Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 35)

Posts by : Izy Berry

About Author / 1167 Posts
,

Property investments and climbing the property ladder could be for anyone, what matters is your dreams, goals, and your plan to help you reach them. 

Image by giovanni gargiulo from Pixabay 

When you first start, you may have limited finances and it may be tough, but the quicker you can get on the property ladder the quicker you can start reaching your goals and shopping for high end residential real estate. The sooner you make the move the quicker your equity will grow and you will start to climb the property ladder. 

Let’s have a look at some of the tips that could help you on your journey below: 

Consider The Level Of Debt You Are Comfortable With 

Some people are scared of debt and try to avoid it, this is because they see it as a dangerous position to be in. However, debt could help you to increase your return and shorten the time it takes to see a return. 

It’s also worth remembering that debt could increase your risk if you are ever unable to meet your repayments, so anyone who is investing needs to make sure they are comfortable with the level of debt they are taking on. You never want to be paying right up to your limit, but you also want to make sure you are making enough of an investment to be able to climb the ladder. 

Choose The Right Property

If you are planning on looking for a project to try and make a quicker profit, try to stick to cosmetically tired over structurally tired. Structural work is usually where you would find the most problems occurring which could be more expensive to repair. 

Some of the most simple and efficient ways to renovate a cosmetically tired home include carpeting, painting, converting a loft or garage, styling, replacing kitchen cupboards, re-enameling the bath, and replacing the fittings. 

Think About The People Who May Buy Your Property 

You need to think about who is likely to buy your property and what they may want in a property. You also need to research what other homes are also on the market in the same area, what condition they are, and what features they have in comparison to yours. 

If you are selling your property, you need to remember that a lot of it will come down to cosmetics. The styling, carpeting, and decor all matter, and buyers lookout for these when shopping. It’s also worth noting that too much personality on the alls can pout some buyers off. 

Make Sure Your Property Is Ready To Rent

If you are planning on buying a property for the rental market, you need to make sure you are buying one in a high-demand location but with low availability. It’s also important for you to think about what a tenant may want from a property. People tend to prefer a home that provides a blank canvas so they can add color, pictures, artwork, etc in their own way. Having neutral walls and carpets can help with this and make your property desirable to renters and property buyers. 

These tips should help when you are trying to climb the property ladder. Are you climbing the ladder? Do you have any tips that you could share in the comments? 

,

Macau casinos were prosperous in 2019 and it looked like the strong trend was only going to gain further traction. Things took a turn for the worst in 2020, when the global pandemic led to the closure of many casinos in the Asian Las Vegas. Those who were hoping for things to change for the better at the end of the year and the early 2021 were terribly disappointed by the outcome. Not only did land-based casinos failed to bring back players, but many are struggling with significant losses and are in risk of bankruptcy.

12th consecutive months of revenue decline

January 2020 was a great month for online casino operators like PlayUK.com, although the concerns regarding the novel coronavirus were serious on mainland China. Even so, there was no shortage of players in Macau casinos and that’s why the year-to-year decline stands at a massive 63.7%. It was in line with the losses suffered by the casinos compared to December 2019 but much better than March 2020.

The fact that these percentages are expected to improve in the next couple of months doesn’t mean all that much. There’s a strong chance that the revenue in March 2021 and April will surpass the numbers posted one year ago. This is, however, the consequence of a catastrophic drop in income during those months in 2020, with April being the worst in history. The record 96.8% decline is unlikely to be matched anytime soon, but things are not going to return to the pre-pandemic status either.

Storm clouds are gathering over Macau

The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau revealed these chilling numbers, which only confirm the fact that Macau casinos are in dire straits and struggling heavily to stay afloat. The problem is shared by land-based gambling operators from all over the world, but the money lost by casinos in this gambling hub is enormous. The gross gambling revenue in the city fell by nearly 80% year on year in 2020 and this led to sizable losses for the local industry.

Not only casinos, but also hotels and entertainment venues were heavily hit by the fact that visitors just stopped coming. The temporary closure of casinos and the fact that travel restrictions were in place for most of the year had a negative impact on the local economy. Since then, some casinos have reopened and traveling to the Chinese city is once again permitted, but visitors are not flocking to this destination.

