Property Snake

You are either moving to Ventura or you are selling your place there. In either case, you want to get a realtor. But how do you find a great one?

Before you input “realtor Ventura” into a search engine, you should have an idea of how to find a great realtor that will suit your needs perfectly and get you what you want. 

Ask Your Family & Friends

Perhaps you have a family member or a friend who just recently moved in or out of Ventura. They may have an agent that they highly recommend. It’s worth asking them. 

Another thing that makes them a great resource is that they know you well and may also have an idea of what kind of realtor might work well with you. This increases your chances of finding the best realtor in Ventura. 

Ask Your Co-workers

It turns out that your family members and friends are comfortable living where they are and they have never had a desire to move. That doesn’t mean that you’re out of options. Far from it – you can ask your co-workers. They may have a good suggestion. 

A perfect person would be a new hire who moved to Ventura from another place and bought their own home. They will likely have worked with a realtor and could possibly recommend someone to you. While they may not be familiar with your own personal tastes, they could pass along a number that is worth calling. 

Look Around Your Neighborhood

Pay attention to the going on around your neighborhood – whether in Ventura or elsewhere. Are there a lot of “For Sale” or “Open House” signs? It might be worth your time to go investigate. 

You could always ask the realtor there if they have a card or you could get the information from the sign outside. Then you could contact them to see if they could be a fit. 

Look Online

If everything else fails, you have an excellent resource right there in your home. You can go online and put in “realtor” and your zip code. You should get a lot of results. 

This may take a bit of time – see what reviews people are leaving about these realtors. Pick the ones who seem to generate the most positive reviews. Then contact them and see which one fits you. 

Hopefully, one of these methods will work. Then you can work with the realtor to get the best deal.

Are your tiles looking brownish or dirty? A discolored floor, causing by grouts won’t impress your guests. So, it’s time you start cleaning those grouts between tiles.

Many house owners love grouting between tiles because it gives them a shiny and lasting effect. But as time passes, they become moldy, dirty and discolored. Cleaning tiles can be easy, but cleaning grouts? It’s not an easy task to do.

Additionally, being porous composition and light-colored, grout leaves stains. No matter how much you clean the bathroom or kitchen tiles, mold, dust or spills come back again. Eventually, it makes your room and house look unpleasant. Moreover, it’s an enormous pain to bend down on knees and scrub them, especially for homemakers.

So, how to clean floor grout without scrubbing? Well, there are some easy ways to clean grouts. All you need is suitable cleaning agents and leave them to do the job. In fact, you can make your own homemade grout cleaner too.

However, remember you can’t permanently clean grout without bit scrubbing it off. But the following article will help you with some handy tips to get shiny and original colored tiles back with minimum effort.

How To Clean Floor Grout Without Scrubbing?

Grout is susceptible to mold, dirt, stains and soap scum. That’s why you need to clean the tiles often in order to keep them grout-free.

However, scrubbing grout is the last thing you want to do. So what is the solution? You may buy grout cleaners from stores or make helpful DIY cleaners by yourself. In either case, you can get an idea of how to clean floor grout without scrubbing.

Here are some tips for you.

Pour Baking Soda and Peroxide Mixture

It is the easiest and cheapest way to clean floor grout. Most importantly, baking soda and peroxide are always available in your kitchen. Hence, you don’t need to rush to stores to buy.

 So here’s how to clean grout using these two cleaning chemicals.

• Take 1 cup of baking soda and peroxide.
• Mix the ingredients into a mixing bowl.
• Put the solution mixture into a spray bottle and sprinkle or pour directly into the grout between tiles.
• Leave the mixture for about 10-15 minutes.
• Take a small brush or toothbrush to scrub the grout.
• Rinse with water.

You’ll be amazed to see that how easy and fast it cleans the grout with less effort. Eventually, peroxide is a great cleaning agent with oxidizing and sanitizing properties, whereas baking soda contains alkali property.

Hence, mixing them makes the grease and dirt dissolve and vanish effectively. You may see foaming after applying on grout as the reaction between the chemical and dirt.

However, depending on the dirt, increase the amount of peroxide or baking soda taken. Further, you may have to repeat the process to get full shine and cleaning.

Spray with Vinegar and Citrus as Gentle Grout Cleaner

The vinegar and citrus, i.e., lemon, are other easy homemade gentle grout cleaners. You can also add baking soda, dish soap or liquid handwashing soap with them. Thankfully, these are all affordable and available at home.

