COVID-19 INFORMATION
24/7 Call Now 1800 686 693

Posts

Top Ten Tips for taking advantage of Smart Technology in your home

/in , /by

Everywhere we look we can find the use of smart technology; in our cell phones, tablets and now in our homes.

How can you get the most from the smart technology available to you now in your home? Follow our ‘Top Ten Tips’ to discover how to take advantage of what is on offer:

smart tech

  1. Control your home through one simple smart pad: get video, data, telephone, wireless, climate, security, lighting and other factors in your home to run more efficiently through ‘on demand access’ to all of the systems in your home while you are at home or away from home.
  2. Kitchen appliances now pair with smart technology allowing you to play music or watch videos on a screen right on your fridge. Control your appliances with a smart pad, letting you turn on the oven remotely. And save water with faucets that turn on and off without touch.
  3. Smart technology is not just about remote access. It is a way to save costs, keep your family safe and make your life comfortable. For example cooktops that start only when metal comes into contact with them and shut off when the metal is removed, giving you a safer, more efficient kitchen.
  4. Consider what aspects of your home life could be made easier by having smart technology installed. Would you feel safer being able to control your alarm system, lighting and heating remotely or to be able to monitor your children via video. A professional consultant can walk through your home with you and come up with a solution to meet your needs. Being able to control your entertainment systems throughout your home, turn on lights before you pull up in the driveway and check your security system while away from home can add peace of mind and comfort to your life.
  5. Take smart technology into the bathroom and at the touch of a button select each family member’s preferences for water temperature in the shower and music to play through sound tile speakers.
  6. Save money on your water bill by using smart water fixtures that use less water while feeling totally luxurious. Choose a shower head that changes the water wave pattern to use less water. Motion sensors in faucets cut water wastage and LED lighting can show water temperature before you put your hands under it to ensure safety.
  7. Even the temperature in your home can be controlled with smart technology. A monitor that controls your home’s climate can ‘learn’ your family’s preferences and connect via Wi-Fi to control your home’s temperature from any smart device.
  8. The design of your home can be made smart, too, by careful placement of windows and doors to take advantage of the natural seasonal changes. A ‘passive’ house is one designed to heat itself in winter and cool in summer. The siting of the home takes into account the way the sun moves across the sky, the trees that surround the building and the direction of wind. Architects are using more of this technology in designing new homes.
  9. Many new ideas are being developed and will soon be in our homes; a coffee table that allows you to surf the internet while you control your home’s lighting and climate while entertaining guests is not far from reality in everyday homes. Samsung are just one of the companies working to develop these smart technologies.
  10. And, of course, automation is another smart technology we already have. The ability to open and close blinds and awning to controlling lighting and music is already part of our lives.

How to make all white all right in your home

/in , , /by

Many of us get intimidated by the idea of using white as a decorating colour, thinking that it will be too severe, too cold or too difficult to maintain, but actually all white is a great choice for a cozy, family home.

white wall

Follow our top tips to get the most out of your all white décor choices:

  1. Paint your walls white and then stand back to find out what speaks to you in your home. Do you have a great view or some architectural touches that can be highlighted and used to make your home spectacular as well as comfortable?
  2. An all white kitchen is fresh, modern and easy to maintain. All of the major appliance manufacturers and kitchen designers have a choice of all white products. Metal looks great with white so stainless steel appliances will fit in well, and a touch of copper in the lighting will highlight your white choices.
  3. Keeping white furniture clean with kids and pets isn’t a problem. Choose a fabric that you can easily clean, such as faux suede or denim and consider slip covers that can be removed to be washed when needed.
  4. Use your white background to highlight a favourite piece of art or other decorative touches. The white background will push the artwork forward, attracting the eye to it.
  5. Choose the right white. There are so many shades of white available with undertones of pink, blue, yellow, green and purple. Look at your surfaces and other choices to choose the right tone of white for your all white décor.
  6. Consider using different shades of white within the same tonal group to ‘layer’ your white décor. Upholstery in white can add texture and balance to your all white room.
  7. A base of white makes your home easily adaptable. In the autumn add some red, orange and yellow tones in throw cushions and rugs, and in the summer choose blues and greens to change up the seasonal look of your home.
  8. In an all white bathroom consider adding a wall of brightly coloured mosaic tiles in the shower or bath area to add that extra splash of style and wow factor to your elegant all white room.
  9. And remember that white isn’t just great for highlighting features such as crown molding or other aspects of your home but also is a great ‘eraser’ covering blemishes in the line of walls and ceilings.

