SkyFive Properties Blog

The design of a kitchen has to be slick and smooth in order for it to be used as it is intended. The different components in the kitchen need to be planned out, from the appliances that you choose to the layout and the cabinets. And when you have a small kitchen, it is going to need to be even more planned and precise, simply because you have less space to play with. So if you have a small kitchen, what do you do to make sure that you get the best of the space? Here are some tips, tricks, and design ideas to help and inspire.

Drawers Not Doors

When you think of a kitchen unit that has lots of cupboards with doors, then you will know that there can be a lot of empty space. Unless you get dividers for them, it can be space that just doesn’t get used. So instead, if you are looking to make the most of the space, choose drawers. It helps you to break down what goes where, as well as helping you to have clearer access to what you need. It also helps to reduce any of that wasted space.

Small Breakfast Bar

If you are a little short on space to have a kitchen table in the room, then being able to use a little bit of cabinet space for a small breakfast bar can be a great idea. As it is a freestanding area, but it doesn’t eat into the space of the room, it can be a practical and useful space for eating, without taking up extra floor space.

Prioritize Space

In an idea situation, there is a triangle shape in the kitchen, from the sink, to the stove, to the fridge or countertop. But of course, in smaller spaces, this may not be available. Which is why being able to prioritize the space that you have is really important. In a kitchen that is a bit of a u-shape, the triangle can be hard to achieve. But if you work with home renovators like Remcon Design Build, you can get and use things like narrow cabinets to make sure that you are making the most of the space to create as much of a ‘triangle’ as possible.

Rethink the Sink

A sink is a must in the kitchen, but it can take up a lot of space, especially when you have to drain side of a sink as well. That can be taking up some much-needed countertop space. So instead, think about having a small farmhouse-style kitchen sink. They are smaller, and you can get your own dish rack next to it, so that you can use the countertop space as and when you need it. A single inset sink is also a good idea for kitchens that are a little on the smaller side of things.

You can still have a stylish and practical kitchen even if it is smaller or a gallery-style kitchen. You just need to plan the layout to make sure that it works on a practical level too.

Ideally, you need to have written an informative rental listing description of your property, but nothing compliments content like some professional looking photographs of your gorgeous apartment that you are renting out. These days who doesn’t have a camera on their phones? Not many of you I’m guessing- knowing how to stage the apartment is a great way to do this! So get your camera ready and let’s take some fab photos of your apartment.

Beauty of Photos

One great way of securing more views of your apartment is to list the property with photos. 94% of homes listed with photos get more views, fact. On average a potential customer only looks for 4 seconds at the ad before making a decision, which is why adding a photo can keep them engaged and with the right photo ensuring they want to find out more. Studies suggest that renters spend 60% of their time looking at photos rather than reading the description, so make your property pleasing to the eye! Photos are certainly a fundamental part of the success of your property being rented.

Rental Services

Using an Airbnb property management service like Hostmaker is also a great way to get the most out of renting your property, they provide professional photographs of your property. If you want to give it a go yourself we recommend taking at least three photos before your listing goes live. Photos are important, so what are you waiting for!

Setting the scene is essential to getting those winner shots, here are some tips on how you can do this:

• Fluff up those sofa cushions
• Natural light is key, make sure the curtains are open
• Working from home, put out a laptop
• Highlight a teapot
• Put out teacup and saucer
• Add a pop of color with some flowers

Importance of Lighting

Next, check the lighting! Ideally, you want to take the photos when the sun is pouring in through the windows, also to get extra light it’s a good idea to put the lights on. It’s ok to take the photos at night, however, try not to get the windows in the pictures as black windows can make your space look smaller.

Finally, you really want to consider the angles you’ll take photos from. Stand at the widest part of the room, usually a corner, and try to include two walls and some of the ceiling and floor in each photo. To reduce taking an artificial picture, try to avoid taking photos from high up.

As previously mentioned if you have a small space you want to take a picture of just add more lighting. If you want to make a room look cosier take the pictures at night with some lights on, maybe a warm lamp to entice the audience.

What rooms should you take a picture of?

