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4 Things To Do Before Buying a Home

Couple standing in front of their new home. They are both wearing casual clothes and embracing. Rear view from behind them. The house is contemporary with a brick facade, driveway, balcony and a green lawn. The front door is also visible. Copy space

When looking to buy property, it’s critical that you follow the right steps. Chances are it will be one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make, so it’s vital that you gather as much advice as possible.

Failing to do your research could result in finding yourself in a serious mess. Before you rush in and buy too soon, you should always make sure that you look out for these red flags, which could indicate you should steer clear of making a purchase.

If you’re currently in the process of looking for homes to buy, then make sure you do the following things before starting your property search.

Hire An Inspector

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a homebuyer is failing to get your potential home inspected. Hire a professional to look at your home for any issues that could come up later and cost you a considerable amount of money.

A home inspector does more than just give a home a “pass” or “fail.” They’ll go in and provide a detailed report with any problems they identify. They look for everything from the evidence of termites to structural issues that could be dangerous over time. Even though you may like to believe that you can identify problems yourself without having to pay someone else to do it, a home inspection is one of those things best left to the professionals.

Know What You Can Afford

Before you even start your search, you should have a realistic idea of exactly how much you can afford. Looking outside of your price range could lead to wasting people’s time and, ultimately, disappointment. Why bother getting your heart stuck on something that isn’t a reality for your budget?

Plan your budget carefully by keeping in mind every expense you have each month so that you can comfortably afford your mortgage while still living the way you’d like to.

Negotiate

Don’t allow yourself to feel too pressured into accepting things as they are. Put on your negotiating hat and fight for the deal that you believe you deserve. If you start to feel pressured or rushed, don’t accept a deal out of fear. Take the time to make a decision that is based on fairness.

Research The Area

Even though a home may be seemingly perfect on the outside, that doesn’t mean that it is. Make sure that you research the neighborhood that a home is in. Regardless of how beautiful the interiors are, you don’t want to raise your family in a neighborhood that could be dangerous or has a poorly rated school district. The location of a home should play a crucial role in your final choice.

 

3 Things To Try To Make Your Breasts Look Better

Women of all ages and all walks of life often find themselves wishing things about their bodies were different. And while every woman is beautiful and shouldn’t judge herself or others on their looks alone, there’s no reason why you should do what it takes to help yourself feel confident and comfortable in your own body.

If your chest is the area of your body where you’d like to see some adjustments made, here are three things you can try to make your breasts look better.

Exercises That Work Your Chest

If you feel that your breasts are too small or undefined, one thing you can try is to work out the muscles of your chest to help give your chest and breasts a little more definition.

According to Elizabeth Narins, a contributor to Cosmopolitan.com, some of the best exercises you can do to work out your chest include chest presses, push-ups, planks, tricep dips, shoulder rows. With all of these exercises, you’ll be working the muscles around and under your breast tissue in order to bulk up in the right places to help your breasts get a little lift and to appear fuller.

If you choose to start doing these types of exercises, don’t expect to see results for at least a few weeks. But with consistent effort, you can start to see and feel a difference in as little as three to four weeks.

Wear The Right Bra

Wearing the right bra can also make a huge difference in how your breasts look underneath your clothes.

Depending on what changes you’re wanting to see with your breasts, Dr. Catherine Hannan, a contributor to Healthline.com, recommends that you research what different types of bras are available and what they can help you achieve. For example, front-close bras can help increase your cleavage while balconette bras can give you more lift. And if you’re large-chested, make sure you choose a bra that gives you the support you need.

Work On Your Posture

The way you hold yourself can have a big impact on how your breasts look. So if you have poor posture, you might also feel like your breasts aren’t as perky or well positioned on your body as you might like.

To combat this, Elisabeth Dale, a contributor to the Huffington Post, recommends that you try to consciously stand up straight and keep your shoulders back. By doing this, your breasts will appear higher and better situated in comparison to the rest of your proportions.