Want to live on the beach? Here’s what you need to know before you buy

/in /by

Many of us dream of living on the beach, waking up to the sound of the waves and being able to take a walk or swim whenever we choose.

beach house

But if we don’t pay attention to some important details our dream can quickly become a nightmare.

  1. Research your location: if you are not familiar with the area consider renting first. Discover if the local area has the amenities that you and your family need to feel comfortable and happy.
  2. Location, location, location: find out about your new neighbours, do they have children or pets that will affect your enjoyment of your new home? In a remote location you may be more vulnerable to theft and in a busier location you may not get the peace and quiet you desire.
  3. Work with a local realtor: is this going to be your year round home, and if so, do the local businesses stay open all year? When was the last big storm and how much damage did it cause? Is flooding an issue? Research all of these to discover if this new house is your ideal home.
  4. As with all new homes a home inspection is key: walk away if there are signs of flooding or the potential for it. Or research the costs of raising your new house, if you are sure that it is the home you want.
  5. Hire a land surveyor: consider erosion and subsidence. Have a professional check out the land and take their advice. A good sign of well draining land is lots of trees and bushes. A newly laid lawn could raise a red flag; what is it trying to cover up?
  6. Consider buying a few blocks away from the beach: a beach front home will appreciate in value more but it could be more prone to storm damage and need repairs. A home just a few blocks from the beach will likely cost less and have more accommodation.
  7. Budget: as with all new properties buy what you can afford. But bear in mind that beach front properties will cost more to insure, will be more prone to wind, salt and sea damage and will cost more to maintain.

Beach living is a dream and not something you should discount due to the considerations it brings. Just make sure that you are wise in your choice and you should enjoy your beachfront home for many years.

Why should you consider designing your own home?

/in , , /by

There are many benefits to designing your own home, the foremost being that you get a living space that meets your family’s exact needs.

247a5a7c29492350e169d29f286900aa

But what other benefits are there to creating your own space?

  1. You get exactly what you need and not what someone else chose
  2. You get to choose all of the fixtures and fittings making the space uniquely yours
  3. Every floor will be finished in your choice of covering, and your counter tops will meet your needs and tastes, too
  4. You are sure that your home will be built properly and to the right standards, which will cut down on future repair costs
  5. You won’t need to renovate in the future to get the home you want and need
  6. You can ensure that your carbon footprint will be low in your custom designed and built home

How to Get Rid of Termite In Your House

/in , /by

The Great Northern Termite, the most aggressive termites known to mankind, was not known to be found south of the Tropic of Capricorn but they have been positively identified in a fast growing colony on the Gold Coast, causing home owners concern about the damage that these fearsome insects can inflict.

Just twelve weeks is long enough for these termites to severely damage the structure of your home and they are known to eat electrical wiring and bitumen also.

So, how can you protect your home?

All home owners need to be able to identify termite damage as soon as it appears, allowing them to be able to call in the experts to rid them of the problem. Look out for:

  1. Pencil wide foraging tubes on your windows, wood siding and other wooden structures.
  2. Damaged woodwork, hollowed out along the grain with mud or grit along the damage.
  3. Winged ‘swarmer’ termites along the floor or windowsills.

termite removal

And to reduce the risk of infestation in the first place take the following action:

