Kayaking In Koh Samui

Ang Thong National Marine Park is one of the most picturesque locations you will have ever visited. You will have redefined the word national park in this case. Ang Thong is a protected archipelago consisting of about 42 islands. Though they are supposed to be uninhabited, one of them is supposedly inhabited by a local fishermen tribe.

A wonderful experience of approaching or viewing these islands is by starting from Koh Samui. The first glimpse of the archipelago can be seen when you fly into the Koh Samui airport. While you can explore this area in a couple of unusual ways, if you are adventurous enough and have the experience of kayaking, you should consider using a sea canoe. You will be picked up by boat at KohSamui and once you reach the archipelago, you will begin your kayaking trip.

  • Your first trip will typically cover the coast of Koh Meh Koh. Kayak at your pace while you enjoy the rock over hangings and some of the most picturesque and untouched beaches. You will arrive at the green lagoon and the sites at these points will blow your mind.
  • The green lagoon also called the “Talay Nai” is a salt water lake inside the island and is home to a vast variety of marine life. Along the beach, there are stairways and wooden walkways to approach the top which originally was a cavern.
  • On this journey, after brief breaks, you also come across some amazing rock formations and hidden lagoons. In addition, Samui luxury vacation housing choices to help you, there are numerous locations where it is ideal for snorkeling and enjoying the underwater scenes.
  • Finally, you should keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles or schools of dolphins that freely roam this area. Kayaking adjacent to the great Whale Sharks will give you a thrill like no other.

After a long arduous day out in the waters, it is time to return and reflect on the beautiful day spent amongst nature and its marine life. You can return to your villas at KohSamui and relax to think about a day well spent!

Top question to ask your new landlord

When you are renting a house, it becomes a huge responsibility to choose the right real estate agent and then the right house and then the right landlord. If your agent is involved in just introducing you to a property and then vanishes from the picture, then it becomes important that you communicate on your own with your landlord. This is one situation that every tenant must plan for and be ready with a set of questions that they could ask their landlord with respect to the property they will be renting out. This earlier planning will help in building a mature relationship as you are both transparent with each other. When you discuss the potential problems with the real estate agent in the presence of landlord, then it helps to fix the issues a lot sooner.

The lists of questions that are pretty common are –

  • How carefully was the property designed when it comes to plumbing and pipes and drains and how effectively you can keep them problem free?
  • How to contact the concerned team of maintenance in case of any issues with respect to the property you are renting.
  • Important numbers to be contacted during a time of problem in plumbing, sewer, heat system and electrical problems.
  • How effectively does the maintenance team of the apartment or premises work
  • How to touch base in case the lease or rental agreement needs to be revisited.
  • Who is the best person to call up in case there are emergency fixes needed with respect to blocked drains and others?
  • If every detail of the property is described in the rental agreement and what contribution the tenant is expected to pay from their hands
  • If the tenant is allowed to sublet an apartment or not.

Top Tips From Real Estate Agents For Buying A Beach Home

Buying a home can be a complicated process and the process can get more complex if it involves buying a home by the beach.

Apart from all the paperwork, there are various factors that are essential to know before you buy your dream beach home. Here are some top tips from real estate agents who are experts in the domain of beach house properties.

  1. Find a specialist:

Finding a real estate agent who has the right knowledge and experience about the dealings of beach home properties is important. They will be able to understand your requirements and find a home that is most suited to your needs. They can also help you consider factors you might not be aware of and get the best deals.

  1. Consider the weather:

The weather is one of the most important factors that affect all beach homes. Hence it is vital to determine the condition of the home and if it is capable of withstanding the wear of tear. You might also need to invest in some special equipment to protect your home against the weather.

  1. Utilities and the neighborhood:

Talking with the neighbors and people who stay around the area would be the best way to gather information about the living conditions. They will be able to tell you about any weather related problems they have been facing or any issues concerning the property. It is not possible to know about these factors without communication.

Another consideration would be the availability of utilities such as electricity, drinking water, cable and Internet services, etc. It would be wrong to assume that these would be available and it is always better to check before buying.

