Buying a Home During the Pandemic: What You Need To Consider

Nothing beats the excitement of finally owning your dream home. Buying a property is a huge decision that can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time. And with a pandemic still in full throttle, many are left asking if purchasing a home is well worth it given the circumstances.

There is no doubt that luxury real estate trends have changed over the years. The pandemic has compelled homebuyers to rethink the features they want in a property and accommodate a growing need to boost health and safety at home. 

The coronavirus is not disappearing any time soon, but that doesn’t mean you should give up on your dream home just yet. Buying a property during quarantine comes with unique challenges, but there are steps you can take to stay safe while home hunting without sacrificing the critical home features that you are keen on having. 

Here’s what you should prioritize when looking for a new home and the things you should consider — both financially and logistically — as you search for a new place to live in during the pandemic. 

Location

Location matters on so many levels. It’s important to make sure that you’re happy and satisfied with the location of your home from the start because it’s the one feature you can’t change. Find a location that fits your and your family’s lifestyle, needs, and budget.

Do your research and look into factors like the quality of the school district, the neighborhood and community amenities, security and maintenance, and even the crime rate. 

Buying a home near schools is a wise decision because it boosts the home’s value. Find out all the small yet significant details about the larger community that you’ll potentially be part of — the character of the neighbors, traffic patterns, commute and transport options, community attractions, proximity to shops, restaurants, hospitals, and the like.

Thoroughly evaluating the location of your real estate prospects during the pandemic may be a bit of a stretch but it pays to be patient. Know all the social distancing guidelines and health and safety protocols in the areas where you plan to check on properties. 

If you have the budget, you may try to arrange for a private viewing. In most cases, prospective buyers are required to wear a mask and sanitize their hands. Check with your realtors to ensure that the home has been cleaned and sanitized and that common spaces are disinfected. Virtual viewings have also been growing in popularity. Maximize video tours and scour the online world for all important details about your prospects.

Condition, Age, and Overall Value

If you’re in the market for remodeled properties, assess the condition of the home and carefully consider the future. Figure out how much work needs to be done on the property and determine whether the renovations are worth the time and expense. 

Don’t dwell too much on the cosmetic details because they are fairly easy to deal with later on. Look out for any issues involving major systems and infrastructure — gutter leakage, plumbing issues, damaged roof, exterior cracks, mold, flooding, and any other damage. Repairs can add up very quickly and can get expensive, so it’s important to check if you can handle the workload. 

Factor the long-term value or investment potential of the property into your decision-making process. Location is key to determining if a home will hold its resale value in the long run, but there are other ways to add value like eye-catching kitchens, bathrooms, and open spaces. 

Design and Layout

Make a list of your must-haves when it comes to size, storage, and space. What is your ideal bedroom-to-bathroom ratio? Do you want a home with a flexible space and extra bedrooms to accommodate a growing family and lifestyle needs in the future? Or how about a large yard or outdoor space for entertaining guests and for your kids and pets to enjoy playtime? 

The garage is also a vital part of the home that gets taken for granted most of the time. Many homeowners use it as a parking area or storage space. You can also customize your garage and turn it into a dedicated workspace, man cave, music room or creative studio, and anything else that you can imagine for your home. 

You may also want to have high-end finishes like an upgraded kitchen layout, a large ensuite bathroom, or art and furniture pieces to make your home luxurious. Many buyers value a property that offers enough flexibility to fit their preferences and add flair, making the house look and feel more like their dream abode. 

Wrapping Up 

The pandemic has caused significant changes when it comes to homebuying procedures — from stricter criteria for mortgages to home inspections, the final offer, and more. It’s best to be prepared to go through lengthy processes. 

Social distancing may have affected most aspects of the home buying experience, but there are concrete steps you can take to score a good deal. Just keep in mind the essential features that you won’t compromise on, and you’re well on your way to making the right choice. 

About the Author

Serene Yu

Serene Yu is the Vice President of New Manila San Juan, the premiere real estate marketplace for luxury properties in the Philippines. Serene is a well-versed writer and marketer that enjoys keeping up with the latest trends in real estate, interior design, and technology. Outside work she enjoys travelling, cooking, and baking.

