If you’re running an American business with no agent services, you may wonder why you need a registered agent in your operations. It’s a valid question though. Should you find agent services or be on your own? In answering this question, this post discusses the roles of agent services, like
When you purchased your fixer-upper, you must have had some inclination to fix it up. What you’re going to do with it afterwards can be decided at a later date, but for now you need to get it up to standard so that someone can live there, whether it’s you
Warwick Estates has created a jargon-busting guide to the complex and often confusing vocabulary and language used when marketing and selling new-build homes in the hope of giving buyers more confidence and knowledge while navigating their purchase. While there are some pieces of new-build jargon that most people will be
Every company has a duty to comply with environmental regulations and requirements. They need to adhere to the local or national environmental regulatory requirements in all aspects of their business, including their operational activities, and the products or services that they offer. Many organizations choose to work alongside environmental compliance
The exterior of a house forms part of its curb appeal. It’s the first thing people and potential buyers will notice before getting to your living space. However, the exterior of a property has to withstand the everyday stresses of the weather conditions. These weather conditions and other factors can
Taking place on 6October, around 500 runners are expected to take part All funds to be donated to LandAid, the charity on a mission to end youth homelessness Target to raise £30,000, adding to £50,000 raised from previous years An annual West Midlands charity run will be returning to Longbridge
Sheds are probably the most likely outbuilding you are to see on a property. They have a variety of uses. However, since they are outside the house, waterproofing them is vital, and that means that your roof choice is important. But while many newer alternatives have become available – polycarbonate
There was a point in your life when a larger home was absolutely essential. Whether it was to raise a family or accommodate regular guests, there are years when a big house is full of noise and life, and even the largest of spaces still has a cozy family feel.
Real estate is always a solid investment when you have the money for it. Even if you don’t actively use the space, you can profit by renting it out. That’ll afford you a steady treacle of income and a good ROI in the long-term. Here’s how to get started. Decide
When you think about sustainable living, you probably imagine the benefits of going green, like sticking to a zero-waste lifestyle or ditching the car for public transportation. However, did you know that your home plays an equally important role in preserving the environment? There are many ways to ensure that
If you’re running an American business with no agent services, you may wonder why you need a registered agent in your operations. It’s a valid question though. Should you find agent services or be on your own? In answering this question, this post discusses the roles of agent services, like Swyft filings registered agent service, and their importance to your business. What Are Registered Agent Services A registered agent is a person or business that acts as a legal representative for your company. It’s their job to receive service of process (i.e., papers that inform the company they’ve been sued) when it’s sent to your business. If you’re running a small business and don’t have an office with a receptionist or someone to answer the phone during regular hours, a registered agent can help you by receiving these documents on behalf of your company. Registered agent services are a necessary part of forming a business in most states in the country. The states require that all businesses have a registered agent, and it’s your responsibility as a business owner to find one. Should You Find One Or Be Your Own In answering the question mentioned above, this post looks at the advantages of outsourcing your registered agent services to companies capable of carrying out duties. Some of the advantages of finding one are: Registered Agent Service Is Required In Every State To Be A Corporation Or LLC Registered agent services are required in every state to be a corporation or LLC. These services ensure that your business is legally registered and that you have a physical address in the state where it’s registered Registered agent service isn’t required for a sole proprietorship or partnership. However, it does provide an added layer of protection in case anything goes wrong with your business. If you choose to incorporate without using an online registered agent service, then you’ll need to make sure that someone who lives within the state where your corporation or LLC was created provides their home as their official address for correspondence from government agencies and other businesses. A Registered Agent Receives Important Legal And Tax Documents For Your Company States require companies to have a registered agent who acts as the business’s first point of contact for important legal and tax documents. The registered agent is responsible for receiving all correspondence sent to your company, including court notices, subpoenas, and other legal documents. The registering agent also has the power to authorize someone else (such as your attorney) to receive these documents on behalf of your company. In addition, if you’re not available or don’t want to be bothered by some mailings (e.g., junk mail), the registered agent can choose which pieces of mail need personal attention from you and which ones don’t. Registered Agents Give You Privacy A registered agent is a third party