Is it Realistic For a Student to Buy a Property: How to Afford Housing

From student loans, to struggling to afford food, individuals attending post secondary schooling face huge financial issues. Due to the time school consumes from one’s schedule, most students can only get a part time job. In most instances, this small amount of income barely covers the cost of food, transportation, necessities, and clothing. When it comes to finding a place to stay while attending school, most students will live at home, at a dorm, shared apartment, or with a friend/relative. These options aren’t suitable for all students; many wish to purchase their own property while attending school, and that’s simply difficult to achieve. Here is the reality of affording a property as a student.

The Impact of Student Loans

Having a high amount of debt because of student loans is a factor that can prevent you from being approved for a mortgage. If you aren’t able to cover most of your tuition through scholarships, your job, and assisted coverage (through work, help from parents etc.), then you will have a low chance at affording a property. Unless you can prove that you have a way of paying for your school and covering mortgage payments at the same time, student loans will stop you from owning your own property. “The reason why most students can’t buy their own property is because of the hefty student debt from loans. If you have a reasonable loan that can be paid off in the near future, taking out a mortgage is a more realistic possibility,” shares Lon Finley,  journalist at Essay Writing Services.

Find a Reliable Cosigner

A cosigner is a individual who is typically older than you with prior financial experience. Your cosigner can be a friend, parent, relative, partner, or other influence. When selecting your cosigner, you must make sure that they are reliable. This means they have to have a healthy financial history that includes things like: a high credit score, balanced spending habits, and have been able to pay off their own debt and loans. The purpose of a cosigner is for them to put  a good word in for you while you are applying for a property. They can conclude that you are ready and able to make mortgage payments. In the worse case scenario that you can’t make payments, or need assistance, the bank can rely on your cosigner to help you cover the costs. As a student, a cosigner may be the deciding factor when it comes to you achieving your dream of owning your own property.

Financial Management

Without a steady income, you certainly won’t be able to own a property while attending school. Banks will check to see how much money you are making, and how certain expenses will affect your remaining funds to cover loan payments. If you don’t make enough, regularly spend your money on unnecessary things, or fail to pay off debts in a reasonable frequency, then you have a poor financial management history. In recent years, some students have been creative when it comes to how they earn money. “Side hustles like freelance work, starting a small business, and doing one off jobs like house sitting or dog walking has helped students earn extra income. This may be an option for you if you need more income to go towards your student loans and potential mortgage,” claims Joey Campbell,  writer at Assignment Help.

Buying a Property With a Friend or Significant Other

The easiest way you can actually obtain a property as a student is by buying one with somebody else. The combination of two students buying a property is more realistic and sustainable. There can be several complications when buying a property with another. Fights, separation, and one individual not putting their fair share in can make this option risky. Only apply for a mortgage with another if you both have a plan for what’s going to happen. Don’t take the chance if you aren’t confident that your friend, significant other, or counterpart will keep their word.

Though it’s a huge responsibility, students can buy a property with the right resources. Having your own place can teach you valuable lessons and help you transition into adulthood.

Writer Madeline Miller works at Top essay writing services. Madeline writes about youth property management.

List Of Things That Shape Your Wellness Living

Everyone wants a balanced, healthy, and peaceful life. But when it comes to what wellness living actually means, many people get confused about the necessary dos and don’ts. This is why most people feel like falling behind in achieving their goals.

So, to help you get a better idea about what matters and doesn’t, below is a list of things that you would need at some point in your life, if not now.

So, scroll down further, and enjoy!

Your Emotional Health

Wellness living means taking care of every aspect of your life that can significantly affect how you move forward with your daily routine or life as a whole.

Therefore, in our list of the things that should matter the most for you to live better, taking care of your mental health holds a vital position.

The man of present times has become more complicated and busy than ever before.

You are always expected to work too hard, be the epitome of perfectionism and positivity, sort your life as soon as possible, and a lot more.

All of this has the potential of leading you toward a point where you are constantly exhausted, not sure what to do next, or dwelling on some beliefs that someone implanted in you or don’t hold any reasonable value at all, etc., ultimately impacting your mental well-being on a matchless level.

Therefore, regardless of your professional and personal commitments, don’t overlook how you are emotionally or mentally.

This will allow you to recognize your inner self from time to time, providing you with a better perspective of how you should be moving forward to embrace the calmness you deserve.

Financial Management

Your financial position can make or break your wellness living.

Yes, you read that right!

