David Glenn, Author at Blog

Top Ways to Create The Ultimate Smart Home

by David Glenn | Aug 15, 2017 | CRESTICO

Technology has allowed us to achieve things that were only a dream in the past. Smartphones have changed the way the world works. They have changed the way that every individual lives their life. Connected cars provide unparalleled convenience. They can tell you when your tires need air or your oil needs to be changed. They integrate media in a new and convenient way. Smart homes are the next step in this evolution. A smart house can truly improve quality of life. A smart house can let you control your home from anywhere. This can improve security, add convenience, and save money and energy. Creating a smart house is a fun and involved task. Here are five intelligent ways to make your home a smart home.

First Things First

Before we dive into automation tips we should discuss the best way to integrate the various services into your home. The early days of ‘smart houses’ required a centralized hub within the home. Homeowners control their entire home from this single control center. Current home automation practices are moving away from this. The hub, instead of being in the home, is now on your smartphone. Google has a dedicated hub app that enables you to manage your home network. Apple uses their Apple TV app to manage your smart home.

Now that we know how to manage a smart home, let’s discover all of the amazing things that you can do with an automated home.

Climate Control

The nest smart thermostat has set the standard in home climate control automation. Bestreviews.com calls it “…the best smart thermostat available right now”. The nest smart thermostat allows you to manage your home thermostat from anywhere in the world, as long as you have access to the internet. This system also ‘learns’ your preferences and is able to adjust accordingly. This system accomplishes everything that one could ask for; it saves money and offers unparalleled convenience.

Lighting Control

A correctly automated home relieves you of duties that generations of homeowners could not escape. Automated lights make worrying that you’ve left a light on a thing of the past. Your smart phone, enabled with a hub app, is the only tool you need to turn your lights off from anywhere. If you will be away for an extended time you can keep the lights on a schedule. This may deter any would be intruders.

Security

An automated home can improve your peace of mind when you are home or away. Smart locks and cameras offer security that was once only dreamt about. Integrated cameras allow you to monitor your home from anywhere. There is no need to be scared by a strange noise outside of your home. A camera system and smart phone allow you to see your home from different angles. Furthermore, motion detectors can warn you of silent threats. The Cocoon security system is an exciting and innovative newcomer into the home security arena. This system of cameras uses infrared and low-frequency sound technology to detect intruders. This sophisticated system actually identifies ‘normal’ sounds in a home and alerts you when there is an odd sound.

Entertainment

A smart home knows that its owners need their favorite music. Google and Amazon have released smart home devices that puts the world of entertainment at your fingertips.

Smart home technology is gaining popularity because it is becoming easier than ever. From a single smartphone a homeowner can manage their climate, ensure security, and even turn lights on and off. Companies such as Google, Cocoon, and Apple see the potential of this technology and how it will improve the public’s lives. It is hard to say what unbelievable innovation in waiting for us in the coming years but the potential is only limited by our imagination.

5 Summer Home Renovation Tips that Won’t Break the Budget

by David Glenn | Aug 10, 2017 | CRESTICO

High-impact home renovations don’t have to break the bank. As you use up some vacation days over the summer, consider spending some of your time at home to work on these low-cost, high-impact home renovations. Not only will they freshen up your space, they could also add value to your home.

1. Dresser Makeover

If you want to update your bedroom but don’t want to break the bank, simply give your old dresser a facelift with a new coat of paint and some new hardware. Popular colors for this summer include cobalt blue, sky blue, navy blue, lime, Kelly green, and neutral grays. These colors not only draw attention to the piece, they also mix well with other summer colors like yellow, pink, and white. Unique drawer pulls can be found at hardware stores, antique shops and sometimes even local garage sales. Applying textured wallpaper to drawer fronts is also a creative, affordable way to update your bedroom furniture.

2. Outdoor Overhaul

Have a garden that’s been neglected over the years and could use a little love? Spend some of your weekend sprucing up your garden with some new mulch, low-maintenance shrubs, creative edging, and a welcoming seating area. Install some solar lights to draw attention to the space at night. Consider incorporating planters to add interest to the space. Not only does tending to a garden benefit your home’s exterior appearance, it is also good for your mental and physical health.

3. Brighten Up Your Space

Nothing screams “summer” quite like warm, natural light flooding into your windows. One way to bring more of that light into your home is by installing interior glass doors. There are many ways to incorporate glass doors into your home, such as using them as entryway doors to your sunroom or office, or installing frosted glass doors to your pantry in your kitchen. Glass doors are inviting and promote openness, yet they still help separate spaces when necessary.

