SEGRO – the leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property – and Groundwork – the federation of charities focused on mobilising practical community action – have worked in partnership to create a new outdoor green community space in Willenhall, Coventry The scheme has also provided support
New £20M 113,000 sq ft robot led HQ/Warehouse Facility under construction for fast-growing pharmacy chain Peak Pharmacy at new Horizon 29 development. St Francis Group, a leading UK-based property development and investment group and an expert in brownfield development and regeneration and its joint venture partner ALMCOR has announced that
A BRAND-NEW cross-specialism group has been formed to bring together the brightest young minds across the construction industry. Looking to harness the power of collective innovation, the Future Innovation Group aims to tackle construction’s biggest issues and create a springboard for change, with new thinking from the leaders of tomorrow.
Derek Whitehead, Principal and CEO of Leeds College of Building, is to retire this week after 37 years working in Further Education and vocational skills training. From teenage Keighley carpentry and joinery apprentice to leader of the UK’s only General Further Education College that specialises in construction, Derek has spent decades
WWF and ScottishPower report also shows combined technologies could increase house prices by an average of £10,000 Financial incentives, clear advice and support urgently needed from UK governments to make the shift a reality New analysis from WWF and ScottishPower has found that a combination of green technologies could reduce
Every year, several construction projects are executed in New York City and other areas across New York State. Unfortunately, accidents and mishaps often occur on construction sites and may result in minor or severe injuries. According to statistics from the NYC Department of Buildings, there were about 712 construction-related incidents
The Covid-19 pandemic has limited people’s ability to travel. And since they had to spend most of their time at home, their spaces’ appearance had become of great importance to most of them. Thus, the interest in travel-inspired interior design has increased. However, even now, with many restrictions being lifted
Buying a home is a long and tiresome process. Regardless of the current market conditions, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks that come into it. However, a few well-hidden secrets can make the whole affair much more manageable. With their help, you could find
SEGRO – the leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property – and Groundwork – the federation of charities focused on mobilising practical community action – have worked in partnership to create a new outdoor green community space in Willenhall, Coventry The scheme has also provided support for 10 unemployed people from the area. The project was launched at Willenhall Education, Employment and Training Centre, and marks the first initiative delivered through SEGROs national charity partnership with Groundwork UK and the first project delivered as part of SEGRO’s Community Investment Plan for Coventry. The new outdoor green space that has been created in Willenhall, is boosting local biodiversity and presenting new opportunities for community engagement initiatives. The space will be used by a range of community groups including the on-site nursery, on-site adult education group for individuals with additional needs, a community men’s group, and for community family open days. The project has supported 10 unemployed adults from the local area for two days a week over the six-week project. The programme has enabled them to gain practical green skills including path laying, raised bed building, planting and orchard creation; receive employability support including CV writing and interview skills and job searching; gain qualifications in Healthy and Safety and Carbon Literacy; and develop their skills in teamwork, communication, planning and leadership. Willenhall was selected for this project due to its close proximity to SEGROs new development in Coventry, and the benefit that the community will see by providing a new green space in the town. Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK Chief Executive, said: “We are pleased to see this fantastic new green space project that will go a long way to help the local community connect with nature as well as supporting people towards a career in the green jobs sector. “We look forward to seeing the results of future projects to come from our exciting partnership with SEGRO.” Paul Dunne, Director of Group Operations at SEGRO, said: “At SEGRO, we aspire to be a force for environmental and social good. This project will make a tangible difference to people in Willenhall and the wider area, providing skills and opportunities to access jobs, and crucially, delivering on our commitment to enhancing biodiversity and the local environment.” This is the latest initiative delivered as part of the company’s Responsible SEGRO commitments, which includes the creation and implementation of Community Investment Plans in all of SEGRO’s key operational areas by 2025. Over a ten-year period, SEGRO has set the target of achieving the following outcomes for its Coventry Community Investment Plan: 700 local unemployed residents to benefit from SEGRO’s Skills, Training and Employment programme 15 ‘environmental’ community projects that revitalise outdoor space and enhance biodiversity and community wellbeing 3000 young people to benefit from SEGRO’s Schools Programme – inspiring the next generation of workers through insight visits, career talks and mentoring SEGRO’s Community Investment Plans include national partnerships with Groundwork, which focuses on delivering skills programmes to support routes into employment through practical real-life experience, particularly via working on local green space projects and Shaw Trust – a social purpose organisation focused on breaking down barriers to enable social mobility.
