The Reef at King’s Dock gives homebuyers the chance to own a Harbourfront property at a very reasonable price. When the development is completed there will be 429 units available. Details about the dimensions of each unit have yet to be released, but it is expected there will be condos with a varying number of bedrooms to accommodate families of all sizes. All of the properties will have a leasehold of 99 years from the date that they are completed.
The Reef at Kings Dock By Keppel Group and Mapletree Investments
Living in this area near to The Reef at King’s Dock means that you will never be short of places where you can eat and drink. There are many restaurants nearby that serve a wide range of cuisines, so you will always find something that you are in the mood for. You will find everything from upscale restaurants to street food in this area. If you are in the mood to go out and enjoy yourself, then there are also plenty of bars nearby where you can just go for a quiet drink or to dance the night away.
The Reef Harbourfront Avenue is also close to Mount Faber Park. This is a nature reserve which also has a lot of facilities for exercising. It is a very popular place for cyclists and joggers. The walk to the top of the park is also worth the effort because of the views you will get of the Harbourfront and the sea. There are some really unique photo opportunities that you will get from this point of the park. You are also able to take a scenic cable car ride from the park to Sentosa and back.
The Reef at Kings Dock Location at Harbourfront Avenue
Two of the best known malls and shopping centres in the area are Vivocity and the Harbourfront Centre. Both of these are located less than 10 minutes away from the Reef at King’s Dock. Vivocity is one of the newest shopping malls in Singapore, and it is also one of the biggest. There are many retail and fashion outlets, but it also has features that you will not find in other malls. This includes an amphitheatre on the roof of the building and this has been used to host international events and food festivals in the past. The mall can be accessed on foot from Reef at King’s Dock, but there is also ample car parking space if you prefer to drive.
The Reef at King’s Dock Near to Vivocity
The Harbourfront Centre is another popular mall in the area. It is linked to the Singapore Cruise Centre and is a convenient place for people to get everything they need for their trip before they set sail. It is also a popular destination for locals because of the range of shops and restaurants that are on offer. One of the most popular brands that has an outlet in the centre is NTUC. The building itself dates back to 1977, but there have been renovations carried out that have bought the building up to date. The centre is a popular destination for shoppers of all generations.
There is a lot to learn at Mount Faber about the cultural history of Singapore and so it can be an educational trip for children and adults alike for The Reef Condo. It is a great place to spend some time with your family outdoors. There are establishments in the park that sell food and drink, or there are places throughout the park where you are able to sit and have a picnic.
The Reef Kings Dock
There is a lot of redevelopment taking place in the Greater Southern Waterfront area which is located in front of the Reef at King’s Dock. When this redevelopment is completed, then there will be even more amenities for residents to enjoy. Transport links to the area will also be even better than they are at the moment. Despite the redevelopment that is taking play you will still have an unobstructed view that stretches all the way to Sentosa. It is expected that it will take between five and ten years for the whole redevelopment to take place.
The Reef at King’s Dock Mapletree Trust is a popular choice for families because of the quality of the schools that are nearby. Many of these schools are in the Harbourfront and Keppel Bay areas and so are within walking distance. This can save parents and children a lot of time in the morning and nobody has to worry about a long commute to school. Schools in the area serve children of all ages, from pre-school to the time they are ready to leave education.
The Reef at Kings Dock Harbourfront Avenue Singapore
The Harbourfront is a prime residential space and has stunning views of the sea. It is an area that is calm and peaceful, but still has the convenience of being close to the city center. More information about the development and the advantages of buying a property here can be found below.
The location of The Reef at King’s Dock in District 4 means that you have all the benefits of living in a city, but in a location that is quiet and peaceful. All the amenities that you will need are within a 10 minute walk of the condos. The development is also close to a good network of transport links. The Vivocity MRT station serves both the Circle and the North East lines. The development is close to the Central Business District and the Orchard Shopping area and so it is the perfect location for both work and leisure.
Getting Your Payday Loans Without Stating Your Income
Payday loans are advertised everywhere it seems. Payday loans are also poor for your pocketbook. For quick cash, many will resort to payday loans to “tide me over ’til payday.” But, payday loans come with a steep interest rate. Some payday loans will come with interest rates as high as 400 to 500 percent, depending upon whether you roll them over from one payday to the next.
Most payday loans are arranged so that a borrower writes a post-dated check to the lender, for say 2 weeks. When the 2 weeks are up, the payday loan is cashed, which includes the predetermined interest. Because of the Federal Truth in Lending Act, the lenders must disclose the interest charged to the borrowers and finance charge. Let’s say for example that you take out a payday loan for $500 for two weeks and pay the lender $75. You’ll write the post-dated check out for $575, receive immediate cash of $500 and at the end of two weeks the lender will cash the check. The interest rate on this loan comes in at a whopping 391-percent annual percentage rate. There may be an additional finance charge as well.
Before you decide on the quick fix that payday loans offer or get yourself in a situation that your alternatives are few, consider a loan from a credit union or small lender, employer, family member or even a cash advance from your credit card vendor. Most people who resort to payday loans do so time and again, so a little planning for a cash crisis may help avoid the steep interest rates.
