Slaburday: Laying a Concrete Slab for Trash Bins

How to Dream Big About Outdoor Spaces (But Keep It Real)

Key Driveway Renovation Tips to Preparing Your New Driveway Makeover

Curb appeal is something all homeowners strive for, but achieving that look can be time-consuming, confusing, and just plain expensive if you don’t have an effective plan. One of the best places you can spend money where curb appeal is concerned is giving your driveway a makeover. By freshening it up, you’ll completely transform how your house looks. With that in mind, we’ve put together a few key driveway renovation tips that you can use for your driveway makeover. Let’s take a look. 

1.  
2. Experiment with Different Materials

If you’re considering giving your driveway a makeover, it’s also recommended that you think about using different materials. Just because you have asphalt at the moment doesn’t mean you have to stick with it. Maybe you’re ready for a big change such as poured concrete or something even more intricate such as interlocking brick. Now is the time to check out the various materials and pick one that amps up your curb appeal and achieves the look you’re going for.

Additionally, it’s a good time to think about the layout and size of your driveway. Depending on where you live, regulations, and the by-laws, you may also be able to expand the size of your driveway. This could warrant a makeover right there! Perhaps, you’ve always dreamed of that circular driveway, or one that allows for more parking. Now is the time to think about the configuration and make your design changes before you begin any drive renovation.

2. Sealing Your Driveway

If your driveway is still relatively new and isn't in really rough shape, then you're lucky because your options are less expensive as you can give it a pretty cheap and simple makeover. In order to get the most bang for your buck, you'll want to look into resealing the driveway. You can do this on your own or hire a professional to come in and do it for you. Keep in mind, that any cracks or holes must be fixed before you apply the sealant.

Why seal your driveway?

First of all, it will instantly improve the appearance of the asphalt. Because these sealants are a thick black material, it will bring it back to new condition as far as looks go. As an added bonus, it also helps to reduce cracking in the future, which will allow it to look good for a longer period of time. These sealants actually close the pores that are in driveways and prevent water from seeping in and causing damage.

3. Keeping the Concrete?

If you happen to have a concrete driveway that has seen better days, but you’d really rather not change it, then there are ways you can get it back to new. One of the most unsightly things that can happen with concrete driveways is cracks. They can be quite small or rather large and deep. These cracks will age your entire exterior and give it a rundown feel.

While it would be great to avoid these cracks all together, unfortunately it's just not possible. Cracking occurs when the ground freezes then thaws. Obviously, if you are in a climate that experiences cold winters and hot summers, this will be extremely difficult on your driveway. The cracks usually start off small and just keep expanding from there.

One option to fix this is by placing a new layer of concrete on top of the old one. When doing this however you need to cover the entire driveway otherwise you’ll have patches of new concrete on old concrete. If you do want to just seal the holes with new concrete you could then work on painting over the driveway in one colour. This will help to even out the look and make it all one colour, hiding the new concrete and blending it in better.

4. Resurfacing Asphalt

Another way in which you can give your driveway a makeover is to resurface the asphalt. During this process, a professional takes the top layer off your driveway and then replaces it with a brand-new layer. This is much faster, easier, and cheaper to do then ripping up the entire driveway and starting from scratch. What’s great is that you won’t see any patches and the driveway will be nice and level/even once again. It will look like a whole new driveway when the process is finished.

5. Choosing to Re-Pave the Driveway

In the worst-case scenario, you’ll be looking at re-paving your driveway completely. Usually, this is reserved for driveways that are 20 years or older, have been sealed numerous times over the years, have large cracks, potholes, and are uneven. At this point, the driveway has basically reached its maximum lifespan. If you’re looking to repave your driveway, you need to start by:

Choose your new pavers and get them positioned and secured into place using a layer of concrete to push them into.

 

• Pulling up the old pavers to make way for the new pavers.
• Evening out the ground to ensure its level for the new pavers to be placed down.
• Work out the square meterage you need to ensure you have enough pavers for the job.

