Review of The Watergardens at Canberra Launching in 2021 by CDL and Kheng Leong

Posted on March 18, 2021April 21, 2021 by realestatejuice

The Watergardens at Canberra Singapore offers the best of Singapore accommodations at competitive prices. Choose from deluxe apartments to serviced condominiums in all price ranges to suit any pocket. Come and enjoy our friendly hospitality at this prime location in the city. Located conveniently at the corner of Canberra Road and Canberra Estate Road, The Watergardens at Canberra condominium is a short walking distance from Canberra MRT station and Canberra Plaza. Take a leisurely stroll down to admire the colourful markets filled with local produce, or enjoy one of our amazing shopping centres. The Watergardens at Canberra is launching soon in 2021. Please see review of The Watergardens at Canberra by UOL Group and Kheng Leong

Choose from deluxe apartments to serviced apartments to condominiums, you are sure to find one that suits your lifestyle. The Watergardens at Canberra have been designed to give you a living experience you will never forget. The Watergardens at Canberra resident is treated with the same respect as they are in any of our fine hotels and is given top priority when it comes to furnishings and facilities. The Watergardens at Canberra Residents have the option to choose from an extensive range of floor plans and have easy access to public transportation to reach their destinations. You can also access your own parking space for your personal vehicle.

The fitness centre at The Watergardens at Canberra is located within close walking distance. You can benefit from a wide variety of equipment and workout programs. You can also access The Watergardens at Canberra gym through the main entrance from your pool. Exercise equipment is available for rent as well. The Watergardens at Canberra residents have the option of staying in unit blocks of 8 rooms or individually choose to rent single rooms to accommodate a small family or group of friends. The Watergardens at Canberra large communal pool and spacious living areas make this area a favourite among families wishing to settle in Singapore. The complex offers its residents top quality amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. There are two restaurants, a Chinese buffet, an eating area and bar with comfortable seating and a variety of restaurants serving English dishes.

Review of The Watergardens at Canberra Launching in 2021 by CDL and Kheng Leong

The Watergardens at Canberra complex has a gym, swimming pool, and a health and fitness centre. The residents have the convenience of an auditorium and a theater. Children too can enjoy their classes at the centre. Other features of the apartment include a high speed internet connection, car parking, and shuttle bus service to and from the airport. Most of the residents are from local Singaporeans. The Watergardens at Canberra area has undergone major enhancements in terms of infrastructure development in the last few years. This has made the area more appealing to the working class. The area has a low crime rate, and most of the people speak English. The apartments in the vicinity are well maintained and have been fully furnished.

The Watergardens at Canberra residents can take a taxi to reach The Watergardens at Canberra or use the local taxi service. Transportation in the area is fairly safe, due to the presence of well-maintained roads and railways. The area also has a low crime rate, making it a safe place to live for any family. There is no shopping within walking distance, nor are there many places to eat. However, the proximity of the international airport makes it convenient to go out for shopping or eat out. Shopping at The Watergardens at Canberra Singapore will allow families to live within budget, while being close to the city’s shopping districts. The Watergardens at Canberra apartments also have a fitness centre, a swimming pool, and gym equipment.

Many of The Watergardens at Canberra residents choose to live in the townhouse style, because of the numerous amenities that come with it. The Watergardens at Canberra units come fully furnished and have an interior courtyard. They have air conditioning as well as a fireplace. Fireplaces are usually located on the ground floor, or in the back of the unit. Some come with a large kitchen area. Many of the townhomes come with two or more bedrooms, although the number of bedrooms does not necessarily have to be the same. The townhome allows for flexibility when planning a living arrangement. The Watergardens at Canberra residents opt to live in a studio apartment, or in a larger house with several other family members. Other residents wish to live alone, and are content with just one bedroom.

The Watergardens at Canberra residents have a choice of one-bedroom units, two-bedroom units, and three-bedroom units. The rates vary depending on the size of the unit and the size of the building. The Watergardens at Canberra bedroom is generally less than 500 sq feet, while two bedrooms range all the way up to eight bedrooms. These properties are maintained by a full-time staff. Maintenance is performed weekly and requires plenty of work for the entire staff. In the heart of bustling Canberra Road, located at the corner of the popular Canberra Estate Estate, is the The Watergardens at Canberra. The luxurious and well appointed The Watergardens at Canberra buildings are fully equipped with all the luxuries and luxury one would expect in a high end establishment. The apartment buildings are tastefully decorated with neutral furnishings and up to date interior. Each The Watergardens at Canberra offers a high speed internet access and a flat screen television set. Fine dining restaurants and award winning Chinese restaurants are also situated within easy reach of each luxury apartment block.

Many luxury apartments such as the ones at The Watergardens at Canberra in Seoul are located close to renowned shopping and entertainment centres. The apartments at The Watergardens at Canberra in Seoul are perfect for families looking for a serene setting to raise their children. Some of the apartments feature large play areas for children, while others feature childcare facilities. Also available are fully furnished master bedrooms, two baths and one parking space. The high end apartments in Canberra Estate feature top notch security systems and private outdoor parking areas. The Watergardens at Canberra provides excellent facilities in the form of swimming pools and spas. It is a high end luxury apartment living facility that offers luxurious spa treatment, delicious food, internet access, state of the art entertainment and top-notch security services. There are several restaurants around The Watergardens at Canberra by UOL Group that offer exquisite dining and cuisine. There is also a spa on the top floor that offers luxury treatment to clients.

The Watergardens at Canberra apartments in Canberra and Canberra Estate that can be accessed through the elevator are located at the top of the building. The Watergardens at Canberra elevators are beautifully done with sophisticated windows to allow natural light to stream into the living room at all times. The Watergardens at Canberra elevators feature the latest in technology and safety features, providing a safe and luxurious way to get to the different floors of the high-end buildings. The high end stores have been equipped with modern and stylish furniture, including LCD televisions. The Watergardens at Canberra living rooms at the luxury apartments in Seoul feature comfortable leather chairs. The large screen T.V. is an ideal feature that allows the residents to relax with friends and family. High speed internet access is provided through the premise’s private wireless router. Several conference rooms and meeting rooms are available at affordable prices, along with internet telephony and a security system.

The Watergardens at Canberra guests can enjoy high-end amenities in the banquet or party rooms, including a steam kitchen, banquet or entertainment room. A high speed Internet access ensures that guests can connect with their home office, or conduct business online without any problems. The fitness centers and salons are also available at the apartments in Singapore. The Watergardens at Canberra community offers high speed Internet connection with an optional high-speed router. The Watergardens at Canberra community provides a variety of meeting rooms and seminar rooms. Some of the private dining and entertainment venues are also available in this building. Several well-known brands including The Lebra house are located inside the complexes.

