Friday, May 22, 2015

Benefits of Buying a Home Over Renting by National Records Office

National Records Office provides necessary information to prospective homebuyers. In response to a recent article on NationalRecordsOffice.com, the company spotlights some of the benefits to buying a home as opposed to renting. The decision comes down to what is right for each person, but each side has its advantages and disadvantages.



The article focuses on two major considerations: time and money. Stacy Johnson, founder of Money Talks News, discusses the finer points of each. Johnson says that owning a home is more beneficial overall if the homeowner is looking to stay at least five years. Renting a home saves time and expenses. When something breaks, the landlord is responsible for repairs. Homeowners are responsible for their own upkeep and repair. They must repair it themselves or find someone else to do the work and this can become costly.



On the plus side to ownership, homebuyers can renovate as they please. The only restrictions are imagination, budget, and local zoning laws. Renters are generally very limited in what they are allowed to change. For people who enjoy moving from place to place, renting is a good option. It is also preferable for those who don't want the burden of home repairs. But for someone who wants to create the home of their dreams, buying is probably the best choice.



Next, Johnson focuses on the money involved. Rentals often require first month's rent, a security deposit, and maybe a pet deposit up front. For a rental that costs $750 a month, the total cost would come in under $2,000. Buyers, on the other hand, are responsible for a down payment, closing costs, and other fees. These exceed the cost of rent substantially. Johnson estimates that for a house worth $185,000, the owner will spend nearly $45,000. This is assuming a 20 percent down payment on the home. When he breaks this down into monthly payments, it exceeds what the owner would have paid to rent. And that doesn't include other expenses such as taxes, insurance, or maintenance.



The advantage to buying a home is that eventually the homeowner will pay off the mortgage. This means they own the house. A renter will continue to pay monthly, and rent will probably increase. Online calculators are only helpful in the process to a point. They often require input of information that the homebuyer has no way of knowing.



"Buying a house is a very important step in someone's life," says a spokesman for National Records Office. "A prospective buyer has to make sure they plan to keep the property long term because there are high sales expenses involved. It is not as easy as renting a property and then moving to a different one a short time later." Because transaction costs are high, is it more difficult to recoup costs when selling after only a short time. The buyer is likely to lose money.



National Records Office helps prospective buyers to research the property before they make a decision. This can help them determine if it fits their needs and is a good long-term investment. The company looks into crime rates, school data, and other information about the area. National Records Office saves buyers the time, money, and hassle of researching themselves and provides valuable data at their fingertips.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Real Estate Investing and the Stock Market

Real Estate Investing and the Stock Market



Is real estate a good investment or are stocks better? This is a question that has puzzled investors for many years. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. At the same time each of these investments has their own unique qualities. In order to decide which one is right for you, you must understand all of the pros and cons of each.

Real estate is a more tangible type of an investment. You can physically see it and touch it and perhaps even live in it. The two primary types of real estates are residential and commercial. Residential being those structures that people will actually live in. Commercial real estate is where people operate and maintain their businesses. Typically a down payment is made on a real estate investment that is usually a percentage of the total price of the property. The owners can then utilize their new property to generate an income for themselves.

Is There a Downside to Investing in Real Estate?




There are downsides to investing in real estate. The major one is that it is an illiquid type of investment. This means you usually will not see an income generate from it right away. It may take a few years or longer to see a profit, if you do see one at all. Another disadvantages is that the real estate market tends to fluctuate. This means that: by the time you are ready to sell your property, its value (or demand in the market itself) may go down.

Now we shall take a look at investing in the stock market. Stocks in general are a much more volatile type of investment: however they can yield a much higher return on investment. With stocks the investor gets partial ownership in a company. When the market is doing well, you will do well. However; when the market is doing poorly, you will lose money on the company you invested in. Typically most investors in the stock market own a variety of different stocks in different companies at the same time. Most of the time an expert stockbroker is hired to make strategic decisions for the investor.