Therefore, to avoid such an inconvenient situation where your finances take a toll on you, try to practice financial management.

This will allow you to be cautious in times like buying a home for the first time and other major decisions of your life.

Muscular Strength

After prioritizing your mental health to make wellness living a reality, your next step should be taking care of your physical health, strength, and needs.

Because after all, it is the two of these – physical and mental – that make you a whole and better human being.

Neglecting bodily vigor would negatively impact mental well-being and vice versa.

Therefore, make a healthy diet and snacking a part of your daily goals, keep your body moving, be it exercise, walking, or planning activities that align with your aspirations, and so on to maintain your muscular strength for now and the foreseeable future.

But one thing that you should keep in mind is first to get to the bottom of your stamina and strength level and the key points that you should be working on.

Once you are well aware of your dos and don’ts, you will automatically start loving and enjoying what you have started instead of feeling it as some kind of obligation or burden on you.   

Your Level Of Socializing

When it comes to true human nature, it is impossible for the social animal, aka humankind, to survive without socializing.

In fact, interacting with other people or living beings as a whole and having meaningful connections are what help everyone see the bright side of this life.

Therefore, when someone tells you that socializing is not that important, tell them otherwise because it is a vital part of your wellness living.

Make time for your loved ones, be there when a friend of yours asks you to attend a cool party or get-together, prepare your home on festivities or holidays and invite special guests over to get the most out of special occasions collectively, in short, don’t hold yourself back to opt for an opportunity that brings calmness, joy, and beauty to your life.

A Beautiful Space

One of the most important aspects of wellness living is how you feel about your residential space.

If it makes you feel happy and comfortable, then you are on the safe side. However, if you feel otherwise, then you need to make some positive changes.

It is a natural fact that when you make your home appealing and organized with things that personify the beauty of life and align with your interests as well as needs, you automatically feel relaxed after a hectic day at work.

So, while you work on other important things, be mindful of what kind of changes your space needs and shape them accordingly because home is not a home unless you decorate it with love and warmth.

Bottom Line:

Wellness living will demand effort from every dimension of your life; that’s what makes it perfect for us.

With that being said, if you have got anything to add or suggest, feel free to drop us your precious feedback in the comments section below!

5 Simple Steps to Prepare Your Home for Holiday Guests

We usually get excited at the idea of holiday guests arriving in our home. It means that we will get to see loved ones and old friends that we haven’t seen in a while.

However, the thought of having people stay over can be pretty daunting for some of us.

After all, hanging out with loved ones is the fun part. The not-so-fun part is preparing your home to look welcoming, inviting, and as clean and festive as possible.

Fortunately, there are many ways to prepare your home for holiday guests and make them feel welcome. This post will show you five simple steps to make your home much more inviting for your guests this holiday.

Tidy up the main spaces

According to Planet Maids Home Cleaning Services NYC, keeping your main spaces as tidy as possible is key to welcoming holiday guests.

Tidy up the main spaces of the house when welcoming guests

Sometimes, when holiday guests come over for a visit, people may feel like they need to do more work than usual. In reality, however, it all depends on what kind of visitors are coming over.

Photo by Skitterphoto from Pexels

The first thing you should do is assign each space in your home with a designated cleaning task. For example, one space may be defined as the “kitchen” space while another might be the “living room.”

The point is that dividing your home into smaller zones will help you stay focused. It also makes holiday home cleaning manageable.

Once you’ve assigned tasks to all spaces, make sure you get started cleaning! Begin with the kitchen and move through each room according to their assigned task.

Here are some cleaning tasks that you shouldn’t skip:

  1. Vacuum carpeted floors if they are dirty.
  2. Dust the furniture to remove any dust that has accumulated.
  3. Wipe down surfaces in the kitchen, bathrooms, and other rooms where guests are likely to touch surfaces.
  4. Make sure there are fresh towels in the bathrooms for guests to use.

Clean up the fridge

Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

The main objective is to help people make their homes feel more hospitable for their holiday guests.

This means making sure all the main spaces in your house are tidy and clean, as mentioned before. However, it also involves clearing out the fridge and pantry. That way, your guests don’t find spoiled food or empty shelves when looking for snacks or quick meals.

It’s more than just about the living room, where you might hang a wreath on the front door and add some festive decorations. It’s also about every place that your friends and family will spend time in while they’re visiting you.

Ready the kitchen

One of the essential parts of the house, especially during the holidays, is the kitchen. That’s because many people spend most of their time hanging out during the holidays or holiday visits.

Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

To ensure that your guests are well-fed by the time they arrive, here are some things you can do:

  • See that there is ample food to last for a few days without going shopping again.
  • Check if there are enough plates, cutlery, and serving dishes for all guests.
  • Keep clean sheets on hand for guest beds or ask guests to bring their own bedding set.
  • Have extra toilet paper on hand if someone has forgotten theirs at home.
  • Prepare kitchen towels to clean up any spills, especially if you’re drinking wine with guests.

Prep your guest rooms

Preparing the guest rooms is one of the most important things you need to do before your guests arrive. You want your house to exude a welcoming vibe, and what better way than by preparing their room for them.

Photo by M/W Studios from Pexels

It would be best to check that you have everything you need to make their stay comfortable. Take a look around the room and see if there are any towels or anything they might need, like soap or shampoo. If it doesn’t seem like there’s enough, it’s always worth checking with them first so they can tell you what exactly they’ll be needing.

Once all this is done, it might be time to tidy up the room a little but not too much, so it’s not weird, but just enough so that everything looks nice. Voila! You have a perfectly inviting guest room.

Get festive with the decorations

Photo by Brett Sayles from Pexels

An essential aspect of welcoming guests is to make them feel at home. You can achieve this by decorating our homes in a way that will make them feel cozy and comfortable.

Use decorations that match the holiday theme. For example, consider using a lot of red and green decors and couple them with silver or gold. It will make a festive and welcoming environment at the same time.

By following the home prepping tips listed above, you can create a welcoming home for you and your guests this holiday season. It also means that you do not have to hesitate to invite family and friends to come over since you have done your part in making your house spic and span.

Author: Ciara Perkins

Five Tips to Buy Property Abroad

Owning a holiday house is everyone’s dream. People spend their years saving to buy a new build house or purchase land and gradually construct the house. Having a second home gives you the freedom to choose the details and design, be it choosing between outdoor composite decking and indoor marble flooring or choosing the colour of paint for your walls. You can allow your creativity to flow according to your taste.

If you have moved to another country and are looking for a property to purchase there, certain things should be considered. Here are some amazing tips for you to consider while buying property abroad:

Do Your Research:

Before you contact a real estate agent, you need to do primary research. Having a basic idea about property prices in an area where you want to live or invest is essential. This will help you shortlist not just one but many areas that you can browse to find your dream house. Ensure to read the reviews from clients of real estate agencies you are planning to contact since foreigners can fall prey to scams quite easily. Also, do check the currency exchange rate while making the purchase.

Hire an Estate Agent:

Buying a house directly from the owner sounds like a great idea, but it only works well if you are a native. There are many legal, linguistic and social constraints when you are buying property in a foreign country. Purchasing through a real estate agent from a recognized property dealer will surely benefit you. Since the agents are looking to make their profile strong by locking deals, they will ensure that everything is precisely the way you want it and in your best interest.

Get Your Documents Translated:

Make it a rule; always know what you are signing for. Even if you purchase the property via a real estate agent, you must pay attention to the documentation. Ask them to add a translation of the contract in your native language so you can be fully aware of the terms and conditions. Also, doing so will help you sell the property in the future since you will have complete documentation in a language that you understand.

Keep a Legal Representative Onboard:

Although your real estate agent can guide you through the entire property buying and selling process, you need to have a legal representative on board to ensure that everything is going smoothly. The laws might be way different than in your country and can even vary from state to state.

Having a legal representative will give you peace of mind that you are not breaking any laws and following every legal constraint of the area. Also, legal terms are technical, and your real estate agent might not be able to explain them to you. However, a legal representative will help you understand them conveniently.

Find Someone to Partner Your Purchase:

If you are buying a holiday house in your favourite country, finding a partner with whom you can co-own the property is a great way to finance your project. It can either be a friend or a family member. This will help in reducing the cost of property for you. This will be a simple way to invest, and also, you will get a permanent spot for a regular family get-together and parties.

Also, if you co-own a property, you can do half of the maintenance and renovation done along with your partner. Take some time to discuss all the finances with your partner and also the prospects. You and your partner won’t regret investing in this!

The Bottom Line:

Buying and selling property, particularly in a foreign land, can be tricky and time-consuming. However, having the proper legal support and a real estate agent from an authentic real estate agency can ease your task markedly. Make sure to invest wisely!