Apartments in The Watergardens at Canberra complexes are equipped with modern amenities. The hotels offer high end business facilities including conference rooms. Some of the amenities include business centers, high speed Internet connections, high speed Internet telephony and secure internet systems. Most of The Watergardens at Canberra hotels provide a shuttle service from the airport. Many of the hotels provide car rental services as well. Some of these hotels provide a shuttle bus service to the visitors. Most of the hotels are located at the main roads and the best locations. The Watergardens at Canberra Visitors can get access to the best shopping destinations. They can easily find any type of product they are looking for. The Watergardens at Canberra Seoul is one of the most popular high end hotels in all over the world. It is very convenient to use the transportation services provided by these hotels.

Review of The Watergardens at Canberra Launching in 2021 by CDL and Kheng Leong (21)

UOL Group (UOL GROUP), commonly known by its shortened abbreviation, UOL GROUP, is an international real estate property operating company. It was established in 1963, with the first project being completed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since then, UOL GROUP has built numerous projects all over the world, including New York City, Mumbai, Tokyo, Singapore, and Dubai. Although UOL GROUP has built many successful projects, its track record does not inspire much confidence among investors. For this reason, many of its projects have been sold off at well below market value, creating further losses for its investors. As a result, many Singaporeans have lost money on many of its developments. The question is, why? The answer lies in the poor financial management practices, highlighted by the company’s founder, Mr. Lim Siow Jin. His inability to keep track of project costs led him to embark on a series of costly business deals, which ultimately depleted the equity base of his business empire.

Consequently, his company was unable to service the massive demand for properties within its portfolio. In addition, his inability to attract sufficient qualified staff to man the project’s facilities resulted in substandard conditions, leading to poor building performance and constant maintenance problems. Lim Siow Jin compounded these poor conditions by appointing people with insufficient knowledge and skill sets to oversee the operation of the project. Ultimately, the result was underwhelming performance, poor building condition, and extremely low occupancy rates. One of the main reasons that these properties underperformed the market was due to inadequate maintenance schedules and staffing shortages. When the company finally reached completion of its projects, its revenues were significantly less than anticipated.

A closer examination of the UOL Group properties reveals similar problems with its management. The company is slow to respond to requests for repairs, despite requests made months in advance. Its lack of responsiveness can be attributed in part to the difficulty of having a designated manager to oversee the operations of so many properties within such a large property development project. Despite the best efforts, the company was unable to meet delivery dates on some projects, further reducing their value. The poor building performance of UOL Group’s portfolio was further highlighted in an inspection report issued in November 2021. This report noted that despite a year of work and nearly $500 million in capital budget, only eight out of twenty-four buildings were deemed to be in satisfactory condition at the end of the third quarter. The inspectors found that many poorly constructed or poorly located buildings contained asbestos. These findings came as a shock to the company, given the widespread publicity that accompanied the UOL Group announcement of the asbestos issue.

Despite the poor building conditions at the majority of the project sites, no records were available to prove that the company’s financial problems were directly related to the asbestos issue. The company’s general manager, Robert Young, told the inspectors that records had been destroyed five years ago when the asbestos issue first came to light. Mr. Young went so far as to say that he was unaware that asbestos use could be a liability issue under UOL Group’s insurance policy. In response to the inspector’s report, UOL Group released a statement saying that it would conduct an independent audit of all its commercial properties to see if there were any areas of concern. The audit was to be completed within one year. No progress reports had been submitted to date. A spokesperson for the company said that it expected that the audit would confirm the poor building performance reports. A representative of the office of the comptroller of auditing also declined to offer any comment on the audit, citing the sensitivity of the matter.

Many observers have commented on the financial difficulties of commercial real estate ventures. For some, these properties may not always produce the income that is hoped for. Others point out that a majority of such properties have seen their prices decline over the past few years. If you are interested in purchasing any commercial real estate properties within the City of London, it would be wise to get expert assistance from an independent commercial property consultant. Canberra Estate is known as the “Pearl of the East Coast” and a beautiful Singapore holiday spot. Situated south of Sembawang, Canberra Estate has always been a favourite with tourists from around the world. The town has undergone multiple modifications throughout the years and has now been designated as a national heritage site by the government. Canberra Estate offers visitors an excellent range of experiences, ranging from leisure and commerce to tourism and heritage.

The word “SEA” in Canberra Estate means “shore”. The primary trading post in the area was initially constructed as a fort. Today, the bay is filled with a wide variety of marine life and modern-day Canberra Estate hotels showcase marine life through tours and aquariums. A popular attraction is the Maritime Museum, which features a replica maritime vessel complete with working paddle wheel. The museum also houses a replica of the Singapore Sock Islands. The western part of Canberra Estate is mostly residential and includes many serviced apartments and condominiums. The Marina Bay is the prime business district, home to both the country’s largest cruise terminal and a number of international banks. The Central Business District houses the country’s stock exchange. Boat trips to Singapore’s lovely coastline are frequently made by residents here. International shipping is prevalent in the vicinity of the port.

Singapore dining options are varied and numerous, but the most famous ones are Oriental Express, La-Cafe, China Town and Chinese Garden. The country’s finest restaurants are found in Sentosa, or rather, its commercial center, its largest island. There are more than 200 restaurants in Sentosa alone, and more are in development all over the island. Of these, the most popular are the Oriental Express, Homeaway, Chinese Garden, Melvyn Bragg and Fine Cuisine. If you’re looking for good bargains, Canberra Estate shops are your best bet. Prices in Canberra Estate are slightly higher than those in nearby Clarke Quay. However, there is an amazing selection of local products to choose from. In fact, there is a huge presence of small-sized local businesses that are located along the waterways and seashores of the island. These provide typical Singaporean fare such as sea foods and Chinese food.

Of course, there are some fabulous places to eat in the city. The Marina Bay Sands Casino is one of the country’s most popular destinations. The casino, which was built by the country’s first president, is situated at the center of the island and is open daily for business. Other attractions include the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the Singapore Zoo and the soon-to-be-completed Sentosa development. For those interested in shopping, the Central Business District has a wide array of shopping attractions. There are both modern and traditional shopping areas. Chinatown is the primary commercial area, but there are also many other smaller areas. Some of the more popular stores include Ann Siang, Cupcakez and China Glass. Many of the stores are open until late in the evening. Those looking for unique or unusual items may wish to take advantage of the open-air markets along the roads in the area.

Canberra Estate is conveniently located between the cities of Pekang and Chaweng. It’s within easy reach of Singapore’s international airport, as well as the ferry service that runs between the two cities every day. Getting around the area is also relatively easy. Buses run regularly to and from the airport, and major rental car companies have a number of pick-up and drop-off locations.