 Here are a few we think are essential:

All bedrooms
All bathrooms
Living room
Dining Room
Kitchen
Laundry room
Common spaces (entryways and basement)
Outdoor spaces – often the forgotten room- having outdoor space is a huge advantage, especially in London.

Property management service agencies say the key to making any property rentable is excellent staging. Make your tenants feel at home, allow them to see themselves in your property.
Get the editing right. You don’t want to share any dodgy pics or blurry images. You can edit the brightness of photos, lighter photos are more cheerful and easy to see, and cropping your picture to get rid of any blank space is a cool way of your room looking bigger!

Of course we don’t want to deceive the audience, however, there isn’t anything wrong with editing photos to present the property in the best possible way.

As you upload and view your photos, make sure they are portrait. Rotate them if needed.

Quick tips:
Get rid of any dark or blurry photos
Take 3 good quality pictures
Make sure the photos are the right way round
Make sure you don’t catch any reflections in mirrors or windows

It’s not the time for a selfie, so make sure you aren’t caught out in a mirror
Make sure there is no clutter and the apartment is clean
You will have invested time and effort in producing some quality photos, save time in the future. Once you’ve invested time perfecting the photos, you can and should re-use them to save yourself time in the future. Your  Airbnb property management can help you with the whole process. From taking your property photos, listing your property and supporting with maintenance services. See how you can make the most out of your rental property today.

Living in a smaller home does not mean you have to be crammed into little spaces whenever you want to do something, not if the renovation is carried out in the right way. Careful planning is what is needed, and then your home will not feel so small after all.
Whether you are living in a small space or looking to rent one out or sell for a profit, it pays to make it seem bigger and here are a few ways you can do just that…

Functions First

It really does not matter if you are looking at small houses or apartments; each room in them has a function. This should be the first thing you consider before anything else.  Identify how you will use each space before you make your final floor plan. For instance, if you need an area to work from home, which room would be best to accommodate that? Is there just one bathroom that needs to cater for the whole family? Has your kitchen also got to hold the laundry equipment?  These are just a few questions that you should be asking yourself, there are no doubt many more.

Lots Of Storage

Nothing will shrink the size of your home even more than clutter. You need plenty of storage to be able to put things away and this can be achieved easier than you may think during any renovation. So, you have no reason not to do so.

Have beds with drawers in for the spare bed linen, and sofas with lift up seats that have storage underneath. There are usually corners and niches that are not much use and you can use those to build some shelves for the books and knick-knacks that you want on show. Try to avoid anything that takes up floor space, but put baskets in the bottom of wardrobes or shelves over a bathroom door. These will help towards a storage problem, without taking up the room that is needed for other things.

Keep The Floor Free

Keep as much floor space as free as you can. You can achieve this by not buying oversized furniture and keeping what there is to the edges of the room. It is not good for people to have to step over items to get from one side of the room to the other.

Plenty Of Light

Have as much natural daylight pouring in as possible and if there are no windows in a room, install LED lights. They are the next best thing as they give a more natural light, are very flexible, cheap to run, and last for years.

You can also help your home to look brighter by having mirrors hanging on the walls, opposite a window if you can. The mirrors reflect whatever light there is, make the room brighter and deceive the eyes into thinking it is larger.

Put Your Stamp On It

Whatever the size of the place where you live, it is your home and it should reflect your personality. Often in smaller homes, neutral colors are the best, but if you like bright and bold that is exactly what you should have.

Over and above everything else, your home has to be comfortable for you and your family, and that is not to the tastes of someone else, that really does not matter.

Property development can be a hard game to get into, especially with the current market. You see, there’s a lot of factors you’ll become dependent on before getting your hands on a property. Monitoring these will take a lot of time off your hands, so you need to get to know them early. Especially if you’re looking to develop straight from a plot of land itself!

Let’s focus on that latter point for the time being, as you’ve probably heard it’s a lucrative market. If you like the idea of property development, then now’s the time to get ready for it. After all, you can’t invest when you have no clue over what to expect! So here’s a couple of the main warning signs to look out for when land comes up for sale near you.

Know the Company That’s Selling

First thing, you need to trust the seller. You need to know they’re not trying to con or decieve you – there’s many scams out there involving real estate. And seeing as you’re a first time buyer, you’re very much a likely target. Do your research beforehand, if land has suddenly come up for sale, and work out who you’re buying from.