New £20M 113,000 sq ft robot led HQ/Warehouse Facility under construction for fast-growing pharmacy chain Peak Pharmacy at new Horizon 29 development. St Francis Group, a leading UK-based property development and investment group and an expert in brownfield development and regeneration and its joint venture partner ALMCOR has announced that it has officially broken ground on a new 113,000 sq ft robot led HQ/warehouse for fast growing Chesterfield based Pharmacy Chain Peak Pharmacy at its much sought after Horizon 29 industrial development site at Bolsover, North Derbyshire. Works on the £20M ultra-modern headquarters and facility commenced at the start of June and are accelerating rapidly. The new facility will use state of the art robotics and automated systems to support staff handling over 400,000 medicines and other prescribed items every month, equating to 20,000 a day, more than 40 every minute. The new Pharmacy Service Centre will handle prescriptions and dispatch medicines for the firm’s 150 community pharmacies across England. Prescriptions will be assembled for individual patients, then either delivered to local pharmacies for collection the next day, or direct to patients’ homes. The new hub is expected to take 9 months to build and due to open in April next year. It will house up to 100 staff, with the potential to grow into a 24-hour operation in future. MCS Construction has been appointed as the main building contractor. St Francis Group also acknowledges the support of the Northeast Derbyshire District Council, Bolsover District Council, Derbyshire County Council and the D2N2 LEP in bringing this development forward. Speaking about the start on site Gareth Williams, Development Director at St Francis Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have formally marked the start of works onsite and to be building this fantastic new facility for fast-growing customer Peak Pharmacy with the team onsite already having made significant progress. This new facility serves as the first unit to be built at Horizon 29, welcoming our first occupier. Since we commenced the extensive remediation of the site interest in the scheme has been extensive and the recent sale by the JV of 80 acres of land to BentallGreenOak for the speculative development of 1.2 million sq ft of warehouse and logistics space speaks to that. We look forward to working with the team at Peak Pharmacy and delivering a first-class facility next year.” Also in comment Joe Cattee, the Managing Director of Peak Pharmacy, said: “These are ambitious plans for our company, staff and customers – in the face of a rapidly changing pharmacy landscape. This new facility will be truly transformational for us. We’re investing now to future-proof our business, so that we can continue to provide great local customer service which means so much to us. We are very pleased to be working with St Francis and ALMCOR and the full project team and look forward to seeing the development rise out of the ground as it happens.” For further information on the development visit: www.horizon29.com
A BRAND-NEW cross-specialism group has been formed to bring together the brightest young minds across the construction industry. Looking to harness the power of collective innovation, the Future Innovation Group aims to tackle construction’s biggest issues and create a springboard for change, with new thinking from the leaders of tomorrow. Led by a steering group of placement students, the initiative is open to young people in any construction-related business sector – from contractors to marketeers – and is backed by industry-leading companies including Morgan Sindall and Pagabo, Pick Everard, Wates, ISG and Faithful+Gould. Statistics show that the construction industry struggles to attract and retain people at early-stage career level, so the group is aiming to identify the reasons for this and rectify these points to build a more attractive and diverse sector. It will also look to harness the power of information, working towards making the sector more data driven. To signal the group’s focus on innovation and operating in a data-first manner to attract young talent, the group’s first major event will be an industry-wide hackathon, featuring work sessions and talks from industry leaders. Rebecca Rennie, placement engineer and site manager at Morgan Sindall, is on the group’s leadership panel along with Jamie Davison and Abi Riddle, also of Morgan Sindall. She said: “Our main goal in launching the Future Innovation Group is to bring likeminded young people from any area within the construction industry together, to discuss how we can make it a more attractive place for future generations. “We hope the group will be a springboard for change, identifying why junior recruitment has become such a pervasive issue, and how we can rectify it to build a better industry for all stakeholders. We would like to express our gratitude to the industry for supporting us in our new venture and look forward to working with the construction leaders of today to inspire the leaders of tomorrow.” National framework provider Pagabo has put its weight behind the initiative, helping to bring people together from across its expansive ecosystem. Gerard Toplass, CEO of The 55 Group, which is Pagabo’s parent organisation, said: “Only 25% of the 40,000 people starting qualifications complete the process and stay in the construction industry – showing a 75% drop off rate which suggests the courses are unappealing to young people. This is an alarming statistic and a great cause for concern regarding the future of our workforce as we need to adapt in order to suit the requirements of tomorrow – and thus far have been too slow to do so. “The Future Innovation Group will bring much-needed diversity to the industry and I applaud the work of founders Rebecca, Jamie, Abi, and everyone involved in driving the change needed for a better future for those in entry-level positions.” The FIG’s first hackathon will take place across two days (28-29 July) at the Hilton Hotel in Hull, bringing together 50 attendees from across the industry. The event will feature business sponsors from senior leaders of some of construction’s biggest names, including the group’s Morgan Sindall and Pagabo backers. The group’s leadership will pass on to the next generation of young people in September as the 2022 cohort return to university this autumn. If you would like to get involved with the Group, contact: Jamie Davidson, Abigail Riddle or Rebecca Rennie.
