In recent years, home winemaking has become increasingly popular. The reason for this is the fashion for everything natural. And where else, if not on your own site, you can grow environmentally friendly grapes. The fact that wine at home can be obtained very tasty is no secret. For its manufacture, you can use not only grapes, but also other fruits and berries. Wonderful wine is obtained from strawberries, raspberries, plums ... We will talk about homemade wine from grapes. Wine at home The most important thing in making homemade, and indeed any other wine is raw materials. Many argue that making wine at home from waste grapes or from wild varieties is cheaper and much more profitable. It is worth noting that this is worth doing only with experience in making homemade grape drink, because damaged fruits can disrupt the process and the drink will be spoiled. Another important factor is the preservation of yeast on the skin of grapes that cause yeast fermentation. For this, grapes should never be washed before production. One has only to carefully sort out the clusters and remove the garbage and leaves. Oddly enough, many winemakers advise to leave grape twigs. From this, the aroma of the wine will become stronger. Do not forget that grape juice is transparent. Therefore, grape skins should also become part of the wort, if you want to make red wine. Start your small home experiment with a completely ordinary dry wine from black grape varieties. The bloody drink that you receive will support your immunity during colds. When making such a wine, everything is quite simple. If the first attempt to make homemade wine was successful, then the next time you can try adding another variety of grapes or berries. After several attempts, you will undoubtedly be able to make wine, which will be your family's favorite alcoholic beverage. The optimal conditions for the maturation of wine - 15-20 ° C. At this temperature, the future drink lives an active life for about two weeks. After this, the fermentation process slows down somewhat, but does not stop completely. Wine in this state wanders for another 20 days. This period may vary depending on conditions. This process can also be accelerated artificially using a variety of yeast starter cultures. As soon as there is a sufficient alcohol content in the future wine, the fermentation process stops, all unnecessary particles turn into a precipitate. After the sediment is completely separated (when the wine is completely white), the wine must be carefully filtered and bottled. Making wine at home is an exciting process that often unites the whole family. Feet reaping grapes for a future drink, learning about tastes and experimenting with additives - all this can turn into a wonderful ritual, which will result in a tasty and healthy grape drink.
Wine at home
In recent years, home winemaking has become increasing...
Every connoisseur of alcoholic beverages should know well how to drink sambuca at home or at the bar. There are several different ways to drink this alcohol, we will look at each of them. Subsequently, you can choose the method that you liked most. In its pure form. The sambuca is both a good aperitif and an excellent digestif. Therefore, it can be drunk in its pure form before and after meals. With water or ice. Unlike whiskey, sambuca behaves perfectly with ice - it perfectly quenches thirst. Cold water helps to reveal the taste of the drink completely, as in the case of absinthe, sambuca becomes cloudy when water is added, due to the content of essential oils in it, which form an emulsion with water. The amount of water is selected individually, to taste, so to speak. Frozen. Put the bottle in the freezer for several hours. After, you will get a great soft drink that you can drink in pure form with a slice of orange or lemon. Fiery method. Suitable just for medicinal purposes: you need to set fire to the drink and let it burn, and then drink it warm, without having a bite. How to drink in Italy: In a glass with sambuca put 3 whole grains of coffee, which symbolize health, wealth and happiness. In many sources, this method is accompanied by setting the drink on fire, but in genuine sources I did not find this - the grains act as a snack and give the sambuca a piquant taste. The two-glass method. It is also sometimes called the “powerful effect method”, in fact, it is traditional for night clubs. We need cognac (snifter), rox (a glass with wide straight walls), a napkin, a straw, a saucer, a lighter, 3 coffee beans and a sambuca (25-50 ml). Grains in this case are a tribute to the classic Italian recipe - they need to be put in cognac, and add sambuca there. Before setting fire, prepare a “platform” for the vapors: put a napkin with a hole in the middle on a saucer, where you pass the short part of the tube: Put cognac on the rox, lightly warm it with a lighter and set fire to the contents. Then rotate the burning glass by the leg around its axis for 10-60 seconds, depending