Assertive News

If you have bought a new home and want to upgrade the kitchen you may need finance.  If you are a director of a business you may be able to facilitate the borrowing with a director’s guarantee.  This type of guarantee can be very advantageous and companies like Sam Conveyancing could be a great business to engage with to discuss your options further.  If you have always dreamed of a retro kitchen and are a director then this could be perfect for you.

The style is enjoying a resurgence in popularity and includes kitchens decorated in bright, vibrant colours and patterns and soft, rounded shapes.  If you want something unique and different for your kitchen space, here are some ways to create a retro feel in your home:

Image credit

Go for pastels

For retro kitsch, choose pastel shades and hues. Blues, greens, pinks and yellows are ideal for creating an understated look, especially if you paint just one wall in this colour whilst keeping the rest of the walls in a neutral shade like cream, latte or light grey.

Go for a breakfast bar

Kitchen diners are synonymous with retro chic. During the fifties, families combined traditional dining spaces with the kitchen to make a more open, sociable and cosy dining area. Think chrome-edged furniture, bright wipeable table tops and matching chairs.

Go retro with appliances

The perfect way to add some retro style to your kitchen is to do it through your appliances. This can provide a cheaper option to replacing all the cabinetry for example. Items like fridges, toasters and kettles are all available in retro designs. American-style fridges in pastel shades with rounded edges are a great investment, ideal for both a retro or contemporary style kitchen.

Cream cabinets

If you want to replace the cabinets, an authentic fifties look can be achieved by choosing cream-coloured cabinetry and a contrasting worktop. For the ultimate retro look, Formica worktops are a must.

Tiles for the splashback

Another look you can incorporate is a tiled splashback, which you can DIY if you’re on a budget. Think geometric patterns and pastel shades for the best retro design.

Image credit

Stainless steel

If you want retro but are not keen pastel, then consider an edgier look with curved stainless steel which gives a more industrial feel to your kitchen.

Shelving and artwork

Retro is all about creating a homely, family atmosphere that looks stunning but definitely lived-in. Therefore, it’s easy to add in lots of colourful accessories and retro prints for the walls.

Don’t forget the flooring

The mid-20^th century saw new materials introduced to home décor, like plastic and vinyl for the first time. These materials were revolutionary for kitchen flooring especially. Consider patterned vinyl flooring for a fun and unique retro twist.

There are many advantages to owning multiple properties. In the short term, you’ll have a positive cash flow, and over time, your investment should appreciate in value. The longer you own the properties, the greater the benefits. However, if you don’t have the capital necessary to make an initial down payment, you may want to consider the long term benefits of owning more than one property. Before you decide to invest, consult with an expert in property to learn about the pros and cons of this strategy.

Image credit

When you own multiple properties, your expenses may increase. You’ll be responsible for paying property taxes, insurance for rental properties, and maintenance costs. If you own more than one property, you’ll have to worry about paying property management fees and other unexpected costs. This could put a damper on your cash flow and lead you to consider owning less rather than holding a portfolio. In addition, if you’re a first-time investor, you might have trouble qualifying for financing the purchase of multiple properties.

Owning multiple properties can be a lucrative opportunity if you pay attention to your finances. Renting your properties can create a steady stream of income, and you can save the profit for repairs or to pay the mortgage. If you own more than one property, you can use that profit to buy another income property, or to make a down payment on another income property. It’s also a smart way to diversify your portfolio.

There are also risks to buying multiple properties. Buying multiple properties will double your expenses. You’ll need to pay for property taxes, rent management fees, and special insurance for rental properties. Not only will you be faced with higher expenses, but you’ll also face unforeseen issues. It’s best to avoid empty units unless you are able to make the necessary repairs. In the end, owning multiple properties will give you the opportunity to earn a steady income.

Image credit

In addition to increased costs, owning multiple properties also allows you to leverage your income from one property. For instance, if you own multiple properties, you can use the equity in one of them to finance the purchase of another. This means that you can utilise your equity in one to fund a down payment on a new property. You can also use your profits to fix up your other properties. For information on the possibility of a SDLT Refund for multiple property purchases, visit www.sentientsdlt.co.uk

You need to consider the expense of property taxes, insurance for rental properties, and property management fees. Moreover, you should be prepared for the unexpected expenses that may arise. Additionally, you must be aware of the tax implications of investing in multiple properties. Therefore, you should carefully consider the costs before you make a decision to invest in more than one property.

