Archive for July, 2010

Security for Your Home should be a Priority

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Currently, when you turn on the television or open your local newspaper you can see an amazing spectacle unfolding – like the World Cup – while in the same moment being confronted with any one of a number of terrifying events featuring criminals from around the country. While these can be scary times it is good to remind yourself that these are extremely rare events which only seem like they happen more regularly because the media is so good and so quick at reporting every detail and keeping it exciting to keep you tuning in and buying newspapers.

However, one should always keep home security at the fore front of our minds when we have the opportunity to make home improvements. There are many ways in which you can improve the security of your home, some more expensive than others.

Replace Windows and Doors

How do criminals gain access to your home? Unless you live in a bank or have a collection of rare Faberge eggs, it is not likely that anyone will want to tunnel into your house, so to stop anyone dead in their tracks you should make sure that you have good, strong windows and doors and that you have any brakes or damage replaced or repaired as soon as possible.

Keep Valuables Out of Sight

This may be tricky if you have an antique grand piano in your front room but in general it is advisable to make sure that even if you are at home, that you try to keep any valuables you are not using out of sight. This way, any opportunistic thieves will have no inspiration to even consider trying to gain access to your home. This goes for car keys too. A large proportion of car thefts these days are through keys being stolen from the house.

Broken Window Theory

The theory goes that in a place where buildings are allowed to fall into disrepair, those looking for somewhere to rob or vandalise are more likely to target places which it seems people don’t care about. With this in mind, for security it is advisable to keep your property in as good state of repair as you can manage. So next time you put off getting your missing roof tiles replaced. Think of the broken window theory.

Uncertain House Buyers Should Stay and Extend

Monday, July 19th, 2010

With government spending cuts and tax increases around the corner and with an already dodgy housing market leaving people afraid to make a move, now is the time to extend instead of selling. The sheer stagnant uncertainty of the market is making more and more people stay where they are and is making buyers and sellers afraid to act on every little trend that comes and quickly goes – any badly timed decision has the potential to leave you burned.

Luckily there are many opportunities to extend, remodel and add to your home with Ideal Windows and conservatories. Unless you are forced to move due to work commitments or maybe have a growing family, the current climate is a great excuse to save yourself the hassle of moving and work with what you have. You can choose to increase the value of your home now while the market is ‘doing its thing’ and by the time the market has improved, your home will be in pole position to be snapped up for way more than you would have received during the crisis.

Even simple improvements can significantly increase the value and the desirability of your home. For example, Ideal Windows and Conservatories currently have an offer for July: either, buy 4 windows and get the 5th free or get a free UPVC door when you buy 5 windows. Imagine your home emerging from the housing crisis quagmire as the waters recede and the number of buyers grows. Your new improved home will be a step ahead of those who spent months and maybe even years trying and failing to sell their unimproved home. Use your time wisely and you will be rewarded.

There is light at the end of the tunnel for home-owners: 42,000 home loans were granted in May, up 2% from April according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. While this is an upward trend, there could easily be another dip after the spending cuts and tax increases. However, this figure is 15% higher than May of 2009, meaning that over a longer period the trend is more positive.

Take advantage of the time you will spend waiting for the market to improve. Make the shrewd decision to add to your property and increase the value of what you will have to offer when the market is more favourable.