In today’s world, people want three things- time, money, and happiness. Unfortunately, we can’t always get what we wish for, but we can work towards making choices that will help effectively manage our lives. Today, the housing market is a popular form of investing, but many people keep the burden of owning a property without help, creating a high level of stress, too much time wasted, and more money being spent on things that typically shouldn’t be. Property management (PM) is a crucial way for to people to successfully invest in properties without having to deal with the inconvenient headaches that go along with being a landlord. If you’re looking for a stress-free lifestyle, here’s a look at why you should hire a property management company today.
Maintaining a Property
The most important responsibility of a property manager is right in the name. They manage your property. Owning properties with tenants come with great responsibilities, such as managing the the property to ensure the tenants have a good home to live in. Property managers take on the responsibilities of making sure everything on the property is up to date and complies with the laws and regulations of creating a property into a rental. PM’s are also responsible for taking care of the needs a property (or tenant) may need. For example, if something is broken within the property, or there is a property emergency, the first person of contact to resolve the issue in the PM, so you don’t have to deal with the problem. Most property managers also provide some type of strategy for security. This will contribute to tenants feeling more comfortable in the property, while taking the steps towards prevention of problems and insecurities from outsiders.
Background Checks and Payments
One of the biggest issues landlords face with tenants is the lack of background checks and screenings. This issue leads to problems such as late (or no) rental payments, damages, and overall complaints, all of which can be prevented. Property managers take the steps to ensure that background checks and screenings are properly performed to learn more about the tenant’s past history with rentals and payments. Property managers also have strategic systems for you to receive rental payments on time and in full. As a liaison between you and your tenant, you can confidently know your expected monthly income from your properties.
Marketing and Rent Pricing
In order for you to make an income off your investments on a monthly basis, it’s important that your property doesn’t sit empty for months at a time. Property managers put a great focus on finding tenants for your property through a strategic marketing process. They also work with you to determine the right rental price for your property. Through the use of the internet, it is easy for tenants to see which properties are priced too high, so you want to ensure that your rental prices are at the current market value in order to stay competitive.
Inspection Reports and Book Keeping
Another nice tasks that property managers take on is inspecting the properties before, during, and after the tenant occupies the space, providing you with updated reports. PM’s are also able to help you when it comes to filing your taxes. They’ll provide you with bookkeeping materials that will help you understand what you can claim and deduct for your investments. This way you won’t have to do much math or worry about where your property stands.
More freedom for you
Overall, there are not many downsides to hiring a property management company. Many landlords overlook the idea of hiring a property manager because they think they can’t afford it. However, property managers don’t charge as much as you may think. It’s important to do your research and talk to multiple companies to get estimates. Having a property manager allows you gives you the freedom to live wherever and do whatever you want, knowing that your investments are in good hands.
One of the most popular industries in today’s world is real estate. While many people continue to debate the future of the field, it is important to keep up to date with the latest trends as the industry has greatly changed over the years. With many more competitors and the growth of technology, it is important to keep up with the trends for the future. Here is a look at trends in real estate that are important to keep up with for the future.
Rent
Real estate firms have been around for a long time. According to the Atlanta Agent, 48% of real estate firms have been around for more than 15 years. Many millennials found that they simply can’t afford to purchase housing, so they would rather rent. Other studies have shown that millennials would rather rent housing to “live in the moment” and spend money on experiences, such as travel, instead of buying homes. Through this, revenue in the housing market is expanding because the cost of living is going up. Therefore many people have no choice but to spend month-to-month money on rent. With millennials being the largest generation living today, it is important for real estate firms to shift their perception of buying trends and focus on the way millennials are approaching real estate.
Buy
Of those who can afford to purchase housing, many are seeing the trends in the increase number of rentals to invest in real estate. The growing population in the world has caused a demand for not only housing, but also vacation rentals. Some studies found that millennials would rather rent than buy housing, creating a revenue of over $300 billion dollars by 2025. This creates a lot of revenue for companies such as AirBnB and independently owned housing businesses who rent out the properties. Many people decide to rent out their homes instead of selling them, creating a demand for more housing for those looking to buy.