It’s important to remember that you mustn’t drive on your driveway for a few days as this can create the pavers to become loose or move into awkward positions.

What If You Don’t Have Money For A Professional?

If you want to renovate your driveway but you don’t have the funds to bring in a professional here’s some things to think of:

• Add flowerbeds beside the driveway to help give it colour and beauty throughout the year. The flowers should be those that are able to withstand different weather changes and be exposed to the elements. They should also be low to the ground growing (unlike roses) to ensure your car won’t get damaged if they get too big and rub against the car.
• Depending on your driveway, you can also add a layer of smooth rocks or pebbles on top of the current driveway (if it’s dirt related) to give it more texture and appeal. Pebble driveways look great and are a cheaper alternative to hiring a professional.
• Repaint the driveway if it’s a little outdated or if you want to upgrade the look and don’t have the money. Many people opt to repaint the driveway to help give it a more modern look without the expense attached.
  

Don’t Be Afraid to Step Outside the Box

When it comes to a driveway makeover the best advice is not to be afraid to step outside the box. Start by setting your budget, then think about what look you’re going for and the practicality. Before you know it, your new driveway will add the curb appeal and usefulness that you’ve long desired.

Jimmy Stanley

Jimmy Stanley founded PSI Paving in 2004. Their expert team of paving contractors are considered the best in the business. Honesty is a hallmark at PSI Paving, so you can rest assured that our team will take great care every step of the way to give you the outcome you want.

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2017/04/key-driveway-renovation.html

How To Trim Fence Pickets – Lessons in Fence Fixing, Part 2

If you missed part 1, here’s a little recap:

• Dad knocked over part of my fence last fall with the backhoe I rented in order to fill in and level out the back yard (it’s alright, you can laugh; we did!)
• I tried out a new product to set a new post, but it failed miserably, so I went back to using quick-dry concrete.
• Next up: fixing the water flow issue of having a fence and gate that’s touching the ground (that’s this post!)

Since my crazy furball Charlie loves to run around the yard (and tends to run straight through an open fence with no gate), fixing the fence became a priority spring project.

I had to remove the fence panels surrounding the gate in order to reset the post, so it was the perfect opportunity to fix a few more problems that had always been less than ideal. Namely, when the fence was first installed, I failed to account for how water flow might ruin the bottom of the fence and left each picket touching the ground. The result was mud buildup and an overall likelihood of needing to replace the pickets more often (from wood rot, warping, etc.).

The gate also touched the ground in spots that prevented it from opening further. Even though I’d done extensive work to even out the yard, my call to 811 last year revealed that there were utilities running near this spot, so I didn’t want to take any chances by digging up places I shouldn’t. Instead, the easier solution was to trim off enough of the bottom of the gate that it could swing open a little wider.

Some links in this post may contain affiliates, which basically give me a commission if you were to buy a product I recommend. It doesn’t change your price, though — and the income goes toward supporting this site. Thank you!

You’ll Need:

• Safety glasses and ear protection (I like the disposable ones with a cord)
• Circular saw
• Pencil (I have started using carpenters pencils, which are flatter than your traditional No. 2 and work really well for marking projects like these)
• Drill (this one’s mine) and bit that fits whichever exterior screws you buy
• Course thread exterior screws

This DIY is pretty straightforward. Starting with the fence panel on the right side, I used some nearby scalloped edging from the garden to elevate the panel off the ground and screw it back into the new fence post using exterior screws (drill slow at first so you don’t split the pickets). I could have cut off the bottom section (the part with all of that dirt buildup), but no one wants to spend more time on a project than they need to, so it was much easier just to lift everything a little off the ground than cut it down.

Next, I hung the gate back on the fence temporarily and opened it to the point where it was getting stuck. That gave me a way to make markings in the exact spot it would hang to make sure I was cutting at the correct angle. I took a spare fence picket and angled it along the fence panels of the gate. The bottom of this panel would serve as my marking line for the cut.

