Home & Garden

Living the life of a minimalist is a freeing experience that many strive to incorporate into their ongoing daily existence. The ability to declutter your home, mental space, and more is liberating on many different levels. While some might think that minimalism is full of rules and structures, making it unapproachable, the truth is that living as a minimalist is as simple as you want to make it. Not everyone will completely upend their living situation and adopt the most extreme forms of minimalism in the early days (of course, if you choose to pursue these paths later down the road, that’s totally acceptable as well).

Indeed, becoming more minimally minded is as easy as looking to rent a storage unit and shifting some of your unneeded belongings out of the home for a quick turn toward physical minimalism. A storage unit operates as the first step toward greater minimalism in any lifestyle and in any city. With the help of a great storage facility that’s affordable, offers the blend of security features and access that you’re looking for, and perhaps even brings in climate-controlled storage and other additional amenities, you can take the first steps toward this brand new lifestyle that promotes health, happiness, and mindfulness at the forefront of every experience.

Continue reading to learn about storage options and other benefits and approaches to living the life of a minimalist today.

Minimalism helps reduce stress in your life.

One of the main benefits of a minimalist household is the reduction of stress. In your home environment, clutter can easily translate into a restriction of movement, which in turn adds to the stress levels that you experience on a daily basis.

Taken in tandem with the expense of a large home that involves a lot of belongings (many of which you never touch or even consider), shedding some of this weight is a great way to enjoy a larger sense of freedom and carefree living without any major changes in your ongoing lifestyle. With the help of a storage facility, it’s easy to remove some of this clutter from your everyday living space and transfer it into a permanent or short-term storage space that’s, importantly, not at your home. Reducing stress is important these days, and many people are searching for ways to incorporate more stress elimination in their lives.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to derail plans, force workers to telecommute from their living rooms or kitchens, and more, homes have become a place of immense pressure throughout all phases of life. Taking back control of the stress management that you’re able to bring into the space is a great asset. Minimalism can help you regain this sense of ownership over the physical and mental space that your home presents to you and your family.

Minimalism is about more than possessions.

While many people who are approaching minimalism might point to the number of things a person owns as a surefire way of identifying a minimalist, this isn’t the only change that signals a shift in mindset. Belongings are but one way in which minimalism can transform your life. In addition to a more streamlined home environment that allows for the display of the things that actually matter to you and your loved ones, this way of life also provides you with more time for the things that matter the most to you.

For instance, many people love spending time outside, but their mental state is bogged down in all the little tasks that must be completed each day, leaving them with little to no time to engage with their outdoor activities (perhaps even just sitting in the grass to feel the sunshine). Spending time outside is a proven means of reducing stress as well, and this stress management feature is a common theme within the world of minimalism.

Consider these approaches and benefits of becoming a minimalist in your own home.

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The housing market is undergoing a transition period, according to experts like Ram V Chary, and investors should be on the alert for new trends in the coming year. Here are some trends investors should watch in the coming year:

1) The Rise of e-Commerce

For one, the rise of e-commerce is affecting the housing market in a few ways. First, it’s leading to more people living in cities and closer to their places of work. This is due to the fact that more and more people are buying items online and don’t need to go to stores to make their purchases.

This is not good for malls and other shopping venues, but it’s great news for property owners who own homes close to the office or offer easy public transportation access.

2) Millennials Will Continue Their Housing Trend

Millennials have fueled another trend: they are eschewing homeownership in favor of renting longer. Not only are they delaying marriage and children, which traditionally led to the purchase of homes, but many are opting to stay at home with their parents or move back in for financial reasons.

Millennials have also been slow to embrace credit cards, which could be impacting their ability to save for a down payment on a house. As millennials continue to choose to rent over buying, investors should be on the lookout for properties that make great rentals.

3) More Work-Life Balance Needed

As more people opt to work from home and put in longer hours, they will need to make sure their homes offer them the space and conveniences they need. This means that spare bedrooms and other rooms may not sit empty and could provide another source of rental income if turned into a home office or media room.

Expect to see more homeowners investing in things like storage spaces, entertainment areas, and even gyms in their homes as they try to strike a better work-life balance while saving time and money commuting every day.