on your preference. After, pour the burning sambuca into the rox and cover it with cognac on top - the flame will go out. Transfer the inverted cognac on a saucer. Drink sambuca and breathe through the tube in pairs of cognac, chew the grains. The sequence can be changed: first breathe in pairs, and then drink a drink. For a show-off, so to speak, you can drip the rest of the drink onto the bottom of the inverted cognac and inhale them through the short tube with your nose. Extreme way. This option is exclusively club and requires some skill from the bartender. In the first case, you need to pour sambuca into your mouth, wipe your lips dry and throw your head back without closing your mouth. The bartender should set fire to the drink right in your mouth. When you feel a slight heat, close your mouth and swallow the drink. This method makes an impression, but the danger here is minimal. In the second case, the drink is heated in cognac and poured into the mouth directly burning. Do not try to repeat this at home, since the bathing method of consumption requires skill and the firm hand of an experienced bartender. It is very important not to get scared and not to close your mouth; for insurance, the area around the mouth can be moistened with water. Sambuca at home. Take a ceramic teapot and fill it with boiling water. Then, drain the water from the kettle and immediately add 50 ml of sambuca. Shake the contents and drink, but before that, exhale deeply and inhale the vapors of the drink through the spout of the kettle. As part of cocktails. Sambuca is good in that it has a high density, which means that it can be used as the basis for shots. Its transparency also plays into the hands, which allows you to make the drink even more spectacular by dropping Beilis or Grenadine (pomegranate syrup) into it. It is rarely added to long drinks, because the anise flavor dominates the cocktail and interrupts the rest of the ingredients. Of the shots with sambuca, the most popular are Hiroshima (sambuca, Beilis, absinthe, Grenadine), Kazantip (Kalua, sambuca, Grenadine, Beilis and absinthe) and, probably, Audi (sambuca, Malibu, Cointreau, white rum).
How to drink sambuca?
Every connoisseur of alcoholic beverages should know w...
Trend 1. Color schemes drawn from nature. When it comes to paint colors, think greens, blues, taupes and browns drawn from nature. Colors that reflect the great outdoors such as, a pale silvery sage reminiscent of sea glass found on sandy beaches, will become prevalent. Potential and recent home buyers also appear keen on colors associated with water and blue skies. Interior paint color analysis found homes with light blue bathrooms could sell for 1.6% more than expected, or nearly $5,000 on a typical U.S. home. Homes with a bedroom painted a dark, moody blue could sell for a nearly $1,500 premium. Trend 2. Putting values into action. Sustainability is a core value for many homeowners, especially younger generations who will be seeking out home features and products in 2022 that reflect their values.Sustainable home features such as smart lightbulbs, leak detectors and thermostats can save energy and money — and they are associated with homes that sell faster. Research found that home listings with descriptions mentioning “eco,” “energy efficient” or similar terms sell more than two days faster than expected. Listings that mention drought-resistant landscaping can sell 13 days faster, while smart sprinkler systems and energy-conserving double pane windows are associated with homes selling more than a week quicker than expected. Trend 3. Old is new again. Secondhand furniture and décor will be in demand, a trend driven by supply issues and the desire to reduce waste by giving used furnishings a new life. Younger homeowners will put a modern twist on design trends that were prominent during their childhoods. For instance, plaster finishes will replace faux paint finishes, and wallpaper will make a comeback but with bold, contemporary and geometric patterns. Look for all-wood kitchens too, with cherry cabinets giving way to white oak. Trend 4. Furnishings that feel good. Forget stiff couches, sharp angles and scratchy fabrics. With people spending more time at home, furnishings will become as comfortable and cozy as a pair of flannel pajamas. Furniture styles are already starting to reflect an easy-on-the eye sensibility, with curved couches and rounded corners dominating the market. Nubby fabric upholstery — as opposed to leather — will be cropping up on all manner of furniture, ottomans will replace sharp-edged coffee tables, and cozy accent chairs that hug the body will become preferred sitting. Trend 5. Renovations that add space. As the home continues to serve as the center of life and work for millions of remote workers, homeowners will be renovating their homes to meet new, evolving needs.A recent survey found that nearly three in four homeowners are considering at least one improvement project in 