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When you move into your new home, you may not think to revise and update your emergency plan, but natural disasters strike without warning. Avoid being caught without a plan in place at your new address. If you don’t have a plan, you and your home might be at risk. You may need the help of a hurricane home rebuilding service if your home was totally wrecked or ruined by this disaster.

Here are ten steps to take to make sure you are ready the day you move in and continue staying prepared to keep your family safe.

Plan for safety and make a plan:

Sounds simple, right? Despite all of the natural disasters, fires, storms and mishaps in the news, many people do not have a plan for where to go, what to do, and how to reconnect with family members.

1. Learn what disasters affect your area and stay in the loop to receive early warning. Local city or community websites often provide information about natural disasters affecting your area. Use your community’s resources to prepare.

• WEAs: The national weather service provides free Wireless Emergency Updates (WEAs)—text message warnings and updates customized to your area. Check with your wireless carrier to make sure your device is WEA-capable and the service is enabled. Capable devices automatically receive government updates.
• Check out apps like Weather Bug and Simple Weather Alert that offer weather warnings straight to your phone or desktop.
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for information.

2. Know where to find shelter locations and learn how to “shelter in place”: Make sure you know where in your home is the safest and what community resources you can rely on to help you if you are not able to get home. If you have children, investigate the emergency response plan at their school to double-check their safety outside the home.

• Hurricanes: Turn off propane tanks and small appliances. Switch your fridge and freezer to the highest setting and secure them closed if possible (if the power goes out you’ll want the cold to last as long as possible). Close all windows, doors and hurricane shutters. If possible, board up any windows without hurricane shutters (hurricane specific items to keep in the kit discussed below).
• Tornadoes and Thunderstorms: Know where your safest underground shelter is at work and at home, i.e.: basement, storm cellar, etc. If you do not have an underground shelter, find your most protected interior room such as a closet, hallway, or bathroom. Just make sure not to be close to windows because these can shatter. If windows get damaged after a storm, make sure to contact professional window contractors for clean up and Storm Window Repair services.
• Floods: When you receive a flood warning, whether at home or outside, move immediately to higher ground to avoid slip and fall injuries. If you are outdoors, be aware of drainage channels, canyons, or streams nearby. They fill with water quickly and may cut off your evacuation route.
• Earthquakes: Secure furnishings, decor, and appliances to avoid damage or injury during ground movement.
• Safe Spots: Know the safe spots in your home—inside walls and under furniture—and areas in your home to avoid near hanging objects, windows, and mirrors.
• Self Protection: When an earthquake starts, drop to your hands and knees and move to the nearest safe spot immediately while covering your head and neck. Secure yourself and continue bracing your head and neck.
• Fire: When a fire occurs in your home, get out and stay out. Move to safety before calling 911. Create a map of your home and memorize all possible exits to escape the fire. Practice low-crawling and Stop, Drop & Roll. Select a meeting place for your family so everyone knows where to go once they get out safely. Make sure as well that the fire door is safe and fully functional, it’s not enough that the door itself is in an acceptable condition. If you find any aspect of your fire door is not as it should be, you may contact a fire door repair specialist to undertake appropriate repairs rapidly, bringing your door back into a safe state. After the fire has been extinguished, you may have to resolve smoke and soot damage, you may need a restoration service like this smoke damage restoration services in New Jersey.
• Evacuation Preparedness: City or community-wide evacuations can be chaotic and scary; keep yourself calm and safe by preparing ahead. Make sure your safety kit (below) is accessible in the event you need to evacuate quickly. Keep extra fuel available for your vehicle—you may not have enough warning to get to a gas station before needing to evacuate. Visit your local community website to learn the evacuation procedures and locations for your area so you know what to do. Obey evacuation orders immediately. Stalling to “see if you really need to” puts yourself and others in danger and taxes emergency personnel unduly.

Compliments of Virtual Results

An FHA mortgage is a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration. The FHA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, insures loans so that lenders will offer appealing rates to less qualified borrowers at a lower down payment. Typically, an FHA loan requires a down payment of just 3.5 percent and allows sellers and lenders to offer special incentives. In return, FHA-approved lenders may charge a higher interest rate, so borrowers should shop for the best rate among FHA-approved lenders. Your payment includes a premium amount to pay for the mortgage insurance the FHA provides.