I ran a pencil along the bottom of the fence panel, creating a straight cutting line. While pretty much anything works to mark wood, I’ve found that carpenter’s pencils work really well for stuff like this (it’s wider and flatter than your typical marking utensil, so it runs along a board or straight edge nicely).

Next, I lifted the fence panel back up and off the gate again and laid it down on a frame from another outdoor project (I’ll be sharing that with you guys soon). This extra elevation lifted it slightly off the ground, making it easier for cutting and kept it stable. While this can be done solo (I originally moved the gate last fall on my own), the hardware makes it kind of heavy, so try to have a second set of hands if you can.

With the cut ready to go, I put on some safety goggles, lined up the cut on my circular saw, and made my cut.

Once the cut was finished, the gate went back on the hinges. This also allowed me to re-install the self-adjusting gate latch on the new post. Done!

It’s not perfect nor a particularly glamorous DIY (the gate now looks a little short compared to the rest of the fence), but I don’t mind; it serves its purpose and it looks a lot better from the street from where I started:

Of course, I still need to cut the top of the new post so that it’s not sticking up above the fence line and the fence could use a good power wash (and maybe stain?), but with everything fixed enough to be able to close the gate again, Charlie could finally enjoy the yard once more. <3

There are a few more outdoor DIYs coming up from this same weekend, so more on that new hedge and mulch line along the back fence in a future post as well!

The post How To Trim Fence Pickets – Lessons in Fence Fixing, Part 2 appeared first on The Ugly Duckling House.

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from The Ugly Duckling House http://www.uglyducklinghouse.com/how-to-trim-fence-pickets-fence-fixing-part-2/

Lessons in Fence Fixing, Part 1: How NOT to Anchor a Fence Post

When I first moved into the UDH, one of the very first projects my dad and I ever tackled was adding a small fence and gate to close off the back yard. In fact, it was the second blog post that I ever wrote — it was that early!

Since then, quite a lot of things have changed, including other improvements to the fence: replacing part of the chain link on the other side of the house, adding better gate hardware, planting garden beds next to it for added foliage (and to hide my neighbor’s fence that’s falling apart, which you can see more of in the pics below), and more. I’d like to think I’ve actually learned quite a bit about fences during that time. But last fall, there was a bit of an accident to this little section:

It happened during that awesome, sweaty week last summer when I rented a backhoe, ordered truckloads of dirt, and filled in the sink hole in a brutally humid August. My friends stopped by one night to help (truthfully, they really just wanted to play with the backhoe for a bit)…

…but as usual, it was my dad who helped out the most. Look at him go!

Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase (but your purchase price stays the same). Thank you for helping support the blog! I appreciate it! 

Even though we got a huge amount done in that week, there’s was just one little step in the wrong direction: during one of the return passes through the gate to get more dirt…

…Dad turned the wheel and crashed directly into my fence. It wasn’t enough of a collision to take out the fence as a whole or for him to be injured in any way (and it was kind of funny since all bets would have been on me to be the one with a runaway backhoe), but it did just enough damage to loosen the concrete and make the whole thing unstable. The post had been bent to an angle that could not be repaired, so I would have to replace it in order for the gate hardware (actually, the newly-installed gate hardware) to close properly.

I took the fence panel off and came up with a game plan to fix it, but I wasn’t in a huge hurry since I was busy working on lots of other projects all winter. Typically, you just buy a new pre-treated 4×4 and a bag of quick-dry concrete, reattach the hardware, and done (you actually don’t even need to separately mix the concrete… you literally pour the bag into the hole and water it down, poke it a few times to make sure the water mixes well enough, and stabilize the post so that it’s level — not a difficult DIY at all, just heavy). But as I made one of my usual supply runs to my local Orange, I spotted this little display:

According to the product’s advertising:

• This new product could fix my fence without the inconvenience of carrying around 50 pound bags of concrete through the store — “effectively replaces two 50 lb. bags of concrete mix.” Since I don’t like carrying heavy stuff unless it’s part of an obstacle course race, this was a selling point for me.
• The two components that are separated in the bag, once popped and mixed for about 20 seconds, form an expanding polyurethane resin that you pour it into the hole; in just 3 minutes, the product expands around the post and stabilizes it.