2022. The most popular was adding or improving a home office space (31%), followed by finishing a basement or attic (23%), adding another room (23%) and putting in another dwelling unit, such as a backyard cottage or guest house (21%). Supply disruptions in materials and labor shortages also will spur homeowners to repurpose existing spaces. For instance, expect garages to become full-scale home gyms, sheds to become home offices and closets to do double-duty as “cloffices.” Trend 6. Peaceful retreats at home. Homeowners will prioritize retreats within their homes, creating spaces for meditation or reflection, reading nooks and spa-inspired bathroom escapes. Retreat features, such as a “she shed,” can help a home sell for 2.2% more than expected, while a freestanding bathtub can contribute to a home selling for a 2.6% premium. Homeowners also will be bringing more natural light into their homes, especially home offices and common spaces, while indoor plants will retain their popularity for bringing nature indoors. Trend 7. More spaces for pets. Pet ownership among recent movers soared over the past year, impacting housing decisions. Nearly three-fourths of home buyers report having at least one pet at home (73%), up from the 64% of buyers who reported having a pet in 2020, according to research. Expect those pets to be enjoying new digs as more homeowners design their homes inside and out with their pets in mind and invest in custom feeding stations, built-in pet beds, even playrooms. Research finds homes with a doghouse often sold for more than expected last year, while homes with a fenced yard or dog run sold faster than similar homes without these features.
7 Biggest Trends to Influence your Home building Project This Year
Trend 1. Color schemes drawn from nature. When it com...
Tip 1. Costs of a rehab team. Build your rehab team before you start a project. This gives you time to thoroughly screen each of your team members. The last thing you need is to hire the wrong home inspector or contractor because you were closing on a deal and crunched for time.You want qualified people who understand your needs and investing as a business. If you’re wondering what your team should look like, here are the main players: Attorney Lenders Real estate agent Insurance agent Contractor(s) Home inspector Ask other, more seasoned real estate investors for recommendations. It’s a good way to find solid, trustworthy team members, and most investors will be glad to recommend who they use.The only possible exception to this is contractors. Good contractors can be hard to come by, and a real estate investor may not be willing to compete with you for their contractor’s time. So, you may be on your own. If you find yourself in that situation, ask employees at your local lumberyard or hardware store for recommendations. Once you assemble your team members, use their help to get more accurate rehab numbers. It could also be beneficial to enroll in a program for learning the ins and outs of real estate investment. Tip 2. Costs of purchase. The biggest chunk of this category is probably the money you’ll pay to close on the property. But also included here is any expense you might have incurred while hiring your team members. There are some other hidden costs here that you might not have thought of, such as flood certificates or various government fees. But in general, your main expenses will likely include the following: Purchase price Home inspection Home appraisal Surveys Lender fees (your bank’s closing costs, appraisal fees, origination costs, etc.) Attorney fees Tip 3. Costs of rehab. This includes contractor fees, permits, and any work done on the house. It can be difficult to get an accurate number for this category, but there are a few things you can do to get close.First, pay your contractor to do the walkthrough with you. Get their advice on things that need to be fixed or changed, and get a quote from them. Or, find a home inspector with construction experience, then ask questions and listen to their input as they inspect the house. You could also try partnering with another more experienced house flipper so they can teach you the tricks of the trade. Tip 4. Costs of ownership. These expenses happen while you are in possession of the home. This is a common area overlooked by inexperienced house flippers, so make sure you account for these expenses: Mortgage payments Property taxes Property insurance, including flood insurance, if necessary Utilities Yard upkeep Tip 5. Costs of selling. It might seem like this category should be all profit. That may be true if you do the job right, but it’s still important to budget for the costs that come with selling a house, like the following: Selling price Real estate commission Home warranty Radon and lead tests, termite inspection, and other tests buyers sometimes request Staging Attorney fees Get to work building your team today to get the best estimate possible for your house flipping project!
