by Lilly Miller | May 28, 2019 | CRESTICO
When you’re renting and it seems that you want to make your rental apartment decor to look luxurious. Being aware that you’re actually living in somebody else’s apartment, investing in décor is always something you have to think twice about. You might be forced to move sooner than you expect and you don’t want to waste your hard-earned money on something you’ll have to leave behind. However, you still want your living space to have that luxurious appearance. So, what you can invest in are materials and items that you can carry with you or repurpose in another home one day. After all, luxury doesn’t mean crystal chandeliers and another upscale expensive décor anymore, but rather quality materials, smart combinations of different styles and being able to follow the latest trends with the space and the budget at your disposal. Here are some luxurious décor-related investments which can make living in your rental much more comfortable without setting you back financially.
Get some new knobs
Your kitchen cabinets are boring for you? Or the ones in your bathroom? Well, if you want to make a subtle change which will refresh the way they look and make you feel a bit happier, replace your old cabinet knobs with some new, elegant ones. You can save the old ones in a box or in one of your drawers and simply put them back onto your cabinet doors once you decide to move, while you take the new, better-looking ones with you to your new place. Similarly, if your doorknobs are old-fashioned nickel ones, already polished with years of use, you can invest in new ones, made from porcelain or brass. This is also something that’s easy to do, it’s affordable and can instantly add some glamour to an otherwise monotonous space.
Hide your worn-out floors
While getting new flooring in a rental apartment would be an utterly reckless investment, there are still ways to make your floors look beautiful without spending too much. With a few stunning area rugs in exactly the texture you prefer, you’ll add to the appeal of your entire apartment. If you can’t make up your mind about it, you should know that the latest trends are on your side, since you can now layer rugs in different textures, styles, colors and patterns to make your living space as sophisticated as you want. Don’t forget, bright colors and bold geometric prints are all the rage right now. You can even put some rugs where people least expect it, on your kitchen floors. Plus, nowadays you can choose jute rug made of natural materials and add tranquility to your home. And the best thing is that you can move them from one room to another, as well as from one apartment to another.
Add splashes of colors
If your whole living space is dull and depressing with plain white walls, adding some color here and there can make a huge difference and make the place more cheerful. Plus, it can reflect your own vibrant personality. Your landlord may agree to you painting an accent wall, but if they don’t, or if this is not something that you’re ready to do, you can always get some colorful artwork, as well as cushions, towels or even new curtains. As far as your bedroom is concerned, you can simply add color by investing in some new sheets and covers and enjoy the new life you’ve given to your apartment. Plush materials and trendy patterns will add some style to any of your rooms. And did you know you can get removable wallpaper now? Perhaps you should get some and have fun decorating.
Create additional storage space
If you feel that there’s a tad too much clutter in your rental and you want to have more storage space, but your mind is set on keeping it tasteful, pleasing to the eye and modern, there are several good solutions for you. First of all, floating shelves are something that’s ridiculously cheap, but can add some charm to any space if you’re careful with what you place on them. Similarly, if you lack closet space and you don’t know what to do with all those clothes, get a garment rack or two and put them in the corners of your bedroom. They are a fashionable way to store your garments, especially if you also invest in some lovely hangers. Finally, several stylish storage boxes or bins you can place underneath your beds can help you get rid of the mess and find the right place for all those little things which are currently annoying you all around your apartment.
With these guidelines, turning your rental apartment into a luxurious oasis you’ll love can be as simple and as affordable as you only hoped it could be.
by David Glenn | Nov 14, 2017 | CRESTICO
As an investor, real estate is one of the many options you can consider to expand your portfolio. It comes with many benefits including securing your future, buying a home and making money from renting out the real estate property you buy. If you are starting out, it is imperative to keep in mind the advantages and risks that come with real estate investment so that you make the best decision for your money. Once you have decided to invest, here are a few easy ways you can start out with:
Buy to rent
With buy-to-rent properties, you will be able to pay the mortgage on your property through the income generated from the tenant. If you select this option, you will be responsible for the expenses that come with renting out, including maintenance costs and taxes Ensure that you do your due diligence to make sure that the investment is worth it. Remember, the rent will depend on the market rates without affecting your mortgage. You should also make sure that you choose a property in an area where people would like to live so that you can get tenants easier. Consider the kind of tenant you want on your property before making a decision.
Consider investment groups
If you do not want a rental property, consider joining an investment group. With these groups, a company buys or builds property and lets a group of investors buy them through the company. Although you can own one or multiple units, all management responsibilities fall on the company. The company will also take a percentage of the monthly rent to cater for the maintenance, mortgage insurance, advertisement of vacant units and others. It is important to note that mortgage insurance is different than homeowners insurance, also known as home insurance, and it is wise to have both. Keep in mind that some investment groups require a percentage of the rent for vacant units. Ensure that you find out more about the agreements before signing up for such an investment.
Buy to Sell
If you are not interested in the two options above, consider flipping properties as a way of investing in real estate. This is the process of buying property, holding it for a few months with the intention of selling for a profit. It comes with a number of pros including the potential to make quick money and you will be able to learn a thing or two about Construction, real estate and market demand. However, you need to be careful not to make mistakes that might cost you. Keep in mind that you will need adequate time, as renovation is important to boost the value of your home when reselling. From finding the right house, buying the property and fixing it up, you will need quiet time and patience so that the investment can be worth it.
A real estate investment trust (RIET) will invest your money to buy and operate income property. It is a good plan as it allows both small and large investors to own real estate and commercial property as well. REITs come with a number of regulations, including having at least 100 shareholders; at least 75 percent of the assets must be in real estate, cash and government securities and 75 percent of the gross income come from rent, mortgage, and real estate investments. With REIT, you will benefit from high yields, simple tax improvement, and diversification.
Leverage
You can also consider leverage as an investment strategy to increase your potential of earning returns on your investment. This means that you use borrowed money to pay a significant percentage of the cost that enables you to buy a more expensive property that you could have bought using the available funds. If you are not comfortable with using leverage directly, you can invest in companies that use leverage to finance their operations. Depending on the decision that you take, make sure that you weigh your options, do your research on the benefits and costs of each before making your investment.
by CRESTICO | Mar 14, 2009 | CRESTICO
Investing in Your Real Estate Career
Have you ever thought about doing real estate as a full-time profession? Have you heard the term “buyer’s market” and want to know how YOU can capitalize on that? If you’re considering a real estate career, or have begun one and are still new to the industry, there are a few things that are important to keep in mind as you travel along this journey.
First, keep in mind that in real estate, as with most things, the rate of your success is directly related to the amount of “investment” you make. Now, you are probably thinking ” I have to SPEND money to make money?!” Yes and no. The investment that we are referring to here is mainly made up of time and effort, but you may need to invest some money into your career. Careers are like homes, they may seem perfect but they can always stand a little work. Here are some things you’ll need to consider.
Automatic success does not exist. While we believe that almost anyone can be successful at a career in real estate, no one does so automatically. Unless your daddy is a real estate mogul and buys a multitude of million dollar properties every month, you will need to work at it. A very smart real estate agent told me once, about her career, that she loves real estate because “you eat what you kill” and that is so true. You do have to put effort into your work, just like in any career, to become truly successful. This advice will help you to think about what you need to do to better serve your customers, and to grow your real estate career. For more advice and information, feel free to contact me directly.