  1. Don’t let moisture build up around your foundation: Termites are attracted to moisture and will be more likely to colonise your property if there is constant moisture around your foundations. Divert water from your property with gutters and downspouts that are regularly cleaned and use splash blocks to keep the water from the soil around your home. Keep your faucets, water pipes and air conditioning units well maintained to reduce leaks. And even something as simple as making sure that your lawn sprinkler isn’t causing puddles around your home can vastly reduce your risk of being colonised.
  2. Reduce the contact of wood with the soil: Many infestations come from structural wood being in contact with the damp ground. Having your wood on the soil gives termites easy access and a safe home with lots to eat. Keep your wooden structures, such as latticing, wood siding or any other wood work, at least six inches from the ground to discourage the destructive insects. Bear in mind that pressure treated wood is not immune to termites, and even bedding wood in concrete will not deter termites who will enter through cracks or cut ends.
  3. Keep your crawl space low in humidity: Keep your vents free from debris build up which increases the humidity and attracts termites to the condensation and moisture build up. Ensure that your vapor barrier and vents are up to code and reduce the humidity in your crawl space by installing 4-6ml polyethylene sheeting over about 75% of the soil surface.
  4. Don’t store firewood or other wood against your foundation or inside your crawl space: By doing that you are setting up an ‘all you can eat’ buffet for the termites, and providing a hidden path for them to enter, bypassing any other deterrents you have invested in such as a termiticide soil barrier. Cardboard and old newspapers are also invitations to termites so keep your crawl space and foundation debris free at all times. Remove old tree stumps or rotting wooden structures as quickly as you can, to prevent termites discovering a way into your home.
  5. When gardening mulch sparingly: Mulch is an attractive and environmentally friendly approach to use in gardening, but unfortunately it is also attractive to termites. It is not a preferred food but it offers moisture and shelter. Other products such as pea gravel and crushed stone are just as attractive to the destructive creatures so keep your mulch to a maximum of two to three inches and ensure it is not in contact with your windows or wood sidings.
  6. Consider having a professional treat your home as a preventative measure: All buildings have openings which termites see as an invitation to move in. Using the above measures will make your home less attractive but a termiticide is the best prevention.

How to add value to your home using ‘curb appeal’

/in , /by

‘Curb appeal’ you might ask what is that? Certainly, this glass afficionada had to stop and think for more than just a moment, but then the penny dropped and realisation dawned that ‘curb appeal’ is what can be seen and appreciated at first glance of a house and front garden from the street or the curb when walking or driving past that precious patch of homespun pride and joy.

Ask any real estate vendor and they’ll tell you that it’s common knowledge that would-be purchasers have already made up their minds as to how much your house is worth by the time they reach the front porch to view the interior and back of the property. And, not just from doing their homework prior to the inspection, but mostly from that all-important first impression from the vantage point of the ‘curb’.

Curb apeal

Apparently, many realtors advise their clients to update front-facing windows and doors when arranging to put a property on the market, and often also include the entire suite round the house. The end reaping of profit far outshines the cost of undertaking these renovations. Increased energy efficiency also plays a large part in sales-price expectation and newly updated double-glazed glass windows and screen doors are much-desired features at property auctions.

When considering upgrades, the original style of a home should carefully be considered. For example, if the house is new then the lines should be clean and modern, but if it dates back more than a decade, then the architecture and era of the property should be factored in with any upgrades fitting in with the original house style. This also includes the garage door, which is prominent feature, and could be an eye sore and so detract from the fiscal value of the property.

Front and back gardens should also reflect the owner’s lifestyle and hedge pruning and lawn trimming is an absolute must unless you had the foresight to put in a native garden that looks better when it sprawls wild and beautiful and, with a worm bed, saves an absolute mint in wasted water and aching gardener’ backs.

How to choose the right home inspector

/in /by

As with building contractor, you are putting your most valuable asset in the hands of your home inspector.

Based on their report you will be making a decision about the biggest purchase of your life, and if they miss an important issue it could cost you thousands in the long run.

So, how do you choose the right inspector?

We suggest you ask the following questions, to ensure your peace of mind and future enjoyment of your new home.

inspector home

  1. Is your inspector fully certified and qualified to do a complete home inspection?

    Certification gives you peace of mind that your inspector is up to date on all of the codes and practices and is fully trained in every aspect of home inspection. It shows you that your inspector will carry out a full and comprehensive inspection that will allow you to make an informed choice about your new property. Ask to see their certification before agreeing to hire them.

  2. What can you expect from your home inspection?

    Check that the inspection meets the standards set by the governing body and government guidelines. It should also meet all of the requirements of the local council and state. Get a list from your inspector of the areas they will be inspecting and ask how long their inspection will last. A full inspection should take approximately two to three hours. Ideally, you should accompany your inspector as he conducts the inspection.

  3. Is your home inspector fully covered with a professional indemnity insurance?

    Ensure that your home inspector is fully covered with a professional indemnity insurance. This protects both you and the inspector from any liability of any issues that might arise in the future. An inspection without insurance is not a giving full service and leaves you vulnerable if there is an area your inspector overlooks.

