Big Words start conversations and open doors to new places.
Author: anwaryusef
Anwar Y. Dunbar is a Regulatory Scientist. Being a naturally curious person, he is also a student of all things. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Prior to starting the Big Words Blog Site, Anwar published and contributed to numerous research articles in competitive scientific journals reporting on his research from graduate school and postdoctoral years. After falling in love with writing, he contributed to the now defunct Examiner.com, and the Edvocate where he regularly wrote about: Education-related stories/topics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Financial Literacy; as well as conducted interviews with notable individuals such as actor and author Hill Harper. Having many influences, one of his most notable heroes is author, intellectual and speaker, Malcolm Gladwell, author of books including Outliers and David and Goliath.
Anwar has his hands in many, many activities. In addition to writing, Anwar actively mentors youth, works to spread awareness of STEM careers, serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the David M. Brown Arlington Planetarium, serves as Treasurer for the JCSU Washington, DC Alumni Chapter, and is active in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. He also tutors in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics.
Along with his multi-talented older brother Amahl Dunbar (designer of the Big Words logos, inventor and a plethora of other things), Anwar is a “Fanboy” and really enjoys Science-Fiction and Superhero movies including but not restricted to Captain America Civil War, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Prometheus. He is a proud native of Buffalo, NY.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. It’s exciting to start a new small business, but there are many things to consider as well. The following contributed post is entitled, Three Financial Things to Consider When You’re Starting a New Small Business.
If you’re in the process of starting a business then most likely this has been a dream that you’ve had for a really long time, but until you actually start taking the steps to get things started it’s impossible to know how things will pan out. Especially when it comes to your business finances, lets face it unless you’ve already worked as an accountant or you’re just really good with money then this will be all new to you. It’s not always the most exciting part to sit and think about when you just want to get your products, services or whatever it is you sell out there to the world! But if you do it now it can save a lot of stress later on when things (hopefully!) get busier.
Start up costs
When you sit down to work out the money you’ll need to spend then you will probably start by looking at the obvious things like equipment or any tools you need for the job. For example if you’re planning on running a coffee shop then the coffee machine along with the premises will likely be the most expensive bit. If you want to start a dropshipping business then it’s the stock and probably the storage/ fulfilment side of things where you’ll need to spend the most. But then you realise there’s fees for registering the business and getting insured and paying for the software you use every day. Your website, your branding and marketing and so many extra bits that do add up a lot. Write it all down and plan properly, it’s so important to go into things with your eyes open about what things will cost and how you can cover the costs if you’re going to be successful. You might need to look into business equipment financing or other loans depending on how you’re planning on going about paying for your startup costs.
Paying yourself
Your own income still matters even if you’re happy to put everything back into the business for now. You need to know how you’re covering your personal bills until the business is confident enough to take that on. Being straight with yourself about that early on gives you a clear idea of what needs to happen, not a hope that it might sort itself out at some point. Once you know this you’ll be aware of whether you can afford to go full time with your new business or if you need to earn some extra income for a while or rely on your savings.
Running costs
Finally there are more costs to think about too once everything is set up and you’re fully operational. Things like your bill costs for your premises and travel money are all examples. These will be needed when you do your tax return too since they can be tax deductible (and save you a few dollars). Your accountant will be able to help you out with what to track but make sure you do it early on, use an app or software to make it easier.
My blog focuses on Health/Wellness. In important part of our personal health and functioning is our hearing. When issues with our hearing arise they can sometimes be subtle. The following contributed post is entitled, Why Ignoring Mild Hearing Loss Can Make Life Harder Than It Needs to Be.
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Mild hearing loss is easy to brush off, especially when you can still hear most things if you concentrate. But even small changes can affect how you move through your day without you realising it. If sounds seem slightly muffled or conversation feels just a bit harder than before, then caring for your hearing early can save you a lot of stress later on.
When mild hearing loss goes unchecked, everyday moments start to feel more tiring. You might find yourself leaning in during conversations or guessing what someone said, which can leave you feeling worn out by the end of the day. Even small misunderstandings can lead to frustration when you’re trying to keep up.
It can also make social situations feel heavier than they need to be. When you start avoiding busy places or stepping back from group chats because they’re harder to follow, those small changes add up. You deserve to feel at ease, and paying attention early helps you stay confident.
Why taking action earlier is easier than waiting
Getting support early means you’re catching problems before they have a chance to affect your comfort too much. You have more time to adjust, ask questions and explore options that suit your lifestyle. This makes the whole process feel smoother and far less overwhelming.
Many people find that tools like Bluetooth hearing aids make life easier, especially when you start using them as early as possible. They connect with your everyday devices, keep sound clearer and help you stay involved without needing to strain. Taking steps sooner gives you more control over how you want things to sound.
Small changes that make hearing easier
Once you decide to look after your hearing, simple habits can make your day run much more smoothly. This might be lowering background noise at home, choosing quieter places to talk or turning on subtitles when you need them. These adjustments are small, impactful, and can fit easily into your routine.