The Upside in Real estate Investing and the Stock Market



Some positive aspects of investing in stock is that they are extremely liquid. This means a person will be likely to see positive results from his investments relatively quickly. They are fairly easy to buy and sell. Negative points about stocks are directly linked to the current economy. When the economy is doing badly, stock investments will usually mirror this and do badly themselves. A person can lose a lot of money in the stock market if they are not careful. It is best to use a broker rather than do it on your own, as they are highly trained in how to maneuver money in the market.
The real estate market has its highs and lows but with the right knowledge you will make the right decision to the next profitable investment asset.







Home Improvement: Updating Your Bathroom on a Budget by National Records Office

Home Improvement: Updating Your Bathroom on a Budget


We have all watched the home improvement shows where the remodeler approaches you in the middle of Home Depot and does all the design, labor work and installation work makes a bathroom look so easy and doable to the average person. But when it’s just you and a very limited budget, can you still get a great look in the bathroom and not spend all your money? Yes, you can.

Removing Old Underlayment Adhesive Tile



One of the easiest ways to start updating your bathroom is to find where the main problem is coming from. This is the source of the problem the thing that’s making your bathroom scream “Help”. Maybe it’s the old bathtub that has been there since the turn of the century. Find the thing in the bathroom that’s crying out for help and tackle it first.

One easy way to correct the problem is to remove the yellowing underlayment adhesive tile that has been pealing and collecting mole for years. Underlayment tile is a cheap way to create the tile illusion of real tile for a fraction of the cost, look at National Records Office DIY to get an idea. The downside is that it will start to peal in a few short years and water will collect and mold will grow.

Another good thing to update will be the lighting. Old fixtures could easily be swapped out, and is one of the easiest and quickest changes on the budget.

If you have old wallpaper in your bathroom go ahead and remove it and update it with a fresh coat of paint, a nice white coat will go along way.


Don’t let it Sink Down With You

If your sink hasn’t been replaced in 6+ years you might be in need of a new one. A modern sink that matches your tub and toilet will look great and will make a big difference. Sometimes replacing the faucets on your old sink for new shinny fixtures isn’t enough. Sinks will collect hair, soap particles and other things over time that will cause to build up and create a bad odor.

Don’t overlook storage. Employ storage towers for bathroom supplies and to make a statement. Think like a home stager and do fast changes such as new curtains, new towels and new updated accessories to help complete you new look.

The Shower is What Makes the Bathroom




The shower is what makes the bathroom that’s why the shower is so important. Depending on the space you have you could upgrade it with a water saving shower-head or an even a hot tub with a few jets inside. If your space is limited, a walk in shower would be best. In many home improvement shows and magazines the frameless sliding shower is a top pick and it screams out “elegance”.  The shower is an important part of the house so updating it is crucial.

 Home improvement projects are not always cheap but the results are worth all the trouble.






Friday, May 1, 2015

Rental Property Investing Tips For Beginners and Advice

Rental Property Investing Tips For Beginners and Advice

property-investment-national-records-office-rental
We all hear about property and investing on TV, in the newspaper but what really is property investingNational Records Office made it really easy to understand the basics to help those who are interested in turning property into assets.
One of the questions that often come up relating to buy to let is the question of taxation, ands how to save tax. The basics of buy to let taxation are too complicated. You add the profit onto you income and depending whether you fall into the 20% tax bracket of the 40% or 45% you pay tax at the rate, Beware, because by adding the profit from your property investing onto your salary you may pass from the lower bracket into the higher bracket.
There is some good news – there are no national insurance contributions usually because these are paid with your salary, and the Inland Revenue doesn’t class buy to let as trading or working (obviously they don’t have a lot of experience as a landlord!) The key figure is the profit figure. This is your rental income less expenses.

