If you’ve been sitting back waiting for the right time to press “go” on a home loan, 2020 could be the year for you. A good mixture of a stable property market and economy is creating conditions that can help you make the right decision for you and your property goals. Make sure you take these points into account when making your choice.

Interest rates are the lowest ever

As of late 2019, the Reserve Bank’s official cash rate sites at 0.75%. Those numbers have been trending down since early 2008, as monetary policy continues to focus on stimulation of the economy. Low interest rates are obviously good for prospective home buyers. Banks and lenders usually follow the lead, or the trend at least, of the Reserve Bank. And if they don’t there will surely be someone else in the market who is willing to. This means finding an interest rate within your budget should be easier. Lower interest rates mean lower repayments and is usually the first thing most home buyers look at when hunting for a mortgage.

Banks are under the pump

The recent royal commission has shone a light on some of the big banks in a way that is less than flattering. This means that smaller banks are having their time in the sun. When home buyers take a closer look at lenders like Newcastle Permanent, they will find smaller banks are anything but faceless and will always work hard to find a suitable home loan for a customer. Take a look at Newcastle Permanent’s home loan offering here. This means actively listening, identifying products with the customer’s goals and dreams in mind and providing ongoing support over the life of the loan. They work hard to provide mortgage products and outcomes that are tailored to the exact needs of every client. This is great news for home buyers, whether you’re buying your first home or your fifth.

Take advantage of the strong competition

Given historically low interest rates and a focus on the practices of the big banks, home buyers can take advantage of the strong competition both those factors together can create. On top of that, with so many home loan options available, doing your research can pay big dividends. It also means you can take a closer look at some of the home loan options on the market. Look closely at what features they offer. You might be able to get a better deal that suits you in the long run as well as find a great interest rate. And don’t forget to ask about customer service. Being a number isn’t good enough in today’s mortgage market. Find a lender you can trust, and you know will be there for you when you need it.

The market is good, as is affordability

According to the industry, house prices are on the way up, as is affordability. Late 2019 figures have pointed to housing affordability improving in all states and territories. While average loans have risen, low interest rates and increased income are driving the affordability changes. And, of course, there is always the property market. The end of 2019 saw Melbourne and Sydney leading a recovery, with weighted average media prices up across all eight major Australian cities. Of course Coronavirus will impact things greatly, but looking to banks like Newcastle Permanent may be the answer. You can find there website by clicking this link.

 

The first step in building a comfortable office is getting comfortable equipment. You will spend long hours at your desk and your computer; the right equipment can make the difference in improving productivity and comfort.

Here are a few life hacks for choosing home office equipment.

1. Invest in a comfortable chair

A comfortable chair is the heart of a productive home office. You will spend nearly half your day on it. Investing in a good one will make a notable difference to your work life.

Selecting the right chair can be a challenge. Prices can range from a basic chair priced around $50 to a high-end Aeron chair setting you back at least $1,000.

To find the right fit, pay attention to back, thigh and arm support. Also consider the material options and warranties offered, if any. Also, should you have the space for a second area to sit within the office, a one seat sofa like this Grayson 1.5 seater from Domayne could do the trick. Perfect for taking calls and reading documents.

2. Use a second monitor

A second monitor is the closest you can get to a productivity superpower. An additional screen makes so many tasks easier — coding, designing, writing and researching. It also makes multi-tasking more approachable.

If you do not like juggling windows, a second monitor should at the top of your wish list. For best results, buy the same model as your current setup so you have the same screen fidelity and experience.

4. Consider buying a standing desk

There is a growing body of research that show that sitting for extended periods of time is bad for your health. This explains why the new generation of workers are embracing standing desks.

A standing desk is exactly what you think: a tall desk where you work standing up. Most of these desks are height adjustable (i.e. you can lower/raise the height as needed). Some more expensive versions can even be converted into conventional sit-down desks on the fly.

A standing desk will not magically transform your health, but it will improve productivity, focus and heart health.

If you think your house has enough furniture or you are not inclined to buy a standing desk, consider trying a standing desk extender. These desk extenders can also be adjusted by height and are often cheaper. They also allow you to turn any surface into a standing desk. It is quite convenient when creating a home office for the first time: you can try different places to find the one that works best for you. For furniture idea, visit Domayne.

6. Add some green plants

A few green plants will not only add a dash of colour to your office space but also increase happiness and reduce stress. In fact, even a few plants can increase productivity by as much as 15%, according to one study.