Derek Whitehead, Principal and CEO of Leeds College of Building, is to retire this week after 37 years working in Further Education and vocational skills training. From teenage Keighley carpentry and joinery apprentice to leader of the UK’s only General Further Education College that specialises in construction, Derek has spent decades training and leading the next generation of builders, engineers, and construction-craft professionals. Derek began hiseducation at Ingrow School, Bronte School, and Oakbank Grammar school in Keighley. From a young age, he excelled at craft skills and thrived in woodwork and metalwork. Derek cites a local teacher who changed the course of his life after recognising Derek’s potential. Derek said: “I always preferred hands-on learning, and it was a teacher at Oakbank – David Carter – who told me I had a knack for passing on my knowledge and passion for the subject, even at age 16. I was always in the workshop after school and would help other students where I could, especially if the woodwork teacher wasn’t available. “David stretched me, pushing me to try more complex techniques. I made various furniture items, learnt to French polish, and even turned rosewood handles for a bedside oak cabinet that my parents still have to this day! He sowed the seed that I should teach others too, even though I tended towards being more practical than academic.” Derek left school at 16 and joined the construction industry as Apprentice Carpenter & Joiner at Norman Hollins Ltd and then JSD Hamilton (Construction) Ltd. He gained a fantastic grounding in bespoke joinery products, new build housing, renovations, and shopfitting projects. It was a great platform to learn broader construction skills too.Yet, despite becoming a qualified construction worker, Derek’s experience at grammar school reinforced his desire to teach. Derek’s first teaching job was in 1985 at Keighley College’s Carpentry & Joinery Department, where another lecturer (Peter Hakes) mentored him. It wasn’t long before Derek enrolled at HollyBank to study professional Teacher Training qualifications, followed by Bradford College to attain a teaching degree. Derek was then promoted to Section Leader for Timber Trades before leaving Keighley for a role at Bolton College as a Senior Lecturer. After that, Derek became Head of Construction and led self-assessment quality assurance across Bolton College. By the time Derek left Bolton, he was responsible for the Construction & Engineering faculty. He returned to Keighley College, this time as Head of Construction & Engineering. Then in 2004, Derek interviewed for Deputy Principal – Curriculum & Quality at Leeds College of Building and was selected for the role.Derek said: “Getting the post at LCB was such a fantastic accolade, especially with it being the only General Further Education College nationally that specialised in construction and the built environment education & training. I felt like I was back to my roots – where industry training moulds individuals into construction specialists. I am a massive advocate for vocational skills training and the vast opportunities this can unlock. “I loved working at the College so much that I continued in this role before becoming Principal & CEO. I have fully enjoyed all 18 years that I have spent at Leeds College of Building. I’m delighted to be leaving the College in such good shape. Inspections now show quality at ‘good or better’, our HE meets all UK standards, we achieved ‘good’ in our most recent Ofsted inspection, the ESFA gave us a ‘good’ rating too for our healthy financial position. Leeds College of Building now trains around 5,500 students from across the UK, covering 16-18 full-time study programmes, adult provision, HE courses, and bespoke programmes for employers. Over half of these students (around 2,800) are enrolled on apprenticeship training across all areas of the College’s provision, from Level 2 up to degree apprentices. Derek continued: “I’m extremely glad my teacher showed me how vocational training – such as apprenticeships – can lead to various careers and job roles. Schools play a critical role in showcasing vocational training as a viable, alternative route to reach the same endpoint as academic qualifications. These skills can lead to jobs at all levels and involve travel and an extensive variety of work, with lasting legacy projects. “It’s so gratifying to see former students running successful companies themselves, as well as attracting a more diverse cohort of students to the sector today. We have come such a long way. So, this seems the right time for me to step down. “I have lots of plans with my wife Heather (who retired from her role as Principal at Keighley College a few years ago). We hope to travel and see friends. We’re very active so enjoy walking and spending time with family. I have lots on my bucket list! I met my wife at Keighley College, and like me, she came from a vocational background as an apprentice too (Hair & Beauty in her case). Our families were thrilled when we became lecturers, so both progressing to the top of FE institutions was a very proud moment. “I have never lost a love of construction after all these years. Although Further Education is a challenging sector, to help students develop skills that can make a transformative difference to their future and society is an absolute privilege. It is the accomplishment of which I’m most proud. “I would like to give a special thank you to all employers and stakeholders who have supported the College, students, and me personally, over the 18 years I’ve been here. I trust the commitment and dedication will continue with my successor, Nikki Davis. Leeds College of Building is a fantastic organisation to lead, and I know it will continue to go from strength to strength. I wish the College, our stakeholders, my amazing colleagues and friends, and Nikki all the very best.” Nikki Davis, current Leeds College of Building Vice Principal for Teaching, Learning & Quality, will take up the role of Principal & CEO in August and becomes the first woman to hold the post in the 60-year history of the