Result of Premium Hikes

Many of the mortgage defaulted on during the housing collapse were FHA insured homes. In response, the FHA began raising premium rates and fees in 2010. Now at their highest to date, premium rates and fees were raised at least five times since then, resulting in borrowers paying roughly $100 more per month in out-of-pocket expenses for home ownership on a $150,000 home. Upfront premiums are higher too. According to Robert Freedman at the National Association of Realtors, the result is a reduction by 90 percent in mortgage originations among borrowers in the 620 to 680 credit score range among moderate-income households simply because they cannot afford the additional $1200 in annual payments.

Is an FHA Loan Still a Good Deal?

If you dream of homeownership but cannot quite save up the 20 percent needed for a conventional loan, an FHA loan may still work for you. Just know that your payments will be higher than in the past. Qualifying is more stringent too, since lenders my baulk at credit scores lower than 620 even though the FHA only requires a score of 580 to meet its 3.5-percent down payment option. As a potential aid to borrowers, the upfront premium may be rolled into the loan, spreading that cost out over time.

Ways to Reduce Payments

The annual premium varies according to the size of down payment, or if you are refinancing, by the amount of equity you have in your home. If your down payment is at least five percent, you may qualify for a lower premium. Additionally, utilizing a graduated payment loan or adjustable rate loan may result in lower initial payments. The best way to reduce payments, however, is by making a larger down payment. The FHA allows portions of the down payment to come from family gifts as well as from personal savings, so if your family is on board, you could get a lower rate.

Qualify for a Better Loan

More than anything else, borrowers should consider avoiding these mistakes when looking to qualify for an FHA loan. Do not make large purchases on credit before applying for your loan. Your debt-to-income ratio weighs heavily in your ability to qualify for a loan. Work on your credit score. The higher your credit score, the better your chances. Be careful and deliberate in how you use credit, make payments and pay down existing loans. Avoid overbuying. Your first home does not have to be your dream home. Consider it a starting point on a lifelong journey to the right home at the right time.

We specialize in helping you find the right home for your situation. Call us today to get started.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Out with the old … beige, cafe au lait, pale mocha, bone … favorite neutrals for the past decade, may give way to more sophisticated gray-based neutrals. So you might ask, isn’t gray just black and white mixed? Well, yes and no.

Know Your Undertones

Paint makers offer more than 50 different shades of gray, so before choosing a new color-scheme for your home, you need to know how grays work with other colors. Have you every put a gray top with gray slacks only to see that they clash? That is because they had incompatible undertones. In color theory, an undertone is an additional color added to a base color to give it subtle shading. The cosmetics industry popularized a designer’s secret by offering warm and cool shades to match varying skin tones. In paint color science, undertones add coolness, warmth, edginess, calm and a myriad other feelings. In the gray families, you will find blue-grays and red-grays, golden-grays and green-grays, and even purple and brown/beige grays.

Finding the Right Gray

Years ago, local paint shops were colorists. Designers might request three drops of green and two drops of black in their “white” paint to give it a pleasant not-quite-so-harsh-white “feel” even though to the naked eye it just looked white. Alternatively, color specialists would add one drop of blue with two drops of black to give a bluish tint to a pale gray wall. Many designers had their own special color mixes. The advent of big box DIY stores gives homeowners access to designer color pallets without the designer consulting fees, but being able to buy any shade you want does not mean you are buying the right one for your needs. If you already own furnishings, artwork, carpeting and upholstery that you intend to keep, finding the right gray neutral is paramount to enjoying your decor.

1. Select from several paint brands, types (eggshell, semi-gloss), and designer offerings. Do not just select colors from brands in your “price range.” Many paint stores offer to color match custom colors if necessary.
2. Hold the various paint swatches next to woodwork, upholstery, brick or stone, carpeting and other furnishings to narrow down your choices. If you choose brick, you will benefit from learning how to clean a brick house with a pressure washer.
3. When you have three or four choices, have your paint store mix a sample (most stores will do an eight ounce sample for you).
4. Grab a roll of butcher paper and paint large swaths of color on separate sheets.
5. Tape the swaths to your walls, moving them around throughout the day so that you can see how light reflects off them. If you have LED lights, the colors will appear different from compact fluorescent lights or sunlight.
6. Since incandescent light bulbs are phased out, now would be a good time to change out your bulbs so that your color choice will delight you for years to come.
7. Be sure to place colors near your carpet, woodwork, stonework, trim and windows.

