A decent patio is usually right at the top of most gardeners’ wish lists – a multi-purpose space where you can display your plants, entertain, and relax with family and friends. And one of the most effective ways of creating the patio you want is to lay individual paving slabs, something most of us can have a go at.

• View this step-by-step guide with bigger pictures in our how to lay a patio photo gallery

Don’t worry if you’ve never done any hard landscaping before, as our simple guide will lead you through each step of the process. We chose to use slate paving, but the choice of materials is endless (from sandstone to York stone to concrete), with something to suit every budget.

Whatever material you go for, the method is identical. November is the perfect time to get cracking on a hard-landscaping project, as there are fewer plantbased projects to keep you occupied.

This step-by-step guide will make laying a patio and achieving a professional finish a breeze, we promise! The key to success lies in the preparation, and if you get the ground even at the start, and cover it with hardcore rubble (you’ll find this at most builders’ merchants sold as MOT), you won’t go wrong.

We recommend you use a wacker plate to level the ground (see our tools, below). Traditionally used to compact the sand base of driveways, it’s also great for ironing out bumps in the ground. Although not essential, it may help to draw a scale plan of your patio so you can work out the shape and pattern of the slabs, along with the exact amount of materials you will need.

We used

Materials Hardcore material, MOT type 1 (Wickes, £35 per 850kg bag, 0870 608 9001, www.wickes.co.uk or your nearest branch)

Building sand (Wickes, £30 per 900kg bag, details as above)

Cement (Wickes, £3.29 for a 25kg bag, details as above) Natural slate Midnight Blue paving (Marshalls, from £32 per sq m, 0870 120 7474, www.marshalls.co.uk for stockists)

Woburn rumbled paviours (Bradstone, from £19.08 per sq m, 01335 372 289,www.bradstone.com for stockists) Tools
Shovel, rake, wheelbarrow, wooden level pegs, hammer, spirit level, plank of wood, wacker plate, cement mixer, rubber mallet, bolster chisel, pointing trowel. For tool hire, trywww.hss.co.uk

Commercial Real Estate Misconceptions

Commercial real estate is a wonderful, exciting business that can offer a wealth of opportunity for those who look for it! Many people are often hesitant to enter such a market as commercial real estate for many different reasons. In fact, there are some major misconceptions about commercial real estate which I am going to address here.

Many people who hear about commercial real estate, but aren’t necessarily in the business, often use the expression “Location, location, location!” Many people associate this expression as the truth, that the three most important attributes about a property are “Location, location, location!”

I am here to tell you- this is absolutely not the case! Now, I am not going to say location is not important, but what if you have a beautiful location for a mountain resort, complete with snowy hills, a perfect location for a lodge, and beautiful mountain views? What you want to do to the property is improve it for a weekend getaway for romantic couples with a beautiful lodge, resort, luxury type housing, and perhaps some individual cottages overlooking the green forest. Sounds great, right?

The perfect location- you can’t beat it! But, you learn that the zoning for this property is residential, R1, to be exact. The use is only one single family residence per acre, and no commercial property allowed. What happened to your “Location, location, location?” It flew out the window!

The most important aspect of a property is the use. What is it intended for by designation of the city or county? It does not matter where the property is, if you cannot get the zoning that is in the realm of your intended use.

It is possible to get properties rezoned, especially as cities change and grow. Be sure to consult with the city or county to determine if these changes are even possible, because you do not want to buy a property that you cannot rezone, and be left with an unprofitable property on your hands.

Most people believe that commercial real estate is complicated and you need a special education or know how to succeed in the business. Many think that commercial real estate is filled with international finance, heavy and complicated math, complicated tax rules, and forms and applications that are just too complicated to understand correctly.

I am happy to tell you this misconception is the worst, because it puts a road block in front of many people’s aspirations to become a commercial real estate insider. Let me put this misconception to rest. There is math involved, and most of it is not at all complicated: simple ratios, adding, subtracting and multiplying. What is even better is you don’t have to do the math. There are others who can do that for you. The same is true with property management, inspecting the property, and doing the year-end tax report. In fact, commercial real estate is less complicated than residential real estate because you can focus your energies on a single deal that will be worth perhaps 10, 20, even 50 residential deals and more!

Let me put it into perspective for you. If you owned a business (many of you may), would you create strategies, keep the books, manage the many locations, sell on the front floor, and take out the trash after the day was over? I think not! Commercial real estate is made up of many people whom are there to help you with whatever you need. You must position yourself as a real estate insider, which is a leader in the business.

Another misconception is commercial real estate is management intensive, that you must manage every property you own. Let me tell you when you end up owning 10 or more properties, this is almost impossible to do! You do not have to actually manage your properties yourself, so you can concentrate on creating more deals. Hire a company or set a team in place to take care of this “day-to-day” business.

As you can see, what is passed around in dialogue about commercial real estate is not always true. Before you take everything to heart, be sure to get your facts straight. In fact, many people in this profession speak about commercial real estate as a business in which only the savvy and sophisticated can succeed. They often act this way because they want to keep people out of the market by differentiating themselves. If you were in this position, you would too!

Tag:commercial real estate, real estate, investment, return

Condo or condominium is a housing option that looks like an apartment complex. Condo ownership lets the owner to own the condo only not the land. Condo owners have to pay monthly fee for maintaining common areas.

Generally the association of property owners manages condominiums. Owners of condominium can do anything inside the their unit but not the outside. You’ve to clear all related points that what you can do or not inside the condominium at the time of signing the contract. You should check that whether it satisfies your requirements or not.