Instead of choosing just any green plants, pick something that is easy to maintain and helps improve air quality. The spider plant, dracaena, Ficus and Boston fern are particularly well known for their air filtering qualities.

7. Wire management goes a long way

You would not really want to come to work in an office that is covered in jumbled cables and cords.

Basic wire management can go a long way towards improving your office aesthetic. It is also fairly cost efficient as well — you will just need a few clamps and zip ties to manage messy wires. Here is a great article from Lifehacker on managing wires with some cheap tools.

8. Make sure you have high-speed internet

Running an online store makes it imperative you have a solid home internet connection. If your service is subpar, consider changing to an alternative internet provider or buying and installing a Wi-Fi router before setting up a home office. It is easy to get distracted when slow internet connection disrupts your workflow all the time.

For better Wi-Fi signal strength, place your router high off the ground and in the centre of your house. Make sure there is no clutter around it, as well as any devices or appliances that can cause signal disruption. For example, microwaves or home phone sets.

Check your internet speed with specialized services like Speedtest, Fast.com, or SpeedOf.Me. For more accurate results, do multiple tests and do them when no one in your home network is downloading or sharing files or doing video streaming and video chats.

It has okay if the results are about 5-10 Mbps off than promised by your provider. If the results are way lower than advertised, connect your provider and check your network for unauthorized devices. Here is how you can find out if someone is stealing your Wi-Fi and what you should do about it.

When Easter is just around the corner, it’s sure to be one event that spurs homeowners into action when it comes to cleaning up and improving the appearance of their space. With the celebration of Easter, many are directing their efforts toward getting their outdoor space in great shape.

Naturally, if you will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt or Easter Lunch after a sunrise service at church, you need your garden or yard to be prepared thoroughly for the different activities that make up these events. This can be an overwhelming task, primarily if you would be having a lot of guests over and you really want to deck out your outdoor space.

To help you with this, here are some of the best tips from specialists in lawn care in Manchester, MO.

1. Clean up

Get started on spring cleaning in time for Easter, even if winter hasn’t officially crossed over into the new season yet. Rake fallen leaves and prune dead branches and leaves from bushes and trees.

If you still have some snow, shovel down snowdrifts and make sure to spread them out evenly so the ice will melt faster. Likewise, get rid of matted grass and leaves to air out soil properly. Keep an eye out for poisonous plants, too. Hack away and dispose of them to make your yard completely safe for the Easter celebration you’re hosting.

2. Mow your lawn

Make sure to cut the grass down to about two inches, especially if you will be placing in new seeds. This is one of the best ways to refresh the lawn in time for the ideal plant growing conditions of spring.

Tip: Tune-up your lawnmower. Grass may still be quite moist around this time and the entry to spring may come with frequent rain showers. You may need to cut grass even if it’s wet. This is a no-no, but if you really have to, make sure to sharpen the blades for a precise cut that will not stress out turf. Likewise, clean the undercarriage of the lawnmower.

3. Loosen the soil

The long cold and wet spell can make the soil too compact, which is not ideal for growth. Dedicate a weekend to aerating the soil, especially if you will be planting new seeds or installing fresh turf for spots that became bald during the fall and winter.

Turn over the soil with hoes, rakes, and spading forks. You can also use aerating shoes, which are rather helpful when planting new seeds.

4. Fertilize

Once you have cleaned up your yard in preparation for Easter and spring, apply a fresh layer of lawn tonics or compost. This will not only ensure the growth of new grass and other plants, but it can also get rid of some weeds.

Studies show that proper compost has proven to be effective in killing weed seeds by creating the right ratio of carbon to nitrogen, upping moisture, boosting pH levels, and increasing the oxygen content (conditions that break down harmful lawn microorganisms).

5. Landscape

It’s always a good idea to rethink the layout of your outdoor space before an important event. Consider hiring companies that perform exceptional landscaping, Chesterfield, MO event planners say. Hire professional landscapers to come up with a beautiful and functional design for your yard or garden. The Local Tree Expert will surely be able to help you with your landscaping project

This way, you can make sure that not only will your property be ready for a grand Easter celebration, but it will also be quite useful for your family for the many seasons to come. It’s important to mention that landscapers have the experience and know-how in improving the development of your yard. Why not get a tree expert from Riverside to enhance your yard? In addition to that, they can define the space as a functional venue for all the other outdoor activities you want to have in the comfort of your own property.

