In this day and age, getting on the property ladder is hard. Since 2008, getting a first home of your own has been incredibly difficult in comparison to previous generations, and the deposit needed to get a mortgage can be a lot of money which is difficult to save up.

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Many first time buyers need to have some help from parents when finding a deposit, or they remain living at home well into their late twenties and thirties in order to be able to save money for a deposit. There are government backed schemes like help to buy that can be useful for first time buyers, but in the UK there is a lack of affordable housing so finding something suitable can be difficult for a first time buyer.

There is another option for first time buyers however – building their own property from scratch. Although this can sound like a daunting option to someone who has no experience of property, there are companies such as this self build homes Sutton Coldfield based company that can help, so no building expertise is needed by the owner of the property!

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Building a home of your own means that you don’t have to hunt around for affordable housing in your area – you just create your own! Although you need to purchase a plot of land, the new government rules in 2016 meant that this is now much easier as all councils are required to provide enough land to meet building demands.

A park home could be for you if you’re looking to downsize or transition into an active retirement. Knowing the unique advantages of staying in parks will help you make the best investment for now and for the future.

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A home in a park is financially accessible.

We all dream of a home in the country, but it might well be beyond your reach to invest in bricks and mortar. At a much cheaper price point, an affordable park home provides luxury living in peaceful surroundings. To see some great examples of Gloucestershire Park Homes go to Park Home Life.

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High standard of construction

The modern style of park homes or lodges was made from high-quality materials to outstanding construction specifications. New development processes and technology are used and building practises contribute to less on-site defects. In a workshop area, your home will be designed to challenging British specifications. You should choose the fixtures and fittings for a high-end finish as you want to purchase a new home.

Lower ongoing expenditures

A home in a park will not eradicate the recurring expenses, but it will reduce them substantially. If you live in a house or condo, you will pay park taxes, which are the equivalent of land rent, and you will pay Council Tax in the lowest band, Band A. You will bring down electricity bills when you are heating a smaller room and your park home is constructed with high insulation levels. Meanwhile, fewer lamps means smaller costs for power.

Elegant surroundings

Many suburban parks are within easy reach of all facilities and stunning scenery, allowing you to relax or retire in style.

There are many questions regarding who is responsible for the electricity meter box that keeps track of your electricity consumption and charges you your electricity bills. The answer to this question is that this unit is not owned by the electric company but is the responsibility of the owner of the property. It is very important that the owner of this unit knows how to look after and operate it properly. Your energy supplier does not charge you for the power meter box and the meter itself; it charges you for the energy you use as measured through the meter. Should you require a new Electric Meter box, visit a site like Meterbox

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The next question regarding who is responsible for my electricity meter box is regarding maintenance. You must maintain the box as it covers important equipment and is the owner’s responsibility. It is very important to have someone look over the meter and see how well it is working. If there are any mistakes made, then these will be corrected before you can apply for an extension of the billing period.

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The last question regarding who is responsible for my electricity meter box is regarding safety. There are a number of devices on the meter box, which you are responsible for maintaining in order to ensure that they are safe and operate as they should. If you are not trained to do this then the meter will not function correctly.

Although the garage is just as much a part of out home as any other room, many of us tend to forget about it – it can become piled up with junk in a way that we wouldn’t allow other rooms in our home to be.

When the space in a garage is used well, it is an extremely useful area in your home – depending on your lifestyle and your needs there are a wide range of ways that you can make your garage work better for you.

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The first thing that you need to do is to make sure that there is nothing taking up space in the garage that shouldn’t be. Have a clear out and be ruthless – don’t keep hold of items that you no longer need. You can sell or donate to charity things that are in good condition that you don’t use any more.

Once you are left with just what you need, think about how you can make the most of the space you have in the garage. A specialist company such as Rackzone, a shelving Ireland based company will be able to help you with garage shelving and storage solutions to maximise how you are using the space.

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Using the wall space is great for storage, and this also includes bikes – wall mounted bike racks can save a lot of space in the garage, which means that you still have plenty of room for your car and tools to be stored too.

The winter is a lovely time for a walk in the woods. Although it is typically a time of year when we want to huddle up inside, it is beneficial for our minds and bodies to get out amongst the soothing beauty of nature, and trees are one of the most relaxing things we can be close to.

So wrap up warm and snug in aran sweaters from shamrock gift and head out to the woods to be amongst the beautiful trees – here are some of the most famous trees in Britain and where to find them…

Go on the trail of Robin Hood and his merry men in Sherwood Forest, and you will find the tree named Major Oak. It is said to be the place that the famous resident of the forest hid with his gang – the tree is over 1000 years old so could probably tell you a few tales!

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Head to North Wales to see a tree that is at least four times older than the Major Oak – the Llangernyw Yew tree is in a graveyard in Conwy. It has been there since the Bronze age, and local legend has it that it is home to a spirit known as Angelystor – the recording angel.

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One of the most famous events to happen in the history of science is the apple falling from the tree onto Isaac Newtons head, which led to him discovering gravity! The tree that the apple fell from still standing, in Woolsthorpe Manor in Lincolnshire, and has been visited throughout history by people keen to see the famous tree that changed the world of science.

Oak is not only a fantastic building material –  used for ships of the past, to flooring, furniture and oak truss it is also an astounding tree. One of the most enduring symbols of the British countryside, the oak tree is much loved and enjoyed by many who like to get out and about in the great outdoors.