In 2021, things are expected to improve gradually, as the positive impact on the new vaccine start to show. Land-based casinos depend heavily on foreign players and unless the public sentiment improves, gamblers will still be reluctant to visit these places. Crowded areas continue to scare prospective punters and many of them chose to switch to online entertainment. Those who play at Internet casinos are perfectly happy with their decision and few are anxious to return to traditional brick-and-mortar venues.

,

Buying a home is an achievement that is identical to so many feelings. Such an investment will often elicit excitement, fear, joy, trepidation, and any other expression that falls within the emotional spectrum. To put it mildly, it’s a captivating experience for anyone who has achieved this milestone. 

If you’re a first-time buyer, this process is undoubtedly magnifying, but seasoned buyers are not equally safe because they find it to be challenging at times. It’s a process that involves so many moving parts, and if you aren’t a bit cautious, you might make a regrettable decision. 

From time to time, even the best real estate agent will experience setbacks. While mistakes are bound to happen, preventative measures can help you avoid the most notable ones. Better yet, there are mistake mitigation efforts that will enable you to be proactive, despite your lack of experience.   

When everything is new, nothing is straightforward. Luckily, you’ll learn some of the common mistakes you should avoid when investing as big as buying your first home. Here are a few.

Emotional Decisions 

As much as there’s an emotional connection that comes along with buying your first home, you cannot let this attachment dictate your decision-making process. Before you put pen to paper, you should predict all your considerations on numbers. After all, it’s the numbers in your budget that will influence what you’re looking to get out of the property you intend to buy.

If you do not put your emotions in check, you might end up paying more for a home beyond its actual worth. Such a scenario is synonymous with getting the raw end of the deal. 

While it’s human nature to get attached to a particular property, do not get carried away. Since plenty of other houses will come along, do not allow your emotions to be the deciding factor. At this point, sound judgment should be your foremost ally. 

Do it On Your Own

We live in a time where technology has made everything easier than it used to be. Therefore, searching for a home should not be difficult, considering that you have the internet at your disposal. There are plenty of sites whose primary role is to help you find a property that will suit your tastes and preferences.  

Even as you look up for these sites, you’re likely to come across a sheer volume of homes, and this can lead to analysis paralysis. If need be, these sites should serve as a research tool in contrast to a physical home search. 

When it’s time to search for a home physically, perhaps you should enlist a little help. In any event, two minds are better than one. Allow your real estate agent to inspect homes in your place because they might be aware of listings that aren’t placed on the market yet. 

Assuming the Rules 

Owning a home is undoubtedly associated with freedom. Perhaps this could be the first time you don’t have to follow your previous household’s applicable rules. However, nothing could be further from the truth because even as you join the league of homeowners, homeownership rules still apply. 

There’s a likelihood that your most preferred home will come with deed restrictions and conditions. The rules of homeownership can vary dramatically, but they’re applicable in particular neighborhoods. More often than not, the purpose of deed restrictions and conditions is to provide the area in question with market stability. 

Failure to Save Enough Money 

It’s quite an accomplishment if you manage to save up the requisite funds to purchase your first home. Today’s economy has made it virtually impossible for anyone to transit from renting a house to buying one of their own. 

Other than the initial cost, most people hardly save enough in preparation for what comes next. Owning a home comes with its fair share of incidental costs. Therefore, ensure that you save up enough money to account for the homeowner’s follow-up costs. 

Buying a home comes with additional closing costs, and you need to be aware of all of them. 

Overlooking the Essence of a Pre-approval Letter  

It has become common for first time-homeowners to ignore the essence of getting pre-approved letters from their respective banks. If you bring this document with you, it will increase your chances of securing your desired property.

Furthermore, having a pre-approval letter will give you a rough idea of the kind of property you can afford. In any case, sellers tend to go for pre-approved offers because they come with a specific loan amount. By taking these precautions, the seller is reducing the likelihood of the deal falling apart. 

A pre-approval letter is the bank’s way of saying that it’s comfortable to advance you a certain amount of money. 

Ignoring the Resale Value

Often, going for the biggest house on the block is not the best idea. In real estate, when a smaller home is in the midst of beautiful larger homes, it tends to sell for more compared to a spacious house in a denigrated neighborhood. 