6. Install lighting

Various illuminating solutions can further improve the style of your property’s outdoor space. There are so many to choose from — strip lights to outline walkways, string lights to criss-cross through the yard to create a bistro feel, luminaries, lamp posts, hanging tree lights, and so much more.

An Easter celebration is just one of the activities that you and your family can enjoy outdoors. There’ll be more once the weather really warms up. Therefore, it’s a smart idea to install beautiful lights all over your yard to make spending evenings outdoors not just more enjoyable, but safer as well.

7. Implement pest control

One well-known gardening issue during the spring is the emergence of pests. Creepy crawlers and fliers come alive as the weather shifts from cold to warm. Thus, it’s imperative to carry out pest control measures to protect a blossoming garden or yard and also to make spending time outdoors comfortable.

Apply diatomaceous earth to kill insects. Set up beer traps for slugs. Do hire pest control professionals as well for really pesky insects like wasps and garden snakes. Invest in electric bug zappers, too, which you can hang all over your yard.

Another pest control strategy to carry out is to plant pest-repelling plants such as citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, marigolds, rosemary, mint, petunias, and basil.

8. Decorate

Finally, with awesome landscaping tasks done, you now have a great foundation to work with in beautifying your outdoor space even more. For Easter, how about buying a few colorful pinwheels from the Dollar Tree, or perhaps some whirligigs? Hang pastel-colored bunting as well, and do not forget to create a banner for the event.

You may also want to add nice seating options in strategic locations in your yard. A swinging bench is a charming idea, especially if you have big trees all around. Create makeshift benches from pallets and driftwood as well. Lastly, add other structural components such as a birdhouse, a wishing well, trellises, and arbors.

Those are just a few of the best tips for preparing your yard for an Easter celebration. It may seem like a lot of work to cover, but many of the tasks discussed here offer benefits that will last beyond the special event that you will be hosting.

 

If you are from Sydney, you would know how busy it could get, especially during peak seasons. Tourists would usually flock to New South Wales’ lively metropolis from September to February. During these months, the need for commercial, residential, and real estate technicians gradually increase as well.

Sydney is filled with beaches and outdoor pools. The sheer number of locals and visitors visiting these attractions can cause occasional hiccups in some of the city’s residential and commercial water lines. Thus, homeowners would need plumbing or drain cleaning service in Sydney now and then.

Cleaning and repairing drains in the New South Wales state capital have gained quite a reputation for exceeding customer expectations.

Professional plumbers know for a fact that unclogging drains also require commitment and resourcefulness for it to be successful

Sydney is a top destination among vacationers as well as apartment and home seekers because plumbing industry professionals ensure tourists and locals experience the satisfaction that starts at the comforts of their home.

Taking it from the experts, below are the most indicative signs of reliable and commendable drain cleaning service:

• They arrive on time

Getting rid of congested drainpipes and sinks can be exasperating. It becomes even more challenging if you lack the necessary tools needed to clean out food particles and waste materials clogging your home’s water system. As such, it is crucial for drain cleaning, and plumbing services need to be punctual and right on schedule. Imagine having to endure a clogged drain for another hour or two—it could cause further damage to your kitchen sink, shower, or toilet.

Arriving on time means they care about your safety and convenience. It gives ample time to assess the damage on your drains and apply the necessary repairs. Moreover, a timely service ensures every other customer concern is adequately addressed and well accounted for.

• They are happy to assist you with their range of knowledge and expertise

Extensive experience on both basic and advanced plumbing and drain cleaning is fundamental in every company offering drain and pipe repair services. Familiarity and a broad background on the different causes and solutions for clogged drains and faulty pipes generate efficient solutions. But drain cleaners must also impart information in a way that they readily educate you on preventing future damages on your home’s water and drainage system. Exhibiting expertise is one thing, but getting customers involved in the process by openly discussing the problem and showing them the ropes on how it can be resolved establishes rapport and helps build trust between the customer and the utility service provider.

• They are available on-call

At times, DIY solutions alone would not fully resolve the damage to your water system. Leaking pipes and clogged drains are serious issues involving residential and commercial properties that require immediate attention and repair. A dependable and professional plumber must be ready to address emergencies and readily assist customers as needed.

