by Alejandra | May 12, 2022 | Design
It can be easy to take your rental property for granted, but it’s important to remember that it’s a business and a home. If you’re a landlord, you have tenants who rely on you for a stable, secure place to live. Make sure that you have a plan for any maintenance issues that may arise with your rental property, and keep it in tip-top condition. If you don’t, you could be setting your tenants up for trouble. From leaky pipes to broken appliances, minor maintenance issues can add up and become a nuisance. Read on to find out what you can do to keep the property in good condition.
Plumbing
A tenant’s health and safety is definitely at stake when there’s a plumbing issue. The pipes that run through your rental property are there for one reason: to move water from one point to another. If they aren’t working correctly, they can cause damage. Mild issues can be fixed easily, think leaking faucets, blocked pipes etc. However, you need to call a plumber if you notice something more serious, like a splitting pipe.
Windows
Damaged windows are not only unsafe but can cause many problems within the property. Firstly, they will be a major cause of drafts, therefore, increasing tenants’ energy usage and bills. Window panels that are loose in their frames can cause excess noise and cracked window panes can be at risk of falling out or completely smashing leaving tenants vulnerable to the elements and harm from broken glass. Always treat windows issues urgently.
Roof
Roofs need to be replaced every 25 years, depending on the climate. If you notice any issues such as leaks, increased noise or drafts along with signs of dampness, it’s essential to have your roof assessed as soon as possible. You may need to get a new roof put on as quickly as possible, depending on the severity of the damage. If it’s not too severe, you can still get it repaired; contact an experienced roofing & window company who can assess the roof’s condition for you.
Electrics
Electrical problems can be tricky to solve, but they can also be prevented. If you have an older property, you are likely to have some electrical wiring issues. Ensure that you have an inspection of your electrical wiring done by a qualified electrician and have them make any repairs needed. Electrical problems can be dangerous, and they can be expensive to repair. They can also cause a lot of damage if they are not taken seriously.
Gas Supply
Gas is a highly flammable element, and as such, it should be treated with care at all times. Whether your gas supply is for heating or cooking, ensuring all pipework is safe and any boilers are working correctly, and checking for any leaks or issues with the gas supply is vital. Always ensure you use an experienced and qualified contractor to carry out work on the gas supply to your property or on gas appliances to avoid any disastrous consequences.
by Alejandra | May 11, 2022 | Design
Relocating to a new neighborhood can be both an exciting and daunting prospect. It can be a great opportunity to meet new people, explore a new area, and make new friends. But it can also be difficult to leave behind old friends and familiar surroundings and to adjust to a completely new environment.
Before relocating you must do as much research about your new home as possible. For instance, if you are planning a move to Coweta County in Georgia, reading about all of the different neighborhoods, the cost of living, and employment opportunities can make it easier to navigate your next steps. Correspondingly, you can find a useful guide to Coweta County here: https://cowetacountyhomesforsale.com/relocation/
For now though, no matter where you are relocating to, here are some tips for making the transition as smooth as possible:
1. Get to know your new neighbors
Introduce yourself and try to get to know a few people in your new neighborhood. This will help you feel more connected to the area and make it easier to adjust to your new surroundings.
There are a few things you can do to befriend your neighbors. Why not start a conversation by asking them about how long they have lived in the neighborhood, what their favorite places to eat and drink are, or any other questions that you have.
You could also join a local group. Whether you are interested in cooking, reading, or jogging, most communities offer a wide range of activities that are free to take part in and can help you to settle in and build connections.
2. Explore your new neighborhood
Take some time to walk around and explore your new neighborhood. This will help you get a feel for the area and find out what it has to offer.
If you are not sure where to go first, try the local library, grocery store, or a nearby park. The sooner you can track down all the best spots, the easier it will be to feel at home.
You can buy a map, get on a bus or train, or even pack up the car and go on a mini road trip – the choice is totally up to you. As long as you are getting out and about, that is all that matters in the early days.
