fbpx

Things to Consider When You Want to Buy a Home

August 24th, 2021 Posted in family finance, Property Investment
1 Comment »

Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. Your new house will not only be an investment, but it will also be the place where you spend a significant amount of time with friends and family. As such, there are many factors that should be considered before making the decision. to buy a home.

Things to Consider When You Want to Buy a Home - family home image
Photo by Binyamin Mellish from Pexels

Type of Home

There are three major types of homes, traditional, condominium, and townhomes. Traditional homes typically have more land around them which can be very appealing for those who like having privacy from their neighbors. 

They also tend to come at a higher price than other options because they usually require larger mortgages as well as upkeep costs such as lawn care and gardening services. If you would like to buy a traditional home find out more about how nhs mortgages can benefit you.

Condos offer less space but are often less expensive than traditional homes. Townhomes are a great option for buyers that want to have the benefits of both living in a condo and a house at the same time because they combine some aspects of each type.

The Size of the Home

The size of your family will determine how much space you need when purchasing your home. If you only live with one or two other people, then perhaps buying an apartment would be best for you since it often offers more amenities (such as gyms) which allow residents to maintain their fitness routines without having to drive elsewhere during non-peak hours. 

However, if three or four members make up your household, then maybe looking into townhome communities might be worth considering. These units offer enough room while still having the amenities that apartments offer.

The Cost

The cost of your home will depend on the type you choose to buy as well as where it is located and how big it is. 

Some options, such as townhomes are more affordable while others might require a larger mortgage payment. This would mean putting down more money upfront or requesting higher credit limits from lenders in order for them to make loans available.

Are There Schools Nearby?

If you have children who live with you, then one thing you should consider before buying property is whether or not the area has good schools. 

You can go online and look at different schools in your selected area when making your decision. This way you will know exactly what kind of school district you’re buying into.

Select the Right Area

The area that you prefer your home to be located in will depend on what your lifestyle entails. If you prefer to live close to nature then a rural environment is better for you. If you want to have access to some of the best schools as well as shopping centers and cafes then an urban setting is best. 

Figure out what is most important for you before making any decisions. This will make narrowing down options much easier. When you start visiting properties with an agent they can focus specifically on those areas, instead of wasting time going over places outside of your preferred location.

,
Read More

How to Save Money when Upgrading Your Home

August 23rd, 2021 Posted in Money Tips, Property Investment
1 Comment »

Every once in a while, your house will need upgrading. However, renovations can set you back, as we all know. If you want to upgrade your home but can’t afford the most expensive of anything, that does not mean you cannot make a perfectly beautiful home. All it takes is a well organised plan with a little extra thought and consideration. By planning and choosing wisely, you will be able to do everything you want without breaking the bank. What’s more, it will look as if you spent a whole load more than you did. 

How to Save Money when Upgrading Your Home - paintbrush and paint image
Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

The Budget

Set an honest budget that you know you can stick to that won’t see you struggling for the foreseeable future. Also, it makes sense you make this budget out of the money you already have saved. Getting into debt for your project is perhaps not the wisest of choices. So, save for a while, see what you have at the end, and create an all-inclusive budget.

Time is Money

And to be honest, we mean it in reverse here. Don’t jump in and make any rash decisions. If you have a strict budget, you will want to be doing a lot of hunting about finding great deals. Think about doing a room at a time rather than gutting the entire house and going mad trying to do it up. This means you will need to set a list of priorities, for example, which aspect of the project is the most intensive. That will need to be done first. Also, taking your time, looking for recommendations as well as thinking about costs will avoid you getting a cowboy builder. Remember things such as electric need things such as an eicr report cost, which would be needed if you wanted to sell your home at some point.

DIY

A lot of smaller projects can be done by yourself. If you are lucky you may have a family member or friend to call on to help you. If you are not exactly up to scratch on all things DIY, then YouTube is an absolute must. You will be able to find almost anything you need to do on there. However, be honest about your skills. Sometimes you may end up wasting more money and time than it would have done to get someone in to do the job in the first place. So, yes DIY is a great way to save money, but don’t over-estimate your abilities.

Reuse and Reupholster

A great money-saving tip is to upcycle some of your existing materials. Everything does not need to be brand new. You can easily make furniture and even kitchen cabinets look new by giving them a makeover. Think sanding down and painting or varnishing. You can actually find a very unique style this way. Also, think about the second-hard market. Sometimes you really can pick up an absolute bargain that looks way better than anything in the brand new catalogues anyway. 

,
Read More

Home Upgrades That Will Cost You Less

August 20th, 2021 Posted in Property Investment
No Comments

You may have heard that home upgrades can cost a lot of money, but there are many small things you can do to increase the value of your property without spending much. Here are five budget-friendly home improvements that will make going into another year in your current home feel like a new adventure.

Home Upgrades That Will Cost You Less - stylish kitchen image
Photo by Mark McCammon from Pexels

Replace Lighting Fixtures

The first step to upgrading your house is changing your old lighting fixtures with new ones. For example, have a professional remove faulty and stained switches and replace them with Tactile switches, which are modern.

