5 Tips on how to save for a down payment on a house in Dubai

Are you tired of paying rent at the end of every month and planning to have your own home? Buying a house is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make in life. One of the main reasons that hinder most people from buying their own house is the cost involved. In Dubai, you are required to pay a down payment and the balance is spread over a certain period of time. However, since the down payment involved is too high for most people, they resort to paying rent.

Currently, there are numerous new real estate projects in Dubai. So, if you are looking forward to owning a home, you will find many options located in different parts of the city. For example, there is a rich selection of apartments for sale in Downtown Dubai at varied prices.

Here are some tips on how you can save for the down payment

i.             Budget

The first step to start saving for the down payment is to know how much the house will cost. This will depend on certain factors such as your financial position, the location of the property, etc. You will need to research the price range of the house you are looking for. After determining the amount of money the house will cost, you will need to create a budget.

ii.            Minimise the expenses

How you normally handle your finances will determine how much money you will be able to save. Start by looking at your gross income and how much goes into paying regular bills and expenses. Tracking your spending is a great way to see how much you spend on unnecessary stuff. You can save significantly if you cut down on some of the expenses temporarily or permanently. For instance, instead of using a taxi, you can start using public transport. Always find affordable alternatives as much as possible.

iii.           Open a saving account

Opening a saving account is one of the best ways of saving up for the down payment. This way, you will be able to separate your everyday spending from the down payment fund. Setting up an automated plan is the best way to operate a saving account. A certain amount of your salary will be automatically transferred to your saving account.

iv.          Downsize

If you are living alone, you can move from a one bedroom apartment to a studio apartment to cut on your monthly rent. Also, if you are renting in a leafy suburb, you can find other affordable locations where you will pay less money. 

v.            Pay off your credit cards

If you really want to save for the down payment for that apartment in Bluewaters Residences which you have been eyeing since long, you will have to reduce the credit cards that chip away your monthly income. Make sure you have paid all the debts to focus on saving.

5 legal tips every tenant should know

Dubai is regarded as the land of immense opportunities. As a result, this desert oasis attracts a huge number of expatriates to live and work. Since there are numerous real estate projects in Dubai such as the Emaar Beachfront apartments & the City Walk apartments, you are guaranteed to find a place that suits your needs. As a tenant, it is very important to get a good understanding of your rights and responsibilities.

Here are some of the legal tips you should know

i.             Real estate agencies

According to the Dubai real estate laws, all agents and agencies must be registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). If you are dealing with an agency or agent that is not registered, chances are you are being conned by fraudsters. It is always advisable to check and verify whether your broker is registered before giving out your money.

ii.            Cost involved

It is important to know the extra cost involved above the normal rent. In most cases, rent in Dubai is paid using post-dated cheques. This means that the rent is paid a whole year in advance. On top of the rent, you will have to give a refundable maintenance deposit which 5% of the rent amount. Also, you will be required to set up a DEWA account at the cost of AED 2000 for apartments and AED 4000 for villas.

iii.           Condition of the property

The landlord is required by law to hand over the property in a working condition. Therefore, it is advisable to ensure the property is in good condition before moving in. Since most properties are rented before setting up the DEWA account, it is important that your contract has a clause that allows you a few days to check whether the water systems are working correctly. 

iv.          Rental increase

In Dubai, landlords do not have the liberty of increasing the rent anyhow or as they wish. Any increase in rent is regulated by the rental increase calculator. So, rent can only be increased by the amount stipulated by the calculator. Nevertheless, rent cannot be increased by more than 20% no matter the market conditions.

v.            Eviction

Landlords are allowed to evict the tenant before the expiry of the tenancy period only under the following circumstances.

·         If the tenant fails to pay rent on the agreed time.

·         If the tenant subleases the property to a third party with the approval of the landlord.

·         If the tenant uses or allows the property for illegal and immoral activities.

·         If the tenant uses the property for purposes not stipulated in the contract.