After all, you’re going to want a company with a good reputation on your side. Sure, there’s quite a few out there, but still try to define your margins. A service like Red Hawk Realty might be of use to you, and might have the best deals… But only if you know who their competition is.

Know the Zoning Available

You need to know what the best use of the land will be, once you decide to buy. Most of all, you need to know the area it’s in, and what properties are around it. After all, you don’t want to slam a new residential piece in the middle of a shopping district! That’s unlikely to attract any interested parties, and is a bad way to try and capitalize off the area. Real estate is a great way to build your portfolio, and your bank account, but only with the right decisions.

You can find out the typical zoning with a few phone calls to your city hall. Or you can look up a register online, or find out where the local zoning office is. It can get complicated here, as there could be many details surrounding what use is allowed, so turn to legal aid. An attorney familiar with the laws will be of most use to you.

Know How Flat the Land is

A quick point to finish off. Otherwise known as the topography, your new land shouldn’t have any hidden hills or dips. Make sure you survey the land before buying, even if you just use Google maps.

Be sure to know what you’re looking for when buying land, as it’s easy to make mistakes. You don’t want to waste money on land you can’t use!

Purchasing a house can be a relatively daunting experience. After all, a property is likely to be the most expensive thing that you buy in your entire lifetime, so you’re going to want to make sure that it is exactly what you want. However, you do need to take finances extremely seriously and you need to ensure that you can afford the property that you place a deposit on. Otherwise you can find yourself slipping into debt and struggling to make payments. This can, in turn, result in your home being repossessed and your credit rating taking a massive hit. So, how can you come up with an appropriate budget from the outset of this journey? Here are a few steps that could help you along the way!

Deciding on a Small or Large Deposit

The first step that you need to take is whether to buy now with a small deposit or buy later and save up a larger deposit. Of course, we’d all rather have the home of our dreams as soon as possible. But sometimes patience is a virtue and saving a larger deposit will make your life easier down the line, as monthly payments will be reduced.

Working Out Your Take Home Pay

When looking at Homes for Sale, so many people make the major mistake of looking at their salary and assuming that it is the amount of money that they are able to spend throughout the year. They are likely to take out a mortgage that actually amounts to more than they can genuinely afford. The truth is that there are generally all sorts of costs that need to be deducted for legal reasons before you have the true figure of your take home pay. Make sure to deduct any tax or national insurance payments that you will need to pay from your overall salary to determine your take home pay, which will then give you a better idea of how much you can contribute towards mortgage payments on a monthly basis.

Accounting for Potential Financial Difficulties

It is important to remember that your job is never one hundred percent secure. If you are employed, there is always a chance that your employer may make you redundant. If you are self-employed, you may experience dry spells where you don’t receive all too much work. It’s important that the budget you create for your home isn’t at the top end of what you can afford. If it is, even a slight change to your income can result in you struggling to meet agreed payments.

If you opt for something that is mid-range in your budget, you should have time to overcome financial difficulties at the same time as keeping up with your mortgage agreement. So its always best to plan for any repairs that might be needed in the future. Read more here to learn about the best tools and resources for home improvements and overall maintenance for your most important investment.

These are just a few steps that should help you to budget well when you are planning on buying a property. Incorporate them into your plan to simplify things for yourself!

You should dive head first into the property market. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t do, aside from the fact that you might be a little worried about money. The property market is one that’s just growing and growing as the years go by. As soon as one apartment block has been erected, another housing state is being started. As the population grows and grows, so does the need for a booming property market to hold all of the people. So, does it not just make the perfect place for you to start a little investment? Considering there really is so much money to be made from it, and there’s definitely no time like the present, we want to try and convince you to dive head first into the property market. If you’re armed with the right tips, you could go on to create your own little property business that would just be the gift that won’t stop giving. Have a read on, and let us introduce you to the wonders of the property market.