4. First Impressions

Surprise your guests with an updated entryway to your home. Start with a new entryway mat that welcomes your guests. From there, hang a lovely wreath on your door. Take advantage of the space with a storage unit that also functions as seating. Get creative with your decor. If you enjoy the natural decor, make your own coat or key hanger. Using a stick or some driftwood, install a few hooks and then hang it on the wall. You could even take it a step further and spray paint your custom coat hanger with metallic or summery colors. If space allows, bring more nature indoors with plant stands.

5. Bathroom Brilliance

Little changes can make a huge difference in your bathroom. Since updating bathrooms can add a lot of value to your home, first determine what updates are needed so you can budget properly. Any issues relating to plumbing, electric, and structure should be taken care of before other updates are made. If you plan on selling soon, determine if your shower, toilet, sink, or floors need updating. If you don’t plan on selling anytime soon, consider making minor changes to freshen up space by painting the walls a neutral color, adding storage to keep the clutter off counters, updating the sink faucet, and purchasing new towels.

Conclusion

The summer is a great time to tackle home renovations. Small improvements can make a huge difference both in the aesthetics and the value of your home. Even with a tight budget, some creativity and a little elbow grease can work wonders for freshening up space.

5 Real Estate Markets That Are Currently Underpriced

by David Glenn | Aug 8, 2017 | CRESTICO

Investing in Real Estate by purchasing your own home can be a great long-term investment option. While buying a home in most markets and planning on owning it for a long period of time is almost always a great option, there are some real estate markets across the country that are now considered undervalued and provide more potential. The following five real estate markets are poised to experience higher than average increases in real estate values over the next 5 to 10 years. Detroit, Michigan One city that has had one of the hardest hit real estate markets over the past two decades has been Detroit. Detroit was one of just a few cities that actually saw value declines during the real estate bubble. While they have had a lot of issues with foreclosures, it appears that the city is rebounding. Detroit is no longer in bankruptcy and has seen a lot of urban revitalization. Part of this has included tearing down vacant homes all over the city and replacing the land with parks and commercial properties. Orlando, Florida Another city has it considered underpriced compared to other cities across the country is Orlando. Orlando was one of the fastest growing cities during the housing bubble. Once the bubble burst, many condo owners saw their property values fall dramatically. The city was further hit by a slowdown in the travel industry during the recent recession. Now that this has recovered, the demand for housing is starting to increase. The median value in the city is still only around $150,000, which makes is very affordable for someone new moving into the area. Chicago, IL While Chicago is best known for being the third-largest city in the country, its real estate market is considered one of the best values today. In 2016, the median price for a home in Chicago grew by about 4% to a median price of $228,000. At the same time, unemployment in Chicago is continuing to reduce and more people are moving back into the city. This is making more and more neighborhoods turn into expensive communities with a lot of local amenities. St George, Utah Another city that is considered to be undervalued are various urban and growing areas of Utah. While Salt Lake City and Park City have continued to have strong real estate markets, many of the best places to live in Utah are now considered to be in other areas of the city. The St. George, Utah area is located in the southwest part of the state and is considered one of the fastest-growing communities in the country. The city has an expanding local economy and still relatively affordable housing prices. In the coming years, St. George is expected to see continued above-average increases in its real estate home prices. New York When most people think of New York City, they think of the glamorous high rises in Manhattan and trendy brownstones in Brooklyn. While the city is full of unique housing projects that are considered the most expensive if the world, the overall city median price is still considered very affordable. Overall, the city of New York City is considered to be undervalued by at least 10%. This is based largely on the fact that the $385,000 median home value is affordable to a large percentage of the population. Furthermore, the city has low occupancy and a lot of outside real estate investors, which are going to continue to increase the demand for housing in the city. In conclusion, buying in owning a home is almost always a better long-term financial option than renting. While owning in most markets is a good idea, there are five real estate markets across the country today that are considered underpriced and offer the most potential upside.

