Mastering Time: Essential Tips and Insights for Effective Management

What I Learned Building My First House

by David Glenn | Oct 12, 2017 | CRESTICO

Many people dream of building a great home. With the strong housing market, now is a great time to invest in a new home. However, building a home is more complicated than many people realize. There are many variables to consider when building a home. Working with an experienced builder is one of the most important things that anyone can concentrate on. There are many people who are excited about the possibilities in their new home. Here are some things to remember when building a home. Building a Home is Hard Work Building a home takes a lot of careful planning. Some people wrongly assume that building a home is an easy process. However, homeowners must be willing to work hard in order to finish on time. One of the biggest reasons that homes do not finish on time or on a budget is because the owners are not organized. Before starting the building process, you need to have plans for each part of your home. Your home builder should be able to walk you through the expected cost of the home. It is up to you to get your part done in order to complete the home within the allotted time schedule. Get a Home Warranty A home warranty is one of the best investments that anyone can make. A home warranty will protect the homeowner in the event of something going wrong. Some people do not want to pay money for a home warranty. However, with just one issue coming up in your home, the home warranty will pay for itself. There are many people who think that the home warranty cost is too high. There are cheaper options available in the market if you spend enough time looking around. However, compared to the cost of repairing a home, a home warranty is a great deal. It is risky to build a new home and not have some sort of home warranty. In fact, many areas of the country require a warranty for people who build a new home. Before you move in, getting a home warranty that covers your needs is vital. There Will be Delays Building a home is a long and difficult process. During this process, there are going to be times when the project gets delayed. These delays can result from things like weather or simply poor planning. This is one of the reasons that homeowners should put some buffer into their time and financial budget for a new home. Working with a great builder is one way to minimize delays. Experienced builders know how to plan for things that they cannot control. Looking at online reviews is one of the best ways to make sure that you are choosing the right builder for your needs. Staying on Budget is Difficult Staying on a budget during the building process can be difficult. When building a home, every area of the home can be customized to fit the needs of the homeowner. There are many people who end up spending thousands of dollars upgrading their new home. This is a major financial issue because getting a new loan is a difficult process. In order to prevent these issues from occurring, you need to make sure to stay on budget with each part of the home. When you get approval for a home loan, getting a little extra financing is always a good idea. This will give you some room to splurge on various areas of your home. Some people end up taking a second loan to finish their home. This can result in financial disaster if the housing market crashes.

5 Tips to Maintain the “Brand New” Look in Your New Home

by David Glenn | Sep 27, 2017 | CRESTICO

Moving into a new home can be a wonderful feeling. Few things can beat looking around and seeing that everything in the house is brand new. However, it’s inevitable that the like-new feeling will fade over time. Luckily, it’s possible to keep your home looking like new for a long time to come. These are a few tips that can help you do just that.

Have Your Carpet Professionally Cleaned

No matter how careful you might be to try to keep your carpet clean, odors, dirt and more are going to happen. Of course, you can implement a no-shoes policy in your home, and vacuuming your flooring regularly can help. However, even with all of this, your carpet can begin to show signs of wear and tear over time.

If you have it professionally cleaned, however, you can keep it looking great for years. Having it cleaned is a good way to get rid of deep dirt that you can’t remove with your vacuum cleaner. Plus, it can help get rid of odors and can overall make your carpet look and smell like new again.

Different people have to have steam carpet cleaning done with different frequencies. For many, simply having your carpet cleaned once per year is sufficient. If you have kids or pets, however, you may find that having your carpet cleaned more often is a better choice.

Wash Your Windows

It can be easy to forget about chores like washing your windows. However, they can get dirty on both the inside and outside and will start to look older than they are if you don’t take care of them. Even though it can be a big chore, it’s important to clean your windows both on the inside and outside at least once per year. In-between these cleanings, using a little bit of your favorite window cleaner and a paper towel or old piece of newspaper can allow you to get rid of any smudges that you see as they pop up.

Clean Your Walls and Baseboards

It might seem like a really big job to clean your walls and baseboards. However, even if you keep a nice, clean home, walls and baseboards can become dirty. Dust and cobwebs can accumulate, and you might leave fingerprints and smudges on the walls. Once per year, using your favorite all-purpose cleaner, you should clean your walls and baseboards with a clean cloth. If you have trouble reaching the higher areas of your walls, you can use a step ladder or a clean, brand new mop to get the job done.

Clean Your Light Fixtures

Many people never think much about cleaning their light fixtures. However, your brand new light fixtures can begin to look old and dirty if you don’t take care of them. Climbing up on a step ladder and dusting them regularly is a good way to get rid of dust and debris. Periodically, you may need to clean your light fixtures a little more thoroughly in order to make them look good, however. Using glass cleaner or your favorite all-purpose cleaner can be a good solution for getting your light fixtures nice and clean.

Get in the Habit of Picking Up as You Go

One of the things that many people love about a brand new house is the fact that it’s not cluttered with a ton of “stuff” yet and that it’s kept neat and clean. As time goes on, however, it can be easy to get into the habit of putting things in the wrong places or otherwise not cleaning up after yourself. Unfortunately, this can lead to your home becoming a lot messier than you probably would like for it to be.

If you and your family members get in the habit of picking up and cleaning as you go, however, you can save yourself a whole lot of work, can prevent your home from getting out of control and can help ensure that your home is always “company ready.”

As you can see, there are a few steps that you can take that can help you keep your home looking new for many years. If you follow these tips, you can help ensure that your home looks great for a long time to come.

