Published on: 26 November 2016
Last Updated on: 04 September 2024
Given the volatile nature of the economy, the demand for affordable housing has increased by leaps and bounds. Consequently, multifamily housing investors are facing stiff competition. Multifamily housing investors are not leaving a stone unturned to turn a profit from their existing or newly acquired rental properties. Many of them are undertaking occupied property renovation programs to gain a competitive edge. Renovating a rental property not only adds value to the existing property but also plays a key role in influencing renter’s willingness to rent more for the property. That being said, when investing in any construction or renovation of occupied property, it is important to come up with a plan that helps you realize seizable returns from your investment.
This blog post lists four common mistakes that multifamily housing investors/owners must avoid to make the most out of occupied property renovation program. Read on!
Going for the Cheapest Bid
Once you have decided to get your multi-family rental property renovated, the first thing you need to do is to approach several contractors and ask for their renovation quotes. Though the cheapest bid may sound enticing to many, choosing it may cost heavy on your pocket in the long run. A contractor may not be efficient in getting the job done or may cut corners and use poor quality material during the job. That being said, straight away going for an expensive bid is not a sensible decision either. To pull off a great deal, you must contact at least two to three contractors and get written estimates from each. Ensure there is no hidden cost involved in the project.
Hiring the Wrong People
Renovating a rental property is a complex process, and therefore, requires professional assistance. Before embarking on the renovation project, the professional contractor conducts due diligence to help control cost and eliminate potential obstacles down the lane. Nonetheless, as a property owner, you should not overlook the little details about the people you are hiring. There have been instances of fraudulent renovation practices in the past, which is why it is important to hire a reputable contractor and ask for their certification or record of their previous work.
Bossing Around
Though many housing contractors work in collaboration with property owners to provide customized renovation services, many property owners are in a habit of poking their nose in every step of the project. Making changes every now and then in the middle of the project can delay the renovation project, thereby stalling the rentability of the units. Always remember that you have chosen an experienced contractor with a record of successful projects in the past. It is important to let your contractor do what they think is best for your business. Having said that, it is also important to keep a check on what is being done so far and what is about to be done to complete the project.
Setting Unrealistic Budget
Budget plays an important role in the completion of your rental property renovation project. Before hiring professional multifamily, it is important to have contingent fund ready to meet unprecedented needs in the middle of the project. In projects as big as multifamily housing renovation, it is likely that you may want to spend a little extra to add value to your project. That’s when having a contingency budget in place ensures seamless renovation.
A properly planned and executed multi-family housing program not only helps you gain a competitive edge, but also helps you achieve your ROI goals. Always hire a reputable contractor, known to provide quality services. Go through their work portfolio to get an idea of their previous work. Lastly, ensure that there are no hidden fees involved in the project, before you sign on the dotted line.
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
So you want to downsize to a smaller apartment?
If you’re banging your head against the wall trying to figure out how to make a move go smoothly, you’re not alone. We’ve all been guilty of having too much stuff!
Give yourself a break and start thinking of solutions. Stay inspired by focusing on the many benefits of downsizing!
Moving into a smaller apartment gives you the chance to start over and get rid of things you no longer need. It can also help you to get organized and keep only the essentials.
Even better, you won’t have to clean nearly as much space and can live as a minimalist! That in itself has some serious perks. Your stuff won’t own you and you’ll have more time to enjoy life.
Do you see where we’re going with this?
Get ready, because, in this article, we offer seven expert hacks to help make the process of moving into a smaller apartment easier.
Here are 7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment:
1. Analyze the space you’ll have
It’s essential to know the total space of your new apartment before you start the downsizing process.
Take a look at your new floor plan and figure out how much room in feet and inches are on each wall. That way you’ll know what will fit in your apartment.
If the measurements aren’t on the floor plan, ask the leasing office to provide you with the details.
But, the floor plan or provided measurements won’t tell you everything. You need to measure the extra spaces as well:
Closets
Space under the bed (more on this later)
Bathroom storage and cabinets
Garage storage (if your apartment includes a separate garage)
Kitchen storage and cabinets
Other spaces where you might add shelving (like the top of the fridge or in a window)
When you’re done with that, measure your current furniture and decide which pieces will fit into your place and which ones you won’t need.
2. Determine your actual needs
An excellent way to figure out what your needs are is by asking yourself if everything was gone, what would you replace?
Jot down some necessary items you can’t live without such as a bed, sofa, coffeemaker, dog bed — whatever is important to you.