Here is how to clean floor grout without scrubbing using vinegar.

• Take 3 cups of warm water, ½ cup baking soda, 1/3 cup lemon juice and ¼ cup white vinegar. Further, you may add 2-3 tbsp liquid soap.
• Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle.
• Spray over the floor or tiles, wherever you need and let it sit for an hour.
• Scrub gently with a stiff brush and rinse.

However, if possible, avoid mixing baking soda with vinegar. Sometimes, their reaction removes the cleaning power and makes the floor dirtier by leaving the grout. Furthermore, vinegar contains acetic acid with pH level 2. Baking soda neutralizes the acid and the mixture becomes nothing different from plain water.

Apply Lysol and Bleach- Strong Chemical Agents

Are your tiles getting mold and mildew? Then, baking soda or vinegar may not remove them entirely. You need to clean it with a bit more force, like using a strong chemical agent bleach or Lysol. The major advantage is no need for scrubbing here at all. However, it’s not very pocket-friendly.

Moreover, it’s risky to use as they are harsh on both tiles and you. On the other hand, oxygen bleach is non-toxic and environment-friendly, but chlorine bleach (Clorox Bleach) is toxic and pollutes indoor air.

Further, bleach may cause burning or injuries as it has a pH of 12 with alkaline properties. Hence, it’s corrosive and destroys the tiles and floors slowly. Also, when you leave bleach for a long time, grout’s porous compounds absorb it and weaken the subflooring. Even a small drop on the carpet may ruin it and cannot be rinsed.

Undoubtedly, this is the best no-scrub cleaner. People mostly use bleach for bathroom floors to clean stubborn stains that take a long time to remove. So, better take precautions before you apply such powerful cleaners to clean floor grout. Such as, remove the carpet, use gloves, eye protection, open the windows and turn off the fan to avoid any damage.

Try Commercial Product like Alkaline Cleaners

Alkalines cleaners like bleach or ammonia are some store-bought grout cleaners. They are mainly for cleaning the bathroom floor’s mold and mildew.

Another key point to realize, such commercial products may be riskier for your health. So, keep sure you check the active ingredients and follow user instructions by manufacturers printed on the container.

Not to mention, don’t use alkaline cleaners on tiles and grouts regularly. Otherwise, it’ll take away the glaze, weaken the grout sealant and eventually, damage the tiles.

Paint with Polyblend Product to Clean Floor Grout Lines

Nobody likes dirty grout lines all over the floor. Particularly on the edge of the floor, the grout needed to be a clean off-white color. Due to the heavy footwalk, it now turns darker and dirtier.

It’s kind of difficult to work with bleach or other alkaline products. So why don’t you try Polyblend?

It’s a polymer and cement-based grout product with silica sand, which produces hard and durable joints to prevent cracking, shrinking and wear. Polyblend Sanded Grout sustains joints for both interior and exterior installations in walls, floors, ceiling, showers, swimming pools, fountains and countertop.

Moreover, it’s effectively cleaned any hard stains and grime on tiles and whitened all grout lines. Here’s how to use Polyblend to clean floor grout lines.

• Mix it with water, dip a brush into it and apply the chemical along grout lines over the floor.
• Leave it for 10-15 minutes.
• Take a toothbrush or bristle brush to gently scrub the mixture from grouts to get a professional like result.

Furthermore, you can choose color variation to paint like snow-white, bright white, saddle brown, natural gray etc.

However, the only issue is it takes a lot of effort to clean grouts. Unlike the other products, here, you need to bend on your knees and paint the mixture.

As a matter of fact, Polyblend is less harmful to your health and tiles than other mentioned products. Still, you need to take precautions such as avoiding eye or skin contact and thoroughly washing hands after applying. Wear a mask to avoid breathing any dust and use proper ventilation in the room.

Seal the Grout to Avoid Scrubbing Completely

Are you still wondering about how to clean floor grout without scrubbing? As already said that no cleaners/chemicals could clean grouts entirely without a bit of scrubbing. But here is a secret for you.

All you need is to seal your grouts with a grout sealer to avoid scrubbing. No matter how often you apply cement-based grout, whether sanded or not, they are porous in nature. It’s just a matter of time that oil, water, grease will slip into it and make it discolored.

