Tips for new home buyers

There is no substitute for the joy that one experiences in buying the first house.



Most people have never bought a home before; and are actually first-time buyers. Buying a home is going to be the biggest investment that you will make in your life. Here are some tips to give you a lasting experience.




Location

This is a key factor that will affect the quality of life that you have in and around your home. Additionally, a better located property will get a much better resale value if you decide to sell.

Before you put in your life's saving into a property, you might want to consider renting in your desired location for a few months. It will give you a good flavor of what life could be like in the area. When thinking of a location, you must consider the following:



   Proximity of schools


  Commuting time to and from work


  Modes of transport around the area


  Social amenities and shopping convenience


  Electricity and Water supply




  Security





Don't budge from your budget

There are too many choices in the market.  You must understand what your budget is so that you can narrow your search into a manageable process. Otherwise, your real estate broker will spin you around. Give the broker your budget and tell them that it's not movable. Don't believe them when they say your budget is too low.



The budget is not just the cost of the property — it must include numerous non-obvious costs such as broker fees, lawyer’s fees, stamp duty, registration fees and home insurance premium. Also, if you are getting an old home, there might be renovation or redecoration costs involved.



Affordability

There is no point in searching for the house of your dreams in a neighborhood that you cannot afford to live in or keep up with its lifestyle.  You must weigh whether you have enough cash flow to support the lifestyle that comes with being part of such a place after you have paid for the property.



Do not stretch yourself and take a personal loan to fund the down payment towards the property. This will only increase your risk exposure. Ensure that you can naturally afford the down payment through your savings. Additionally, don't stretch your budget to get a more expensive home because that will mean stretching your mortgage installments payments. Remember to keep your mortgage installments payments manageable so that you can continue to afford the lifestyle you are accustomed.

Superstructure Design

A Superstructure is the part of a building or a structure that projects above the base level of the building.  It is generally the portion of the building located above ground, in contrast with the basement and substructure underground.  There are a number of engineering concerns to put into consideration during the design and building of the superstructure.

Designing superstructures requires keen consideration of the pressure and force they will exert on the finished construction and balancing this to address concerns about safety and stability. The size of the superstructure is an important factor in base or substructure design as the base of the structure should be able to support the entire laden weight. In building construction, there may be concerns about structural integrity in earthquakes and high winds prone areas. A technique known as base isolation may be used to reduce strain.

The superstructure is also the highly visible part of a structure. It needs to be clad in protective materials to keep the interior of the structure protected from adverse elements of weather.  It may also be decorated to make it more visually interesting. Periodic inspections are conducted to make sure the structure is still sound, checking for issues like the development of rust, holes, faulting and other issues.

As the most visible part of something, superstructures can have symbolic, as well as practical, value. Aesthetic concerns may be of importance to designers and owners, as the superstructure is the public face of a bridge, building, or similar construction project.

When working on new building designs, structural designers and engineers may consider the use of different kinds of materials by weighing the risks and benefits of different construction materials against each other. Strong, light materials are usually sought out, as they provide structural support without adding too much to the overall weight. 

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Choosing Bedroom Décor: 2

The Walls

The walls of your room are an important part in bedroom décor. You can choose to have them plain without any decorative pieces or have wallpapers or artistically painted with your favorite images. You might also want to hang up picture frames, paintings or mirrors. Whatever you decide on should reflect your tastes and should add to the calming effect of the rest of the room.


The Floor

At times you think about everything else around you and forget about the floor. When it comes to your bedroom, the flooring material is also an important part. Instead of using cold flooring like ceramic tiles, marble or granite, you can choose to make use of laminated flooring, wood, or carpet. Avoid using ceramics tiles as they will only make your floor cold. But if your floor is already cold you can spruce it up by putting a rug or carpet near your bedside.

Lighting

Lighting also plays a big part in choosing bedroom décor. Instead of using lights in the middle of the ceiling, use lampshades, up lights and pin lights. These types of lightings will give a great mood to your room and can even stand as décor pieces adding beauty to the room when they’re off.  Choose lamps that have decorative art on them or are shaped in an artistic way to get this effect.

The bedroom is the one place that should always help you relax no matter how stressed you may be. Picking the perfect décor for it will help this. Don’t think of it as a task but as something fun to do. There is no set rule on what to get, just go with your personal taste and have fun while at it.