 

Over the winter, the local wildlife has a hard time. The bad weather means that food and shelter are harder to find than in the warmer months, so making your garden a haven for wildlife over the winter can really help the creatures that live in your area. Here are some things that you can do to give the wildlife a happy place to spend time this winter…

Plant Trees – Planting trees is something that you can do for the future and for the planet as a whole. A tree in the garden provides a home and a food source to many different creatures from bees and butterflies to birds and mammals. Make sure that you keep it well looked after with the help of someone like this Dorset tree surgeon https://kieranboylandtreeservices.com/

Image Credit

Create a Bird Table – A bird table is not only a great way to help the birds over the wintertime, but is also good fun to watch. You can build your own or buy one ready-made – the key here is that it is high off the ground and safe from local cats and other predators. Food like fat balls and nuts go down well as well as leftovers like bacon fat! Provide fresh water too, especially when temperatures go below freezing.

Image Credit

Home for Hedgehogs – Leaves in the garden may be a menace but they can easily be turned into a perfect hedgehog house. Sweep them into large piles in an undisturbed part of the garden and it creates a place for hedgehogs, frogs and slow worms to settle in over winter.

Gas appliances should be serviced and checked for safety at least once a year. If you have gas central heating in your home check with your gas company if they recommend servicing gas appliances at least once a year. The manufacturer’s owner’s manual will tell you when your appliances should be serviced. Most companies will definitely recommend servicing your gas central heating appliances at least once a year for safety reasons. Read More

A Brise Soleil is a wonderful piece of equipment that is attached to the outside of your building. It helps to prevent the sun from streaming in through the window and causing a greenhouse effect inside.This can thn help to keep the temperature at a more comfortable level in the summer and will help with productivity and your employees overall health.

Image credit

There are a number of other benefits and here are a few of them for you to have a look at.

Cost effective – these kinds of sunbreakers are incredibly cost effective when you compare them to the need for air conditioning and fans to keep your office space cool. They also help to reduce the need for curtains and blinds which can be costly and a nuisance ot keep opening and closing, depending on teh sunlight levels each day.

Image credit

Stylings – there are lots of different styles available from horizontal and vertical blades as wellas those that act as walk ways and free standing options. All of these can be made from a number of different metals, wood and ecofriendly alternatives.

Protection – by removing hte galre of strong sunlight entering your building and helping to reduce the greenhouse effect that can occur when sunlight streams in through a window, you can help protect your employees form heat exhaustion nd heat stroke.

When you are trying to light up your commercial property, it can be easy to get caught up in all the different options available. One of the biggest tips for lighting commercial premises is that you should choose different lights for different uses. For example, one of the best things you can do with a large retail outlet is to highlight the sale displays by installing high quality LED lights. These lights will not only add colour but they will also help to draw attention to the main entrance where potential customers are likely to enter.

Image credit

Another tip for lighting is to ensure that you are using the right type of light. You can easily choose from many different types of lights including spotlights, low-voltage lighting and even accent lights. You need to make sure that you look into each of these options and that you research the pros and cons of each before taking a final decision. By doing this, you will have the opportunity to ensure that your lighting is effective, is not distracting, has the desired purpose and is cost-effective. Consider also the need for Ceiling Rose fittings. Find out more at Creative Cables ceiling Rose

Image credit

In addition, another one of the best tips for lighting commercial premises is that you should choose a lighting system that is economical. Commercial premises have a far greater proportion of lighting than other types of properties in general. Consider a switch to LED in all areas and avoid excessive lighting in areas that might not need such a high level of illumination. Doing this will help you to ensure that your business will look its best at all times, will help you to improve visibility but not cost the earth.

Have you ever opened the Bespoke Fitted Wardrobes that you had expertly installed by a company like https://lamco-design.co.uk/bespoke-fitted-wardrobes to find clothes and shoes overflowing? Nothing is worse than trying to get ready for work in the morning or getting dressed up for a nice event or evening out and having to wade through mounds and mounds of clothes.

Image credit

If you are one of these people then the Konmari method might be perfect for you. Designed by Marie Kondo this is an organisational method that has swept the world by storm. There is a number of steps to go through but by the end, you have a fully organised space and have sifted through all your clothes to only keep the ones that you really love and use.

Image credit

First, you should gather all your clothes and place them in one pile either on your bed or the living room floor. You take each item in turn and ask yourself whether the item you are holding makes you feel joyful. If it does then you carefully place it back in the wardrobe neatly. If you decide that you don’t want to keep the item you should place it in a pile to be donated to charity. Once you have been through all your items you will have slimmed down your wardrobe collection to much nicer levels.

When it comes to improving the curb appeal of your home, a great place to start is the front door. Whether you want to make your home look more contemporary or have the front door match more of the traditional decor of your property, a new door will make a world of difference.