that provides official documentation on behalf of your business. It’s like having a secretary who lives in your building but is always there to assist, except instead of taking phone calls and answering emails, they manage your paperwork for you. To register your company with the state and make sure all necessary filings are made properly, you need to disclose personal information about yourself as an officer or owner of that company. This includes things like social security numbers and banking information, things which should never be shared with anyone outside of trusted family members or close friends. But when you choose a registered agent service provider, they take care of all the heavy lifting so that nothing slips through the cracks. They handle all government filings on behalf of your business while keeping your personal information safe, even when it comes time for taxes. Registered Agents Are Professional And Accessible Registered agents are professional and accessible. As a business owner, you need to think of your registered agent as a partner who’ll be there for you at all times. Registered agents are available 24/7 to answer questions or help you with any matter related to your company’s operations, whether it has to do with tax matters or audits, legal issues or litigation, employment law concerns, and other human resources issues. Plus, registered agents are expert communicators and often lawyers themselves. This means that they’re well-versed in their field of expertise (your industry), so they can give you the best advice possible on how best to handle specific situations that may arise, as well as provide feedback from an outsider’s point-of-view when it comes down to making decisions about how things should be done moving forward. Registered Agents Help You Stay Compliant One of the most important benefits of using a registered agent is that they help you stay compliant with state and federal requirements. These include tax requirements, including those that require you to report business income and file your government obligations. They also help you comply with state requirements for business in various states, including the licenses required for each location your business operates. Registered Agents Make Life Easier For Your Administrative Assistant You don’t have to worry about paperwork with a registered agent service; you can delegate the administrative tasks of your business, such as managing and filing your documents with state and local governments, as well as answering questions about legal compliance. For example, as a construction agency, having a registered agent will save time for other things. With a registered agent service, you can count on being able to reach someone at any time of day or night. If you have an issue that needs resolving immediately, whether it’s a question or concern about tax filings or something more severe like fraud or theft, they’re there ready and willing to help. Regarding legal matters about running your company, things can get complicated quickly if they’re not appropriately explained. Registered agents are trained professionals who understand these complexities to help explain how things work in plain language that anyone, even without much experience in this arena, can understand quickly
When you purchased your fixer-upper, you must have had some inclination to fix it up. What you’re going to do with it afterwards can be decided at a later date, but for now you need to get it up to standard so that someone can live there, whether it’s you or someone else. But, how do you go about this? If you’re not sure, then it’s a good thing that we have some knowledge in the area. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you should do now that you have purchased a fixer-upper. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more about this. Have A Vision The first thing that you are going to need to do is have a vision. We’re sure that you have already got one based on the fact that you deigned to purchase the property in the first place. Fixer-uppers aren’t exactly the best looking houses on the market, but you’ve got to have vision so that you can see it for what it could be, rather than what it is right now. Having a vision will help you to create a stunning property by the time that you are finished. It’s important to understand here that it is okay to not have the full vision laid out in front of you right now. You are still in the very early stages of owning this property, and there is no rush to get things done right away. If you want to take some time, go into the property and check that it is what you thought it would be like, what you want to do with it and so on, then take the time to do this. Call In The Experts Location Link – CC0 License Once you have some kind of idea in mind as to what you want to do, that’s when it’s time to call in the experts. You are going to need a range of people coming to see the house before you can even hire contractors to begin on any work. For example, one of the most important services that you are going to need is that of building surveyors. They are going to need to check the property for damage, issues with the foundations and other things like this to be sure that the property is safe to work on to start with. If it’s not, then you’re going to have to spend time and money working out how to get it safe. Calling in the experts will give you a good idea as to where you stand in the grand scheme of things. It will either confirm what you thought you knew, or it would give you a new dose of reality. Either way, you have got to know so that you are able to move forward. Sort Out A Budget Now that you know what you’re working with foundation wise, and now that you have some kind of vision when it comes to what you want to do, you can start sorting