If you continue to get a payday loan fix, then start making additional plans to get off the wagon. Talk to your creditors for more time to pay bills. Get overdraft protection for your bank account. Make a budget and stick to it, factoring in a little extra personal cash for impulse buys. If you believe you have been defrauded by your lender for unscrupulous practices, then file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC helps prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices and help the consumer avoid such places of business.
On the other hand, you may be in a bind and need the instant cash that payday loans provide and are confident that paying them back will not be a problem. There are many sources for payday loans online that can help you get out of your cash bind. Remember, though to take the time to choose carefully and comparison shop since as a consumer you do have many choices in lenders.
Stated income loans require little verification to receive money. Stated income loans generally require no pay stubs, W2’s or tax returns. For those who have difficulty verifying their earnings, stated income loans may just be the answer. Usually this group includes borrowers that make tips, bonuses and commission as their sole form of income or are simply self-employed or are retired and live off of their investments.
It may sound too good to be true, but it isn’t. There is a proven, yet renegade method to build your home for free.
When considering a stated income loan as an alternative to traditional borrowing methods, one does have to have verifiable employment and some cash reserves or assets. Stated income loans are also known as No Income Verification Loans (NIV).
Several different types of stated income loans exist, depending upon the lender. Some stated income loans are available for those with FICO scores as low as 580 – 640. Usually the borrower’s statement or assertion of their income is enough to get the loan along with some assets. There are, however, some leaders that offer stated income and stated asset loans, which means that neither the income nor the assets are verified by the lender. These loans generally carry a slightly higher interest rate for the borrower since the lender accepts more risk with this method.
There may be some other caveats when applying for a stated income loan such as being with the same employer for 2 years, several credit accounts and no bankruptcies within the last 3 years. Also, the borrowers title must match closely to the stated income. As an example, a high-school janitor reporting $10,000 per month in earnings would be suspect.
Stated income loans can be used for new purchases, refinancing your current home and home equity lines of credit. Some lenders even offer stated income loans for commercial and non-residential real estate as well.
Stated income loans may also be desirable for privacy-advocates who are willing to pay a little more in interest rates in order to keep their money matters private. No matter which kind of borrower you may be, stated income loans are at least worth considering if an alternative is what you need.
Best Bedroom Styling and Furniture For Your Family
Most of us in bed, we spend 40% of our lives do not realize that. Of course, all the time is spent sleeping! In our bedroom, one-third of our life, if you spend more than a nice room, so obviously we want to be a good time and money to spend. Do not go to a guest bedroom, even if it’s still a good personal investment. So we look and feel of the bedroom to do some things to liven what is it?
You can do this is to first change the sheets. Good sheets, yarn and fabric are the two main factors to enter. In general, the higher the number of threads, soft leaves. 1000 Thread count sheets, however, felt through the cardboard and some because they are made cheaply. Because it’s summer, so 300 is the minimum amount recommended by the wheel. Then you can move up to 1000. Another important factor is the fabric seat. It does not breathe, you do not select anything synthetic. Egyptian cotton with a soft cotton and bamboo blend so far is, as well as curtains. Although it’s good and breathing difficulties, and three negative Cotton actually takes a lot smoother. “Sateen” sheets marked with the gun is on the surface of a soft feel.
After you have had to move seats to a new blanket. It is one of the lightest high bed sheets and you should have a blanket. This provides a warmer in the winter, and blankets are great for summer when hot. Look for good things here for a few textile wheel, or light Merino wool. We are your top layer of the blanket is then. Satisfy all tastes in this category there are three main choices.
Blanket or bedspread Tradition – This option is the lack of light and warmth in the winter time you put in only drawback of the traditional comforters on the bed to see if the feeling is quite flat when you are neat and tidy.
Quilt – This is usually outside of the top decorative fabric is consistent with the eyebrows are in harmony. It provides a lot of warmth and looks smooth and clean. Down comforters on the side washers are generally too large for your home because it will not be easy to clean. Therefore, a large shopping center or visit the drycleaner is required.
Two countries – the most popular choice these days carry bag included hair as a newspaper insert. The advantage is that you can select Insert to suit the climate is very mild in summer and winter, the thinker of the two countries will use the two countries. For the text, and under the warm micro fiber provides a good fluffiness. Also for those allergic to corn allergy or alternatives such as eucalyptus fibers, can be obtained. Polyester does not breathe to create an apartment to move in time. One benefit of the two countries that you can do laundry regularly to cover, so you can change the color and style. The disadvantage with the two countries tend to look a mess you will forever be adjusted to insert.
Then you can add details to a bed for two, plus you can throw. It was boring in the bedroom styles, textures and colors are added. When you sit down on the bed as a place to rest your feet, adding a little warm in the winter is a great way to add. You make a big bed, without the hammer of lounging on also when you can throw on your feet.
