If you’re planning on moving home, you should remember that you should never be too hasty. It’s far too much money to be playing around with, and you want to make sure the home that you move into is going to be comfortable for you and your future. There’s a lot to think about, and there’s a chance that if you rush things, you’re going to make a mistake.
Spending only a short time looking at the house you plan to buy could be something you seriously regret, and you should take a moment to look deeper for things that you need in a home. We all have things that we find comfortable and can’t live without. Don’t let your new home be without them.
The first thing you should check for near your new home is the local amenities. Are you more of an outside person looking for somewhere to spend your time? Well, you wouldn’t want to move somewhere that’s too far from anything you would enjoy. It can be a pain if you have to hop into the car whenever you need to go out and buy bread or milk, let alone go shopping for things you want. Before you buy any home, you should also take a moment to check the google maps of the area, as well as take the time to explore it yourself.
While the property itself might be appealing, the area around it might be the opposite. It’s worth taking a look around when you go for a house visit.
Needed work
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You should also be looking out for the things that you would change about the home. If there’s a lot of work that needs to be done before you feel the home would be liveable, you should be re-evaluating its worth of the home to you. Are you willing to pay the asking price for something that’s going to require a lot of investments later on? If you’re going to have to upgrade the home insulation, consider how much that would cost for you to get done, as well as any other changes you would want to make.
Possible damage
When touring a home, there’s always a chance that you’re not going to see everything for what it is. There could be underlying damage that the owners haven’t noticed, and while it might not be a problem immediately after buying, it’s something you’re going to need to take action on somewhere down the line. Look out for any cracks in the wall or floor while looking around – even a small and thin crack can be alarming, so take note of it. It could be a good idea to send someone to give the house a proper assessment so that you don’t miss out on anything.
Low crime rates
Not everything about an area will be apparent while you’re looking around, and the crime rates are one of those things. If you’re moving to a new area, you should always look into the news and crime rate surrounding that area to get a good idea of what you’re going to be dealing with if you live there. It’s important that when you move to a new property you feel safe – as it can be hard enough to settle without the fear of something happening to you.
It can be hard to get a good judgment from the statistics, and it could help to compare them to the area that you already live in, as a way to gauge it.
Future comforts
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When you’re looking around your potential new home, you should be asking yourself if it’s somewhere you would like to live later on. In the current housing market, it can be hard to purchase a property, and you wouldn’t want to have to go through the process more than once. It’s much easier to stay put in one place and to do that you’ll have to plan ahead while buying. If you’re planning on raising a family in your home, you should be questioning whether this new location is right for that, or whether you should look elsewhere.
Even if you’re not planning on raising a family, is there anything you would like to do with your home that would require more space? Would you like a more open kitchen at some point? Are you planning to have your own studio? These things might not feel like a priority, but note that moving home isn’t something that’s fun to do often, so think about what you’re willing to wait for and what you need in the near future.
Light exposure
If you’re looking for faults in a new property, the lighting may not be something you’re alert of. It’s something we all take for granted when we have enough of it, but spending a lot of time without it can start to feel quite dull. You should make sure that the location of your new property welcomes a suitable amount of light from the outside throughout the day. Not only would it be unappealing to live in a dark home, but it would cost you a lot more in electrical bills if you had to have your lights on for half of the day as well as the evening.
Wi-Fi strength
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If there’s one thing that doesn’t stand out at all when looking around new properties, it’s the Wi-Fi strength. You’re not going to experience what the connection is like until you’ve moved in and got everything set up for yourself, and by the time you’ve done that – it’s too late. You might find that while looking around the property, you have no signal or connectivity, due to the walls being too thick. While it’s not a permanent issue, it’s something that might be quite expensive to deal with.
Do a quick test and try texting or calling someone while you tour the home just to make sure it’s stable.
If you are looking to increase the size of your home, then an extension is the perfect way to do this. Adding an extension to your home involves construction work over numerous months, however, the benefits of doing this make it more than worthwhile.
Carrying out a home extension is a popular way of increasing the amount of space in a property. However, this isn’t the only benefit that home extensions have to offer.
Average UK house prices increased by almost 10% over the year to March 2022, largely thanks to inflation. Yet, carrying out renovations such as home extensions is one of the best ways that you can take an active hand in boosting your home’s value, above and beyond average value rises experienced across the nation.
So, what are the different ways of extending your home?
There are several ways of increasing your home’s size. Here are some of the most common.
Side extensions: These extend your home into unused alleys or pathways at the side of your house.
Rear extensions: A common way of increasing space at the rear of your property, usually extending your home into garden or patio area.
