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We know how difficult it is to buy a home for your own. Even if most buyers are happy and excited that they finally have the means to buy one, knowing the details can be frightening. Your dream house will just turn to dust if you don’t plan it well.
Because of this, many potential buyers commit the mistake of buying a home that is way beyond their means. Before you buy a house, make sure you read everything that is posted by our contributors here. We are a group of professionals working in the real estate industry, giving you information to learn for free.
Recent News
Locked Out Of Your Home? Here’s What You Need To Do
When you got locked out of your home, panicking is not the best thing to do. Calm down, there an easier way to deal with this than to stress yourself out. Losing your keys or leaving them inside your home is a common mistake by homeowners. Sometimes, you just can’t avoid this thing to happen. Thanks to creative minds, we now have different solutions to fix your locks and tricks to get inside your home without breaking your door. If you are experiencing this right now, don’t panic! Here are a couple of things you can do.
1) Call a relative
If you got locked out of your home, ask for help. This is the first thing you need to do. If you have companions living in the same house, you can call them to inform that you can’t go inside or you lost your keys. Text your partner or your roommate so you can borrow their keys or access. For sure, they will come home and open the door for you. This solution may be a hassle for them but this is the most convenient way so you can spend less time outside your house.
2) Ask for help from a locksmith
If calling your roommate is not the best option for the reason that he/she is away, you can ask for help from a locksmith. Remember that this is not the most affordable option. You have to pay a considerable amount to open your door or fix your locks. But, this is the surest way for you to get inside your home. The average cost you are likely to spend on lockout services is $30 to $90 depending on the quality of the service. If your locksmith is a company, it will be more expensive but if he’s just an individual offering residential services, then it will be cheaper. Even in emergencies like this, you need to consider your budget before you call a locksmith. If you don’t want to spend, there are still other alternatives.
3) Check your house for unlocked doors or windows
Some homeowners are not used to closing their doors or windows. Yes, this can be an invitation to thieves, burglars, and invaders but it’s also a solution for you to get into your house. If you are stuck outside, Don’t forget to check if there are doors or windows left open. Go to your back door and see if you can access your home from it. Check the windows near your doors.
4) Make your own tools
Ever heard of lock-picking? You can actually use this to go inside your home! Improvising a tool that can do magic tricks to your locks is one solution when you got locked out of your house. Although it seems easy in movies, it’s more challenging to do it in real life. To make your own tools, get two paper clips or bobby pins. You can bend the first piece into an “L” shape and the other one into a “W” shape. You will use the L shape as the tension point while the W shape to fell and push the pins inside your lock. Sounds complicated? You can try it out using a card! Insert the card between your door and the frame. Once you feel the latch of the lock, wiggle it a little bit while pushing the door.
5) Break the doorknob
Your last option is to break your doorknob by applying pressure or force on it. If you can’t use improvised tools and you don’t mind breaking your lock, this is the easiest way you can get into your house. To do it, you can use a hard stone or metal that will serve as your hammer. Use it to strike your doorknob and try pushing your door for extra pressure. Note that this will create noise and you might wake up your neighbors.
When you have successfully opened your doors through improvised tools or by breaking your doorknob, call a locksmith (slotenmaker Almere) right away to repair or fix your door. If you don’t do it immediately, you might end up getting robbed. Also, using improvised tools and totally unlocking your door is a sign that your lock can be easily tricked. We recommend that you change your lock system after the incident.
Can Vegans Eat Pizza at All?
If you’re new to veganism, perhaps the answer isn’t clear. But yes, vegans CAN and DO eat pizza. Pizza is a universal comfort food that is both cherished and loved by many! According to Google, interest in veganism has increased seven-fold over the past five years! Where there is interest, there is a business opportunity. And where there is business opportunity, there is both innovation and availability. Pie enthusiasts will stop at nothing to create their versions that fit their dietary needs without compromising the essence of pizza. This raises the next question, what constitutes as a vegan pizza? To answer this, first, we should examine the traditional pizza and see why it may or may not be vegan.
The Original Pie of Italy
The first recorded use of the word “pizza” goes as far back as AD 997 in Italy, where it was merely a type of bread and sauce dish with occasional cheese. As centuries past and popularity grew, the various components would later be widely recognized as dough, crust, pizza sauce, cheese, toppings, stuffing, etc.
The Dough / Crust
Most people would assume the foundation of pizza is vegan because a typical recipe consists of yeast, sugar, salt, flour, water, and oil. However, this is not always the case with large pizza chains. For example, the Dominos vegan pizza can only use 1 out of the five available pizza crusts as the other 4 contain either dairy (whey) or bee derived (honey) products. Another example is Papa Jones, which offers three different crusts, but only the original crust is free of whey or egg.
The Pizza Sauce
Its most common form is the red sauce, otherwise known as marinara. Like the crust, a typical recipe includes tomato paste, tomato sauce, spice(s), salt, and sugar, all of which are vegan-friendly. However, one must be watchful at specialty parlors as they may prepare sauces with fat from the meats. Though it may contribute additional flavor, it is no longer a vegetarian or vegan-friendly pizza. In addition to the red sauce, there is also a white sauce that typically is cream-based and, therefore, should not consumable for vegans.