Writing a Rental Ad: 10 Mistakes to Avoid

It is quite hard to face the fact that your rental property has recently become vacant, and you again have to go through the hassle of advertising it. Indeed, advertising a property can be a daunting task. That said, tenants come and go, and putting out ads for your recently vacant property is a part of the whole rental business. Having an informative, visually appealing, and accurate rental ad can increase your chances of attracting interested tenants. Unfortunately, there are certain mistakes that owners make while advertising their property.

1) A boring headline

To begin with, the advertisement must contain a short yet catchy headline that uniquely describes your property and makes it stand out from the crowd. It is the first thing that a potential tenant notices. Your ad gets more views when it has an interesting headline.

2) Insufficient information

When writing a rental ad, one should always make sure to include all the necessary details of the property in the advertisement. Whether it is about the furnishings or appliances the property has – each and every detail, however small, will make your ad more informative and eye-catching.

3) Targeting a very specific audience

Focusing on the physical characteristics of tenants or picking them on the basis of their family status would not get you a good tenant at all. Stereotypes and discriminatory behavior are a clear red flag for many and will not do you any favors as the owner of the property.

4) One source of advertising

Trends among renters change very often. Just because you found your last tenant through a certain app does not mean you will be successful in finding your next one at the same place. Relying on one specific application or medium to find tenants can make you miss out on several good options. Hence, advertise wherever you find a good opportunity to.

5) Outdated content

Using the same old, boring way of writing the rental advertisement for your property may not attract many customers. Moreover, details in the listing should be updated from time to time. Make sure to include high-quality content for the ad to reach maximum people.

6) Ignoring feedback

Customer reviews on the listing are very important. Whether the feedback you get is positive or negative, both opinions should be considered valuable. Ignoring users’ feedback can have a negative effect on prospective tenants. For the same reason, it is advised to address the reviews, however negative they may be, and try mitigating the situation. You can always ask for tips to improve your service from customers who give negative reviews under your listing. Also, you can ask them to contact you for detailed feedback, which will help you in crafting the ad as per users’ requirements.

7) Not using social media

Nothing compares to the reach that social media provides. With billions of people using social media applications, it serves as the perfect platform to advertise your rental ad on. You can connect with thousands of interested customers in a hassle-free way if you simply utilize the advancements of social media. Most people, especially the younger generation, rely heavily on social media apps for everything. They prefer house hunting on social media platforms too. So, listing your ad on Facebook and Instagram among other social media channels can make your ad reach a much wider audience. 

8) Not using proper vocabulary

To resonate with the target audience, one needs to use the right words in their advertisement. You can use specific keywords or USPs of your property to appear higher in search results. When you use the proper vocabulary, it helps the target audience to understand what you are advertising better. Stay away from ignorant, crude language, slang terms, or potentially offensive vocabulary so that your ad looks trustworthy and professional.

9) No pictures/Poor quality pictures

An advertisement with no pictures attached is good for nothing. No potential tenant would want to approach the owner of any blank rental advertisement for any queries. Apart from it being an incomplete ad, it also shows one’s unprofessionalism and lack of effort. Having clear, abundant, detailed, and high-resolution property pictures attracts customers and provides them with the convenience to see the flat without actually visiting it. 

10) Using abbreviations

You should avoid using abbreviations in your advertisement. Not only does it come across as informal, but also makes your ad difficult for a lot of people to understand. Poor rental descriptions can result in people skipping your ads and moving onto the ones that articulate the content in an easy-to-understand manner. 

It is nothing short of a harrowing task to properly advertise a property. It can become all the more difficult if you do not know how to go about it. However, if you look out for these mistakes and follow our tips, your renting business will change for good, and you will get a plethora of responses from interested tenants who will be eager to finalize the deal in no time!

Author’s bio. Jessica Fender is a professional marketer and a content writer. If you ever wondered, “I wish someone would write my essay for me”, she is one of those professional academic level writers that will save you time and your degree. She enjoys the beach, martial arts, and literature.

9 Clever Tricks to Make Your House Look Bigger

If you are living in a small space, then you know how it feels like to look cramped and restricted in your square footage.

When you try to cram everything in a tiny space, it will feel claustrophobic and anything but restful. The struggle is real.

Fortunately, you can reinvent your space so that it will turn out to be a spacious, well-designed home. Here are nin home design tricks that will make your small living space look bigger in no time:

1. Use enough amount of lighting

A room will look larger if it is well-lit, either with natural or artificial lighting.

Remove heavy draperies and open up your windows more to let the light from the outdoors enter your space. Brightly lit rooms will feel more open, eliminating shadows that can make space look smaller.