out a budget. Think about how much money that you have available, and think about how much of it you are willing to spend on this renovation of the property. It tends to be the case that if you’re going to live in it yourself that you are more willing to invest in it, but you also want to see a nice return if you decide to sell or rent it. Sit down with some of the experts and work out how much you are looking at realistically. This will help you make decisions down the line, guide some of the trickier choices as the budget may not even allow for certain things. Just make sure that you have your budget sorted, and then have another number a little higher that is the absolute maximum that you are willing to spend. Start Getting A Plan Together CC0 License – Pexels Credit As soon as the budget is sorted, you can start getting some kind of plan together. Think about where you want walls knocked out, what you want each room to be, what needs updating and so on. All of this is going to take quite a while to sort, so we recommend blocking out a good amount of time to dedicate to this. If you have been doing this kind of thing for a while now, then you might be able to come up with some kind of guiding timeline as well, but this is not necessary so don’t panic if you are unable to do so. Everything will feel better once the plan starts forming. Consult experts on certain areas and see what they have to say, and then look at what materials you want and so on through the house. Ensure that this matches up with your budget, and then you’re good to go. Hire Contractors There’s a plan and a budget, which means that you can start hiring people to make your vision into a reality. Look into people for the plumbing, the electrics, any foundation work that needs to be done, design experts, structural engineers and so on. You will know what you need based on all of the information that you have gotten up to this point, and you have your budget which shows what you can and cannot afford. Before you hire anyone, make sure that you have spoken to a member of the team and looked at reviews from previous clients. It’s easy to lie online, but past customers will have no reason to do so. Hopefully, you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you have got to do now that you have purchased a fixer-upper. This project can turn into one of the best things that you have ever chosen to do, or it can turn into your worst nightmare, but it’s all about
Warwick Estates has created a jargon-busting guide to the complex and often confusing vocabulary and language used when marketing and selling new-build homes in the hope of giving buyers more confidence and knowledge while navigating their purchase. While there are some pieces of new-build jargon that most people will be aware of and understand, such as Showhouse and Freehold/Leasehold, there are others that are less familiar albeit no less important. Understanding their meaning will make the process of buying a new-build home much easier and less stressful. Off-plan If you’re buying off-plan, it means you’re buying a new-build home that has not yet been built, so you’re literally buying it based on the plans and blueprints alone. You will usually be shown a show house so you have a good idea of what your property will eventually look like. Reservation fee To secure a new-build home, even off-plan, you have to pay a reservation fee so that nobody else can buy it while you get your finances in order to pay the deposit. This fee will be paid back to you when you pay your deposit. Deposit Just like with any house purchase, the deposit is how much money you have to pay at the point of exchanging contracts. The rest of the money is then paid through a mortgage. Schedule of works Before the building process even starts, you might be able to request a schedule of works from the developer. It will tell you all of the details about the building process, including timelines and who is responsible for each stage. Anticipate legal completion date (ALCD) This is the date that the developer anticipates the building will be completely finished. First fix Refers to the first stage of construction, usually the structural element of the build before plastering and decoration takes place. Second fix Second fix is when all plastering or plaster boarding is complete, appliances have been installed and connected, plumbing is complete, and things like skirting boards, doors, baths, and sinks have been installed. Shortstop / Longstop date Two important dates along the new-build timeline. The shortstop date is an estimate of when the developer hopes to finish the build. The longstop date is when the developer must finish the build. Completion on notice As a buyer, completion on notice means the building is fully completed and you have ten days to complete your purchase, pay the money you owe (including legal fees), get your keys, and move in. Defect liability period When you move in, the developer is liable for any defects or problems with the building for a set period of time. This is called the defect liability period and will be detailed in the smallprint of your contract. Ground rent (England and Wales only) If you’re buying the property on a leasehold contract, you will likely have to pay annual ground rent to the freeholder. Snagging This is the process of identifying and fixing minor issues with the new-build property, such as poor door hanging, shoddy painting or plastering, and poorly fitted windows. The developer will be liable to fix these issues for a set period of time after purchase. Aftercare Some new-build developers offer aftercare which means you can call them for help with any problems you have with the property. Alternatively, the developer will put you in contact with an external aftercare provider. Some developers offer no aftercare at all.