4) A Smaller Footprint

As work and shopping habits change, consumers will need to rethink the size and layout of their homes. This means thinking smaller and living within a more compact footprint.

This trend is already evident in smaller houses, condos, and other popular housing spaces among first-time home buyers. For real estate investors, this means there may be an opportunity to renovate or update properties before reselling them for top dollar. It also means looking at older homes that were built before the advent of bigger spaces, as these could become part of a renovation project.

5) More LEED Certified Homes

Finally, consumers want to live in a greener and more sustainably developed neighborhoods, which has led to a rebranding of environmental certification marks. As one example, more homes are being built to be LEED-certified after local governments began offering incentives for green builders.

This means real estate investors should look at properties in these areas to ensure they can turn a profit while still complying with environmental standards. It could also mean picking up older LEED-certified properties at good prices and making them rental units if needed.

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Having guests over can be a source of stress and anxiety for many homeowners. Even the smallest details can make a big difference when you’re entertaining, which is why it’s essential for you to start planning as far in advance as you can for special events. You might be surprised by the number of tasks and errands that end up on your to-do list, and you don’t want to leave everything to the last minute. Make sure to leave room in your budget for professional help with more complicated projects, especially if you haven’t done any home maintenance recently. If you’re planning to have guests in the near future, keep reading to learn more about what you can do to get your home ready.

How do you prepare your home for guests?

One important part of having guests over is making sure they’re happy and comfortable. To that end, finding out more about their preferences for music, dining, and entertainment can help you create an environment that your guests enjoy. If you’re planning to serve food, you’ll also need to ask your guests about any allergies or dietary restrictions they may have. Not having food for everyone to eat is one of the quickest ways to ruin any special event.

Anyone who entertains frequently should also consider investing in a home warranty. If you aren’t familiar with home warranties, they’re like an insurance plan for your major home systems and appliances. Typically, in exchange for a monthly premium, home warranty companies provide repair and replacement services for a fraction of what it would cost to solve the problem on your own. Companies like this home warranty Texas business offer different levels of coverage based on your individual needs.

Families with pets or small children need to make a plan for how to entertain and occupy them while you have company over. Provide them with plenty of entertainment options and consider creating some play space for them in a spare room where they can go if they get bored or overwhelmed. It’s often best to leave pets in a guest room or use gates to keep them away from high-traffic areas. Just check in on them frequently and provide plenty of food and water.

What home maintenance should you take care of?

If you’re having a large party or guests staying with you, you’ll want to ensure that everything in your house is in good working order. Your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems should be your highest priorities. Electrical work, in particular, can be difficult, so look for well-regarded professionals like these electrical contractors in Harrisburg, PA. While some simpler tasks can be done on your own, it’s usually a better idea to enlist expert help for essential home maintenance projects.

You should also consider taking care of exterior maintenance. This can include tasks like lawn care, gutter cleaning, and power washing. While not strictly necessary, most people want their homes to be in the best possible condition when they’re having guests over. It’s always a good idea to make a positive first impression as soon as your guests arrive.

You can significantly cut down on the stress and anxiety associated with having guests over if you give yourself enough time to prepare and organize a to-do list. Anyone who entertains frequently may benefit from investing in a home warranty plan to protect their home systems and appliances from damage or wear and tear from frequent use. Being diligent about regular home maintenance even when you aren’t expecting company is another important part of ensuring everything goes smoothly. Though the list of things to do before an event can seem overwhelming, the work will be worth it when you get to make new memories with the people you care about.

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Remodeling your home is a common requirement for many. No matter where you live, remodeling efforts are a great way to reimagine your living space and build additional value into the foundation of the property. Many homeowners forget that real estate property is both a living space—one that facilitates your daily routine, habits, comfort needs, and more—and also a financial asset that grows alongside you and your family. In fact, your home is likely your most valuable fiscal possession and should always be treated as such.

Remodeling your home is an effort designed to increase your family’s peace of mind and comfort, but it also must be done strategically. The truth is that the average homeowner remains in their property for around 13 years before selling and moving on to a new space that better suits their needs. This means that a family will spend one major chapter of life, collectively, in a property, but likely not another. Families that are just starting out are likely to raise young children in their home and then move as their oldest become teenagers.

