![]() When you have a thriving business with a growing team, you may reach a point where it’s best for your business to look for more space. This may be the time that you should consider upsizing your home to accommodate your growing business. Here are some tips from Van Allen Plumbing to get you started. Research First When you decide to upsize your home, be sure that this is the right decision for your company's and your family’s long-term goals. It is not just important, but crucial that you do some research before buying or selling a property. You need to consider what kind of space and amenities will be required for the size of your company. You also have to look at where will your office be located - are there nearby parks or facilities? What is transportation like? Where will my kids go to school? Is the housing market on an upward trend? A Real Estate Agent Is Your Best Resource Real estate agents are like your personal tour guides and experts for finding the right home. They know the ins and outs of each town, and neighborhood, the best time for you to buy, and what questions to ask yourself before making a purchase. They can negotiate the best deals, and help you find the right lender. They know what to look for and what to look out for when it comes to doing a thorough inspection Get Pre-Approved Sellers are typically more willing to accept offers from pre-approved buyers because it shows that the buyer has the financial resources available to make good on their offer. According to Investopedia, the difference between being pre-qualified and pre-approved is that a pre-qualification is an estimate of how much someone can afford to spend on a home, but a pre-approval means the lender has checked the potential buyer's credit and verified the documentation to approve a specific loan amount (the approval usually lasts for a particular period, such as 60 to 90 days). Protect Your Investment Homeowner’s insurance only covers damage to your home's structure, theft of belongings, and injuries that happen on your property. If you want coverage in case home systems or appliances break down, you'll need to invest in a home warranty. This is an annually renewable contract that can cover breakdowns to your heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing systems, along with covering appliance repairs. Before choosing a home warranty company, be sure to read reviews to find a policy that fits your needs and budget. Get the Best Business Structure Choose a business structure that will protect your home and personal finances. If you choose to structure your business as a corporation, then your personal assets will be protected from creditors by federal law. You will have access to free capital and relief from personal liability. A limited liability company (LLC) offers the same protections as corporations but does not require an attorney because LLCs are governed by state law rather than federal law. Rules do vary from state to state, so check with your local officials to make sure you’re meeting all the requirements. Grow With Your Business In order to pave the way for future business success, it can help to return to school for an advanced degree like an MBA. Online degree programs make it easy to earn your master's degree in business while still working full-time or tending to family obligations. The advantages of getting your master's degree online are multifold. You can reduce the total cost of getting your degree and it will take less time to complete it. Students typically have their best learning experience when they are able to study in a flexible way. This will allow students the option of studying in an on-demand format. Finding a bigger home for your home business is one way to improve your life as well as your company. The idea is that if you have more space to work with, you can create a more productive work environment - providing autonomy and freedom of thought. Van Allen Plumbing proudly provides complete plumbing services to Nevada. A plumbing repair and replacement professional, Van Allen Plumbing is your only choice in the Reno/Sparks area. Call 775-530-7850. According to moving company Allied, people relocate for jobs for many reasons, including money, to be closer to family, or simply because their business relocated. Whatever your reason, the experience can bring challenges that you weren’t ready for. This can cause stress and anxiety, but there are ways to reduce these unpleasant feelings by looking ahead before the big day. Here are a few tips from Van Allen Plumbing to get you started.
Prepare for the Job Search To find a new job, you want to make yourself appear as the best candidate to potential employers. If you haven’t updated your resume recently, using resume templates to polish yours can be helpful to your chances of getting the job you want. You can customize your resume to even feature your photo so you stand out from the crowd. Once you’ve created a design you like, simply download it to use for your applications. Ask About a Relocation Package Early If you’re moving for your company or to a new company, ask about the relocation package. This should include full-service moving, temporary housing and transportation, and extra money to help fund house-hunting trips. Manage Your Time Wisely A move, especially if you’re moving long distances, can be a big challenge that appears too big to handle. You’ll need to manage the time leading up to the move carefully. You’ll want to break the major components of the move into manageable parts that you can get your head around. It’s important to get a plan in writing that you can reference, come back to, and adjust as needed. You definitely want to allot time for home repair projects before you sell your current home. If you have any water heater issues, leaks, or other plumbing issues to address, Van Allen Plumbing can get you sorted. Our cost-effective services ensure that any job will get done right the first time. Find the Right Realtor in Your New Hometown When you’re moving to an entirely new city or state, it pays to have a realtor that’s familiar with the area on your side. Seek out a real estate team that understands the challenges and nuances that go with moving a family. A quick consultation will help you match with a local expert that can help you make an informed decision on where to live in your new hometown. Plan Ahead for the Pups You know that you have to prepare the kids for the long journey ahead, but also don’t forget about your four-legged friends. Before you move, head your veterinarian for a health check, have your pet’s identification updated, and confirm that any stops along the way are pet-friendly. Choose the Right Home and Location Whether you’re buying right off the bat or planning to spend the money to rent you have to have a space that works for you and