You should also ask yourself the following questions:
What sentimental items will I miss the most?
Does this item serve a purpose?
Do I already have something that serves the same purpose?
Can I use this item to accomplish more than one task?
Is this object in good shape, and will it last for a while longer?
This is the point where you’ll be making some headway on knowing what you’re keeping and what you can live without.
If ever in doubt of whether you should keep or donate something, go back to asking yourself these questions.
3. Set some tangible goals
When it’s getting closer to moving time, you need to come up with a game plan.
Best get started with setting some goals before time escapes you!
We’re assuming you want to declutter and possibly redecorate your new place, and if that’s the case, it’s time to set some tangible goals.
Ask yourself these questions:
(Yes, we realize we’re telling you to do this yet again.)
What do I hope to gain by adopting a minimalist lifestyle?
Do I want to keep the furniture I have or get new furniture (#1 and #4 will help with this)
How do I plan to declutter?
How will I maximize my space? (Keep reading because we cover this in #4.)
What will I do if I can’t decide to part with some items?
Should I pay for storage elsewhere to store extra belongings?
Need some help answering those kinds of questions?
Here are some goals you could have:
I want a clutter-free apartment that will give me peace.
Not fixating on my possessions will help me feel free.
I’d like to have a clean slate and keep my belongings organized moving forward.
Being minimalistic will help me put emphasis on the most important emotional and physical items in my life.
Write down a few goals that inspire you so that when you feel like giving up, you’ll be able to remind yourself of your intentions.
4. Be a master organizer by maximizing space
Since you know how much space is in your apartment, as we recommended in #2, you should already have a plan in place as to where everything should go.
With the limited storage space in your new digs, it’ll help to store things vertically.
Vertically aligning hooks and shelves helps you take advantage of every square inch of space.
You might want to use adhesive hooks at first because most are easy to adjust.
We’ll be getting into how to simplify your wardrobe next, but for now, keep in mind that multi-use furniture can solve a lot of storage problems.
Keep reading because we’re about to reveal some killer ideas.
One idea is to maximize space by incorporating storage headboards. These are pieces of furniture such as bookshelves and a hutch that’ll fit over your bed.
Incorporating these types of units will make it easier to store a variety of items from family treasures to books and jewelry.
For example, incorporating a fitted unit in your closet can make it easier to organize.
Beyond that, think of other ways you can make use of storage. Is there any room underneath the bed you’ll be moving into your fancy new apartment?
If there isn’t and you need an upgrade, buy a bed that has drawers underneath. Trust us — those drawers will be your best friend when you need to store extra items of clothing such as blankets or sweatshirts.
Keep your bed if you like it, and it just so happens that you may be able to squeeze in some bins underneath to use as storage. For example, milk crates work well when you want to store books, tee shirts, and keepsakes.
5. Simplify your wardrobe
Seriously, how do you go about simplifying your wardrobe with you have a gazillion t-shirts?
If you think your new closet is small, just think about the people who live in tiny homes. Now those are super tiny!
Don’t worry; you can do this if they can!
Here are some steps to follow that’ll make your wardrobe functional in no time at all.
Step 1: Get all of your clothing out (ALL of it!) and put it somewhere you can sort through it. Whether that’s on the floor or on your bed is entirely up to you.
Step 2: Next, divide those clothes into three different piles and decide to donate, keep, or store them.
Step 3: Ask yourself if the clothing fits you or if it's still in wearable condition. If you haven’t worn jeans, for example, due to a weight gain or loss, donate or store those items.
Don’t keep clothing that’s falling apart. That’s just a waste of precious closet space!
Step 4: Are you done going through your clothing and separating them into three different piles?
Okay good, you’re going to do it again. This time ask yourself if this clothing fits your personality and your current lifestyle.
Step 5: Mission complete! Well, almost. Organize the clothes you’re keeping, store what you plan to wear later (such as seasonal clothing), and drop off clothes you’re donating.
6. Sell or donate what you don’t want
Now that you know how much space you have, and how to simplify your wardrobe, let's dive into why it's so essential to sell or donate belongings. It's time to stop and figure out which items you can and can't part with.
As you know, whether you're moving to a different city or relocating to a separate apartment at the same complex, moving takes a lot of work.
You should do everything in your power to simplify the moving process.
Eager to make some money to help with moving expenses?
One way to do that is by selling belongings and furniture you no longer want.