One interesting thing about vinyl signs are added. It’s their store, when you go to bed tired and uncomfortable when you are ready to cushion 101 made it look like in bed with mattresses, but because it is very important that you do not overdo it. It works with the colors to accent a reference a few good choices. Adding three to match the luxurious cushions seem eclectic. Are you looking for a more classic appearance of two colored squares contrast the euro as well. Or, more compact dream big and try to strengthen. If they are sitting in bed is good for the rest. Save your bedroom and a good sleep when you move to a nice touch to throw them into bed, put the last basket, or Ottoman.
Your knee is not as important as aesthetics for the room, then a pillow to support good happens is still very important. It is your pillow every six months is recommended to replace, but it can easily be extended to protect a good pillow. Latex pillows are best, but expensive, and some people will hate the feeling. Nice, but over time and cause allergies can be flattened down. Microfibre or corn fiber to avoid these problems is a good choice. Before buying, try a pillow for comfort.
Napping selection of furniture to a bedroom, cozy and comfortable beds good not only for the search. Thu complete the requirements more precisely on a set of bedroom furniture is most appropriate to go to the selected organization is necessary. The selection and design of the entire bed option bedroom in the heart, but to adapt to the needs of households as well as other topics are equally important no doubt. Choose a bed, while the requirements related to complement your beds are considered more appliances. This section mattresses, pillows, headboard, desk, bedside, side of the Web Net and you can include a drawer. The rest of your bedroom furniture has all the elements, particularly as a result of the lapse and just ignore all these items to a wide bed should not be regarded as a dynamic wise.
Items of bedroom furniture to choose from many different possibilities, but one can not afford all the room a bit. Details of bedroom furniture, one of the attractions of these is the choice of wardrobe. You can choose your bedroom closet has a wide variety. None of their clothes and spread around the room and finding them at a time when you need to be annoyed is not your favorite. So the wardrobe in your bedroom. If you feel good solidly built some discipline and order in the bedroom can be imported. Closet doors and they are usually identified by a number of different categories available at One of the doors of your wardrobe, double doors and wardrobe closet doors three (three muneunwa closet) depending the choice between good can be. Uncheck the appropriate size of a closet for a decision that you want to store it in a very different clothes. You can also slightly higher than in wardrobe closet with sliding doors is to what you can take advantage.
You can also put furniture in your bedroom to support the drawer, you can choose different types and designs. We have all this paper, stationery, jewelry and keys, and a relatively important to save some space you need some extra space, you are solidly in some or drawer steel timber to help create a drawer nice size like this is necessary. Lock the drawer and some (or all) because the cost of personal items they have the option to save even more support. Similarly, your headboards, clothes hooks, dressing table, footrests, Rug, trolleys, cabinets, lighting, glass, interior rooms, and a lot of preparation, you can add other embellishments.
A lot of people don’t see the need to hire a real estate attorney to help them buy a property. The real estate agent can’t do the work that should be done by the real estate attorney. Remember, real estate brokers are not lawyers and are unable to provide legal advice. You should not forget that real estate transactions are governed by both state and federal legislation and common law. Real estate law deals with a wide range of legal issues, such as the development, acquisition, leasing, financing, and sale of all types of commercial and residential real estate.
There are several valid reasons for hiring a real estate attorney to deal with your property deals. Reasons, such as protecting you from errors, errors in documents and figures, and other issues, could lead to costly legal action.
Picking the Right Property Attorney
It’s a good idea to find the right professional for you from the outset at an early stage. If you’re planning to sell or hire any property, it’s good that you’re planning a professional hunting process, early-stage, listing the best people interviewing, searching, searching, researching and coming up with different professionals so that whenever it’s time for you to hire them, you can see the list and interview whatever you think is right.
Seek Advice From Others
It’s really a great idea to get in touch with colleagues, family members, friends, or any neighbor who has a good reputation as a real estate attorney or hired them to make a real estate transaction. For very obvious reasons, these references will give you good and reliable results as they are closed, and they will surely try to help you out. Always make sure that the references will always give you good results, so get advice from them, make a list here again, and then you can plan an interview or whatever is convenient for you. Ask them about the fees charged by the expert real estate attorney and how well the attorney helped them guide the home-purchase, sale, or rental process.
Do Online Research Platform
Once you have the names of a number of lawyers, check to see if they have a proper website. The website is where you’ll get amazing information about anything you want in-depth, so you can get online help with your research process. You will be able to find out more about their background, qualifications, specialties, business style, contact information, address, and whether or not they have local offices. You may need to contact or interrogate your professional on a regular basis, which means that if you have a local expert, you can interrogate or meet them easily, as they are easily located near you. So it’s always a great idea if you want to consult a professional who stays nearby.
Questions to Ask Your Expert In Your First Meetings
The number of years of experience the lawyer has dedicated to these real estate professions is very important. Just take real estate law cases; then you’re doing a really great job. But if the real estate attorney is about to hire you, he has good legal experience, but not real estate law, so you will definitely need to find out whether or not they are truly reliable in your case. It is, therefore, very important for you to find lawyers with the only background in this field and not in any other field. By asking for the amount in terms of percentage of the practice of a lawyer to be spent on real estate transactions, you will surely get a better idea of the experience these professionals have in your case.
