| Look for the sparkle under the sadness |
If you're in the market for a property bargain, don't discount
that sad suburban house your agent insists on showing you - it may
just be a diamond in the rough waiting to reveal its true potential.
With property prices at historic highs, it's not surprising that
many buyers are looking around for value. And older suburbs often
offer larger properties at the same price, or even less, than new
housing stock.
The trick in finding value is a change in mindset. Bargain-hunters
should choose substance over style and look hard at at the underlying
potential of homes that do not necessarily attract them at first
glance. Experienced renovators know that a home that is drab but
sound can be redecorated for a relatively small capital outlay,
which will not only improve its looks, but also its value.
Dirt and grime are easy and relatively cheap to fix - a bit of
scrubbing and a fresh coat of paint can do wonders to improve the
whole appearance of a home. Shabby carpets can be easily replaced
while worn floortiles can be carpeted. Wooden floors, even if neglected,
are a find - re-sanding and re-varnishing them will restore them
to glory at a fraction of the price of new wooden floors or the
modern composite wooden flooring now on offer.
Tatty bathroom fixtures can be given a new lease of life with re-enamelling
while drab kitchens can be modernised at a reasonable cost by retaining
cupboard carcasses and fitting new doors and work surfaces.
Mowing the lawn and pulling up weeds can quickly spruce up neglected
gardens. Bare patches in the lawn can be fixed by laying some instant
lawn while judicious pruning will tidy overgrown trees and shrubs
and go a long way to achieving an overall manicured look.
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| Keeping your neighbours sweet |
Neighbours are a fact of life - and you can make your own life
easier by keeping your neighbours sweet and talking to them "over
the fence" instead of through lawyers.
This is especially true if you are planning any renovations that
may intrude on your neighbours' right to enjoy their own properties.
In the first instance, it is common courtesy to let your neighbours
know what you are planning, how long you expect the project to take
and to what degree they will be inconvenienced.
It's also a good idea to show them your builders' plans and discuss
what impact your renovations will have on them in the long-term
- but don't expect them to be accommodating if, for instance, your
planned balcony will have a wonderful view of their swimming pool.
To prevent boundary disputes, you should also make sure that your
project will not encroach on your neighbour's property. Consult
a surveyor if in doubt.
Then once the project is under way, try to limit noise and dust.
It is often impossible not to employ noisy power tools, but your
neighbours' patience will surely be tested if your work gang powers
up at the crack of dawn. Try to limit use of power tools to normal
office hours.
Rubble is another necessary evil of renovations. You can keep relations
cordial by arranging for a skip or a contractor to regularly remove
the rubble that piles up on the pavement. Empty cement bags blowing
about in the wind are a definite no-no.
Finally, once your renovations are complete, you really should
invite your neighbours over for a roof-wetting party to thank them
for their patience.
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Modern homes are getting more compact and while
small kitchens, bathrooms and even bedrooms do not seem to bother
most people, a spacious living area is highly desirable.
The living area is usually the hub of a home and
takes a lot of traffic. It therefore makes sense to put available
space to good use or, if possible, enlarge the room. It is even
worth considering structural changes if available space is taken
up by a finicky little entrance hall, for example, as was the fashion
a couple of decades ago.
Alternatively, combining an adjoining living room
and dining room by knocking out an internal wall can make it easier
to arrange furniture and create an illusion of more space. And installing
a buffet bar or large counter between the dining area and kitchen
may further enhance the feeling of spaciousness.
A second option is to incorporate a patio or deck
into the living space by installing French windows or wide sliding
doors leading outside. At the same time, try to eliminate swing
doors that take up space when opened and opt for sliding doors where
possible.
And thirdly, it might be possible to raise the
ceiling, enhancing the feeling of spaciousness by creating more
volume vertically.
But even if your structural options are limited,
there are several tricks to create an illusion of space, including
the use of lightweight, versatile furniture that can easily be moved
around to adapt the space to different needs.
Clutter looks worse in small rooms and storage
chests that can double up as seating or table space are a good idea.
Simple window treatments with clean lines also work better than
elaborate swags or heavy drapes.
Lighter colours for walls and furniture will reflect
light, making the room appear larger, while reflective surfaces
such as large mirrors can visually double the size of a room. And
to visually enlarge a room at night, you can use several light sources
that create pools of light, instead of a single central light fitting.
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| No time to neglect home maintenance |
Although the monthly costs of homeownership such
as home loan instalments and property taxes are on the rise, this
is no time to slack off on maintenance.
Keeping your home in top condition does save you
money in the long run, and in the current tight economic conditions
the old adage that "a stitch in time saves nine" should
be kept in mind.
For instance, a leaking roof that is not speedily repaired could
lead to other problems such as damaged ceiling boards, paintwork,
and even walls - and additional repair costs.
Homeowners should thus aim to take an inventory
at least once a year to check for potential problems and list these
in order of priority to be rectified. Such a proactive approach
will avoid many of the secondary problems that can be caused by
faulty plumbing or electrical wiring, and damaged roofs or foundations.
Older homes that have been neglected through the
years may initially require more work (and more money), but by starting
with the most urgent repairs and gradually fixing more minor faults,
owners can eventually bring their maintenance budget down.
Regular maintenance also enables homeowners to
derive more enjoyment from their property and of course when the
time comes to sell and put the property on show to potential buyers,
it will be much easier and cheaper to spruce up a well-maintained
home than a long-neglected one.
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