Choosing Bedroom Décor

Your bedroom is a private place, your sanctuary where you go to relax and clear your mind. Of course a bedroom isn't a bedroom without a bed. But there is more to that to complete the bedroom. There are dressers, a night stand, closet and anything else you see fit to be in the room. We spend 8 to 10 hours on average sleeping, that’s a lot of time in there. You need the room to be that one place when everything is perfect. This is where bedroom decor comes in.

Choosing Colors

When picking your bedroom décor the most important part is the colors you decide to use. Most people go for neutral, warm and earth colors as they help in relaxation. Others will go for screaming colors simply because they like them. But it all comes down to personal taste.  Whatever color you decide on for the walls should blend in with everything else in the room. Let the colors of your furniture and fabrics complement each other. Keep away from screaming colors since they will stimulate you rather than help you sleep.

The Bed

The bed is the focal point of the room. Everything is centered around it. Meaning you need to make sure you pick out the right type of bed. If your bed is too large, the room will look crowded especially if you’re working with a small space. If you use a small bed, it looks awkward with all the empty space around it. You have to choose the right size of bed to fit in without looking cramped or leaving too much free space. Accompany the bed with the right size mattress for comfort as you enjoy a good night’s sleep. Once you have the bed, decorating your room is never a problem

DAMP-PROOFING IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

What is Damp Proofing?

One of the essential requirements of a building is that it should be dry. But this may not be the obvious case in most buildings as some buildings are more vulnerable to dampness and musty smell. Dampness in buildings is mainly due to bad design, faulty construction and use of poor quality of materials. Dampness not only adversely affects the life of building but also creates hygienic and health risks for the occupants. The treatment applied to keep the walls, floors and basement dry and damp free is termed as damp proofing. Damp proofing is effected by the use of a damp proof course commonly referred to as DPC.

A damp proof course (DPC) is a physical barrier inserted into the fabric of a building to stop water passing from one place to another. This can be on a horizontal plane, stopping water rising up from the ground by being sucked up by the dry masonry above, or vertically to stop water passing from the outside of a building, though the masonry, to the inside. DPC's have taken many forms through the ages and one of the earliest forms was to use a layer of slate in the construction. Slate is still used but the less expensive plastic version is now more widely used.

What Causes of Dampness?

  Dampness in building is a common and universal problem.  Several factors which are responsible for dampness in a structure are:

1. Rising of moisture from ground

 The ground on which construction or the affected building stands may constitute of soil type which is more permeable to water. Usually the building material used for the foundations, absorb moisture by capillary action. Thus the dampness finds its way to the floor through the sub structure.

                                            
2.  Exposed Walls

  Wall surfaces that are not adequately protected from long exposure to heavy showers of rain eventually become source of dampness in the structure. Similarly a leaking roof also permits the rainwater to enter a structure thus resulting in dampness.

3.  Condensation

 The process of condensation takes place when warm humid air is cooled. This is due to the fact that cool air can contain less invisible water vapor than warm air. When the moisture deposits on the walls, floors and ceiling it results in dampness. This usually occurs in badly designed kitchen.

4. Poor Drainage

In case the building stands on a site which cannot be easily drained off then the stagnancy of the water around the building will definitely result into dampness.

5. Building Orientation

The orientation of a building is also an important factor, the wall obtaining less sunrise and heavy showers of rain are more liable to become damp.

Effect of dampness

Building material such as bricks, timbers, concrete etc., have a certain level of moisture content which is not harmful under normal conditions. But the rise in moisture content in these materials beyond the normal level to where it becomes visible leads to dampness. In absolute terms, the moisture content of different materials may be same, but the acceptable limit differs from material to material. For instance, the presence of 10 per cent by weight in timber is not harmful. But the same level could saturate a brick or cause deterioration of plaster.

The prominent effects of dampness are;

•  A damp building gives rise to breeding of mosquitoes and creates unhealthy condition for those who occupy it.

• The metals used in the construction of material are corroded.

• The decay of timber takes place rapidly due to dry-rot in a damp atmosphere.

• The unsightly patches are formed on the wall surface and ceiling killing the beauty of the house.

• The materials used as floor covering are serious damaged especially in wooden floors.

• It results in softening and crumbing of the plaster.

• The materials used for wall decoration are damaged and it leads to difficult and costly repairs.

• The flooring gets loosened and easily chips off because of reduction in the adhesion when moisture enters through the floor.

