CCIM designees deal primarily with commercial real estate. This includes apartments, offices, retail, hospitality, and industrial. CCIMs also include a variety of different professions involving real estate such as commercial brokers, lenders, and investors. View the full article: Is it Worth Getting Your CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) Designation? on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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On average, people spend 26.3 years out of their lives sleeping or in bed. Making sure you're comfortable in your bed should be a no-brainer. Typically we should be replacing our mattresses every 8 years, but why is it that some of us never get new mattresses? Maybe it's budget, maybe it's the fear of change. However, there are some tell tale signs that it's time to upgrade to a new mattress. Let's explore them today. When did you buy your current one?As we previously stated, mattresses should be swapped at least once every 8 years, but this isn't set in stone. You may have to pick up a new one earlier if you notice a decline in your quality of sleep or if you are waking up with general soreness. If you go more than 3 or 4 days with the same body part aching in the morning, then it's time to visit the mattress store. Is your current mattress comfortable?
Do you have unwelcome guests inside the mattress?Think of your mattress like a sponge. When you go to bed, your mattress gradually absorbs all of your sweat and dead skin. Tiny critters like dust mites and bedbugs can potentially move in and feed off of this organic material that settles into your mattress and box spring. While dust mites are mostly harmless, bedbugs are a major concern. You'll need to make sure they're fully gone before shopping for a new mattress. Do you toss and turn all night?General restlessness and fatigue can be directly attributed to the quality of your bed and mattress. Sometimes it takes longer to fall asleep than other nights, but if it takes you an hour or more to fall asleep or to find the best resting position, then it is time for a change. Also, make sure to pay attention to your spouse's sleeping habits. They may not mention it to you but they may be struggling through their night's rest as well. I'm sure they'll appreciate having a fresh bed to sleep on instead. What color is it?As was previously mentioned, your mattress absorbs all of your sweat and dead skin (among other things, for those of us that eat or drink in bed). Over time, your mattress may become discolored because of this. The color of your mattress is a great indicator of its lifespan. Generally speaking, if your mattress is more coffee colored than white, then it has to go. If you are unhappy with how you've been sleeping lately, then definitely consider going shopping for a new mattress. Hopefully these tips have given you some pointers on what to look for when it's time for a change. The post How to Tell It's Time for a New Mattress appeared first on King of Maids Blog. The new year is right around the corner, and many people are starting to think seriously about their New Year's Resolutions. And while the most popular resolutions aren't going anywhere (eat healthy, work out, spend less time in front of a screen), if you're looking to buy a home next year, at least a few of your resolutions should be of the financial variety. Starting the new year off on the right financial foot by making financial resolutions can set you up for success and help you get closer to your goal of buying a home. Here are four financial resolutions you should consider making if you want to buy a home in the new year: 1. Track your spendingvia GIPHYIt's impossible to get a handle on your financial situation if you don't know what this situation actually is. Which is why your first financial resolution needs to be to track your spending. Tracking your spending will give you a clear picture of how much money you're spending, where you're spending it, and where the opportunities to cut back are. The key to successfully tracking your spending is to track every single cent you spend. You can create a spreadsheet and manually input every purchase or you can use a money monitoring app like Mint; Mint connects to your debit and credit cards and then tracks and categorizes your purchases throughout the month. Once you've tracked your spending for a month, it's time to dive into the numbers. How much of your income are you spending on necessities (like living expenses and utilities)? How much is going towards paying down debt? How much are you saving? It's only when you have a clear idea of your financial situation that you can determine if you're ready to buy a home - and, if so, just how much home you can afford without putting yourself in a financially challenging situation. 2. Cut out unnecessary expensesvia GIPHYA great side effect of tracking your spending is that it allows you to see opportunities to cut back. Which leads into resolution #2: cut out any unnecessary expenses. If you're serious about buying a home, you need to rein in unnecessary spending and pad your savings account as much as possible. Are you spending a significant amount of money every month eating out at restaurants? Commit to eating out one or two times a month and making meals at home the rest of the time to save some cash. Is your coffee habit costing you $5 a day? Brew a cup in your kitchen before you leave for work. Are you spending a fortune on a gym membership you barely use? Cancel and use free workout videos on YouTube to get your exercise. Do you pay for premium cable when you'd be fine with basic? Downgrade and lower your bill. Now, keep in mind - even though you'll want to go into savings mode before you buy a home, that doesn't mean you shouldn't spend any money on yourself. If you don't spend any money on fun and entertainment, it can actually make it harder to stick to your budget. Allot a certain amount of money per month you can use as you please; that “fun money” will make it easier to stick to your budget the rest of the time. The more unnecessary expenses you cut out of your budget, the more you'll have to put in your savings account - and the faster you'll be able to make your dream of owning a home a reality. 3. Clean up your creditvia GIPHYAnother financial resolution to make if you want to buy a home? Clean up your credit. Your credit score plays a huge part in determining if you get a mortgage and, if so, how competitive your interest rates. A good credit score can save you thousands (even tens of thousands) of dollars over the course of your loan, which is why it's important to get it as high as possible before you purchase a home. First, you'll want to get a copy of your credit report and check for any errors. Errors are more common than you'd think, and even a small mistake can drag down your score. If you find an error on your report, you'll need to contact the credit bureaus to have it removed. Once your report is error free, it's time to do everything you can to boost your credit score. Paying down debt, paying all your bills on time, and keeping the percentage of credit used low can all help to increase your score - which will help you get a better deal on your mortgage when you apply. There are plenty of resolutions you can make in order to hit your goals in the new year. But if your goal is to buy a house, these financial resolutions are the key to getting there. Members: Sign in here to share this article with your branding. Sign in here.