A Long Term Investment

Investing into property can either be a pretty short term investment, or it could be one that is carried out over a number of years. Some prefer the long investment because it’s a constant drip of money to feed a new lifestyle. We’re talking about renting out a property. You will have to either buy, or mortgage the house to begin with. Then, you need to rent it back out at a rate that will cover the mortgage and a little bit extra, and then you wait for it to get to the point where they’ve paid the mortgage back. It might take 10 years or so, but once the mortgage is paid off all of the money coming in from the home is yours. The extra money you’ll be taking out as well as the mortgage can be used as property maintenance, which can be a nightmare for some landlords. In fact, if you look here you’ll find a website where you can find the companies who would manage your properties for you. Because having a few on the go is a good idea if you have the means to.

The Most Fruitful Area

That long term investment idea is fine, but it is not the most fruitful area for the property market. In fact, the most money can be made from property flipping if you know what you’re doing. Property flipping starts with you buying a property that is so much cheaper than others you might be able to buy, but that will be because it needs a fair bit of work doing to it. But the price you pay will be so low, and the cost to renovate wouldn’t bring it above what you’d be able to sell it at. So, if you can get the buying part, and the renovation done within a couple of months, all you would have to do is sell at a price that means you make a lot of profit out of it. Hint, if you do the house up right and spend a lot of time and effort, you will be able to make a hell of a lot of money from property flipping. Just make sure you buy a rundown house in a good location, it gives you more options.

Be Mindful Of These

There are definitely some things that you have to be a little bit more mindful of when diving into the property market, and that’s that things can change at the drop of a hat. You could invest tons of money into a property, but all of the sudden the housing market plummets, and you lose out on all of your money. But is there not a risk with every investment option that you could chose? As long as you’re willing to lose out, then you’re good to enter the property market. Nine times out of ten you will be making a killing, so don’t worry too much about the risk.

Overseas Investment

Overseas investments with the property market is definitely something you should think about. Holiday homes are just so so popular, and more people are taking to the idea of buying one. It’s not so hard as it used to be, and some people are just chasing that dream of being able to be in a holiday home a few months of the year. So if you’re going to go for any type of property to invest in, we would definitely recommend that you think about going overseas.

If you are looking to buy a house, there will be many things that you will need to prepare. You will need to understand the location, house prices and financial advice. The opportunity to buy a house will come around at different points in your life. That means the preparation is dependent on your current lifestyle. Here we are going to take a look at some of the options you will need to explore. And we will discuss how different factors affect each one.

Location

Where you choose to move to is as simple a question as where do you like to be? That is to say, what is it about different places that make you feel comfortable and happy? You should challenge yourself to research different environments. Growing up in the city you may feel inclined to stay central. Likewise, suburbs or rural people are more likely to avoid city purchases. But ask yourself, is an alternative way of living something you should explore? You may well make the decision to stay in your comfort zone. Equally, if you look beyond your traditional surroundings a whole new world of opportunity will open up.

There are examples across the US of cities and states that are more open than ever before due to socio-economic changes. If you take the time to read more now about one of these cities, you could find it sparks ideas for your property purchase. That is not to say you will suddenly up sticks and move out of state. But your scope for looking at where to purchase properties will open up. And by casting a wider net, you will see an impact in our next topic.

Finance

The cost of property is a driving factor in the decline of house sales across the US. Particularly millennials find it difficult to afford real estate. When you are buying you must consider two different funds. One is the deposit that you can afford, the other being the mortgage you are able to get. Your ability to make repayments will drive the latter of these two.

The aforementioned impact of casting a wider net comes in reference to your new found scope. The more options you are open to, the further your money may well go. For example, if you are looking strictly in an overpopulated city centre you will be paying a premium. However, if you are afforded the same opportunities in a lower populated region, suddenly your house prices are lower. Demand and supply is a very real concept and it drives the market for property in every location. So consider applying your needs to more regions, because getting more for your money is never a bad thing. Especially when purchasing a house.

Buying a house is going to be exciting and stressful at the same time. However, you are in charge of any decision you make. Remembering that is vital to the whole process. Don’t be led by an agent; you have to live there so it must suit your dreams.

Property is one of the best fields to get into if you want to make a career out of investment. This is one of the few worldly resources which will never completely lose its value, and is something people always need. Of course, though, getting started in this sort of industry is never as simple as buying a building or two. Along with this, you have a lot of other areas to consider, with law being one of the biggest on your plate. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring the legal areas which have to be on your mind when you’re looking at property investments.