WWF and ScottishPower report also shows combined technologies could increase house prices by an average of £10,000 Financial incentives, clear advice and support urgently needed from UK governments to make the shift a reality New analysis from WWF and ScottishPower has found that a combination of green technologies could reduce energy bills by up to £1,878 a year. The new report, Better Homes, Cooler Planet, also found that installing these low carbon technologies in homes could cut harmful emissions from energy by over 95%[1] over the technologies’ lifetime and increase property values by an average of £10,000. As nearly 90% of the current increase in energy bills comes from the rising cost of gas, investment in low-carbon technologies can help to tackle the cost of living by cushioning householders against volatile energy prices .[2] Solar panels, already increasing in popularity to combat rising energy prices, could boost householders’ finances by £586 a year, in electricity savings and selling any surplus back to the grid. The report also emphasises the need to invest in energy efficiency to insulate homes, to not only cut bills but maximise the benefits of other green technologies. The report analysed five million house sales in England and Wales – one of the largest assessments of its kind – and found that: Installing an air-source heat pump could increase the sales value by around £5,000-£8,000; Solar panels could increase it by around £1,350-£5,400; An EV charge point could increase it by around £5,000; In combination, the value of a house could be boosted by an average of around £10,000 as a result of installing a combination of these technologies. This suggests that buyers may be willing to pay more for these homes and sellers who have invested in them should benefit when they put their homes on the market. Shifting to low carbon technologies in this way could also reduce a home’s lifetime carbon emissions from energy by up to 91 tonnes of CO2e or over 95% – the equivalent of taking 42 cars off the road per household.[3] Approximately one fifth of the UK’s carbon emissions currently comes from our homes with a further 15% from cars. To achieve net zero, these emissions will need to be reduced to zero in less than 30 years. To make this a reality, Better Homes, Cooler Planet recommends support and policy change from all UK governments to help reduce the up-front and running costs of low-carbon technologies, including funding for homeowners and tax incentives for private landlords to install them, as well as strengthening consumer protection and advice. It also urges the UK Government to consider an energy saving Stamp Duty incentive, as well as calling for financial institutions to introduce innovative products such as green mortgages and for estate agents, property listings websites, and surveyors to highlight the presence and value of green technologies to house buyers. Isabella O’Dowd, Head of Climate at WWF-UK, said: “Accelerating the rollout of low-carbon technologies and energy efficiency is the best way to ensure the UK’s energy security, shield homeowners from the high price of fossil fuels, and protect the planet. “To ensure that a wide range of people benefit, government must improve incentives for installing low-carbon technologies and provide more financial support and advice to homeowners and landlords.” Rob McGaughey, Head of Smart Heat at ScottishPower, said: “As a company that already generates 100% green electricity, we know that decarbonising heat and transport is next. At ScottishPower we believe that home installations of heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicle chargers can help both move the country away from its reliance on fossil fuels and address the climate crisis. Not only that, but the ‘Better homes, Cooler Planet’ report findings also demonstrate that installing a combination of these renewable technologies can be a smart investment for homeowners and landlords, increasing home equity value by an average of around £10,000 and significantly reducing energy bills.” [1] By installing a combination of low-carbon technologies, a home could reduce its carbon emissions from energy use by 96.8% over the 30-year lifetime of the technologies, when compared to a poorly insulated home with an old gas boiler or by 95.9% with compared to a poorly insulated home with a modern gas boiler. Further details can be found on p.40 of the report. [2] Source: Carbon Brief Analysis https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-cutting-the-green-crap-has-added-2-5bn-to-uk-energy-billsI [3] Source: Calculation based on p.54 – Impact assessment: measures for introduction of E10 petrol (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Every year, several construction projects are executed in New York City and other areas across New York State. Unfortunately, accidents and mishaps often occur on construction sites and may result in minor or severe injuries. According to statistics from the NYC Department of Buildings, there were about 712 construction-related incidents in New York City in 2021, causing 