3. Volunteer
Voluntary work is a fantastic way to get to know people in your new area. By becoming a regular volunteer at a local soup kitchen, animal shelter, or community garden, you’ll quickly start to feel like a part of the neighborhood.
Not only will you make some great friends, but you’ll also be giving back to your community. Again, don’t be afraid to ask the locals about who needs help and what you can do to support others.
4. Challenge yourself to try something different
Embracing your new start can be daunting. However, it can be really rewarding to challenge yourself and try something new. If you’re feeling nervous about your move, push yourself to get out of your comfort zone.
This could be something as simple as walking your dog on a different route to normal, inviting a friend over for a dinner date, or signing up for dance classes. The more opportunities you take, the more confident you will feel.
5. Be patient – it takes time to adjust
Moving to a new neighborhood can be a big adjustment, so be patient with yourself. It takes time to get used to new surroundings and to make new friends. Give yourself plenty of time to settle in and do not rush into things. You will soon feel at home in your new neighborhood so go at your own pace.
Have you ever moved to somewhere new? What did you do to make the transition a little easier? Share your tips in the comments below.
by Alejandra | May 3, 2022 | Design
When you are in the midst of planning out a house move, you need to ensure that it’s as stress-free as possible. It’s actually been proven that moving house is one of the most stressful life events to ever occur. It’s not only about the craziness of finding somewhere new to live, but the stress of getting everything ready for it. It’s packing and unpacking and setting up a new house while saying goodbye to an old one. It’s a lot!
You want the whole process to be with as little stress as possible and if you prefer to do things yourself, you might actually find it easier. Being in control of every area of the process can feel much easier than hiring an external moving company, so hiring one of the many Bigman Trailers could be the better option instead. This way, you can be in charge of your house move from packing to moving in, and you will feel calmer because you are the one making all of the moves and decisions.
With this in mind, we’ve got some of the top tips you’ll need to make moving house a much better experience.
Don’t expect too much
You want to ensure that you are going to have an easy day so don’t expect it to be perfect. There will be something that goes wrong and there is also every chance that you could be the reason for a mistake! Things happen, so don’t panic. Brace yourself and expect a little craziness on a moving day, and it’ll be smoother than you think.
Plan, plan and plan some more
You want to have an easy day so book everything as far in advance as possible. Book the trailer hire, buy boxes in advance and make a point of searching early for your new home, too. Your best tool for this to go well is time, and you need to use as much of it as possible to make the actual moving day stress-free.
Get some help
You don’t have to do this move yourself. Moving day can be something you pull your friends and family in to help you with. Just because you’re moving things with a trailer and van doesn’t mean that you can’t get some help in the lifting process. Saying goodbye to your old home isn’t the easiest thing to do so don’t do it alone.
Acknowledge that it won’t be easy
Is it ever easy to leave somewhere you used to live? It’s never simple to say goodbye to somewhere you grew up or spent time in. Anticipate things that can go wrong and make sure that you let everyone know what you want for your day. It’s a transition when you move to a new house, so make a point of talking to others and letting them know how you feel.
Start to build your new home
From the inside out, you are not building a house, you’re building a home. Set up your home and make a point of having it reflect your personality a little better than ever before.
by Alejandra | Apr 22, 2022 | Design
Sustainability and protecting the planet is a complex issue, but it’s important to understand the basics and do what you can. By becoming more informed about sustainability and each of us taking steps to do better, we can all play a role in preserving our planet and ensuring a better future for the Earth and generations to come.
Recycle
We should all be mindful about what happens to our waste. By being savvy we can avoid buying things that we won’t use, however, even if you’re careful, chances are you will have at least some waste to dispose of. The problem is that every time we throw items in the bin, it ends up either in landfill or incinerators, which are harmful to the environment. By separating things like recyclable materials, general rubbish, and food waste we can reduce what needs to be destroyed in this way. Recyclable materials like cardboard, glass, and some plastics will be reused. Food waste can be composted (chances are you can do this even in your own back garden). Many household recycling centres have recycling machines and various skips that allow you to separate things by type so make it part of your routine to go and dispose of items regularly.