If you’re wanting to feel more confident about the way your breasts look under your clothes, consider using the tips mentioned above to help give you the lift, size, and support you’re looking for.

 

3 Things You Can Do To Pay Less On Your Home Loan

Buying a home is likely going to be one of the biggest purchases you make in your lifetime. Not only will this be the place that you live for years to come, but you’re also going to be spending a lot of money in order to own this piece of property. Because of this, most people are willing to look for any way that they can save some money along the way.

Luckily, if you plan and prepare correctly, there are plenty of ways that you can save some money and pay a smaller amount for the ownership of a home. To show you how this can be done, here are three things you can do to pay less on your home loan.

Save For A Larger Down Payment

One of the first and best ways that you can save money when buying a home is to literally save as much money as you can to go toward your down payment.

According to Kathryn Vasel, a contributor to CNN Money, the larger of a down payment you’re able to have, the less money you’ll have to borrow from someone else in order to pay for your home. This means you’ll have a smaller loan to pay down, which could mean lower mortgage payments. And if you’re able to put down at least 20 percent of the cost of your home, you’ll also be able to avoid having to pay for private mortgage insurance, too.

Shorten The Life Of Your Loan

Another way you can wind up paying less on your home loan is if you’re able to refinance your mortgage and shorten the terms from your previous loan.

Debt.org shares that if you’re able to refinance from a 30-year loan to a 15-year loan, you’re essentially saving the interest that you would have paid over that extra 15-year timeframe. While this will usually mean that you’ll have a higher monthly mortgage payment, if you can afford it, this could have you paying so much less over the life of your loan.

Commit To Making Extra Payments

If you’re not ready to make a commitment to refinancing but would still like to cut down on the amount of interest you’re going to be paying on your home loan, another great option is to simply commit to making extra payments on your current mortgage.

According to Natalie Campisi, a contributor to Bankrate.com, making just one extra payment each year over the course of your loan can save you thousands of dollars in interest. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to pay off your loan quicker, so you’ll get out from under this debt at a faster rate.

If you’re wanting to cut down on the amount of interest you’ll pay on your home loan, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find ways to accomplish this.

 

Things to Do When Family Arguments Become Too Heated

It’s normal for every family to experience serious issues that could lead to heated arguments. It doesn’t mean that there’s no longer love in the family. It means that there’s too much care and concern that everyone becomes too passionate. When things get too heated, you can’t add fuel to the fire. These are the things you need to do.

Calm yourself down

Avoid making counter-arguments since your family will only end up screaming even more. You also argue because you think you’re right. In reality, you could be wrong. Therefore, it helps that you calm yourself down for a while and collect your thoughts. When the other members of the family are ready, you can start discussing, but in a more civil and diplomatic way.

Be willing to listen

When you argue with other people, even with your loved ones, your first reaction is to win the fight. You want to bring every argument related to that issue so you can prove you’re right. However, it’s not about who wins the fight, but how you settle the disagreements. Perhaps, it’s in your best interest to listen first. You need to have an open mind. Try to empathize with the person you’re talking with, so you can see the other point of view.

Always remember that resolving the issue is the goal

When you argue, it’s not about how your arguments are right, and the others are wrong. The primary goal is to settle the issue and find a way to move forward. When you have a resolution in mind, you will be more logical and open-minded. You won’t feel bad about the discussion, and you won’t take things personally.

Don’t force reconciliation 

Just because you want to end the fight doesn’t mean you should force reconciliation. You will make peace so you won’t have to extend the conversation. It’s a bad approach to the issue. You need to keep quiet for a while and hold your thoughts if you don’t think you can resolve the problem. When you try to make peace, but there’s still anger in your heart, nothing will happen. At some point, the unsettled issue will come back, and you will keep hating each other at home.

Walk away from the scene for a while. If you have a freestanding bath you can use it. You want to relax and clear your thoughts before going back to the table to continue the discussions. Perhaps, a nice warm bath will help you resolve the situation.