• They charge at reasonable rates

While this may sound cheesy or cliché, excellent service always comes at a cost-effective, customer-friendly price. After all, excellent assistance must be something that is intrinsically motivated by the desire to help people and be of good use to the society. Companies that are driven by greed will often find ways to extort more money from unsuspecting customers, either through overpriced services or hidden charges. Always check whether the quality of service is well-balanced with what you are paying for or not. Excellent service should make you feel satisfied without having to empty your wallet.

Always keep a close eye on the signs mentioned above for when you need a trusted provider of plumbing and drain cleaning service in Sydney.

Author – Tara White

There’s a lot more to being a landlord than just renting out the whole or sections of the house. In the end, you want your tenant to care of the property as though it was their own, which is why it is important to maintain a good relationship with them.

Here are some tips and points for building a great landlord-tenant relationship:

Choose the Right Tenants

The foundation of setting an ideal relationship with your tenant is to select the right person. It is important to do your due diligence when looking for the right fit to weed out tenants who might be troublesome.

As soon as you get a prospective tenant, your next move should be to screen your tenant. As a landlord, your areas of careful attention during the screening process should be on credit history, criminal records and previous rental behaviour (including previous evictions). Having this information will help you make a smarter decision. And if you go ahead to choose that tenant, it will help you to understand his/her history as you start building a relationship with them.

Communication is Vital

Make sure your communication with your tenant is clear and understanding in order to build a good relationship. Decide and establish the best communication channel, whether it is phone calls, SMS, WhatsApp or email. Keep in touch regarding everything that you need to know and inform them if you plan to visit, fix or inspect any part of the property.

If you need to access the house, you are legally required to notify your tenants 24 hours before the day – this is a basic requirement. You’ll be leading by example when you give them longer and being flexible about times, and they’ll take a cue from you and return the favour when the need arises.

Keep it Cordial

There will probably be times when you disagree on certain things – these may be trivial or more important issues. For instance, the tenant may want you to do things you don’t think are reasonable; he may ask permission to keep a pet and you disapprove, for example. You may want a small rent increase or worry about the condition of the garden.

Negotiating these kinds of agreements is an essential part of being a landlord and both parties need to state their views with courtesy. This will be even easier if you have sustained a professional relationship from the start.

Be on Top of Your Role

Keep in mind and uphold the duties and responsibilities of a private landlord, from gas safety checks to smoke alarms, securing the tenant’s deposit in an official scheme, to promptly carrying out your duties when it comes to quick fixes in and around the property.

Keep Records

Provide your tenants all the paperwork of all the legally required documents and make certain that you have copies too, properly filed and kept safe for when they may be needed.

Documentation can also assist in preventing conflicts, so ensure you have a record of all your official landlord-tenant communication, as well as every repair or visit to the house.

Carefully Draw up the Tenancy Agreement

Take care when drawing up your tenancy agreement with your tenant. Ensure it is carefully written, including clauses to cover anything that may result in misconceptions later. For instance, make a note in it if your tenant is to maintain the garden and if he has to obtain your permission before he can redecorate.

And the Inventory

Most issues that arise between landlords and tenants are as a result of damage to property or fixtures and fittings. Adopt a professional approach to inventory making and ensure that all items you supply are included and that the condition of your home and garden is documented at the beginning of the tenancy. Make sure to also include photo and video proofs.

 

 

It took a while before you decided to move. After weighing up the pros and cons, you decided that it’s time for you to leave and move elsewhere. It doesn’t mean your job is over. You still need to do other things to have a swift transition.

Look for a new place

You can look for a temporary place where you will move while you’re still finalizing your decision to stay in a new city. If you already have a new house, you can start to move your things. Apart from your personal items, you also have to consider furniture, appliances and other big items from your house.

Change your address

You have to start informing your bank, credit card company, and other businesses about your new address. You don’t want to have any trouble just because you didn’t receive your bills. It’s your responsibility to inform these companies about your new address.

Take your time to relax

If you recently sold your house, you already underwent a lot of stressful situations. You deserve a short break before moving forward. You still have a lot of other things to do. You can take some time to relax and spend time with your family. Moving could also take an emotional toll on you. It’s not easy to let go of a place you called home for many years. Take a break to assess how you feel before doing other things.

Say goodbye to your friends

It’s time that you inform everyone that you’re going to leave. You owe it to the people in your neighborhood. You had many years of friendship with them. Hopefully, things will stay the same, even if you decided to move. The least you can do is say goodbye to them with a party, or by going to their homes.