Every company has a duty to comply with environmental regulations and requirements. They need to adhere to the local or national environmental regulatory requirements in all aspects of their business, including their operational activities, and the products or services that they offer. Many organizations choose to work alongside environmental compliance and consulting services to ensure they comply with the legal regulations. Since environmental compliance can be complicated, gaining help from an expert company can be helpful. Who Defines Environmental Compliance Regulations? Ultimately, environmental compliance lays out a set of rules that every company must follow to reduce the negative impacts that their operations might have on the environment. These rules are determined by regulatory bodies, such as: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces many federal environmental laws and regulations for environmental and community benefits. Department of the Interior implements federal laws that are associated with public lands management, conservation regulations, mining, and natural resources. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulates the transportation of hazardous materials, such as radioactive substances, oil, and natural gas. There are many more regulatory bodies, all of which are involved in creating the laws around environmental compliance. Creating an Environmental Compliance Report Larger organizations can hire a team of staff dedicated to generating environment compliance reports. Smaller companies may outsource their environmental compliance reports to a third-party company or an environmental regulator. The following information may be included in an environmental compliance report: The overall impact of the business on the environment Strategies and policies that the business plans to implement to reduce or eliminate their environmental impact Any relevant permits or licenses Details of when and where the business has handled hazardous materials Details of how the business disposes of hazardous waste materials Why is Environmental Compliance Important? Companies have both legal and ethical responsibilities to protect the environment in as many ways as possible. By implementing policies to be compliant with environmental regulations, businesses can also gain a positive reputation and widen their customer base. More customers are now searching for organizations and brands that are making a conscious effort to protect the environment. Consumers are now choosing to support brands that are trying to mitigate harm to the environment over companies that aren’t making the same efforts. There are several additional benefits of environmental compliance. It enables a company to: Identify the environmental issues that are impacting business operations or stunting business growth Identify where their current business operations might be negatively impacting the environment Create and implement strategies or policies to mitigate any negative environmental impacts and reduce the environmental footprint associated with their daily operations Mitigate the risks of non-compliance Recognize the required environmental permits and licenses, and apply for them if necessary Identify the most cost-efficient and resource-efficient ways of maintaining environmental compliance Define the process of getting rid of hazardous waste materials or substances
The exterior of a house forms part of its curb appeal. It’s the first thing people and potential buyers will notice before getting to your living space. However, the exterior of a property has to withstand the everyday stresses of the weather conditions. These weather conditions and other factors can accelerate how fast they deteriorate. Although the property’s location can affect how quickly its exterior will deteriorate, it’s essential to understand that weather conditions can cause significant damage. For this reason, it’s crucial to identify ways to buffer and protect your house from weather conditions. Hence, the need for rendering services. The following article discusses what you need to know about rendering. You’ll learn what rendering is, why you should consider outsourcing these services, and more. Read on. What Is Rendering? As mentioned above, having a buffer zone between your home exterior and weather conditions is crucial. Rendering involves installing protective material over your property’s building bricks and blocks. Thus, the exterior won’t be in direct contact with the extreme weather, saving it from deterioration and other risks. Apart from protecting your exterior, rendering will significantly improve your home appearance, which could boost your home value. Why Should You Hire Rendering Services? Although you might prefer to render the house by yourself, it’s advisable to outsource the services from a reputable vendor. However, getting a reputable service provider can be challenging due to the many options you can choose from. For this reason, it’s crucial to conduct enough background checks to gauge the reputation of a service provider, ensuring you get quality services at affordable prices. In choosing a service provider, Rock cote specialist say you must opt for one that can deliver quality and personalized services to their customers. That said, you should take your time when gauging a service provider and ensure that they will meet your needs and expectations, giving you the value of your hard-earned bucks. The following are the benefits of hiring rendering services. They include: Access To Quality Services This is one of the reasons why you should consider outsourcing your rendering services. A reputable service provider has enough skills and know-how to ensure they deliver