Don’t feel bad each time there’s a heated argument at home. Look at it from the point of view of people who have too much love for each other. You won’t reach that point if you don’t care about your family and you want what’s best for everyone.

Hopefully, you can settle things and return to how you were. Next time you face heated arguments again, you will know what to do.

 

3 Ways To Avoid Razor Burn On Your Face And Body

For most teens and adults, shaving is just a part of life. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s easy or comfortable to do. Especially if you have particularly sensitive skin or haven’t been taught the best ways to remove hair from your skin, using any kind of razor to shave can cause you a lot of irritation.

So to help you learn how you can keep this from happening to you, here are three ways to avoid razor burn on your face and body.

Shave In Or After The Shower

In order to have a clean and comfortable shave, you have to make sure the hair you’re going to be removing will come off as easily as possible.

The best way to do this, according to Carissa Stephens, a contributor to Medical News Today, is to shave either when you’re in the bath or shower or immediately after you get out of the warm water. At this time, the hair on your body is going to be as soft as it will get, which can make shaving much more pleasant and will allow the hair to be removed easier. Both of these things can help you avoid razor burn and any other irritation that comes with shaving your body or facial hair off.

Replace Your Razor Regularly

Another common reason why people get razor burn is because they’re not using the right razor or are using a razor for longer than it should be used. If you don’t replace your razor regularly, it becomes dull, which can cause it to pull the hair rather than cutting it and scratch your skin rather than gliding over it.

To ensure that you don’t run into any of these issues, Mark Henricks, a contributor to Everyday Health, shares that dermatologists recommend that you replace your razors after every five to seven uses. Once it gets past that point, the chances of getting razor burn become much higher.

Prep Your Skin Correctly Before Starting

In addition to softening the hair you’ll be shaving off by using warm water, you also want to prepare your skin correctly before you begin shaving over it.

To do this, Dr. Deborah Weatherspoon, a contributor to Healthline.com, recommends that you first exfoliate the skin before you begin shaving. This will remove dead skin cells that could clog up your razor and irritate your skin. After that, be sure you use some kind of lubricant, like shaving cream or gel, so that your razor slides gently over your skin rather than getting stuck or scraping.

If you tend to get razor burn each time you shave your body or face, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you learn how to avoid these issues in the future.

 

Starting a Construction Company? Here Are 5 Things You Should Not Ignore

The construction industry is arguably the backbone of the US, as it assists with the creation of a range of vital new projects from housing to a host of other structures.

According to the Associated General Contractors of America, there are more than 680,000 employers in the industry in the US as well as seven million employees. It is a huge sector and it also feels like it is getting bigger all of the time, particularly as individuals who have vast expertise often choose to go it alone and begin their own ventures. However, if you’re planning to take the leap and establish your own building firm, what key issues should you consider? Here we offer up our suggestions on matters which you should not ignore.

Site, Crane, Construction Machinery

1. Address the basics

It is important to ensure you have some core items in place from the very beginning, from a business bank account and a registered company name to software that will help with your finances. Construction insurance is also a must, as such cover will ensure your business is protected in the event that anything goes wrong during a project that you are working on.

2. Spread the word

Marketing is essential for any new business, as it will help you spread the word about your offering and could ultimately boost your workload. Establishing a website and social media accounts could be a good start in terms of online promotion, while the tried and tested offline strategy of having a company name and contact details on vehicles should also not be ignored.

3. Be unique

As we have already touched upon with the figures above, the construction industry is a hugely competitive area with a lot of active companies. With that in mind, consider how you can make your venture stand out, whether that is in terms of your pricing structure or simply developing a service in a manner that few others can.

4. Build relationships

As ConstructConnect.com outlines, building new relationships with other firms can be vital for project success while it could also lead to further opportunities in the long run. The website outlines how general contractors might turn to others to expand into new areas of work, while subcontractors might also be able to break into larger projects through such partnerships too.