A relatively unknown tropical climate, Canberra Estate is warm year-round. Winters are mild, with temperatures reaching ninety degrees during the day and a low of seventy at night. The humidity during the day is not overly hot but can still feel humid when walking around outdoors. The only season that the weather gets really hot is the holidays, which are usually during the Chinese New Year. In fact, Canberra Estate is often considered one of the most popular destinations in all of Singapore, with visitors from around the world making reservations at hotels in anticipation of a trip here. The Night Safari Park is another popular attraction in Canberra Estate, which attracts many tourists with its rich collection of wildlife. This park houses more than a thousand animals, including a large number of monkeys. Visitors can also go on a tour of the jungle in a Jeep safari. There are many other nature attractions in Canberra Estate, including the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, which is Singapore’s largest. Located south of Canberra Estate itself, Bukit Timah has been created as a habitat for the critically endangered white-tailed deer. Other notable locations in the Bukit Timah area include the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the Bukit Timah Reserve, and the Bukit Timah Wetland Centre.

Singapore is also host to a number of family attractions, including museums, aquariums, and play areas for children. There are a number of museums in the area, including the Indian Ocean Safari, ams Mahathat Museum, and the National Art Gallery. There are numerous aquariums in the area, including the Aquarium of Singapore, and aquariums in various cities throughout the country. The Singapore Zoo is Singapore’s first accredited zoo, and is home to many species of resident and rare animals.

Canninghill Square Former Liang Court situated at River Valley Road by City Developments Limited and Capitaland

Posted on February 3, 2021February 22, 2021 by realestatejuice

Canninghill Square is a new development; situated in the center of River Valley by City Developments Limited (CDL). Three vital organizations have collaborated to redevelop the Liang Court project into coordinated developments. The new improvement Canninghill Square will be coordinated advancement that is found right close to Singapore River. The proposed bargain is by CDL Hospitality Trusts (CDLHT), and Canninghill Square will be a grand improvement found apt in the center of the city. Liang Court is present in a superb zone with a twofold facing pined to confront the Fort canning slope and Singapore River. Canninghill Square redo gives City Developments Limited a valued chance to build an upmarket, high-rising riverfront private improvement that accompanies surprising points of view on the Singapore River and the Downtown center zone.

Canninghill Square Integrated Development Located Right at the Heart of the City by Capitaland and CDL Former Liang Court

Canninghill Square incorporated advancement’s business units will associate with Clarke Quay, offering tenants the solace of top-notch F&B and retail outlets straightforwardly close to home. Drawing on CDL’s wide association with making award-winning coordinated developments, the organization to reshape the property into another point of convergence along the Singapore River for the neighborhood and worldwide visitors anticipates financial specialists and home stayers the same.

Subject to permission from the specialists, Canninghill Square proposed an incorporated development with a total gross floor area (GFA) of 100,263 square meters (sq m) will include two private pinnacles holding more than 700 units, a business segment, an inn, and administration homes. Upon finish, the 1:1 CDL-CapitaLand joint endeavor will have the individual and mechanical parts, while Ascott Reit will have the 192-unit changed home with an inn license. CDLHT will guarantee the inn, which will have around 475 rooms, under a purchase concurrence with CDL.

Canninghill Square – Excellent Transportation and Amenities at District 09 Near to Shopping Centres Such as United Square

District 9 area is the focal point of Singapore. The inhabitants can undoubtedly go to different parts of the island from here; Canninghill Square is situated right at the core of District 09. Canninghill Square area makes it ideal speculation for some companies—including outsiders; that need to remain nearby to the activity and live in a casual environment.

This area has lots of conveniences, including relaxation exercises, shopping, eating foundations, and more. The Canninghill Square provides occupants inside strolling distance to whatever they need. They can even roam to a portion of the top shopping centers in Singapore. The United Square Shopping Mall is likewise inside the strolling area.

There are lots of spots to go out and appreciate at District 09, close to Canninghill Square. Newton Food Center is not exactly a five-minute stroll from the development. An owner can roam there and get some supper on the off chance that they don’t want to cook or need to go out.

Canninghill Square Integrated Development Located Right at the Heart of the City by Capitaland and CDL Former Liang Court

Canninghill Square is incredible for individuals that work at the CBD. They will have the option to work in minutes and go to the CBD or other business territories. Numerous individuals that live in the townhouses work in the area. There is an appeal for private living zones, and if individual claims a structure, they can get a high rental charge.

Here, there are schools and emergency clinics near the district area. Canninghill Square District 9 is ideal for families and single individuals. There is a lot to do, and there is a decent transportation framework to get around

Canninghill Square Located Near to Many Shopping Centres as well as Other Parts of Singapore

Driving and walking inside the area and different parts of Singapore is simple. Newton MRT Station is near Canninghill Square, the people living there will get the benefit and easy access to the area. Directly close to the condominiums are Kampong Java Road and Bukit Timah Road will interface with other main routes in the city. And this is extraordinary compared to other transportation frameworks in the zone.

People that own a vehicle can go to malls and the business sections like the Central Expressway and Pan Island Expressway that will permit them to get to any parts of Singapore. There are numerous advantages to the transportation framework around Canninghill Square. It is simple to go to various parts of Singapore like Novena, Bukit Timah, Tanglin, and Thomson.

There are a lot of spots to go out to shop close to Canninghill Square. There are shopping centers within strolling distance, and there is no compelling reason to go outside of this area. There is additionally the Orchard Road shopping belt that is a short drive away. An owner can likewise take the nearby transport if they need to go for a quick shopping trip.

The shopping centers close to the Canninghill Square area have great spots to eat and many amusement facilities. Business outlets are gaining practical experience in skincare, offices, stores that sell food and nourishments, and massage facilities are present inside the region. An owner will have the option to improve their physical and mental prosperity. These offices are only a short leave. Any person can get in their activity while they are strolling to the malls and back home when they are finished.
Eating Spots Near to Canninghill Square River Valley Road
This place, opened in January 2007, at the national banks of Singapore at 6 EU Tong Seng Singapore 059817, is located. A look at the central name is utilized—in the Mall situated here. Offering various items and various administrations, District 09, close to Liang Court, frequently develops and attracts many people. You can discover whatever assistance you need here, and it opened each day from 11 am to 10 pm.

Different facilities are present that we love around Canninghill Square. Incredibly, it’s few joints for amusement and food. As yet developing, services like medical care, spots of love, and stores are working for years close to previous Liang Court Canninghill Square. The Liang Court territory name originates from its developer and organizer. And the way that it surrounds the quay zone waterway nicely. The environmental factors and structures are likewise wealthy in Japanese Architecture, exhibiting authentic antiquities and societies. Here is a portion of the spots you should investigate and verify on the daily agenda-when you travel here.

6 Tips for Buying a Real Estate Without Being Ripped Off

Posted on August 24, 2020February 6, 2021 by realestatejuice

Purchasing a new home is perhaps the single largest financial decision you will possibly ever make. Also, you will generally purchase a home once in a lifetime. The risk of making adverse mistakes is hence rife, given this. There is also the danger of being scammed by your colleagues due to their elevated experience.

