Temporary Housing 101

Nowadays, condominiums are rising everywhere. This is so because condo living is a great choice for people who are attracted to the idea of owning a property at a fairly inexpensive price and yet, well-situated in the city. Apart from being in a good location, condominiums have many facilities which unit owners can maximize.

One the leading reasons why owning a condo attracts many people is because of the fact that it does not include individual land ownership. It is basically full ownership of the unit without the sole responsibility of owning the land as well. Also, the combined ownership makes facilities existent and free for all. With these, there is a set of rules and regulations to follow by every tenant and this also accounts for hassle-free maintenance as everyone does his share in keeping the condominium.

Yes, light fixtures do have trends too and the chandelier is, of course, always the trendsetter. A decade ago, a new breed of chandeliers came out, specifically showing off its new size, which is cute.
The CEO of Schonbek Worldwide Lighting, Andrew Schonbek, labeled this movement as the “trend to tiny”. He notes that people “with smaller homes want chandeliers designed for smaller rooms.” As such, lighting designers agree on this: that the chandelier has an amazing power to transform modern living spaces into something that resembles the elegant olden times.
Who says apartments and condo units can’t be regal?

(Taken from Business World Highlife magazine, Issue 25)

Well, that is if you could afford it or have good enough credit to get lower mortgage rates, which by the way are at their lowest in many years. Rental rates are also way lower than previous months but with home process way too low to pass up on, why not consider buying a house instead of renting. Makes sense for what better investment than a home for your family, something they can call their own. The government is offering up to $8,000 in tax discounts to first time home buyers and add to that the leftover of the bailout checks sent to most people. It maybe a gamble but it’s well worth the risks involved, just make sure you plan ahead and stick to it.

Commercial property owners are finding it hard to weather out the economic turmoil that is this recession due a sharp increase in the numbers of vacant properties in and around most major city centers. Large companies in efforts to cut down on costs are either relieving most of their local staff, closing offices to relocate their people back to corporate headquarters where they don’t have to pay rent. Those are the lucky ones, for most people are simply laid off, their employers unable to cope with the financial drain the recession is exacting on them. Rental rates are at their lowest in many years as people relocate to cheaper housing options or return back home, with no job to keep them staying.

Building defects, should they occur are mostly the responsibility of the property owner but is more often than not discovered by tenants. They are quite easy to deal with should the landlord be amiable to resolve the issue quickly but with some difficult landlords, a more stern approach should be taken. Renters have rights as to protection from hazards that exist within properties they occupy as part of their contract with the landlord making sure the premises always maintains safe and acceptable living standards. Read the rest of this entry »

Prefabricated homes that come green from the factory are now making their way into most people’s properties as they seek temporary homes say for a major construction/renovation of their existing homes. They have also found their way into the many storm devastated areas of states such as New Orleans which was laid to waste when Hurricane Katrina Struck a few years back. Improved with more stronger designs and with the addition of green technologies such as pre-installed solar power generation systems, they become self-sustained low cost housing for even the most economically challenged homeowner. Read the rest of this entry »

Greening rental properties may entail quite a lot of spending especially if you are talking about aged structures. Assuming most f the past environmental safety issues have already been addressed in the form of old lead-based paint, asbestos in the ceiling tiles and pipe insulation, asbestos pipes and even radon gas you may know that any retro-fitting job will cost a lot. It may be the only option to maintain the usability of your renal property for people are willing to pay more for green homes. Read the rest of this entry »

1. Research, research, research.
Know as much as you can not just about the property, but also about the neighborhood – the nearby shops and schools, public utilities, crime rate, etc. – as well as the real estate company managing the sale of the property. The internet alone is a vast resource, so make use of it as much as you can.

2. Search everywhere.
Don’t just go into one real estate company and be satisfied with what they show you. Not only will you have more choices in terms of property, but you’ll also be able to find one that gives you the best value for your money.

3. Don’t be afraid to haggle.
It’s your money, so don’t be shy in trying to get the lowest rent possible.

4. Share, but only with good people.
Try to assess whether your flatmates are good to be with. If not, then look somewhere else.

These types of lease may have effectivity for as little as a month depending on your landlord which allows tenants the flexibility of using the premises for short periods of time. These are usually offered on a case to case basis for normally, landlords and homeowners have long term leases that go for at least a yearly basis. If you happen to be undergoing renovation in your own home, this would be a nice option first to avoid health problems with dust and other harmful vapors that can result from painting and other jobs around the house. It also protects your kids from the hazardous conditions in a construction site, however short the job maybe. You can also get temporary housing if you have an old house of historic/sentimental value that has some unwelcome guests such as termites and other pest species, awaiting the go signal to return after the necessary measures have been done by the exterminator.
As with any contract, scrutinize the one you are about to sign for the clauses that may end up costing you. Try to arrange for monthly arrangements so you don’t get tied up with the deposits and anything. With today’s worsening rental market, owners and landlords might be amiable enough to allow such short-term arrangements.

Several options are available for emergency housing in cases of emergencies that renders a home useless. From the basic tent which can suffice for days in favorable weather to more semi-permanent structures. Housing in the form to rentals can be used for more extreme disasters such as storm damage or one can be borrowed from FEMA or other concerned housing agencies. These are quite robust and ties in with the city’s water and electricity supply for longer periods.
There are other home trailers such as tent homes for people who live outdoors but with children around the best options are apartments and other housing options so safety and health are prioritized. Hygiene is an important factor to consider for it is the major cause of health issues after disasters. Hurricanes in the US and tropical Cyclones in other parts of the world bring about needs for more of such housing units so do know when and how to get hold of such for preparedness reasons.