5. Look ahead

The construction world is always evolving, so it is important to ensure you do not rest on your laurels or fail to move with the times. Keep tabs on new developments in materials, design and construction, as this could help you secure work on major projects. Furthermore, consider your professional development and learn skills that will take your offering to a new level.

Plenty to consider

The construction industry is a vital component of most countries and it plays a particularly important role in many ways across the US. Starting a construction business can be a hugely exciting time, but it is clear that there are plenty of issues that those starting out on their own need to consider.

We hope the suggestions above might give you some ideas on the key matters to bear in mind, as tackling each of them could make a major difference to your business success.

All you need to know about images for websites

When visiting a company website, visitors naturally gravitate first towards colour and then imagery. These elements, beyond the amount or quality of text supplied, will influence their all-important first impression. A harmonious blend of images, colour and content placement is always better than a website which looks jumbled, haphazardly composed or thrown together on the fly.

Don’t get us wrong when we say that a person’s eye is naturally drawn to imagery and colours, and this being the most important element in drawing people to a website, we are definitely not discounting the vital role that written content plays in attracting people to a site. All we’re saying is that well-chosen pictures play a great role in helping people to become engaged with your brand.

Picture quality

These days, there is a lot of choice when it comes to choosing images for your website. There are a lot of free sites which provide fantastic-quality images however, their selection is quite limited. If you decide to take pictures for your own website, make sure that you only choose the best quality ones. Don’t risk posting pictures that are blurry and grainy as this will detract from your brand image.

Licencing

Don’t – whatever you do – do a Google Image Search and pick the first picture that pops up. This is because these images are copyrighted and, if the person who took the photograph, finds out that you used it without their permission they could take legal action against you.

At we said in the previous paragraph, there are a lot of sites which offer free-to-use stock images. Some of these are:

Alternatively, you can still do a Google Image Search but when you do this make sure that you select ‘Labeled for Reuse With Modification’. You can find this under Tools > Usage Rights on the Google Image Search home page.

Creativity

When you select images to use on your website, make sure that they tell your brand story well. – this is very important from a marketing perspective. If you pick arbitrary photographs, which have no relation – whatsoever – to your company, you mind as well not have any images on your site.

In fact, images that don’t accurately portray your company could hurt your brand. For instance, if you’re an apple farmer – and you decide to put an image of the Apple computers logo onto your website because you think that it looks ‘cool’, you may very well find that people will start contacting you about their Mac repairs more often than they seek you out for their next batch order of apples. So make sure that what people see on your website gives a true reflection of the products and/or services which your company provides.

Cropping

In order to emphasise a particular portion of an image or photograph, you may decide to crop out the areas of the image that are not relevant to the message that you want it to portray. However, when you’re doing your cropping, make sure that you cut your picture in such a way that it looks like an image on its own. For example, if you have a picture of a number of people and you want to isolate a particular person, make sure that you cut this individual out in such a way that makes the photograph look like it’s meant to be. Don’t leave part of a person’s arm in the cropped picture as this will not look right and will give them impression that you’re not professional.

3.2 billion images are distributed online every day. Generation Y – which today presents massive buying power on digital channels – prefers a picture-based method of communicating information rather than a text-based method. This means that the story that you tell with your images needs to be on point and your images need to not let you down.

 

Requirements to Pass a No Deposit Car Finance Deal

The good thing with a no deposit car finance deal is that you can get it any time you want. Since you don’t have to pay for the deposit, you just need to sign the application documents, and you can soon drive a new car. Before you get too excited, you will still need to apply for this loan. To qualify, you need to show these requirements.

Proof of capacity to pay

Since you’re not paying any amount upfront, the loan provider needs a guarantee that you have enough money to pay the monthly quotas. If you are currently unemployed or you don’t have any reliable income source, your chances of getting approved might be low.