  4. What will your home inspection report include?

    Ensure that you will receive a report that is both comprehensive and easy to understand. You should receive your report in writing, not verbally. If it is full of technical jargon it can be hard to understand, leading to you miss an important issue. Ask when you will receive the written report; it is usual that you will receive it within 24 hours of the inspection

Talk to several home inspectors before making your choice and don’t allow anyone to pushing you into signing a contract before you are satisfied with their answers to these vital questions.

Homebuyers’ Guide to ensure you buy a happy home and not a money pit

/in /by

When buying a home, whether you are a first time buyer or someone on the move, there are things that you have to bear in mind. And as your home is probably the biggest purchase of your life you should take a little time, even in the midst of excitement at the prospect of your beautiful new home, to consider a few points.

Even homes that show beautifully can have hidden defects that a simple inspection can root out, saving you thousands of dollars over time.

house

A full home inspection by a qualified inspector costs just a few hundred dollars and over the lifetime of your home can save you many times the price.

If renovations have been carried out on the home and the proper permits and inspections were not carried out you could find yourself being faced with an order to demolish part of your beautiful new home.

Ensure that before making any agreement to buy you have the following areas properly inspected:

  1. Internal and external windows and frames.
  2. Guttering and downpipes
  3. Roof framing
  4. Internal and external roofing
  5. Internal and external walls
  6. Patios and balconies
  7. Internal and external stairs
  8. Pools
  9. Pergolas and paving

Choose a home inspector who is registered to carry out full home inspections. They are all registered builders with many years of experience, who can spot defects and potential issues that will help you make an informed decision about the new property you are considering calling home.

The world of Roaches: Interesting Facts & Trivia on Cockroaches

/in /by

Just the thought of cockroaches can make most of the people uncomfortable and squirmish. The sight of one can rent the air with shrill screams. These creepy crawly beasts have been loathed, despised, swatted at!, trampled upon, and hated from time immemorial. These home pests have an uncanny ability to tip-toe on the smoothest and inclined of surfaces and survive extremes of temperatures.

roaches

Here are some interesting facts that you did not know about them. However, please refrain from discussing these at your dinner table, or a social affair in fear of being outcast by the host or guests.

  1. Crushed roaches when applied to wounds can help ease the sting.
  2. Cockroaches can live a month or more without food, but hardly make it past a week without water.
  3. Some roaches, better known as Blattaria can fly! Not exactly of any significant height, but the very thought scares the living hell out of a person.
  4. Fried cockroaches are common snacks in Cambodia. Talk about appetizers being crunchy!
  5. These pesky pests have the ability to survive the harshest of deserts, the Thar to even the Arctic.
  6. A cockroach can live a week without its head. However, it dies due to lack of water after that. Now that’s a headless hunter, ladies and gentlemen!
  7. They have white blood.
  8. It uses its air passages to make sounds, unlike other insects which rub their body parts together to do so.
  9. Cockroach allergies were first reported 50 years ago. It is real and extremely dangerous. This is called Cockroach induced asthma.
  10. A cockroach has just shed its skin is white and has black eyes. It takes another 8 hours to reproduce the layer.
  11. Cockroaches are deemed the only creatures to survive a nuclear bomb. So much for a survival rate.
  12. A wild cockroach might die in the stomach of a poor bird or a small animal that rely on it for food. But most cockroaches in our home die just because they cannot right themselves after falling and landing on their backs. Without the ability to control its muscles, the roach just dies upside down.
  13. Cockroaches continue to release methane for up to 18 hours, even after their death. This pits them as top contributors to Global Warming.
  14. Cockroaches run three miles an hour. That makes them quite fast. So much for being a cheetah!
  15. Cockroaches eat just about anything from glue, bookbinding, leather, to grease or even hair.
  16. These beasts have walked the surface of Earth for millions of years now.
  17. Cockroaches like to be touched!
  18. American roaches have shown a marked attraction to alcoholic beverages, especially beer. They most likely prefer alcohol mixed with hops and sugar! On the house, please.
  19. A roach can hold its breath for 40 minutes, and can survive with its head submerged in water for half an hour.
  20. Newborn German cockroaches become adults in as little as 36 days. So much for an upbringing!
  21. Here were a few interesting ones. So you might go ahead and advertise your knowledge on these not-so-fabulous pests the next time you are not sure of a conversation starter.