The Toppings
Unlike the other components, it is easier to convert toppings of a traditional pizza into a veggie pizza that is more friendly for vegetarians and vegans. The below list isn’t exhaustive but they are common.
- spinach/arugula
- mushroom
- black olives
- onions
- broccoli
The Cheese (Do vegans eat cheese pizza?)
To answer this question – yes. A vegan can enjoy a cheese pizza so long as it skips the dairy parts typically found in cheese, such as whey, milk, and cream. Instead, a vegan cheese will use ingredients like nutritional yeast, cashews, or a combination to mimic the texture and flavor of regular cheese. Despite alternatives, large pizza chains still do not offer vegan cheese options across all menus and locations. As a result, their version of a vegan pizza is simply a plant-based pizza that has everything but the cheese. To our fellow vegan pizza lovers, do not distress. For what the largest chains lack, local businesses CAN offer a full-fledged pizza with vegan-friendly cheese.
So then who has vegan pizza?
In most major cities, you can count on finding at least one local establishment serving up vegan food with pizza offered on their menu. A simple Google search or a quick Yelp of ‘vegan food’ or ‘vegan pizza’ will point you in the right direction. And if you’re ever in Las Vegas, NV, let us save you the time of finding a place by recommending the menu of Veganos Kitchen. This restaurant has earned its stripes among the local vegan and vegetarian community by offering a vegan twist on Mexican and American style pizzas such as their popular Vegan Chorizo and Tomato or Vegan Barbecue Chicken. If you’re familiar with either diet, you would know meat is a focal point. Creating a vegan version is no easy feat, but they have done so delightfully.
Why Your Dog Needs A Cooling Bed
While summer can mean outdoor fun in the sun for most, it also means special consideration must be taken for those of us with dogs. Seeing your dog panting profusely from the heat can be alarming during the hot summer months. Knowing that your dog is in discomfort, or worse, in danger of overheating is a genuine concern for all dog-owners.
A dog cooling bed can help alleviate these fears by providing your dog comfort and relief from the scorching heat. A cooling bed allows you to hang out in the sun with your pooch lying comfortably beside you.
Here are three reasons why your dog needs a cooling bed:
- Safety
For humans, the natural response to heat during hot weather is to sweat. Dogs, on the other hand, generally do not sweat to cool-off. To cool-off, dogs may sweat a little through their pads, but panting is their primary way to stay cool.
While light panting is normal, heavy and prolonged panting is considered a warning sign for heatstroke. Heatstroke in dogs is a serious condition that can cause vomiting, brain swelling, blood clotting and even loss of consciousness. If suspected, it requires immediate medical attention. Dogs with a thick coat of fur or with breathing difficulties are especially prone to overheating.
To avoid overheating, cooling beds can help regulate your dog’s temperature and increase air circulation. Regular fabric-based beds are heat traps and can be too hot for your dog in the scorching summer heat. Depending on the type of cooling bed, these beds can keep your dog cool for hours. Reduce the risk of heatstroke in your dog by utilizing a cooling bed.
- Convenience
Nowadays, cooling beds for dogs are light and fold-able, making it extremely convenient for you to transport. Use it in your home, bring it with you on your road trip or take it along to your next family picnic – it can be used literally anywhere.
The three most commonly used types of cooling beds are:
- Water-based beds → These beds are filled with cold water to keep your dog cool. You can firm or soften the bed based on the amount of water in the bed. Water-based beds can provide up to 7 hours of cooling.
- Pressure-activated cooling pads → Based on a pressure-activated cooling gel, this bed requires no water or electricity to work. It immediately activates when your dog starts lying on top of the bed, causing the gel to absorb the dog’s body heat. Pressure-activated cooling pads provide approximately 3-4 hours of cooling.
- Phase-changing cooling pads → Phase-changing cooling pads provide the longest cooling time of the three. It is composed of a cooling material that changes from solid to liquid. From the phase-change, heat is absorbed, which will help cool your dog. Like a pressure-activated cooling pad, phase-changing cooling pads require no water or electricity to cool.
For those without air conditioning, a cooling bed (along with a fan and plenty of water!) can be a cost-efficient way to cool-off your furry friend. The portability and low-maintenance requirements of a cooling bed makes it easy and convenient to use.
- Comfort
We all know what it feels like when it’s way too hot. Your clothes are soaked, there’s likely unpleasant smells and you’re just plain uncomfortable.
Just as humans get uncomfortable in the heat, dogs are no different. You’ll notice your dog would rather sleep on the hard wooden floor rather than their normal, soft-fabric bed during hot summer months. They, too, look to be comfortable during those intense heat waves.
A cooling bed acts as both a soft landing spot to lie on and a relief from the heat. There are varying types of cooling beds with numerous features, such as memory foam, high-density polyethylene, elevated beds, etc. – all providing your dog with a comfortable bed to lie on.