Understanding the Pros and Cons of Share Trading and CFD Trading

Both Stock Trading and CFD Trading offer great means to profit in the financial market by speculating the price movement. But if you are torn between using CFDs or Stocks, then here’s a quick overview of them here. Check it out here;

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CFD Trading

Contracts for Difference (CFD) allows you to speculate on the market price from the underlying asset, without paying for the actual amount and the ownership of the underlying asset. For instance, you are thinking that the value of shares of Facebook will rise. If so, you can buy shares from your CFD broker. If your prediction turns correct and the stock value rises, you can sell the CFD to a new price with a much higher value. Your broker will be at the losing end and the difference will be returned to your account.

Share Trading

Although these two allow speculation of price movement in the market, Share Trading is preferred for long positions. With shares of stock trading, you are buying actual and physical company shares. But the process is just the same, you speculate on the price movement. But with CFD, you can use leverage to your advantage. Paying only 5-10% of the actual price of the asset but being able to open a larger position is already a good deal for retail traders.

CFD Trading or Stock Trading – Which One Is The Best Choice For You?

If you are yet to decide which one to use, here's a clear comparison of Stock Trading and CFD Trading.

Ownership

The most obvious difference between CFD and stock trading is ownership. In CFD, you don’t own the underlying asset but you can still speculate on its price movement but you don’t own it. But with stocks trading, you will have to buy the company share with its actual price before you can speculate. Buying the company shares gives you its full ownership.

Finance

The ability to finance each trade is also very different from CFD and stock trading. In CFD, you are allowed to trade on leverage. With leverage, you can start with a small investment and trade in a bigger position. You initially borrow capital from the broker and return it after a successful trade.

Markets

Access to different markets is another distinction to consider. With CFD, you are able to trade in a number of instruments, from shares, cryptocurrency, and Forex. But stocks are limited only to ETFs and shares.

Fees

If you’re trading, fees and charges are to be considered. Stocks and shares have different fees to be shouldered by the trader. So when you start trading, you need to ensure to know the fees and charges that your broker will deduct from your trading account.

Short and Long Term Trading Strategies

If you are a short-term or intraday trader, the most appropriate product for you is CFDs. But if you are aiming for long-term investment and want to have less risk in trading, then shares and stocks are the best options for you.

Planning for a home addition - things to consider

Home additions are quite a simple solution if you need more space. Sometimes we plan on expanding the family, or a relative might need to move in. Or maybe we just want to finally build that cinema room we have been dreaming about for years. Whatever the reasons, home expansions are much cheaper than buying a bigger house. Also, when the time comes to sell it, its value will go up with added space. Not to mention that your living conditions will improve. Ultimately when you start planning for a home addition, it is best to let your imagination loose and have fun with it. However, there are certain things you need to consider before you begin the work. 

Take a look at how much available space you have for home addition

Firstly, you have to look at your property lines to determine how much space you have to work with. Do this before you begin sketching up the plan and the layout. Depending on the property lines, you will see if you should build up or out. However, if you decide that expanding sideways is the best solution, you need to consider how it will impact the surrounding area. Check where the power lines, water pipes, and trees are because you might have to work around them. The same goes for your neighbor’s property. Local codes will tell you exactly how far you can build from the border as you have to respect the minimum distance. It is not something you can ignore as it is there for safety reasons, and you might get fined. 

Logistically, it is simpler to expand upward because you do not have to work around a variety of obstacles 

Take care of your belongings during construction work

Once the construction work starts, your home will get filled with dirt and dust. It is unavoidable, and because the flying debris is often so small, it will take days to properly clean your home. Simply covering everything with plastic wraps will not be sufficient protection, and you will be best off placing your things in storage. If you agree this is the best course of action, you will need to find adequate space for your belongings where they can remain safe and dirt-free. Putting all your stuff into a storage unit is the best solution. Renting one for the duration of the work will not put too much strain on your budget. Take a look at the ones that are further from the city center and make sure you rent the right size one. All these things will lower the price. If you have sensitive items that need special care, rent a climate-controlled unit. Alternatively, if you have enough space in your yard, take a look at the mobile storage options. 