Reduce your plastic waste
We’re in the midst of a plastic epidemic. It’s destroying the oceans, harming animals, it’s ending up in our own food chain. Microplastics have even been found in the placentas of newborn babies; these issues will have disasterous effects on ourselves and our environment. Our oceans alone have become home to five trillion pieces of plastic litter. We need to act now, something we can do as consumers is to reduce the amount of plastics we use. This means purchasing and then using reusable bags each time we go shopping. It means switching from plastic bags and clingfilm to things like beeswax wraps for storing food. It means choosing more sustainable options when they’re available. At this point, we are limited as consumers and do often have to purchase single use plastics when there are no other options, but the more demand we create for sustainable brands, shops and products, the more they will continue to grow.
Reduce Your Energy Usage
We all know the extent of the energy crisis which is going on at the moment. Energy prices have increased at least 50% since April 2022 which is the biggest leap in prices in our living memory. So not only will reducing your usage be good for the environment but for many, it’s now essential just to be able to afford our bills. There are several ways you can minimize your energy usage to help reduce your carbon footprint, from choosing energy efficient appliances to switching off lights and electricals when they’re not being used. Utilising smart technology can help, as this allows you to set appliances, lights and lamps according to a timer or even switch them off when you’re not at home.
Problems like climate change, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity all present huge issues in the modern world. If we don’t take action to address these issues, they will only get worse. The simple changes above can help to make a difference if we all do our bit.
by Alejandra | Apr 21, 2022 | Design
Work from home has become quite popular ever since the pandemic started. Since then, people have been turning random rooms in their homes into their home offices. The most popular choice is to make it part of your bedroom, but that doesn’t work for some people. Fortunately, there is something you can do to set up a home office without sacrificing any space you currently use. If you don’t use your garage a lot, why not convert it? To help you get it done, we have put together a guide on how to convert your garage into a functional home office.
Clean and declutter
When trying to convert your garage into a functional home office, the first step will be cleaning. After all, you have to make the space livable first. First, you want to take everything out of the garage, which makes for the perfect chance to declutter your home a bit. Once you’re done taking out everything that isn’t needed, give the garage a thorough clean. A deep and thorough clean can take a while, but it’s crucial if you wish to turn your garage into a livable space. Then, you’re ready to start the actual converting process.
The first step of converting your garage is making sure it’s clean enough to be livable.
Make it comfortable
Your home office will be a place where you spend a lot of time. As such, carefully consider the climate in your local area year-round, and make sure you upgrade your garage accordingly. If you live in a spot with extreme heat or cold, consider adding insulation. Also, space heaters, air conditioning, and standing fans help a lot. Since you will be spending a lot of time here, the least you can do is make sure it’s comfortable for you.
Maximize your space
Once everything is out of the garage, you should consider how you can be efficient with your space. Especially if your garage is small, you should consider using cabinets, desk organizers, and wall shelves to get the most out of the room. Additionally, you might want to consider why you need a document management system in your home office.
Also, if you’re worried about where you will put the things in the garage, don’t worry. There are storage solutions out there to fit your needs. For example, if you have a motorcycle in your garage, you can easily rent out motorcycle storage. Instead of putting your bike in a shed or something similar, a better solution is available. You won’t worry about theft or damage caused by weather conditions.
Being practical with your space is very important, especially if your garage is small.
Light it up and give it a fresh coat of paint
Most garages out there aren’t exactly nice to look at. So, install some more lighting and give it a paint job you like. More light will make the space more inviting while painting it an appealing color will provide the room with a more personal touch. Also, it’s essential to have good lighting so you can work. For example, overhead lighting and a task light will keep your desk lit up well enough for you to work without issues.
