underground tanks are out of the way, but many rental agencies won’t allow their tanks to be buried.

There are regulations dictating where a tank can be placed, so make sure you check these if you plan to move the tank. Always hire professionals experienced with propane tank installation for homes.  Be sure to target someone like 2 RED Ltd for the job.

Will I Own the Tank?

It may seem like a silly question, but not all homes with propane heating actually own the tank.

Many homes rent their tank from their fuel company. Renting means that you don’t need to worry about maintaining the tank. Repairs and replacement are covered by the rental company.

If you own the tank, then you don’t need to budget for ongoing rental costs, and can make changes to the tank and how it is used.

What is its Condition?

Like every part of a property, a propane tank needs to be well looked after.

Tanks should receive regular maintenance checks from qualified professionals. This will ensure that they stay safe. If these checks have been carried out then the owner should have maintenance reports.

If the current owner is unable to show you these reports, you should be wary. At the very least, have the tank inspected yourself.

How Much Does the Tank Hold?

There are many different tank sizes, suitable for all space and usage requirements.

Residential tanks range from 120-1000 gallons. The larger your tank, the more propane it can hold and the less frequently you will need refills. Knowing how big it is will help you budget.

If the property could have difficulties with deliveries, then a larger tank may be useful. This will ensure that you don’t lose your propane heating in the middle of winter.

Propane Heating Questions

As long as you ask these questions you can buy a property with propane heating in confidence. These questions will help you avoid any nasty surprises, and help you budget in your new home.

If you found this article useful, check out our blog. We have tips to help you get the best out of any home, whether you are there for the long term or looking to move.

The average homeowner pays almost $22,000 to remodel a kitchen. That might seem like a steep price to some, but it’s well worth it when you consider how much it can increase the value of a home overall.

As long as you use the right materials during it, a kitchen remodel can offer an excellent return on investment. You’ll often bring the value of your home up by about 90 percent of the cost of your kitchen remodeling job.

There are other home improvement projects that’ll pay off in a big way, too. Here are 10 home improvement house tips for 2019.

1. Remodel a Bathroom

Next to remodeling your kitchen, remodeling a bathroom is one of the smartest investments you can make in your home.

Some homeowners will make minor changes to a bathroom to make it look more modern. Others will gut a bathroom and alter the layout of it to make it more functional.

Either way, you’ll usually get a 90 percent return on investment when you remodel a bathroom, if not higher. You’ll also make a bathroom look and feel better when it’s done.

2. Spruce Up Your Landscaping

Is the curb appeal of your home awful?

If so, you’re going to have a tough time selling it one day. People are going to pull up to your home and then keep on driving once they see what kind of condition it’s in.

An easy way to fix this problem is by making improvements to your landscape design. You can:

• Replace mulch in flower beds
• Plant trees, bushes, flowers, grass, and more
• Install landscape lighting

Revamp your landscaping and you’ll give your home’s curb appeal a big boost. It won’t look like the same house anymore when you’re finished.

3. Add New Siding

The siding on your home is designed to make it more energy efficient and protect it from the elements. But it also plays a big part in the overall appearance of your home.

If you have old siding on your house, it’s probably not protecting it like it should. It’s also dragging down your curb appeal and making your home look more dated than it really is.

Consider putting new vinyl siding on your home to bring it back to life.

4. Replace Your Windows

Are the windows in your home more than 20 years old? It’s time for them to go!

Old windows will make your home look outdated. They’ll also struggle to keep air from coming in and out of your home, which will force your HVAC system to work a whole lot harder than it should have to.

You’ll have the option of installing:

• Vinyl windows
• Wood windows
• Aluminum windows
• Fiberglass windows

You can also choose from many different window styles. But no matter which ones you choose, they’ll increase the value of your home by anywhere from 80 to 90 percent of the cost of your windows.

5. Finish Your Basement

If your home has an unfinished basement in it, it still has so much potential. Take advantage of it by finishing off your basement and adding a ton of square footage to your home.

You can turn your basement into:

• A play area for your kids
• An office area for yourself
• An entertainment space for your whole family
• A bar area for you and your buddies
• A workout area for everyone in your home

Finishing off a basement is one of the most expensive home improvement projects on this list. But it’ll transform the way your home functions and give your family room to spread out.

6. Turn Your Attic Into a Bedroom

Adding a bedroom to your home can have a substantial impact on its value. But the problem is that most people don’t have a place to put an extra bedroom in their homes.

If you have a large attic space, though, this won’t be an issue for you. You can convert your attic into a bedroom and make your home more attractive to buyers in the future.

You might even want to think about turning your attic into a master suite for you and your spouse. You can outfit it with its own master bathroom and get into a California king vs king mattress debate to decide how big of a bed you can fit in it.

7. Put a Deck in Your Backyard

Do you wish your family had a place to spend more time together outside?

If you don’t have a deck already, put one in now. It’ll allow you and your family to hang out on the deck, barbecue, and play games while enjoying nature.

8. Create a Walk-In Closet

Have you always dreamed about having a walk-in closet in your master bedroom? That dream might not be as far-fetched as you think.

Depending on what you have behind your current closet, you might be able to knock down a wall or two to create the walk-in closet you’ve been imagining for years.

9. Install Hardwood Flooring

A few years ago, home buyers used to prefer hardwood flooring over carpeting in homes. But today, they pretty much expect it.