How many fees are you charging, and what does that include?
Fees and rates may vary depending on the situation or the seriousness of the case. So it’s really hard to know what fees you’re going to charge, so make sure you know what your profession is going to charge you and what rate you’re going to receive. The style of work and fees of each lawyer varies a great deal; therefore, you need to ask them how they will charge you, fixed or time-based.
Who’s going to work on this case with you?
Some law firms use junior lawyers or trainees to investigate and deal with the case. That’s why it can be a great idea to ask your professional about this. Once you’ve been told everyone’s going to work with you, and if they give you names and details, all you can do is interview them. It’s always a good thing to be double sure who’s going to deal with the case, as you never know when and what the situation might be when you need serious professional advice, so if you don’t have the right team, you might end up in a mess. So here’s how you can hire a perfect real estate attorney for your case and ask them a couple of questions.
If you do not have any of the above sources, you may be able to contact the Bar Association of your State for assistance in the same way. They can give you a list of lawyers who deal with real estate on a daily basis. In fact, you can even come up with listings of real estate law firms. They’re both making up for good research and comparison. Before choosing a lawyer, you can ask the people around you and do some research.
As soon as you have compiled a list of lawyers, you may be able to consult some of them personally. Having a personal meeting with the Real Estate Attorney will help you understand if they have the right experience and talent to get you through your property business. Some legal advice may even be sought during such consultations. If you feel the lawyer suits you, you can close the deal with him and hire him right away.
It is good to know that most buyers don’t think about choosing the best candidate for the loan. Understanding how to pick the best financial institution has emerged as a critical aspect of purchasing home.
You can agree with me that to most people getting a mortgage is a necessity. Over the years, we have witnessed a sudden increase in the price of homes. This means that purchasing the right home with cash is impossible. That’s where mortgage lenders come in. They will provide you with money to purchase your desired home. Keep in mind that mortgage lenders are in business. They are in the market to attract buyers like you. With that in mind, you can find better terms if you consider doing a little shopping around.
It is worth considering and comparing different mortgage lenders before making your final decision. You are likely to save a considerable amount of money if you put more effort into the process. Most naïve homebuyers prefer big national lenders such as the Bank of America. Before making your final decision, keep in mind that most of these national lenders don’t have the best mortgage programs.
Where can you find the best deals? The most excellent deals can be found when you have a mortgage broker. Mortgage brokers are beneficial more so in finding the most appropriate lenders who have the best rates for your preferred loan program. You might end up saving tens of thousands if you get the best mortgage lender. What if you don’t do your homework? In such cases, you will land undesirable mortgage terms. Follow these helpful tips so that you don’t regret putting in the time and effort.
Work on your credit score
People with better credit scores will end up finding a fantastic mortgage. Do you know that you must have a perfect credit score to get an outstanding loan? You will be more attractive to a good number of lenders if you have a good score. Most of these mortgage lenders will be willing to give you better deals. Are you sure that even a single percentage point of your loan rate can save you tens of thousands? You can attest that our needs are different. However, it is advisable to wait a while and improve your credit score. This is the right time to learn how you can improve your credit score.
Know the difference between a broker and lender
Do you know that mortgage brokers and lenders are not the same thing? How does a mortgage broker work? Typically, mortgage brokers find lenders who are willing to lend money to buyers. Mortgage brokers can find the best mortgage deals. They will help you find a good lender with a better mortgage than you would be able to get on your own. That’s the main reason mortgage brokers charge fees for their services.
Ask for a reliable recommendation from someone you trust
Do you know anyone who has purchased a home recently? Such friends will give you some reliable advice on how you can find the best mortgage deals. They will also recommend different lenders who might be willing to provide better mortgage deals. A family member or co-worker will be ready to tell you bad things about the lender they used. Their advice is very valuable simply because it will help you get an idea of the different mortgage options.
In addition, your realtor will be an excellent resource when it comes to lender recommendations. In case you have an agent, you can rely on their insight. Over the years, agents have been helping numerous clients in purchasing homes. Hence, they are always up-to-date on the lender’s clients.
The most friendly mortgage brokers will educate you on the entire mortgage process. Furthermore, they will assist their customers in avoiding the most terrible mortgage mistakes. You are more likely to make mistakes that will cause your loan approval to be canceled by the lender.
Check online reviews
You might be aware that understanding how to pick a lender involves due diligence. You should consider backing up the advice given by your friends with your research. You can check reviews from different buyers who have worked with the specific lender. They will not only give you useful knowledge, but they will also tell you about their experiences.
Although online reviews are easy to post, most unhappy clients are motivated to write a review to warn potential customers against working with the specific mortgage lender. In addition, you can read multiple reports from the same lender. In most cases, people write reviews assuming that they should go a certain way to their liking. While at times they are correct, most of the time they are wrong.
Get the details of what the lender is going to charge you
Besides the interest rate, other numerous potential costs can be tacked on by lenders. Some of the fees are reasonable while others are not. The most common types of fees include an origination fee, rate lock fee and processing fee.
