Four Renovations to Consider When Selling Your Home

Splashing out on home improvements is one sure way to add value and attractiveness to your home if you are trying to sell. Maybe your kitchen or bathroom is looking a little tired, or you’d like to add more space to your property to make it more attractive to buyers with large families. Home renovations not only make your home a more enjoyable place to live for you and other families, they also increase the market value of your home and put you in a better position to compete with other similar homes for sale in the area. If you’re considering selling your home and want to make some improvements to it, here are the top ones to consider.

A Conservatory

Having a conservatory added to the back of your home is one of the home renovation projects that can bring with it the highest rate of return. Buyers tend to be more attracted to homes with conservatories, as it provides them with an extra room for living in and for storage, however the appeal with a conservatory is that it makes an excellent area of the home during the summer.

Garden Renovations

It is easy to forget about your garden and the exterior areas of your home whilst you are focusing so hard on making sure that the interior is perfect to buyers. However, what’s important to remember is that your garden is the first thing that buyers will see when they pull up at the front of your home to view it. No matter how amazing your home may be on the inside, if your garden is overgrown and unkempt it can make a bad first impression on potential buyers and even put them off making an offer.

Extra Room Extension

If you think that your property could benefit from a bit more room, adding an extension or converting a garage can be an excellent way to do this, as well as adding value to your home. Adding an extension could mean that your home has an extra bedroom, or you could use the room as another living room, dining room, storage room or study. When it comes to adding extensions to your home, size restrictions do apply – however a reputable building company such as Georgian Home Renovations will be able to ensure that all of the different restrictions are met.

Kitchen Renovation

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and your kitchen may well be the first room that a potential buyer wants to look at when they are viewing the property. Many buyers replace the kitchen first, in order to put their own personal stamp on a property. However, if you are able to provide them with a new, modern and attractive space right from the very start, many buyers will be willing to pay more for the home as they will save money on kitchen renovations and remodelling. Which renovations do you think are the best for adding value to your home? Let us know in the comments.

The Most Expensive Homes for Sale and Rent in NYC

If you're a fan of real estate, you might know that Chairman Wes Edens paid $17 million for a home in the Central Park West area of NYC or that actress Sarah Jessica Parker dropped more than $10 on a home in the city for her family. With hundreds of homes and apartments priced at more than $10 million in the city, it's not surprising that some of the most expensive homes for sale and rent are in New York City.

East 62nd Street

The home located at 12-16 East 62nd Street takes up nearly an entire city block. Rumor has it that a wealthy business owner from Brazil purchased multiple units for sale and tore down the connecting walls to make one large home for his family. Featuring several floors of living space and several rental units, this home seldom goes on the market. The last time the owner listed it with an agent, it had an asking price of $120 million.

Vincent Viola Mansion

Unless you're a fan of professional sports, the name Vincent Viola may mean little to you. Viola and his wife were already quite wealthy when they purchased a National Hockey League franchise, which helped them put even more money in the bank. The couple purchased a large home on the Upper East Side and did massive renovations, including adding a new swimming pool and a large movie theater. When the couple decided to list the home for sale, it went on the market for $114 million.

The Surrey Hotel Presidential Suite

If you have a few million dollars burning a hole in your pocket and aren't committed to owning a home, you can rent The Surrey Hotel Presidential Suite for $450,000 a month. Regarded as one of the most elegant apartments in NYC, the suite boasts more than 10 rooms, including a master bedroom, master bathroom, sitting room and multiple guest rooms. Located on the Upper East Side, the suite has more than 2,000 square feet space and offers impressive views of the city.

Berwind Mansion

While not quite as expensive as the suite at The Surrey Hotel, the apartment at the Berwind Mansion comes with a high price tag too. This apartment consists of more than 20 rooms that provide residents with all the space they need for sleeping, cooking, doing business and even entertaining. Though the apartment occasionally rents for $80,000 a month, demand can raise that price to $150,000 a month. This apartment is even so popular that a former resident once offered the owner more than $80 million to buy it outright.