If you can, place your most used pieces of furniture, such as your favorite sofa, near the window so that you will have a view of the outdoors.

If there is minimal light, you can install track lighting. These flexible track heads and bright light can act as a substitute for direct light.

2. Opt for larger decorations

Using small knick-knacks make a space look cluttered and a lot smaller.

Utilize the triangle rule and symmetry when styling vignettes on coffee tables, dining tables, nightstands, and so on. Limit the groupings of your decor items into 3 to 5, as well.

Remember that you do not need to place accents on every surface of your room. Allow space to “breathe” instead of filling it with unnecessary clutter.

Heavy, weighty pieces of furniture tend to take too much space. For instance, a sleek sofa chair will provide you with as much sitting room as its overstuffed counterpart.

If you want to add a huge statement piece, such as a piece of art, then hang it on the wall. Do not use up valuable living space by placing it on the floor.

3. Choose monochromatic colors

Another classic decor tip is to use lighter hues when painting a relatively small space.

Painting the walls and the trim of the room with the same color tends to draw the eye up, highlighting the ceiling, as well as the entire room.

Both cool and delicate warm color tones on most surfaces will give the room a more open look, because you’re creating contrast, building depth and illusion of a much bigger space.

4. Hang mirrors in your home

Want to instantly create large, open spaces? Well, that starts with careful placement of your mirrors.

By placing them across windows and doorframes, you will be able to catch a glimpse outdoors and other rooms in the house, making space look larger.

A small space should include mirrors to make a greater sense of openness. Not only do they tend to reflect the light, but they also reflect the view, tricking the eye to perceive more space than it has.

5. Use patterns and stripes

Decorating a small room can be challenging. But another trick here is to decorate it with stripes and patterns so that it will appear larger.

Stripes could trick the eye to thinking that a room is taller and bigger than it is. For instance, if you have a narrow hallway, throwing in a horizontal rug will make it look wider. Similarly, a striped carpet can make a room look longer.

Moreover, a lot of people think that they can only use small patterns when decorating a room, but the opposite is true. You can utilize bold prints on the farthest corner of the room to draw in the eyes, creating an illusion of a much bigger, larger room.

6. Choose parallel or diagonal flooring

The way your flooring is installed can also make a space larger. As a general rule, installing flooring like boards running parallel with the longest wall of the room instantly makes it look more spacious.

Another flooring trick is to install boards or tiles diagonally. Although it is not the standard thing to do, the eyes will be deceived that space is vaster.

7. Invest in transparent furniture

A piece of furniture that creates an illusion of space are the ones that are made of glass. Using clear or see-through furniture will make space look more open.

If you want a space to look more spacious, yet you have to bring in more furniture, then go for the ones that have a glass top or have glass on the sides.

8. Get rid of unnecessary items

When designing your space, pick items that have simple lines and shapes. Remove the visual clutter by buying larger furniture pieces instead of several smaller items.

You do not have to stick with the usual sofa and loveseat arrangement, either. You can pair a smaller couch with one or two chairs.

You can also get rid of any excess items, including accessories that help contribute to the visual clutter of a room. Try to stay away from smaller artwork and decor, large statement pieces can also make a room appear larger and create an accent.

9. Use Multifunctional furniture

You can take the minimalist approach to make your space appear spacious.

Start investing in multi-functional furniture. In other words, pick things that serve a dual-purpose, such as a sofa that has a pull-out storage space, or an ottoman that you can also be doubled for extra storage.

Identify which furniture you want to downsize so that you can free-up that extra space. For instance, you can replace your traditional bed with a pull-out sofa or a daybed that can also double as a sofa.

Having limited space, places a lot of restrictions on so many things. So, if you are having problems with having a small home space, you can always look for creative ways to try to bring out that extra space in a room or at least create an illusion of a much bigger space.

About the Author:

Jacky Xu is the Chief Operating Officer at Maid Sailors Maid Service Austin. Maid Sailors takes pride in providing unparalleled cleaning services at affordable prices and will help transform your house into a home.

How to Find Cheap Houses for Sale in UK

Using the internet is probably the most obvious thing to do when looking for a house or property to buy. It’s simple enough and rapid, so there won’t be any feet dragging before getting started. Off-plan property purchasing is popular among people to its discount pricing. There are thousands of websites dedicated to selling properties throughout the country, so start hunting around today.