Be patient with the process. Selecting the right color—one that works in daylight and lamplight, sunshine and overcast—might take time. Getting in a hurry might end up costing you more when you find your color scheme depresses you in the early morning light. Once you find your chosen color, call interior painters new orleans for painting services.

Compliments of Virtual Results

As temperatures begin to rise, the lure of sparkling sunlight reflected off rippling blue water draws many homeowners to look for Professional Swimming Pool Contractors or swimming pool builders in order to invest in an in-ground pool. That a pool adds to quality of life, there is no doubt. When it comes to adding value to your home, however, that question is more difficult to answer. Before you dive in, consider these points.

Know your buying pool

The general demographic of your neighborhood often determines if a pool is an attraction or a definite turnoff. When the trend is young families with small children moving in all around you, a pool would hinder many potential buyers from looking at your home since pools are a hazard to small children. Conversely, if most nearby homes otherwise comparable to yours have pools, adding a pool might draw buyers.

For homeowners without children, or for families with older children, a custom pool construction project can be a great attraction. Put kids hats on your children during pool days to protect them from getting sunburned. Pools often become the gathering place for neighborhood youth, single adults or child-free couples, and extend a home’s entertainment space.

Know your long-term plans

When you know that you’ve bought a starter home, and that you will be selling and moving within five to seven years, a pool may not be the best investment for you even if it increases the market value of your home. In-ground pools are expenses, often running into the tens of thousands of dollars between ground preparation, installation, adding protective fences and alarms, and obtaining permits. Unless you keep the home long enough for the market price to surpass the cost of the pool, it could be a net loss.

On the other hand, if you intend to live in the home for a decade or more, the cost of the pool may be absorbed into the increase in value of your home. A caveat however: as the pool ages, the potential for mechanical or structural failure increases. Constant maintenance will keep the pool in the asset column but a poorly maintained pool can detract from your resale value.

Other aspects to consider:

• How much space do you have?
  Adding a pool to your yard decreases the usable yard space. If you have plenty of room, say a third of an acre or more, giving up space to a pool is no problem. A smaller yard, however, might require a smaller pool. If the pool is too small to be useful for exercise, recreation or entertainment it might be a distraction.
• What privacy level do you need?
  Consider your comfort level and whether you will use a pool that is exposed to your neighbors’ view from upper windows and decks, low fences, terraced lots or otherwise visible to passersby.
• Does the community have a pool?
  If your community development shares a pool, having a private pool may be less of an enticement to purchase, so factor the availability of nearby facilities into your calculations. Depending on where you live, the building codes in your city might require you to work with a professional fibreglass pools installers Bendigo when installing a pool on your property. This isn’t true for all cities, but it is an important thing to check when you’re thinking about DIYing your pool.
• Do you have the time to maintain a pool?
  As noted above, pools in poor condition may hinder a home sale, so determine ahead of time if you have both the time and ability to maintain a pool. If you are very busy, or physically unable to clean and care for your pool, but you still want one, hire a qualified pool service professional to keep your pool looking and functioning at its best. Factor the cost of a pool maintenance service into your investment.

Every location differs when determine the return on investment for a pool. If you are looking at selling within five years, give us a call and we will help you determine if a pool is right for your property. If it is not, and having a pool is a high priority for you, we will help you find a home with a pool or where a pool is a more beneficial investment for you. Contact us now. We can help.

Compliments of Virtual Results

We all love a good pampering. Your home is no different. A little spring sprucing gives you house that extra special attention it needs. Whether you start on the inside or the outside, give your home some special treatment and it will reward you with more comfort, extra space and a bright, clean environment. We provide complete estate cleanout services in hamilton and surrounding area.