Style – There are countless styles to choose from, whether you are looking for something sleek and trendy or a retro design. Try to consider how well the door will blend in with the rest of the exterior and the age of your property.

Image credit

Colour – All the colours of the rainbow are available, whether you buy a coloured door or a plain one and paint it yourself. Think about what the colour will portray about your home. For example, dark blue is stately, white is innocent and pure, yellow is fun and carefree while red is bold and attractive. Most homeowners prefer to match their door with their garage door. For advice on Garage doors Gloucester, visit a site like https://www.upandoverdoorsltd.co.uk/garage-doors/garage-doors-gloucester/.

Material – There are many different materials to choose from when it comes to both front and garage doors. Traditional choices include wood whilst more contemporary options might include aluminium, composite or uPVC.

Image credit

Security – Most modern doors come with enhanced security features and with today’s technology, can even come with additions such as keypad entry, fingerprint locks and access via bluetooth!

Purchasing a property is one of the most important things that most of us will ever do. Making mistakes can be stressful and expensive, so having plenty of information about the property you’re considering is essential. The home building survey plays a vital role in this.

Image Credit

What It Tells You

A quality survey will give you lots of information about a building, whether it has any issues and if it has any faults of which you need to be aware. Finding out that the flashing on the roof, for example, needs replacing could be a valuable tool for further negotiating the price.

If the building has significant issues, the survey should list these and an estimated cost for fixing them, which can be used to adjust the price. If all is well, then you can proceed with the transaction feeling fully confident.

Types of Survey

Different types are available, and the one you choose will be dependent on your needs and the type of building you are considering. Many buyers opt for a Homebuyers Report, which is endorsed by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). This type of survey is usually chosen when the building is generally in good condition, but it should list problems that need to be addressed urgently. You might think a new-build provides a more robust option than a building which is a century old, but this is not always the case, according to this report in The Guardian.

If you want a survey that is more in depth, then the full building survey may be the option for you. This kind of survey is much more thorough and it will cost more, but it should reveal the kinds of problems that simply aren’t noticed during a casual viewing. If you are looking at a building which has had lots of extensions and alterations or is unusual, listed or extremely old, then the full survey is definitely recommended and could save a lot of heartache and expense further down the track. If you are looking for someone to carry out a building survey Watford surveyors are available to provide a professional service, including companies such as Sam Conveyancing.

Image Credit

Many buyers need to obtain a mortgage, and the lender will generally carry out an inspection to value the property. However, this does not replace the need to get your own home building survey. The survey can be carried out any time before contracts are exchanged, but earlier in the process is probably better. If you are looking at buying a property that has significant structural faults, then this is information you really need as soon as possible.

When it comes to planning for inheritance tax, there are a few things to consider to work out whether there will be any liability. There are certain gifts that can be given without incurring any tax, such as small cash gifts on customary occasions such as birthdays and Christmas, but you need to be sure that you understand the rules before gifting your possessions.

Image Credit

Gifting property

When it comes to gifting property, the inheritance tax rules as set out in the government guidelines (https://www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax/gifts) state that gifts made within the seven years preceding your death will count towards the value of your estate. If your estate is valued at more than £325,000, inheritance tax will be payable; if you gift your house and survive for seven years from the date of giving away the property, the value will no longer be included in your estate and there will be no inheritance tax to pay on this gift.

Capital gains tax

If you are making a property gift to your children, you should also consider the capital gains tax implications. Capital gains tax doesn’t need to be paid on your principal private residence, but it does need to be paid on a second property. HMRC will calculate the capital gains based on the market value of the house at the time of disposal rather than the price paid. You need to consider this if you are gifting the property. If a property is owned jointly and both parents are gifting the property, the two individuals can take advantage of the capital gains tax allowances, which is currently £12,300. Any gains over this amount will be taxable.

Image Credit

Giving property to children

If you decide that gifting property to your children is what you want to do, there are four ways in which you can proceed:

– Sale and purchase at full market value
– Concessionary sale and purchase at less than the market value
– Transfer the gift for no consideration
– Transfer the equity whereby the transfer keeps one of the original owners on the property

If you are considering gifting a house, you should be careful to take professional advice to work out the most effective way of proceeding, whether this is gifting the house tax-free or minimising the amount of tax to be paid. By consulting an expert who understands the rules and the financial implications and can give you detailed professional advice on the best way forward, you could avoid there being a large tax penalty.

There are also some risks involved in giving away property, which makes it even more important to take professional advice to ensure you fully understand the implications.