Rehabbing a Home? Be Ready for These 5 Costs.
Tip 1. Costs of a rehab team. Build your rehab team b...
Tip 1. Clean and declutter. It may sound obvious, but the importance of cleaning and decluttering cannot be overstated. Here are some ideas to make this process nearly painless. Eliminate clutter before cleaning: This is the time to purge your house of unwanted and unnecessary items. Gather items to donate to charity or neighborhood “buy nothing” groups. Your local recycling company or municipality may be willing to pick up and haul away large metal items for free or provide drop-off spots to dispose of such items. Deep-clean your house: This step will probably involve the biggest time investment. Get the whole family involved if you can! Think of this as a pumped-up spring cleaning. Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms, and clean the inside and outside of your windows — this makes a striking improvement in the overall appearance of your house. Organize closets, cabinets and drawers: In this case, out of sight is not out of mind. Many potential buyers will want to see the interiors of cabinets and closets to assess the amount of storage space, and these are often the most cluttered areas in your home. Tip 2. Make small repairs. Take care of these problems before you take listing photos or get ready to do showings, either through in-person or video tours. These are all fixes that you can do yourself. Fix any leaking faucets and running toilets. Replace, showers and sinks. Freshen up or repair grout as needed. Repair walls and repaint them in a neutral, generally pleasing color that complements your home. Fix cracked or broken windows. Replace or repair damaged window screens. Replace burned-out lightbulbs. Tip 3. Go for curb appeal. You want potential buyers to be charmed by the outside of your house so they look forward to seeing the inside. Extend your pumped-up spring cleaning to the outside of your house too. Trim bushes, shrubs and trees. Make sure vegetation isn’t touching your roof or siding. Repair broken downspouts and gutters. If it’s appropriate for your yard, apply new mulch, river rock and/or pea gravel. This can do wonders for your landscaping and provide immediate curb appeal. Clean and repair concrete areas, such as driveways and walkways. Eliminate any oil or grease stains, and clean out any weeds coming up through the cracks. If it’s seasonally appropriate, put out some pots of annuals, which will maintain their color for the season. Freshen up your doorstep with a new welcome mat and make sure the house numbers are easy to see. With just a moderate amount of effort, you can make your house beautiful and welcoming, both inside and out.
3 Must-Do's Before Listing Your House for Sale
Tip 1. Clean and declutter. It may sound obvious, but...

Idea 1.

A Perk for Your Pet. Cat patios, more commonly known as catios, let cats enjoy the outdoors from the safety of an enclosure. Screens, nylon mesh, or wire fencing that surround the play area not only contain the cats in a defined space but also keep potential predators outside. Some catios are large and expansive enough for multiple cats to relax or to play together. Others are more compact and may even attach to a window for one cat to enjoy. Use these catio ideas for inspiration to give your furry friend the opportunity to soak up the sun and relax, observe animals and nature, and jump and climb in a protected environment.

Idea 2.

Sun-Filled Solarium. This cat solarium is the perfect space for felines who love to sunbathe. The curved design provides cats with a panoramic view of the area to watch birds or other small animals, while the mesh screen attachment keeps bugs away. Even apartment-dwellers with limited space can provide their kitties with this catio since the solarium inserts into an existing window opening. Cats can let themselves in and out of the solarium as desired using the pet door attached to the back panel.

Idea 3.