Post Winter Clean Up

During inclement weather, dirt and grime builds up in corners and crevices. Attack tight spaces between fences and garden sheds or around foundations with a strong stream of water to dislodge debris. Rake decaying leaves and foliage from around your foundation. Clean out your gutters (or call a gutter service), because clogged gutters during a heavy rain puts your roof at risk of water damage.  If your roofing and gutters have been severely damaged, you may need a roof repair service as well as a new Seamless Copper Gutter Installation. In addition, this is the perfect time to have your roof inspected too. You may click here for more roofing contractors for you to choose from.

Stow Your Winter Equipment

If you have cold-weather equipment, now is the time to clean and service it, check for rust, salt or de-icing residue and store it away for next year. In fact, storing away your fall and winter paraphernalia gives you more space to set up a garden bench, composting bin or patio furniture. Remember to schedule the reverse in the fall: clean and stow your summertime equipment in preparation for winter. Pull out your gardening tools and make any repairs needed.

Take a moment to go through the contents in your car. Switch out anti-freeze for bug cleaner and stow your winter emergency gear. Change out that ice-scraper for a sun shield, and replace your wiper blades. Add a summer survival kit (water, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel) to your trunk.

Clean the Outside

Whether you have vinyl siding, brick or stucco, soot, grime, mold and mildew builds up. If your siding is vinyl and you can reach, a Bob Vila recommends using a soft cloth or brush and a mixture of 70% water with 30% white vinegar or, alternatively, a mixture of an oxygen-based bleach with powdered household cleaner. Other general cleaners, especially if they are biodegradable, will work well too, but avoid harsh cleaners or abrasive scrubbers. If you use a pressure washer, make sure to follow the advice of Siding Installation Baltimore company.
To clean stucco, stone or brick, use a power washer, but watch the PSI since too strong a stream can dislodge mortar and loose stucco. Remove mold, moss stains and mildew with chemicals specially formulated for your exterior type. You may also hire mold inspections and removal service for this task.

Moving Indoors

Now that the outside is sparkling, you can tackle of those projects you have been putting off. Clean out the pantry. Get rid of expired foods and cans, and wipe down the shelves. Move older items to the front for easier access. Pull everything out of your freezer and toss those with freezer burn (and anything older than this list compiled by at Food Safety). If you do not date your frozen foods, now would be a good time to start.

Gather all your old books, magazines and newspapers. Recycle the newspapers and pass the magazines and books along to a shelter, senior center or free library. Get rid of envelops and junk mail that may have gathered and toss the holiday cards (or store them if you’re sentimental). Clean the clutter from your refrigerator front to make room for new photos, art and postcards.

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you can clean it using this 15-minute method, or call a chimney sweep.

Purge the Closet

Pull out winter clothing you didn’t wear this season and pass it on to someone else. Store your remaining cold-weather duds in plastic storage bags. If space is an issue, use the vacuum-style storage. Switch out flannel sheets for summer-weight ones and put away the heavy comforter in favor of a lighter coverlet.

When you’ve spruced up your house, you can decide if now is the right time to put it on the market. We can help you with that decision, so give us a call.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you’re thinking of buying a fixer-upper for the first time, whether to live in yourself or to flip, doing some of the renovations yourself can be satisfying and economical. You’ve watched plenty of television shows where novices remodeled a house in two or three days, so how hard could it be? But, before you start tearing out walls and ripping up flooring, there are a few important renovation blunders to avoid.

Know your limitations

Despite what you’ve seen on TV, until you have some experience under your tool belt, you won’t know your own strength, endurance and patience for the time, difficulties and potential setbacks you’ll encounter. Often what seem like minor projects can turn into major issues if you run into mold, mildew, old wiring and other costly issues.

The best strategy is to start with one small project to see if you

• Enjoy doing it.
• Can complete it in a timely fashion.
• Don’t run into difficulties or problems you cant solve.

Know who to call

Before tackling a project, take time to contact an experienced friend, family member or helpful neighbor to get their advice. If you don’t have a knowledgeable acquaintance, visit your local DIY or neighborhood hardware store and speak to their department expert. Many times, they offer weekend classes to teach the basics of home improvement projects.

Know if you need a permit

Most people know that they need a permit for a major construction or home addition, but many municipalities require permits for smaller changes you may not realize or consider. Some cities require permits for projects as simple as replacing the front door or changing the exterior color. Often, homeowners assume that interior upgrades don’t require permitting, but if you add a kitchenette to your game room or create a mother-in-law apartment, many times you’ll need a permit.