Likewise, for families that have moved with younger children, as soon as they start to age out of the period in life where living at home is typical and chase after their own hopes and dreams, the large, family space might seem like a hassle to maintain for parents who have become empty nesters.

This all means that remodeling is designed for both improving comfort in the home for your family, but also remains targeted at structural upgrades that will improve the value of your property over time. As a result, you’ll have greater capital access when it comes time to set out on your next home. With these action items in mind, approaching the renovation and remodeling process can be made far easier.

Consider the bathroom for a major impact.

The bathroom is a luxurious space designed for creature comfort and relaxation. This is a place that you begin your mornings and end your evenings in and will use numerous times throughout the days you are working from home or relaxing—which are great in number these days. Bathroom remodeling in Minneapolis that targets the shower, tub, and vanity offers a great way to immediately boost the comfort level that you enjoy in the property and give it the boost it needs to make a real impact on the property market when it comes time to sell and move on. The bathroom is a place that can make or break a home, and a well-kept bathroom can provide a real selling point for a home that’s just hit the market. On the other hand, a bathroom that hasn’t been updated in years can feel old and stuffy. This creates strain in your daily routine and will turn buyers off to the property as well.

Implement fast-acting solutions.

Flooring, walls, and window solutions are all great impact additions to any home. A removable peel and stick wallpaper can give you a totally new and fresh look throughout the house with only minimal effort. In fact, these projects can often be completed in a weekend or even an afternoon for some of the more crafty homeowners out there. Wallpaper and painting options are great for revamping a home in a hurry. These give off a new energy within the home and can transform your level of comfort and enjoyment in the property. Likewise, a new wall color that matches the prevailing trends can even boost the eventual sale price of a home on the market without any additional work.

With these areas at the front of your mind, making your home more comfortable is a simple task.

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As the leaves turn colors and the days grow shorter, you know that fall is in the air. In just a few short months, winter will be here, bringing colder temperatures and winter weather to many places across the country. Getting yourself prepared for winter is easy. Break out the gloves, scarfs, jackets, and boots, and you’re ready to go! Unfortunately, getting your home ready for the colder months isn’t that easy. Until someone comes up with a giant sweater that you can slip over your home, there are a few things that you need to do to prepare for winter.

From your windows and doors to the heating and plumbing, there are a few areas that you should address to be ready for the cold. In the process of winterizing your home, you might find that you need replacement windows, a weather seal, or even a new HVAC system. Hopefully, your home will require minimal work to get it “winter-ready” but you need to take certain steps to keep your home in good shape. As an example, most experts agree that a typical HVAC system lasts 15 – 20 years. This can be extended, however, with regular maintenance. No matter the case, it’s better to catch any problems before winter weather arrives and you’re stuck in the cold, literally.

Prepping for the cold means performing routine maintenance to make sure that your home is in working order. Let’s look at some things that you should do to get your home ready for the cold weather.

Stop the leaks.

During the cold months, homeowners will want to ensure that any drafts are kept to a minimum. While inspecting your home to prepare for winter, you should check the caulking or silicone around all of your windows and doors to ensure that things are air-tight. Check for worn weather stripping around doors and ineffective door stops. Unfiled gaps around your windows and doors will allow cold air in. This will make your home colder, cause your heating system to work harder, and increase your energy bills. Additionally, it might be worth investing in new windows if you have older leaky windows before winter arrives.

During your prep for the winter, you might find that you need new windows altogether. New all weather seal windows can make a huge difference during both the summer and winter. With top-quality weather seal and energy-efficient technology, new vinyl replacement windows can do an amazing job of maintaining your home’s temperature. If you suspect that you need new windows, you should contact a contractor to help you with the process.

Check the HVAC.

 

A periodic times throughout the year, you’ll want to perform regular maintenance on your cooling and heating system. It’s always a good idea to do a thorough inspection and perform maintenance on your HVAC system before the summer and winter seasons. To ensure that the system performs at maximum efficiency, you can perform a monthly maintenance HVAC check. There are some things that you do yourself. However, you’ll want to contact an HVAC technician to help you with this. They can check things like your ducts, airflow, condenser unit, and compressor to ensure functionality. They can also perform any maintenance that needs to be done to get you ready for winter.