Getting Good Returns for Your Real Estate Investment
Real estate has become one of the most lucrative businesses today in the world. The demand for more contemporary designs has been on the rise as clients are not willing to buy into what will not exceed their expectations. As you invest in real estate, it’s wise of you to be on par with the current market trends so that you can make a good ROI. While doing so, you should know the way around the business and appreciate the fact that this is not something you can succeed by being alone. Different players in real estate total up to its success, and thus working with them would be unavoidable.
The players and what you need to know about real estate include:
1. Construction team
Quality will always sell itself, and thus those who you engage in construction should be professional in what they do. Before you hire any construction company, always look at their portfolio and choose one that is reputable and competent in delivery. Most people go wrong by selecting a construction company that is a cheap option for them, not realizing that it can lead to some severe problems. Saving money during construction in real estate is a big win, but you need it done right. Always go for a company that has a blend of delivery in terms of quality works, materials used, and certified stuff plus engages in cost-saving construction. By doing so, you will have a property listed in the market that fits customers’ expectations, and your ROI realized.
2. Real estate agents
How do you sell to the market? Although it may seem expensive or useless to hire a real estate agent, they come in handy. They are well informed about the current clients’ needs, what they are looking for, prevailing market rates as well as how to get clients quickly. A real estate agent will handle all the paperwork for you and get his share only by the commission and thus not expensive as it may seem. As soon as you have your real estate property listed, real estate agents should be the ones to deal with clients as they are professional in bargains and negotiations in selling and leasing. They know how to stage a sale and the exact wording that client needs to hear to be persuaded to buy.
3. Property manager
The running of the day to day hustle should no be your stress as a property manager is certified at it. It can get ugly sometimes dealing with tenants, and thus as an owner who has invested your cash in a property, you want to avoid this as much as possible. Hiring a property manager ensures that you have someone professional in dealing with any such issues to the property. They are also the ones to look for maintenance companies for services such as cleaning, repairs as well as remodels. A property manager will also handle all payments as well as rents and leases to tenants.
4. Real estate lawyers
As either a buyer or seller, having a lawyer to handle the proceeding is unavoidable. Lawyers ensure that the transaction is lawfully handled, and thus you do not have any losses to do with fraud. One such lawyer is a conveyancing lawyer. They are certified in the field and hence will handle all the paperwork for you. They will represent you under their jurisdiction for and handle all the signings of transfer of leases or sales for you in the right manner. When you need any alterations on the contract, they will be there to handle it, too, as its one of their specialty.
Contracts in real estate transactions are a must. There need to be smooth transfers of leases or ownership, and thus contracts are the perfect tool. Both parties have to be bond into legal agreements through the signing of contracts with the help of their lawyers. Before any of you sign the contract, read it carefully to understand the terms and conditions set, and you can use the help of your lawyer to contemplate. The contract should be mutually beneficial to both parties so that each can gain from it.
As a person who is engaging in real estate, you should also know that the prevailing rates are affected by several conditions. The prices may escalate or drop from time to time, and thus you have to be able to forecast such times. As soon as you have your property listed and it’s not selling, ask yourself what price others are selling at and compare it with the market. The demand and supply conditions will always determine the best price, and thus you should be well informed. For this reason, real estate agents come in handy as they are well informed.
Lastly, you can always add value to your property through remodeling and renovations. Buyers in the market need value for what they spend on, and thus you can tailor it to them. Changes are unavoidable since trends in real estate keep changing, and therefore you have to be at par. Remodeling your spaces will ensure that you incorporate various interior and outdoor designs that fit the current market clients’ preferences and thus selling. Always go for expert companies in remodeling so that you have quality results.
Golden Rules for Renovating Your Home With Smart Home Technology
The dream of buying a rundown house and renovating it into a delightful home is a common one, but there are some things that all would-be renovators need to be aware of. The finishing touches to a renovation project, such as fittings and carpets, can often be the deciding factor between success and failure, so it pays to get good advice from reputable, flooring experts like Stainmaster and other professionals in the home furnishings business. The following five golden rules should also be considered when undertaking renovations.
Homeowners have the ability to automate anything from locks to lights to air conditioning and more. With new technology popping up every day, it’s hard to stay up to date on the smart-home trend. If you are considering installing smart-home technology in your home or looking to buy a home that is equipped with some of those devices, you want to ensure you do your research so you can make educated decisions. Here are three important factors to consider!
Because a large percentage of smart-home devices rely on Wi-Fi, they are vulnerable to being hacked. Although this may not be much of a concern for devices controlling your lighting or sprinkler system, it may be for automated locks or garage openers. The initial setup costs for some smart-home technology can be daunting for homeowners, so it’s important to thoroughly map out the upfront cost versus your savings and its value to you over time. Many of these can help you be more energy efficient, reduce monthly bills, and save you time and stress. Plus, if and when you are ready to sell, smart-home technology can help improve your home’s resale value. With so many companies throwing their hats into the smart-home ring, it is can be difficult to select the right devices for your home. If you are considering automating various features in your home, you may want to take a look at the big picture and try to choose devices that are compatible with one another or that can be controlled by a singular hub.