You can also think about how often you’re exposed to loud sounds and give yourself short breaks when you can. Even little pauses give your ears a rest and help you stay more comfortable. These calming habits support you while you work out what level of help you might need.
Making your hearing health a priority
Taking early steps shows you’re ready to prioritize your hearing health, and that choice pays off in the long run. You’ll notice conversations feel easier, your focus improves and you don’t have to work as hard to stay involved. The difference can be surprisingly quick once you start giving your hearing some attention.
The earlier you act, the more natural everything feels. You’re giving yourself the chance to stay connected and comfortable in your everyday life without letting mild hearing changes turn into bigger frustrations. By taking small steps now, choosing supportive tools and paying attention to what your ears need, you can keep conversations easy and protect your comfort long into the future.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A major part many businesses is public relations (PR), which is the interaction with the general public. This can be influenced by culture and cultural differences. The following contributed post is entitled, How Cultural Differences Shape PR Strategies Around the World.
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Public relations doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Every message, campaign and communication choice is shaped by the culture it’s entering, and that means a PR approach that works brilliantly in one region might fall flat in another.
Working across borders means learning how people interpret tone, hierarchy, timing, visuals and even silence. To do PR well on a global scale, brands need more cultural awareness baked into every decision.
Culture changes how audiences interpret your message
Different regions respond to communication styles in their own way. What feels confident and direct in one country might seem abrupt in another, while a message considered modest in one culture could come across as vague elsewhere. Teams that invest time into understanding these expectations tend to create communication that lands more naturally.
This is where local insight becomes valuable. A PR agency in Thailand, for instance, understands the importance of relationship building, indirect communication and respectful language in Thai culture, which helps avoid missteps that an external team might miss. It shows how local context isn’t optional. It’s the foundation that keeps global PR strategies adaptable.
Brands also need to consider visual cues, humour, colour associations and the level of formality expected in different regions. These details might seem small, but they quickly influence how audiences interpret a message and whether they trust it.
Consumers value different things depending on cultural expectations
Around the world, buying behaviour shifts in ways that reflect local values. Some cultures prioritise family and community, while others focus more on individual achievement or practicality. Understanding what customers are looking for in your business through a cultural lens helps shape PR messages that feel naturally aligned with their expectations.
This becomes especially important for brands launching new products or entering markets for the first time. When teams speak to local priorities, consumers feel understood instead of generalised. It’s not about changing the essence of a brand. It’s about presenting that brand in a way that feels relevant to the people who are going to see it.
Customer behaviour also shifts depending on pace of life, buying habits and trust in advertising. PR teams who study these patterns can position a brand in a way that fits naturally into the cultural rhythm of the region they’re communicating with.
Brands need adaptable strategies when marketing abroad
There’s no single blueprint for marketing to different countries, because each region comes with its own communication norms, levels of formality and expectations around storytelling. A PR message that focuses on bold claims and individual benefits might resonate in one country, while a relationship-driven approach fits another more effectively.
Successful global brands build flexible frameworks. They create a core identity that stays consistent, then they adapt the expression of that identity based on cultural cues. This adaptability helps campaigns feel intentional rather than recycled, and it shows audiences that the brand has taken time to understand them.
Cultural understanding shapes every part of international PR, from tone and visuals to audience expectations. When brands adapt their strategies to different regions, they create messages that connect more naturally, build trust and feel genuinely relevant to the people they’re hoping to reach.
My blog focuses on Health/Wellness. Our personal health is a dynamic thing and must constantly be monitored. Some adjustments are simple to incorporate. The following contributed post is entitled, Surprising Ways to Improve Your Health and Wellness.
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The importance of managing your overall health cannot be talked about enough. However, the world is filled with misinformation and disinformation that may lead you in the wrong direction. Start improving your health and be well by following these easy and essential tips today.
As you begin to age, your body will inevitably age. You can run, kicking and screaming, from the onset of change or embrace it every step of the way. Regardless of your approach to aging, you should always pay attention to unusual symptoms or sudden pain and problems that occur.
To illustrate, if you notice an uncomfortable and distracting ringing in your ears, you may have tinnitus. Tinnitus is the perception of a noise or ringing sound in someone’s ears. When this happens, no one else can hear the sounds, and, as such, there are no external sources identified. Instead of continuing to experience this frustrating sound, find a solution to manage it by seeking tinnitus treatment so you can live a better life.
Try a New Recipe at Home
If you find yourself preparing and cooking the same recipes over and over again, but are left with a feeling of dissatisfaction, you might need a change. When you are not excited about a meal, you may reach for a bag of chips or a pint of ice cream afterward just to give you that sense of satisfaction.
While chips and ice cream have their place in some people’s lives, you should strive for something better. Try a new recipe with rich flavors and whole ingredients to shake things up a bit and liven up your meals. Experiment with ingredients you have not tried before to improve your mood.