5 ESSENTIAL RULES EVERY REAL ESTATE INVESTOR SHOULD KNOW

The real estate sector in Dubai is poised for rapid growth in the coming years due to the boom in the banking and financial industries in different parts of the world.  One of the most prominent features of the real estate in Dubai is the off plan market. Currently, there are numerous off plan properties  in Dubai that are expected to be completed soon such as the Madinat Jumeriah living and Meraas Bluewaters  Residences.

Here are some rules you should know before investing in real estate

i.             Don’t be led by emotions

Many investors make the mistake of falling in love with a property by how it looks. They then invest their money without running the numbers to ensure it has the potential to increase in value. Also, some investors end up spending more on the upfront making it almost impossible to make a profit after the purchase.

ii.           Have enough money

Investing in real estate is not cheap but most investors enter the market without preparing adequately. There are certain unexpected costs that may require additional money on top of the buying price. For example, your tenants can cause damage that may cost you thousands of dollars. In addition, you have to be prepared for possible losses. The real estate market is never constant and sometimes the value of the property can go down. Therefore, it is advisable to have a financial cushion to handle the fluctuations.

iii.          Don’t rent to anyone

One of the biggest challenges facing most investors is finding a good tenant. A wrong tenant could damage your property, fail to meet their rent obligation or disrespect other tenants. The process of evicting them can be long and costly. So, it is very important to do due diligence to the tenant before renting them your property.

iv.          Invest in the right neighbourhood

You should invest in a neighbourhood where the property is likely to increase in value. Even though there is no guarantee that the property, even located in a good area, will increase in value, investing in an ideal location may increase the odds. A neighbourhood that is close to essential amenities like schools, hospitals, banks and retail outlets may be good for investment.

v.           Don’t let the property remain vacant for long

There are certain factors that may cause your property to stay vacant longer than expected. It may be because of poor management, too high rent, low demand and more. You should investigate further to ascertain the cause of the vacancy.

5 Ways to Breathe your Apartment Balcony a Cozy Vibe

A small outdoor space is always in the wish list for most city dwellers. We love to spend time in the balcony to get fresh air, sit under the open sky, watch the stars, have a look at the outdoor activities or just to admire the beauty of nature. If you own a luxury residential project in Bhowanipore, a breathtaking view of the cityscape is ensured from the apartment balcony. Balconies are usually situated in a unique place of the home and separated from the room area by a door. So, it becomes the best place to unwind and enjoy a book or listen to some music in peace and silence.

image:pixabay.com/photos/balcony-iron-wrought-iron-983021

The most important factor of balcony decoration should be, comfort. Also, your personal taste and lifestyle should ooze style and vibrancy. Here are a few cool ideas to decorate it well:

1. Set up the sitting arrangement

Be it morning coffee or cosy candlelight dinner, place a table and some chairs in your balcony and make the most of the open space. In warm days, it’s sheer bliss to enjoy your cuppa in the evening in fresh air while looking at the sunset. Opt for the furniture that can be folded and kept inside if it is needed. You can also place storage bench into the space that will provide storage as well as extra seating space. If you are living in a rented flat and don’t want to invest in outdoor furniture, just get a statement rug and pair it up with some colourful throw pillows for a cozy vibe.

2. Bring in greenery

If you are living in the heart of the city, it is assumed that there will be very less greenery around. But there are newly developed premium residential apartments near Victoria Memorial in Kolkata from where the sight of abundant greenery will soothe your eyes. Bring the green spread to your cozy corner too by adding planters filled with lush plants or growing herbs and seasonal flowers to make it look and smell good. Artificial green carpet imitating the lawn can be used instead of tiles. Hanging potted plants in the balcony are also very much in vogue nowadays.

3. Accessorize the space

Install a shelving unit for displaying potted plants and decor items. Thus blank wall space will be utilized and also free up a lot of space. Hang a chair or hammock to create a laid back attitude that will make you feel like you are on a vacation every day sitting in your 4 bhk apartment in Bhawanipore, South Kolkata. If you want to ensure some privacy, use tall bamboos to create a natural wall. Add some shade with retractable awning to guard yourself against rain and sun.