Prep your plumbing.

To prepare for outside temperatures that might dip below freezing, you’ll want to prep your plumbing to prevent any expensive burst pipes. Drain the water for your outdoor faucets and hoses and make arrangements to have in-ground sprinklers pipes taken care of. Check for any problem pipes prone to freezing and winterize them with insulation and heat tape. A busted pipe can create a very costly repair situation.

With cold weather on the horizon, now is the time to prepare your home. Checking your windows, doors, HVAC system, and pipes can help ensure that your home stays warm and safe during the winter.

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When shopping for a new home, some people look for new construction with all of the bells and whistles. Many others, however, prefer the character, charm, and unique personality of older homes. Many older homes can be found in prime locations with lower price tags than newer-built houses. For home buyers, purchasing an older home can be a significant investment; however, there are some things to consider.

As with many things, age can be subjective when it comes to older houses. Typically, however, when buyers are in the market for older homes, they look for places at least 50 years old. Homes that are considered antique were typically built before 1920. Some people shop for historic homes that must meet strict requirements for age and significance. Due to the home’s age, there can be issues with any number of things. Fortunately, most problems can be caught with a home inspection. To help with due diligence, let’s look at what homeowners should consider when buying an older home.

Deteriorating Roof

One of the most significant issues that old houses face is problems with the roof. Each type of roof will have its lifespan, from a metal roof to tile roofs to shingle roofs. The maintenance record, craftsmanship, and roof grade will all impact the roof’s condition. Weather will also play a significant role in how durable a roof will be. As an example, houses in Florida will be subject to heat, humidity, and storms for the majority of each year. Roofs in the Northeast are exposed to cold and snow for a significant amount of time. These are harsh conditions, leading to leaks or other roofing needs.

Professional roofers with years of experience might help you understand the condition of the roof and any work that needs to be done. Suppose you are considering an older home in the Florida area, for example. In that case, you could look into Fort Myers roof installation as a trusted contractor to help you figure out any problems with the shingles or the need for roof replacement. You must have a roofing contractor check out the situation before you purchase an older home. If you choose to buy a home in need of roof repair, make sure that you hire professionals to bring the roof back to top condition.

Old Flooring

Another issue that many older houses have is old carpet. In some situations, old hardwood floors have been well cared for, preserving their longevity. However, in other homes, shag carpeting or another type was installed and hasn’t stood the test of time. When looking for older houses, pay attention to the flooring and factor in the cost of new carpet if needed. If you’re planning other renovations, you’ll want to work with a good carpet store to help with selections to match the house. Depending on your area, you can search for carpet Dallas, TX, for example. Many of these stores also carry tile, laminate, and hardwood selections at a good price.

Outdated Wiring and Plumbing

Many older homes still have the original knob-and-tube wiring and cast-iron pipes. Both of these situations can pose safety risks. Old electrical wiring systems have caused fires. Corroded pipes have resulted in leaks, weak water flow, and poor water quality. When looking at older houses, be sure to have the home inspector check the wiring and plumbing. Correcting these situations can be expensive as you’ll need qualified professionals to do the bulk of the work.

When buying an older home, there are several things to watch out for, from roofing problems and old carpet to outdated wiring and plumbing. You’ll want to get a complete home inspection and also consider other specialized assessments, such as those for termites or hazardous materials and gasses. Buying an old home can be rewarding. You’ll want to do your due diligence, however, to make sure that you know exactly what you’re getting.

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If you’ve been considering the benefits of getting solar panels, you’re in good company. In 2020, the solar industry capacity grew 43% from 2019!

There are pros and cons of whether you consider owning or leasing solar panels. Keep reading to learn more about these choices to help decide what works best for you.

Owning Solar Panels

If you go the route of owning your solar energy system, it could increase home value. You might decide to sell your home down the road, and you’ll want to get as much for it as possible. You may make a career move or downsize and need the house to have some perks.

Going solar could increase home value by over 4 percent! That could mean thousands of dollars. That’s aside from the tax deductions you get.