Neglecting getting a permit may derail your home’s sale or add costly changes and repairs later on.

Know which tools you need

Home renovations are not the opportunity to try your “MacGyver” skills. Repurposing tools and household objects seems great … until you’re in the middle of your project with drying mastic trying to hold tiles in place with your knees and toes. Tools are expensive. If you don’t have the right tools, and can’t afford to buy them, see if you can rent them from your DIY, rental or farm store. Some local libraries offer tool rental too, so check out all the options before you need that pipe wrench, specialty saw or clamp.

Purchasing specialty tools for a single renovation project may make it cost prohibitive. In that case … hire an expert.

Know the resale value

According to the Remodeling annual cost vs. value report, less expensive upgrades like entry door, garage door repair and window replacements perform better on resale over more upscale changes to kitchens or bathrooms.

Renovations need to be appropriate for the neighborhood to add true resale value, according to Bob Vila. So, while you may love a gourmet kitchen, and want it in your own home, don’t plan to recoup the expense when the time comes to sell.

Compliments of Virtual Results.

You’ve decided to make your new home as ecologically sustainable as possible. You’ve changed out the toilets for low-flow versions and added insulation, installed bamboo flooring, energy-efficient windows and natural gas appliances. Now, it’s time to tackle the yard. Before you tear out that water-guzzling turf, make a plan to replace it with an aesthetically pleasing low-maintenance xeriscape.

Dry-scaping, desert-scaping, or xeriscaping, is landscaping that serves to utilize less water, conserve energy and protect the local environment and wildlife. That doesn’t mean you have to replace everything with sand and cacti though. Most climates support a variety of plant life, so just be sure to select regionally native plants. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Functionality

Lawns offer play and activity space, so if you use your yard (children’s playground, entertainment, extension of living area), be careful to use materials and designs that enhance—rather than diminish—the usefulness of your landscape. For example, replacing turf with coarse gravel would not work for a play area. Instead, use pea gravel, sand, mulch or recycled materials especially designed for playground use. If you need these materials, make sure to hire a residential and commercial dump truck service for reliable trucking and hauling services.

Create entertainment areas with paver stones, gravel or an artful combination. A great addition to an activity space for kids are play area markings. For some great ideas, check out these images.

Site Planning

Before installing your xeriscape, take time to determine how water, wind, shade and sun factor into your yard. If your property is on a slope (even a slight change in elevation), determine how water naturally flows. Avoid placing a playground or entertainment area at the lowest point where water might pool—reserve that area for plants. Preserve existing trees and install shade-tolerant plants in their shadow. Consider heavier ground cover (lava rock, larger gravel, native plants) for areas exposed to wind to prevent erosion. If you are having issues with erosion, you might need to contact a landscaping specialist for erosion repair services before you call the gravel delivery services to come in and drop off the material.

Maintenance

The advantages of no lawn to mow can quickly be overshadowed if your xeriscape becomes a haven for weeds. Before spraying weed-killer, however, check local requirements for herbicides that work best and are safe for the local environment. Cover the bare soil with landscaping fabric that is water permeable and use garden staples or heavier stones to hold it in place. Layer your gravel or mulch over the fabric making sure it is completely covered. On the other hand, a better option is to use at least 4 inches of mulch. Do not use plastic sheeting under your gravel or mulch: Water will run off, your ground cover will slide around, and you’ll just be adding to future landfill.

Conservation

Consult with a landscaper or local gardening shop for the best plants to add to your xeriscape to conserve water and soil. If plants might require added water during very dry seasons, install a drip-irrigation system that adds water slowly and directly at the plant site. Drip-irrigation reduces waste compared to sprinklers and prevents both overwatering and evaporation.

Alternative Materials

Natural landscaping materials such as mulch and gravel may be enhanced by the use of alternatives such as re-purposed rubber tires for playground areas, recycled concrete and brick for rock garden and retaining walls, and tumbled glass “mulch” to add color to raised beds and decorative pathways.

Compliments of Virtual Results.