4. Use the proper colour scheme

Don’t hesitate to experiment with bold colours in your balcony. Colourful rugs and pillows are perfect to infuse a happy mood. If you have a small balcony to work with, carry the same colour scheme that you have in your home into your outdoor space. Use quirky colour pallets to give the space a bohemian feel if it’s suitable for you.

5. Light it up

Ensure adequate lighting to make use of the place day and night. Glam it up with fairy lights or candles, they make for better relaxation in the evening. You can add plenty of string lights above the place or outdoor lanterns for creating a magical vibe. Outdoor pendant lights or sconces can also be installed for late night hangouts if you are hosting a small party in your 3 BHK Luxury Apartment near Alipore, Kolkata that is spacious enough for such small celebrations.

How to DIY Your Sydney Home Construction

Home improvement can be expensive in Australia, but nowadays, many Australian homeowners have been stretching their limited budget and being able to carry out do-it-yourself projects in their home. If you consider DIY fixes and forgoing the assistance of home builders Sydney, you must be aware of the fact that you don’t actually have to spend hundreds of dollars just to repair or refurbish a part of your home. While you can still actually invest on purchasing stuff that you need to do a project you can do within a day, but you can actually spend around $150 or less. With a touch of imagination and careful planning, improving the interior of your home to make it look like those newly-furbished display homes has never been this convenient and affordable.

image:wincrest.com.au

It is, therefore, worth mentioning these budget-friendly tips for your next home improvement project:

·       Repainting a single or multiple walls in a room of your home is just one of the many basic home improvement tasks that can be within a limited budget. Giving your bedroom wall a fresh coat of paint gives your whole room a newer look. More importantly, you get to update your walls’ appearance, especially if you see some peeled-off portions or discolorations.

·      Speaking of repainting, not only should you pay attention to the walls, but also to the doors and cabinets. If you think your home’s front door looks already old or you want to enhance its color, you can update it by applying paint on it, either using the same color as the original or a totally newer one. The same goes with cabinets. If your kitchen cabinets are well within the reach of sunlight, you can actually apply bright paint to transform them further.

·        If you find your staircase to be quite slippery, you don’t actually have to buy a carpet that could cost you thousands of dollars. You can fix this (and save a lot in doing so) by purchasing woven stair runners. In addition to supplies, you can actually install it directly on to the staircase; an upgrade that will help you and your family avoid horrible slips and falls while going up or down the stairs.

·       Visiting a garage sale in your neighborhood or a thrift shop somewhere would be a great way to find accessories which you can incorporate in your living room or in any part of your house. Not only are they worth displaying, but other stuff can still be used and installed, such as a lampshade or a lantern.

·    Instead of installing a tile backsplash in your kitchen, you can instead put other unconventional materials such as wallpaper or chalkboard. There are other materials out there that are not just functional, but are also totally inexpensive.

·      Spice up the dining area by installing a new fixture. But then, if you only have a limited budget, you can actually do DIY projects, such as refurbishing an old chandelier, making a drum shade out of available materials, and repainting the dining room’s ceiling fan.

It only takes a hundred or so dollars to make certain customizations in your home to improve it further as long as you know how to budget your materials and put a dose of creativity in your efforts, you get to make your house look newer without spending too much. However, if you really want your home to be professionally done, then you must contact home builders Sydney as they would know how to the job well.

Now, if you really want your home to be comparable to the sophisticated and stylish display homes they usually feature on TV, you can achieve it without spending a fortune – just keep in mind the tips provided. DIY projects are not reserved for individuals who have limited resources, but they are also fun activities to people who want to challenge their creativity and resourcefulness.

9 Tips for Green and Toxic Free Cleaning

There is no denying that green and toxic-free cleaning products work the same as industrial-strength products. They don’t contain the same chemical ingredients and formulas. Hence, you can prevent dangerous and harsh chemicals from affecting your indoor environment. Many studies show that chemicals used in cleaning products affect your health in several ways. They may cause thyroid issues, hormonal imbalance, and skin infections if used without precautionary measures.