quality services. If you decide to do the rendering project by yourself, you might not have enough tools and know-how to finish the project, and you might lose your investment. Apart from experience, reputable service providers are certified to undertake such projects. Thus, they’ll ensure you comply with the building codes in your locality. This doesn’t only save you from non-compliance fines and penalties; it’ll also ensure quality results, giving you value for your money. Stay In A Budget An expert will make it easier for you to stay within the budget. An expert with market knowledge will ensure you access affordable materials within your budget. They’ll also deliver quality services, ensuring you get the most out of the service fees charged. On the other hand, doing everything by yourself might make it hard for you to stay within the budget. You might pay more for materials if you don’t have the skills and market knowledge. This may affect your saving margins, and you find yourself with insufficient funds to finish the project. Insurance Coverage Rendering is not a cheap investment and might leave a huge dent in your hard-earned savings. For this reason, it’s essential to ensure it’s protected and insured in case it happens to it. If you undertake the project and anything happens to it, you risk losing your entire investment. On the other hand, a service provider will provide a liability coverage policy. The policy will ensure the project is safe in case anything happens. However, it’s essential to go through the provided coverage to understand what is covered and what is not. With such information, you can consider including add-ons to guarantee you’ll be fully compensated in case of anything. What To Consider When Looking For A Rendering Service Provider? It would be best to consider the following factors to ensure you get a reputable service provider to cater to your rendering needs. They include: Experience This is one of the things you should look out for before hiring a vendor. An experienced vendor will have enough skills to undertake the project. Additionally, they must have undertaken a similar project; thus, avoiding mistakes will be easier, ensuring you get an outstanding result. Price The cost of rendering services will vary from one vendor to another. Paying a high amount of money doesn’t guarantee you get quality services. On the other hand, ridiculously low prices aren’t the best idea either. That said, it’s important to visit more than one service to know the average price in your area. This ensures you get quality services at pocket-friendly prices, improving your return on investment (ROI). Wrapping Up As mentioned above, weather conditions might accelerate the deterioration of your property’s exterior. However, you can outsource rendering services to protect the exterior, improving their outlook and shelf life. Conduct extensive research to ensure you choose a reputable vendor in your locality, giving you value for your money.
Taking place on 6October, around 500 runners are expected to take part All funds to be donated to LandAid, the charity on a mission to end youth homelessness Target to raise £30,000, adding to £50,000 raised from previous years An annual West Midlands charity run will be returning to Longbridge in Birmingham for its fourth year in an effort to raise funds for LandAid, the property industry charity on a mission to end youth homelessness. Taking place on Thursday 6 October, participants can opt for a 10k or 5k route, and individuals of all abilities are encouraged to take part in the event, whether they choose to run, walk or cheer on from the crowd. First launched in 2017, the run has become an annual fixture in the running calendar amongst businesses and individuals throughout the West Midlands and further afield looking to put their running ability to the test. This year’s event, hosted by St. Modwen, the Birmingham-based owner of leading logistics development and housebuilding businesses, will see around 500 runners pounding the pavements of Longbridge and Cofton Park along this notoriously challenging yet scenic route. Sarwjit Sambhi, CEO of St. Modwen, commented: “We’re delighted to be able to bring the much-anticipated run back to Longbridge this year. Past years’ events have been hugely successful, raising over £50,000 to support the vital work that LandAid do to help young people out of homelessness. We hope to raise even more funds this year and continue supporting the charity for years to come.” “As St. Modwen has played a key part in the regeneration of Longbridge, we’re looking forward to being able to bring the whole community together and show others what a brilliant place Longbridge has become to live and work in.” All funds raised from the event will go towards the next phase of St Basil’s Live and Work project, LandAid’s Birmingham-based charity partner, which provides apprenticeship opportunities and living accommodation to young people in the West Midlands facing homelessness. Paul Morrish, Chief Executive of LandAid, said: “LandAid is thrilled to be a charity partner of St. Modwen. All funds raised from the St. Modwen Charity Run for LandAid will make a huge difference to the lives of young homeless people across the Midlands and rest of the UK. Sign up today and you will be giving young homeless people a safe, secure and affordable home.” Registrations are now open to take part in both the 5k and 10k options, head here to find out more: https://join.landaid.org/event/stmodwen10k For sponsorship opportunities, please contact landaidcharityrun@stmodwen.co.uk