To help you with making the most informed decision, we have investigated and are going to showcase some of the tips whose adherence may help you out. Indeed, by adhering to the tips hereunder, you could even save thousands of dollars in the course of making a purchase. Please also see the latest info with regards to The Reef at King’s Dock which is by Mapletree and Keppel Group. The development is located at the Greater Southern Waterfront and is close to Vivocity.

Below are six of the major tips which you should adhere to while buying a house without ever getting ripped off:

#1: Purchase a home only if you intend to reside there longer

You should only purchase a home if you plan to stay there for longer. Homes, as we have already intimated, do cost too much to acquire. It is not uncommon for some mortgage plans, which are the principal means of purchasing first homes, to go beyond 30 years.

Embarking on a purchase at a time when you are not certain of your stay there is tantamount to ‘throwing away money.’ You might have to put your plans on hold if you still do not intend to settle or have other priorities in the meantime. That may require some introspection before embarking on a purchase.

#2: Take your time to shop for a house

After you have decided to make a purchase, you have to take your time to shop for one. This simply means you taking your time and effort to examine the many options that are available for your consideration before settling on a specific one. You may have to get online and inquire with many realtors.

In the course of doing that, you have to consider the floor size of the home you are desirous of, the number of bedrooms, the location of the home, the amenities provided for in the facility, and of course, the overall price of the home. A face-to-face inspection of the facility will definitely be handy.

#3: Make a careful selection of the realtor

To be able to make the right choice, you have to make a careful selection of the realtor. This is the agency or the individual that will help you to make the most successful purchase. The kind of realtor you pick for the job has the ability to make or break the situation.

Choose one who is trustworthy and experienced and enjoy better services with zero possibilities of getting scammed. Pick the one who is less experienced or has a checkered past and get duped of your hard-earned money. You may have to inquire from the past clients for the necessary testimonials and reviews.

#4: Set a Budget and adhere to it

When all is said and done, whether or not you will make a home purchase will depend on the financial resource endowment at your disposal. It is hence imperative that you set a budget and adhere to it. The budget you pick has to be affordable and well within your easy reach.

It is rare that you will have the whole amount at one go. That is why it pays to break down the financial endowment. This entails stating the sources of the funding for the purchase of the home. Examples could be loans, mortgage, savings, or family sources. Assign concrete figures against each source for added clarity.

#5: Find and make use of a great inspector

In the course of assessing a home, you will definitely require the services of an inspector. This is a professional or a company that is dedicated to matters of the property inspection. Let his trusted person or company check out for the existence of molds, termites, leaks, or other forms of damages.

Needless to say, you should deal with the emergent issues before you sign the home purchase contract. Purchasing a home without these issues taken good care of will only serve to make your more inconvenient while at the same time inflating the final price of purchase. It is the responsibility of the property owner to do that.

#6: Make use of a reliable property agent

Lastly, you also have to make use of a reliable property agent to facilitate the change of ownership of the home from its present owner to you. The agent negotiates with the sellers, writes offers, makes arrangements for property views, advises the clients appropriately, and guides the buyer through the necessary paperwork.

For an agent to qualify for the job, he has to have been in operations or existence for quite some time, obtained a wealth of experience all the while, and have a spending track record of the people whom he has already assisted to purchase homes.

CONCLUSION

Needless to say, the six tips we have delineated and explained above are not all that may be necessary to make the most informed purchasing decision. There are indeed many other tips that may equally be of help to you. Nonetheless, the six tips above are the most crucial.

You hence have to make every effort to internalize them and adhere as closely as possible to them in your search for and find of the most suitable home. What more could we possibly add? Have we not belabored the points in-depth and in a manner that is satisfactory? We ask you to share the insight with the others who might need it as well.

Make Over Tips For Your Home

Posted on July 31, 2020 by realestatejuice

Just as you take your car for a regular tune-up to ensure it continues to run smoothly, your home also needs some special attention. There is a lot more to keeping up a house than cutting the grass and clearing snow from the driveway.

Ensuring your home “looks” good and is in proper working order not only makes it more attractive and comfortable, but it can also increase the market value of the property.

Homeowners who plan to move within a few years are often reluctant to invest time and money on improvement projects that may not pay them back. But unless these improvements are very specialized, any project you choose -from fixing leaky faucets to installing new energy efficient windows -will start to pay you back in energy savings and comfort long before you sell. The wisest improvements you can make to any home are those that keep it running smoothly and bring it up to the standards of other homes in the immediate area. And these needn’t break your budget.

Start with simple repairs that don’t cost a lot and you can do yourself: securing loose tiles, adjusting a door, installing a lock, repairing a leaky faucet or pipes, and so on.

If the decor in your home is bothering you, don’t decide right away to rip everything out. Changing styles in decor and every-day wear and tear can make any home look worn and tired. But all it may take to make your home look more attractive and in better repair are small improvements such as refacing cabinets and counter tops, changing the colour scheme, repainting, paneling, hanging new wall coverings or installing new lighting.

It is a good idea to locate and read your gas, electricity and water meters on a weekly or monthly basis. This will help you gain an understanding of seasonal increases and decreases in consumption and enable you to take measures to become more energy and water efficient. The savings could be substantial.

You should have your furnace inspected and serviced annually to ensure there are no problems. Unless you know a lot about furnaces, this is something you should not do yourself. You can and should, however, change or clean the furnace filter regularly. You should also inspect the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home; you want to be certain these work in the event of a fire or other emergency.

While replacing leaky faucets can drastically improve a bathroom’s appearance and cut down on water usage, sometimes it takes a lot more than that to bring an old bathroom to an acceptable standard.

A bathroom tune up can pay big dividends. The first items to replace should be the fixtures -the sink, faucets, vanity, bathtub, shower and toilet. This is where you will add value and save money by opting for a water-efficient toilet, water-conserving showerhead and faucets, efficient fans and other energy-saving devices.

The floors, walls and accessories are not an essential part of a bathroom tune-up but you can save time and money if you do your overhaul all at once rather than one piece at a time.

Other good major home improvements include replacing old carpets and flooring with new, more durable products; adding a garage or carport if your home does not have one; installing central air conditioning; repairing or adding a fireplace; upgrading your basement space; replacing old windows with new energy-efficient ones; adding terraces, wooden decks and fences that add privacy; and investing in landscaping that adds value and is easy to keep up.

Making your home attractive doesn’t always require major renovations. Changing the colour scheme, repainting, hanging new window coverings and installing new lighting and flooring can help give your home the facelift it needs without breaking your budget.