Try Craigslist, eBay, garage sales, Facebook, consignment stores, and more.
Before you even start packing, you should sell, donate, or recycle stuff you can live without. This will eliminate packing everything up only to decide later that you didn't need that item of clothing or five extra plates.
If you have problems deciding whether you want to keep, sell, or donate an item, take a hard look at everything you own.
Think about whether another person would find use out of that item.
If the item is useful, you can either donate it or sell it, depending on its value.
Who knows, your trash may turn into someone else's treasure.
7. Digitize nonessential media
Next let's dive into how you can digitize and save documents, pictures, videos, cassettes, videos, DVDs, and CDs.
While it's important to keep hard copies of documents such as your social security card and birth certificate, try to save and scan everything else.
Transfer CDs and DVDs to digital files by using free computer programs such as Freemake Video Converter, Movavi, and WinX.
Scan documents to your computer or save them as PDF files. After you're done scanning everything, use services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft One Drive.
Online storage sites are lifesavers when your goal is to digitize media.
Think of all of the space you'll free up in your new apartment by getting rid of boxes of videos, paper, and more by going paperless!
It'll take some time, but it'll totally be worth it. And boom! Suddenly you'll realize you're there.
So, do you think it’s time to move? Even though downsizing may seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. Moving to a smaller apartment has its perks, such as decluttering your life and organizing your new place with fewer belongings.
Simply put, downsizing to a smaller apartment means:
Enjoying lower monthly expenses and living costs
Not having to clean nearly as much since your place is smaller
Living a minimalist lifestyle without meaningless belongings getting in your way
Instead of sweating the small stuff, take the moving process step by step. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your new digs, relieved that you took the time to eliminate the clutter.
Carolina Creek is a great townhouse-style community located about a mile from Eastern Carolina University's campus. The community consists of 2x3 and 3x3 apartments and contains a full amenity suite including a fitness center, pool, business center, and game room. The community is the best value in the Greenville NC student housing market.
Read Also:
5 Tips For Designing a Tiny House
How To Make Your Home Look Like You Hired An Interior Designer
Buying A House Vs Renting An Apartment: Which Is More Affordable?
Cleaning and maintaining your home is an immense challenge in itself, especially if you are involved in a regular 9 to 5 job. One simply cannot ignore the fact that proper cleansing of home interior and exterior is essential to maintain a healthy and soothing environment. That's why power washing for homes should be more widely practiced by everyone. Whether it's weekly or monthly, it's important to make it part of your cleaning plans.
Pressure washing is a fruitful way to effortlessly shun away stubborn grime that reduces the overall gaze of your home. Numerous people are unaware of the benefits of owning a pressure washer, and here we’ll be discussing the need for a pressure washer to maintain your home. People often forget that cleaning your home from the outside is just as important as cleaning the inside.
Source: timg.com
What is Pressure Washing?
Are you unfamiliar with the term “Pressure Washing”? Well, pressure washing is a technique of cleaning any surface with the application of high-pressure water. One need not depend on various equipment and detergents to wipe the dirt. You just need to apply adequate pressure that cleans the surface in a couple of seconds.
Professionals earlier used this method of cleaning home exteriors and automobiles, and they charge a good amount in return. One need not depend on professionals to efficiently clean their home, and can eventually save their hard-earned money.
Saves your Time and Money
One of the main reasons why people prefer pressure washers is to save time and money. Imagine spending your hard-earned money regularly on a job that you can also perform efficiently? You just need to get a pressure washer that can meet your requirements.
The market is flooded with several pressure washers depending on individual demands. You can pick the one that is designed for residential purposes. Moreover, if you are seeking a powerful machine that can meet your commercial requirements, you can consider a gas pressure washer.
Enhances the Curb Appeal of a Building
Many people are unaware of the fact that regular cleaning with a pressure washer enhances the curb appeal of your home or commercial building. One can easily impress potential customers by enhancing the overall gaze of the exteriors.
Source: lowes.com
You need not hire third-party agencies to clean the outer walls and roof. One just needs to aim the target and get the desired gleam. It becomes difficult for individuals to call the cleaning experts each time you need to show your home to buyers.
Extended Lifespan of the Roof
Apart from the shinier walls, pressure washing significantly enhances the lifespan of your roof. The primary factor that affects the rotting of the roof is stubborn dirt. Regular cleaning of the roof could be quite challenging without professional help. With pressure washing, you need not rely on others to clean the roofs.