Basically, magic.

Given that I also love trying out new DIY products and being the guinea pig to see if something *really* works or not, I figured it would make for a really cool experiment. For around 3x the price (online it says it’s now cheaper, but I remember spending more), it was more expensive than the bag of concrete I’d initially planned to use, but I liked the idea of trying it out and picked it up anyway. Could it really work?

The short answer: no. Nope, nope, nope. But hey, I have cool pictures!

With the weather warming back up (and dry), the temperature was right to finally give it a try. I started by cleaning out the existing hole that contained the original post (any softer dirt, debris and such — Georgia’s red clay is pretty hard to begin with, but spring rain had caused some mud at the bottom of the hole). It may not look it from this photo, but the hole I started with was deep enough for the usual concrete that I would have poured otherwise (probably two-ish bags). It doesn’t really say it on the bag, but an online video that I found for this product says the hole should be 8 inches in diameter and one third of the length of the post should be in the ground.

I popped the bag and did a quick shimmy to get the two components to mix (note: there’s a very short window of time for this, about 20-30 seconds), then snipped a corner with some scissors and started pouring it into the post hole. The goop almost instantly started foaming up before I could snap a few pictures with my phone, which was pretty cool to watch. Over the next few minutes, I monitored the expansion and made sure the post stayed level (a post level would have been even better to use, but since I didn’t feel like making another trip to the store, two levels measuring both directions worked in a pinch).

I stood around for another ten minutes, watching the foam expand even further and even above ground (according to package directions, you can just trim off excess after it’s hardened). You’re supposed to let things cure additionally for another two hours before attaching anything to the post, but I had other things to tackle the rest of the afternoon, so I let it be for the rest of the day.

I gave it a few test wiggles that evening (well after the 2-hour “fully hardened” window on the packaging), which proved disappointing. The product wasn’t super stable around the post, and as you can see in the photo above, had even pulled away from the post while it expanded. I was still outside working on a few other things, and I could clearly see the post swaying slightly in the wind. I chose to leave it overnight and decide whether or not to re-attach the fence panel the next day.

The next afternoon, I pushed on the post. While it didn’t fall over, it still wiggled at the slightest nudge — nothing like the secure stability of setting the post in concrete. I guess one could argue not to expect they’d be exactly similar, except that the video I watched about the product literally had a guy climbing onto and hanging off the post as a demonstration of its strength. In my case, it took just a few more strong nudges, and the whole thing came right up out of the ground. Womp, womp.

Perhaps the hole I dug was still not deep enough (the foam only came up out of the ground a little, similar to what I’d seen in the video, so it looked plenty deep enough for the equivalent in concrete that it’s supposed to replace). Perhaps the ground around the hole wasn’t dry enough (the product didn’t really say much about water except to remove any standing water in the hole, and any loose soil had already been cleared out). So, while I’m sure that a lengthy investigation with the manufacturer would point out what step I must have not done perfectly in perfect conditions (because that hardly ever exists in real life, duh), I’d had enough of my experiment. I certainly think it’s cool when new products come out, and I’m willing to try them, but if the original way is both pretty much fool-proof and cheaper, I consider this a product flop.

The foam is easy to remove — I just hacked at it with a reciprocating saw and dumped the pieces. I noticed while removing it that the lack of expanding around the post was actually worse than I thought; somehow, air pockets had gotten into the resin, which probably contributed to its lack of stability.