Secure your job

You have to find a new job so that you won’t find it difficult to start a new life in another place. Don’t move until you know there’s a job waiting for you. It would be terrible to put your entire family at risk because you’re unable to sustain your expenses. If you have excellent skills in your field, you won’t find it challenging to get a new job.

Move out

You have to start moving out since it’s a long process. You still have to pack your bags and load them on a truck. You can partner with a moving company to help you. If you have a lot of things, you also need to look for a storage facility to store them temporarily. You can take them out later when you have moved to your new residence.

You have to do several tasks, so you need to get started. If you still can’t find someone to buy your house, you can consider a wholesale buyer. Check out Sell My House Fast Miami if the property is in the area. You can close the deal quickly because the offer will be reasonable enough.

Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/mx4mSkK9zeo

 

With all the bush fires happening recently in Australia, it is more important than ever to safeguard your home from fire. But where does one go for advice on how to do this? With decades of experience in fighting forest fires in California, who better to turn to than Cal Fire, California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Here are six tips from Cal Fire for anyone living in a fire-prone area to help your home withstand a fire event:

1. Harden Your Home

In a major bush fire, hot embers can fly for miles, landing hot on shingles and into cracks and crevices under eaves and siding. To safeguard against flying embers, Cal Fire recommends several upgrades for “hardening” your home to make it more fire-resistant:

–Replace shake or asphalt shingles, which are combustible, with tile shingles or metal roofing, which do not catch fire.

–Seal cracks and crevices with silicone caulk to prevent embers from getting under siding and eaves.

–Cover all vents with small gauge mesh to keep out most flying embers. Window screening can work well for this in a pinch.

–Cover combustible wood siding on the exterior walls with ignition resistant materials, such as stucco, brick or fire-resistant metal or fibre cement siding.

–Manage leaves and debris. Throughout the warm season, sweep or flush your roof and gutters to get rid of leaves, moss and debris, all of which can catch fire when hot embers land on them.

2. Replace Your Windows

During a bush fire, temperatures can be hot enough to rupture glass. When this happens to single-pane windows, gaps are created which let in floating embers, catching the area around the window on fire. To help prevent this from happening, replace single-pane windows with double pane. Although the outside panes may rupture from the heat of a passing bush fire, they will protect the inside panes long enough to prevent rupturing.

3. Properly Landscape your home and garden.

There is a common myth among homeowners that green plants are fire resistant and safe to install immediately next to the house. However, during a bush fire, heat from the fire dehydrates plants, making them susceptible to the passing fire. Any plants near your home which catch fire are at risk of spreading the fire to your house. To prevent this from happening, do the following:

Keep Zone 1 Completely Clear

Zone 1 is the closest zone to your home and should be completely free from plants, including flowers, and completely free from household items of any kind. Remove weeds or grass and lay down gravel or concrete around the perimeter. Maintain this zone frequently during the warm season to keep debris away.

Create a Zone 2 Defensible Space

After Zone 1 is completely cleared, next focus on your yard and garage. Give the garage its own Zone 1 treatment, and then designate the yard and garden as Zone 2. In this zone, either remove the lawn and install gravel or concrete, or plant only a low lawn or low growing, fire-resistant plants and herbs. Absolutely no trees or shrubs should be in Zone 1 or 2.

4. Maintain the Zone 3 Bush Surrounding Your Home.

Zone 3 is the surrounding bush. The main problem in this zone is crowded vegetation which provides fuel for the bush fire and traps heat on hot days. The main treatment is to thin crowded vegetation and remove ladder fuels, which are weeds and shrubs that can carry the fire into higher growing shrubs and trees. Select fire-resistant plants for Zone 3 and consider clearing the perimeter as a fire break.

5. Check Your Home Insurance

Check your current home insurance to see if it covers damage or destruction caused by bush fires. A home can be damaged or destroyed when embers fall from a bush fire, so it is important to know whether or not your policy will cover damage caused by a fire that occurs on someone else’s property. If in doubt about your current coverage, get a home insurance quote for a plan that provides bush fire protection.

6. Have the Right Tools Handy

At the start of the warm season, collect the following tools and put them somewhere accessible so that they are within easy reach:

–Large capacity fire extinguisher to put out small fires.

–Shovel, to put out small bush fires.