Read also: Close Look At Top 5 Roofing Materials – Pros And Cons
The high-pressure beam of water effectively removes all the stains and leaves no chance of roof rot. You only need to find a suitable pressure washer that meets your requirements. One can order a pressure washer online by comparing the prices and checking the reviews. Numerous websites like pressurewashervote.com provide the finest comparison of the pressure washers.
Preserves the Overall Value of Your Home
A spick and span home has better value as compared to the ones that are not maintained properly. You need to pay close attention to the cleanliness of your home; whether it is exteriors, interiors, or backyard, everything must be perfect.
Regular cleaning with a pressure washer ensures proper cleansing of mud that ruins the value of your home in the long run.
Pressure washing can do wonders for your home and office and shuns the need for spending a good amount of money on third-party cleaning agencies.
Read also:
Use Floor Polishing For Keeping Your Flooring Looking New
In the UK, the use of neon signs has been happening for a long time. These signs are made from gas-discharge tubes containing neon gas and electrodes. People use neon light signs for their homes, businesses, and events. These neon lights help to add light and color to any space. LED neon signs are more attractive and stylish than other types of lightings.
Now, you can also personalize a neon sign for your space. In this article, we will discuss custom LED light signs. You can also check the reasons to invest in the custom signs:
About Custom LED Neon Signs
Now, you can create your own neon sign through the customization option. Custom neon signs are the signs made as per your choice. You can choose any color, size, and font for your custom sign. By using your creativity, you can create any design of neon sign you like. You will have the choice to choose any text, signature, logo, and image for custom LED neon signs.
A custom neon sign has transparent acrylic backing. The custom LED neon signs are light in weight and do not create any noise. These custom signs are suitable to use indoor and outdoor places.
Custom Neon Signs Are Durable
Custom LED signs to have a long lifespan than the other types of lightings. They last longer than the traditional glass neon signs. Custom LED signs are also not easily breakable like the old signs made from glass. Custom signs also do not require much maintenance and, there is also no need for its replacement for a long time.
Related Reads: LED Strip Lights Benefits
LED Custom Neon Light Signs Are Energy Efficient
LED custom signs are energy efficient as they do not charge much electricity. They do not require much electricity like the traditional neon signs. The LED lights in the custom signs use 95% less energy than other types of lights.
These signs are also eco-friendly and do not contain toxic gases. That's the reason custom neon signs are safe to use.
Customized Neon Signs Are Affordable
Custom LED neon signs are also affordable than traditional glass signs. You do not have to spend money on its maintenance. These signs also help to save energy, so they will not impact your electricity bill. So you can customize a neon sign rather than investing in expensive traditional neon signs.
Uses Of Custom Neon Sign
You can use a custom neon sign at multiple places. Below you can check the many uses of the customized neon signs:
For Houses
Custom neon signs are best to use at houses. In the UK, many people are using customized LED signs for their living space. You can install a personalized neon sign in your living room, kitchen, bedroom, kids room, gaming room, etc.
You can design a sign inspired by nature, animals, movies, TV shows, etc. So, use your creativity to create a custom sign that will make your room unique from others.
For Business Locations
You can also customize a LED sign for your business locations. Bars and restaurants have been using these signs for a very long time. You can also use the glowing custom sign if you have a service business. You have the option to personalize a neon sign of your brand name or logo.
These custom signs will help to attract customers. These signs also provide excellent visibility, it will keep the whole place light up for many years.
For Special Events
Many people also use custom neon signs for special events like parties, weddings, and birthdays. You can install a customized sign on the location of the event. It will light up and add colors to the event.
On the occasion of the wedding, you can use the neon sign of the names of the bride and groom. Then, you can also give it as a gift to someone on their birthday.
Shop Custom Neon Signs Online
It is best to purchase custom neon signs from websites. You do not have to go anywhere and, you will get the customized neon sign at your doorstep. There are many online neon shops available where you can customize a LED neon sign at affordable prices. You can also use their customization tool to check how your custom sign will look like. You will have the option to choose any design for your neon sign. From online neon shops like Echo Neon, you will get the best quality custom neon signs.
They use LED lights and PVC piping for making their custom signs. They are delivering their neon signs in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, etc. Their neon signs are safe to use and are energy efficient. Echo Neon sign comes with a 12-month warranty on electrical components.
Read Also:
Unique Military Hardware Concept Integrated into Lumitact Flashlights
Guide to Buying HID Headlight Bulbs