What is Rental Income? And is it Necessary?

rental-property-income-national-records-office
The rental income is the rent received. This is the gross amount of rent received, the amount before deducting agents fees. So, if the rent is $1,500 a month or $14,400 a year, the amount of rent is 14,000 and not the $13,000 so that you actually receive from the agent.

Beware of Hidden Expenses

Some expenses are not obvious and you need to go through the monthly statements for your letting agent (if you are using one) to find them. You can add the VAT as an expense because you are not registered for VAT and so will not be able to receive it. For example if a repair costs $100 and there is 20% VAT added your bill would be $120. The $120 is the amount of the expense that can be deducted.

Don’t Forget about the Agents Fees

Each month your agents should send you a statement, and perhaps one at the end of the tax year for the whole year. If you dot receive an annual bill for the tax year ask your agent if they will provide one. Check what you receive from the agent carefully as they are prone to making mistake! Agent’s fees are typically 10% or 12%. However, VAT is added onto them so the final bill is much higher. The 12% figure becomes 14.4%

Mortgage Interest

mortgage-national-records-office-property
Only the amount of interest is tax deduction. The capital repayment part is not deduction. If you have an interest only mortgage the amount of interest remains the same.
With a repayment mortgage you are repaying a part of the amount borrowed each month, so the interest amount varies each month. Every year you should receive a statement from your mortgage provider, which will tell you the amount of interest that you paid. Some are better than others at automatically providing it, so be prepared to request one if you do not receive it by June.

Don’t Forget about Service Charges

If you have a flat there will be a service charge. This may include the buildings insurance or even some utilities. You should receive an annual bill from the service company. As this typically for a calendar year you may need to apportion the bill say 3 months of one year and 9 months of another, because the United States tax year is from 6 April to 5 April (although many people take from April 1st to March 31st as it’s easier and not much different)

What is Ground Rent?

Ground rent is the amount you pay to the freeholder. As a legal term, Ground rent specifically refers to regular payments made by a holder of a leasehold property to the freeholder or a superior Leaseholder, as required under a lease. In this sense, a ground rent is created when a freehold piece of land is sold on a long lease or leases

Is Insurance Deductible?

deduction-national-records-office
Insurance is deductible, but be careful because the insurance contract is not usually for the same period as the tax year. You will have to calculate how many months of each premium relate to the tax year.

Travel Deduction

Some travel costs are tax deductible in the United States. Costs that are not deductible are the ones to see properties that you do not end up buying and travel to your parents with a side trip to a property is not deductible. However, inspection visits, repair visits or showing the property to prospective tenants is. The trick is to claim mileage of 45 points per mile for the journey, and support this with a petrol receipt (even though the amounts will be different). Obviously of you travel by subway, train or bus you should deduct the receipted amount.

Annual Gas Inspection

You should deduct the invoice receive from the contractor. However, it may be included in the agent’s bills if the agent has arranged it.
Other – telephone, stationary, tax advice, legal fees…keep the receipts and deduct accordingly.

Repairs, Repairs and More Repairs

repair-national-records-office
Repairs are tax-deductible expenses, but you need to understand what is a repair. A repair is basically fixing something that is broken on a like for like basis. If you improve something it is not a repair. So fixing a leaking tap is a repair, but replacing it with a much better one is an improvement. You need to be careful because if you replace a broken wooden fence with metal railing this could be seen as an improvement. Improvements generally add value to the property. Repairs fix broken things.

Wear and Tear Allowance

This is 10% allowance given by HMRC if you rent the property furnished. You must choose to claim it, it won’t be given automatically, and it applies only to furnished lettings. Essentially it is an allowance for the depreciation or use of the fixtures and fittings, and cover wear and tear to beds, sofas, table and chairs. Note that it does not cover repairs to the infrastructure such as the roof or heating system. If you have to repair the roof you can still deduct the cost.

Tax Tips:


  • Claim for everything and keep the receipts

  • Don’t forget to claim for advertising for tenants, travel costs for going to the property and shopping people around.