Some properties may look beautiful but they might not be suited for your lifestyle. For example, there may be plenty of Samui luxury vacation housing choices to help you but they must fit into your lifestyle and needs.

Hence find a property that you love and enjoy it responsibly. We hope these tips help you in your endeavor.

The Essential Guide To Real Estate Lighting

What are the internal features of your property which makes it a real worth?

Consider the hotel you own. An efficient room service, appetite-friendly restaurant and affordable charges might draw customers to you. However, you cannot attract customers from all strata of the society unless you provide a rich atmosphere. Making it rich do mean exquisite furniture, rare showpieces, neatly arranged sitting places, relaxing lounges, hygiene, and more importantly mood-lifting and pleasing illumination.

What are the elements you focus when you carry out timely maintenance?

The straight answers will be cleaning, painting, plastering, pipe cleaning, replacing faulty fittings, mending breakage etc. Maintenance in lighting should not be limited to replacing fused bulbs and tubes. You may have felt inconvenience due to improper lighting in your regular routines. Instead of overlooking them, make the necessary rearrangements and additions.

What are the factors to be considered while selecting lights?

Simply avoid the random purchase of lights for your property. Analyse the property, the direction of natural light entry, the purpose of each location, the aesthetic feature you want to include and your budget. A preparative research in the virtual world like www.modern.place  will give you better ideas.

Consider the following critical details:

  • The length and width of the lights should be such that the light occupies just the right space and location as intended. The table is for keeping multiple items and not just a lamp.
  • The shade of the light has to match with the shade of the paint color. It does not have to be the same, but coherent so that one compliments the other.
  • The brightness and direction of lighting should go hand-in-hand with the activity intended in the space. You will not consider fitting a colorful light in the library.
  • Dimmers are a good option, but if you are a green person who prefers CFL and LED bulbs, dimmers won’t work with them in most cases.

Lighting can make a profound impact on the property it illuminates. How well can you describe the utility and beauty of a walking pathway in the lawn lit by white lights in straight rows?

Investing In Burnsville Real Estate

When you are considering investing in real estate in Burnsville, it might be a very good choice. The place is beautiful with its good weather that isn’t too cold and fairly safe neighbourhood. The people in Burnsville are also friendly so renting or buying your home here is a good decision.

When you look at real estate no matter where, one of the important things you look at are the features of the house. While everything else is important, the garage door is often ignored. The garage door is extremely important as you need it to be functioning perfectly well so move in and out of your car safely and conveniently.

If you feel the garage door is giving troubles, luckily Burnsville garage door repairs are quick and cheap. The service is prompt and you will get your money’s worth.

However, if you are a DIY kind of person, you could take some of the following tips:

  • Preventive Grooming: If the garage door is wooden, you might want to keep an eye on water damage, make sure the chips are not coming off, paint the door regularly. Steel doors must be kept well maintained by clearing out rust spots etc. If these preventive measures are taken the garage door will obviously last long and you will be spared the effort of repair works.
  • Cables: The high tension cables that hold your door when open are one of the most crucial factors and must never be ignored. Make sure the cables are well maintained, if there are any broken strands especially around the bottom roller bracket, get them repaired immediately
  • Look out for the sounds: Does the door squeak when opened or does it have a dull long groan? Does the door jerk while opening or is it just tight? These signals could tell you volumes about exactly where the problem lies.
  • Lubricate the parts: all the parts of the garage door that move must be well lubricated at all times. Else they will end up giving you expenses.

4 Important Things to Check before Purchasing an Old House

Period homes exude a certain kind of charm and personality that can’t be matched by modern homes. But there’s a major challenge when you own an old property: a lot of restoration and repairs need to be done before you can move into your new old home.

To help you make a good house purchasing decision, here is a list of things you have to inspect during your house visits to the property you’re considering:

Basement and foundation

These should be the first parts of the house that you have to check, as simple cracks and molds can indicate structural integrity issues. You need to make sure that the foundation of the house is strong enough to withstand natural elements.

Roof

Ask the seller about the condition of the roof, and whether it’s in its original state or has been replaced. Apart from that, check it yourself (include the attic). Are there any leaks? Be meticulous with your inspection because roof repair and replacement can be very costly.