It’s one thing to be immersed in a job, but the reality of living in the house that you’re renovating can be quite different to how your romantic imagination pictures it. It’s highly advisable to reside elsewhere while you’re undertaking renovations at a property as the stresses of living among debris, wet paint and broken fixtures over a prolonged period of time can take a serious toll on your mental and physical health. If there’s a partner involved, it may well damage strong relationships too so, where possible, keep your living arrangements separate from your DIY project. If this isn’t possible, try to designate a space or spaces of the house that are strictly renovation-free zones where you can relax without being reminded of all the hard work you still have to do.
It’s perfectly fine to admit that your renovation skills may be lacking; not everyone is a skilled tradesperson. For example, it’s wiser (and safer) to get a professional electrician in to rewire your home rather than trying to do it yourself. There are certain jobs that you should not try to do unless you are qualified and electrical work is one of them.
Though, as the previous rule stated, you need to know your limits, there are still plenty of less dangerous jobs that a home renovator can have a go at without worrying about injury. Strip walls, throw plaster up, and stain doors… Just have a go, safe in the knowledge that if something goes wrong, you can always replace fixtures or call in the professionals to fix up your handiwork. One of the beautiful things about renovating is that it allows you to potentially discover hidden talents, but you’ll never know until you try so bust out that paintbrush and give it a crack.
You could just meander from one project to the next, but work will progress a lot faster if you sit down and draft a plan of attack for the numerous stages of your home’s renovations. Don’t even think about furnishings before considering the paint scheme, and don’t even consider the paint scheme until you’re done plastering the walls. There are numerous apps and websites that can help you plan your renovation, so before diving in unprepared, take some time to plan.
Even before starting the renovations, keep a scrapbook handy and fill it with cut outs from magazines to keep track of your ideas for things like carpets, wallpapers, and furniture. You may also prefer to use Pinterest to keep all your possibilities in one place. Go wild and get funky with your ideas… After all, it’s your house, and there’s nothing wrong with dreaming big (even if the crazier ideas don’t get the green light in the end).
Tips To Help Manage Your Personal Finance And Invest
According to statistics, many people in the world don’t know how to manage their finances. Most of these people end up in horrible financial situations that keep getting worse all because of lacking the knowledge of managing their finances. However, if you find yourself floating in the same boat, there is no need to be worried as there are ways of getting away from such situations, and we will provide them to you in this article. These ways will help you in being orderly when it comes to your finances.
Just like any other task, managing your money can seem daunting, especially if it is your first time. The good thing is that you will get the hang of it as the days go by.
1. Track your expenditure
This is the first thing you need to do before you embark on the better management of your finances journey. Few people can state their monthly expenditure off the top of their heads. One needs a notebook to write down whatever purchase they made, or no matter how small or for a trivial reason, it is important to write them down. You can choose to track either daily, weekly, or monthly. This will help you to understand your expenses and draw the line on what is or isn’t important.
2. Create a budget
After understanding your expenditure, it is important to draw a budget. This budget drawn will keep you in check as soon as you decide to spend on something that is trivial. The budget should address all matters concerning your finance, for instance, paying off any debts that you might have. On matters to do with debt payment, you are always advised to pay a higher amount than the minimum. The said budget should also incorporate expenses such as mortgage and retirement.
3. Cut down on unnecessary expenses
There are some expenses which you should probably slash them if they aren’t very important. These expenses could range from memberships, subscriptions to activities that you don’t do as much. This exercise will help you be accountable for every single penny.
4. Debt consolidation
Most people who need help in managing their finances have some debts on their sleeves to repay. The debts could be student loans, credit debts, and other loans. Some options will allow you to settle many unsecured debts as one bill instead of settling each of them on their own. These options include personal loans and credit cards.
5. Open an emergency fund
As we all know, unexpected events happen in our lives from time to time; it is important to have an emergency fund. We should have the discipline not to use the money until an event such as losing our jobs, losing our hopes, or illness occurs, then we can use it. The money in this fund should be left alone as it accrues some interest.
6. Save for retirement
It is never too early to start saving for your retirement as the sooner you start, the more money you would have accrued once you retire. When deciding on the percentage of the money you would save for retirement, it is important to consider the amount of money you earn and the target money you want to have when the time comes for you to retire. Most people are usually advised to save 10-15% of their earnings on retirement.
7. Find other ways to invest
Saving is never the best option as the money the economy shifts every day, and there could be an increase in inflation, which would otherwise lead to your saved up money losing value. Therefore, other options of saving, especially assets, can guarantee better safety as its value increases too. One could decide to look up the stock market or invest in companies that have the potential to earn profits. Instead of your money is in the bank, it could help you earn some money as the company you invested in appreciates. You can also decide to start a business no matter how small it is.
There are many ways to manage your finances and achieve your goals and dreams within no time, all the while sorting out your debts.