River House Apartment

The River House is one of the most private and elite clubs in all of New York City, and it operates a co-op out of its building along the East River. Though the club attempted to find and secure a lease to rent the building, it eventually put the entire building on the market with an asking price of $130 million. This club has a total square footage of 62,000 feet, multiple rooms on five floors and gorgeous views of the water. Though celebrities and famous faces own some of the most expensive homes and apartments in NYC, anyone with money to burn will find places to buy or rent in the city.

Building the Bridge: Real Estate and Property Management

With the extensive scope of the real estate world investing your hard earned money on it has never been so trouble-free. Let’s get it from the basics… Real Estate is the property consisting of land or buildings. Managing your properties may seem a tedious job for you. (We got that Right? Don’t Miss on this!) For the smooth management of your funds on million dollar assets property management sets a landmark for safe guarding money of its investors. Yet another question would have popped up in your minds… What is Property Management? Here’s the answer: it is the effective management of your estate belongings by its expert. (Yes! The Professional Advice)

Properties do come with a lot responsibilities and a plenty of side work in order to reap profits from your investments. To heal up this bridge, it won’t be wrong to say that real estate and property management go hand in hand. Let’s have a peek-a-boo to the benefits of handling your property under skilled hands:

• Quality Home for Quality Tenants:

(Getting it the right way!)
The foremost feature of property management is to look for right tenants for effective utilization of your assets. Efficient managers work on their toes to market the property for leasing it to the accurate residents

• A better Retention and Shorter Vacancy Cycles:

(No more losses!)

In the world of real estate, an empty house is just equal to an empty wallet for the landlord. When your previous tenant leaves you with the burden of maintaining the decorum of your house, you need to get it fixed before handing over the keys to your new tenant. You can go through property management pacific beach reviews for more relevant information.

To get a hold on this situation, property managers are swift enough for setting up the space for new families.

• Assistance in maintenance of your home:

(Sigh. Relief! Right?)

Being the owner of the property makes you solely responsible for ensuring that remains in working condition from the roof to bulbs and windows (The list seems to be endless.) A property manager has solution to this as well. He has experienced staff working under him to carry out smooth functioning of your house.

• Maintaining various benefitting reports and No weight to cope up Government policy:

(Yes, that’s what you wanted)

Property Managers be in regular touch with the owners and assist them for well-organized ongoing of their property. Also, Government policies such as taxes and other formalities have always been a headache to owners. (Right?) Managers provide transparent reports so that there are no discrepancies for giving away the duties to the state owners.

• Time to live life:

(Yes! All excited)

Having a property manager at your disposal means spending quality time with your loved ones and knowing your property is in safe hands and is taken care of no matter where you are. (Your Happy Trail)

So what are you all waiting for…? Get on and find your property’s care taker and get your life freed up from the hassles of increasing your property’s life. Don’t forget to read the property management pacific beach reviews For more information, Visit Here

Mixed-Use Buildings Are the Future of Real Estate

Two of the problems that many areas face are a need for increased residential space, coupled with a need for retail spaces. In some areas, further large-scale development has been restricted due to booming populations. One of the possible solutions to this issue is mixed-use real estate, such as the projects that Louis Ceruzzi Properties LLC is involved in.

A Solution to Increased Growth

Developers who build mixed-use buildings or adapt existing buildings for this sort of usage can help provides solutions in areas with a lot of growth. By using some of the space as residential areas, either in the form of apartments or condos, developers can be assured that their space will be filled. The availability of stores and restaurants in the same building is a top selling point for many people, especially in cities with less car ownership.

Renters and Buyers Enjoy This Option

Many developers feel that mixed-use buildings have more curbside appeal for residential tenants than standalone condo or apartment buildings. Having access to stores, as well as restaurants, in the same building helps give many people a greater sense of convenience because they don't have to go elsewhere. In urban areas with minimal parking, many residents will look for places where they can do much of their shopping without traveling to places where they must drive.