Proof that you didn’t file for bankruptcy in the past 

Whether it’s personal or business, filing for bankruptcy under your name could reduce your chances of getting this loan. It’s already a risk on the creditor’s part to allow you to get a new car despite not paying a deposit. It’s an even bigger risk for someone who already experienced bankruptcy in the past. A low credit score holder might still have a chance to obtain this loan, but not someone with a history of bankruptcy.

Legal age and driving licence

Compared with other types of loan, it’s a lot easier to obtain this no deposit car loan. As long as you’re 18 years old or above, and you have a valid UK driving licence, you’re good to go.

Correct application documents 

Although it’s way easier to get approval for this loan, you will still go through a process. You need to submit application documents and wait for the approval. Don’t falsify any information in the hope of successfully getting the loan. When caught, you could be in serious legal problems. You will also ruin your chances of getting approved now and for any other future applications.

Read the details first

These requirements aren’t necessarily difficult to fulfil. However, you still need to think hard if you should obtain this loan. Since you don’t have to pay any amount upfront, your monthly payments might be high. When factoring in the interest rate, the monthly fees could even be higher. If that’s something you can’t afford, this loan might not work for you.

Not all companies offering this deal have the same terms. It’s crucial that you read the fine print before closing the deal. You also have to compare the choices and understand them well before determining if you will pursue the transaction. Car finance is a long-term commitment. You can’t sign up and be irresponsible with the monthly payments. The application might be easy, but it’s only the first stage of the process. You still have a lot to do to own the car finally. Don’t rush the process and wait until you’re ready. Settle your existing financial issues first, and you can finally obtain a car loan that works for you like the ones offered by car finance giant.

 

 

New Things to Buy for Your Home if You Have Enough Savings

Don’t hesitate to buy something for yourself especially after working hard. You deserve it and you need things at home that you will enjoy. Besides, whatever you buy for your house will also benefit the rest of your family. These are some of the new things worth buying when you think you already have enough savings.

Woman in a bikini swimsuit talking a shower before a swim

Wall mount

If you have a flat screen television at home, you will enjoy it more if you have a wall mount. You can watch your favourite movies and TV shows as if you’re inside a theatre. You won’t spend a lot on this item, so you don’t need to wait for a long time before getting one.

Air fryer

If you want to start a healthy lifestyle, but you can’t let go of fried dishes, you can consider getting an air fryer. You will have the same taste, but none of the fats coming from the oil produced when frying foods. Depending on the quality, air fryers could cost quite a lot.

Large mirror

You don’t need to use a small mirror at home or a mirror that comes with your vanity furniture. It’s not enough for you to check your entire body. You need a full-length mirror to help you determine if you look good from head to toe. Another reason for investing in a mirror is that you can create an illusion that you have a bigger bedroom. For people with a small bedroom, investing in this type of mirror is a great idea.

Shower enclosure

You spend quite some time in the bathroom. You want to feel good while bathing. It’s also the only time when you don’t have to deal with anyone else. You go inside to clean your body and entertain your thoughts. It’s time to step things up and invest in shower enclosures. They will help elevate your bathing experience. You might have to spend a lot on an enclosure, but you won’t mind it. Besides, these items are durable and will last for a long time despite daily use.

Patio furniture

You need to have furniture that you can use outside your house. You also want to spend some time alone while enjoying nature. At weekends, you might also want to stay outside the house with your family. You can relax more if you have patio furniture. Make sure that the furniture you buy can withstand the changes in weather and temperature, so it will last longer.

If there are things you have always longed to have, it’s time for you to buy them. Don’t wait until other expenses come up and you have no choice but to use your savings on them. At that point, you won’t have a chance to buy whatever your heart desires anymore. It’s unfortunate because you keep working hard, but you’re not reaping the fruits of your labour. Don’t feel guilty because you work hard to get what you deserve.

 

 

7 Reasons Why Travellers Fall in Love with George Town, Penang

Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, George Town is a city frozen in time, one that has no shortage of colonial buildings, temples, and mosques. These historic landmarks—seamlessly integrating with the city’s iconic street art and modern buildings—form a diverse and multicultural tapestry that’s truly a sight to behold.