Furnish the garage
Probably the most critical step when trying to convert your garage into a functional home office is getting the right furnishing for it. You might be tempted to go the cheap way by using some furniture you already have or getting some second-hand. However, keep in mind that you’ll be spending a lot of time here. So, don’t cheap out on the furniture in your home office. After all, the more comfortable you feel in it, the more effective you can be with your work. Also, experts from NYC Mini Storage warn people converting their garages into offices that they should be cautious with how they store their documents. Documents are often delicate, so you should ensure they are properly stored in your home office.
Getting the right furniture for your home office might be the most critical step.
Get your gear set up
When the furnishing is in, it’s time to set up your work equipment: your phone, computer, printer, and other essentials you need. Also, make sure your internet connection reaches the garage. All work from home requires a good internet connection, so make sure your Ethernet cables reach your office. Or, if you rely on Wi-Fi, get a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal and make sure it is good enough to get you through a workday.
Add personal touches
Finally, it would be best to put the “home” in the home office. After all, you should always feel at home there. So, take the time to decorate and give your office a bit of life. If you like plants, bring some plants in; if you have accessories you like, then put them up around the office. Family photos and artwork also make the space feel a lot more homely. The home office should feel like your own personal space, and there is no better way to do that than by adding decorations and knick-knacks you enjoy.
How to convert your garage into a functional home office – wrap up
Converting your garage into a home office is an excellent idea, especially if your garage doesn’t get much use. Putting together a space where you can feel comfortable while getting your work done can be a tremendous change. As long as you make sure the area is comfortable and livable, you will do your job without interruptions. We hope you found this guide on how to convert your garage into a functional home office helpful, and we wish you happy renovating.
Article by Sally Norton
Sally is a proud member of Alejandra’s Life team.
by Alejandra | Apr 6, 2022 | Design
Are you starting to see that your kitchen appliances aren’t working quite as well as they used to? Are they making new noises, vibrating more than usual, or just showing the other signs of wear and tear? Eventually, everything has to be replaced, but you could be wasting money if you’re not putting a little work into keeping your appliances healthy instead of getting rid of them as a first step. Here are a few ways to keep your appliances lasting longer.
Give them the maintenance, the manual suggests
When was the last time you read or even saw the manual for your fridge, your washer, or your dryer? There’s a good chance that the answer is “when you first bought the machine” or even “never.” However, they do have maintenance tips as well as recommended accessories for most kitchen appliances that are worth taking a closer look at. You can find most appliance manuals on the manufacturer sites so be sure to check them up if you want to get a little more proactive in keeping your machines in good health.
Keep them clean
If there’s one tip that’s always going to be relevant to any machine in your kitchen, it is that cleanliness is important. Dust, dirt, and debris are going to cause surfaces to not only get grimy and unpleasant but it can affect the working of certain parts, causing them to malfunction a little earlier than they should. You don’t necessarily need to clean them out on a very regular basis. A few times a year should be enough to keep them free of most dust and particles.
Check for faulty parts
It’s often not that the whole appliance is starting to wear and tear. Often, problems come down to one component that, when it starts to act out, can affect the rest of the machine. If you’re able to diagnose the problem and fix it early, it can prevent more widespread issues with your appliances. To that end, look for online appliance spares, instead of going direct to the manufacturer, and you can save some money while taking care of your machine. Some appliance manuals will even let you know which parts are most likely to need a replacement first.
Get them checked out
Of course, you might not be equipped to take care of every little hiccup that affects your appliances and nor should you be expected to. If you want to make sure that your machines are being kept to the best of their health, then you should rely on a professional to come and service them. You can do this if you start to experience any little hiccups along the way you can even have them checked once a year to make sure that you’re staying on top of their health more proactively.
You can save a lot of money and enjoy a more efficient and effective kitchen if you’re willing to put a little more work in. Hopefully the tips above help you do just that.