  • Don’t forget any council tax or utility bills if the property was empty.

  • Consider putting the property (or some of it) in a partner’s name if they are in a lower tax bracket e.g. in the 20% bracket whilst you are in the 40% bracket. Also, Remember to keep receipts for everything.
Do not try to cheat the taxman – they have years of experience and know the approximate amount of profit you should get, and what percentage each expense usually is. So if there are some unusually high expenses be prepared to answer some questions and to provide receipts. Trying not to declare any rental income is equally futile in the age of connectivity and computers.
Disclaimer
Tax laws do change and this brief guide only details the general basics of United States taxation and does not constitute tax advice. You should seek specialist advice from a tax accountant on tax related matters. Note that taxes frequently change this is a guide at today’s date only.
For more DIY projects got to our Pinterest page.




Monday, April 27, 2015

2015 Backyard Trends for Landscape| What’s Hot to Save Water

2015 Backyard Trends for Landscape| What’s Hot to Save Water
National Records Office is setting the latest landscape trends... 



Landscape design trends will focus on the backyard next year. Designers have recognized Americans’ recent renewal of enthusiasm for nesting and refocusing on home and family to create breathtaking backyard spaces. City dwellers across the country have picked up the mantra “grow food, not grass,” incorporating all types of fruits and vegetables into traditional landscape design. Herb gardens proliferate in window boxes that previously focused on colorful blossoms. Taking the trend a step further, people are also flocking to join the urban chicken-coop movement. Here are the top three backyard landscape design trends you can expect to see in 2015.


Creating Backyard Landscape Zones

You might not care much for living in a home that is one big room and, in many ways your yard is no different. Yet most of us consider the backyard to be one single space. While you probably don’t want walls diving your yard, you can create district zones designed for different purposes. Landscape designers will be taking that indoor-living ethos outside next year, creating zones for playing, dining gardening and relaxing.

Breaking the yard into smaller spaces will help you focus more easily on laying out each segment. Your dining space may simply be a grill and a bistro table, but it might also be an entire outdoor kitchen. The relaxing space might be a simple hammock in a quite corner, or an elaborate pergola with loungers and a place for yoga or meditation. Growing zones might feature a container garden, cactus collection, or your favorite rose varieties. In the play zone, consider adding lawn darts, croquet, badminton or a playhouse.


Create the Perfect Landscape Path

Design will delineate backyard zones next year with pathways. Creating an enchanting path is a perfect off-season project for your garden, before you get busy with spring planting. A garden path can become a work of art when you think beyond concrete sidewalk and stepping-stones. Use bricks or concrete payers to create an interesting chevron pattern, or use gravel bordered by mosses of varying heights. Sink large concrete squares of flagstone slabs at grade level, assuring that you can mow over them easily. Create a negative space path by using turf grass with stacked stone growing beds along each edge.


Flora and Fauna


The third design trend you will see lots more of next year is the incorporation of fauna, either domesticated or wild. The urban chicken movement is growing exponentially, as urbanites add creative coops to their backyard. Themed chicken shelters range from Victorian mansions (in chicken-sized scale, of course) to traditional red barns. Beehives are another popular backyard addition, providing a safe haven for the threatened bee population.

If keeping birds or bees isn’t your style, you can create a wildlife haven to encourage visiting birds, bugs and animals to stop by and stay for a while. Provide food, water and shelter for migrating birds and native species of all types. Rabbits, frogs, butterflies and songbirds are just some of the beautiful visitors you may see.

Your perfect spring and summer backyard design starts now. Winter is the ideal time to peruse books and website for ideas, to buy materials and start projects that will help make the cold month fly by. When spring arrives, you and your family will be ready to hit the local garden center for the flowers, fruit trees and other growing plants that complete your design. When you add some of these backyard design trends to your home, you’ve sure to be delighted by the results.

To learn more about landscaping go to national records office main website by clicking here. If you want to watch vides or go to out Pinterest.