19
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate, ,

How To Manage Investment Property While Working Full-Time

In 2017, upwards of 75 percent of independent rental property owners in the U.S. reportedly worked another job on top of being a landlord. That means the overwhelming majority of landlords are attempting to juggle more than they can handle at times. There are organizational and strategic concepts that can maximize efficiency and profitability. Consider the following tips that bring property management tasks under three basic headings: organization, automation and outsourcing.   Organization Matters One of the things that tends to overwhelm landlords is thinking about the rental properties as an extension of home ownership. The rental seems like it…
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15
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate, ,

Is Buying A Short Sale Right For You?

If you have been looking for a new home, and you find one offered under a short sale, this may be to your advantage. While some buyers are wary about buying a home that needs to be sold with the approval of the lender, it's a great way to get a bargain on a home that you love. A short sale may be a perfect way to buy a home, as long as you are able to wait until the offer is approved. The Basics Of A Short Sale A short sale occurs when the homeowner is facing a foreclosure…
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13
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate, ,

Fix and Flip: Forget What You See on Television

The drama of home and garden TV shows may be fun to watch, but no matter what you think, reality shows are not at all like real life. If you think it's easy to buy a house that needs updating and turn it quickly for substantial profit, you might want to think again.  That doesn't necessarily mean, though, that you should shy away from the idea of buying a "fixer-upper" -- just that you should approach such a home purchase with eyes wide open. Here are some valuable tips: Buying a house that needs cosmetic updates can make financial sense,…
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08
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate, ,

Long-Distance House Hunting Tips

It pays to start with a solid strategy when you have to house hunt from afar. Hunting for a house is stressful enough even if you are moving to another part of town. However, when you are searching for a house from afar, it can make the task of finding the right home for your needs seem almost impossible.  Fortunately, in today's high-tech world, you have an array of tools available right at your fingertips that can make it easy to find the perfect house for your needs. So, even if you are looking for a home thousands of miles…
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30
May
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate, ,

Home Updates That Make Good Multi-Generational Sense

Multi-generational households and the growing preference on the part of many retirees toward "aging in place"have altered home design in recent years. Interiors are more open, more functional and more adaptable that they were even a decade ago. Spaces tend to be less formal; living space is better integrated with work space like the kitchen, and rooms tend to serve more than once purpose, both for quiet pursuits and for family gatherings. Universal Design Home design has gained a new dimension -- planning for the future and for a changing lifestyle. Universal design features and amenities that were once off the radar are now…
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24
May
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate, ,

Smart Technology or Home Automation: What’s the Difference?

Is it worth it to add smart appliances or automated features if you're selling a home? Just how much connectivity do buyers want? And what exactly do the terms refer to in terms of home updates. Although smart homes and home automation are sometimes used interchangeably, they actually refer to two basically different concepts about how appliances and home systems can operate. Then there is the need for "connectivity," adding another dimension to any discussion of futuristic home features. Home Automation According to a Texas-based Direct Energy blog, home automation has a long history, beginning with the first labor-saving devices…
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