Transactions

Buildings and land don’t tend to be cheap, with properties being one of the most expensive items you can buy. When so much money is changing hands, governments and law enforcement agencies like to have an idea of where it is moving, and this has opened the doors for loads of laws. When you’re going through a transaction like this, it’s essential that you take a legal approach. If you fail to do this, the transaction won’t work out, and you could even find yourself getting into legal trouble. To learn more about this, head to DicksonLegal.com/tacoma/real-estate-attorney/ and do some reading. Companies like this are great when you’re unsure of your position with the law.

Making Changes

Once you have a place in your possession, the law doesn’t stop here, and you need to be thinking more deeply about the areas which have to be covered. Making changes to your home, for example, is often completely find. If you decide you want to change plumbing or electrical wiring, though, you will need to get a professional for the job, as most governments aren’t happy to let normal people do this role. It takes a long time to train to do jobs like this safely, and you could be risking your life is you decide to ignore this.

Lending It Out

It’s very common for property investors to want to hold onto the buildings which they own. In this case, the best way to make money out of it will be through rental tenants, as this will keep money flowing in the right direction. When a home is occupied by these sorts of residents, though, the owners have to make sure that everything is safe and well-maintained on the inside. It’s easy to ignore this, spending time looking for people to fill the space, rather than making it as comfortable to as possible. If you fail to handle this properly, though, you could face people leaving your property, along with hefty fines from your local government.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to get started on understanding the law which surrounds your property. A lot of people struggle with areas like this, finding it hard to know exactly where they need to turn when it comes to making sure that their places are properly covered.

Canada has many amazing places of interest, such as the largest coniferous forests in North America, as well as the untouched tundra and Polar Regions in the north. However, when it comes to vacation destinations, nothing says relaxation more than sunny weather, beautiful tropical beaches, and turquoise waters. Escaping the cold weather and spending your vacation in a place like this will help you recharge and feel reinvigorated.

But what if that two-week vacation could be more than that? Can you imagine having your own home away from home, a place where you can go whenever you want, and where you can spend as much time as you want, relaxing and having fun? Apparently, many Canadians are thinking along the same lines, because their home buying destinations are all about finding that perfect second home on the most stunning golden beach. And who can blame them? Everyone has dreamed of a tropical paradise where they can enjoy balmy temperatures all year round and simply relax.

Whether they are looking for houses or condos, finding the perfect vacation home isn’t the only reason Canadians are searching for properties abroad though. Finding the perfect place for retirement or for an ambitious investment are equally sound intentions. However, no matter the reasons behind their decision, warm weather seems to be a must.

To discover Canadians’ preferred locations for their second home, real estate portal Point2 Homes analyzed their Google searches, using keywords regarding homes for sale abroad, in countries located in the Americas. The results prove that Canadians have some great home buying destinations on their wish list.  If you would like to invest in an amazing Florida house look no further than the content below.

#1 Mexico – 18,780 monthly searches from Canada

Coming in at number one is, perhaps unsurprisingly, Mexico. Famed for its rich history and culture, its splendid beaches and cheerful festivals, Mexico is the number one choice for Canadians who are looking for a second home.

Puerto Vallarta is the most looked-up destination in the country, followed by Playa del Carmen, and Cabo San Lucas comes in third.

Real estate in Mexico is much more affordable than in Canada, with the average home selling price here (approx. 52,325 CAD) being more than 11 times less than it is in Canada (where the MLS® Home Price Index Benchmark Price is at around 602,000 CAD). This means investing in real estate here is not only great for your well-being, but for your pocket as well.

#2 United States – 11,300 monthly searches from Canada

Maybe proximity plays a big role, or maybe it is all about the great variety the US offers in terms of climate, locations, and entertainment options – no matter the reason, it is well-known Canada’s southern neighbor attracts millions of Canadian tourists every year, not to mention a lot of prospective home buyers.

In terms of housing affordability, the US has another advantage: it is more accessible than Canada. The median home selling price in the U.S. (312,482 CAD) is roughly half the Canadian one (602,100 CAD).