Plumbing

Check and make sure that the exposed pipes in the old home’s basement are still working. In the bathroom, turn the shower knob and see how much water will come out. If there too little water coming from the shower, then it’s a sign of a leak, mineral buildup, or corrosion. This is especially true if the pipes in the house made of cast iron haven’t been replaced. Replacing the plumbing can be expensive and time-consuming, too.

Electrical wiring

Find out if the old house still has its original tube wiring—chances are it can cause a fire. If the wiring in the house hasn’t been updated for a long time, then you’ll have to take care of it once you buy the house. And yes, it’s also costly.

With these in mind, having an old home isn’t for everyone, as there’s a cost involved in restoring one. But if you’re up for it, then just be careful when checking the different parts of the house for damage.

Restoring Your Historic Home? Keep These 5 Tips in Mind

Historic home restoration is a serious business. It’s not something you do in your free time—you have to make time for it. You even have to shell out money for repairs, replacements, and other expenses that come with preserving an old house. Here are the things to look for and expect when you restore a historic house.

Dealing with the inconveniences of living in an old house

Obviously, you won’t be able to enjoy the comfort and convenience that come with living in a modern house, something that you cannot expect from an antique home. There will always be an issue, like squeaky floors, erratic heating or cooling, and weird smell in the bedroom. If you can’t imagine yourself living in those conditions, then owning a period home may not be suitable for you.

Doing a house inspection with a contractor

A home inspector is essential in coming up with a good estimate of the cost and the work that has to be done. Preferably, your inspector should have experience working with vintage homes. Lastly, look for someone who understands that restoring an old property isn’t about taking things apart and starting over.

Looking for signs of water damage

During house visits, watch out for any leaks and other water issues because they can be symptoms of major structural problems of the house. They can be health hazards also, as a wet environment attracts pests like bugs and mosquitos.

Prioritizing practicality over aesthetics

Begin working on the essential parts of the house, such as the windows, roof, and walls. Renovating the unsightly paint, staircase, and kitchen cabinets can wait, unless they pose risks to health and safety (in that case, they have to be addressed right away).

Embracing the quirks

Little details like uneven floors don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. Before your obsessive-compulsive self complains, know that it will take a lot of money and time to level that pesky floor out. So what’s the workaround? Nothing—just embrace that quirk and focus your energy on other renovation tasks that need your immediate attention.

1940s-Style Home Decoration Ideas for Restoring Your Old Home

Dreaming of living in an old home with the 1940s as your interior design theme? You can transform your bare, newly purchased historic home into a haven with the unmistakable postwar vibe. A few tweaks and additions here and there ca easily make your house look vintage inside and out.

Here are some design qualities that scream the 1940s that you can use as inspirations for renovating your home:

1. Hollywood glamor

The 1940s Hollywood glamor is all about being prim and proper, and you can recreate that look on the different parts of your house. Dress up your living rooms and bedrooms with wallpapers that have large prints and tropical design.

2. Sentimentality and sweetness

The postwar period was the time when families were thankful to have their loved ones back at home. Because money was tight and spaces were tiny, home decorations were simple yet sweet and flowery.

3. Patriotism

The 1940s saw richer colors and jewel tones, and a lot of elements in red, white, and blue hues.

4. Innocence

Because people in the postwar time weren’t affluent, they kept everything clutter-free and tidy.

5. Streamline-deco-jazz

Bathrooms in high-contrast colors such as mint and pink are reminiscent of the era.

6. Sanitary

In the 1940s, people were concerned with diseases, and so they made sure that their homes were clean in every nook and cranny. A prominent kitchen design that’s so 1940s is lined with white appliances, utensils, and kitchen cabinets.

7. Traditional

Colonial maple, dark wood, and other traditional-style furniture can make your living room distinctly 1940s.

So there you have it—seven home interior décor ideas inspired by the postwar era: Hollywood glamor, sentimentality and sweetness, patriotism, innocence, streamline-deco-jazz, sanitary, and traditional.

Which of these ideas have you tried or will be using? Let us know by leaving a comment here.

Enjoy decorating your old home!