When buying a home, never overlook the most pertinent resale factors, such as lot size, location, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and so on. If a property does not have an attractive resale value, perhaps you should go for something that will give you a considerable return. 

Forgoing Inspection 

As a first-home buyer, the worst mistake you can make is to waive your property’s inspection. It’s through inspection that you’ll get to know whether you’re about to buy something unexpected. 

Ordinarily, if you happen to find something significant, it’s likely the current owners are unaware that anything of the sort existed. Some notable things, e.g., an unstable foundation or mold hidden in the attic, may come as a surprise to the seller and the buyer.     

In a Nutshell

Buying a home is a life-changing decision that calls for some bit of due diligence. While emotions will come into play, you do not have the luxury of making regrettable decisions. Being aware of the issues you should look out for will give you the freedom to shop with confidence.  

,

One of the exciting aspects of cycling is the prospect of taking your fat tire cruiser bike out on the trails. Fat tire bikes can handle muddy and snowy pathways better than standard bikes, making them perfect for spring riding. Below is a list of the ten best spots to go fat tire trail riding.

1. Marquette, Michigan

In Marquette, Michigan, riders will find the Noquemanon Trail Network. This network of 60 miles of exclusive fat tire trails started a little more than a decade ago and is not meant for electric beach cruisers or the faint of heart.

2. Grand Targhee in Alta, Wyoming

The Nordic trails in Grand Targhee or Alta, Wyoming was among the first resorts to allow fat tires in the US. Now, it is one of the best places to test out a fat tire ebike vs regular manual fat tires with nearly 13 miles of accessible routes.

3. Cable, Wisconsin

The Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association in Cable, Wisconsin, started grooming about 40 miles of fat bike trails in 2015. If you are not sure how you feel about fat-tire riding, consider renting a bike from one of the available shops.

4. Winter Park, Colorado

Known as “Mountain Bike Capital USA,” Winter Park, Colorado, embraces fat bikes at many Nordic centers. The area also started a fat bike race series to promote its acceptance of the growing cycling trend.

5. Vail Valley, Colorado 

Offering year-round trails, Vail Valley, Colorado, does not offer the same resort setting as some of the other locations on this list, but don’t let that deter you. While not all trails will allow fat bikes, PB&J, Creek Road in Edwards, and several others do.

6. Duluth, Minnesota

With over 20 miles of fat bike trails, Duluth, Minnesota, is a fat bike trails leader. You can get spectacular views of Lake Superior riding the Lester River/Hawk Ridge trails or ride through nine miles of scenery through the Mission Creek Trail system.

7. Kingdom Trails in East Burke, Vermont

In East Burke, Vermont, you will find one of the most spectacular mountain bike trails. Kingdom trails have nearly 100 miles of bike paths, although, in winter and early spring, it is more like 20. While you have to pay for land use, the money goes to maintaining the pathways.

8. Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

If you’re looking for a mix of grassroots groomed trails and resort paths, consider the Gunnison-Crested Butte area in Colorado. In North Village, you can find a three-mile fat-tire specific loop just past Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

9. Mont Sainte Anne in Quebec, Canada

One of the most renowned mountain biking cities, Park City, Utah, is home to some of the country’s most beautiful multi-use trails. While you might need to share the track, fat-bikes are welcome.

10. Park City, Utah

Just north of the US, Canada’s Mont Sainte Anne, located in Quebec, is known for World Cup events. The resort’s endless supply of Nordic trails makes it a no-brainer for any fat-tire trail rider.

Are you feeling adventurous? Head to your local bike shop, pick up a fat tire bike, and go exploring.

,

Are you looking for a change in location? Do you have increased wanderlust due to the pandemic? There are so many reasons you might be ready to leave one property for another – or sign away your property for a different lifestyle altogether. Take these steps to get on the right path for a successful move. 

Image Credit

Feel Comfortable With Your Decision

When readying yourself for a move, consider all of the variables on each end of the move. Doing so will help to determine whether you are ready for such a significant change. Take a moment to write them down if you are at all indecisive about the decision. Next, realize that nothing on the list has to prevent you from moving forward in your life, either literally or figuratively. The items you wrote down are simply guideposts – things that will keep you on your path to deciding what you want in both life and your next location. It is ok to miss your current home, but welcoming a new adventure and opportunities to expand your horizons will add richness to your life story.