How To Find Cheap Houses For Sale In UK

Guide Prices

The ‘guide price’ of a property or house tells you how much other people have been willing to pay for it so far – this can be extremely useful when looking for cheap houses for sale in the UK because it gives you an insight into what they are worth. Many sites list properties with guide prices.

Auctioneers & Estate Agents

Auctioneers often specialize in selling less expensive properties, so if you have a low budget, then this is what they are perfect for! They can be very effective ways to find cheap houses for sale in the UK because it means that you don’t have to haggle with anyone – just bid higher than everyone else at auction and win the house.

The Downsides Of Buying Properties Through An Auctioneer or Estate Agent

The only downside is that sometimes an estate agent will come up with a ridiculous asking price to create interest, but having said that, they would not get any sales if they did not, so it may still be a better idea than buying privately.

Private Sellers

If you are looking for cheap houses for sale in the UK, consider getting in touch with private sellers – this is another method that gives you an excellent insight into how good (or bad) the price of a particular property can be.

Be extra careful when dealing with someone who wants to sell their house or flat entirely independently. You could save hundreds if you buy from an estate agent! The fee they charge is a percentage of the final sale price – so bear this in mind before you decide.

Avoid Buying New-Builds

It may seem counter-intuitive to avoid buying new houses for sale in the UK, but if you’re looking for cheap houses, then it’s something that needs to be considered. When builders build new houses, they know exactly how much materials will cost them and can therefore build houses that maximize their profit, and who gets hit with the bill? The buyer! If you want to save money on properties, in the long run, avoid buying newer builds.

You Can Still Buy Properties Which Have Been Built

 Go for properties that have been built within the last five years, and you will save a lot of money! You need to go back more than five years because recently built houses will still be subject to the same inflated prices as the newer builds, so it doesn’t make much of a difference.

Consider Buying A Plot Of Land

If you are considering buying cheap houses for sale in the UK, then it’s worth looking at plots of land – perhaps this would make a good investment instead? You could hire an expert to survey the land, or if it’s not particularly big, consider investing in some equipment yourself. It might take up your time, but learning the basics of surveying will be worth it – you will learn some fascinating stuff too!

Buy Properties Which Need Repairing

If you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty, why not consider buying cheap houses for sale in the UK that needs renovation? Although you have to put a certain amount of money into it before they are habitable, once this is done, you can charge more rent – meaning that after a few months or years, your investment will have paid off!

Wrapping Up!

You can still buy new houses built recently, but you should go for older ones for the best value. Keep in mind that properties with guide prices will be cheaper than those without, so use this to your advantage when looking for cheap houses for sale in the UK if you want to see how much money you can save by buying a second-hand property instead of a new one.

Author: Bella Roy

Tips For Writing Real Estate Descriptions Buyers Love

It is easy to criticize a real estate description than to write one. Few people can write masterful descriptions yet they are responsible for sales. They bring images and videos to life, enticing buyers to make the decision. Writing ‘2 beds and 4 baths’ will not sell your property.

The good news is that real estate descriptions are the easiest to write. It is about choosing the right words that can speak to the heart of the buyer. It is also about positive vibes and knowing when to call to action. Here are excellent tips that will turn you into the next real estate mega-seller.

Start with a strong headline

The exterior is the most important selling point. It gives an idea about the neighborhood. Notice that people can always change the interior but can only do so little about the outside. The picture of the exterior is strengthened by a captivating headline.

A headline like “A Beautiful 4-bedroom bungalow in a Fenced Compound at Brooklyn Drive” says almost everything a person would want to know about a house. The buyer will now want to know about the available space and price. The headline will capture the attention of anyone looking for a 4-bedroom house. It also promises a beautiful house. The mention of fenced compound points at security. These are factors that push the reader to now ask for the price.

Be specific and accurate

It is exciting to search for a home. However, flipping through tens and hundreds of them can be tiring and time-consuming. Whenever you leave important information, your description raises a red flag. The buyers move on very fast in search of more serious sellers.

Include the details of what people look for when buying houses. Capture the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, and the location. You can take it further to include the type of wood used on the floor, the washers, and dryers installed, and ovens. While you provide information on installed appliances, avoid those that are old and would require replacement. More and accurate information lets you pass as genuine.

Say what’s unique

Houses come with minor and attractive elements that would be of interest to buyers. Most of these details are invisible in photos. However, they hold the potential when selling your house. It could be an electric fireplace in the living room or shelving in the closet. Give such features the prominence they deserve.

