Many people who own condos consider their property to be an income generator rather than a primary residence. If you are among them, and have purchased a condo as an investment rental unit, you should be aware that there are added requirements attached to your ownership.
For example, if your property becomes vacant from time to time, you should alert your insurance company. A temporary adjustment to your homeowner’s policy may be implemented during the time the condo is unoccupied, because there is increased risk of undetected damage due to break-ins and/or vandalism, extreme weather, or utility failures such as plumbing leaks and electrical short-circuits.
In fact, in some cases, an insurance policy may be cancelled outright if the insurer has not been notified that the property is vacant, or if a supplementary policy has not been taken out, possibly with a secondary insurance provider. Of course, such coverage will likely change your premiums during the time your condo is unoccupied, but you will be in a much more secure position knowing you are covered for unexpected events during the time you don’t have a tenant.
For most people, smoke detectors are simply taken for granted. But, when it’s time to replace your smoke detectors, be sure to understand the differences between the two main types.
Ionization types use a battery to create a small current that charges the ion particles inside the detector. If that current is disrupted by smoke, an alarm is triggered. Though they are designed to detect all types of smoke, they tend to be more sensitive to smoke from fast-flaming fires, such as those that might occur in a kitchen. Another type is a photoelectric detector, which powers a small beam of light that, when broken by smoke, will sound an alarm. This type tends to be more sensitive to smoke from a smouldering fire, such as a cigarette on upholstery.
To be safe, homeowners are advised to use both types of detectors in their homes because no one can predict the type of fire that may break out, nor where it might start. Locate them strategically based on the type. Also, be sure your units are tested regularly, and their batteries are changed bi-annually
With so much shopping being done online, and so many sources to check out, it’s easy to miss the newest products entering the marketplace. Here are some new and different items that may interest you:
A robotic mopper.If you’ve heard of robotic vacuum cleaners, you might be ready for the mopper version. Just add water and cleaning solution, then select the proper scrubbing pad for your floor surface. Now, how awesome can that be?
An anti-fatigue mat made with gel-like cushioning. The mat is designed to help ease foot, knee, and back pain attributed to prolonged standing. This could be ideal for kitchen and workshop environments, as well as offices where workers prefer to avoid sitting all day.
A new digital shower interface. This gadget will regulate your water temperature and pressure at the touch of a button. It even allows you to set a different program for each individual user so everyone can enjoy a personal setting without having to adjust the knobs or handles.
A four-way faucet splitter. If you have an expansive lawn or garden, and don’t want to invest in an underground irrigation system, you can connect up to four hoses to one faucet or hose bib, and set a timer for each one of them. Apparently some of these devices can also detect the moisture level of the soil.
MoveToWineCountry.com does not endorse any specific brands or stores, but if you’d like to find out more about any of these types of products, a quick google search will start you in the right direction.
Outdoor lighting has come a long way from the days of patio lanterns and strings of lightbulbs. These days, there’s an exhaustive array of options available to illuminate your outdoor space, and make it more appealing and comfortable, particularly in the evenings.
Here are just a few ideas:
Solar garden lights. These lights are on stakes that can be easily inserted throughout the garden. Powered by the sun, they generate enough energy to cast a soft, pleasant glow along walkways or in flower beds in the evenings.
Deck post lights. These are easy to install because they’re designed to sit on top of a standard 4×4 wood deck post. Most are solar powered.
Street-style lamps. As the name implies, these look similar to old-fashioned street lamps. Installation is a little more complex, but still DIY-friendly. They’re eye-catching and have a dramatic impact on the look of your outdoor space.
Portable lantern lights. These are outdoor lights that are portable and often made to look like a decorative fixture for a coffee table or side table. They can be placed anywhere.
LED walkway lights. These are small lights that fit neatly and almost invisibly under stairs and around walkways. Walkway lights not only look good but also improve safety. Most are battery powered.
Planter lights. This is one of the most interesting options. Each one is both a flower pot and a light in one! The pot itself is translucent which allows the light inside to shine through.
Design experts say you should treat your outdoor space as you would any room in your home. Lighting it up for evening comfort and enjoyment is a good place to start.
You’ve probably heard of “staging”. It involves setting up each room of your home in a way that maximizes its appeal to buyers. You’ve probably also heard that this strategy can help sell your home faster – and for a higher price.
That’s true. However, if you’re like many homeowners, you’re worried about the time, energy and cost involved in staging your home properly. After all, don’t professional stagers bring in special furniture and décor? Will you have to do the same thing?
Not necessarily. Staging doesn’t have to be a big imposition. In fact, there are many staging techniques that most homeowners can easily do on their own. Among the simplest are: cleaning, decluttering, fixing, and painting.
Rearranging furniture can also improve the look of a room, while putting some furniture into storage can make the room look more spacious.
A helpful technique is to think of each room in your home as a product for sale. Then, explore ways to make it the kind of room buyers would want to buy. When it comes to effective staging, that’s a good mindset to get you started.
With the availability of more and more powerful mobile technology, it’s reasonable to presume that there is less need to dedicate time and space to a permanent home office. However, we also know that, from time to time, we need the opportunity to isolate ourselves at home, in order to get certain tasks accomplished. Getting “down to business” is a part of life, whether it’s for a student cramming for exams or a homeowner budgeting for a new mortgage. Getting these tasks done can require much less time if they’re easily accommodated. Fortunately, thanks to new modern furnishings that are flexible and adaptable, it’s no longer necessary to create a space that is uniquely dedicated to work.
Nowadays, a homeowner can create a convertible workspace that allows a room to serve a dual role. By installing shelving that can fold out to a desktop, a worktable with an adjustable height, or a bed that folds up into the wall, any room can have the flexibility to serve as a quiet place to read, study or pay monthly bills, and convert into a cozy, welcoming guest room. So, the truth is, we all need a home office – but we don’t necessarily need it to be a dedicated single-use space.
You’ve probably heard of “staging”. It involves setting up each room of your home in a way that maximizes its appeal to buyers. You’ve probably also heard that this strategy can help sell your home faster – and for a higher price.
With the availability of more and more powerful mobile technology, it’s reasonable to presume that there is less need to dedicate time and space to a permanent home office. However, we also know that, from time to time, we need the opportunity to isolate ourselves at home, in order to get certain tasks accomplished. Getting “down to business” is a part of life, whether it’s for a student cramming for exams or a homeowner budgeting for a new mortgage. Getting these tasks done can require much less time if they’re easily accommodated. Fortunately, thanks to new modern furnishings that are flexible and adaptable, it’s no longer necessary to create a space that is uniquely dedicated to work.