Hence, the best way to prevent such damage is sealing the grouts once a year. Thus, it creates a barrier and the floor or wall tiles won’t get much moisture.

Here’s how to seal grouts.

• Clean and repair your grout first with any above-mentioned tips.
• Select the grout sealer depends on the tile, whether it’s marbel, ceramic or stone tiles, along with how much moisture the sealer can take.
• Select your sealer applicator.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to apply it carefully.
• Apply a second or third coat if necessary.
• Let it dry. Mostly it takes 24-48 hours.

Now, your tiles will look new. Try to clean them regularly to avoid any kind of stubborn stains, mold or dirt.

Conclusion

That’s all for you with six handful tips to clean floor or wall tiles grout with less scrubbing. The homemade natural tips seem safe and cheap. However, keep in mind that they can’t remove hard stains or molds. For this purpose, you can purchase strong commercial chemical products.

Moving to a new home from your parents is exciting, fun and sad at the same time. You buy a home, sign all the documents and it’s yours. You’re just about to start the packing but wait. Have you made the checklist yet?

Getting ready for your home and learning what to tackle first takes lots of time as a homeowner. You may face many challenges once you step into the home. Therefore, it’s important to determine pre-move-in works to save yourself time and trouble.

Choose the tasks and make a priority list. Not to mention, check out for the budget and take decisions accordingly. Otherwise, keeping things to do at the last moment or after moving in can be a headache.

However, you have a lot going around already. So to make your list straightforward, this article will provide 4 important things to think about before moving into your new home. Thus, it’ll be easier to make a plan and put effort into getting them done.

The Ultimate Checklist Before Moving Into Your New Home

1. Check the Flooring

If it’s a brand new home, then you’ve nothing to worry about. But what if you bought this house with e carpet you hate? Are you considering changing it after moving in? Then you may have to move the furniture again.

So, do yourself a favor and change the flooring now if you’ve got the money. Replace the carpet or mattress with a new one. Or else, arrange a new flooring within a few days before moving in. Then, cover the floor with area rugs or mats so the movers can’t scratch the wood. Now place the sofa and relax.

2. Paint the Walls

Who doesn’t love the newly painted walls? Moreover, it’s easy to paint an empty room. Otherwise, you would have to move furniture, take off all mirrors or pictures, remove curtains, and a lot more.

However, you can paint the walls by yourself. But this may take a while to finish. So it’s better to hire a crew of professionals to get the job done within 2-3 days. Either paint walls in white or something light, or else depending on the furniture and light bulbs, choose your favorite color.

Furthermore, you can do crown molding to give the rooms an extra appealing look.

3. Get the Electricity On-Line

Lighten up your rooms with a track of lighting. New homes have all electrical outlets, but it isn’t easy to work with the older homes.

Hence, pay the electricians to install new lights, ceiling fans and add outlets for computer/laptop, TV, fridges, etc. Correspondingly, you can try smart motions to activate lights.

4. Check the Locks and Plumbing

Last but not least, you don’t know who has access to the locks. So before moving in, change them to stay safe. Either schedule a locksmith or install new deadbolts.

Finally, go and check the plumbing if you see water dripping. The last thing you want in the new home is a running toilet. So, call for a plumber and change the water pipeline.

In a Nutshell

Apart from the 4 important things, you may consider some additional facts before moving into your new home. Such as organizing the closet, vacuum out the vents, call for paste control, meet neighbors etc. Furthermore, before closing the deal, take the expert tips for guidance.

Graphic created by New City Moving.

Now, as you’ve done all the homework, just sit, pop up the champagne and enjoy the new home.

London’s neighbourhoods have played host to all kinds of pop up events for the past 15 years. From art exhibitions to workshops, bars and parties and even festivals, there’s always something lined up. New retail space is constantly emerging so you can be sure to find a suitable space for your unique needs.

Having a physical presence in a retail space for rent can give your brand a big advantage. Talk about the opportunity to connect with your customers, the ability to offer a unique customer experience and of course visibility for your business. The benefits are endless. However, you need to put in some effort to enjoy these benefits. Planning is everything.

The success of your temporary retail store will be determined by just how much effort you put into the planning process. Yet, the planning process is sometimes overwhelming so that you find yourself ignoring some of the important details.