A Winning Situation for Commercial Tenants

Many commercial tenants will enjoy the idea of setting up in an area where they have access to customers living or working in the same building. Restaurants will see a lot of benefit from being in a mixed-use building where people working at businesses inside can get their lunch without having to leave the premises. Businesses that operate in an office setting will also find these buildings quite helpful.

Saving Space and Resources

Mixed-use developments that are spread out over a larger area may lead to problems with the environmental impact. Multi-story mixed-use buildings take up less ground space, which is something that is always desirable in busy urban settings. Because many of these mixed-use developments involve renovating a building already constructed, there is somewhat less of an environmental impact.

Fewer Maintenance Concerns

Another feature that is very attractive about this option is having one maintenance team being able to share responsibilities for both residents and commercial tenants. This option is much more viable than attempting to maintain buildings that might be in distant locations. A building with a larger number of tenants would be easily able to benefit from having a maintenance team on-hand 24-hours a day.

Upgrades That Help the Environment

Many of these buildings have undergone upgrades that are more eco-friendly and avoid excessive use of additional materials. Exposing the original concrete walls and floors in many buildings helps save extra steps. Many upgraded buildings also make use of eco-friendly energy options, such as power drawn from solar panels.

It is very likely that you'll be hearing a lot about mixed-use buildings in coming years as more developers make use of them. The many benefits that come with a versatile property are worthy of consideration. If you're in the market for a condo or apartment, or perhaps commercial space, this is an option to consider.

Increase Property Value And Enjoyment With Professional Garden Design

A well designed garden can enhance the enjoyment and use that you enjoy from your garden, and it can also offer a number of other benefits. Do you want to encourage your children to learn about gardening? Or do you want to become more self-sufficient by growing your own fruit and vegetables without the garden looking like a farm? Maybe you need to consider access for wheelchairs, are unsure of the best types of plant and tree for your soil, or you are trying to sell or rent out your property and want an attractive and functional outside space to make the property more appealing and increase resale or rental value.

With a professional garden design service, you can discuss your requirements and needs, set a budget, and enjoy access to a finished garden design that meets all of your needs. You can even enjoy experienced and reliable consultation with somebody that has experience in designing and maintaining any type of garden.

Implement Designs That You Want

When using a design service, they will offer advice and guidance, but it is ultimately your designs that will be turned into a finished design. If you want separate planting and seating areas, or a wild section to encourage wildlife and insects, then your designer will implement these requirements into the finished plan.

Unique Ideas And Concepts

Many people know that they want a garden in which they can relax, or one that is ideal for entertaining throughout the year, but may not know exactly how to achieve the best results. A designed that creates these types of garden for their clients will have the experience and knowledge to be able to suggest unique ideas and concepts that their clients would not have thought of. They understand the garden space, how certain designs and particular items interact with the garden area, and they can use this knowledge to your advantage.

Advice And Consultation

While your garden designer will listen to your requirements and your ideas, some are simply not practical or possible. Certain types of plants will not grow in particular soil types or in specific areas of a garden, while size, space, and even planning permission requirements may further dictate what you can and cannot implement in a garden design. An experienced designer will listen to your requirements, and advise on whether they are achievable.

Maintenance Plans And Advice

Some garden design services can offer regular maintenance plans, or they can create a garden that requires very minimal maintenance. In all cases, they will provide details of what will need doing and when, including details of treating and maintaining buildings and decking, as well as weeding and gardening.

Cost Considerations

You should set your budget as early as possible in the design consultation process. While it will cost you to use a garden designer, their contacts with other contractors like builders, pavers, and electricians, as well as their plant and design knowledge means that you could recoup the cost before the design is even implemented when compared to trying to go it alone.

The Garden Club London designs functional and attractive gardens, including rooftop and urban gardens. They offer free consultation to local clients and can help you achieve the type of garden design that you want.

What to Know about Windows in a Listed Property

You might have heard a particularly old building described as 'listed'. It’s often the first thing that estate agents tell you about a property – the name is synonymous with prestige and class (but, as we’ll see, it can often be a double-edged sword). While this term has become thoroughly embedded into common parlance, it's not always clear what it means. Where is the building listed? For what purpose?