–Broom and rake, to sweep debris away from the house.

–Brush to clear off gutters.

–Extra garden hose, to put out small fires outside of your garden.

–Power nozzle, to spray off roof and gutter debris.

–Ladder for accessing roof and gutters.

–Power blower, to blow debris away from the house perimeter.

–Assortment of buckets and pails to keep full of water for small fires.

Inside the kitchen, if you do not have running water you cannot do much. Plumbing is simply an absolute necessity. No matter what you might think, in most cases, you need the assistance of a professional. This always happens when you have serious problems like a broken pipe. Fortunately though, you do not always need the best plumber in Melbourne. Some fixes are really simple when you enjoy DIY projects.

Kitchen Sink With Low Water Pressure

Whenever you use the kitchen faucet and the water stream is weak, there is a big possibility that you are faced with a simple plumbing problem. Usually, the aerator is clogged.

Water will pick up various minerals while traveling to the home. The minerals accumulate inside aerators. All you usually need to do is to remove it. Then, take a brush, dip it in some vinegar and remove the debris you find.

A Leaky Faucet

There are leaking faucet problems that force you to contact a professional. They do need to eventually be replaced. Even so, you do want to see if there are some problems present that are very common and easy to fix. For instance, when you see a leak at the spout base as the faucet is used, it is possible that the O-ring seal is worn out. You will need to remove the faucet but be sure that you turn off the water supply when you do that.

Leaking Or Clogged Kitchen Sink

Kitchen sinks have P-shaped traps. They are important as they stop sewer gas from coming into the home. Water is pulled into the trap’s curved section, thus blocking gases. Unfortunately, the presence of various materials, like soap scum and grease, leads to obstructing water flow. A leak can also appear. With this in mind, whenever you see that the kitchen sink is clogged or leaks, you need to check your P-trap. Just be sure that you place a large-enough bucket right under it when you remove it.

Problems With The Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are incredibly useful for any kitchen. The problem is that this great piece of engineering cannot actually handle some materials, like bones and grease. Even when you throw some potato peals you can end up with a jammed disposal unit. When you notice that the system just does not work anymore, use the reset button. If that does not work, make sure to call a professional. Some serious assistance might be needed.

Leaking Dishwashers

If you have a dishwasher in your home, there is a pretty good possibility that a leak will eventually appear. This is because the appliance works at really high pressure. You can end up with some parts being broken. Even some damaged spray arms will end up causing serious leaks.

Fortunately, most of the leaky dishwashers are easy to fix with some minor replacements. Even hose clamp screws can do wonders. Just make sure you know what you are doing and turn off the water supply before you attempt anything.

The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is a techie’s dream come true. There are so many electronic gadgets to play with that it’s nearly impossible to contain one’s excitement at times. Even better, every year brings something new and exciting.

The star of the show for 2020 is home security and home automation. According to Larry Anderson of Security Informed, the smart home market was a major focus for CES 2020. Among the 4,500 exhibitors and 1,100 industry leaders were many smart home automation and security experts.

So why such an emphasis on home security and automation this year? There isn’t just a single reason. There are multiple reasons, five of which are discussed below. Suffice it to say that the results of CES 2020 will influence the home security and automation market for the next 12 months.

1. People Want to Be Safe at Home

It goes without saying that people want to be safe in their own homes. Up until five or six years ago however, installing a home security system meant calling a company, ordering their equipment, and paying for professional installation and monitoring. Going pro is still on the table in 2020. But so is DIY installation and monitoring.

Today’s wireless home security and automation systems are as easy to install as wireless modems and routers. Manufacturers know this. They also know that people want DIY systems. And as long as people want to be safe in their homes, equipment manufacturers will keep giving them what they want.

2. People Want Easy Installation

This second point is really a continuation of the first. Truth be told, people want easy installation. They do not want to have to pay professionals. Instead, they just want a system that works out-of-the-box. They want one they can set up in mere minutes to monitor for burglary, fire, and carbon monoxide.

3. People Want Smart Home Technology

You could make the case that a new interest in home automation is also fueling consumer demand. Simply put, people want smart home technology at their fingertips. Just having a smartphone is no longer good enough. Today’s consumers want smart speakers, remotely accessible video surveillance cameras, smart thermostats, and so forth.