Many people get hit with rising energy costs during hot summers and frigid winters. When looking to save on utility bills, solar energy can help. Since it draws natural power, you don’t have to pay for as much electricity.

When you’re on a budget, it may seem impossible to justify the installation costs of a solar energy system. Depending on the size of the unit needed, it can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000. You can get financing at Blue Raven Solar, which makes owning your system affordable!

In some cases, you can get approved for no money down. That removes all installation costs, but you may need an impeccable credit history.

Another possible con is that owning your system means you will have to pay to get it fixed if needed. The associated costs will vary according to what needs maintenance.

Leasing Solar Panels

When you lease solar panels, you get to make monthly payments. Many people may not want to borrow money or don’t qualify for a loan. Leasing also gives you the benefit of solar panels without the installation costs.

You can save money on utility bills and not get too concerned about rising energy costs. Leasing gives you a way to have an efficient solar system without breaking the bank.

If you decide to lease, you don’t get overwhelmed with any maintenance fees. When something breaks, the solar company agrees to fix it at no charge to the customer.

On the downside, you won’t get any of the tax benefits owning the system gives you. That could mean thousands of dollars lost in savings.

When you make monthly payments on a leased system, it won’t increase home value. The solar panels will get removed if you sell the house. You won’t reap the benefits of a higher sale.

The Best Option

Is owning or leasing solar panels the best option for you? It depends on what you want to accomplish and your situation at the time. The crucial point is that getting solar panels can benefit your home whether you buy them or lease them.

There are affordable ways to get solar panels, so no matter what option you choose, you will get the benefits. It’s an investment in long-term savings! Check out our other articles for more informative lifestyle content!

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A fireplace hearth often functions as the heart of many homes. It can be a focal point where all your decorative ideas start, allowing for experimentation with different designs, textures, colors, and patterns to help give the home an overall look and feel. If you are looking to redecorate your living space by enhancing your hearth’s looks, here are a few design tips and ideas you could try.

Ensure It Matches the Rest of the House

By the time you are thinking about revamping your fireplace hearth, your home may already have a design aesthetic. In these cases, it is always best to ensure that the hearth’s design matches that of the rest of the house. For contemporary homes, for example, a minimalist hearth would not look out of place. For traditional homes, their exquisite designs and trim can be an inspiration for the hearth’s new design. You can also take material inspirations such as brick or cement from your home’s exterior, or choose to match the hearth’s design to the home’s tiled floors.

Hanging Paintings or a Mirror

In some cases, the heath might look terrible if it is sitting alone in the far end of a house. To give it a more interesting look, enhance its looks by hanging a painting or a mirror over it. The painting can be used to tie the hearth to the rest of the house, while a mirror makes it a much more obvious focal point of your home’s design.

Accessorize Using Fireplace Tools

Fireplace tools are great when you want to build a roaring wood fire or when you want to clean the fireplace. Most people view fireplace tools functionally and do not see how they could be decorative items that enhance their hearth’s look. Fireplace tools, especially hand forged fireplace tools, come in different finishes, styles, and looks to better match the overall look you are going for. You can choose from vintage iron, nickel, matte black, and more. To further accessorize your fireplace tools, choose a sturdy stand that keeps them organized and ensures they do not look out of place next to your hearth.

Include a Mantel

Mantels are a great option, but they are not always a requirement for many fireplace hearths. However, hearths can be used to add something to hearths so they do not look too “naked”. When deciding whether to add a mantel, take inspiration from your home’s design and style. Traditional hearths in older homes do not always need a mantel while new homes might.

One mistake people make is not accessorizing the mantel well so it becomes a distraction and a source of clutter. However, when done right, a mantle can be a great display space for portraits, mirrors, and even art and decor pieces.

There is so much to do to enhance your hearth including accessorizing with different fireplace tools, art, decor items, and more. The most important thing to remember is to match the hearth’s style to that of the rest of the house so it does not end up looking out of place.

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If you are looking to redecorate one of the rooms in your home then it is vitally important that you get the perfect colors for your walls. This is something which isn’t easy to do and so many people struggle when they are looking to make the choice. For some people this seems to come incredibly easy, and that can be frustrating when you are looking to get the right fit at home. Experts like Robert Testagrossa can really help you with this and following people like him and other interior designers will be a great way for you to get some inspiration.