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport are in charge of deciding what to put on the list. They do this using a few distinct criteria. They consider the architectural merits of the building, based on its design and craftsmanship; and its historical significance. If a building calls to mind some aspect of British history, then the chances are it will be listed. Finally, a building might also be listed if it works together with other buildings to create this impression. For example, if a number of architecturally significant buildings are arranged around a square, then that square – however empty it may be – will probably end up being listed, too.

In England and Wales, listed buildings come in three different grades. Grade I buildings represent the pinnacle of British architectural heritage and include buildings such as Buckingham Palace, Warwick Castle and Blackpool tower. They account for around two-percent of all listed buildings. Grade II* listed buildings are slightly less prestigious, but still particularly important. They account for around four percent of all listed buildings.

The remainder of listed buildings in the country fall into the third category, Grade II. Grade II listed buildings are everywhere – they run through the heart of every town and village and help to make Britain recognisably British-looking. If you've ever walked through one of Britain's many smaller towns and been struck by the character and quality of the buildings there, then you probably have the listing system to thank.

It’s worthwhile to emphasise the importance of obtaining permission before carrying out any work on a listed property. The government's guidance on listed buildings states that 'it is a criminal offence to carry out work which needs listed building consent without obtaining it beforehand'. Moreover, if you do carry out such work, then you’ll invariably be forced to undo it, often at a cost of thousands of pounds. It’s also worth noting that when a building is listed, that means it is entirely listed. This includes both the inside and the outside and any other objects which might be attached to it.

Energy savings?

As undoubtedly worthwhile as the listing system is, it can prove a headache for those looking to make energy savings. Whatever their other virtues, listed buildings tend to lack the energy efficiency of their modern counterparts.

Of course, this is all dreadful news for those in possession of a listed buildings looking to carry out renovations. If you're running a business from such a building, for example and have terrible problems with heat efficiency, then you'll be at a disadvantage compared to any rival which might find itself in a non-listed building.

Let’s consider the area where most of the heat in a building is lost – through the windows. The modern solution to this problem is to install double, or even triple glazing. However, those looking to have double glazing installed into a listed property may run into considerable trouble. You'll need to demonstrate that the new windows will not alter the appearance of the building.

Double glazing is often despised by the authorities, since it interferes with the look of a building in several different ways. Firstly, double glazing panels take up more space than older, single-glazed ones. This means that double-glazing is too fat to fit into the old frame and so installing it can hugely affect the look of the building. This problem is being addressed by technological advances and newer, thinner double-glazed windows are slowly trickling out.

The second problem is that double glazing creates a strange, distorted reflection from the outside. If this is visible from the street, then you might encounter problems, since it totally undermines the look of the property. This might seem a trivial concern, but it the effect it has can be severe. Finally and perhaps most significantly, double glazing can interfere cause damp in the building. The walls of older properties are often designed to ‘breathe’, so that moisture passes from the inside to the outside. Installing double glazing can interfere with this and create problems of damp which can severely impact the house in the long run.

Fortunately, a great deal of energy can be saved in a listed property by simply replacing the windows with identical new ones. Since certain sorts of wooden frames tends to shrink and warp over time, it follows that replacing them could have a sizeable impact on their ability to exclude drafts and retain heat. In such cases, you’ll need to replace like-for-like with bespoke wood sash windows. For this, it’s advisable to call upon the services of a specialist such as Patchett Joinery.

9-Step Guide To Finding A Dream Rental

Moving into a new city has never been a very easy task. Not all of us are super enthusiastic and adventurous who enjoy mixing up with new people. Some of us just it just for the sake of any purpose that has to be completed.

A lot of us move into new places for various reasons. Some change their place because they want to attain higher education while some migrate to different places while they are all out creating a career and a future.

Whatever the reason may be, the need for house is something that is unavoidable and is something that one has to take care of no matter how a gypsy and nomad soul they are.