The city’s storied past as a centre of spice production and as an important British trading post in the 19th century attracted a diverse population that included the Chinese, Malays, Indians, Thais, and other ethnicities. All these groups left a mark on George Town, giving birth to its unique cuisine while setting an early example of how multiculturalism can promote harmony and enrich a country’s identity.

Today, George Town continues to thrive, with attractions and establishments catering to young and old alike. Visitors often leave with a heavy heart, as they fall in love with the city’s authentic charm and youthful vibe. Find out why George Town, the capital of the Malaysian state of Penang, is on everyone’s dream itinerary.

Street Art

No Penang tour is complete without an introduction to George Town’s iconic street murals at Armenian Street and surrounding avenues. After the city was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the government, through the Penang Public Arts Review Panel (PARP), commissioned artists to cover the city’s walls with murals, sometimes complete with prop installations. And while the panel sanctions most of the art, you may also view the “illegal” street art that are just as beautiful and profound.

Nature

George Town is not just an urban jungle, it has actual jungles, too. In fact, a few of its attractions are set in lush rainforests like the Penang National Park, The Habitat, and the Spice Garden.

Penang National Park is only 23 square kilometres and is Malaysia’s smallest national park, but it’s still a substantial trek amongst the beautiful flora and fauna unique to island. Meanwhile, The Habitat on Penang Hill dates back 130 million years and is one of the oldest surviving rainforests in the world. The highlights of this nature adventure destination are the Langur Way Canopy Walk and the Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk. Finally, the Spice Garden located at Teluk Bahang gives visitors the opportunity to learn about different spices, with over 500 species of spices having been planted in the garden.

Street Food

Penang is one of the most famous street food destinations in the world. George Town, in particular, has organised food courts like the Medan Renong, Lebuh Kimberley, and Lebuh Chulia—all of which have an array of food stalls selling Penang favourites like Assam Laksa, Char Kway Teow, and more.

Hipster Cafés

For the young coffee-loving crowd who likes to drink their third wave coffee under beautiful ambient lighting, indie coffee shops are the destinations of choice. Make sure to try them yourself, including the China House at Lebuh Pantai, which offers a selection of up to 30 types of cakes, or The Bean Sprout at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, which attracts visitors with its savoury breakfast menu.

Clan Houses

Some of the most beautiful buildings in George Town are the Chinese Kongsi Houses or Clan Houses built by pioneering Hokkien immigrants. Visit the Khoo, Cheah, Yeoh, Lim, and Tan kongsi, and learn more about the history of each house through the museums and galleries housed inside them.

If you want to see what a fusion of Chinese, Malay, and European architectural design is like, visit the Cheah Kongsi clan house. Built in 1873 it’s the oldest of the 5 Hokkien clan houses in the island. Meanwhile, the most popular house is arguably the Leong San Tong Khoo kongsi, where public performances and events often take place.

Beaches

Since George Town is situated on an island, there are a number of white sand beaches here that you can explore and swim in. Batu Feringghi is the most popular beach destination, attracting the most tourists and serving host to a number of attractions such as a night market, an inflatable island, and a butterfly farm. However, if you want a more secluded hideaway, just head a little further to Gertak Sanggul beach.

Clan Jetties

One of the unique attractions of George Town and a part of the Penang Heritage Trail are the clan jetties. These are houses built on stilts that belong to 7 old Chinese clans. While these are actual residential communities, the families welcome visitors who are curious to learn about their heritage. Among the clan jetties open to visitors, the Chew Jetty is the most tourist-friendly. It is home to shops selling souvenirs, a photogenic walkway, and a small temple.

Whatever kind of tourist you are, George Town’s got something for you. With beaches, urban life, and jungles, you’ll never be bored in this city. After you’ve tried a few of these attractions, maybe you’ll fall in love with George Town like the many visitors before you.