Sun and Shade. This large wooden catio offers multiple levels of fun and plenty of space for more than one cat to enjoy nature. The catio features a large outdoor area with a metal wire frame, a hinged door, and a sliding door to keep kitties contained and let them look out at their surroundings. A wooden ramp gives cats the opportunity to climb up into one of the enclosed upper sections where they can stay dry or escape the heat.

Idea 4.

Portable Playtime. Let your cat or kitten enjoy playtime on the go with a portable catio. This rectangular screened-in playpen folds when not in use for easy storage and transport. It is crafted using a heavy-duty, water-resistant nylon with mesh sides. This catio’s design also features stakes to keep it securely anchored to the ground. Hoping to get your cat together with some of its feline besties? You can even connect two of these playpens together to create a more spacious outdoor play area. Available on .

Idea 5.

Swaying in the Breeze. Already have a catio that you want to accessorize for your kitty? Try adding one of these hammocks to provide a perfect place to catch some zzz's in the warm sun. The padded hammock is designed with clasps to connect it to the wire sides of a catio. Choose from a variety of fun fabric options including tropical leaves, stars, or a snow leopard pattern.

In recent years, home winemaking has become increasingly popular. The reason for this is the fashion for everything natural. And where else, if not on your own site, you can grow environmentally friendly grapes. The fact that wine at home can be obtained very tasty is no secret. For its manufacture, you can use not only grapes, but also other fruits and berries. Wonderful wine is obtained from strawberries, raspberries, plums ... We will talk about homemade wine from grapes. Wine at home The most important thing in making homemade, and indeed any other wine is raw materials. Many argue that making wine at home from waste grapes or from wild varieties is cheaper and much more profitable. It is worth noting that this is worth doing only with experience in making homemade grape drink, because damaged fruits can disrupt the process and the drink will be spoiled. Another important factor is the preservation of yeast on the skin of grapes that cause yeast fermentation. For this, grapes should never be washed before production. One has only to carefully sort out the clusters and remove the garbage and leaves. Oddly enough, many winemakers advise to leave grape twigs. From this, the aroma of the wine will become stronger. Do not forget that grape juice is transparent. Therefore, grape skins should also become part of the wort, if you want to make red wine. Start your small home experiment with a completely ordinary dry wine from black grape varieties. The bloody drink that you receive will support your immunity during colds. When making such a wine, everything is quite simple. If the first attempt to make homemade wine was successful, then the next time you can try adding another variety of grapes or berries. After several attempts, you will undoubtedly be able to make wine, which will be your family's favorite alcoholic beverage. The optimal conditions for the maturation of wine - 15-20 ° C. At this temperature, the future drink lives an active life for about two weeks. After this, the fermentation process slows down somewhat, but does not stop completely. Wine in this state wanders for another 20 days. This period may vary depending on conditions. This process can also be accelerated artificially using a variety of yeast starter cultures. As soon as there is a sufficient alcohol content in the future wine, the fermentation process stops, all unnecessary particles turn into a precipitate. After the sediment is completely separated (when the wine is completely white), the wine must be carefully filtered and bottled. Making wine at home is an exciting process that often unites the whole family. Feet reaping grapes for a future drink, learning about tastes and experimenting with additives - all this can turn into a wonderful ritual, which will result in a tasty and healthy grape drink.
Wine at home
In recent years, home winemaking has become increasing...