Set a budget before you start working on home expansion 

How much money you can spend on home addition will dictate the size of the project and not the other way round. Often people make the mistake of planning for a big project only to realize in the middle of the work that the money has run out. Thus, if you have a small budget, you have to find clever solutions to give you the much-needed space. Look at the area in your home that is just sitting there unused. For example, you can convert an attic into a bedroom or a garage into a playroom for your kids. Also, secure your finances right away because you might have a problem getting the bank lawn in today's climate. Sadly, more and more people with perfect credit scores are being turned down. 

Put on paper all the expenses and make sure you have enough money for the entire project

Do not make the mistake of leaving everything as is because once your new space is done, it too will end up filled to the brim

Breathe fresh air into your home by decluttering

If you have lived in your home for a long time, you have probably accumulated a lot of stuff. Do not make the mistake of leaving everything as is because once your new space is done, it too will end up filled to the brim. And you will be right where you started again. Therefore, decluttering is an absolute must. Do not hesitate to throw away things you no longer use, no matter the emotional value they might have. Go through your home before the construction team arrives and put everything you do not need into boxes. If the things are in good condition, you can donate them to a local charity organization. Or, if you wish to increase your budget, organize a yard sale and spend a fun day selling everything to your neighbors and friends. 

Find the right construction company 

The most important part of adding more space to your home is finding the right people to do it. You want professionals that know how to build things that last. Investing in addition that has a five years' lifespan is a waste of money nobody needs. Therefore, you must do thorough research to find the right construction company. Check their customer reviews, testimonials and ask for recommendations. You can start everything from scratch and hire a designer and architect. Or go for a finished design that the company already has. At the same time, look for the right company to paint your home. Your new space will stand out too much if the rest of the house is in poor condition.      

With the right professional and efficient construction company, your home addition will be done in no time

Be considerate to your neighbors 

Building your home addition will bring a fair amount of noise, dust, and debris. You know your life will get disrupted, but don't forget it will affect your neighbors too. Thus, before you begin, it would be considerate to inform them about your plans. Ask them when they are not at home and try to do most of the work then. Consult with your construction crew on how you can keep the noise down. Likewise, avoid working through holidays when people are celebrating and spending time with their families. But do not forget to account for it in your work schedule and add a week or two. 

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Tips for getting settled in your new home

Preparing for this relocation probably took you weeks or even months. But, you made it! Congratulations! Doing all the moving-related work is not easy, so give yourself some credit. And, once you do that, take a deep breath and start settling in your new home. This task will require a lot of your time and energy. So, do not postpone it - start unpacking the boxes and furniture and adjust your new home to your needs as soon as possible. The sooner you make this home truly yours, the quicker you will adjust to your new life. Luckily, there is a way to make this whole process easy and stress-free - all you have to do is follow these steps for getting settled in your new home.

Clean Before You Move In

It is an absolute must to clean before you start living in your new home. You do not know who lived there before you, so make cleaning your number one priority. Thus, bring in your box with cleaning supplies and sanitize every surface. It would be best to start from your children's rooms first and then move onto the kitchen and bathroom. That is, clean the areas that you plan on using first to be safe.

If you do not have the time or energy to do all of this, consider hiring some kind of cleaning service to help you. Having cleaners can be especially beneficial if you are in a hurry to move in or too preoccupied with other moving-related tasks.

Prioritize Unpacking

After making sure that your home is nice and clean, you can slowly start to unpack. But, do not make a beginner's mistake and bring in all the boxes and furniture at the same time. Doing this will overcrowd your home, and it will take twice as much time to unpack and settle in.

Instead, bring one box or one piece of furniture at a time, and only after you have unpacked it and placed it where it belongs should you bring in the next one.

Just like with cleaning, you can also hire somebody to help you unpack. Many moving companies like sosmovingla.nett can assist you with all the heavy lifting, unboxing, and getting rid of packing materials. So, do not stress yourself about it - with movers' help, you will be able to settle in in no time.

Take Care of Your Children!

Children are the ones affected the most when it comes to relocations.They feel scared and anxious because they have left everybody and everything they know. So, it is your job as a parent to make the moving-out process less stressful. But, do not think that everything is over once you move in - they will need you the most at this time. You must do everything in your power to help them while getting settled in your new home.
 