The rise of smart homes offers an opportunity to showcase more. People are looking for better space utilization and the infusion of technology. Talk about smart locks, lights, cameras, and doorbells. Such minor but unique details make a huge difference in your sales.

Talk about your neighbors

What can people see in the neighborhood? Are there schools, malls, dams, or parks? Such amenities give an idea of the lifestyle the buyer can expect to live.

The best real estate description is one that causes the potential buyer to imagine living his dream life. It offers enough details to arouse curiosity. Provide a call-to-action and wait for inquiries on the other end.

Author Bio

Adrian is an expert digital marketing writer, having worked in the industry for more than 5 years now. He also offers US essay writing services online to guarantee the best college experience for students. Flex is passionate about digital presence for businesses and will help you to keep your brand on top.

How to Fix Your House Problems with No Money

As a homeowner, you need to know that the property and the structure require maintenance and repair over time. There are unusual and strange events that could damage your home, yet they are not covered by the insurance.

Maintenance is predictable, but massive repair issues such as a non-functional septic tank and a falling roof could be troublesome if funds are limited. Read on to understand how you can fix your house problems with no money. 

Home remodel loan

Home remodel loans are unsecured loans offered by financial institutions such as credit unions and banks and online lenders. Since these loans are normally unsecured, you are not required to use your home as security to qualify. The interest on a home remodel loan is based on your credit score as established by the lender. After agreeing to the terms, the lender will quickly deposit the funds into your account.  

Home remodel and repair loans have lower fees and short repayment timelines compared to HELOCs and home equity loans. They are suitable for medium-size and small home repair projects such as window replacement, reinstalling a broken fireplace, and a bathroom makeover. However, because they are unsecured, these loans attract a higher interest than HELOCs and home equity loans, especially if your credit rating is low. 

Some loans attract application processing fees, prepayments, and late repayment charges, so you need to be careful when choosing this financing option. 

Before applying, compare the different loan lenders to identify the one with competitive fees, lower interest rates, quick payouts, and friendly terms of repayment.

Use a cash-out option to refinance

Some home repairs such as mold remediation, roof replacement, and ponding, and grading issues require urgent attention but are quite costly. You may consider the cash-out option to get the money fast and lower the interest on your home loan. Refinancing is all about swapping a loan with another loan, especially under the mortgage agreement. A cash-out option is ideal for financing a costly home repair and can act as a way of securing a new and better mortgage. You can use the additional mortgage money to cover the repairs. 

With the cash-out refinancing option, you will have to pay for origination fees, appraisal fees, taxes, and related costs. Refinancing translates to extending the loan repayment period, so this option is only ideal for securing a lower rate of interest. To illustrate the refinancing option, if the outstanding amount on your mortgage is $200,000, you can take out a $250,000 loan. The initial $200,000 will replace the previous balance and the difference ($50,000) is available in cash. Interest is payable on the entire amount, but it is easier to access funds on demand. 

Find community aid or government assistance

If the home damage is caused by a natural disaster, you may qualify for financial help under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Otherwise, you may check your eligibility for a community aid program in your area. Some local agencies and states offer grants and loans to homeowners for home repairs, although you must adhere to income requirements to qualify. Research your options through the Urban development and the U.S. department and understand their terms and conditions.

Being stuck with expensive home repairs may be overwhelming and stressful but exploring options may help you to avoid swiping your credit card. A credit card interest is higher than interest on HELOC, community loan, government loan, and home equity loan.

Leverage home equity

The portion of the home that you own is an excellent option for paying for emergency home repairs. 20% equity can qualify you for either a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a home equity loan. With the equity line of credit, interest on the loan is payable only to the extent of the repair cost. For instance, if you borrow $30,000 HELOC and the home repair costs $26,000, the interest on the remaining $4,000 will not apply since this is not part of the loan. However, with a home equity loan, you borrow some amount and pay interest on the sum.  

HELOCs and home equity loans are simple to qualify for, and their interest is lower than that attached to other types of loans. These options are a great first resort, especially if you are having difficulties financing a repair. Other financing options such as the home tap could enhance access to a loan in cash in exchange for sharing your home’s appreciation. The lender will make money as your property appreciates and shares the loss if the property value declines. Either way, monthly payments are not required as in the case of the ordinary home equity loan. 

Credit cards

Credit cards are ideal financing options for doing minor repairs such as installing a closet system or upgrading your bathroom. Some cards attract no interest in the first few months, which is a good reward for someone struggling to raise repair funds. With an introductory interest-free card, you may finance the home improvements free of interest. Other cards come with cashback rewards depending on the amount spent on renovation- spending more on renovation could earn you more cash back.