Seek Expert Legal Advice

Regardless of your reasons for moving, ensure you engage with the experts for fixed price conveyancing. This way, your property transfer documents will be processed the right way the first time with all of the necessary legal protections afforded you. It is essential to find conveyancing services you can trust from the beginning of the process through to the end. Trusted professionals will take the time to answer all of your questions and explain the procedures to alleviate any unnecessary stress.

Stay On Top Of Tasks

When moving, there are an overwhelming amount of tasks to accomplish both before and after the move. Keep your mood positive and maintain proactivity with easy tips to get the job done without frustration. Remember to document your belongings digitally before packing. A video walk-through of your home after you are through moving the boxes out will serve as proof of a clean and damage-free property should it be needed later on. Keep a checklist of all necessary responsibilities and tick them off as soon as they are completed so that no one else assisting you doubles up on the tasks.

Sell Or Store Belongings?

If your impending move involves extended travel without a final destination, you will need to look into the alternating options of either selling or storing your personal property. This is a very personal decision that involves many questions. How long will you be traveling? Do you have an end date and/or location in mind? Of course, your possessions have value, but do they hold long-term interest? Will you use the couch from university in your next home, or will you be better off selling or donating it rather than placing it in storage? Regardless of what you decide, contact your insurance company to purchase proper insurance for wherever you store your property.

Image Credit

When seeking out your dream property or fantasy travel destination, have fun and dream big. Enjoy the time spent fantasizing about a new locale. But, utilize due diligence practices to the best of your ability and enlist professional services when needed to have the best experience possible when buying a new property or vetting out new locations. Life is an adventure; get out there and have one.

,

Moving house is something everyone does but it also is one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. Getting everything you own and moving it all to your new dream home is a lot more difficult than some movies make it out to be. Here are some handy tips for you to do before you move house to make it run as smoothly as possible.

Finding The Right Place To Live

Before you prepare and organize you need to find the right place for you to live. This means looking at different areas and locations to make sure it feels right for you and feels like home. It isn’t a task to be rushed. Some great places to look at are Manufactured homes for sale as well as looking at different locations if you feel like a change. Then once you have found your dream home it is time to get your organizing cap on.

Spring Clean Everything

Get the whole family involved, and sort through all your things. Focus first on things you have a lot of like clothes and books. You will have books that you probably haven’t read in years and don’t plan on reading again as well as clothes that may not even fit you anymore. Sort through them and then get rid of them! You can look to give it to a thrift store or to someone that will use it, a lot of people end up moving so much stuff they don’t even want anymore.

Pack Nice And Early

Don’t cause yourself extra stress by leaving everything until the last minute. Start early and as soon as you have a moving date you can start putting things in boxes you won’t need to use beforehand. You can look to pack up things like towels, plates, and mugs and just leave enough out that you will use before you move house.

Label Everything Clearly

Make sure when you are packing up everything is labeled so it is clear what is in each box, not only will it make it easier for the movers when putting your boxes in different rooms but it will help you prioritize when unpacking. You don’t want to end up looking for hours for cups so you can have a cup of coffee in the morning because you didn’t label things properly. A top tip is to get different colored markers so each room has a designated color so that things are a lot more organized. 

So there you have it, moving doesn’t always have to be as difficult as people say it is. So, now you have a few helpful tips and ways to make moving house a lot easier so you can start looking for your next home. You can make it as stress-free as possible by adopting these tips into your house moving process and making things run a lot smoother. It doesn’t have to be a stressful situation as long as you take your time in choosing the right house and preparing.

,

Alongside our kitchens, the living room is usually the second most used room in the house. It’s where we relax after a long day, entertain our guests or even do our lockdown homework outs. With flooring being the main feature of any room, we need to get it right!

Whether you’re from a busy family household or live alone, there’s something to suit everyone.

Practicality and Durability

Something we all need to look for no matter the room! This is especially important when it comes to the living room, as there’s plenty going on with lots of usage!

As a fist rule to remember, try and stay away from carpets. As lovely and homely as they are, they stain so easily and start to look worn after a few years that you’ll want to replace them. Therefore, for a room such as the living room with lots of feet coming in and out, it’s not ideal! The last thing you want is to be worrying about Friday night drinks spilling everywhere!