New Home Buying Process Affecting The Real Estate Industry Amid Covid 19
Before the new coronavirus, there has been calls for workers to work from home in an effort to promote work life balance. These calls have been muted because bosses do not trust their workers when working from home. However, the new Covid-19 has forced company management to implement work from home policies. Many industries are affected by this but the real estate industry is particularly affected. The real estate industry is adapting quickly to the outbreak of coronavirus. Many real estate agents, brokerages, and even mortgage companies have shifted their business virtually. Different states and localities have employed various restrictions and revisions to real estate transactions in case they are allowed to continue. Above all, technology is making it possible for many people to continue their home buying journey even while following stay-at-home and social distancing orders.
Here’s a thorough guide into the real estate process in the time of COVID-19, so that buyers who are in a position to buy and want to take advantage of favorable interest rates can safely continue their quest to homeownership.
Times are changing now. If you’re thinking of buying or selling this year, you need an agent who can help you make sense of the current market. And since it’s only through virtual tools and technology that you can safely continue your home search without exposing yourself to risk, working with an agent who is tech savvy is crucial. You want someone who is familiar with the latest technologies for touring homes virtually, and also comfortable in conducting meetings and business online.
To find an agent who will take the time to simply and effectively explain the rapidly evolving housing market and how it affects you as a buyer, check out the agent on social media. See what they’re posting on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter and whether they’re sharing relevant and helpful information not only for clients but also for the community. The agents who are calling, texting, and following up right now are the ones who are still doing business because they do have the technology to be able to serve your real estate needs safely using an array of virtual tools. The best agents are committed to educating you by offering virtual consultations and home tours of the homes you’re interested in.
Schedule virtual consultations.
Instead of heading into their office, set a virtual meeting with your realtor to discuss your hopes, desires, needs, and dreams, even any apprehensions you have about the housing market. With the help of tools and applications like Zoom, Google Hangouts, or even FaceTime, you can have consultations with these professionals from the comfort of your home. Talk to them about your timeline, discuss the process, and create a game plan together to accomplish your goals.
Connect with a lender who is set up to work remotely and has made the entire mortgage process digital so as to practice social distancing. Interview via phone call or video chat a few loan officers so you can shop around and compare what they’re offering. You can also ask your local realtor for any lender recommendations. Ideally, you want a lender who is comfortable conducting all steps of the transaction online and stays in touch with you to track your loan progress. A tech-savvy lender should also be able to help you access online most of the paperwork needed for you to get pre-approved for a loan, such as pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements, aside from requirements like your income, debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and credit history.
Going virtual is the new norm, especially when checking for properties that you’re interested in. Just think of crowded open houses or showings with a plate of cookies as a #throwback thing, at least for now while we help flatten the curve of the virus.
Request virtual tours of the homes you are interested in, whenever you’re ready. This means you can virtually walk through the home, room by room, without physically stepping onto the property. If you want to have a deeper dive into the home, ask your agent if he or she can further accommodate you. See if you can make a FaceTime video call during which your agent walks through the home, sharing footage of its features and specific details, such as how big a room is, how high the ceilings are, etc. Direct your agent to show you parts of the home that you want to see, something you’ll do when you’re touring the home personally.
Remember to also ask and research about the surrounding neighborhood, which is also as important as the property itself. Ask your agent if your state or city allows you to have a physical drive-by of the area so you can see the nearby features and amenities without actually entering and touching anything.
Put in your purchase offer on the home you love and schedule a safe in-home tour if your city/state permits it or if needed.
If the seller will allow you to tour the home you’re interested in, consult with your agent to make sure that visiting a property is allowed in your city or state. Residential real estate sales were recently added to an updated list of “essential services” from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, but regulations and shelter-in-place orders still vary and can change as the pandemic progresses.
Coordinate with your realtor so he or she can accommodate you and take all necessary precautions if you can and need to visit the home. Verify that no one in the household is sick or has any signs of illness, although there are carriers who may be asymptomatic. Don’t touch anything as much as possible and follow CDC’s recommendations, such as physical distancing. Ask the seller or the listing agent to leave all closet doors, drawers, and kitchen cabinets open for you so you won’t need to touch them when checking for storage space. Wear protective booties, use alcohol-based sanitizers and wipes, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you leave the home.
Several states, jurisdictions, and local areas have created a coronavirus addendum to be used in real estate contracts. In California, for an instance, the coronavirus addendum states what will happen if either the buyer or seller is unable to close a real estate transaction on account of any circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also contains an optional provision that allows for either party to cancel the contract without penalty if the buyer can no longer get financing because of a COVID-19 related income or job loss. Likewise, Florida’s coronavirus addendum provides options to extend the financing period, inspection period, title cure period, aside from extending the closing date. Ask your realtor about these disclosures and let them explain it to you so you’ll be fully informed.
Mortgage rates are already low, but there’s no guarantee that these rates will continue to drop. So even though it might be tempting to pause your search because you’re hoping tomorrow’s interest rates will be better, lock in your rate with your lender as soon as the offer is submitted. Things are changing everyday, so you’ll be in good shape by locking in now even if the rates drop further the next day.