Unpack their items as soon as you move in. They will need their own space - a space they are familiar with. This will make the entire process less stressful for all of you. Moreover, if you see that your child has difficulties settling in, leave everything (cleaning, unboxing, etc.) aside and devote all your time and energy to helping them understand the situation.

Make Your Home Homey

One of the best ways for you and your family to settle in your new home is to make everything snug as a bug in a rug. Nobody can feel comfortable when tons of boxes and packing materials are scattered around the house or apartment. Of course, unboxing and cleaning are important, but that will not make your home homey at the end of the day. You need to add personal touches!

Adjust your new home to your needs - hang photographs, fill the shelves with your books, put flowers in a vase, etc. Make your home comfortable, too/ Change the sheets, add a lot of pillows and blankets, replace the curtains, etc. Do not postpone the process of moving in. If you do, your new home will never feel yours, and thus you will not feel comfortable living there.

Give Yourself Some Time to Unwind

And, once you make your home homey, give yourself some time to unwind. Moving is not easy, so take a day off to pamper yourself. Do not be afraid to let your hair down a bit, relax after your move and enjoy your new home. Use that new kitchen for baking your favorite foods, have a bubble bath in your new bathroom, or spend a day on your balcony drinking coffee and catching up with your friends and family members.

You can also put on your walking shoes and meet your new neighborhood. Ask your neighbors for some recommendations on where to go and what to see. Try to visit as many local areas as you can. Places like neighborhood coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, parks, etc., are always full of people who can help you settle in, too, so give them a chance!

Meet the Neighbors

You shouldn't only get to know your new home, but also your new neighbors. So, knock on their doors and introduce yourself. It is essential to know who the people living next to you are. Who knows, maybe they will become your new best friends.

One of the best ways to meet all of your neighbors while getting settled in your new home is to throw a party. Music, some snacks, and drinks, and you are good to go. Or, if you have a garden that is safe and orderly, you can also organize a barbecue - your neighbors will love you!

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Why Do You Need A MetaTrader Demo Account?

Who needs a demo account? Is it for newbies only? Forex demo accounts are offered for free by FX brokers in MetaTrader. Demo accounts are very useful not just for beginners but for traders who already have experience in the market. For beginners, they can use it to test the tides, familiarize the platform, and experience the emotions felt by most traders seeing the losses and gains as they trade with their hard-earned money. Demo accounts are also useful for experienced traders. They can try their trading strategies and polish the old ones.

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Demo accounts also have the same features as a real trading account. Things like market data, indicators, analysis tools, and even get the help of a customer support team. The only important difference between demo accounts and live accounts is the fact that demo accounts do not actually have access to the live FX market, but instead, they are relying on the simulated data.

Who can use a Forex Demo Account?

Beginners who want to try out trading without the same risk as to the live market. It lets them understand the FX market pretty well.

Traders who want to understand the new features offered by brokers, their services, and their entire trading platform as well.

Traders who want to test the platform and understand how everything works on it.

Traders who are looking for a new strategy. They see demo accounts as the perfect place to experiment with a new trading strategy.

Pros and Cons of Demo Account

Knowing the pros is as important as knowing the cons or the disadvantages of demo accounts. Below are the things that you need to know about demo trading accounts?

Pros

Demo accounts are totally free – you won’t have to pay anything when you open a demo trading account. Also, you won’t be asked to deposit funds into your account since you will be given free virtual currency that you can use to trade into your demo account.

Demo accounts expose the trader to the actual situation of the market – since it mirrors the trading activities of the real, live trading, traders can get a glimpse of the market and how it feels to trade with a live market.

Demo accounts help test and develop trading strategies – not just for beginners, demo accounts are also for experienced traders who want to develop and test their trading strategies without the risk that the live market has.

Demo accounts help to better understand the platform’s features and services – your broker would want you to understand the platform more than anything else. Demo accounts should teach you a lot of things.

Cons

It can give traders a false sense of confidence – since you know that demo accounts are not real, and no money is wasted, you may overtrade.

Could encourage bad habits of trading – there are traders using demo accounts who aren’t taking serious time analyzing their trades. This is nothing but a gambling mentality.

Limited funds and time – most MetaTrader trading platforms only offer a few virtual cash to trade in the demo account and the duration only takes a couple of days.

