PDX Renovations

Tag: we buy houses

  • Household dangers

    Do you know what’s in your walls?

    Household dangers

    Did you know that asbestos and lead based paint are still a big problem? They are just some of the household dangers you don’t really think about. In Portland, thousands of homes are affected by these dangerous materials and when it comes to renovating, you don’t want to be surprised. For one, you wouldn’t want harm to come to yourself or your loved ones and secondly, the DEQ and EPA will be swarming the place, handing out fines and making sure it’s taken care of in the proper manner.

    So how do you know if it’s asbestos. It’s not like your home came with a manual mapping out exactly where the carcinogens were placed. Asbestos isn’t always obvious. Asbestos cement pipes and tiles are labeled, but you might not know this until you have already uncovered them.  There is a protocol if you have discovered it while working on your and it’s important that you follow safety guidelines. You can find these online at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/em1.pdf

    Lead Paint. Yep, this is still around too and you won’t know if until you go get it tested. There is a simple solution to this one, you can get test strips and peel off a piece of paint that you suspect is lead based, but thankfully Lead based paint hasn’t been manufactured since 1978 when it was banned. Still if you house was built before 1978. There’s a small chance you could have some in your house. Again the joint EPA-HUD or even CDC can give you guidelines on what to do if you find lead based paint in your home. Go to http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips.htm

    On another note, make sure that when you hire out contractors, they follow these guidelines as well because as the homeowner you are ultimately responsible for what goes on on your property. Get informed and stay safe from the harmful materials and potential big  fines.

    And as always, if a project is too big and you need to sell. Call us today for a quick visit and we’ll get you an offer tomorrow with no out of pocket expenses or repairs needed.

  • Renovation Estimates

    Renovation Estimates

     

    Just like anything else in life, unless you are educated and knowledgeable in specific areas, you truly don’t know everything. And subsequently, sometimes you don’t know the true cost of things. For example, getting your car’s brakes done. Do you know how much the markup on pads and rotors is? Or when ordering wine at a restaurant, do you know it’s a 200-300% markup on your favorite wines and spirits?

    It’s the cost of doing business. Everyone does it.  Now, imagine the big picture. Big dollars…maybe you need new drywall in your living room because a pipe bursts or your roof leaks. Your electricity goes haywire. Until you get a few different estimates, you truly don’t know how much it will cost you and how different each bid can be.

    For example. Getting a concrete bid. Sure, each company will probably tell you a set amount that is very similar to the next guy’s as far as how much the concrete will be, but the contractor will then add in delivery fees, labor, mileage, etc. And each estimate you get can vary by hundreds of dollars.

    It’s always a wise idea to get 3 to 5 bids whenever doing any kind of home repair job.

    Don’t feel bad for having them come out and give you an estimate. It’s their way of marketing themselves and keeping prices down for the public. Besides, if they want your business, they will work for it. It’s not a monopoly by any means. Getting estimates is also a good way to get comfortable with someone in your space with your family and belongings.

    Now, you’ve got your estimates and compare costs, labor, timing, etc. You can go even further and use the internet for reviews, Better Business Bureau ratings, and anything else you might need to know. When you pick the right contractor, the real work begins.

    Make sure you are prepared for the unexpected. We all joke about the famous “two weeks” Sure, it could take two weeks, but more times than not, something will come up, and it will take a bit longer. Is the hired contractor going to bump up your bill and inflate it for the extra time they put in?

    What if something happens beyond their control? Who pays for mistakes or do-overs? Do they offer a warranty on their product and services? These are important things to think of as well.

    Of course, your network of friends and family can always give great reviews and referrals, so don’t just pick up the phone and hire the first company you talk to.

    You’ll save money and headaches down the road by doing it right and getting a few different estimates first!

    PDX Renovations – Portland Oregon

     

  • Christmas Bills Lead to Debt

    Did you know that this time of year is infamous for getting consumers into debt. No surprise, huh. Christmas bills lead to debt all year long. Many of us feel the pressure to buy presents for loved ones, friends and co-workers  and overspend our budget, sometimes by thousands of dollars. Consumers go into debt on average of $2000 to $4000 each Christmas and then spend most of the new year trying to pay it off. When credit card companies charge upwards of 25% interest, consumers will be paying hundreds of dollars in interest. So here are some things to think about for the upcoming year. If you haven’t already done your shopping, think smart. The Christmas spending cycle has to stop somewhere, so why not make a change this December and give yourself a break in 2015.

    Here are some helpful tips from financial planners on Christmas spending.

    • Budgeting and planning ahead is the number one key to success. Set an attainable goal of what you put away each month for the following Christmas. Budget out what to spend and when and you’ll avoid costly Credit card bills later.
    • Cut back on Christmas spending. Make a reasonable list and stick to it. Don’t fall for “Black Friday” deals on things you really don’t need.
    • Make your list early and start before the Christmas rush. Keeping on budget is much easier when you have plenty of time to plan.
    • Don’t spend more than you have. This is an easy one, but Consumers fall into the spending trap each year because of TV advertisements, special incentives from stores and credit cards. The entire season has become about “spending” When in fact, we should be “spending” TIME with loved ones and friends.
    • Change your perception of the holidays. It’s not all about the presents. It’s about the joy of the season.
    • Think homemade gifts or special things you can do for someone, without breaking the bank.
    • Random acts of kindness can be worth so much more than a wrapped present that most likely will sit on a shelf gathering dust or adding to the Christmas “10” lbs Americans on average gain each Season.

    Spend wisely and save yourself the horrible January bills.

    **Already in Debt and don’t know where to turn? Do you have a rental house or vacant home, even an inherited home you weren’t intending on owning? Do you need to sell for cash today? Fill out our sell fast form and get a cash offer within 1 hour of us viewing the property.  https://patient-liger-dev.10web.site/how-we-buy/