Replace Your Doors 

The first home improvement project on this list is replacing doors. If you have an older door, it’s time to replace them with new ones because they can significantly keep the heat out during the winter months. 

It’s essential that when installing these newer doors, you remove all of the old hardware, including the door jambs and hinges. 

You can also replace an old patio door with a new sliding glass one which saves about 50% on heating costs during winter compared to older doors. In addition, it is a good idea to install new door sweeps on the inside and outside of your doors. This will make it easy for you to open and close them without breaking down, saving you money in repairs over time.

Add New Paints

This is one of the less expensive upgrades you can do to make your home feel more like home. Most paints will last about three years, and it’s easy enough for a professional painter to come in with their supplies and give the walls an update! 

Painting increases property value by up to 20%. New paints can also make a room feel more spacious, and it’s worth considering if you’re trying to figure out how to remodel your home.

Work on Your Yard

If you’re looking to save money on your home improvement project, then working on your yard may be an excellent place to start. It can be a cheaper investment than remodelling your kitchen or redoing the roof, and it takes less time to complete. 

Planting trees and shrubs in strategic locations can block unwanted views from the street or neighbouring homes and give you and your family more privacy. Inviting vines or ivy can also help hide the sides of your home from passersby, providing a feeling of greater privacy for those inside.

You may want to consider getting creative with plants to improve certain aspects of your yard that need attention. For example, if you have an area where there is a lot of noise from cars or heavy traffic, you might want to plant some bushes that can grow tall and create something like a natural sound barrier.

You’ll also need to do your research regarding the type of plants that may work best for your space. For example, if you live in an area where there is little rainfall, you might want to reconsider planting many plants that require lots of water.

Buy New Decor

The best way to spend less is by doing something that will get you the same result. For example, if you are looking for a new look in your home, then buying some new decor might be all it takes! There is no need to spend a ton of money on new furniture.

Buy new bedding, curtains or art for the walls! The best part about this idea is you don’t have to buy all at once. You can start with one area and work your way around the house. There are so many sources online that provide great deals that it can be hard to know where to start!

Conclusion

The two most important things to remember when doing home upgrades are that a professional should complete the work, and you shouldn’t cut corners. These changes will not only increase your property value but also help make living at home more comfortable. The good news is there are plenty of ways to save on projects like these without compromising quality.

,
Read More

What You Need To Know About Civil Partnerships

August 4th, 2021 Posted in family finance, Money Tips
No Comments

In recent years, civil partnerships have become a popular option for couples who may not want to get married. The civil partnership is a legal agreement that offers partners the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, without having to go through all of the formalities. This article will discuss civil partnerships from start to finish: what they are, how they work, civil partnership solicitors, and any implications you should be aware of before making this commitment.

What You Need To Know About Civil Partnerships - couple sat on cliff top image
https://unsplash.com/@justin_groep

What is a civil partnership?

– Civil partnerships are legal agreements between two people. They are not the same as marriage but offer rights and responsibilities akin to those of being married. A civil partner cannot be exactly defined because it differs depending on where you live. In general, though civil partners enjoy similar rights to spouses including full ownership of the property; shared responsibility for children; joint parental responsibility for any children they have together regardless of their biological relationship and entitlement to statutory bereavement leave if one civil partner dies.

– Unlike many other forms of partnership civil partnerships do not provide automatic inheritance rights upon death unless specified otherwise by law. This means that civil partners have to be very clear about any wishes they may want to be carried out in the event of death.

– In certain countries, civil partnerships offer no automatic entitlement to spousal benefits from employers; however you can take steps before entering a civil partnership and make sure that your partner will receive this benefit by making an election for them or asking their employer if it’s possible through changes in insurance arrangements. 

– Partnerships are created simply by signing a document with solicitors that sets out what rights should arise between both parties. This means there is no need for a celebrant but civil partners do still have to register with one another as being legally civil partners.

– In civil partnerships, there is no requirement for cohabitation but if civil partners live together and one partner dies, the other automatically inherits their property without any financial repercussions. If civil partnerships are dissolved it can be difficult to get back what you have contributed financially or concerning assets that were jointly owned unless they are finalised in a court of law.

When should I consider a civil partnership?

– Civil partnerships offer couples rights equivalent to those given by marriage however this comes at an initial cost: as civil partners do not enjoy automatic inheritance rights upon death new wills must be made before entering into such a commitment; additionally adding your partner’s name on bank accounts, insurance policies etc will mean more work too! With civil partnerships, there is more responsibility for both parties as well.

– Civil partnership can be a good option if you do not want to have the huge ceremony that often accompanies marriage and would prefer something low key, informal and affordable but without losing any of the rights or benefits afforded by civil partnerships. It’s also worth considering civil partnerships if you are in an open relationship where sexual exclusivity isn’t important – it allows your partner to enjoy their freedom whilst still having some security in place should things go wrong!

,
Read More