Wrap extensions: This method is a combination of side and rear extensions, great for creating open living spaces.
Double-storey extensions: These apply any of the preceding extension types to two floors of your home instead of just one.
The type of extension that you choose will largely depend on what exactly you’re hoping to get out of it.
If you just want extra space in general, then a rear extension might make the most sense. It’s likely you could squeeze some extra space out of your backyard. But if you’re after something specific, like a new bedroom, perhaps one of the more specialized types of extension would better suit you.
How much do extensions cost?
If you’re considering whether you should get an extension, then there’s probably one big question on your mind: how much will it cost? It’s important that you have an estimate when considering whether or not your budget can accommodate a home extension.
But unfortunately, there’s no single, easy answer. And any contractor giving you a certain answer in the early stages is a definite red flag. The truth is that it will depend on a number of variables, including:
The type of extension
The size of your extension
What materials you will need
The volume of glazing
Contractor fees
And many more
For this reason, many homeowners use home improvement loans to split costs into manageable repayments. This is understandable since most people won’t have enough savings to pay for a home extension outright.
Before making any fixed plans, take the time to consider whether an extension is viable for you. Do your due diligence and be sure to check if you would require planning permission before carrying out an extension.
Additionally, consider your plans for the future. If you’re planning on moving soon, you’ll need to make your extension will add enough value to offset the building costs. Yet, if this is your forever home, an extension is likely the best way for you to increase your living space.
A home is one of the most significant and prized investments, and regular maintenance is crucial to keep it in great shape. However, most people are so caught up in maintaining the house’s interior that they forget the exterior, which is often detrimental.
Failing to maintain the outside of your home makes it vulnerable to pests, moisture, rot, and decay which result in expensive repairs, not to mention compromising your home’s safety and visual appeal. Read on for five exterior maintenance tips to keep your home in excellent condition.
1. Clean the siding
Sidings protects your home against environmental elements. Over time, dirt, dust, debris, and mildew accumulate on the cladding, compromising its appearance and causing expensive repairs or replacements. For this reason, you should clean your home’s siding at least twice a year, regardless of the cladding material. You could power wash the siding or use a firm brush and soapy water to remove grime from the siding. Since home sidings are often angled, ensure that you clean the corners while inspecting for cracks so that you repair them to prevent water from seeping through the walls.
Inspect the parts of a roof, including the shingles, valleys, flashing, soffits, and eaves, to identify signs of damage and defects. Missing shingles, cracked caulk on the flashings, rust spots, sagging, decay, and broken shingles could let rot, pests, and moisture inside the house, so you should repair the damages promptly. If a roof is over ten years old, it becomes weak and rusty and decreases your home’s aesthetic appeal, so consider investing in a complete roof replacement.
3. Paint your home’s exterior
Adding a new coat of paint to the exterior of your home is one of the most straightforward and inexpensive ways to boost curb appeal. Painting seals the exterior wall surfaces, protecting your house from damage. Look for paint chipping or peeling signs and consider investing in a touch-up or new coat. However, ensure you pick a paint colour that complements the existing shade.
4. Fix the driveway
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Be sure to perform routine driveway inspections. If you notice any cracks or holes, you should consider fixing them as they often compromise your home’s aesthetic appeal and could result in severe problems if left unattended. Fill or patch chips or cracks on your concrete driveway using cement repair products. However, seek a professional’s services for sunken concrete or deeper holes or cracks.
Once you fill all the holes and patches, you could consider installing a waterproof sealer to combat the appearance of stains in the future. Be sure to power wash the driveway to maintain it in pristine condition.
5. Clean the gutters
Gutters prevent rain from soaking into your home’s foundations and roofing system. However, leaves, seeds, rakes, petals, and debris accumulate in the rain gutters over time, clogging the drainage system and causing severe problems that affect the overall home exterior, including the foundation, siding, and roofing system. It also decreases your paint and roof shingle’s lifespan, so you should clean the gutters at least twice yearly. Be sure to also repair any damages and leaks on the gutters, and if your budget allows it, invest in gutter guards to keep unwanted particles out.
Although exterior maintenance is time-consuming and tedious, it is vital to creating a long-lasting shelter. Clean the siding, paint the exterior, clean the gutters, and inspect and repair the roof to enhance curb appeal and increase your home’s value.
According to the 2020 Dodge Report, the demand for metal roofing has significantly risen in the past years and is expected to keep growing. This has largely been propelled by the ability of these roofs to perform even in the most demanding environments, plus many other benefits.
As a homeowner considering this roofing option, here are seven things to know about metal roofing.