Since millennials are placing less importance on owning property, semi-burbs are sprouting up that provide the convenience of residence without all of the property and expenses
Semi-burbs
According to consumer reports, many millennials are interested in living in enclosed suburbs that offer a community, while still having a sense of city-feel. These developments are much more affordable than buying a single-home property, and have become increasingly popular amongst rural communities. Studies have shown that millennials aren’t spending enough money on “stuff” including space and property. The older generation also relies on a sense of community to help with their needs and life changes as they grow older.
Affordable Housing
Many buyers are hoping to help the community through their housing investments. The United States is in a housing crisis, and according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, families that pay more than 30% of their income for housing are considered cost burdened. As rent increases, paychecks don’t, therefore people are having problems paying their other bills as well.
Mortgages
Many buy assistance programs and local nonprofits are working together with the government to help potential buyers put a downpayment on their homes. Most people find that the hardest part about buying a home is not the monthly payment, but the down payment due at signing. This is why many people consider buying a home unaffordable. This is allowing many people to buy homes and create new ones for others.
Technology
As technology continues to increase in all industries, real estate is one of the most rapid. Many people are able to buy homes without even looking at them in person. Documents can be signed on the internet, and transactions overall are a lot faster. People are not only able to look up homes on sites such as ZIllow and Trulia, but are also able to buy homes through online agents, such as Ten-X. For agents, this means keeping up with the latest social media and technology trends to keep up with business.
As companies grow, they require more area for office space, increasing their footprint.
Business
As businesses increase, so does office footprint. The employment rate has been rapidly increasing every years, allowing more businesses to expand their spaces and buy/build new buildings. This trend has allowed the real estate industry to grow as well. As more businesses are hiring, and people are getting paychecks, there is a sense of optimism and more opportunity for buying/renting property.
Environmental Impacts
According to the World Economic Forum, the real estate industry “uses over 40% of global energy annually,” and “20% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings, and are expected to increase building CO2 emissions by 2030.” The real estate industry has been working at its hardest peak in taking a stand against global warming and environmental impacts.
Network
Most real estate firms do not offer benefits such as health insurance, savings plans, liability insurance, and sick/vacation days. Most are also paid on a 100% commision basis. Because agents mainly gain their clients through referrals and social media, it is important for them to network and establish as many relationships as possible in order to be successful in their fields. This trend is allowing more agents to work on their own time and schedules, while keeping up with the latest networking and social media trends.
Expectations
Although the cost of living costs has increased, there is still reason to be optimistic. While more businesses are expanding and people are getting jobs, they are also able to spend money on things such as property, vacation homes, and travel. There will always be a need for housing, but it’s important to keep up with the latest trends, such as millennial spending power, cost of living costs, and rural developments.
When you’re scouting areas in which to live, one of the biggest factors people take into consideration is the cost of living. Many people flock to New York, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. for their vibrant culture and endless social happenings, but they have the three highest costs of living in the United State, respectively. So how can you find somewhere to live that won’t break the bank, but still provide you with entertainment and social activities? Take a look at the top ten cities to live in that won’t break the bank.
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Ranked #3 of the Best Places to Live 2016, Fayetteville has a population of 483,396 making it the third-largest city in Arkansas. There you can visit the Clinton House and the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, as well as the University of Arkansas. It costs $177,200 on average to purchase a home, and the average salary earned in the city is $42,410.
Des Moines, Iowa – Des Moines is both the largest and the capital city of Iowa and has a population of 590,741. Home to Drake and Des Moines Universities as well as the Blank Park Zoo, it costs about $169,550 to purchase a home, with an average annual salary of $46,600.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Baton Rouge is the capital city of Louisiana with a population of 814,805 which makes it the second-largest city in the state. It’s home to Louisiana State University and various points of interest, including the Baton Rouge Zoo. On average, a home costs $147,000, and the mean salary is about $42,650.
Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas and the largest city with a population of about 717,000
Little Rock, Arkansas – Little Rock is both the capital city and the largest city in Arkansas with a population of about 717,000. Along with the University of Arkansas, Little Rock is home to the Clinton Presidential Center and the Arkansas Arts Center. You can buy a home here for an average cost of $147,750, and you can earn an average salary of $42,000.
Indianapolis, Indiana – As the capital and largest city in Indiana, Indianapolis has a population that clocks in at just under 2 million. It’s home to Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis as well as Butler University and the University of Indianapolis. It has several museums as well as being home to the NCAA Hall of Champions. The average home cost is $130,200 and on average, the annual salary of residents is $45,580.
Louisville, Kentucky – Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky with a population of just around 1.25 million. There you’ll find the University of Louisville and Bellarmine University, as well as several museums and the Churchill Downs which hosts the Kentucky Derby. It costs, on average, $131,750 to buy a home, and the mean annual salary is $42,300.
Wichita, Kansas – Wichita is the largest city in Kansas with a population of approximately 636,000 people. Alongside Wichita State University, it is also home to several museums and Botanica, the Wichita Gardens. The cost for a house is just over $106,000, and the average salary is $41,800.
Grand Rapids, Michigan – Grand Rapids has a population of just over a million people. It’s well-known for its agriculture and horticulture with numerous gardens and tropical conservatories as well as museums. The average price for a home is $149,475 and the annual salary average is $41,350.
Tulsa is the second largest city in Oklahoma.
Tulsa, Oklahoma – Tulsa is the second-largest city in Oklahoma with a population of approximately 954,000. Located in the city is The University of Tulsa as well as numerous museums and art galleries. The average cost of a house is just about $146,000, with a median yearly salary of $42,710.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Oklahoma City is the largest city in and the capital of Oklahoma with a population just shy of 1.3 million. Home to Oklahoma State University and the NBA team Oklahoma City Thunder, the average cost of a home is roughly $144,000 with the average income clocking in at $43,270.
It’s summertime. Birds are chirping, flowers are in full bloom, and the air is laced with the sweet, smoky smell of barbecue. It’s enough to make anyone want to break out their grill and get cooking. Before you dig out those tongs and charcoal, though, take a look at these barbecue tips and tricks for the tastiest, juiciest, healthiest meat on the market.
Raw meat should be refrigerated until it’s time to grill.
Everything that touches raw meat should be washed. Whether it’s your hands, your plates or the silverware you use to put it on the grill, everything that touches raw meat needs to be washed to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Don’t let your raw meat sit out. Raw meat that sits at room temperature for more than an hour is highly susceptible to bacterial growth, and the longer is sits, the more exponential the growth becomes. If your meat is frozen, thaw it out overnight/all day in the refrigerator.
Wipe down your grill. Defend your grill from sticky food like lean meats and fish by wiping down the grates with paper towels dipped in cooking oil prior to grilling, the same way you would if you were cooking in your stove.
Use acidic marinades. Whenever possible, use acidic-based marinades (vinegar, citrus juice, and beer are all good bases) to protect your meat – and yourself – from heterocyclic amines, carcinogens that are most often caused by cooking meat over an open flame. The same goes for poultry and fish. Avoid “flame-kissing” and burning your food on a grill to reduce your risk of consumption.
Barbecue sauce is not a marinade. Because of the high amount of sugar found in barbecue and other tomato-based sauces, leaving them on the grill for too long will result in blackened, burned meat that is stuck to your grill and full of harmful carcinogens. To avoid this, only apply these sauces in the last few minutes of cooking. The same goes for salt. If you salt your meat too early, the salt will draw moisture from your food and leave you with some tough and dry barbecue.