Sheds are probably the most likely outbuilding you are to see on a property. They have a variety of uses. However, since they are outside the house, waterproofing them is vital, and that means that your roof choice is important. But while many newer alternatives have become available – polycarbonate sheeting, corrugated sheeting, and EPDM rubber – none of them trump good old shed felt for sheer practicality. Shed felt is made using a bituminous layer for waterproofing and a secondary fibrous layer to provide structure and strength. Whereas in the past this might have been an organic option, nowadays it tends to be a tough synthetic material like polyester. The updated materials let an old solution remain relevant in the modern day. Durability Shed Felt is hard-wearing. While it’s not quite as durable as say, polycarbonate sheeting, it is not fragile like EPDM and bituminous corrugated sheeting. Not only is it rugged, it also can’t be scratched easily like polycarbonate. This means you won’t need to worry about treating it with kid gloves. Aesthetic Value While a shed is a very utilitarian structure, there’s no reason it can’t also be aesthetically pleasing. Shed felt comes in colours that are bold and reassuring but not garish. Whereas a shed with a corrugated metal roof might appear harsh and intimidating, a shed felt roof looks nostalgic and inviting. If you’re willing to go to the effort of installing the strips, you can even get a lovely tiled appearance with shed felt shingles. Low Cost Shed felt is as affordable and cheerful as they come. Very few alternatives beat it for price. In terms of how expensive it is to how long it lasts before needing replacement (often as long as ten years) it’s no wonder it’s as popular as it is. Ease of installation Shed felt doesn’t need glazing bars or complex tools to install. Just a hammer, a utility knife, and some clout nails. If you really want to get fancy you might use adhesive if you live in a windy area. That’s much simpler than having to drill many holes for screws for sheeting, or use an electric saw to cut up polycarbonate. Even relatively inexperienced DIYers can put up a shed felt with a little elbow grease if they follow instructions. Simple to repair This is where shed felt really pulls ahead of comparable materials. Repairing sheeting is difficult, whereas shed felt can be patched easily. All you have to do is cut out a section of damaged felt and patch it with some new felt. Shed felt is durable, so you shouldn’t be repairing it all the time, but when the worst thing happens you can deal with it easily. If a sheet is completely damaged, as we previously mentioned, it’s cheap and easy to install so you can get it up and running in no time without hitting the pocketbook too harshly. Of course, there may be situations where you decide to go with another material because of unusual or particular circumstances. However, when it comes to an all-terrain shed roofing solution, shed felt simply cannot be beat.
There was a point in your life when a larger home was absolutely essential. Whether it was to raise a family or accommodate regular guests, there are years when a big house is full of noise and life, and even the largest of spaces still has a cozy family feel. But what happens when you’ve served your parental duties and waved off your children as they set off to start families of their own? Does all of that space still seem important to you, or are you suddenly finding yourself in a large but extremely empty space? Whatever your reasons for wanting a change in scenery, many people are downsizing into smaller, more stylish homes after they’ve made use of the larger places. If you’re considering moving into a smaller space that’s perfect for the next stage of your life, take a visit to websites like Compass.com and see the wide range of options available to you. In the meantime, keep these things in mind as you look to downsize in a new home to make your next move go as smoothly as possible. Reasons to downsize your home While no two reasons to downsize a home will ever be exactly the same, they tend to fall under some of the same broad categories. Perhaps you simply feel that the house has far too much space now the kids have moved out, and you see no point in staying there. This is a perfectly valid reason. After all, who wants to pay large energy bills and have to clean a huge house that’s totally empty? Or maybe you want to downsize to help get some money together for your retirement? Many people choose to sell up and scale down so that they can make the most of their new start in life. It could just be that you’ve never had kids but you want to experience a brand new area, perhaps away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Either way, downsizing in style is an increasingly popular venture. What will you want in the future? Downsizing your home shouldn’t feel like the end of an era. Instead, it should feel like the beginning of a new adventure. Chances are that you’ve spent the last few decades either raising a family or working extremely hard to succeed in your career (possibly even both!). Think of this as the chance to find your dream home and not a place that’s designed to please others for a change. This should be a space where you can dream big and live with an understated sense of inner happiness. Declutter to reduce moving day stresses Moving from a larger home into a smaller space requires some strict rules about what you’ll take with you and what’s going to be sold at the next yard sale. This is an opportunity to let go of some unnecessary items and random pieces of furniture in favor of taking only the essentials. You don’t want to take it all with you and make moving day an even bigger struggle. Stay realistic about what’s no longer needed in your new place, and look forward to making this smaller space your very own.