Improving the “look” of your home not only makes it more attractive and comfortable, but may also increase the market value of your property. If, however, you are hoping to recoup your home improvement costs someday soon, stay away from specialized improvements such as pools, saunas, gyms, greenhouses and dark rooms. These are the types of improvements which -while they may be personally appealing -have little demand and, as a result, little added value.

The wisest improvements in any home are those that bring it up to the standards of other properties in the immediate area. If most properties have garages, central air, home office and fireplaces, these are well-worth adding. Improvements to enhance the exterior of your home -such as fencing, decks, shade trees, shrubs and landscaping -can also add value.

Before you begin your home improvement project, determine your style. It is best to choose colours and decorations and stick to one style. Chances are you won’t be replacing all the furniture and fixtures in your home, so try to work any new colour schemes with the furnishings you have. For continuity and to create spaciousness, maintain the same colour scheme throughout the living areas of the home, varying only the accent colour from room to room. Break away from these rules in your personal spaces, such as bedrooms and bathrooms.

When it comes to home decorating, colour and paint are your best friends. Colours can visually enlarge or reduce the size of a room, and can heighten or lower a ceiling. One of the best ways to update your home is to use paint. Paint can transform dated cupboards and vanities into bright new features in a room. The splashy colours and techniques available can add life to almost anything. You can brighten old floors and even give them a faux tile look using paint and polyurethane. Paint can also do wonders to the exterior of your home.

Do your windows provide a beautiful view? If so, be sure to keep the window coverings light and simple. If privacy is an issue, however, you will want to consider heavier fabric or blinds or blinds that offer privacy while still allowing the light to shine through. There are so many colours and types of window coverings to choose from that you will have little trouble finding something both eye-catching and functional.Lighting can change the mood of a room. Bright lights stimulate activity; dim lights help you relax. Install dimmers for flexible mood lighting. If you want to create a warm atmosphere, use small pools of light instead of general lighting. The exterior of your home will also benefit from spotlights and floodlights that highlight your garden, walls and other features.

A ceiling skylight will dramatically increase the sense of extra space in a room and let in more light than a window the same size. It can transform a dark area into a brightly lit living space. Ventilating skylights can let in air as well. If your budget is too tight to install a skylight, try adding recessed floodlights to a ceiling or track lighting in areas you want to brighten.It’s amazing what homeowners have discovered under the rug. If your home has old wall-to-wall carpeting, take a peek to see if there is hardwood underneath. Wood floors may only need polishing or sanding down and sealing with polyurethane to restore them to their original beauty. Even when they can’t be restored, wood floors can still be rescued with paint.

If you decide on new flooring, consider the wear and tear the room will have. Hard-wear areas like the kitchen and bathrooms benefit from resilient flooring choices such as ceramic and vinyl tiles. You can give any floor extra character by adding inexpensive area rugs, even over wall-to-wall carpeting.Many home improvement stores, paint stores, wallpaper outlets, etc. offer free decorating advice. Take advantage of this service during the planning stages of your make over. Ask for samples of paint colours and fabric and take them home to ponder. Above all, take your time and be sure you choose a colour or fabric you will enjoy for a long time.

Drain Cleaner That is Earth Friendly

Posted on July 22, 2020February 6, 2021 by realestatejuice

Drain Cleaner That is Earth Friendly

Drains in a house get clogged, either from debris that has been flushed or from tree roots that have grown into the main line of the household sewage system. Regardless of the severity of the clog, homemade drain cleaner can be made easily and tried first before resorting to more expensive means. Please also see the latest development at Phoenix Residences.

Why Drains Get CloggedSometimes a drain will get clogged because too much grease or fatty debris has been poured down the drain and the grease has congealed once it has cooled. Other times a drain becomes clogged because debris has bunched up in the pipe or in the case of main sewer lines, tree roots have grown into the pipes, causing blockages.

Simple Steps to Unclog a Blocked DrainIt is wise and time savi

Drain Cleaner That is Earth Friendlyng to start with the easiest way to unblock a clogged drain first. Pour boiled water down the drain. If the blockage is due to congealed grease, boiled water will be enough to take care of the blocked drain. Boiled water is hot enough to melt congealed grease and it is a simple, cheap way to take care of a drain that is blocked by fatty materials.

If the drain is still clogged after several kettles of boiled water, pour a cup of vinegar down the drain and wait about 30 minutes. The acidity of vinegar may break up materials that are clogging the drain without the need for any further chemicals.

Homemade Drain Cleaner is Simple to MakeIf boiled water and vinegar do not unclog a blocked drain, a simple solution made of vinegar and baking soda is the next step to take to break up the blockage.

Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain followed quickly with two cups of vinegar. The solution will create a significant amount of bubbles that will travel down the drain to clog. The acidic solution created by the mixture of vinegar and baking soda will attack the debris clogged in the drain and should be the last step needed to take care of the problem.

Homemade drain cleaner can be used to work on bigger plumbing problems as well. If the main line sewer pipe is blocked, the same steps taken to unclog a drain can be used to try and unblock the main sewer line. Repeat each step in every drain in the house, including toilets, showers and all sinks. The amount of homemade solution that gets to the mainline will be significant.

Homemade drain cleaner is acidic enough to dissolve tree roots that are causing problems with the main sewer line. If drains continue to drain slowly, continue the process of flushing homemade drain cleaner down the drains to ensure that the main sewer line is getting enough drain cleaner to take care of invading tree roots.

Read more at Suite101: Homemade Drain Cleaner that is Earth Friendly: Safe and effective solutions created from every day materials https://web.archive.org/web/20100405010736/http://home-plumbing.suite101.com/article.cfm/homemade-drain-cleaner-that-is-earth-friendly#ixzz0kBRzMECr

Real Estate Developer City Developments Limited

Posted on June 16, 2020December 16, 2020 by realestatejuice

City Developments Limited Real Estate Developer

City Developments Limited alias CDL is a real estate company that is based in Singapore. It is one of the most successful real estate companies in the globe since it has connections widely. It has ties in almost all countries in the world. CDL does not only deal with housing people but also branches into the hotel industry with several successful hotels, including Millennium & Copthorne, based in London. City Developments Limited is a household name when it comes to real estate. The company has been in business for over 50 years, and they have built and sold property that expands over 20 million square feet in that time. The figure also comprises of building dream homes for over 40,000 people. These figures attest to the amount of hard work and dedication to the management team upholds. City Developments Limited is the largest and most successful real estate company in Singapore. CDL has projects in China, the UK, and America. Employees at CDL are always there to help customers. Their customer care team is ready 24/7 and willing to assist. There are ways you can get in touch with them through their social media platform and toll-free lines.

Just like other big stories and developments of great businesses, City Developments Limited started its journey over 50 years ago in 1963 in an office in Malaysia. At the time, they only had eight employees. During that period, their primary source of income was homes. They found homes and sold them to willing buyers. The team’s dedication lifted them from a rented space to buying their first office in the heart of Malaysia. Upon the death of their founder, CDL had made a name for themselves. With over 20 properties, and had started venturing the hotel industry. They also deal with malls and other such areas of business. They have built many shopping malls and also develop d others that required a re-boost.