Common Features of the Top Real Estate Investment Properties

by David Glenn | Jul 25, 2017 | CRESTICO

Investing in Real Estate is a great way to build wealth over time. Not only do investors get monthly cash flow from renting out properties, but they are also able to access the equity accumulation over time. With that in mind, one of the most important parts of the investing process is finding a home to rent out. You have to think about many years down the road before buying an investment property. A lot of the best rental properties from a financial perspective have common features. Here are some of the most important features to look for when buying an investment property. Safe Location When looking at a potential real estate investment, you have to look at how to increase the value of the property over time. While renting it out, the person who lives in the property is paying rent. This will usually cover the mortgage payment and then some. In order to increase the value of the home, it has to be in a good area. Although you can spend a lot of money to upgrade your home’s value in the short term, you are really looking for appreciation many years out. Finding the right location is key. You may even have to pay more for a home in a good area, but you should look for a home on the bottom end of the spectrum. Never have the nicest house in the neighborhood if you want to build wealth through your investments. Close to Work Another important feature of the top real estate investment properties is that they are close to work for people living there. In many places around the country, most of the jobs are in the city. Few people can afford to live in the city, so they look just outside the city in order to find an affordable place to stay. The problem is that no one wants to sit in traffic for hours a day just to get to work. The sweet spot for a location on a home is to find something that is relatively close to the places that people work. However, you should also price it in a way that it is still much more affordable than living directly in the city. This is why so many cities are seeing a huge increase in rent prices over the past few years. The demand for these rental homes has never been higher in many parts of the country. Upgraded Home Options There are also upgraded home options that many people look for when choosing a home. Most of these options are easy to put in, and they greatly increase the chance of your home’s value going up over time. Interior glass doors are easy to install and do not cost a lot of money. This is just one simple example of something that you can do as an owner to make the place look nicer for the people who are living there. Many people who have had success investing in real estate say that you should upgrade your property as much as possible over the years to increase the value of the home. However, you have to think about the cost to do so versus the return. Buying a home in the right area is really the biggest aspect of increasing the value of the home over time. Next Steps If you are interested in investing in real estate, you need to look for properties that have these common features. Location is the most important variable to look at, but there are also inexpensive upgrades that you can make on a home to increase the value of the property.

How New Real Estate Agents Can Get Ahead of the Game

by David Glenn | Jul 17, 2017 | CRESTICO

Real Estate agents know the business is all about creating and cultivating personal relationships with their clients. It’s meeting someone new and forming relationships with them that last through purchasing this home, selling it later, buying a new one, and working with their friends and family. When you have a relationship, you’re the first realtor people recommend. New Realtors don’t have that advantage, and it sometimes takes many months or even years to build a clientele like this. The business is competitive, and people want to know how they can get ahead in the game as a new realtor. Good business is easy to create, but a great reputation takes time. It’ll happen organically, but there are a few things you can do to help yourself grow. Let People Know What You’re Doing You won’t find business if you don’t make sure people know where you are and what you’re doing. There is a fine line, however, between being pushy about it and being excited about your new role. Be excited. Put it on social media, offer help to anyone who needs it, and be present when people are discussing new homes and selling. If people don’t know what you’re doing, they’re not going to ask you to help. Know Your Stuff If you want to get ahead in the real estate market, understand you must always learn more than you know. You will never know everything about the real estate market, and you must never allow yourself to become complacent. Trends, homes, locations, neighborhoods, wants, and desires change often, and it’s your job to know what’s changed, how it’s changing, and what is in right now versus what’s in yesterday. When you allow yourself time each day to catch up on what’s new and learn a few things, you’ll always be ahead. Learn to Network It’s time to get out of your shell and meet new people. Join the local Chamber of Commerce, the local YMCA, and attend local events. Network with other business owners, share your knowledge and advice with people who ask for it, and try to meet at least three new business contacts each week. One important piece of advice to remember is not everyone can help you directly, but everyone can help you indirectly. As a new real estate agent, you should get to know and become friends with a local repair service company so you can offer their repair service plan to buyers when they move into a new home. Get to know the local landscapers so you can recommend them to buyers or sellers. Get to know the local painters so you can recommend them to clients. You might think it sounds a little one-sided, but forming these relationships and recommending these companies provides you with an edge. They’ll do the same for you when they meet new people. That house the landscaper takes care of on the lake might be owned by a family looking to downsize now that the kids are gone. When they mention to the landscaper they’re looking to spruce up the yard because they want to sell, he can recommend you for all the favors you’ve done for him. Becoming a new real estate agent is starting from the bottom and working your way up. It’s imperative you learn that you will make mistakes, but that each one is a unique learning experience you can use to grow. When you’re willing to learn from others as well as your own mistakes, you’re going to grow faster and more organically. At the end of the day, the best thing you can do for your clients is be yourself and utilize your strengths. Knowledge is power in the real estate industry and entering the game as a new agent.

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