505 injuries and 9 fatalities. Thankfully, there are New York State laws designed to protect the rights of employees who are injured in work-related accidents or suffer an illness while on the job. If you’re a construction worker who has been hurt on the worksite, you may be eligible to seek fair compensation for your injuries. Your available options to recover damages may include seeking worker’s compensation benefits, filing a personal injury claim, or filing a lawsuit against the negligent third-party. However, recovering damages for your construction accident injuries often involves a lot of complexities. In the post, we will be discussing why the stakes are really high in New York construction accident cases. Common Causes of Construction Accidents in New York Here are some of the most common causes of accidents and injuries on construction sites in New York State: OSHA’s Fatal Four hazards – construction falls, electrocution (electrical exposure), caught-in/between situations, and struck-by an object. Poorly constructed scaffolding Slip and fall Defective or unsafe equipment Inadequate protection for construction site workers on elevated structures Inadequate protection for construction workers in trenches Tripping hazards from debris and other construction materials Unsafe conditions of the construction site or property Inadequate safety precautions when working beside power lines Collisions with support beams Workers are exposed to several risks on the construction site. If you’re injured in a construction accident, you need to reach out to an attorney immediately to enlighten you about your legal options to recover damages. What Are Your Legal Options? What’s more, when you’re involved in a construction site accident, here are some of the available legal options to seek financial compensation for your injuries: Workers’ Compensation Under New York laws, every employer in the state must provide workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Hence, a construction worker who suffered an injury or illness while on the job may be eligible to seek workers’ compensation benefits, including medical care, lost income, and benefits for survivors. Personal Injury or Third-Party Claims Alternatively, you may file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against a third party for their negligent or careless actions that caused the construction accident. For instance, you may file a lawsuit against a contractor who failed to repair damages on the property or an employee who failed to adhere to safety guidelines, thereby leading to your injuries. Why the Stakes Are High – Challenges In New York Construction Accident Cases However, seeking financial compensation in your New York construction accident case isn’t usually straightforward. Here are some challenges and complexities you may encounter when filing a claim or lawsuit after a construction accident: Proving Fault and Liability A crucial aspect of your personal injury or third-party claim is proving fault and liability. To recover damages, you need to establish that the other party was negligent, violated the law, breached their legal duty of care, and you suffered an injury. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to prove fault and liability in a construction accident case. Legal Paperwork Also, the insurance carrier may request legal paperwork and additional documentation to verify your claims. Failure to provide the relevant information, evidence, and paperwork may delay your case or ultimately get it thrown out. Pre-Existing Illness or Injury Furthermore, your pre-existing injuries or medical conditions can have a significant effect on the outcome of your case or the amount of compensation you may recover. For a successful personal injury claim or lawsuit, you must prove that the negligent or careless actions of the other party affected or worsened your pre-existing injuries. Motion to Dismiss In addition, the other party or contractor may delay resolving your construction accident case through a motion to dismiss. This is a motion filed by one party in a case requesting that the court should stop all legal proceedings and close the case. The defendant may petition a motion to dismiss, stating that there is not enough evidence or facts to proceed with the case. Settlement Offer Dealing with insurers often involves a lot of complexities. The insurance provider may push for an out-of-court settlement. Initially, the insurer will offer you an absurd first settlement offer to test your patience. In most cases, the settlement offer may be lower than what you deserve. This is why you need an attorney to review the offer and help negotiate an improved settlement. Insufficient Documentation Documenting your injuries after a construction accident involves taking photos of the injuries, witness statements and testimonies, and taking notes of your personal account of the incident. Also, you have to document how the injuries have affected your day-to-day life and work. Unfortunately, most people don’t document their injuries. Without proper documentation, proving your case may be extremely difficult. A personal injury lawsuit involving a construction accident is often drawn out unnecessarily and may take an extended period to settle. At the end of the day, you may lose the case or receive lower compensation than expected. Therefore, when involved in a construction accident, it is crucial that you retain a highly-skilled personal injury attorney for proper guidance and to protect your legal rights. How an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Can Help Being involved in a construction site accident can be a devastating experience and can affect your financial, physical, and mental health. Nevertheless, you don’t have to suffer the challenges and financial ramifications alone. If you or someone you know were injured while working on a construction site, you should hire an experienced personal injury attorney immediately to advocate for your best interests. A skilled construction accident lawyer can review every surrounding detail of your unique situation and conduct a thorough investigation. Your attorney will help