1. Metal roofs can be installed on existing roofs
Since metal roofs are one of the lightest roofing materials, installing them on existing roofs is possible, provided the local building codes in your area allow it. However, to succeed in this type of installation, you must first learn how to install metal roofing or hire professionals.
This way, you will avoid potential problems such as trapped water vapor that occurs when there is moisture build-up between your old roof and the metal roof.
2. Metal roofs are not noisy
Unlike common presumptions, metal roofs are no noisier than any other type of roofing when rain or hail falls on them. Typically, metal roofing is done over a solid substrate, which, together with the loft and insulation, provides an excellent sound barrier.
3. Metal roofs do not attract lightning
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Another common misconception about metal roofing that the Metal Construction Association has dispelled is that they attract lightning. This is not true as a metal roof is a non-combustible material and an electric conductor; hence it does not provide any risk during a lightning event.
4. Metal roofs can withstand strong winds and hurricanes
Metal roofs have superior resistance to extreme weather conditions, making them a viable choice if you live in an area prone to strong winds and hurricanes. Tests done by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) show that most metal roofs can withstand gusts of up to 140 miles per hour, which is equivalent to a category four hurricane.
5. Metal roofs are energy efficient
Since metal roofs are good at reflecting solar radiant heat, they are incredibly energy-efficient. If you live in a hot region, you can further reduce your cooling costs by applying a granular or shiny coating on your metal roof.
Whether you are building your first home or renovating your old property, it is critical to invest in a roof that will last for decades, and metal roofing does live up to expectations since:
Metal roofs can last for over forty years, giving you the time value of your investment.
Metal roofs are impervious to rot and insect damage
Metal roofs are not easily damaged by fire
7. Metal roofing works on roofs with low slopes
Metal roofing is not only suitable for roofs with a steep slope but can also work fine on a roof with low slopes. This makes them an excellent option for most homes as long as there is some gentle slope for water run-off.
Endnote
Metal roofing is no longer a novelty reserved for high-end homes. Instead, this roofing option has entered the mainstream and is today a top choice for many homeowners attracted by its numerous advantages.
Anyone who has ever owned a home knows that roofing is an important part of the equation. Not only does roofing protect your home from the elements, but it also plays a role in its overall aesthetics. If you’re considering a roofing update or replacement, consider one of these modern roofing designs to give your home a fresh, new look.
1. Shingle roofing
This roofing style is characterized by its overlapping rectangular shapes, which are typically made of asphalt or fiberglass. This roofing style is a popular choice for many modern homes because it’s both durable and stylish.
Most shingle roofing systems come in a variety of colours, so you can choose the perfect shade to complement your home’s exterior. If you’re looking for a roofing option that will really stand out, consider a shingle roof in a bright colour or with an interesting pattern.
2. Go for metal roofing
A metal roof is a great way to add a touch of industrial chic to your home. This roofing design is also incredibly durable and low-maintenance, making it a great choice for anyone who wants a roof that will last for years to come.
There are many different metals you can choose from for your roof, including aluminium, steel, and copper. You can also find metal roofing in a variety of colours, so you’re sure to find an option that will complement your home’s style. Companies such as Mighty Dog Roofingspecialize in roof installation, roof repair, and roof replacement.
If you’re looking for a roofing option that’s both stylish and environmentally friendly, consider installing solar panels. Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular in recent years, and they’re a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, solar panels can also help you save money on your energy bills. If you live in an area with a lot of suns, solar panels can provide most or even all of your home’s energy needs.
4. Try a thatched roof
A thatched roof is a unique roofing option that can really make your home stand out. This type of roof is made from dried grasses or reeds, and it’s typically associated with country homes or cottages.
If you’re considering a thatched roof, be sure to choose a material that’s native to your area. This will ensure that your roof is able to withstand the local climate.
A green roof is another environmentally friendly roofing option. This type of roof is typically planted with grasses or other vegetation, which helps to insulate your home and reduce your carbon footprint.
Green roofs can also help to regulate the temperature inside your home, which can save you money on your energy bills. If you live in an area with a lot of sun, a green roof can also provide some much-needed shade.
A living roof is similar to a green roof, but it takes things one step further by adding plants or even trees to your roof. This type of roof is still relatively new, but it’s becoming increasingly popular in recent years.
Living roofs can provide many of the same benefits as green roofs, but they also have the added benefit of providing some extra privacy for your home.
If you’re considering a roofing update, consider one of these modern roofing designs. These roofing options are stylish, durable, and low-maintenance, making them a great choice for any home. Make sure that you choose a roofing option that will complement your home’s style and meet your needs. With so many options available, you’re sure to find the perfect roof for your home.