If you still have wall-to-wall carpets throughout your home, think about ripping them out and replacing them with hardwood flooring.

Installing hardwood floors costs more than installing new carpets. But they’ll last so much longer and provide you with an ROI that you just won’t get with carpeting.

10. Rip Off Your Old Roof

The roof is arguably the most important part of your home. If your roof isn’t strong and sturdy, it could put your whole house into jeopardy.

An old roof can also affect the way your home looks and cause damage if it ever springs a leak. You should, therefore, replace your roof with a new one if your current roof isn’t in good shape.

New roofs cost upwards of $8,000 on average. But they’ll stay put for years to come when you find the right roof for your home.

Use These Home Improvement House Tips to Your Advantage

As you can see, there are so many home improvement projects that you can do to increase your home’s value and make it a better place to live.

Use the home improvement house tips found here to map out your next remodeling or renovation job. You’ll enjoy making improvements to your home and change the way that it functions.

Check out our blog to learn about other home improvement hacks that can bring up the value of your property.

When you’re selling a home, the last thing you want is for the home inspection report to show major issues. These include radon in the basement, exposed wiring, and black mold. Asbestos, a buried oil tank, and termite damage are also deal breakers for most home buyers.

Termite damage, in particular, is something a lot of home sellers dread. This is because DIY methods aren’t that effective.

There’s only so much you can do to stop termites from destroying your home. If you want the problem solved, you’ll have to call a pest control company.

You’re lucky if you caught it early. But if the damage is extensive, it’s a sure thing you’ll pay a lot to have it fixed.

Now, before you worry about that, you should know that a termite-damaged home isn’t unsellable. That said, let’s talk about your options for selling a home with termite problems.

First Things First: Confirm You Have Termites

If you haven’t had an inspector check your home for problems, there are signs of termite damage you can watch out for. These include wood-colored droppings, mud tubes, and discarded wings. You can read more here to know what termites look like, plus some prevention tips.

Pro advice: Even if you know how to spot termites, it’s always better to play it safe. Get a pest control professional to check your home asap. The problem could be worse than you think, and you’ll be glad that you called for help early.

Selling a House with Termite Damage: Option 1

You’ve seen termite damage signs. The professional termite treatment company even confirmed it. Now what?

Your first option is to take care of the problem. Before listing your home, it should be 100% treated.

And yes, how much termite treatment costs might shock you. But if you plan to sell your home with the help of a real estate agent, you don’t have a choice in the matter.

For one thing, the law requires you to disclose any known problems when you fill out a seller’s disclosure form. Of course, these include the presence of termites. If you keep it a secret and the buyer learns about it when they move in, they can sue you.

Along with the disclosure form, you have to provide documentation about the types of treatments you’ve done to take care of the problem. The more detailed the documentation is, the less likely buyers will find your home objectionable.

Option 2: Selling Your Home As Is

We talked about some of the ways to sell a house fast in a previous post. One of the options listed there was to sell to a fast sale company, which is another term for cash buyers or as-is buyers.

With a fast sale offer, you don’t need to do anything to fix the problems in your home. Buyers who offer cash for your home will snatch it as it is. They could even give an offer in as fast as 24 hours.

Once you accept a fast sale offer, the whole closing process could take as little as 7 to 10 days. This is what makes it such a good option for homeowners who are facing foreclosure, in the middle of a divorce, or plan to move to a new place soon.

Should You Go for Option 1 or Option 2?

If you want a good price for your home, then go for option 1. With option 2, it’s a sure thing you’ll never get back what you paid for. Cash buyers or investors pay only about 60% on the dollar.

Keep in mind though that it’s not a sure thing you’ll get to profit off your home sale if you choose option 1. Yes, you could get good offers. But those offers won’t matter much if you already spent a fortune on termite treatment.

The best situation for you to be in is if the pest control company didn’t find extensive damage. After all, there is a huge difference between “some” and “a lot” of damage.

If you find some damage and you’ve taken steps to correct it, it shouldn’t affect the sellability of your home that much. Also, working with the best real estate agent could help you close the sale faster.

Now, if you don’t plan to sell yet, you should consider investing in annual termite inspections and treatments. This way, you won’t have too much on your plate when you’re ready to sell.

More on Option 2

Is option 2 looking more attractive to you right now? There are pros to selling your house as is such as faster closing and few to no closing costs.

But here’s where you might want to think twice before calling up that ugly home buyer. Even if you’re itching to sell your not-so-good home to a cash buyer, you still need to tell that buyer that it is termite-ridden.

It’s also not a guarantee that you’re free from any liability. If the home buyer finds that you’ve lied about the condition of your home, they can sue you.

To protect yourself, do your research. Don’t just accept cash offers without checking if that company is legit. Go online and look for reviews.

Check websites. A company that offers to buy homes for cash without a website is a definite red flag. Even if you’re not expecting to make a lot of money on your home sale, it still pays to do your homework to avoid getting scammed.

Ready to Sell Your Home?

Now that you know your options for selling a home with termite damage, are you ready to sell your property?

If you’ve decided on option 1 and you’re in the Miami area, we can help. Give us a call at (305) 357-0635 and talk to one of our experienced representatives. We offer a full range of consulting services unrivaled in today’s marketplace.

Want more articles like this? Check out 6 Signs Your Property Needs Termite Treatment or Property Investment Pitfalls You Must Avoid.

For more home advice and tips, don’t forget to check out the rest of our blog.