In preparation for warmer summer days, spring is the perfect time to have your air conditioner serviced by an air conditioning contractor. With regular service, air conditioning units can continue to function in the most efficient and effective way possible. Neglected units are more costly to run and deliver poorer air-cooling quality that will also lead to an air conditioning replacement or repair. If you need an ac replacement service, don’t delay! Call the Year Round Heating & Air Conditioning team today to schedule your appointment.

DIY air conditioner maintenance

It is always a good practice to do hvac maintenance. Several components of your air conditioning unit are easy for you to maintain. According to the US Department of Energy, the most important item is to check your filter. A dirty or clogged air filter reduces normal airflow. When airflow is reduced, the filter no longer outputs cool air at optimum levels. In addition, the blower may force some air around the filter, so the air entering your rooms may have dust particles, pollens and other allergens that a clean HEPA filter would block.

Some air conditioner filters are reusable and can be removed and rinsed out with a hose. Others require replacement, so you may need to check them more than once during the warm season. You especially may need to replace them after times of high pollen or dust, or if your pet sheds. Some filters are located in the air conditioner unit itself, and some are located in the grates or grills. Filters in room air conditioners typically are located behind the grill that faced the room. Ductless mini-splits work by pulling hot air out of a room in the summer and pulling hot air into a room in the winter. Refrigerant both heats the air in the winter and cools the air in the summer.

Another component that homeowners can easily care for are the coils. As dirt and grime builds up on the coils, they become inefficient at absorbing heat. Clean the evaporator coils, located in the unit, annually through the help of your local heating system installation service.

Check outdoor condenser coils, usually enclosed in a cover with fins, and clean dirt and debris from the fins gently with a broom. Better yet, purchase a fin comb at a local big box retailer or HVAC dealer to clean built-up debris from your air conditioner’s fins. If any of the fins are bent, they can block airflow and reduce your efficiency. The fin comb will straighten bent finds, opening up the airflow. Remove any weed or plant overgrowth from the coil casing. Trim foliage at least 2 feet away so that the condenser has adequate airflow.

We’re heading into the hottest part of the year, so it’s unlikely you’re thinking too much about your home’s heating system. But if you’re house hunting this summer or you need to upgrade to a new system, now is the time to research and understand your options. In fact, you may find that you can get a break on the price of a new heating system or unit if you have it installed in the off-season. There are several types of heating systems available to homeowners and what are the common air conditioning repairs. Here’s what you need to know.

The best ac repair near me explained that if you have a room air conditioner, check the seals that connect to the window to make sure there are no leaks. Use foam window sealing strips to fill in the space so that no warm air enters around the cooled air.

If you have access to your air conditioner’s drain channels, clean them with a stiff wire occasionally to make sure water deposits do not block them and cause excess humidity in your home.

When to call an expert

Call an expert hvac specialist like the ones from Stillwater ac replacement and repair services, who can provide professional ac system repair, if your air conditioning unit makes strange noises, does not cool at all, or cycles too frequently. A certified HVAC technician will inspect wiring, mechanical parts like fans and motors, and test and refill the refrigerant lines.

Servicing your air conditioning system now will insure that your home is comfortable once temperatures hit the 80s.

Compliments of Virtual Results

In the excitement of buying and decorating a new home, remember to plan for the long-term when you start landscaping. With the recent widespread drought problems, installing sustainable, drought-tolerant landscaping not only saves water, it means your efforts will survive season to season, saving you both time and money. If you live in a subdivision, you better talk to the property manager if they have an existing HOA landscape maintenance agreement with a contractor to get professional help with your lawn.

What to keep and what to remove

Making your landscaping impervious to drought does not always mean ripping out everything. For example, if you have large trees, do your best to keep them since they supply a shade canopy for your home, conserving energy. In addition, they provide a protective habitat to native birds and other wildlife, and a cover for other plants. For the most drought tolerant option, consider removing your turf grass. A standard lawn requires constant watering to stay green. Replacing just part of your lawn with a rock garden interspersed with native plants and ground cover can reduce your water bill and increase your environmentally responsible footprint. All of this and any other questions you may have can be consulted with a professional residential landscape contractor.

What to plant

For the best results, plant species native to your region. Finding the right plant is not difficult thanks to websites like Plant Native that list regional plants, and the nurseries that can supply you with the right species and give you expert advice state by state. In addition, they provide lists of community service organizations that offer classes and tutorials on local flora. Other places to find information include local universities, plant nurseries and garden shops.