Real estate is always a solid investment when you have the money for it. Even if you don’t actively use the space, you can profit by renting it out. That’ll afford you a steady treacle of income and a good ROI in the long-term. Here’s how to get started. Decide on your target audience As a new landlord, resist the temptation of advertising your property everywhere and anywhere. It might seem a little counterintuitive, but you’re more likely to succeed if you filter a little. First, consider who you want to live in your house or apartment. Put together a prototype tenant profile, as it were. Are you okay with smokers? Singles, couples, or groups? Children or no children? How about pets? Figure out the yes’s and no’s. Once you have an idea of what kind of people you’re looking for, figure out how to reach them. See who is moving out of the neighborhood soon and who will come in to replace them. Ask around to learn what makes that particular area attractive to tenants. When you understand the flow of tenants, you’ll have a pretty good idea of where to focus your advertising efforts and find the best people for your property. Establish an appropriate price This is always a little tricky, but there are a few key factors to consider. First, get some insight into the neighborhood real estate market. Learn the height of rent of the other properties in the area and calculate the average range. You might also discreetly inquire with the tenants if they think the prices are fair. Next, determine the baseline value of your property (by square foot). Then add the value of all the time, money, and effort you put into design, renovations, repairs, security, and miscellaneous amenities. Keep in mind that you have to adjust to the market. If your real estate’s total value ends up significantly higher, you’ll need to compromise. Try to find a middle ground between your investment costs and the overall prices in the area. Set up in the right state If you have any flexibility with where to locate the property you want to rent out, you should take time to make a careful selection. Take a page from the book of professional real estate investors. They aim for property in particular states to maximize their ROI and bring in profit on a regular basis. Beginner investors and “regular” homeowners looking to lease out should do the same. For example, Texas consistently rates highly on lists of states for property rent and purchase. Some of its most attractive locales include Brownsville apartments for rent as well as homes in Midland. Texas is legally friendly to investors as well as offering good advantages to landlords in general. In fact, 2020 data cites it as the second best state to rent in, after California. Take quality pictures People like to judge the book by the cover no matter what anybody says. That’s why you should take high-quality photos for your ads. Take them yourself if you’re confident in your skill and equipment. Otherwise, hire a professional photographer. Stage the photos strategically to show off the best aspects of the property. Make them look bright and natural. Avoid taking pictures in artificial lighting if you can; daylight will almost always produce more attractive results. Remember that these photos will be the first impression anyone gets of your property. Advertise on the right platforms Once you’ve decided on your location, price range, and ideal type of tenant, you’ll need to put together a rental listing and post it online. You can put it onto dedicated real estate rental sites or your own social media. It would probably be best if you did both. First, find out which websites are the most popular for finding houses or apartments in the area in which you want to rent out. Start by searching for something along the lines of “[property type] for rent in [location]”. Take a detailed look at the few top results. Aim to advertise on the most popular sites to expose your ad to the most home-hunters. However, if you notice a website doesn’t feature many ads for your type of property, forgo it even if it’s popular. For example, if you’re renting out a summer house but the site is mostly about apartments, you can expect people who are looking for summer houses to overlook that particular platform. Renting out a piece of property is a potentially great long-term financial project. Just avoid the common pitfalls, like getting bad tenants or misgauging your rates. Advertise in the right places with quality photos and sensible numbers, and you can enjoy the fruits of being a landlord for many profitable years.