your family. Your agent can help you choose the most affordable neighborhoods based on your budget; they will also help you choose a home with extra space to work if you routinely work remotely or are self-employed. Get Multiple Moving Quotes Moving long distances for a job requires a tight timeline. Make a point to get at least three moving quotes, and ask lots of questions. Confirm that the moving company you ultimately choose is licensed and fully insured and has a reputation for being on time. Take Time for Self-Care Although it seems like things are moving quickly, you have to slow down from time to time. Take a few hours for yourself each week, even if it’s just 30 minutes every day, for self-care. Something as simple as a warm bath or walk after breakfast can keep your mood even and your spirits high. Get to Know the Area Before You Move Moving to a new location where you don’t know anyone or anything is intimidating. Look for events, join social networking groups, or visit your new town’s Facebook page for information about the area. You’ll want to know, among other things, how to register your children for school, which restaurant has the best food, and the location of the nearest hospital. Gather Your Documents When you move, you’ll need a pet health certificate for any animals, school records for your children, and your insurance information. Further, if you plan to buy a home, you’ll need information on your income and owning/renting history. There is no way to get around some of the stress that you’ll experience making two major transitions at once. But, changing your address to pursue a new opportunity might be the best decision you’ll ever make. Keep stress levels low by preparing your resume, planning ahead, and being fully prepared on moving day. Image via Pexels For many business-minded individuals, pursuing a career in commercial real estate development can be very rewarding. Commercial real estate developers have the opportunity to earn a competitive annual salary while advancing the economy and creating millions of jobs within sectors such as office, retail, warehouse, and industrial construction. In fact, the industry supported 9.2 million US jobs in 2019 and 8 million jobs in 2020 — according to the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP).
To pursue a career as a commercial real estate developer, there are several crucial steps you’ll need to take to obtain the education and credentials needed to succeed in the industry. Here, we highlight a few of these requirements. Meet Basic Career Requirements Your first few steps toward becoming a commercial real estate developer is obtaining the right education, state licensure, and experience. If you have no background in real estate, for instance, you’ll want to start by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in real estate, business administration, or construction management. Or, if you already have a real estate background, you could obtain a professional certificate in commercial real estate development. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, it’ll be time to earn your real estate license. You’ll need to be licensed in order to start working as a commercial real estate developer or broker, and you may choose to obtain professional certification as well. The NAIOP offers two types of certifications for interested real estate professionals:
That said, many aspiring commercial developers start out as real estate brokers or property managers. As they obtain work experience in real estate, they can transition into commercial real estate development by networking with other real estate professionals and joining professional organizations like the NAIOP, Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), and Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR). Learn About the Commercial Development Process Once you’ve obtained some real estate experience and you’re ready to transition into commercial development, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the different steps in the real estate development process. Typically, these steps include setting goals for your project; applying for permits; locating, assessing, and acquiring land for your commercial property; and obtaining a commercial real estate loan. You’ll also need to assemble your commercial real estate team. When building a property from the ground up, you’ll need to look for a general contractor, civil engineer, architect, and landscape architect. Provide Ample Lighting to Ensure Building Safety Post-COVID, it’s especially important to keep safety in mind when developing your commercial property. These added safety measures will not only protect your building occupants and visitors from harmful viruses and bacteria, but other safety features — like installing LED parking lot lights in your parking garages, stairwells, and walkways — will help to deter crime and prevent driving accidents. As a commercial real estate developer, it’s important to keep in mind that your buildings and parking garages require ample lighting at all hours of the day and night. High-efficiency lighting enhances building security and safety, helping to reduce the risk of trips and falls, assaults, carjackings, and car-pedestrian accidents. Market Your Commercial Property After many months spent planning and developing your commercial property, you’ll need to market it to your target audience. Start by building your brand identity, just as you would for any other business. This means coming up with a mission statement and slogan, building a website and social media presence, and using online logo-making tools to create a custom logo that represents your brand — taking the time to carefully select the right colors, fonts, text, and style. You can then market your property on social media, in business journals and newspapers, and by sponsoring local events. In Conclusion There are many ways to succeed in commercial real estate development, and these tips are just the start. Gain experience, earn your license, and showcase your skills and qualifications with a stellar resume. Once you get started, ensure your commercial properties are well-lit, safe, and secure. We know there’s a lot to learn when you’re just getting started, but building a commercial real estate career can be an enjoyable journey! Need commercial plumbing services in Reno? Van Allen Plumbing offers unparalleled plumbing expertise and experience. Call 775-530-7850 Running your business from your home offers a number of advantages. You’ll have flexibility, a healthy work-life balance, and you’ll save on commuting and commercial rental space. As you’re developing your business plan and operational strategy, consider what your workspace needs will look like today and in the future and design your home office with your growth potential in mind.