The future of how we shop is changing, and as an entrepreneur you need to be ahead of the curve if you are considering retail. Here are some of the things that you must keep in mind as you plan to take up retail space for rent:

Choose the right location

 The choice of your location has a direct impact on the success of your temporary store. You are renting a retail space for a short period so you need to identify a location that will attract as much foot traffic as possible during that time. The location you choose will largely determine how many people you will reach with your brand if they will make any purchases and the sales you will make.

Just because London is a populous shopping destination is not a guarantee that your short term physical store will thrive. You need to narrow down to the demographics of the neighborhood you are targeting. Find out who hangs out there, what are their shopping habits like and where they prefer to shop.

Addressing such questions will help you find the best location for your store. You also need to look up information about your location of interest to see if there will be any activities happening at the time you intend to rent and how they will contribute to your store’s traffic and sales. For instance, will seasonal markets, music festivals or even sporting activities contribute the traffic coming to your store or will they be a distraction? 

Promote your temporary store

Setting up a temporary store in a prime retail space area in London is not a guarantee that you will get all the foot traffic you desire. This is especially true if you’re purely an ecommerce store. While it is true that the appeal of your store may attract some traffic, it may not be enough to translate to customers and sales.

Therefore, make sure you invest in marketing to popularize your temporary store. A good marketing campaign should be sustained to build hype before, during and after the launch. Promote your retail store on social media platforms and get people to share your posts. You can also work with bloggers and local influencers to help you spread the word.

Have a reasonable budget

It is a common belief that having an extravagant retails will translate to a unique experience for your customers hence, most businesses are willing to spend a fortune. In reality, this is not an effective strategy. The reason you have opted to pitch your presence in a physical location is to generate brand visibility that translates to sales.

This means that your goal is profit. To achieve this, you need to have a budget that takes into account all the basics you need to get the store going while leaving room for unanticipated costs such as fixtures and appliances. This will ensure that you not only make a profit but also save. Instead of being extravagant with your store, consider DIY décor that is affordable and has a personal touch.

Get proper permits

It is easy to get lost into the excitement of going all out and meeting your customers in person that you forget to take care of important documentation. Once you settle on a location, make sure you find out about the commercial and zoning requirements in the area. You may have to apply for a business licence to sell or have your temporary premise go through fire and building inspection. Make sure you get everything right before launching your store.

Retail space London can be a huge asset for your business when executed well. You can use it to boost revenue and elevate your business.

Born between 1980 and 2000, millennials are said to be a group driven by the technology revolution and fed by avocado toast. Certain characteristics and behaviors have influenced society’s overall perspective of this generation, such as the increase in single-parent families, the higher likelihood of college enrollment — and student loan debt — and various observations on their work ethic.

However, one place millennials are rapidly increasing their presence is within the housing market. Members of Generation Y are ready to invest in real estate, making up 35% of the homebuyer community. As traditional family structures are evolving, so are the demographics of those interested in purchasing a house, progressively made up of unmarried couples, single women and nonfamily roommates. With this diverse population, how can you be sure to attract a buyer? Read on to learn about what millennials want in a home.

Before They Buy

Loans and consumer debt can influence a young person’s decision to officially take on mortgage payments. This makes the cost of acquiring and maintaining a house of particular concern for millennial buyers. However, one of the biggest economic challenges for Gen Yers is not necessarily the mortgage itself, but rather paying off other accumulated bills. Over 44 million Americans are repaying a national student loan debt of $1.48 trillion. With many young homebuyers facing these unprecedented financial burdens, they’re looking for any way to mitigate long-term spending, including convenient locations, energy-efficient appliances, and new construction to prevent future upkeep expenses.

What Do They Want?

Before they even attend an open house, it’s likely that millennials will use the Internet to their advantage and research the location online. Growing up with more technology than their predecessors, millennials can be extremely savvy. With such easy access to information, Gen Yers value authenticity, transparency, budgeting and the environment. So, when it comes to purchasing a home, these concerns and amenities are deemed “must-haves.”

Sustainability is a growing priority that informs Generation Y spending habits. As one of the most educated populations, they prefer more green features in the house. Additionally, since so much of daily life is posted on social media, an aesthetically pleasing design and layout, complete with numerous electronic outlets, is a great way to win over young homebuyers.

There are additional factors that millennials are less likely to abandon than their parents and grandparents, including pet regulations and having to make immediate repairs. Since most Gen Yers understand the importance of affordability, a value that stems from years of the penny-saver college lifestyle and competitive job market salaries, they appreciate convenience and frugality. They also view homebuying as a rite of passage since it is associated with success and independence.