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Not only do oak trees themselves have an enormously long lifespan – they continue to grow for around 700 years and then they live until roughly 1000 years old – but they are also survivors. Oak trees have been on the planet for millions of years and survived the extinction events that saw many other plants and animals wiped out. Oak trees have survived the extinction event that killed the dinosaurs and the ice age.

Part of the reason that oak trees can endure such catastrophic conditions is that their seeds – the acorns – are well protected. As well as being encased inside a hard shell, they also are covered in a substance called tannic acid, which can protect them from parasites such as fungi and insects.

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Oak trees have survived many things, but sadly in many parts of the world they are in decline, due to land being cleared to grow crops or to graze cattle. It is important that we protect these beautiful trees as there are many species of oak now at risk of extinction – and for a species of tree that has survived millions of years, it would be a sad way to end.

Once upon a time the light bulb with it’s coil and controlled electrical current was pretty much all you could get for the home in terms of lighting. You could have a degree of watts from 40 to 100 depending on the room size and have them clear or frosted to create mood. If you were feeling really fancy you could get some ones that were red or orange. Alternatively you could just paint them and hope the colour didn’t peel off with the heat it generated. They were great at giving off light but they could blow at the most inopportune moments and they were very energy hungry, especially the higher wattage options. Lights being left on in a bedroom that wasn’t being used was a surefire way to get Dad’s moaning about the bill they were going to get for it.

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However, with the digital age we now have the LED. This stands for light emitting diode and it has gone from being the light in your computer to tell you the drive is working or that the car alarm is activated. Technology has improved these little bulbs so much that they can now give out significant amounts of light, especially when they are focused into a cluster. Not only that they can also change colour to reflect mood and create ambience.

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They still generate heat as any bulb does and if you have ones fitted directly into the ceiling this heat can escape and create a draught. However, with the addition of some Downlight Covers that heat can be directed back into the room. The Downlight Covers also stop any draughts that may have been created. A greener option all round.

Marble has been considered a luxury for many centuries, seen in ornate historic buildings and sculptures. The benefits of using marble in your décor is that it is naturally strong and provides a stunning aesthetic. So, how can you incorporate this stunning stone to make a statement in your décor?

Brilliant Bathrooms – Marble is porous so the best option for the bathroom is to use on a statement wall as opposed to the flooring. Creating a mosaic or other decorative feature is easy to do with marble tiles and will create a brilliant sheen to light up your bathroom space.

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Combine with contemporary features – You don’t have to think classic and traditional when it comes to marble as it also lends itself to be mixed with a contemporary interior. Whether it’s floor or wall tiles, a perfect balance can be found between old and new. Consider a marble tile backsplash in the kitchen or adding a contemporary touch with a grout in dark grey, for example. For more information on Marble Tiles, visit a site like Irwin Tiles

Marble is also the ideal choice for a stunning fireplace, for example. It is the best choice of stone as it is resistant to fire and heat. It provides a classic and sophisticated centrepiece to a room.

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This is a stone that also lends itself perfectly to sinks. These can be made to custom requirements and are normally made from one solid block, meaning that there are no ugly joins.

Do you dream of being in your new home by the New Year? There is still time, but you’ll have to be quick. Here are some useful tips to be in your new home by the time fireworks are ringing in the new year:

1. Make sure your house is sale-ready

There are many aspects of the home buying and selling process that are beyond your control – and that’s why it’s important to get ahead of the game as much as you can.

A great place to start is a ‘clean up’ your current home – from the attic to the kitchen cabinets – to make it ready to put on the market. When you’ve decluttered and got organised, think about a fresh coat of neutral paint which is more attractive to potential buyers.

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2. Get the right valuation

A good rule of thumb is to obtain three estate agent valuations to give an assessment of your home’s value. Don’t simply opt for the highest valuation. For a quick sale of your property, it should be priced according to the current markets. For help with Conveyancing Gloucester, visit Dee & Griffin, a Conveyancing Gloucester firm.

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3. Select a ‘ready to move’ buyer

You want to make sure that potential buyers are serious so do your homework. Find out how they will finance the move. It is preferable to find a cash buyer of course, but if – like many people – they need a mortgage, ask to see the Agreement in Principal from their lender stating that, in principle it will lend the money. If your buyers have their own homes to sell, make sure that it is under an offer before you take you out of the market.

In the event that you are looking for an alternative source of electricity for your home, then you may be concerned as to what size generator you should purchase. It is important to note that while the term “size” may refer to the power of the device, the term is also used to describe the overall unit size. Therefore, the size of the generator itself will not necessarily dictate what size portable generator do you require, as in many instances, it may be best to consult with an electrician before buying any kind of generator to determine the overall size and power requirement.

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If you wish to use a small generator to run items within your home, then a small portable generator will be suitable. There are however, some generators that are much larger than this. A large generator may be required for the purpose, if the generator is used to provide power for your entire house or for your entire business. In cases such as these, the power of the generator will need to be multiplied by the size of the unit, which will give the number of rooms where the generator will be required. Also, the type of fuel required is something you will need to consider, so it is important to determine how much fuel you have available to you. For help with Gas Generators, visit Gas generators from Gener-g

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Another thing that needs to be considered when purchasing a generator is the number of years the generator is expected to last. It is a good idea to purchase one generator that is able to withstand a long period of use. There are some generators that are designed to last longer than 20 years, while others may only last a few years. When you are purchasing your generator, it is important to research the various models on the market.