Light your fire early. If you’re grilling with charcoal, don’t throw your food on the grill and then fire it up. Light the coals about 20-30 minutes prior to cooking to let the grill reach a nice, even temperature. Think of it like preheating your oven before you use it to cook. If you use lighter fluid to start the fire, make sure the fire is out and the briquets are coated in ash before you add your food or it’ll come out with a gross taste of lighter fluid. If you’re using a smoker, light the charcoal with a chimney started to eliminate the worry of lighter fluid flames.
“If you’re looking, it ain’t cooking.” As tempting as it is to check on your food every five seconds in anticipation, the more you fiddle with your food while it cooks the less likely it is to be cooked evenly. This is especially true for those using a smoker. If you keep opening it, the smoker will drop below the necessary temperature and your food will not be cooked properly.
Vegetables can be cooked right on the grill while you cook your meat.
Grill your veggies, too. If you want to pair some ears of corn or potatoes with your grilled meat, you can wrap them in aluminum foil and throw them on the grill as well. Cover them in butter, sprinkle on some salt, make sure they’re wrapped completely and tightly in foil, and toss them on the grate.
It’s better to be under than over. If you can’t remember how long your food has been cooking and you think it might be done, take it off the grill. You can always grill the food for longer if it’s not done, but you can’t un-cook overcooked food.
Steaks can be rare, burgers shouldn’t. Most bacteria is aerobic. Steaks are fine to eat raw as long as the outside is cooked since no bacteria can grow inside of the meat. However, since hamburger is all ground together, most of the surface at some point touches the air, greatly increasing the risk for bacterial growth. To be safe, make sure the internal temperature of your burger reaches 160 degrees.
Your meat does not need to rest before you eat it. One of the greatest myths in grilling is that meat needs to rest to allow the juices to redistribute. If you let your food sit, especially if you rest it under foil, will make your food colder and even sometimes mushier. High-end steakhouses serve their steaks right off the heat for a reason, and so should you.
Grilling undoubtedly requires a lot of trial and error until you finally master it. Everyone has their own tips, tricks, and secrets to becoming a grillmaster. As long as you practice safety with your grilling, there’s no reason that you yourself can’t become a grillmaster someday, too.
Many people may have heard the term ‘property manager’ before. Some people probably even work with them in the buildings that they live in. But what do these people do? What are their roles and responsibilities? Let’s find out!
As the fifth largest city in Pennsylvania with a population of almost 88,000, Reading is a city thriving with art, culture, delicious food and lots to do. But sometimes you just need to escape for a day. Reading is conveniently located just a short drive from many amazing destinations that are perfect for a day trip.
Just a short drive from Reading, Pennsylvania is one of the most beautiful, fun and historical cities in America. There are so many things to do in Philadelphia that you might want to extend your day trip to become a weekend trip! From Independence Hall to the Liberty Bell to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and LOVE Park, you will never be bored in Philadelphia. Whether you want to explore the history of the city, spend the entire day in museums or even go shopping, Philadelphia has something to offer for everyone.
Not much needs to be said about New York City. It is one of the centers of the world. Being slightly removed yet close enough to enjoy a day in NYC is one of the things that makes Reading, PA so great. Maybe you just want to go into the city for dinner and a show. Maybe you want to go in and do all of the touristy things like visit the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Maybe you want to go shopping. Maybe you have friends visiting and you want to show them around. Or maybe you just want to go in and discover all of the things that the city has to offer. There are countless reasons for wanting to take a day trip to New York City. And being just a short 2 and a half hour drive away from it makes it very easy for those living in Reading.