Therefore, natural cleaners are a smart way to keep your house clean, non-toxic, and safe. If you are new to homemade cleaners, the following tips can help you clean your home in a green and toxic-free manner:

Image: pixabay.com/photos/clean-rag-cleaning-rags-budget-571679/

Tips for Toxic-free Cleaning

1.   Make a Homemade Cleaner

Making a natural cleaner is simpler than you thought. You only have to use products you already have in your kitchen pantry. Although these ingredients are not completely safe, they are less harmful and toxic than commercial cleaners.

Your natural cleaning kit may include:

·         Baking Soda: Amazing gritty scrubber

·         Borax: Deodorizes, whitens, disinfects

·         Lemon Juice: Cuts grease, disinfects

·         Olive Oils: Polishes wood, cleans dirt

·         Washing Soda: Stain remover, laundry supplement, and caustic cleaner

With these natural ingredients, you can clean pots, silver, fridge, bathrooms, bathtubs, sofa and many other household things. For example, use baking soda on carpet for removing stains of ink, oil or tea. You can use lemon to remove grease stains and scrub bathtubs. Olive oil is also great for cleaning wooden furniture.

2.   Buy Commercial Green Cleaners

If you find making and using DIY cleaners difficult, you can buy a commercial green product. They use less mixing, measuring, and scrub and scour like any other high-quality product. There are many all-purpose cleaners available in the market, such as Biokleen, Simple Green and Seventh Generation.

3.   Keep Drains Clean

You have to prevent clogging by keeping your drains clean. Always use a strainer that keeps food, hair and other solid items away from the drain. However, if it somehow gets clogged, the easy way to flush the debris and avoid harsh chemicals is to use a hot water solution. Add baking soda and white vinegar to hot water and mix it until a foaming pressure builds up.

4.   Use Fewer Cleaning Products

There is no need to use separate cleaning products for each room. Your DIY all-purpose cleaning solution can work as all-in-one cleaning supplies.

5.   Buy Products That Disclose Ingredients

If you’re choosing a commercial green cleaner, you need to know what it contains. This way, you can evaluate how safe it is. If the product doesn’t list its ingredients, avoid buying it.

6.   Avoid Purchasing Products with Unidentified Fragrances

This factor might sound trivial, but fragrant cleaning products can cause allergies and asthma. The products may contain harmful hormone-disrupting chemicals that go into your lungs when you inhale the fragrance. For toxic-free cleaning, always tackle the product source instead of buying cleaners that have no odors.

7.   Clean Wood Surfaces with Green Cleaners

The cleaning solution is more like a salad dressing, but show excellent results within 10 minutes. You can use vinegar and olive to make a powerful combination for toxic-free cleaning. You may change the quantity of the ingredients for different types of wood furniture. However, ¼ cup vinegar and two tablespoons of olive oil make an ideal solution for all types of wood.

8.   Use Natural Window Cleaners

There is no need to buy expensive glass cleaners when you can make a fantastic homemade window cleaner using some simple ingredients. Add 1/4 cup of vinegar in 4 cups of water. You may add 3 to 4 drops of any liquid detergent or lemon juice. Clean your windows with this solution. Wipe the windows with the newspaper or a cotton rag to get mirror glass shine.

Image:pixabay.com/photos/glass-facade-window-cleaner-facade-817732/

9.   Green Cleaning For Your Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the common areas in any living place that requires different cleaning products. You have to combine liquid detergents, toilet cleaners, scrubbers, and several other things. Using green cleaners in the bathroom is ideal because of the high humidity and limited ventilation. Vinegar, baking soda and borax make for a wonderful toilet cleaner. You can use this powerful solution to scrub the tiles.

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, the trend of green and toxic-free cleaning is all the rage as they are not only effective but also chemical-free. All you need are a few staples from your pantry to make a powerful green cleaner. The given tips are incredibly tried and tested, plus useful to make affordable cleaning solutions.