Because millennials are so influential to the housing market, it is imperative that sellers adapt to the increasing demand. Understanding what is important to Gen Yers will help the process for both parties. Learn more from the accompanying infographic and be prepared with our tips on how to appeal to millennial homebuyers.

Eric Krattenstein’s extensive marketing experience began at a boutique marketing agency where he developed dozens of successful innovative marketing strategies for brands ranging from startups to Fortune 500s. Prior to joining Asset Based Lending in 2016, Krattenstein served as U.S. Chief Marketing Officer for a European enterprise software company where he spearheaded the company’s expansion into the United States and Canadian markets. In his current role as Chief Marketing Officer, Krattenstein leads Asset Based Lending’s Sales and Marketing team that helps upward of 40 to 50 real estate investors close hard money loans each month.

What Millennials Want created by Asset Based Lending.

Property managers already know that there’s one particularly unglamorous part of the job that takes up more than its fair share of time—waste management. Whether it’s a single, multifamily building or an entire portfolio of properties dotted throughout a city (or even state), managing the challenges surrounding the effective and efficient disposal of waste requires input at all stages of the chain and must include all stakeholders.

However, while these challenges may, at times, seem insurmountable, there are in fact, a few elements that can be implemented to ensure waste management is less of a headache and something that everyone can be involved with. Here then, we take a look at five best practices that can be integrated into any property management operation to encourage better waste management for all stakeholders.

Understand Your Buildings

Whatever the size of your portfolio, or the mixture of tenant types, understanding the “habits” of individual buildings and the types of materials generated is key. Often, this will mean creating a profile of each building’s habits, then dropping down another level to identify the habits of each tenant type.

These profiles should include the volume of waste, the types of waste, and how these are currently being disposed of or recycled. Additionally, you should include facts such as container placement and building access, allowing you to identify where and how materials are disposed of and collected. If you cannot manage this alone, then there are other options available to ensure you can quantify your sustainability goals and understand where you currently stand.

Introduce Better Material Management

Today, waste management is about much more than simply dumping trash into a single container. We now split materials into multiple trash cans which are then collected by separate haulers at different times. With this in mind, optimizing material management and its routes through your building/s is critical to building an efficient system.

Color coding schemes that clearly identify where and how waste should be disposed ensure all stakeholders are on the same page—allowing the efficient separation of materials by cleaning teams, tenants and building managers. Additionally, ensuring everyone is aware of collection days so that waste materials can be promptly disposed of is also very important, bringing greater efficiency when removing materials from the premises.

Reach Out to Stakeholders

The bottom line is that stakeholders are waste generators and engaging them in the process of waste management is a great way to increase management efficiency while also reinforcing stakeholder responsibility. Visit your stakeholders and speak to them about their current habits and how they might be improved. Ask them about how disposal and recycling can be made easier for them, and always open up the floor to new ideas or thoughts.

There are numerous benefits to this approach. Firstly, stakeholders feel heard, allowing them to have a say in how they inhabit the buildings. Secondly, following that feeling of empowerment, recycling rates are likely to increase. Finally, there can be commercial benefits too, with a reduction in waste weights essentially driving down the cost of waste management for everyone involved.

Leverage Technology

Today, managing waste streams within the property management industry is made all the easier by the development of new technologies designed to track and report on waste generation and distribution. Put simply, data-driven insights give you the tools you need to identify where waste can be reduced while at the same time providing metrics on where waste is delivered so you can meet local sustainability legislation and goals.

Regular reports here are key, giving you a holistic overview of your building’s needs and where improvements can be made. Additionally, detailed metrics can give you insights into where materials are delivered, ensuring recyclables make it to the right facilities and allowing the organization of things such as food, clothing, or furniture donation.

 Spend Time On-Site

If despite the introduction of these best practices your waste management targets are still not being met, then either visiting your respective sites or appointing a “waste guru” can make a significant impact. This individual can take responsibility at all stages of the chain, either spending more time educating tenants or, at the other end of the spectrum, simply ensuring waste materials are correctly cleaned and sorted.

On-site management is among the most effective approaches when reducing waste, but it also provides an opportunity for tenants to give and receive feedback on a face-to-face basis. Clear communication across all sites and for all tenants is often enough to push things in the right direction, and even if you do have to spend some time on site, this is unlikely to be over long periods.