 

 

Minimalist home décor tips to beautify your new home

 

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The point of becoming a minimalist is to say goodbye to material things and use all that extra money, time, and energy on more meaningful things in life. More and more people around the world are embracing the minimalist lifestyle. And, that often reflects in the look of their homes - flat and sleek surfaces, neutral colors, functional furniture, and of course, the less is more philosophy. But,just because you want your home to be minimalistic, it does not mean you should sacrifice comfort, aesthetics, and style. Quite the contrary! Most minimalistic homes exude sophistication and beauty. If you are interested but unsure where and how to start, do not worry - we have got you covered! Here are some minimalist home décor tips to beautify your new home right now.

Declutter as Much as You Can

If you want to call yourself a minimalist, the first thing you must do is declutter your household. But, before you start getting rid of everything, make sure all your household members are on the same page! Trust us - you do not want to throw out your wife's favorite shoes or your child's favorite toy. Thus, conduct a family meeting first, and then do everything else.

Moreover, do not force yourself to declutter everything straight away - give yourself some time. Start by getting rid of damaged or broken items, those that are entirely useless, and those you haven't used in a long time. The options for stuff you don't need are numerous. You can choose to donate, give to friends or family members, sell online, organize a yard sale, recycle or throw away. Once you're done decluttering, remember to keep your home tidy and organized to avoid doing it all over again in a few months.

Embrace Clean Lines and Flat Surfaces

Among minimalist home décor tips that will beautify your new home, choosing furniture with clean lines and flat surfaces seems to be the most prevalent. For instance, kitchens with well-defined cabinets, drawers with no handles, and plenty of clean working space are a dream come true for every minimalist.

Of course, not everybody has clean lines and flat surfaces in their homes, so introducing this kind of style may require some renovation. If your budget allows you to make changes in your new home - great, go for it! But if it doesn't, do not worry. There are many affordable solutions for your home renovations! Just be sure to have a clear picture of how you want your new minimalist home to look before you start doing any major work. Look for ideas online if you lack inspiration. And remember - less is more when minimalism is in question!

Use a Restrained Color Palette

Most minimalists will say that their color of choice is white. White is simple, and it goes with everything. However, if white walls seem too dull to you, do not be afraid to use colors. Neutrals, pastels, and barely-there grays too are considered minimalistic, as well. You can even mix and match the colors on your walls. For instance - paint all of your walls white, but leave one or two accent walls. That way, you will add some flair to the room without interrupting the minimalist flow. Moreover, do not be afraid to do some DIY-ing, as there are many easy paint projects that you can use to decorate your home. Whatever you do, be sure you are using a restrained color palette - there is no going wrong with it, whether you are minimalistic or not.

Do Not Avoid Decorations

Most people who start their minimalist journey think that they should get rid of pretty much everything that does not have a purpose in their home. That usually implies getting rid of decorative pieces - paintings, photos, figurines, travel souvenirs, flower pots, etc. In general, yes, you should get rid of everything that creates clutter in your space, both physically and visually. An easy way to do this is to call U. Santini Moving and Storage to help you move and store your items in a storage unit.

However, overdoing this can make your home look dull and monotonous. Therefore, don't be afraid to keep some decorative items. Those pieces can be accent decorations in your home. Something interesting, but something that does not take up much space nor requires much maintenance. For instance, you can choose to keep a painting on one of your walls. Or a fun flower pot on your shelf.

Lighting is Important

Last but certainly not least, you can make your home more minimalistic with appropriate lighting. Let in as much natural light as possible. Get rid of those heavy draperies that only collect dust and put up some airy curtains made of delicate, natural materials. If privacy is not an issue, consider getting rid of curtains altogether! The sun will cozy up your home in the best possible way.

Aside from natural light, lighting fixtures also play an essential role in your home. When trying to apply minimalist home décortips to beautify your new home, lightning can serve as perfectornamentation. So, choose chandeliers that are a bit unusual and attention-demanding. 

Or, add attractive lamps and lumens in every room. Do not be afraid to play with eccentric shapes and sizes. Lighting pieces can be a fantastic way to decorate your home in a minimalistic manner as they add to the aesthetic and serve an important purpose.