City Developments Limited has won many prizes for their work in real estate. This is attributed to the outstanding work as the competition in the recent world cannot be dismissed to be minute. CDL also has several other rewards for their action in environmental conservation, and this shows that CDL is an all-round company that cares for the environment. His is a good way in which CDL has also given back to the community. City Developments Limited has also made many contributions to the communities they are based in by making their lives better. They have also participated in various CSR projects

Today City Developments Limited has offices all over the world with thousands of workers. Various prospective customers can easily get their services all around the world as it is even closer. A dream that started with only eight employees now has thousands of people working for them with property and hotels across the globe. CDL has ties in more than 25 countries and offices in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Liang Court BidAlong with the renovation, the consortium plans to revive the river promenade flanking the property, following a draft plan of 2019 by the Renovation Authority to enhance the territory’s vibrancy. That is relied upon to create group exercises around the proposed project, improve footfall, and enable pedestrian accessibility along the Singapore River.

The renovation of Liang Court denotes another coordinated effort between CDL and CapitaLand following a year ago’s capable joint offer to build up a commercial and private project in Sengkang Central on Buangkok station. The 680house individual section of the integrated development, Sengkang Grand project, has sold 235 units since its dispatch.

After ongoing sales accomplishment at Sengkang Grand Residences, we are respected to accomplice CapitaLand on one more integrated renovation that will change Clarke Quay. That will make it one of Singapore’s most energizing entertainment precincts. With different frontages and convenient access to Fort Canning, the Liang Court project has extraordinary locational attributes for an integrated development comprising private, hotel, and overhauled residence components. By saddling the qualities and capacities of the considerable number of partners included, we intend to transform the project into an iconic milestone along the Singapore River.

The Singapore River planning territory is a dynamic local and international symbol – home to a heap of social, legacy, and way of life contributions. They are arranged in the core of Clarke Quay. This is Singapore’s most popular riverfront way of life and entertainment precinct. This integrated project is joined by River Valley Road from the Central Expressway. It appreciates an excellent network using public vehicles going straight to Fort Canning on the Downtown Line and is a short stroll from Clarke Quay Station on the North-East Line. The property is likewise connected to an overhead pedestrian bridge that gives straight access to Fort Canning Park, a notable chronicled hilltop milestone.

Using Your Hard Earned Sweat Money to Get 125% Equity Loan

Posted on June 4, 2020 by realestatejuice

A 125% equity loan or 125% home equity line of credit enables one to borrow up to 125% of the value of one’s home or equity in one’s home. Popular now, 125% equity loans allow people to borrow to pay for college, home improvements, pay off credit card debts and even purchase new properties. The downside of the 125% equity loan is that it is so appealing that some people end up borrowing over their heads.

This Lending Network offers customized, competitive home equity, second mortgage, and refinance rates on loans up to 125% of the appraised value of your home.

Many lenders are willing to lend borrowers up to 125% of the home’s value, minus the first mortgage’s balance. This can be used for loan consolidation or for other priorities such as buying a new car. The 125% LTV or Loan-To-Value really took off in 1997 as has never looked back since. Loan-To-Value simply means the ratio between the fair market value of a home and the percentage of that value that is still owed to the lenders.

The 125% equity loan is an off-shoot of the second mortgage loans offered in the early 1990’s, which were primarily used for home improvements. These home improvements would generally increase the value in a home so there was a tangible pay-off for these loans. The 125% equity loan now days is most often used for debt consolidation rather than home improvements, though it really can be used for whatever the borrower wishes.

The average 125% equity loan is from $10,000 to $50,000, which can be used to consolidate credit card debt, pay off student loans and often-times have some cash left over for home improvement or personal use. The 125% equity loan has been heavily marketed over the past several years, on radio and television by smaller firms willing to take the risk as lenders. Traditional mortgage companies are now coming on board since the profit margin is quite in the lender’s favor.

Credit card debt is at an all-time high now and borrowers are taking advantage of the 125% equity loans to help with this relief. The popular 125% equity loans are not for everyone, however, as consumers wishing to qualify for a 125% LTV loan will need a FICO credit score of 650-700 or above. In order to receive these loans, borrowers will also need good jobs, stead incomes and good payment histories to receive the required scores. The ideal candidate for this kind of loan is a borrower with considerable debt but who has always been able to pay the bills and simply needs some relief.

Sweat equity is equity in a business or home that is the direct result of hard work by the owner or owners. Sweat equity is solely based on the time and effort of the contributors in contrast to financial equity, which is based on the monetary contribution to a home or project. The term sweat equity is sometimes used in partnership agreements when one or more partners contribute time, energy, creativity and effort instead of capitol.

It’s true that one of the most valuable assets you have in your home is your own hard work. Learn how to make money with fixer-uppers.

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The term sweat equity can also be applied to the value added by owners of real estate who make improvements based on their own efforts. The greater labor applied to a home, the greater the increase in value is the general rule. Also, the greater the labor, the more sweat equity has been used up. Typical sweat equity projects are home improvement efforts which add the most value to a home. Paint, wallpaper and carpeting projects undertaken by the owner can mean greater value to a property than other projects and thus involves a greater sweat equity in that property.

Improving kitchens and bathrooms offer opportunities to increase a home’s value the greatest and thus efforts in these areas by the owners equate to greater sweat equity. In addition, and owner-built home or an addition to a home built by the owner offer the greatest sweat equity opportunities.

Purchasing a modular home also offers opportunity for sweat equity savings off the retail price of a home. Many times, home can be purchased for wholesale prices when the owners decide to take on some of the sweat equity projects themselves. Such sweat equity projects may include: electrical, plumbing, drywall, painting, carpentry, siding or brickwork or other project needed to finish a home. The owner has the ability to save money and build equity using hard work at the same time. With this kind of sweat equity, the owner can also reduce their initial loan amount, saving considerable principal and interest payments in the future.

Some charitable organizations use sweat equity to build low income housing for those who cannot afford it. By organizing many skilled and unskilled people to work on a home at the same time, these charities can often do most of the labor for free while many times materials are donated. The sweat equity in homes such as these are in the 90 to 100-percent area and are based solely on the hard work and labor of many willing participants.

Home Insurance and Mortgage Protection Insurance For Your Home

Posted on May 30, 2020February 6, 2021 by realestatejuice

Just because you live in a state that is a low risk for something like a tornado or a hurricane does not mean you will get away with no high-risk insurance. In fact, you maybe unfortunate enough to live in an area considered a flood plane. If this is the case, most home insurance companies do not even cover flood insurance, but will require you to go through the National Flood Insurance agency.