Laminate and luxury vinyl tiles

These are all good options. Although they are much more practical than carpet, laminate and luxury vinyl tiles are the way to go if you want something as practical as possible. They are both resistant to scratches, stains and water so you don’t need to worry if you do spill the odd drink on them! As well as this, both of these options come in very convincing replicas of natural product such as wood and stone, so you don’t have to sacrifice beautiful looks for the sake of practicality.

Solid and engineered wood

The elitist of the flooring world and the ideal choice for the living room! Incredible durability with some notable practical pointers too. Wood can last for a lifetime if cared for properly, which is ideal for the living room which sees many feet pass it! However, is can scratch, stain and is no good when it comes into contact with water. However, you can sand it down and refinish it to remove any damage.

When it comes to choosing between solid and engineered flooring, there’s one main distinction. Engineered wood is compatible with under-floor heating, whereas solid is not. So just be aware of this when choosing!

,

Feng Shui is a Chinese philosophical system that is utilised in many homes and is becoming commonplace in the office as well. It revolves around generating the right environment in order to harmonise human existence. Needless to say, a balanced workplace tends to be one that is more productive and thus you can easily see why the two have been linked together. Therefore, keep reading to discover some top tips for applying Feng Shui principles in your business’s offices…

First and foremost, you must ensure that the office walls are painted in a colour that supports the line of work being carried out. This is an option which most businesses tend to go for regardless of Feng Shui. However, if your wall colour has no correlation to your industry then this is something you should think about. So, if you are involved in the world of sales or marketing then terra cotta (in a soft tone) is an advisable choice, or any other earthy shades for that matter. Why? It is associated with building a good relationship with your clients – which is, of course, what your line of work is all about. What about press rooms or media production offices? Well, these are places whereby the word frantic can definitely be used to sum up the atmosphere, so creating a sense of calm through a cool blue is a good route to go down. A reputable company like Lowe Design Build can help you with planning your new office to perfection.

In addition to this, you must pay particular attention to the entrance of your offices. Think of what this represents. The doors open to productivity, the doors open to profitability, the doors open to new clients, and so on and so forth. Therefore you need to make a statement. Your entrance must be welcoming yet energising at the same time. Make sure all clutter is eliminated. Furthermore, it is advisable that your entrance is well lit too. You can create an inviting feel via a selection of plants. 

The next point relates to meetings. This encompasses everything from meetings with your employees to potential clients. It is a very simple tip; use a round or an oval table. Why? The circular quality of these tables represents complete energy and so promotes productivity in achieving the goal of the meeting. If you need to establish authority and power then you should always sit opposite the door. 

And finally, what about art and wall décor? This needs to be given particular attention because you have many options to go down with this route and you also generate a bit of personality regarding your company too. You need to be looking for art and wall décor that will inspire and energise your employees, i.e. motivational pieces. A lot of managers and alike opt to hang pictures of their family on the wall. In truth, this is actually very distracting. Keep this in the east and southeast area of your office. 

These Feng Shui principles are all easy to implement yet their effect can be monumental. Nonetheless, it all begins with finding the right office. Start that journey with a good company, and then follow these principles to ensure success is achieved. 

,

New parents spend hours thinking of ways on how to welcome their baby into their new home. They imagine what kind of person the child will be like. What kind of toys will they like? What will they choose as their favorite color? A million questions run through the mind of new parents in anticipation of their little bundle of joy.

The big question is how will you decorate your new baby’s room to make it welcoming for them. Deciding on a layout is just as difficult as choosing what to put in it. There are many options out there and it makes it hard to agree on anything.

In this list, we will show you 10 nursery room design trends of 2020 to help make your decision a little easier.

Unique design that reflects personality

Make it a room that reflects your personality and character as a new parent. It’s your home, so why not make it a room that is tailored to your needs and your baby’s. Ask yourself what your expectations will be when using and interacting with the room, as well as your habits, routines, and personal taste like for example you’d like custom neon signs to make everything just for your baby. You’ll be spending almost as much time in there as you do in your bedroom, so make it comfortable.

Small is in

Work with the limited space you have and make it seem like you have more than there actually is. It’s all about placement and how you style the room. Select smart furniture that can serve a purpose as well as fit that design you envision the room to be. 