The post 3 Financial Resolutions To Make If You Want To Buy A Home In The New Year appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate. Maximalist New York Lofts that Will Take Your Breath Away Nowadays, having a gigantic abode isn't the only standard for a beautiful home. Homeowners have gotten more diverse and creative with how they design their dwellings - from chic minimalist interiors, to this creative family loft in the heart of New York. One key trend that's currently making its rounds in apartments everywhere is maximalism. Business Insider predicts it as the next big thing in American homes, with people breaking away from minimalism to embrace the “more is more” aesthetic. Though spaces might be small, they're decorated with the same elaborate dimensions as their mansion counterparts, making the most out of any given room. Maximalist homes are especially popular in crowded urban areas like NYC, where space is limited and often hot on the market. On top of the exorbitant rent costs, there are other expenses to keep in mind. Yoreevo explains the city's mansion tax, which is 1% of the total sales cost for any apartment over $1 million. This tax hasn't changed since 1989, and is one of the reasons why NY properties are some of the most expensive in the world. The eye-watering costs of homes in prime locations is also one reason why homeowners lean towards the extravagance of maximalist interior design. As it follows, the rooms must fit the price tag. So if you're looking for a little inspiration for your next redecoration, below are some maximalist New York lofts that will take your breath away. This fabulous Fifth Avenue duplex Interior designer Sasha Bikoff's apartment is a reflection of her personal style: extravagant and flamboyant, yet still classy in every way. Her current home is a clear nod to old school opulence, from the framed Gucci scarf by the lacquered cabinets, to the gilded Venetian antique mirrored dresser. “The room is really my ode to '80s glamor,” she said in an interview with The Cut. Image credit: The Cut Photo: Ceren Bingol
Just like Bikoff, Christene Barberich's home showcases her eclectic personality. At first glance, her apartment looks like a hodgepodge of kitschy items. The interiors marry various eras, such as refurbished antiques with pop-Atomic pieces. Barberich reveals that the key to making it all work, however, is balance and proper lighting. “We painted the walls and floors white to complement the small proportions; it made a huge difference in terms of creating more of a light-box effect,” said the Refinery29 editor. “We [also] have massive skylights in every room. It brings everything in the space to life.” Image credit: Man Repeller
This Upper East Side escape Midnight blues and deep hues animate this pocket-sized apartment, giving the illusion of depth and the comfort of expansiveness. For designer Todd Romano, his studio's 600 square foot feature was the selling point. “Good design is about editing,” he tells Architectural Digest's Bob Morris. “You can live very well in one room.” Image credit: Architectural Digest
This rule-breaking East Village studio Going against the traditional tide that less room should mean less objects, Ann Stephenson and Lori Scacco filled their home with as many memories as they could. “We […] brought in pieces from our upstate farmhouse - my grandparents' dining table, threadbare rugs, various artworks acquired over the years,” says Stephenson regarding their decorating process. “The full-scale pieces grounded everything, allowing us to live among items we have a strong connection to and that have a sense of history.” Undoubtedly, this expanded worldview translates itself through its dynamic interiors that feel beyond their size. Image credit: Lonny
This daring downtown pad Designer Amy Courtney channeled Sarah Carson's feminist philosophies into a tangible, sharp haven. It has all the makings of a modern pad, like silky textures and plain walls for a gallery-like feel. It's a balancing contrast to the wild splashes of color and bronze peacock sculpture. “Though there are several bold pieces throughout the space, they were carefully selected because of their harmonizing features,” Courtney explains. “[Their] neutrality helps balance the environment.” Image credit: Home Polish The post Maximalist New York Lofts that Will Take Your Breath Away appeared first on Decoholic. The conversation is mixed on how much cash flow is necessary to provide that “cushion” and how much is needed to help the investor grow his/her portfolio. View the full article: When it Comes to Your Rental Portfolio, How Much Cash Flow is Enough? on The BiggerPockets Blog. This content is Copyright © 2017 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and are spending some time relaxing and lounging around. That is one of my favorite things to do this time of year. I took some time off my blog and social media to be present with my family this year. It feels so good to unplug sometimes and not have to worry about keeping up with all of that.
Our daughter is home from college and goes back at the beginning of January. In December our family has a total of 10 birthdays, so it really is a busy time for us. Our son Cody actually turns 16 on December 31st! I want to share with you a few things that I got for Christmas, because I love them so much! I am always looking for ways for our home to smell fresh, and my family knows me well, because they got me this! It is white and blends in perfectly without being an eye sore. It also stays on a lot longer than ones I have had in the past. I like to put in this essential oil. Another thing I got which I love is an Amazon Echo. I have it in my kitchen and it has been handy when I am cooking and need change the music, etc. hands free. I also got these trays, because EVERYTHING looks better in a tray! I had originally bought these for Christmas, but now that I have them, I think they are very versatile and can be up year round. They do look great though with little white twinkle lights in them. I also got a new camera! I had been wanting to upgrade mine for so long but could never bite the bullet. My sweet husband did it for me and I am in love. I can't wait to start playing around with it! It is so small and like weight and is perfect for interior photos! One thing I would like to do with my home after Christmas, is freshen it up with a bunch of bright white. I love these and am thinking about getting them for our living room shelves. I also really like these. And this one too! So many choices! I hope everyone has a great weekend! xoxo Coffee is a staple that can be found in nearly all office buildings. Unfortunately, numerous people walking around with their coveted cups of Joe are bound to leave behind coffee rings on tables, stains on carpet and spills on upholstery. Coffee stains are pretty much inevitable, so you need to know how to handle these common office mishaps. |
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January 2019
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