5 Things to Look for When Buying Your First Home

by David Glenn | Sep 25, 2017 | CRESTICO

Congratulations! You’re about to become a homeowner! It’s both an exciting and terrifying time, as you navigate the Real Estate marketing looking for an affordable home that you also love. There are a lot of factors you may know with buying a home and it’s important that you know them before making the big decision. As you take a big step towards home ownership, below are five important things to consider when buying your first home.

1. The Roof

A roof in need of repair should be among the first features to check before settling on a property. Take a look at the roof before even entering the home. What material is it? Some roofing materials last longer than others. Consider the stability of the roof in relation to the environment the house is in. For instance, if the place is windy, then you will need a very sturdy roof. Look at the roofline for deflections. Watch out for damaged or detached shingles that can cause leaks. 2. A House Is An Investment Keep this in mind when you are buying your new home because there could come a time when you may need to sell it. This is where all that maintenance will come in handy. By keeping everything in tip-top shape, the value of your home will also stay in good shape. In addition, when looking at homes, take note of what DIY projects you can do to help increase the value of your home. From installing glass doors in your home to replacing the carpet with wood flooring, you’re options are endless when you treat your house as an investment.

3. Property Taxes

Owners of real property must pay property taxes. In many cases, your mortgage lender will collect this as part of the monthly mortgage payment, otherwise, the homeowner must pay on their own. Also, find out how often the county you are moving to reassesses tax valuations and determine the last time your property was assessed in order to prepare for potential changes.

4. Is Everything Up To Code?

The ASHI Standards of Practice states that home inspectors are required to report on unsafe conditions, but you may also want to have a code inspector look at the property. If anything is out of code, then it’s your responsibility as the new homeowner to fix it. In addition, always do a home inspection. A home inspector has a checklist covering the roof to the basement and everything in between. Having an experienced home inspector can save you headaches in the future, especially if they uncover major structural issues that could make or break the sale. If you don’t mind a “fixer upper”, then this would also give you an idea of the potential work that you have ahead of you. However, if there is more work than either you or the seller can reasonably fix, then you might need to consider another option.

5. Land/Neighborhood

Don’t spend too much time evaluating the house that you disregard the land it is on. Learn the characteristic of that piece of land. Does it have a tendency to flood? If you are planning to get an in-ground pool, a rocky ground will present some limitations. Analyze the fencing and landscaping options that the land offers. Consider the parking space that you will have as well. At the same time, drive around the neighborhood to get a feel for your potential neighbors. Are there more retired couples, families or singles in the area? This is key if you have family—finding out if you live near families with kids around the same age as your own. Do some research online as well to see crime rates, registered sex offenders, etc in the neighborhood. All in all, keep these five tips in mind when on journey towards homeownership.

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.

5 Details to Think About When Moving to a New Home

by David Glenn | May 10, 2017 | CRESTICO

Moving into a new home can be exciting, but it also can be stressful in many ways. In addition to the stress associated with physically relocating all of your belongings into a new home, your life may be affected in various other ways by your move. In fact, it may take several weeks or longer to fully get accustomed to life in your new home. These are some of the more significant details of your life that may change when you move, and by learning about them, you may be able to prepare for them ahead of time.

The Cost of Home Insurance

Home insurance is typically required by your lender, and it offers numerous benefits. For example, it may pay to repair or replace your home if it is damaged by severe weather. Home insurance rates vary based on the size and location of your home as well as several other factors. Many homeowners pay approximately $1,000 or more per year on home insurance. While this premium is typically paid in monthly installments, it nonetheless can take time to get accustomed to this extra expense in your budget. Consider looking at companies that will provide a bundle that may include car insurance and other coverage. Getting cheap insurance quotes before you move is a great way to save money on this expense.

The Length of Your Commute

The average commute time workers must deal with varies substantially based on where you live, but most workers commute at least 20 to 30 minutes each way, and some have a commute length that exceeds one hour each way. A smart idea is to travel along your new commute path to your workplace before you move. This will help you to avoid being unpleasantly surprised by a much longer commute length than you planned for.

The Cost of Your Utilities

Utilities expenses can increase when you move into a new home, and you should prepare for this possibility in your budget. Keep in mind that the size of the home is not the only factor that affects utilities costs. New utilities rates for a specific location, how energy efficient the home is and more will also affect your utilities expenses. You can usually obtain historical utilities costs for a specific property from the provider to get a better idea about what your own utilities costs will be.

Repairs and Maintenance Needs for the Property

If you are purchasing a new home, you will assume the condition of the property from the previous owner. Reviewing the property inspection is a great way to learn more about repairs and maintenance tasks that need to be addressed. Some items may require your urgent attention as soon as you move in, and others may be placed on your to-do list to complete within the next few months. You should, however, budget for these expenses as soon as possible.

The Need for Additional Storage Space

When you move into a new home, your storage needs can change dramatically. First, you may have less storage space in closets and attics, and you may need to find an additional area to store some of your belongings. In addition, the size, number and layout of your rooms may change. This means that you may not have a space for all of your furnishings. You could choose to get rid of some unnecessary items by selling or donating them. However, others prefer to hang onto their items. You could consider renting a storage unit to tackle your current storage issue.

As you can see, many of your current life factors can change when you move into a new home. These various factors can affect your budget, your daily routine and your general home life experience. If you are preparing to relocate to a new home, it is important that you review some of these various factors up-front so that you can properly prepare for them. By doing so, you can more easily transition into life in your new home.