Most Recent Living Articles
3 TIPS FOR CREATING A WATERWISE GARDEN
Saving water is crucial for the preservation of our environment – particularly within the South African context. According to a report released at the end of 2018 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), temperature increases in the sub-Saharan Africa region are projected to be higher than the global mean temperature increase; which translate into greater risks for droughts a
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HOME PREPARATIONS FOR PET-PHOBIC VISITORS
Your mother-in-law glares at you from the opposite end of the table, her white Christmas dress now muddied with paw-print polka dots left by an overly excited greeting from her four-legged grandchild. You glance over at your deathly allergic father-in-law beside her who appears to be doing a Rudolph impersonation as the cat curls its tail under his nose and digs its claws into his lap. These are t
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4 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYING HOMEOWNER
Before you pack your bags and print your boarding passes, there are a few things you need to get in order at home to ensure uninterrupted holiday bliss. Below are the four safety precautions you can put in place before you leave for your vacation: 1. Secure your home Before you leave, cut back any plants that are near to your outdoor security beams so that they don’t trigger your al
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BUDGET-FRIENDLY WAYS TO KEEP YOUR HOME COOL THIS SUMMER
Condensation drips from your water glass as the sun streams through your living room. The dodgy ceiling fan whirrs wildly above your head, but you’d sooner risk decapitation than endure another minute of this heat. Summer is coming. But, you needn’t dread it. There are loads of ways you can prepare your home so that it stays cool in the days to come. Rather than quick fix solutions,
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INVEST IN YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE TO SELL
Although kitchen and bathroom renovations still top the list as the upgrades that add the most value to a home, outdoor space is becoming a hot commodity as plot sizes shrink, making them a prime space in which to invest some money to attract potential buyers. An outdoor home improvement project will not only assist in maximising the enjoyment of the property’s outdoor spaces, but it will al
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3 TIPS FOR GOOD RETURNS ON A HOLIDAY HOME
A holiday home investment provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. And, with the wide variety of leisure destinations throughout the country, buyers are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a location in which to purchase a holiday home. Apart from a getaway that the family can enjoy, a leisure property can also be a solid investment that generates healthy returns over
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HOW REPEAT BUYERS CAN FINANCE THEIR NEW HOME
Most repeat buyers rely on the equity from the sale of their first home to finance their new home. However, the process of cancelling one home loan to take out another is not always simple. It is therefore advisable to arrange a consultation with a bond originator to help you better understand how to go about the process. While experienced real estate professionals will be able to outline the g
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MISTAKES EMPTY-NESTERS MAKE WHEN DOWNSIZING
Relocating after your last child leaves the nest can be an emotional experience – especially if you are a tightly-knit family. It can be difficult to adjust your thinking when viewing new homes, as you now need to consider only your own wants and needs and not those of your children. Below are the three mistakes empty nesters most often make when downsizing after their children move out o
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WHAT CAN I CHANGE WHEN PURCHASING OFF-PLAN
Much like the virtual world of Sims, the real world also presents the option between unleashing your creativity on a spot of vacant land or popping a pre-designed house onto a plot and making it your own. One of the many enticing factors of purchasing a property off-plan is that you get a say in how the final product will look. The question is, how much can you change when purchasing a property of
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AFFORDABLE WAYS TO ENTERTAIN AT HOME
Most South Africans run out of money by the 15th of every month. If you want to cut back on your expenses, you could choose to enjoy time at home instead of going out on expensive weekend adventures. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the weekend without needing to step a foot out of your front door. That’s why it’s so important to find a property that you love spending time in. But,
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PROS & CONS OF CONVERTING A GARAGE INTO A LIVING SPACE
Many residential plots do not allow for much outward expansion, especially if you live close to the city centre. Unless you are able to go up instead of out, the only other option is to work with the space you already have. But, are you adding or losing value when you convert a garage into a living space? For upmarket properties situated close enough to business and shopping centres to allow fo
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WILL ADDING STORAGE HELP ME SELL?
Being organised is the new fad of homeownership. Sellers who take advantage of this trend could potentially increase their property’s value and appeal to potential buyers. If your property is lacking storage space, get creative with what you have and add inexpensive built-in features to make your existing storage space more practical and appealing. If you are selling your home, below are
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