With the junky foam shorn off, I grabbed an ol’ reliable bag of concrete and reset the post. Even though it took about fifteen minutes longer (well, a day of the other product and then fifteen minutes) to set enough to feel comfortable walking away, for me, this is the way to go from now on.

This post has gone on long enough, but there’s more that needed to still be done to get my fence and gate fixed up, so I’ll save that for part 2. And if you saw on Instagram, even more was accomplished elsewhere over the same weekend (remember this project?). More of that is coming as quickly as I can edit the photos!

P.S. In case you’re wondering, this wasn’t a sponsored post or anything, merely something I saw in store and wanted to try out. I know how it is when you see a new product and wonder if it’s worth the extra cost compared to the alternative — which is often cheaper, but more labor intensive — so from time to time, I let my house test things out. In years past, manufacturers have even reached out later to let me know these posts have helped them improve products that don’t work out, so I hope you found this helpful too!

The post Lessons in Fence Fixing, Part 1: How NOT to Anchor a Fence Post appeared first on The Ugly Duckling House.

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from The Ugly Duckling House http://www.uglyducklinghouse.com/fixing-fence-post-mix-review-part-1/

Advantages Of Using Engineered Oak Flooring

There are many advantages to using engineered oak flooring. For example, a walnut finish floor can be quite beautiful. A high gloss engineered oak floor can change the interior of the entire home. You are sure to receive many compliments on a high gloss engineered oak floor. 

Engineered wood flooring has a unique and feel. Anyone looking at your floor for the first time will certainly notice the beauty and elegance. An engineered wood floor looks absolutely authentic and it certainly will add great beauty to just about any home. If, in fact, you are seriously considering engineered oak wood flooring, it would be best to find one of the trusted suppliers of oak flooring in Melbourne like Market Timbers.

Another huge advantage of having an engineered wood floor is that the floor will never expand or contract. Hard wood floors will easily expand and contract depending upon the temperature within the home. For example, the cold winter months can cause real wood to actually expand. In addition, the warm summer temperatures can cause a wood floor to contact. Hard wood flooring actually can shift a bit due to changes in temperature and overall weather conditions. You should not run into any of these problems with an engineered oak wood floor.

Flooring made from different types of treated plywood offer much more durability than traditional wood flooring. Traditional wood is not very durable and it tends to become more of a problem if you spill something directly on the floor itself. Therefore, clean-up is so much easier with an engineered oak floor.

Another great advantage to having engineered oak flooring is that you can easily sand the floor and refinish quite easily. Wood floors can be sanded and re finished however, it may be more of a chore to refinish as opposed to an engineered wood floor.

If you plan to install the new floor yourself, you can count on the fact that an engineered floor is a great deal easier to install than a traditional wood floor. In addition, the fact that this type of floor is easier to install it will certainly be less time consuming to complete the job.

Cost Effective & Stylish

Possibly the most attractive feature of an engineered oak floor is that it is far less costly than wood. For anyone on a budget, an engineered wood floor is far less expensive and it will not drain your bank account.

If you plan on selling your home, a new engineered wood floor will certainly add value to your existing home. Therefore, you may find that replacing an existing floor with an engineered oak floor will increase the overall re sale value of your existing home.

Having engineered oak flooring installed within a home offers a number of advantages to the homeowner. There are so many styles of engineered wood flooring in which to choose from. Always remember, any improvements you make within the interior of the home will certainly be beneficial for a variety of reasons in the long run.

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2017/04/oak-flooring.html

Interior design tips for first-time homeowners in London

Choosing your first home is one of the biggest decisions you can make, and it can be even tougher to decide how to decorate it because it is this process that will make it go from a house to a home. Decorating and furnishing a whole house from top to bottom is a tough task but these tips and some careful planning should make it easier.

Stick to a budget

The first thing you need to do when it comes to decorating is to know how much you intend to spend. As it’s your first home, it can be easy to get carried away with new furniture and decorations that you think will look good in your home but this can often mean you’ll end up spending more than you have. Always shop around for deals and discounts before you commit and if you have some spending money left over once you’ve got the essentials, you can always treat yourself with something on your wish list. 