The best dog cooling bed will depend on you and your dog’s needs. The bed’s durability, portability, size and cooling methods (i.e. does it require water/electricity) are all factors to consider when choosing a cooling bed. A happy, tail-waggin’ pooch is your ultimate goal.
Summer is a time for family picnics, trips to the beach and outdoor barbecues. Whatever summer activities you’re planning, be assured that your dog stays cool and comfortable while lying on their cooling bed.
New Homes versus Established Homes
One of the big things to consider when shopping for a home is whether one should go for a new home or for an existing home. Even an existing home can be quite young and have been constructed only in recent years and can be considered fairly new. So, the true discussion here will be about a home that is at least 5 to 10 years old versus once that has been recently constructed or is about to be finishing construction.
The benefits of a new home can be dramatic, in terms of the latest materials and construction techniques being employed. It will also likely have the newest design in terms of style, colors, and materials. Another big deal is that you can often make a lot of decisions around how you would like the home design, at least in terms of the materials and appliances used, if not actual layout and footprint decisions around the house and property. This can include wiring for home theater and whole house music purposes. It can also be the configuration of additional bedrooms or converting rooms from one purpose to another.
There’s also much to be said about having something that’s just been constructed and under full warranty. So, if anything goes wrong, often for many years depending on the portion of the house, you are covered and don’t have to worry. That’s a big thing when deciding on an older home is that the warranty may have already expired and soon will. So, if anything happens to the home and needs fixing or replacing, it’s all going to be out of pocket for the homeowner. If we’re talking about a new roof, for example, you’re talking about a major expense in the tens of thousands of dollars. The counterpoint to all this is that older homes have history. What this history means is that since the foundation, walls, yard, roof, and everything has been established and in place for a long time, you can get a solid idea of if the house had or is likely to have issues or not.
There’s also the charm of an established home that many people enjoy and admire. It’s difficult to recreate that with a new home. The “bones” that a home has, as they say, is one of the things that people look for in a home and is not offered by a new house. Either way, the decision is yours, but one needs to make sure that stay mindful that appliances will still be required in any home and you’ll need solid advice to make decisions around buying new or replacing old ones. The folks over at https://www.homefixplanet.com are a top choice for reviews and advice on how to obtain these appliances.
Tips on Choosing the Right Home
No one in the real estate industry will tell you exactly what will happen to the housing values, but if you make the right choice in buying a house wherein it meets your priorities and needs, you won’t be having headaches in the future years to come.
Home or Neighborhood Amenities
There are some homebuyers wherein they prioritize living in a particular neighborhood over any other priorities. Others, the home matters to them. You will be able to find the perfect home right in the neighborhood that you love at a price that is well within or below the budget that you have set. But when you take a look at it realistically, most buyers take compromises if they want to have the house that badly.
Whether you are living on your own or buying the house with your partner, spouse or the entire family, it is a must that you make a list of features that you want to see from your house. For example, you want to specify how many rooms you want – whether you want a master bedroom, a room exclusive for guests, a kitchen, fenced yard, granite counters for your kitchen, etc. Rank your features according to priorities. You should also think about whether the community or the house matters more to you and whether it is worth it to make the long commute so that you can live in the home that has a bigger lot.
When must you compromise?
Once you have determined whether the house or the location itself matters to you the most, there might be times that you need to compromise a couple of the priorities you have. If location is the most important factor to you in determining your decision to buy the house, yet you find the homes are way priced over your budget, here are some ways that you can compromise:
- l Find a different type of home within the location or community that you are interested in, like a smaller home for single families, a condo unit or a townhouse. Decide whether you can live in a house with one less room or any other features taken out from your list.
- l You will find clarity by consulting with a financial planner or lender wherein you get to discuss your options for increasing your budget. There is rarely anyone that is willing to overspend for buying a home; you should also acknowledge that going $10,000 beyond the price range when you are financing the purchase within the 30-year loan at a fixed rate will only add about $30 in your monthly payment.
- l You might want to consider lowering your expectations in regards to the condition of your home. While every buyer prefers to go for a home that is move-in ready, sometimes you can get a better deal with a home that requires a few visual repairs. However, you need to be careful with this part. To avoid getting the wrong home with too many repairs to do, hire a home inspector and let them evaluate the house’s structure to see whether or not it meets your needs. Adding one more bathroom and moving the walls can be very costly renovations while replacing the appliances and doing some repainting jobs are the more reasonable moves.
If you have already set your heart on a particular home style or one that has a bigger yard for the children or one wherein you get to have a garden, the compromise you make here is more likely the location itself.
Once you have your home, you’ll want to have a nice solid list of reliable repair people as problems will occur. If you ever run into issues, take a look for an emergency plumber near you to get problems quickly resolved.
How Do You Know that a Home is the Right One?
Every potential home buyer is excited and at the same time terrified of what it is going to be when they look for a home. Where is the best location? What if the house has problems that you can’t afford to repair? What is the tiebreaker when there are 2 locations you love equally?
The main factor that will decide almost for everything when it comes to choosing a home is by getting your calculator. Your dream home will become a nightmare if your budget is nowhere near its purchasing price.