With the highest number of searches and the most sales activity concentrated in sunny Florida, California and Texas, it becomes obvious Canadians wish to escape their signature cold weather to enjoy spending time on a beach, in the sun.

And the weather is not the only advantage: the homes for sale in Florida are simply stunning, offering amenities like calm pools and lush gardens, with California and Texas real estate not far behind.

#3 Costa Rica – 9,770 monthly searches from Canada

This tropical oasis in Central America could be any Canadian’s dream. Its pristine beaches, majestic volcanoes, and unbelievably beautiful waterfalls offer endless possibilities of exploration for any type of vacationer, from the most adventurous to the most laid-back.

Although the country fell one place compared to three years ago when Point2 Homes launched the report, Costa Rica is still among Canadians’ favorites when it comes to ideal destinations for a second home. Spots like touristy Tamarindo and Jacó, as well as the beautiful Playas del Coco, Santa Teresa, Dominical, and Manuel Antonio are the most looked-up destinations for Canadians.

The median price of a home in Canada will buy luxurious houses and extravagant condos in any of the amazing Costa Rican beach towns, allowing those interested in owning property here to enjoy their own piece of heaven. And with a country motto like ‘Pura Vida’, meaning ‘Pure Life’, there is little doubt Costa Rica will truly become a second home for anyone thinking about buying a property here.

No matter what destination they choose in the end, Canadians looking for a second home know what they want: sunny weather, golden beaches, and lovely, turquoise waters. Whether they decide to invest in an amazing Florida house, or a spacious condo in Tamarindo, the cold will be a thing of the past.

Everyone has a dream home. A place where they can come home at the end of a long, tough day, and hang their hat. But what if that dream home doesn’t yet exist? What if, instead, it’s up to you to build it? Is it worth it, or could you save more simply by buying? If you’re in the market for a new home and can’t decide between building and buying, read on as we break down the cost of building vs. buying a home.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a House?

There’s no way around it, building your own home can be an expensive endeavor. According to Home Advisor, the average price per square foot ranges between $100 and $400. When you take into consideration that the average home is 2,687 square feet, the cost to build a house can add up fast.

But the size of your home is only the start of the costs.

There are so many other factors would-be builders should consider, such as building materials. Take a glance at the room around you. Every window, door, wall, ceiling, and the floor has small, individual layers. From window and door frames to support beams and insulation, the cost of building materials alone is enough to deter most people from building a home.

Of course, you’ll need someone to build your dream home, too. It’s necessary to hire contractors and builders, as well as buy permits. With that said, building a home does have some key advantages. Though the upfront cost is higher than that of buying a home, building a home means owners don’t need to worry about repairs. This alone can save quite a bit of cash.

Building a home allows soon-to-be owners to customize their dream home with green appliances. From solar panels to heat-reflective roofing to Energy Star windows, green appliances will often save homeowners more money in the long run.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy a House?

The home buying process is notoriously long and arduous, but is it more cost-effective than building a home? It depends. Once you find a home you love and decide to settle down, you’ll need to pay closing costs. These fees often add up to between 2% and 5% of a home’s total value.

Buying a home comes with fewer upfront costs, sure, and can be far more convenient. But most homes need at least some tender loving care, meaning that you may need to spend thousands of dollars to get your brand new home up to snuff or to complete that kitchen remodel you’re dreaming of.

With that said, certain firms, like Project Homes Sydney, can assist with these fees or even help you reduce their overall costs. So while you may look at that beat-up old roof and feel your stomach drop, the right company can still help you save. And that’s not all — the cost of homeownership doesn’t end once you’ve reached a deal.

Monthly maintenance, including utilities, lawn care, and homeowners association fees, cost an average of $1,204. In conjunction with other monthly bills, home ownership can get quite expensive, quite fast.

Cost of Building a House vs Buying: Final Thoughts

Since the true cost of building a house vs. buying will depend upon location, the scope of vision, and more, it’s important that you take the time to carefully consider your options. Both can be expensive yet worthwhile endeavors. Whether you want to buy or build, learn more about us and let Sky Five Properties help you find the home of your dreams.