Every connoisseur of alcoholic beverages should know well how to drink sambuca at home or at the bar. There are several different ways to drink this alcohol, we will look at each of them. Subsequently, you can choose the method that you liked most. In its pure form. The sambuca is both a good aperitif and an excellent digestif. Therefore, it can be drunk in its pure form before and after meals. With water or ice. Unlike whiskey, sambuca behaves perfectly with ice - it perfectly quenches thirst. Cold water helps to reveal the taste of the drink completely, as in the case of absinthe, sambuca becomes cloudy when water is added, due to the content of essential oils in it, which form an emulsion with water. The amount of water is selected individually, to taste, so to speak. Frozen. Put the bottle in the freezer for several hours. After, you will get a great soft drink that you can drink in pure form with a slice of orange or lemon. Fiery method. Suitable just for medicinal purposes: you need to set fire to the drink and let it burn, and then drink it warm, without having a bite. How to drink in Italy: In a glass with sambuca put 3 whole grains of coffee, which symbolize health, wealth and happiness. In many sources, this method is accompanied by setting the drink on fire, but in genuine sources I did not find this - the grains act as a snack and give the sambuca a piquant taste. The two-glass method. It is also sometimes called the “powerful effect method”, in fact, it is traditional for night clubs. We need cognac (snifter), rox (a glass with wide straight walls), a napkin, a straw, a saucer, a lighter, 3 coffee beans and a sambuca (25-50 ml). Grains in this case are a tribute to the classic Italian recipe - they need to be put in cognac, and add sambuca there. Before setting fire, prepare a “platform” for the vapors: put a napkin with a hole in the middle on a saucer, where you pass the short part of the tube: Put cognac on the rox, lightly warm it with a lighter and set fire to the contents. Then rotate the burning glass by the leg around its axis for 10-60 seconds, depending on your preference. After, pour the burning sambuca into the rox and cover it with cognac on top - the flame will go out. Transfer the inverted cognac on a saucer. Drink sambuca and breathe through the tube in pairs of cognac, chew the grains. The sequence can be changed: first breathe in pairs, and then drink a drink. For a show-off, so to speak, you can drip the rest of the drink onto the bottom of the inverted cognac and inhale them through the short tube with your nose. Extreme way. This option is exclusively club and requires some skill from the bartender. In the first case, you need to pour sambuca into your mouth, wipe your lips dry and throw your head back without closing your mouth. The bartender should set fire to the drink right in your mouth. When you feel a slight heat, close your mouth and swallow the drink. This method makes an impression, but the danger here is minimal. In the second case, the drink is heated in cognac and poured into the mouth directly burning. Do not try to repeat this at home, since the bathing method of consumption requires skill and the firm hand of an experienced bartender. It is very important not to get scared and not to close your mouth; for insurance, the area around the mouth can be moistened with water. Sambuca at home. Take a ceramic teapot and fill it with boiling water. Then, drain the water from the kettle and immediately add 50 ml of sambuca. Shake the contents and drink, but before that, exhale deeply and inhale the vapors of the drink through the spout of the kettle. As part of cocktails. Sambuca is good in that it has a high density, which means that it can be used as the basis for shots. Its transparency also plays into the hands, which allows you to make the drink even more spectacular by dropping Beilis or Grenadine (pomegranate syrup) into it. It is rarely added to long drinks, because the anise flavor dominates the cocktail and interrupts the rest of the ingredients. Of the shots with sambuca, the most popular are Hiroshima (sambuca, Beilis, absinthe, Grenadine), Kazantip (Kalua, sambuca, Grenadine, Beilis and absinthe) and, probably, Audi (sambuca, Malibu, Cointreau, white rum).
How to drink sambuca?
Every connoisseur of alcoholic beverages should know w...