In a remote inspection, inspectors check the house alone and take a lot more pictures than they might have in the past so clients can get a clearer picture of where the issues are. They could also review the findings with you via video conferencing and screen sharing. The home inspector will also send a detailed inspection report, complete with photos and descriptions, so you’ll get to know every nook and cranny of the property.
Home appraisals, on the other hand, are being required by a lender for buyers who are getting a mortgage. Since they require a site visit, they’re not possible for cities or states where real estate service isn’t considered essential. But for those that allow it, virtual appraisals can be done. A new method called ‘desktop appraising’ has also emerged where the appraiser uses comparable properties to come up with a relatively accurate report, which lenders can use to continue with the mortgage process.
Utilize electronic signing and wiring to stay safe.
Although this also varies by state, most, if not all, of the escrow and home buying transactions can be done virtually. Your agent or lender can set up an account where you can upload all of the required documents to proceed with the transaction. There’s an option to sign electronically right from your computer. Several states and local governments have already taken action by allowing the use of remote or electronic notarization.
If you need to pay for an appraisal, earnest money, funds for escrow, or closing costs, there are options available. You may be able to pay by credit card, or most banks will permit you to wire funds from your account. In some states, you can send a check by mail or have it picked up by a mobile escrow agent.
Remote home closing and other alternatives.
With the current situation, the usual tradition of signing hundreds of pages of contracts in one room, shaking of hands, and handing keys aren’t possible. During closing time, a mobile notary arranged by your title company will bring the required documents to you. Your keys will even be delivered to you! Video closings are even permitted in some states, where the closing attorney would send links to all parties for a secure video conference.
If face-to-face interaction is required so that you can sign the documents and stamp notaries personally, there are different ways agents and title companies handle it. In some cases, drive-thru closings are being done, which is similar to a fast food restaurant’s drive-thru window transaction. Other alternatives include having the parties sit in different rooms to finalize the deal. In other areas that require an attorney to be present, buyers can pre-sign the documents and give power of attorney to their lawyer, who can then complete the sale on the buyer’s behalf on settlement day. This way, the attorney and the closer are the only ones needed on closing day and you only need to wait from home until the transaction is complet
What to Do if You Flush Too Much Toilet Paper Down The Toilet Bowl
The toilet is an essential part of our house and we visited the washroom everyday before and after work. Sometimes, we might be doing our business too long and might flush too much toilet paper down the toilet bowl. Before we find out the actual root cause of the chocked toilet bowl, we need to do some checks first. Determine where the sewer line is leaking. It’s usually the spot that is oozing to the surface.
2) Insert an air hose inside the line past the point of the break and apply air pressure to empty the line of remaining water.
3) Find a water line hose one size smaller than the sewer water line. Insert it into the larger pipe and push it in, well past where the break is thought to be.
4) Keep pushing it into the pipe until the far end is submerged in water. You can tell by blowing into the smaller pipe and hearing bubbling.
5) In the space between the two pipes, inject an expanding urethane foam crack filler. The harder, less expanding type works best.
6) Hopefully, the urethane ran down to the water level, began to foam back up, sealed the crack, and you will see it oozing back out the top.
7) Clean up the excess foam, and wait for it to harden.
8) Connect the inner, smaller water line to the system and apply water pressure again.
Tips:
This method will not work unless the sewer line slopes downwards and away from you. You need the far end of the smaller, inner pipe to be submerged in water to prevent the foam from sealing the far end shut.
Vertical water lines work the best. Horizontal lines do not.
Attaching a long, narrow tube to the urethane foam applicator helps to inject the foam more easily into the gap between the inner and outer pipes.
Since many families are practicing social distancing right now, our bathrooms at home are getting lots and lots of use. While finding rolls of toilet paper when you’re out shopping has been a bit of a challenge, the amount of toilet paper people use has definitely not decreased.
In fact, some of you may be using just a little bit too much toilet paper when you’re sitting on that porcelain throne and that can sometimes cause a problem.
Obviously, toilet paper is made from, you guessed it – paper, but what we are really talking about here is that it is made from the wood from trees and occasionally hemp plants. In most cases, it is made from “virgin” paper, which is created by using a combination of hardwood and softwood. The wood is mixed with water, chemicals to remove the fiber, and a bleach like chlorine dioxide. But we digress…
The point is that it’s made from a soft type of paper that is made in such a way that it will easily break apart and dissolve once it is in water.
Or rather, that is what it is meant to do. When too much of it ends up in a small space all at the same time, however, it can’t break down the way it should and it forms a gummy clog. This is bad enough, but then when more toilet paper, waste and other items meet up with the gummy clog, it just becomes worse and worse until it finally causes a backup and your toilet will no longer flush.
How to Stop Clogs from Happening
The easiest answer is to simply tell you to use less toilet paper, or if you do need to use more than usual do what you need to do, then flush before you use more. If you’ve been doing that though and still having problems, take a look at the type of toilet paper you’ve been using.
You may prefer the ultra-plush toilet paper that is super soft and strong, but when you get a toilet paper that is too thick, it sometimes doesn’t dissolve very well and even smaller amounts of a thick toilet paper can get stuck in the pipes and cause a clog.