Among the hottest smartphone technologies these days are smart door locks and thermostats. The smart door lock can be programmed for keyless entry. It can also be controlled remotely. As for smart thermostats, they can actually ‘learn’ a family’s lifestyle for on-the-fly adjustments. Smart thermostats save money year-round by more effectively controlling temperature.

4. Smart Speakers Continue to Amaze Us

Another thing home security and automation manufacturers have discovered is that smart speakers continue to amaze consumers. And why wouldn’t they? With a smart speaker on your kitchen counter, uttering just a single sentence will have a pizza delivered to your door in time for dinner. Your smart speaker can tell you the weather, read the news headlines, report the sports scores, and so much more.

Connect a smart speaker to your home automation system and you can control everything from temperature to lighting just by speaking. Vivint SmartHome recently published a blog about controlling Christmas tree lights with your voice. People love that sort of thing.

5. Smart Homes Save Money

Finally, home security and automation is a big focus for CES 2020 because smart homes save consumers money. A case in point is the smart thermostat. The smart thermostat is not just a programmable thermostat. It actually learns over time. You set it up with initial programming based on your schedule. For the next few weeks, the thermostat monitors activity in your home and compares it against that programming. Then it begins to adjust automatically.

You save money by not heating and cooling a home that sits empty all day. But that’s not all. You can also automate lighting the same way. You save money by not having lights on when no one’s home or when rooms are vacant.

Home security and automation are all the rage these days. If you attended CES 2020 you probably saw some great stuff. It is going to be a particularly good year for the industry.

Decorating the exteriors of your house? There is so much to be done! The door, garden, landing, porch, and the steps – each of them plays a role in making the surroundings of your property beautiful. Not only do they greet your visitors gracefully before they even enter your home, but they also give you a warm welcome every time you come home.

For years, people have considered things like solid paint colour, garden fountains, landscaping, and other expensive ways to make their house’s immediate surroundings impressive. However, there are many simple, natural, and offbeat ways to make the exterior of your house beautiful and lively. Here are some unique ideas to make the gateway to your home impactful.

• Incorporate Sand:

Think beyond permanent structures and create sand beds that not only look delightful but also add a great beach vibe to your home surroundings. In the backyard, you can get a feel of the coast by simply making sand bad and installing a hammock.

Builder’s sand, sharp sand, or coloured sand can do the trick. It’s easy to find these sand types, just get in touch with suppliers like Sand4U. The other ways to include sand in unique ways around your porch is to create a coloured sandpit in the garden. Little zen gardens on either side of the steps inspire a calm and cozy entrance into the house.

• Experiment with gravel:

With water shortage being a grave concern, a great area to explore is gravel. It is low maintenance, and it could provide great ways to decorate your surroundings. Gravel is easily available in many colours at affordable prices. Mixed tones of gravel might work well for almost all exteriors of your house. Gravel could help you create a unique and offbeat backyard, especially if you fashion it as a dried riverbed.

• The green area of your casa:

You can never go wrong with grass. Be it the front porch, garden, pathway, or the backyard, a little green never hurt anybody! if anything at all, greens only soothe our eyes. Ideal for games, picnic, camping and all fun times, the grass is a natural and inexpensive way to decorate your exteriors. Don’t have the patience to deal with maintenance and irrigation, you can also go for the synthetic turf. Use natural or synthetic grass and make a mixed arrangement of furniture.

• Mulch:

Mulch is one of the best tools for landscaping for the front yard, back yard or even the garden. Besides looking beautiful, it is very beneficial for the health of your plants as it helps you deal with weeds. Put in on the pathway or edgings as it could give your planting beds an impeccable look. Laying mulch around each planter could enhance even the most humble-looking garden.

• Fashionable plants:

Plants are natural and bring not only beauty to the surroundings but also health benefits for you and your loved ones. Incorporating plants can add a unique architectural dimension and over-all impact to your outdoors. The more is the variety of plants and flowers around your house, the higher will be the appeal. Use tall planters to enhance the entry path towards the house, and use tiny succulents and cacti to add little fine details to your patio and the porch.

• Flower boxes:

Custom flower boxes on the porch and along the driveway add beautiful colours. They almost function like little gardens that can be upgraded now and then with flowers of the season.

• Carve out the shrubs:

A hedge or a boundary made out of hardy plants creates a great design while providing a natural cover to your private space. Cut your shrubs into a flattened pyramid, a topiary shape or simply a rounded top for the best effect.