Start with neutral tones

Sticking with neutral colours can be a good starting point for any first home design. Colours such as white, cream, black and grey are easily dressed up with splashes of colour here and there in things such as rugs, cushions, and throws. If you’re struggling for inspiration when it comes to neutral colours, asking help from a professional service such as Kia Designs, interior designers based in London, could help you create a starting point for each room.

Be frugal at first

This tip ties with the idea of sticking to a budget and can be another difficulty for first-time home buyers. You’ll probably have the overwhelming desire to buy everything all at once, but more often than not it’s better to start with very little and before you expand. If you know, you can do without a sofa for a while, wait until you’ve shopped around a little more to get the best deal. Sometimes it’s better to live in your house for a while to figure out exactly what you’re going to need.

One room at a time

By treating your home as a large project and working on the design of one room at a time, you’ll be able to have a clearer idea of exactly what you want to achieve without the stress of thinking about other rooms. Break tasks down into smaller, more manageable parts and this way you’ll be a lot less overwhelmed with the amount of work you have to do.

Stay focused on your ideas

Creating mood boards can have advantages and disadvantages. One disadvantage is something that we’ve already covered, the fact that you’ll probably want to buy everything all at once, but an advantage is that it will keep you focused on what you have in mind for each room in your new home. Compile photos, paint colours and fabric samples that you can take with you when you’re finally buying your furniture.

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2017/04/interior-design-tips-london.html

8 Top Tips to creating a luxurious living room

Want to know how to create a luxurious living room? Then read on to discover our top tips for creating a sumptuous haven for your family. Whether you want to revamp the whole room or simply add a few luxurious accents, there are lots of options available to you.     

1. A touch of velvet

Create luxury in your living room by introducing a range of textures and fabrics. Velvet strikes a particularly luxurious note, and velvet sofas in jewel-like colours have been cited as a top style trend for 2017. If you don’t want to replace your sofa, then think about adding a plush throw, or a few scatter cushions to your interior design scheme.      

2. A chandelier

For an opulent feel add a chandelier to your decorating scheme. You’ll find examples aplenty from affordable versions on your local high street to vintage examples in antique shops and at your local auction house. Lighting fixtures are often the element of a decorating scheme that gets forgotten, but with a chic chandelier, you’ll achieve an opulent look in your living room.     

3. Art deco

Art deco style abounds in interior design at the moment, and it lends itself well to creating a luxurious feel, from angular mirrors to occasional tables with marble tops. Strong colour contrasts are evident too, as in the dining room of the Courtauld House at Eltham Palace, where black and gold reign supreme. Add key design motifs of the Deco style from the stepped profile to the Egyptian-inspired key design, sunrises, zig zags and stylised flowers. Here too shiny decadent fabrics are evident, just right for the luxurious feel you’re trying to create.  

4. Fireplace

Fireplaces create a striking focal point in a living and can add a luxurious note depending on the material and style employed. Look to Victorian or Georgian styles in carrara marble, limestone or granite to help create your luxurious living room. If you don’t have an open fireplace, there are plenty of gas or electric alternatives which echo vintage styles.     

5. Furniture that’s a cut above

Quality tells, and it’s worth splashing out on well-crafted furniture for your living room to help create that luxurious look. Oak has long been associated with quality when it comes to furniture and French oak strikes just the right note for a luxury feel, so seek out some stylish examples for your home. Whether you want a cabinet to hold your TV, to create a dining area or to add some valuable storage to your home, there are a plethora of pieces from which to choose.     