If you are living in an area where you will need high risk insurance, insurance companies you call regarding premiums will most likely inform you of your needs for insurance and whether or not these will be covered by their basic policy. Be certain that you understand that you may or may not be covered for hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wind and hail damage resulting from natural disasters. Please see the latest condo for your updates.

You may be required to purchase additional insurance, or if the homeowners insurance company does not cover this type of damage, they will refer you to another company that does. Be sure you get covered for high risk insurance right away, because if you wait until hurricane or tornado season arrives to discuss this matter with your insurance company, they will likely not allow you to seek extra coverage.

Something else you need to keep in mind is that different states will have different deductibles and different rates of liability. This should all be explained by a local insurance agent. You can still use a nationwide company, but they will likely refer you to a local agent through their company that deals with your state, county or city specifically.

If you have considered getting by without homeowners insurance, think again. Most mortgage lenders will not even process your home loan paperwork unless you have already signed up for home insurance. Often, they will include your yearly insurance payment in your monthly escrow mortgage payment. This means they will charge you for the amount of the yearly premium and then pay off the homeowners insurance company to insure it gets paid.

When you call to secure insurance for your home, they will ask a series of questions relating to the exterior and interior of your home to determine the value. You will likely be given two different coverage plans, one for the cost to replace the interior of the home and one to replace just the shell of the home, or the exterior. The exterior is usually at least the price you paid when you purchased the home. The interior will include your personal items, as well as appliances.

Different states also have various policies regarding the cancellation of a homeowners insurance policy. Some states will allow for the company to cancel your policy within the first 30-60 days of setting up the policy if the insurance company can provide sufficient reason. Most state laws require that the company inform the policy owner by mailing a 10-day notice. This means that they cannot send you a policy cancellation notice on the same day they cancel your insurance.

If you have had the insurance policy for over 60 days, there are only a few reasons why the policy can be cancelled. Commonly cited reasons include failure to pay the premium or finding out the policy owner had previous charges of fraudulence insurance or home related arson charges.

Mortgage protection insurance comes in a couple of different varieties. With mortgage protection insurance one can protect a home after loss of job or loss of life. Mortgage protection insurance that covers your mortgage payments when you die is really mortgage protection life insurance. This type of mortgage protection insurance may not offer as much as a term life insurance policy, so a comparison should be made between these two types of policies, when deciding how best to protect your family.

Mortgage protection insurance for your life can also be extended to that of your spouse as well and is generally much cheaper than buying two separate policies. When applying for this type of policy, insurers take the applicant’s age, whether they are a smoker or non-smoker, and the value of the death benefits into account. In addition, the premium stays stable over the life of the policy.

The other type of mortgage protection insurance covers mortgage payments during job loss. This type of insurance may not cover self-employed workers or contract workers or active military personnel. Benefits of the job loss mortgage protection insurance may be paid directly to the mortgage company and not the home owner. In addition, some insurers can opt out of writing policies for regions hard hit by lay-offs and high unemployment numbers.

Mortgage protection insurance should not be confused with Private Mortgage Insurance. Private mortgage insurance offers limited protection in that it only pays off a portion of your loan if you default, whereas mortgage protection insurance will pay off your entire loan when you die or helps you with your payments because of job loss. If you’ve purchased a home with less than a 20-percent down payment, your lender most likely required you to purchase private mortgage insurance. Private mortgage insurance will get you into a home, but mortgage protection insurance keeps the payments steady during rough times.

Ways to Do It Yourself For Your Kitchen and Bathroom

Posted on May 25, 2020 by realestatejuice

I’ve worked at Latitude for over 6 years and finally, my family and I decided to replace our laminate countertops with granite countertops. For a long time, we weren’t able to afford or take the time to upgrade our kitchen and bathrooms. But after almost 20 years of living in the same house, it was time. As with most home renovation projects, it started with one thing that we wanted to replace – the toilets (they were gross and the ceramic was yellow) – but became a large, all encompassing project. Our thought that was since we’re replacing the toilets, we should replace the bathtub and the sinks so they’d all be white. The bathtub and tiles also needed to go; they had mildew and were gross. Well, if we were changing the sinks, might as well change the countertops. If we were changing the bathroom countertops, we should change the kitchen countertops. Now we can’t have beautiful countertops and ugly cabinets, so we’ll paint them (when I say we, I meant me)! Plus, we wanted to do everything on a budget.

We saved a lot of money by painting the cabinets, removing the countertops ourselves and we purchased granite countertops from Latitude’s remnant material. The prices are marked down so much that essentially, you are only paying for the labour and even that had been discounted. Since I work at Latitude, I’ve been scoping out the remnants as jobs get cut. For the kitchen, I found a beautiful piece of Crema Bourdeaux and for the vanities I got Black Galaxy. I’m lucky because our kitchen is small and there are no seams. When looking for remnant granite and quartz for your kitchen countertops and there are seams, you must find pieces that are from the same lot or be able to get it from the same piece. Any time two pieces are seamed together they must come from the same block, piece or lot, so that when the pieces meet, the colours are matched as closely as possible.

I had a templator come in and template all the bathrooms and the kitchen. They come in with a digital plotter that is accurate within the millimetre. Of course I knew all this before they came to my house, but it was still impressive to see how the granite fits like a glove around the odd corners in the kitchen and in my mom’s bathroom.
cabinets before Kitchen & Bath DIY Reno

The night before the installation I removed all our countertops, disconnected the plumbing and installed shut-off valves. Removing the countertops was easy; disconnecting the plumbing and installing the shut off valves was a little trickier – considering that before this I didn’t even know where the main shut off for the water was in the house (I found it close to the water heater). Once you shut the water off, don’t disconnect the faucet right away. It’s a good idea to turn all the faucets on to drain any water that is caught in the pipes; even then, keep a bucket with you. I had a few unexpected “fountains”.

You will need 2 wrenches to detach the plumbing. I used compression shut-off valves and purchased them from the Home Depot. Not knowing what size I needed, I armed myself with a nut that I removed from the pipes and headed out to the Home Depot. There, I matched the nut that I removed to the nut that was on the bottom of the shut-off valve (the handle of the valve points down in the open position and a quarter turn up will stop the water).

To install the shut-off valves: I unscrewed the nut and removed the bearing from the bottom, placed the nut, then the bearing, then finally the actual shut-off valve on the pipe and screwed the nut on to the shut-off valve. It says to “not over-tighten” on the package but that doesn’t mean “finger” tighten; I learned that after another set of fountains when I tried to turn the main water back on. You will need to tighten with a wrench!