The Covid-19 pandemic has limited people’s ability to travel. And since they had to spend most of their time at home, their spaces’ appearance had become of great importance to most of them. Thus, the interest in travel-inspired interior design has increased. However, even now, with many restrictions being lifted and people being able to travel again, you want to go on the road again but suddenly realize that you only have two weeks off and probably a thousand places that you’d wish to go. So maybe instead, it would be a good idea to start by turning your favorite room into your favorite travel destination? There are countless ideas on how to let your space be soaked in the tropical sun or remind you of your favorite ski resort. But let’s start with keeping it all authentic – you don’t want your space to look cheesy after all. For instance, you can incorporate some travel photos and your own souvenirs – but remember, you don’t want to overdo it. You want to be respectful to the culture you’re inspired by – and your own personal style has to shine through all your holiday endeavor-inspired interior design. Let’s explore some more ideas below! Pick a Theme The first step in creating a travel-inspired interior design is to choose a theme. Even if you can’t travel yet, you still want a place where you won’t have to think about things like “how long does probate take”, but instead, could call it your own. A theme will be the base of your design, so you want it to be perfect. You can find inspiration in a specific country or city you’ve been to or by one particular type of vacation, like a beach vacation or a mountain trip. Your theme can be as specific as you want it to be. For example, you can choose to design your room around your favorite beach in Hawaii or a famous ski resort in Colorado. Find Inspiration Once you’ve decided on a theme, it’s time to find some inspiration. You can do this by looking through travel magazines or websites, browsing Pinterest, or just taking a look at your own travel photos. Be bold – if you discover that you’ve always wanted to have a canopy bed, art deco coffee table, or perhaps epoxy garage floor, there’s nothing stopping you from getting them! If you want to design your room around a specific country or city, it might be a good idea to look for some interior design ideas from that place. For example, if you want to design your room around Italy, you can look for some patterns or colors associated with Italy. Choose Colors and Materials Once you’ve found some inspiration, it’s time to start choosing colors and materials. This is where you can really let your imagination run wild. If you want to design your room around a beach vacation, you might want to use some light and airy colors, like white, blue, and green. For a mountain trip, you might want to use some darker and richer colors, like brown, red, and dark green. When it comes to materials, you can use anything that reminds you of your chosen theme. For a beach vacation, try using some natural materials, like wood, rattan, and stone. For a mountain one, you might want to use cozy materials, like wool and fur. Add Furniture and Accessories Once you’ve chosen your colors and materials, it’s time to start adding furniture and accessories and bring your chosen theme to life. If you want to design your room around a beach vacation, you might want to add some furniture that reminds you of the beach, like a rattan sofa or a wooden coffee table. You might also want to add accessories like a seashell lamp or coral vase. Again, if you want to design your room around a mountain trip, you might want to add furniture that reminds you of the mountains, like a leather armchair or a stone fireplace. You might also want to add accessories, like skis or a set of antlers. Hang Artwork and Curtains Now, it’s time to finish off your room by hanging artwork and curtains. This is where you can really make your space your own. For a beach vacation-inspired place, you might want to hang some artwork that reminds you of the beach, like a painting of the ocean, a photograph of the sunset, and a pair of white linen or blue and white striped curtains. If you want your room to recollect a trip spent in the mountains, you might want to hang some artwork that reminds you of the hills, like a painting of the snowy peaks or a photograph of the forest and a pair of brown velvet or plaid flannel curtains. Conclusion Whether you’re a disciple of the “No Clutter” school of thought or you’re a fan of “Go big or go home,” you can still get inspired by travel and start planning and plotting your next vacation whether you’ve got a couple of weeks off – or even just a few days. So why not incorporate that inspiration into your interior design? With so many ideas out there, the last thing you want to do is get stuck in a rut. So start with the best room in your house, and let the road be your guide! Once you’re done, sit back and enjoy your new space. You’ll be surprised at how different it feels when you’ve put your own personal touches on it. Have fun!