6. A rug

Nothing speaks of luxury like a rug, whether you choose a jewel-like colour to complement your sofa or a striking geometric pattern to echo the Art deco influence we’ve mentioned. There’s sure to be an example to suit every style and budget, with a plethora of options available online, on the high street or in your local antique shop. The texture, style, size and colour of a rug can transform a room, and there are some things you should consider before buying one. Firstly, consider what you want the rug to do; draw attention to the main focal point of your living room or become the focal point of a room. Size is also an important consideration; go for a small size to highlight a bijou but exquisite piece of furniture or larger size to pull together your whole interior design scheme. A rich colour, deep texture or ornate pattern is most likely to create a luxurious feel. If your living room is currently, plain, pale and smooth, it will break up the monotony and add some warmth to your interior.            

7. Crystal

Though the cut glass vase and punch bowl might not have the best reputation and have been out of favour for some time, an element of crystal in your living room can help create the luxurious feel you’re seeking. Look a little deeper, and you’ll see that the designs can be  much more cutting edge than you might at first anticipate. From the wow factor of a chandelier to a pair of candlesticks to top your fireplace or a mere door knob to put the finishing touch to your interior design scheme – there is bound to be something to suit you. From a piece of vintage Lalique to a contemporary design by the likes of John Rocha or Jasper Conran, the options available are many and varied.       

8. Window dressing

A crucial factor to consider when creating a luxurious interior design scheme is the treatment of the windows in your living room. Choose a heavy fabric such as a damask or velvet to add to that opulent feel and consider the added extras such as coordinating pelmets and tie backs.

So there you have our eight top tips for creating a luxurious living room, from quality keynote furniture to opulent fabrics, vintage elements and crystal accents. We hope you’ve found it helpful and that you’re well on the way to creating the opulent living room you desire.      

 

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2017/04/creating-luxurious-living-room.html

6 key resources to have before investing in a property

6 key resources to have before investing in a property

Property investment can be fun and financially rewarding, but also – especially if you are just starting out – daunting. Buying a property for the first time will require the outlay of a significant amount of money that you could find hard to come by. Furthermore, naivety on your part leaves you risking shooting yourself in the shoot. Here are 6 vital resources for helping to prevent major issues arising.

A well-regarded online repository of advice

If you lack knowhow about the property market, then you can take heart that the Internet includes a treasure trove of detailed advice from property investment gurus. However, certain online sites will inevitably be more reliable than others; therefore, we would advise you to stick with a popular and respected property investment blog like Property Investments UK.

Your own knowledge of the market

Whatever trustworthy advice you learn online, you can augment with whatever you know about the particular property market that you are eyeing. The Property Speculator observes: “Many property investors specialise in a particular market because they know it well.” You could benefit from following this route if, for instance, you know the ins and outs of a nearby city with a buoyant population of students. You could then have their needs in mind as you choose property.

Money to spend investing in your chosen property

If you will be a first-time investor, you might need to first have a large pool of monetary savings at hand – even if you will be seeking a mortgage. Many lenders expect investors in your situation to use a lot of their own cash to fund their first buy. Furthermore, once you do have enough cash saved up, you should still meticulously compare different mortgage deals as you seek the best one for you.

Construction materials for use in developing the property

Chances are that, over time and as you see fit, you will progress beyond mere property investment and become a property developer, too. In other words, you could utilise some DIY skills as you add more physical features to an acquired property or give it a thorough refurbishment. For all of this, you will need suitable build materials; thus, remember to factor in the costs of these.

Further advice from a mentor

Even well-known entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson and Karren Brady have recommended mentoring for use in reaching better fulfilment and success. Your own mentors could come in the form of property investment consultants at Flambard Williams. These people can assist you in identifying fresh and promising opportunities for extending your success in investment.

Later, returns from a large portfolio of properties

Once you are amassing a steady income from one property, you could use some of the returns to help fund another property purchase and so grow your revenue and profits even more. However, The Property Speculator warns: “It takes a portfolio of quite a few properties to produce a regular income of sufficient size to live on.” Your savings from just one property could, thus, be meagre.

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2017/04/resources-investing-property.html