Roland Violette Jr.

Replacing an HVAC Unit vs Fixing It—Which Is Right for You?

As rewarding as homeownership is, it can also be stressful. Maintaining a home means keeping all systems functioning at optimal performance, including the HVAC unit. But when it comes down to it, not everyone knows when it’s time to replace instead of repair.

The sticker price cost of replacing an HVAC unit can worry homeowners, causing them to repair their current model repeatedly, only to have to break down again. Since there are times when an HVAC unit does only need repair, it’s important to identify whether repair or replacement is right for a given situation.

Age Matters

When weighing the options, the age of an HVAC unit plays an important role. As a rule of thumb, HVAC systems older than 15 years should be replaced if not working properly.

That’s not to say that homeowners couldn’t squeeze several more years out of them, however, they may start seeing a pattern of needing more maintenance than before. Also, the unit may lose effectiveness over time.

Read the full blog at RolandViolette.com.

How to Flip a House

One exciting aspect of real estate is the hands-on nature of it. From gutting the electrical system to investing in new furnishings, there are so many ways you can turn an eye-sore into a much-desired property If you’ve watched every episode of every HGTV show that highlights house flipping, or if you consider yourself handy with a tool belt, you’re ready to take the plunge into the wonderful world of property flipping. Here are a few more tips to take into consideration before taking up your tools and flipping a property.

Nothing Matters More than Location

The most important thing in any real estate transaction is location. When it comes to flipping houses, the location’s importance is no different. While you want to be sure to find a house that is easily affordable, it’s even more important to figure out why it is priced so low. If the market in the town you’re looking at is completely void of buyers, you’re not buying a good flip house; you’re buying a money pit. It’s important to do demographic research on the area where you’re looking to buy and flip to ensure that there will be a market for your house once it’s fixed up and on the market.

Read the full article at RolandViolette.net.

How To Value A Real Estate Property

Look at any listing for a home, office, or other building and you’ll zero-in on the purchase price. At times, it may seem like the real estate agent or property manager has chosen a ballpark estimate for pricing. However, there are actually numerous variables that contribute to the valuation of real estate. In order to set a fair cost, real estate investors and house-flippers should consider the following.

Potential Income

Certain properties are valued in accordance with consideration of income-earning potential. To calculate this amount, managers determine a property’s ability to produce revenue over the specific amount of money initially invested. Fortunately, Investopedia reports that “income from investment-related property is at a historical high,” which means that there is less to be concerned about in the realm of potential income calculations.

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Caring for Your Propane Tank

One of the most commonly used resources in the world is propane. It’s mainly used as a heating source for cooking, heating up water, and fuel. Today, many homes are taking advantage of propane to keep houses warm during the cold winter months. After all, it is less expensive than natural gas and is relatively easy to maintain. However, just like with any substance, it’s important to know how to properly care for the storage unit. Here are the important steps you should take when handling a propane tank.

Store It Outdoors in a Neutral Place

The first step of caring for a propane tank is to make sure that it’s stored properly. Always keep it in a dry, spacious area outdoors. Due to the sensitivity of propane to temperature fluctuations, storing a tank indoors can raise its internal temperature and pose a fire hazard. On the other hand, if kept in an area with a low temperature, the propane tank will start to contract, which lowers the amount of liquid in it. As a result, the propane tank will lose its pressure. Because pressure is such a vital aspect of the tank’s operation, the tank should be well-protected during hot and cold months. In addition, a propane tank should sit upright on a flat, level surface. There are some cases in which propane tanks are stored below ground; speak with your contractor to figure out which option is best for your home.

Read the full article at RolandViolette.com.

What to Do After Purchasing a Rental Property

You’ve done your research, scoped out the building, and made that first payment. Your name is written in ink at the bottom of a contract, and the prospective property is now yours. What’s next? This is where the world of real estate becomes a lot less linear. While the build-up to the contract was a build-up to a simple “yes” or “no,” what comes after is less obvious. These are some of the main actions you should take once you’ve purchased a rental property.

Get Insurance

This is the first and most important step real estate investors should take. At the very least, you should secure Fire & Hazard and Liability insurance for your property, but also consider external factors. What climate is your property in? Flood insurance, hurricane insurance, and other weather-specific insurance types can be helpful if you’re in a locale that’s prone to violent weather patterns. When in doubt about what you’ll need, you can always consult with agents or industry experts to make sure that you’re fully covered, but not bleeding yourself dry.

Gauge How Many Updates are Required

Turnkey properties are grab-and-go and fairly easy to turn over towards renters. However, it’s not rare that properties need some flipping. Whether a property requires several small updates or a handful of major overhauls, it’s important to conduct several walkthroughs and list all of the updates that are needed. Once you’ve got them all listed, set up a timeline for making these upgrades, and crunch the numbers to figure out the overall cost. Doing these as soon as possible will boost your property value and make it more worthwhile for prospective residents and tenants.