Detaching the sink for the piping was easy. So was detaching the laminate countertops from the wall and the cabinets. First thing you do to remove the countertops is to take a knife and score between the wall and the laminate backsplash. Next, unscrew everything that holds the countertop to the cabinets. The vanities and the countertops without the kitchen sink I was able to remove myself, but the kitchen countertop with the sink is easier to remove with help so that the top can be lifted straight up. Lifting it at an angle makes it harder for the Sink to disengage from the pipes. The same issue can occur when removing the bathroom countertops but because of the smaller size, you can lift it out straight up yourself.

I removed all the cabinet doors before the installation so that I could paint the cabinet frames before the installation but it is recommended that you keep the cabinet doors on so that the installers can ensure that the doors and drawers can open with the countertop on.

The installers were great!! First thing they did when they came into the house was lay down drop cloths! They have to keep their steel toe boots on for safety reasons, which is completely understandable. I don’t even want to think about how much it would hurt to drop a piece of granite on my toes. They inspected all the cabinets to make sure they were level (which they were). This is very important since an unlevel countertop can cause cracks and the seam to break in the future. The installers can shim it up a little bit but how much they can shim it will depend on the edge you choose (can’t shim ¾” and 1 ¼” edges since the shims will show). They check to make sure the sinks will fit in the cabinets.

If they don’t fit, they (the installers) will cut away at some of the cabinet supports (don’t worry, they wouldn’t cut any gables that would compromise the integrity of the cabinets). Then they brought in all the pieces and placed them on the cabinets for a dry fit and made any adjustments to the tops. The tops were then siliconed into place along with the sinks. Before the sinks were installed, I attached the faucets to the top (a great idea from Bob Gilson, the CFO of Latitude) since it would be really difficult to install them after the sink is in. I would have had to wedge myself in the cabinet and try to tighten and screw things in and knowing me, I’d probably get stuck and create a third fountain if I waited till the sinks were in.

The installers took a lot of care when they siliconed the wall and the countertops to prevent gaps where water could seep in. All in all, they did a beautiful job. I was very impressed! AND they cleaned and vacuumed after themselves, which I really appreciated.

Roofing Options For Your Home to Keep You Home Green

Posted on May 25, 2020 by realestatejuice

Looking for a way to reduce your energy costs? If you consult your local energy company, you will likely receive a brochure explaining how to wrap your pipes, put a blanket around your hot water heater, plugging cracks and holes through which drafts can flow, and adding reflective coatings to your windows. No harm in any of that, and it’s a good start. But for homeowners, there is a better place to start – start at the top, with your roof.

Why start with the roof? For the same reason that your mother tells you to wear a hat outside in snowy weather – just as most of your body heat is lost through your head, most of your home’s heat is lost through the roof. Heat rises.

Likewise, your roof is the part of your home that is most exposed to the sun, so the question of whether your home will absorb the sun’s heat or reflect it back into the atmosphere is decided right there – on the roof.

Homeowners don’t like to mess with their roofs, and for good reason – roof work can be expensive. But there are a range of options, and if you are considering an ecofriendly option such as installing solar panels, you may qualify for state or federal tax subsidies that will help to defray the cost. (To find out what subsidies exist in your area, check the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, DSIRE, or try this calculator).

If you are considering making your roof a part of your home’s energy efficiency plan, you will need to begin by answering the following questions:

What material do you want to use for your roof?
What color should your roof be?
Do you want to add solar panels or solar shingles to your roof in order to capture solar energy for electricity or to provide heat for water?

These days, homeowners have many roofing materials to choose from. Most Americans (about 75 percent) go for cheap asphalt shingles – but cheap is the best that can be said of asphalt as a roofing material. It doesn’t insulate well, it is generally not recyclable at the end of its life, and its life is not long.

On the other end of the economic spectrum, affluent homeowners will often choose wood shingles, such as cedar shakes, or slate. These options are all natural, insulate well, and are expensive. But cedar often comes from old-growth forests and slate is a non-renewable resource. Moreover, wood shingles will swell and shrink over time, producing cracks and resulting in moisture damage. Clay tiles are more durable and are made from a renewable, sustainable material, but they are so expensive that most homeowners can only manage to use them as accent materials along the edges of roofs.

Somewhere in the middle, you have metal roofs. Metal roofs insulate well, they have high solar reflectance (meaning they stay cooler in the summer), they last a long time, and they are frequently made from recycled metals (and can be recycled themselves at the end of their lives). But they can be somewhat expensive.

Nowadays, there is another option: recycled roofing materials. Believe it or not, you can now make your roof from recycled plastic, carpet, or tires. You can also opt for reclaimed or sustainably grown wood.

If you want to generate electric power on your roof, or at least collect enough heat to warm up water, you may want to start with a basic metal roof. A standing-seam metal roof can work well as a base for thin-film photovoltaic panels. You’ll be following in reputable footsteps – President Barack Obama is adding solar panels to the White House roof this year, as is Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Solar panels can be expensive – most solar panel systems cost at least $2,000 to $3,000 to install, and many cost more, depending on the system and the particular circumstances at your home. Solar panel systems pay for themselves within a few years, but that doesn’t help when you are trying to scrape together the money for the installation.

There is also another solar roofing option – solar shingles. Solar shingles may be an ideal solution if by chance you have a roof that is already shingled, but is losing shingles in (preferably) a south-facing location where you can free up 300 to 400 feet of roof space. If you need to replace shingles anyway, you may as well replace the old shingles with matching solar shingles (they are designed to blend in with the asphalt shingles that most American homes use). Like solar panels, solar shingles can be connected to your local energy grid, so that if you produce excess electricity, it can go back into the system and your electric company can reimburse you for it. By absorbing heat from the sun, solar shingles can also reduce the amount of heat that your home absorbs, so you may find that you do not need to run an air conditioner as much in the summer. Don’t expect to go entirely off-grid with solar shingles – shingles do not store solar energy (unless you have also added batteries to hold stored energy, but adding batteries can add as much as $10,000 to your shingle installation costs), so you will need your regular electric grid at night. Homeowners who choose this option find that the solar shingles pay for themselves in about 8 to 10 years, while they last for 20-40 years (depending on climate and maintenance).

Solar panels and shingles not only pay for themselves over time by allowing you to sell power back to your electric company, but they add to the value of your home. According to a recent study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 72,000 California homeowners who added solar panels to their roofs saw their home values rise by an average of $17,000 when they put their homes on the market. Consequently, you may be able to roll the cost of installation over into your mortgage.

Unless you are a roofing contractor yourself or have equivalent experience, don’t try to install your own roof. Find a contractor who is experienced in the kind of roof that you plan to put in place. If you are adding solar panels or solar shingles, you will also need an electrician. Be aware, as well, that if you are replacing a roof that was originally installed between 1940 and 1975, you may need to hire someone to do asbestos remediation. Finally, don’t forget to check your local building codes (or better yet, work with a contractor who is intimately familiar with them). Be sure, as well, to check with your homeowner’s insurance company to find out if the change in roofing materials will affect your insurance premiums.