Trend 1. Color schemes drawn from nature. When it comes to paint colors, think greens, blues, taupes and browns drawn from nature. Colors that reflect the great outdoors such as, a pale silvery sage reminiscent of sea glass found on sandy beaches, will become prevalent. Potential and recent home buyers also appear keen on colors associated with water and blue skies. Interior paint color analysis found homes with light blue bathrooms could sell for 1.6% more than expected, or nearly $5,000 on a typical U.S. home. Homes with a bedroom painted a dark, moody blue could sell for a nearly $1,500 premium. Trend 2. Putting values into action. Sustainability is a core value for many homeowners, especially younger generations who will be seeking out home features and products in 2022 that reflect their values.Sustainable home features such as smart lightbulbs, leak detectors and thermostats can save energy and money — and they are associated with homes that sell faster. Research found that home listings with descriptions mentioning “eco,” “energy efficient” or similar terms sell more than two days faster than expected. Listings that mention drought-resistant landscaping can sell 13 days faster, while smart sprinkler systems and energy-conserving double pane windows are associated with homes selling more than a week quicker than expected. Trend 3. Old is new again. Secondhand furniture and décor will be in demand, a trend driven by supply issues and the desire to reduce waste by giving used furnishings a new life. Younger homeowners will put a modern twist on design trends that were prominent during their childhoods. For instance, plaster finishes will replace faux paint finishes, and wallpaper will make a comeback but with bold, contemporary and geometric patterns. Look for all-wood kitchens too, with cherry cabinets giving way to white oak. Trend 4. Furnishings that feel good. Forget stiff couches, sharp angles and scratchy fabrics. With people spending more time at home, furnishings will become as comfortable and cozy as a pair of flannel pajamas. Furniture styles are already starting to reflect an easy-on-the eye sensibility, with curved couches and rounded corners dominating the market. Nubby fabric upholstery — as opposed to leather — will be cropping up on all manner of furniture, ottomans will replace sharp-edged coffee tables, and cozy accent chairs that hug the body will become preferred sitting. Trend 5. Renovations that add space. As the home continues to serve as the center of life and work for millions of remote workers, homeowners will be renovating their homes to meet new, evolving needs.A recent survey found that nearly three in four homeowners are considering at least one improvement project in 2022. The most popular was adding or improving a home office space (31%), followed by finishing a basement or attic (23%), adding another room (23%) and putting in another dwelling unit, such as a backyard cottage or guest house (21%). Supply disruptions in materials and labor shortages also will spur homeowners to repurpose existing spaces. For instance, expect garages to become full-scale home gyms, sheds to become home offices and closets to do double-duty as “cloffices.” Trend 6. Peaceful retreats at home. Homeowners will prioritize retreats within their homes, creating spaces for meditation or reflection, reading nooks and spa-inspired bathroom escapes. Retreat features, such as a “she shed,” can help a home sell for 2.2% more than expected, while a freestanding bathtub can contribute to a home selling for a 2.6% premium. Homeowners also will be bringing more natural light into their homes, especially home offices and common spaces, while indoor plants will retain their popularity for bringing nature indoors. Trend 7. More spaces for pets. Pet ownership among recent movers soared over the past year, impacting housing decisions. Nearly three-fourths of home buyers report having at least one pet at home (73%), up from the 64% of buyers who reported having a pet in 2020, according to research. Expect those pets to be enjoying new digs as more homeowners design their homes inside and out with their pets in mind and invest in custom feeding stations, built-in pet beds, even playrooms. Research finds homes with a doghouse often sold for more than expected last year, while homes with a fenced yard or dog run sold faster than similar homes without these features.
7 Biggest Trends to Influence your Home building Project This Year
Trend 1. Color schemes drawn from nature. When it com...