Countryside chic

Give the room a touch of style and a dash of rustic feel by mixing up patterns. A room design with farmhouse wall signs, antiques, new decor, and colors of green and muted tones can make the room feel timeless. The thing to remember here is that rustic accents can offer themselves to be varying in style and themes from shabby chic to country farmhouse.

Gender-neutral nurseries

We can expect gender-neutral nurseries to rise in more popularity as society grows to be more open to different family dynamics. It won’t always be that you’ll see an all pink or all blue nursery now that these styles of nurseries are in.

Multipurpose nursery furniture

That dresser in your nursery room can serve a dual purpose as a changing table. Use the chest where you store the baby’s toys as a baby needs station. Get creative with the furniture and find ways to make efficient use of the space you’re given. 

Changing baskets

It looks charming, stylish, and practical on top of providing you a natural change station option alternative to the traditional changing pads. The changing basket is portable for you to bring around the house. Additionally, it can also serve as an adorable caddy for stuffed toys when they’re not being played with.   

Rattan/Wicker is making a comeback

Rattan and wicker provide a natural and earthy feel to a room. You’ll find many nurseries designed with these materials because of the warmth and texture it adds. 

Green like a forest

It may not be your cup of tea but give some consideration to painting your nursery a nice, deep shade of green. It brings a sense of intrigue to the room as well as sophistication at the same time. Decorate the room with a touch of brass and vintage accents and millwork to break the monotony. It has become quite a popular choice because of how versatile it works across many different nursery styles.

Back in Black

A simple option to make the nursery more stylish is to use black. Black walls, black prints, black furniture, and fixtures, it will give a commanding presence to the room. If that’s a bit excessive, you can find a wallpaper with an interesting design to match the color.

Attraction to florals

Not exactly a new trend but it still has shown popularity as a design choice for nurseries. It’s no surprise as to why. Floral wallpaper can make a room feel soft and sweet, vintage, whimsical, or anything depending on how you want it to feel. 

,

After a strange year, to say the least, getting the right Christmas gift feels more important than ever – and the world of technology is here to help, with plenty of fantastic gadgets out there for you to buy your friends and family this Christmas. I was reading through a wonderful post about the last century’s most popular Christmas gifts and noticed since the 70s technology has dominated the most in-demand gift ideas. This year is no exception, and there are fantastic technology-based Christmas gifts for all your loved ones. We’ve only got a few days to go before the most festive day of the year, so hopefully, these ideas give you some gift buying inspiration.


The above infographic was created by Betway.

1. Massage gun

Gove your loved one the gift of relaxation this christmas by getting them a massage gun, so they can release the tension of their muscles without leaving home. A massage gun is like a more convenient, handheld version of a massage chair which is great for using on specific areas of aches and pains or more generally for a relaxing massage. If you know someone whos homeworking habits have left them with back pain, this is the 2020 gadget for them! There are lots of different brands out there to suit everyone.

2. Nintendo Ring-fit

Keeping fit has been even more of a challenge this year, and one handy gadget that comes to the rescue is the Nintendo Ring-fit. The handheld ring comes with a leg strap, which together track your movements to allow you to play fun interactive fitness games and complete customized workouts without ever having to go out of the front door.

3. Sage Coffee machine

Missing your daily barista-made coffee? A compact home coffee machine is the ultimate technology gift for you, allowing you to make your caoouccinos and macchiatos exactly the way you like them from your own kitchen in your favourite mug. This is the perfect gadget for the caffeine addict in your life, and as a gift for the whole household.

4. PocketTalk translator

The perfect gift for the family adventurer, this handheld pocket translator is the ultimate travel gadget. It can translate over 70 languages from text and speech and comes equipped with 2 years worth of international data to use.

5. Nintendo Switch Lit

The cheapest in the Nintendo Switch range, this smaller, portable only model of the beloved switch has a very aesthetically pleasing design and can link with up to 8 other switch systems for online gaming fun. The smaller design of this model makes this a great gift for children, or anyone who wants a nifty gaming system to have with them on the go.

With so many new and different gadgets coming out all the time, it can be difficult to separate the good from the gimmicky – but this list should help you pick a gadget that your loved ones will enjoy using for a while yet, and put a smile on their face on Christmas Day.