When most people hear the name Hershey they think of Hersheypark. The amusement park filled with fun rides and delicious chocolate treats. One of the best amusement parks in the Northeast, Hersheypark is home to all of the typical things you’d find in a park: games, roller coasters, water rides, family rides and rides for children of all ages. However, Hersheypark has the added bonus of being Hershey themed. Everywhere you turn you can find delicious candy, chocolate and treats! While Hershey, PA is home to Hersheypark there are other fun things to do in the city as well. The Indian Echo Caverns are cool caves that you can explore and there is an arena for concerts. For those without children there are resorts with golf and spas that you can relax in on your day trip escape.
For those who aren’t real estate professionals, understanding real estate terms can be very confusing and overwhelming. The terminology can make someone unfamiliar with the real estate industry have a very difficult time dealing with the process of selling, buying or renting a house. In order to help deal with this, check out this list of some of the most commonly used real estate terms and their definitions.
Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM): A mortgage where the interest periodically changes based on corresponding fluctuations in an index.
Appraiser: An experienced person who has been educated and trained to estimate the value of property.
Assessor: A public official who established the value of a property for taxation purposes.
Contingency: A condition that must be met before a contract can be legally binding. A typical contingency on a contract is when homeowners specify that that contract isn’t binding until the purchaser obtains a satisfactory home inspection report from a qualified home inspector.
Credit: An agreement where a borrower receives something of value in exchange for the promise that they will repay the lender at a later date.
Default: The failure to make the mortgage payment within a specified period of time.
Equity: A homeowner’s financial interest in a property. Equity is the difference between the fair market value of the property and the amount still owed on its mortgage and other possessions.
Escrow: An item of value, money, or documents deposited with a third party that is to be delivered upon the fulfillment of a condition.
Lease: A written contract between the property owner and a tenant. This stipulates the payment and conditions under which the tenant may possess the real estate for a specified period of time.
Lock-in: An agreement where the lender guarantees a specified interest rate for a certain amount of time at a certain cost.
Mortgage: A legal document that pledges a property to the lender as security for payment of a debt.
Realtor: A real estate agent, broker or an associate who holds active membership in a local real estate board that is affiliated with the National Association of Realtors.
Security: The property that will be pledged as collateral for a loan.
Title: A legal document evidencing a person’s right to or ownership of a property.
Reading, Pennsylvania is a booming city filled with many delicious restaurants that aren’t to be missed while in town. But there are a few that just go far beyond the others in terms of quality and taste of food, decor and service. The restaurants below are the best of the best in Reading. Make your reservations now!
A German-American restaurant, Frank & Diannah’s Arbor Inn is always packed so make a reservation. The atmosphere is serene and warm with very friendly and professional staff who go above and beyond to make sure that you enjoy your visit. And the food, well it’s just top notch. Everything that you order is always delicious and cooked to perfection. Head over on Thursday nights for burger night!
This restaurant serves seafood with an American flare. There is a beautiful aquarium in the middle of the restaurant that ties everything together and adds a great ambiance. No matter what you order you will enjoy it. Everything here is spectacular. All of the seafood is fresh and of the utmost quality. It is prepared perfectly in interesting combinations such as Baja Fish Tacos. They also serve classic seafood dishes such as lobster rolls. No matter what you order, it will be delicious!
This small restaurant is a hidden gem in Reading, PA. With extremely friendly and helpful staff your meal starts off well. And then the food comes out. Everything looks and smells mouthwateringly delicious. Judy’s never disappoints. A meal at Judy’s is never complete, though, unless you get one of their famous homemade desserts.
This quaint little restaurant serves the most beautiful, fresh, and delicious food. Everything is plated, and cooked, to perfection. When the weather is nice they have a lovely outdoor patio so that you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings while you dine. All of the servers are very knowledgeable about the items on the menu and are happy to help you with whatever you need to ensure that you enjoy your time at Dans.
This pub serves American Seafood. The Ugly Oyster is pub food at its best and takes it up a notch. With an Irish pub atmosphere, this is a fun place to come for a drink and enjoy delicious food. Just be warned that the restaurant is small so you may not always have luck getting a table!