If the time has come for you to add some new color, here is what you should be looking to do.

Samples, Samples, Samples

There is absolutely no doubt that the single best way for you to get the best color for your wall is to go crazy with samples. The reality is that there are so many different colors which you can choose from, but within that there are many tones, and that is where the challenge is. This is why you should grab as many samples as you possibly can, and then paint small cubes of the color on your wall so that you can identify which is the best color for you. Once you have the samples in place, keep looking at them over the course of a few days to identify which is the best one for you.

Taking Inspiration

You can take so much inspiration from social media pages as mentioned in the introduction, but beyond this you are going to be able to get inspiration for ideas from magazines, and from the homes of others. There is absolutely no reason that you shouldn’t take ideas from these sources and then bring them into your own home, especially if those ideas work really well.

Consider Light and Dark

When it comes to the colors for your home the best place to start is by thinking of lights and darks and how each tone plays with the other. The idea here is that you are using these two shades to actually compliment the room, and make it look a certain way. Lights and darks can then be used to combine with furniture and other ideas which you may have for the room.

Be Garish

There is nothing wrong with looking to be a little garish with the colors in the home, and in doing this you can in fact bring something incredibly exciting to the space. This is not to say that you have to go bold, but when you are playing with colors there is no reason that you cannot give them a try. Sometimes the color may look risky, but once you see it up on the wall all of that is going to change.

These are some tips for helping you get the right colors on your wall.

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Being a landlord can be a complex process. There is no “one size fits all” approach for those looking to start a rental portfolio. Your goals will ultimately determine the strategy you use to get started as a landlord.

However, there are some basic staples you should consider before you start your journey towards becoming a landlord. In this article, I want to help guide you through some of those things. So, without further ado:

1. Budget for unexpected costs

Many people don’t budget enough as a landlord for things like maintenance, repairs, replacement and miscellaneous.

To retain your property in good condition at all times, you need to make sure everything is covered in the monthly budget, so you are never caught off guard when bills come due.

2. Understand housing laws

So you want to be a landlord and make your first rental property investment. Well, before diving in headfirst on a rental property venture, it’s wise to know what you should and shouldn’t do as a landlord.

As a landlord, you should understand housing laws that apply to your area. Housing law can vary significantly from state to state, and the more knowledge you possess, the better prepared you will be for any situation.

3. Landlord insurance is a must

Landlord insurance is a must because many landlords neglect to consider the possibility that their tenants or building might cause damage, which makes it imperative to have insurance coverage. Landlord insurance offers great protection by covering homes and contents in addition to liability issues.

4. Figure out the right rent

The rent being charged is always one of the most important considerations for any aspiring landlord. This will determine how much profit they will be able to make throughout the course of their rental property investment.

At the same time, it needs to be attractive enough to draw in new tenants ready and willing to pay that amount.

5. Find the right tenants and keep them happy

Getting the right tenants is the key to being a successful landlord. Be sure to carefully screen potential tenants and review their application carefully.

Make sure to select tenants who have a good track record when it comes to paying rent on time and keeping the unit well maintained and free of damage.

Before you enter into a lease agreement, explain your expectations about maintaining the property, paying rent on time, and keeping the unit clean and free of damage.

6. Get a buy-to-let mortgage if you want to rent out

A mortgage is a loan you take out to buy a property. A buy-to-let mortgage is one used by a landlord to buy a property to rent out to tenants. If you are confident you can find tenants and think house prices will rise, then they can be a good way to make money from your capital.

However, as they are riskier than taking out a normal mortgage on your own home, they tend to have higher interest rates and fees.

7. Keep things organised

One of the keys to being a successful landlord is organising your documents. Some renters might need permission to have pets or smoke in the unit. Others will want maintenance requests taken care of quickly. No matter what your needs are as a landlord, you should always be prepared.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting started as a landlord requires the right attitude, ongoing learning, and some great tools.

Landlords should expect to spend a lot of time cleaning, filling vacancies, collecting rents and being a quiet presence in the background.

The rewards are great, though, for those that enjoy the freedom of running their own business while having the enjoyment of seeing others succeed.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Home & Garden category