Add ground cover

Removing turf and non-native plants that require consistent watering is just part of the process. Covering exposed ground with lava rock and mulch helps it retain water and reduces erosion. Consider installing ground cloth under your rock and mulch to reduce weed growth and retain additional moisture. According to the University of Ohio, property mulching reduces the soil temperature and adds nutrients to the soil, making existing plants more drought tolerant and less susceptible diseases, or to attacks by insects. You might also want to consider using agricultural lime, which you can get from an agricultural lime supplier.

Try compost

Adding compost to your soil before you mulch increases the likelihood that the rain or irrigation waters absorb into the soil rather than running off. According to the Arboretum and Public Garden at UC Davis, composting is second only to mulching to save water and improve drought survival.

Update your irrigation system

An old or faulty irrigation system wastes precious water and costs money both in increased utility bills and lost landscaping, so buy new irrigation supplies in Perth and have it inspected to be sure it is operating properly. Make sure to water according to the landscaping and soil, including less frequently on clay soils since they store water, and more frequently at smaller amounts for sandy soils. Install modern smart technology controls taht automatically sense rainfall and other conditions, and adjust both the water amount and watering frequency. Consider using a grey-water irrigation system that uses water from your household sinks, tubs, showers and washing machines to water your landscaping. Since this water is not exposed to toilet waste, it generally is beneficial to plant life if combined with biodegradable soap and detergent use.

Proper landscaping increases your home’s value and curb appeal. We can help you find local professionals to advise you on the best drought tolerant ideas for your landscaping.

Compliments of Virtual Results

According to Freddie Mac, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), multifamily rent growth should level out to its long-term average performance as interest rates increase. That does not mean that investing in a multifamily property is a bad idea, it just means that the supply and demand conditions are varying by location and adjusting to job growth or stagnation. Since most rental housing demand comes from 25- to 34-year-olds, the FHLMC expects the need for rental property to grow by up to 1.6 million as the employment picture improves.

You do not have to be a high-level investor to participate in the expected rental housing increase. Younger investors, especially those in the under 40 range, might consider purchasing a property and renting out rooms, or buying a duplex, living in one side and renting out the other. While being a landlord has some hazards and pitfalls, having a constant income stream that helps to pay the mortgage, offers some tax advantages and also provides a place to live might be a great start to your real estate investment future.

We can help you locate potential single-family homes with multiple bedrooms to let to students or others, or multi-family properties that might be an excellent investment for you. Location is important since many renters prefer to live nearer to where they work, shop, worship or attend school, while owners often are more willing to live further away in order to afford their mortgage.

Is a Duplex a Good Investment?

Buying a duplex, for example, might take a little more work than a single-family home, but the process is similar. In fact, FHA (the Federal Housing Administration) will loan up to 96.5% of a duplex’s value as long as the owner intends to occupy one of the units for at least a year. The Federal Housing Administration credits the buyer with as much as 75% of the rental income as part of their qualifying income and will finance as much as $347,000 for a two-unit property in some locations.

The most obvious advantage of owning a duplex is help with the mortgage payment via the rental income. In addition, however, duplexes are more affordable than larger apartment complexes, and often cost the same as a single-family home. If you have an elderly parent or adult child, you can rent to them so that family members have privacy, but share in the cost of the family property.

Disadvantages include close proximity to your tenant. If you have a needy tenant, you might find yourself continuously interrupted by a knock on the door. Your rental income is not a guarantee since there is no certainty that you will find a tenant, and when the unit is vacant, you are still responsible for your entire mortgage.

Landlord Responsibilities

Just as in your own home, you are responsible for all of the repairs, electrical panel upgrades as well as upgrades to appliances, maintenance and general upkeep like a new roof install, window cleaning, etc. of either a single-family rental unit or a duplex or multi-family unit. Since most states and counties—and some cities—have specific rules about cleaning, repainting and other costs between tenants, make sure you know the rules and regulations for your location.

So, whether you are looking for a single-family home to rent or a duplex to live in while you rent the second unit, we can help you with the information you need to find the best property for your needs.