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Making Home Remodels Payoff

Remodeling a home can be a very costly venture. Homeowners looking to add value to their homes may try to add upgrades or renovate entire sections of their homes to make them more marketable. Not all home upgrades and renovations are worth spending your hard-earned money on, though. Here is a look at five ways to make your home renovation worth the money and effort you put into it, along with some pitfalls to avoid along the way.

Repair What Needs to be Fixed

The renovations that will yield the most value for your home are repairs. Focus on fixing the areas of your house that are in desperate need of attention from a contractor or handyman. You will be more likely to get the best value from handling repairs than any other renovation. Whether you are planning to sell or stay in your home, handling repairs is most certainly worth the effort. Examples of repairs that go a long way include fixing a leaking roof, replacing broken kitchen tile and having an electrician rewire a faulty outlet. Even the smallest of repairs can increase your home value.

Plan to Stay a While

If you are going through with your plans to renovate, it is likely that you are either deciding to stick around for a while or you've decided to move. While at one time homeowners could expect to get back what they put into their home renovations, either out of use or when they sell their home, in today's still stabilizing housing market, there is no guarantee. This is called ROI, or return on investment, and the amount you get back all depends on the type of renovation project that you have decided to take on.

Forget the Add-On

When it comes to larger renovations, ditch the add-on plans and instead opt to remodel and upgrade the structure you already have. Additions can be very costly, and the amount that is added to your home value is not likely to come anywhere close to the amount you paid for the remodel in the first place. Rather than shelling out a lot of cash on an addition to your house, work with what you have and upgrade your home where feasible.

Focus on the Kitchen and Bathroom

Two areas of the house where a remodel would most benefit you is the kitchen and the bathroom.  Kitchens and baths are the most expensive rooms to renovate. They are also the most frequently used, however, so the remodel will definitely be well appreciated. Additionally, by renovating these rooms, you typically get a 100% return on investment. Regardless of whether you sell or remain within your home, the upgrades you make in the kitchen and bathroom will be well worth the money and effort you put into them.

The Bottom Line

Home remodels and renovations can definitely pay off if you plan carefully. Repairs, along with upgrades in the bathroom and kitchen, far outweigh other renovations and add-on projects you would undertake. By planning ahead and understanding how your renovation project will affect your bottom line, as well as home value, you are protecting your investments and hard-earned money in the process.

Casting Over-Site or German Floor Concrete

Over site concrete or German floor as is often referred to by the laymen is the mass concrete that is

poured to cover the entire length and breadth of a building on the ground floor. It serves as a source of additional support to the structural stability of building especially storied buildings. It is the mass concrete which is cast after the damp proof course (DPC) level has been established.

When casting an over-site or German concrete the following steps must strictly observed for a sound and good over-site concrete to be achieved:

• The soil underneath should be laterite and not any other kinds of soil especially loose and peat soil. The filling requires sand that can be compacted to have a good sustainability and the ability to carry the compressive load of concrete coming on top of it. A loose soil in this case will not allow the soil to be easily rammed to compaction hence won’t be good for the task.

• Apply wire mesh or BRC. The wire mesh forms a ring that helps the concrete to be able to carry its weight. Due to the tensile strength of this wire mesh the concrete is most unlikely to cave in when the soil underneath it is getting more compacted from the weight of the concrete as you pour it. So make sure you spread it round the building as specified.

• Use a membrane or polythene-like material that can be able to block water from rising from the soil to the ground floor or slab. This is especially where the ground is waterlogged.

• Follow the recommended mixture ratio of the concrete for you to have strong concrete cast.

• Prior to casting make sure all the materials, equipment and the needed personnel are in place and adequate otherwise some part of the cast might not be completed and this will definitely cause lack of a cohesive single bonded foundation.

• Ensure that proper level all-round the building is established by use of plumb, spirit level and trace ropes.  This will ensure that you avoid the likelihood of having a poorly skewed house. Foundation is the root of the beauty of any house just as it applies to every facet of life.

• After done with casting, take at least two or so days before removing the sides that were used to prevent the concrete from running off the edge. This will help to avoid cracks around the edges when the sides are removed especially when the concrete mixture ratio is weak.

NOTE

The columns/pillars coming from the base of the foundation should be properly aligned and protrude out of the cast concrete slab by at least 450mm.