When you think about sustainable living, you probably imagine the benefits of going green, like sticking to a zero-waste lifestyle or ditching the car for public transportation. However, did you know that your home plays an equally important role in preserving the environment? There are many ways to ensure that your building is environmentally safe and livable for years to come. As a landlord, it is your responsibility to maintain certain standards in every apartment, townhouse, or single-family home. So whether you are renting out one building or an entire complex, here are a few ways to keep your residents – and the planet – safe and green. #1 Reduce Indoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution is a serious health problem. The EPA – Environmental Protection Agency – estimates that indoor air pollutants are at least one-fourth as prevalent as outdoor pollutants and are present in every home, school, and workplace. Indoor air pollution can come from many sources. These include radon gas seeping out of the foundation, mold and dust mites found in carpets and upholstered furniture, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by paints or cleaning products. Fortunately, as a building owner or manager, you can prevent indoor air pollution or at least reduce it to some extent. Use non-toxic materials whenever possible when making repairs or redecorating areas of the building. This includes all the paints used for painting walls or ceilings, flooring materials, adhesives like contact cement, etc. Avoiding the use of toxic chemicals is a sure-to-succeed way to reducing indoor air pollution. #2 Ensure Proper Ventilation Proper ventilation is an integral part of the HVAC system. It helps clean the air in a building and avoid adverse health effects from exposure to contaminants such as mold, pollen, and dust mites. A properly designed ventilation system should provide enough outdoor air so that it can be delivered uniformly throughout all occupied spaces in your building. In addition to reducing contaminants, adequate ventilation also lowers humidity levels in your building which reduces energy consumption by increasing the efficiency of cooling equipment. #3 Look for Pesticides and Toxins in Drinking Water Toxins can enter our drinking water, which comes from two sources – surface water and groundwater. Surface water includes lakes, rivers, and streams. Groundwater, on the other hand, is found beneath the surface of soil or rock. Contamination can occur at any point along these routes. These include industrial runoff entering a river and pesticides seeping into the soil from farms miles away from your home. How do you know if there are contaminants in your home’s drinking water? The easiest way to find out is by requesting an annual test kit from your municipality (or state). Otherwise, pay attention to any signs that suggest something is wrong with your tap. These signs include stains on fixtures, discoloration in faucets/taps, and foul odors coming out of taps when turned on. You can also take legal action if you feel a nearby industry or business is affecting a public water supply. The success of the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit shows how willing the US government is at the moment to ensure safe and sustainable living conditions for its citizens. Thus, wherever necessary, taking legal action is always an option. #4 Ensure Sufficient Natural Lighting Natural lighting is vital for both your health and the environment. Natural lighting has been proven to increase productivity, reduce stress, and improve mood. That is why it is crucial to make sure that your building has plenty of natural light. You can achieve this by opening up windows or adding skylights to the ceiling. If you do not have enough natural light in your home, install solar panels on the roof that will generate enough electricity for most appliances (including lighting needs). Much of this planning should be done before the construction of your building. Otherwise, it becomes nearly impossible to incorporate all these changes down the line. #5 Be Careful with Lead paint Lead paint is a common health hazard, especially for children. It is a concern in older buildings and may be present in apartments, homes, schools, and workplaces. For people with young children or those who are pregnant, it is best to avoid living in an apartment that was built before 1978. That was when lead was banned from being used as an ingredient in paints. Make sure to test your home for lead before letting tenants in. You can also test the house yourself by taking samples of dust from floors with a vacuum cleaner bag. If there is lead on these surfaces, it will show up when you shake out the bag outside or on a newspaper inside the house. Sustainable living in an urban setting is difficult to ensure. However, keeping these points in mind will surely help you in this regard.
