Category: Real Estate

Why Your House Is Worth Next To Nothing, And What To Do About It

home improvement businessHomes are a tricky business. They’re all unique in one way or another. And there are hundreds of factors that come into play when determining their price.

The problem is that for a lot of these, there isn’t much the average homeowner can do. If your house is a long way from the best schools, this is going to affect its price, unfortunately. The same goes for if you happen to live in an area that has already seen a lot of foreclosures. Sorry, that too is going to cause the value of your house to tank.

Then there are neighborhood problems that can wreak havoc. A bad area with a high crime rate can also reduce the value of your home. And there isn’t anything you can do to stop it (unless you are the criminal).

Finally, there are just bad neighbors. Perhaps your next door neighbour has erected some sort of ostentatious extension that ruins the look of your property. If it’s legal, then there’s not much either you or any future owner can do about it.

It all means that when you find out how much is your house worth today, you might be in for a shock.

That said, many sellers could do a lot better. In fact, some are making outright mistakes when trying to sell their home. Take most bathrooms for example. They’re grimy, dingy places, that don’t have much curb appeal.

Sprucing up the bathroom can help persuade potential buyers that your house is the one for them. Don’t go mad though. You want to decorate the bathroom in neutral colours so that it will appeal to the widest range of people possible.

It’s all about updating the look. Old vinyl flooring is a definite no-no. And these days, so is wallpaper in the bathroom. Leave the wallpaper in the 1970s where it belongs.

The reason that it is so important to focus on the bathroom before you sell is that it is one of the hardest rooms to change. Buyers usually don’t want to have to rip out a bathroom when they move in. They’re rather it served their purposes to begin with.

The same applies to kitchens. Kitchens are a famously hard room to redecorate, especially if that means pulling out kitchen units. But tired old kitchen units are a turn-off for potential buyers. Refacing them, rather than removing them entirely is a cheaper option. So consider this if you are having people to look around.

But if you want to create a truly stunning impression, fitting out a new kitchen may be the only route to go. Just make sure that the increase in the value of your home that results is more than the cost of the new kitchen.

You also want to make sure that there aren’t unsightly stains around the kitchen area, like on the stove splash panel. When buyers look around, they don’t want to see that the house has been lived in by somebody else. They want it to be truly theirs. Clearing up mess helps to improve the appeal of your home markedly.

Need Office Space? You May Not Have Considered These Points

business office spaceWhen your business needs office space, you need to consider a lot of things. The decisions you make here are going to affect your finances in the long run. One of the problems here is that you may not know exactly how many things you need to consider here.

The first thing you should do is check your finances. You need to see how much capital you have immediately available. You should work out how much profit you’re looking to make in the next few months. You should review your company’s credit score to assess your suitability for a business loan. All of these things will be integral to the decision you make.

Here are the things you need to think about when you’re deciding to make a move to a new office.

Do you need office space?

Let’s say you’re a startup company and you’re all currently working from home. Obviously, the dream here is to have a nice office space for yourself eventually. Having your own office for your own company is such a thrill. It;s easy to see why people are so eager to get office space. But you need to think about this decision carefully. Do you really need the office space? It can cost quite a bit of money, especially if you’re in urban business areas. It may be smarter for you to continue to use your virtual office setup while you save even more money for your business.

Maybe you’ve already got a company in an office. Why are you considering a new office? If your company has hit a sweet spot of profit recently and you’re just buying a new office to splash cash, think twice. Don’t go making frivolous purchases! You should really only be moving office if there is a specific problem with your new one. If you’re expanding too fast and have employees sharing desks, then it’s time to move.

Where should you get your office space?

It’s not just about the office itself. The location of the office is extremely important to consider. Let’s say you’re looking for office space in prestigious business areas like London and New York City. This is a smart decision, in most aspects. But offices in these areas can have quite a hefty price tag. You should consider what profit you stand to make with this move and weigh that against this cost.

Of course, you may not want to go for a slightly cheaper office in a much less desirable location. You may end up in a lease contract that has you stuck in that office for longer than you’d want. In other words, be careful when it comes to compromise. You don’t want to get yourself stuck in one place and, as a result, missing opportunities for offices in really prestigious places. Added prestige make it much easier to get business going with potential clients!

Should you buy or rent?

With cost in mind, you should also work out if you’re going to buy the space or rent it. On the buying side, it may be much better for you to be the landlord of your office space than some other party. You also won’t fall victim to egregious rental rate increases. Some specialized equipment may require you to own the property, too.

Of course, if you don’t have the available capital, then you’ll have to rent. That, or just keep saving money! Work out what your business can afford and what it deserves. Strike as close a balance of the two as possible.

4 Things You Should Know About Buying A Home

home buying detailsBuying a home is a big undertaking. You might be young and looking for your first property, or you might have been renting for years. Whatever the case may be, this is an important step in your future. By having somewhere new to call home, your life will change. There are lots of things to consider when you’re ready to start purchasing, so let’s have a look at some examples.

Location Is Important

It might be tempting to buy that property in a bizarre location to suit a potential job offer, but is it worth it? How often will you be able to see family and friends if you live somewhere like this? You also need to think about facilities near the location. Your kids (or future kids) will need good schooling, does this place have that? Think about easy access to supermarkets, petrol stations and city centres. Are you going to be happy living in a busy place or do you need the solitude of a quieter location? Take all of this into account when you’re picking a location for your home.