Getting Started If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to get a business license, determine an appropriate incorporation status, draft a business plan and a marketing strategy, start developing your brand, and set up an invoicing process. This includes making sure you get paid on time by giving customers a variety of payment options and keeping billing terms easy to understand. You can create branded invoices with an invoice generator. Simply download a template and customize with your own fonts, logo, and colors. Redesigning Existing Workspace The fastest way to get a home business up and running is to utilize your existing home work space as-is. Ideally, you’ll want office space with a door for privacy that’s removed from household traffic. You’ll be spending a lot of time in your office, so make it a comfortable environment. Paint the walls a calming color, add live plants and up-lighting, and install a workstation that’s comfortable and ergonomically sound. If you’ll be seeing clients in your office, you’ll want space for them to sit comfortably. Even though it’s a home office, it shouldn’t look like a spare bedroom you’re working from. Put diplomas and awards on the walls and don’t allow the space to be shared - it’s not a professional look for clients to see a laundry basket in the background of a Zoom call. Augmenting Your Space If you have the ability to build on to or renovate your home to accommodate your growing business, it can be a worthwhile investment that adds to the appraised value of your property. You might build an entirely separate structure, like a casita, or add an office on to your home’s footprint. In this case, consider having an exterior entrance so you can “leave” the house to go to work and “leave” the office to go home. Not only is this more private and professional, according to Entrepreneur, but the delineation between work and home can also be good for your mental health. Since this will be a big undertaking, you’ll want to ensure you get several construction quotes from respected contractors, and make sure you’re building in the features your business needs for today and tomorrow. Buying A New Home If your business is growing and your family is growing, you might consider buying a larger home altogether. Consider all of your needs - how close are you to quality schools? Does your spouse commute to work and need to be close to a highway corridor? How much home can you afford? You’ll want something with an established home office space, or a house that’s large enough to easily morph existing space into an office. According to UpNest, you can start your search online, but an experienced real estate agent can be an asset in helping you find a house that fits your specific needs. A home-based office is a great way to start or grow a business venture, and the best thing - any expenses associated with your home workspace are tax-deductible, so keep good records, establish a process for invoicing, and enlist the help of an accountant when it’s filing time. Van Allen Plumbing provides top-notch and professional plumbing services in the Reno-Sparks area. Get a quote today! Photo By Pixabay Older homes can be elegant, durable, and full of character, but they sometimes require extra upkeep and a different approach to home improvement. This is partially due to the fact that building techniques and materials have changed over the years, so you have to strike a balance between maintaining the quality and character of an older building while also staying up to code when it comes to safety and environmental concerns.
Some homeowners may aim to replace or update anything that is dated or hazardous while also maintaining the home’s original period charm. Others may opt for more radical renovations. Whatever the case, Van Allen Plumbing lists some helpful home improvement guidelines to keep in mind. Update anything that might pose a safety risk. Yes, old houses were built to last, but that doesn’t mean all their components have held up well over the years, or that the materials used were all ideal. Here are some older home components that should probably be renovated.
No matter how charming your older home is, some portions of it may be very much in need of an overhaul, for the sake of overall practicality.
Even if it’s not a huge structural or safety issue, it sometimes makes more sense to have the experts take care of a project.
If you’re thinking about selling your older or historic home, but don’t want to invest in pricey updates, here are some easy tasks you can do yourself, to increase the sale value of your house.
Image via Pixabay In need of complete plumbing services in the Reno-Sparks area? Look no further than Van Allen Plumbing. Call for a free estimate today! 775-530-7850 The adage, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" can be applied for more than physical health. We tend to take for granted how our water is delivered and disposed of in our homes and businesses until there is a problem. A dripping faucet never just stops dripping on its own. Little things like leaky faucets and a toilet that tends to keep running well after a flush can become more than an annoyance. If you consider all the items that depend on properly running plumbing in your home or business it can really add up. Laundry, dish washer, water heater, toilets, faucets, shower heads, refrigerator ice maker, water softeners all could be sources of increased utility bills and eventual replacement events. And we haven't even mentioned making sure the water goes down drains without clogging or running over. Why not schedule an inexpensive whole house maintenance check on your plumbing and prevent a more costly repair bill in the future?
Leaky faucets, plugged drains and failing water heaters are normal wear and tear items in all homes. Manufactured homes have unique needs when it comes to plumbing. Accessibility, for example, is sometimes tricky depending on how the skirting was installed and whether the home is on a foundation. Unlike stick built houses water heaters typically are accessed from the outside of a mobile home. Depending on the age of the mobile home the plumbing lines and fixtures may have a shorter lifespan than in houses built onsite. While manufactured homes have improved dramatically over the years, the materials used in the construction tend to require more maintenance over the life of the house. If the house has been moved, things can loosen up or break. Water damage from a leaky pipe or fixture can end up costing thousands of dollars to replace flooring and insulation. Not all plumbers are licensed to make repairs in manufactured homes. Others prefer not to work on them at all. Finding a licensed plumber that is qualified and experienced in manufactured homes is vital to extending the life of your home. Finding one that responds quickly to a plumbing issue can be the difference between a minor repair and a major renovation. There is no such thing as a minor leak when it comes to plumbing. Leaks don't heal themselves and the longer it is put off, the more damage will occur.
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Van Allen Plumbing
Van Allen Plumbing offers residential and commercial services in all phases of plumbing throughout the greater Reno/Sparks area. Plumbing Services
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