Tip 1. Costs of a rehab team. Build your rehab team before you start a project. This gives you time to thoroughly screen each of your team members. The last thing you need is to hire the wrong home inspector or contractor because you were closing on a deal and crunched for time.You want qualified people who understand your needs and investing as a business. If you’re wondering what your team should look like, here are the main players: Attorney Lenders Real estate agent Insurance agent Contractor(s) Home inspector Ask other, more seasoned real estate investors for recommendations. It’s a good way to find solid, trustworthy team members, and most investors will be glad to recommend who they use.The only possible exception to this is contractors. Good contractors can be hard to come by, and a real estate investor may not be willing to compete with you for their contractor’s time. So, you may be on your own. If you find yourself in that situation, ask employees at your local lumberyard or hardware store for recommendations. Once you assemble your team members, use their help to get more accurate rehab numbers. It could also be beneficial to enroll in a program for learning the ins and outs of real estate investment. Tip 2. Costs of purchase. The biggest chunk of this category is probably the money you’ll pay to close on the property. But also included here is any expense you might have incurred while hiring your team members. There are some other hidden costs here that you might not have thought of, such as flood certificates or various government fees. But in general, your main expenses will likely include the following: Purchase price Home inspection Home appraisal Surveys Lender fees (your bank’s closing costs, appraisal fees, origination costs, etc.) Attorney fees Tip 3. Costs of rehab. This includes contractor fees, permits, and any work done on the house. It can be difficult to get an accurate number for this category, but there are a few things you can do to get close.First, pay your contractor to do the walkthrough with you. Get their advice on things that need to be fixed or changed, and get a quote from them. Or, find a home inspector with construction experience, then ask questions and listen to their input as they inspect the house. You could also try partnering with another more experienced house flipper so they can teach you the tricks of the trade. Tip 4. Costs of ownership. These expenses happen while you are in possession of the home. This is a common area overlooked by inexperienced house flippers, so make sure you account for these expenses: Mortgage payments Property taxes Property insurance, including flood insurance, if necessary Utilities Yard upkeep Tip 5. Costs of selling. It might seem like this category should be all profit. That may be true if you do the job right, but it’s still important to budget for the costs that come with selling a house, like the following: Selling price Real estate commission Home warranty Radon and lead tests, termite inspection, and other tests buyers sometimes request Staging Attorney fees Get to work building your team today to get the best estimate possible for your house flipping project!
Rehabbing a Home? Be Ready for These 5 Costs.
Tip 1. Costs of a rehab team. Build your rehab team b...
Tip 1. Clean and declutter. It may sound obvious, but the importance of cleaning and decluttering cannot be overstated. Here are some ideas to make this process nearly painless. Eliminate clutter before cleaning: This is the time to purge your house of unwanted and unnecessary items. Gather items to donate to charity or neighborhood “buy nothing” groups. Your local recycling company or municipality may be willing to pick up and haul away large metal items for free or provide drop-off spots to dispose of such items. Deep-clean your house: This step will probably involve the biggest time investment. Get the whole family involved if you can! Think of this as a pumped-up spring cleaning. Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms, and clean the inside and outside of your windows — this makes a striking improvement in the overall appearance of your house. Organize closets, cabinets and drawers: In this case, out of sight is not out of mind. Many potential buyers will want to see the interiors of cabinets and closets to assess the amount of storage space, and these are often the most cluttered areas in your home. Tip 2. Make small repairs. Take care of these problems before you take listing photos or get ready to do showings, either through in-person or video tours. These are all fixes that you can do yourself. Fix any leaking faucets and running toilets. Replace, showers and sinks. Freshen up or repair grout as needed. Repair walls and repaint them in a neutral, generally pleasing color that complements your home. Fix cracked or broken windows. Replace or repair damaged window screens. Replace burned-out lightbulbs. Tip 3. Go for curb appeal. You want potential buyers to be charmed by the outside of your house so they look forward to seeing the inside. Extend your pumped-up spring cleaning to the outside of your house too. Trim bushes, shrubs and trees. Make sure vegetation isn’t touching your roof or siding. Repair broken downspouts and gutters. If it’s appropriate for your yard, apply new mulch, river rock and/or pea gravel. This can do wonders for your landscaping and provide immediate curb appeal. Clean and repair concrete areas, such as driveways and walkways. Eliminate any oil or grease stains, and clean out any weeds coming up through the cracks. If it’s seasonally appropriate, put out some pots of annuals, which will maintain their color for the season. Freshen up your doorstep with a new welcome mat and make sure the house numbers are easy to see. With just a moderate amount of effort, you can make your house beautiful and welcoming, both inside and out.
3 Must-Do's Before Listing Your House for Sale
Tip 1. Clean and declutter. It may sound obvious, but...