Condominium buying is just like purchasing single-family homes. Condominium offers a joint ownership of real estate and partners can use common recreational areas. Condo buying is the cheaper option as compared to real estate market. It offers great living opportunity in United States. It is the great option for the people who travel a lot. Several owners of real property offer condos with kitchens and private bedroom that enables residents of condominium to cook their food. They can save money by cooking their meal own.

Condo buying offers ownership without maintenance harassment, repairs and security concerns. Condos are usually luxurious and cheap housing options and you can spend your holidays at beautiful locations. Before any type of purchase check parking spaces, bathrooms, fireplace, condos’ area, amenities such as pool, health club etc, area costs, and security arrangement.
Condos’ buying is an important financial investment. Before purchasing unique condominium answer yourself for some general questions like:

Which area of the city is best suitable to your lifestyle?

What type of condo do you want?

How much you can pay for it?

How do you make purchase of condominium?
You should research for the builders’ reputation on Internet or personally before any type of agreement. Read purchase and sale agreement carefully and check all terms and conditions that will apply on the transaction. Be sure about all details of condo homeowner association that includes costs of monthly maintenance fee. The decision of buying condo should be based on social, legal and financial understanding. You should check whether the property is right for you and your family for a long period. Important documents such as the declaration, operating budget, management agreement and regulatory agreement should be reviewed at the time of buying a condominium.

Condo buying is not the best option for all. People who don’t want to share certain areas, like pool etc, with other condos owner should go for single home ownership instead of condominium. Sometimes total price of condo is lower than single-unit home. Condos’ residents should be aware of condominium settings. They can share their problems in monthly meeting with the association. It is compulsory to attend meetings and discussions. You should be active in community events while living in condominium.

You can talk to several professionals online to get all useful information about a particular area. They will provide significant information to make an easy condo buying. You should make your condos buying with complete understanding and awareness.

Purchasing a new residence involves many issues and condos may be on your radar. Before you buy, keep in mind there are disadvantages to condominium ownership.

Condominiums – Disadvantages

Condominiums are simply a collection of units in a structure or structures. All property on the interior of the unit is yours with few limitations. Everything outside of the unit, however, is considered to be in the common areas and subject to administration by the homeowners association for condominium communities. As with any bureaucracy, this can lead to problems.

1. Parking – One of the biggest pet peeves with condominiums is parking. While this may sound petty, it becomes a big issue over time if a particular situation occurs. One would think a condominium comes with assigned parking. In many developments, however, this simply isn’t the case. Instead, parking is on a first come, first serve basis. Over time, this situation can become extremely aggravating. With guests in the neighborhood, you may eventually find it difficult to getting parking!

2. Restriction – Condominiums are all about uniformity. If you prefer to express your individuality, the rules of a condominium may drive you insane. Since people live close to each other in condos, there has to be a number of rules to keep the peace. Many condominium associations, however, seem to go overboard with rules and one can often feel like a prisoner. You may be restricted from having pets, particular types of material in your units, renting to others, making noise outside during certain times and so on. Before taking the plunge on a condominium unit, you absolutely must read the rules and regulations for the association.

3. Association Fees – Homeowners’ associations need money to keep the gardening up and so on. As a unit owner, you are responsible for paying monthly homeowners’ association fees. Before taking the plunge, you need to make sure you understand the current fees. You should also look back in time to see how much the fee has risen over time. Paying an extra hundred bucks or so a month probably will not kill you, but what if the monthly fee is five hundred dollars?

The decision to purchase a condominium can be a complex one. While there are distinct advantages, the devil is in the details. Make sure you understand what you are getting into before taking the plunge.

The prices of condos are going up in some areas and down in other areas, but one thing is for sure, condos are here to stay! Condo living looks like being the way of the future and there are several quite diversified reasons for their popularity.

One is obviously a reflection on our society – many of us just feel safer living in a close community that offers protection of some sort. There is also the fact that most condo owners live up higher than ground level and it is known that more burglaries happen in first floor condos.

A higher proportion of condos are also being built as gated communities these days, so condos offer much more security than a single family dwelling. Many condos also offer 24 hour security patrols or underground parking.

Security is a big factor for all of us, but especially older people who may feel frail. With the baby boomers reaching retirement age, the largest ever population of pensioners will be looking for secure housing.

As age creeps upon us, we want to do fewer chores and have more peace. Another reason why a condo is so appealing as most condo maintenance is looked after by the management. Being able to walk though lawns that are fed, watered and cut by someone else has its appeal, as does swimming in a pool that is always at the perfect Ph balance!

There is another reason why members of the retirement population may like condos; it is easy to find friends in the unit and to visit without too much effort. Many condos also have a balcony, which is about enough outdoors once your back does not let you do the gardening anymore!

Real gardening buffs can search out a condo block that has large balconies and grow vegetables in pots! Make sure that you are able to grow vegetation on your balconies, this ‘permission’ thing may be an unfamiliar idea for those who are moving from single family dwellings.

Condos always have ‘house rules’. They are there to protect rather than to hinder, but they are all individually designed. Rules can be vastly different from one condo unit to another. It would be extremely important to check the rules before you make your decision to buy.

If you find a condo with the type of rules that would fit into your normal lifestyle pattern, then there will be no conflict in your new life – that is if you are planning a change!

Tag: condos, apartments, condo living, vacation homes, vacation condos