Get more real estate advice at RolandViolette.net.

Roland Violette, Jr., is the owner of several businesses in Ellington, Connecticut, including Violette Mechanical, Preferred Propane, and Ellington Oil. He also owns several rental properties in and around the area. To learn more, visit PreferredEnergyGroup.com.

Common HVAC Issues During Winter

I’ve previously written about the importance of preparing your HVAC unit for winter. Connecticut winters can be particularly blustery and cold, which can potentially lead to issues with your HVAC unit. While it’s important to take the necessary precautions before bad weather hits, you can’t always prepare for everything. These are some of the most common HVAC issues faced during the wintertime, and how you can diagnose them! Remember, if the solution involves working with the HVAC unit itself, be sure to contact a professional.

Airflow and Temperature Issues

This is a fairly broad category, but that means it serves as an umbrella for several common HVAC issues during the wintertime. When it’s cold and snowy and chilly, you’re going to want to come home to a warm and cozy house. However, if you notice cold spots in certain locations of your house, even in rooms that are otherwise warm, you may have an airflow issue. Before you start fretting that your whole system needs thrown out, be sure to check windows, doors, and any other connections to the outside. Make sure they are properly sealed. Then, if the issue persists, it’s possible that you’ve got an HVAC issue. Often, for systems that use air ducts, the problem lies in the natural buildup of dust and other debris within those ducts. It’s typical for clogged air filters to be the culprit here, but there may be an underlying issue that a contractor could diagnose.

Learn about more HVAC issues at RolandViolette.com.

What Does an HVAC Contractor Do?

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning—more commonly known as HVAC. Many people are familiar with this acronym, and may even have had direct contact with an HVAC professional at some point. However, the variety of tasks completed by HVAC contractors is not as well-known as the acronym itself. Let’s take a look at the many roles of an HVAC contractor.

Install HVAC Equipment

This is the most obvious job of HVAC contractors. When consumers purchase HVAC equipment, it is the contractor who comes to the house, apartment complex, office building, or other location to complete the installation process. Depending on the project, more than one professional may be needed. Some of these pieces of equipment include furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, and central air conditioning units. In addition to installing HVAC equipment, contractors also perform routine and on-demand maintenance. In this regard, contractors are a point of contact for a client’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning needs.

Read the full blog at RolandViolette.com.

What to Look For in a Rental Property

You know how to go about purchasing a property, but what property is the right one for you? Unfortunately, there is no single answer to this question, as a multitude of factors influence the success of a real estate venture. At the end of the day, any real estate enterprise is an investment, and as such, must undergo thorough consideration before any money is put on the table. So, what should you look for in a rental property?

The Market

For many, the real estate market in a given area is the top factor for whether or not they choose to purchase a property. It’s obvious, but should be emphasized—investments should turn out to be profitable. Buying below market always helps, but if the market isn’t looking too strong in a particular area, a good deal may not make up for upkeep, taxes, and other complications. Before stepping outside and seeing a place for yourself, research the area and market to get a better understanding of whether or not it’s viable in the first place.

This blog was originally published to RolandViolette.net.

The Benefits of Propane Heat

Known scientifically as liquefied petroleum, propane is a colorless, odorless gas often utilized as an energy source. In recent times, propane gas has gained popularity as an energy source and utilizes an odorant called mercaptan to make it smell similarly to natural gas. Despite the continued popularity of electric and oil heat, propane gas has held its own as a worthwhile alternative.

In these modern times, especially with utility rebates in place, it makes the most sense to use two-stage or fully modulating 96%+ efficient warm air furnaces if considering new construction. This system is just as viable in the replacement market, and a mechanical contractor can address if this option works at your home or place of business and will be the most comfortable and efficient system available, as compared to the cost of installation. Another benefit of high-efficiency propane furnaces is most carry a 10-year all parts warranty along with lifetime heat exchanger warranty when used in a residential application. Read on to discover what makes propane and gas stand out against the competition.

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What to Consider Before Purchasing a Rental Property

When it comes to purchasing a rental property, there are three key ingredients: a keen eye, patience, and just a dash of elbow grease. At the same time, you’ll need to take plenty of considerations into account before doubling down on a property. Whether you’re a seasoned real estate professional or new to the industry, you should always keep these considerations in mind.

Consider What You Want to Buy

Apartments, houses, and other residences aren’t the only properties out there. Office buildings, parking garages, and warehouses are some other lucrative properties that, with a little love and care, can offer a nice return. In addition to considering what you want to buy, consider where you want this property to be located. Are you hoping to rent out a vacation home on the lakefront, or would you rather manage a city building with a high traffic volume? Much like choosing a home for yourself, choosing a place to establish as a rental property means figuring out what you want, as well as what works best for your abilities and budget.

Read the full blog at RolandViolette.net.