Do It Properly

Buying a home requires some support from the people that know what they’re doing. Before you even start trying to purchase a property, do your research. You’re going to need a reputable agency to help you through the process. Go online and visit places like http://www.choi-realty.com/neighborhood/kailualanikai/ to make sure everything goes smoothly. You’re looking at spending a lot of money when it comes to buying a property, so it’s not worth cutting corners. Do it properly and get the best home you possibly can.

Think About The Future

We’ve already mentioned that kids will need good schooling in a place that you’re moving to. But maybe you don’t have kids. Maybe you’re just looking for a nice retreat for yourself? The thing is, you’re spending a lot of money to do this, and you need to consider the future. Are you planning to settle down and start a family? Will your elderly family be able to stay at your home or will they find it difficult to get around? Will you be getting enough rooms to support your potential requirements? There are many things to consider about the future that needs to factor into your decision. While it might not matter now, it almost certainly will down the road.

Finances

Before you make any decision, you need to have a plan in mind when it comes to finances. Look at what you’ve got saved away. Factor costs like agencies and insurances into your decision. It’s best to plan a budget and stick to it. Don’t get carried away if you can’t afford something. That’ll create stresses in your life, and you won’t be able to enjoy your new property. Download software from places like https://www.budgetpulse.com/ to help you plan your budget effectively.

Once you’ve got all these things in place, you’ll be almost ready to buy your new home. It’s an exciting time, so cherish it and enjoy your new surroundings!

Make Investment Property Work For You

property investmentsIf you are thinking about a property investment, then you are in good company. Many canny investors have come the conclusion that this combination of investment and return is a solid way forward. Given that interest rates are stuck in low gear for the foreseeable future it seems like a no-brainer in financial terms.

The property market is still relatively strong. With a high demand and low supply, this is not going to change anytime soon. This means that the rental market is buoyant, and as long as you buy the right property you should have no trouble is achieving a high occupancy rate. To make a success of your venture, it can be good to learn from the experiences of others who have made it work for them.

Buy the right property

This will in part be down to the amount of money you have available or the credit that you can raise. You need to make sure that you are investing in a property that will make a viable letting project. Most property investors will look for property that is relatively inexpensive so as to maximise their returns. You could buy a new property off the plans, or you could seek to make more capital gain by buying a property that needs some renovation. This will, however, be more work.

You could choose between an apartment or flat, or a small house. Individual rooms could be let to working professionals or even students. Look in areas where demand for apartments from these groups is growing. You can let on a short term basis or over a longer period. If you are targeting the student market then you will have to bear in mind you will have a higher turnover which might mean more administration. If you are letting to families, you are more likely to have longer term tenants.

The right property will be in an area where there is likely to be high rental demand. For most that will mean buying a property in a busy and thriving city, or at least in a town that has good commuter access. Look to vibrant areas where there is investment and growth. Cities around the world that offer these conditions include cities in New Zealand such as Auckland and Adelaide in Australia. Thriving hubs such as Singapore and London are still experiencing growth and offer opportunities.

Get the right agency involved.

As an investor, you are making a financial decision so it is not even necessary for you to live in the area, as your property can be handled easily by an agency. It will be much better for you if you work with a reputable local agency. They will have a lot of experience in finding the right tenants for you. They will be able to handle all the contracts and even collect the rent. They will also be in able to let you know what your responsibilities are in terms of maintenance and provide local contractors to do any work for you.

Property investment nationally and internationally is proving to be a viable and reliable prospect. As long as you buy the right property and choose a reputable agent and there is no reason it should not work for you.

5 Reasons Why NRIs Should Invest in Mumbai Real Estate

real estate investmentThe real estate sector has always seen growth in Mumbai, but this growth has only started to accelerate of late.Despite the slump in global markets, real estate still continues to do well in Mumbai and property prices keep rising. The city’s real estate has been attracting a lot of foreign investment and not surprisingly,Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are most interested in investing in the financial capital of the country.

NRIs have always been inclined to buying property in the overseas market, with some of the most popular locations including the likes of London, New York, Toronto, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai. Mumbai’s real estate market has become increasingly important in the global scenario however, and lots more Indians are looking to invest in the city.

If you are an NRI there are plenty of good reasons to invest in Mumbai’s real estate:

1. Easy Buying:

Developers have made registration, payments, and the buying process for the NRIs a lot simpler. Interested investors also get to monitor the development of the property easily.

2. Discounts:

When NRIs make bulk or group purchases in the city, they are benefitted with sizeable discounts. Bulk purchases help developers as this maintains healthy cash flow. It also decreases the cost of acquisition for them and increases their turnover. Good cash flow also makes it easier to achieve timely completion of projects, attracting still more buyers. For this reason, builders offer bulk buyers payment flexibility along with discounts.

3. Cheap:

The Indian rupee has been depreciating. This makes the properties in India cheaper for NRIs.

4. Favourable Market:

While policy changes have given the city a more business friendly outlook, most economists also view the markets favourably and foresee growth in the coming years. Government initiatives like smart cities and other projects have also spurred growth, attracted heavy foreign investment, and have helped boost the city’s infrastructure.

5. Dual Benefits:

Buying a home in your own country doesn’t just cater to your emotional connection, but it is also financially viable. By buying property here, you can feel closer to home and also feel secure in the knowledge that you have a home to return to, should the need ever arise.At the same time, the positive market trends also offer investors the promise of big returns.

As per the findings of an Assocham survey, Indian real estate builders are expecting a rise of 35% in NRI inquiries, ascompared to the previous year’s 18%. This is because NRIs are anticipating more reforms and benefits. Most working professionals prefer mid-segment projects, while big industrialists are keen on luxury projects. Mumbai’s real estate market is big enough to cater to all of these segments and with its constant growth, the returns are only likely to entice further investment.