Moving into a place which you are well versed with is not a cakewalk. And especially in a country like Indian, where as you cross the border of each state, you feel like you’ve have entered a new nation all together.

Imagine if you are a pure north Indian and have spent your entire life munching onto chicken legs and you have got your first job in the top IT firm in Chennai which has been your dream for years, what you would do. Obviously, any sensible and career oriented individual will go against all odds, fight the situation and grab the opportunity. So as soon as you will come here, you will need a flat for rent in Chennai.

So we here, are very sorry that we cannot help you with the cultural conflicts that you may face here. We can’t do anything about your chicken being replaced by idli’s and dosa’s. But what we can help you with is in making your search for the perfect rental house easier.

So how are we going to help you? Well, we right here will mention before you a 9-step complete guide to help you deciding and finalizing the perfect rental accommodation for yourself.

Through these guidelines, you will know how to check if you should choose this house or not. Also, for the new comers who haven’t done it ever before, will get an idea as to how to start and go about it.

So all you potential tenants, here we start with our 9-step guideline. 

• No.1- know where you are going. Study and research about the city so you know it a little better before arriving.
• No.2- know where exactly you are going. Which university or firm you will be going to plays an important role in choosing.
• No.3- pick that area where you will study or work.
• No.4- start searching for a flat for rent in Chennai or whichever city you are going to on the internet first.
• No.5- know your needs well. Be sure as to what facilities you require and will need.
• No.6- check the locality. Very important to know which kind of a locality you are living in before actually moving in.
• No.7- finalize the house. After all your criteria matches with a particular house, finalize it and don’t confuse yourself any further.
• No.8- contact the landlord. Know if he is a kind person or not.
• No.9- be thorough with the paperwork. Make sure all the paperwork is perfect and has no loop holes to it. And then, just move in with positivity in your heart.

This is the 9-step guide that will surely help you find your perfect house for rent.

Has housing become more affordable now?

The prices are increasing on a daily basis. Living cost and buying cost of anything and everything is going higher and higher on a daily basis as the power of buying is decreasing with the value of money. Though the prices are increasing, the income also increases accordingly. A price for raw materials in building has increased so do the value of apartments and villas. Though the prices compared to the olden days has only increased, they become more affordable now as the income has increased. There is bungalow for sale in Mumbai to be bought. The real estate business keeps growing as the requirement of space is also growing on a daily basis. Population keeps increasing and thus the requirement for home is also increasing. There are a lot of houses and bungalows built and sold in Mumbai.

Predictions for the year 2015 for real estate:

In the start of 2015 it was predicted that it is going to be best for real estate business this year considering so many facts that involve in real estate. There are lots of things that have to be seen and considered while buying a home. It could be the real estate value of the place and good source of builders becomes a great deal for your home. Check out the bungalows and villas that are available for sale in Mumbai. There are a number of developers coming out with their projects in a huge city like Mumbai. Great projects are established this year for you to buy.

Facts on real estate sale:

There are so many things that you need to realize and understand while checking out on the real estate business. There are so many things that are included in buying a site for sale. Unless and until you realize them there are chances that you get cheated by the developers and other sources of real estates. Check on the quality of building and the value of the space that you want to go for. If the apartments and villas that you buy are not made of great quality there are chances to face difficulty in long run especially the apartments. We buy living spaces and they are definitely taken with the intention of living there for a longer duration. Long life of the building is something that has to be considered on top of the list. Parking space allotment and buying extra parking space for the apartment you stay are few things that have to be taken care of. You should know that these come free of cost legally with your living space.

Affordable builders on market: There are a number of builders in the market providing you with great projects. Check out the building standards that these builders have to offer. Though they are affordable and great to look at the standards that these builders need to follow has to be in place. Check for the building quality standards and reviews by the users too. Choose a perfect looking project with all the amenities including those you are looking for and feasibility for reaching essentials.

Source: http://www.rediff.com/business/report/pix-real-estate-trends-to-watch-out-for-in-2015/20150108.htm