Using a credit card to finance major repairs is not advisable because of the need to pay the balance before the expiry of the introductory offer. Otherwise, it could attract a high-interest rate compared to what applies to other home remodeling loan options. Additionally, using a regular credit card means that you must pay the whole amount within thirty days. The interest rates vary, and the amount payable as interest may go up with the shift in market conditions. 

Conclusion

The choice of financing options when doing home repairs depends on the extent of damage, credit rating, and the terms and conditions of the financier. With the above financing options, it is easier to fix your home even when you have no money. Do some research before seeking financing because different financiers have varying terms and conditions. Do the repairs as soon as the damage occurs since waiting for too long could be more expensive. 

Author Bio:

Leon Collier

Leon Collier works for a well-known UK-based dissertation service where he is a blogger and academic. He takes up every new topic as a challenge and goes the extra mile to make the paper satisfactory. Other than writing, his interest is in reading books and playing tabletop games with his friends. You can reach him via Twitter @LeonCollier12.

Photo by Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash

How To Estimate Your Rental Property’s Operating Costs

Owning a rental property can be a quite lucrative investment. You are essentially able to build your assets, while having someone else foot the bill and cover the costs. But it’s important to get a full picture of what all of those costs may be, so you aren’t caught off guard and left in the red at the end of each month.

There are both regular monthly expenses that you’ll have to cover, as well as variable costs that can be recurring and anticipated or that can be unexpected. It’s important to plan ahead, especially when it comes to unexpected costs. Let’s take a look at what to expect from month to month.

Fixed Monthly Costs

Of course, you’ll have your mortgage costs to cover each month but what else should you anticipate paying out on a regular and ongoing basis?

Utilities

You’re going to have utility costs no matter what. But, depending on how your property is set up and where it’s located, those costs can vary quite significantly. When looking to invest in a rental property, remember to factor in the type of utilities you’ll be paying for and how that may change how much you set the rent at. Another big factor can be your tenants themselves, if they make use of their heat, hydro and water flippantly and without restraint.

Property Taxes

The good thing about property taxes is that you generally know what you’ll be paying out each year at the beginning of the year, making it easier to plan ahead. Property taxes can fluctuate greatly based on where you are located, so be sure to get this information before you close the deal on your rental purchase.

Insurance

While your renters can take care of their own renter’s insurance to cover their personal property, as the homeowner you will want to have your own insurance to cover the home itself. Your location will determine what type of coverage you may want to consider, based on what you may be prone to experiencing, such as earthquakes.

Variable And Unexpected Costs

You never know what the next month may bring, so it’s essential to plan ahead and keep a portion of the monthly rent collected aside for the unexpected. Here are just a few of the variable and hidden costs that you may be surprised with unexpectedly.

Gaps In Tenancy

While you have typically got anywhere from one to two month’s notice to replace a tenant, depending on your rental agreement, you may find yourself in the situation where that still isn’t enough time to find a suitable replacement to occupy your rental. If this is the case, you’ll be left to cover 100% of the costs until someone moves in. Before you purchase a rental property, realistically look at whether you can cover the costs of this if it sits vacant for any length of time.

Regular Maintenance

Landscaping, snow removal and routine clean up have got to get done. You can either take these tasks on yourself or you can outsource the work to someone else. Keeping up with your regular maintenance helps keep the value of your asset growing and prevents the property from falling into a dilapidated state.

Appliance Repair

Regular maintenance of appliances can help prevent a major repair, but as with anything, they are almost certain to break down at some point. Being prepared to either repair or replace a broken appliance expediently is important in maintaining a good tenant-landlord relationship, and in preventing your tenants from moving out if they aren’t provided with proper working appliances.

Emergencies

The unexpected always seems to happen at the worst possible time; Furnace decides to stop working at the first cold snap or the air conditioning breaks down in the middle of a heatwave. Having some of each month’s rent set aside in an emergency fund means, even though you may not be expecting an emergency to pop up, you’ll have the funds readily available to take care of things.

Planning ahead for your monthly rental property expenses can make becoming a landlord a very profitable endeavor. Remember that your rental property is a long-term investment that you will have to maintain properly in order to preserve its value and help it grow as an asset.

About the author

Emily Henry writes about property maintenance for EssayRoo and Buy Essay Online, as well as contributing as a tutor at BigAssignments.

Image by Michal Jarmoluk on Pixabay