Buying a home is a long and tiresome process. Regardless of the current market conditions, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks that come into it. However, a few well-hidden secrets can make the whole affair much more manageable. With their help, you could find and buy a suitable home faster than you might think. Whether you are after a cheap freehold estate located in the Thomson Garden enclave or want to settle for a humble abode somewhere in the suburbs, you can get your dream home without breaking the bank. All it takes is following a few simple steps. For starters, you should inspect the property and its surroundings. This way, you can find out if the neighborhood is good and if there are any security issues you should know about. Other than that, you might want to have the house inspected, get pre-approved for a mortgage, and hire an experienced real estate agent. Looking for homes under your budget so you can bid up is also a good idea. Here are a few valuable tips for buying a home to help you get the best offer in an ultra-competitive seller’s market: Commission a Home Inspection The home inspection process is critical to uncover any potential problems with the property before you buy it. A professional real estate inspector will thoroughly examine the property, its systems, equipment, and proximity to neighboring residences. The inspector will also check for various structural defects, such as cracked foundations and rotten wood, water damage, or electrical faults. If some issues are discovered, you might have to replace an old water heater, strengthen the foundation, or resolve problems with the floor, for example by getting some reclaimed terracotta tiles. It would be best to look for an experienced inspector with a good reputation in the industry. Once you know about all the issues, you can use them to negotiate a lower price. A good inspector will also recommend the necessary repairs that you can do without breaking the bank. If you are not pressed for time and have a little more cash on hand, you should consider purchasing the property at a lower price and paying for some inexpensive fixes or doing them yourself. This way, you can significantly reduce the cost of buying a home. Check the Neighborhood When looking for a new home, it is essential to research the neighborhood and see if it is the right fit for you. Fortunately, many online resources can help you learn more about a particular area. It would be best to look for crime rates, schools in the area, and the amenities nearby. You should also drive around the neighborhood at different times of the day to get a feel for the place. Remember to ask around about the reputation of the neighborhood. If it is safe, you can live there for years without worrying about break-ins or assaults. Furthermore, you should pay attention to things like local traffic and noise levels as well as the overall development rate. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage If you plan to finance your new home with a mortgage, it is a good idea to get pre-approved for one. Doing so will give you an idea of how much money you can borrow and what your monthly payments will be. Lenders give pre-approval letters after verifying your income and appropriate credit rating. Once you have it, you will be able to bid on all homes in your price range with the confidence that they will provide you with a loan. Otherwise, you might end up bidding on a property you can’t or can barely afford. It would be best to shop around for the best mortgage rate before applying for a loan. You can use an online mortgage calculator to compare rates from different lenders. Hire an Experienced Real Estate Agent It is a common mistake to begin your home search on your own. However, this approach is unlikely to get you good results. This is because the real estate market can be quite tricky to navigate. Besides, it requires a vast amount of knowledge to understand everything it entails. To get the best price for your home, you should enlist the help of an experienced real estate agent. They will have access to listings that are not yet on the market and can help you negotiate a better price. As a general rule, only experienced agents can evaluate the market conditions accurately, so they can offer you a suitable price. On the other hand, if you go with a fresh-faced agent, chances are their inexperience will negatively impact your sale price. Look for Homes Under Your Budget One of the most important parts of the home buying process is finding a nice place you can afford. When searching for a new home, it is a good idea to look for properties priced below your budget. This way, you will have some room to negotiate when making an offer. You could start looking for homes online or in print. Once you find a few that might be suitable, you can schedule an appointment with a real estate agent to take a look at them. The more properties you visit, the better. This way, you can compare and contrast each home to see which one meets your needs. If it turns out that none of them does, you can look for another one. It is better to wait for a cheaper home instead of paying more and having a mortgage that will only work against you in the long run. Make sure you don’t bid more than what you can! Conclusion Buying a home is one of the best investments you can make. It offers outstanding potential returns and will give you a place to call your own. However, such an endeavor is not easy, and it takes extensive knowledge to succeed. You will need to handle a lot of things and, most importantly,