Take a Mindfulness Break
Mindfulness is a trendy movement, but it has been a movement and a way of mind for a very long time. And that is for good reason. The practice of mindfulness is grounded in making an effort to be in the moment. Stop what you are doing and focus on your body, your breathing, and relax your body and mind. Pay attention to your body, focus on its rhythms, and the sensations you feel as you continue to relax. Avoid thinking about work, family, or responsibilities. Simply quiet your mind.
There are no barriers to entry when it comes to practicing mindfulness. All you need is a quiet and safe space to sit in stillness. Ideally, you will be on your own, but you can try this with a friend, just like when you are in yoga class together and taking deep breaths at the end of a session.
Listen to this five-minute mindfulness meditation video. After you have tried it once at home, you can do it anywhere, and anytime you need a break.
Your health and wellness are important matters to take to heart. Pay close attention to how your body feels. If something does not seem right, you need to seek professional help. Try new foods and experience life differently. Be intentional in your actions and habits every day through the practice of mindfulness.
My blog focuses on Health/Wellness. Tinnitus is a condition that is not talked about prevalently today. If a woman in particular becomes afflicted with it, there are specific treatment options. The following contributed post is entitled, A Real Talk Breakdown of Tinnitus Treatment Options Women Should Actually Know About.
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Tinnitus is something that you should be made aware of when it comes to your hearing health. Not everyone is aware of what tinnitus is or the treatment options that are available to women and men alike.
With that being said, if you’re concerned about your hearing or you’re aware that you have the signs of tinnitus, then this guide will help you uncover the benefits of these treatments available to improve your ear health and wellbeing in general.
There are many reasons why women ignore the signs of tinnitus for too long. Such reasons include:
A belief that nothing can be done
There’s often an attitude thought of by many that there’s nothing that can be done when it comes to tinnitus and that there are no effective treatments for tinnitus available.
Minimizing the symptoms
The initial symptoms of tinnitus are often mild and temporary, which often leads to many people dismissing them and minimizing the symptoms, thinking that they’re not something to be concerned about.
Great distress and impact on daily life
It’s been shown through studies that women often become more severely affected by tinnitus than men do. The higher rates of associated anxiety, sleep disturbances, concentration issues, and depression can all make it harder in daily life.
Lack of understanding from others
Tinnitus is considered an invisible condition because no one else can see it or hear it. This lack of external validation and understanding from others is what can contribute to a reluctance to push for any medical attention.
Difficulty finding specialists
Many people find it difficult to find tinnitus specialists, and that can make the journey for effective treatment more of a challenge, too.
Helpful tinnitus treatments for those with hearing loss
When it comes to a tinnitus treatment, there are plenty that can be helpful for those who are struggling with hearing loss. From sound therapy to behavioral and psychological therapy, let’s look at the options:
Hearing aids
Amplifying external sounds helps to make tinnitus less noticeable, which is why many modern hearing aids will include sound generators to help mask and manage tinnitus.
Wearable sound generators
Wearable sound generators that provide a constant, wide-band ‘sshh’ noise will help make the tinnitus less prominent, especially in quiet environments.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
This type of therapy helps change negative thought patterns and emotional responses to help tinnitus feel less of a bothersome presence.
Tinnitus retraining therapy
This combines sound therapy with counselling to help the brain gradually become less aware of the tinnitus.
Manage stress
Tinnitus can be made worse when you’re stressed out, so managing your stress levels can be a real help.
Avoid earwax buildup
Earwax blockage can often worsen tinnitus, which is why cleaning your ears or using a few drops of oil to soften the wax can help to get rid of the buildup.
By looking at what treatments are out there, you can stay in control of what can often be a debilitating presence.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. When you run a business of any kind one of the things you want to do is make your venture as remarkable as possible. The following contributed post is entitled, Interactive Ideas That Will Make Your Next Business Event Unforgettable.
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Business events have come a long way from the days of passive PPT presentations. Today’s attendees expect to get entertained from start to end. While they still expect entertainment to be part of the day, they are professional adults. So their goal in attending a business event is either to connect with similar professionals, learn more about their industry, or upgrade their current knowledge and solutions. So, it’s important to tailor entertainment to also support these goals.
What is the consequences of not planning interactive activities for your visitors? No matter how much you plan around presentations and product display, boredom is never far away. People who get bored tend to leave early, disengage, and not find any value in the event. It ties directly into keeping guests happy, which is one of the core pillars of successful event planning.
Interactivity fuels engagement and creates natural conversations and connections. In other words, when y u can make your business event interactive, you are both supporting your own objectives and the ones of your audience.
If there’s one thing that can instantly captivate visitors, it’s a strong visual presence. Everybody loves a video display, especially as it can become the main storytelling tool. When planning a corporate event, you can use the screen as an information hub, which can keep visitors in the loop, with info about the latest scheduled conferences, map of the event, regular industry updates, etc. You can also use it to showcase live social feeds and highlight products or speakers throughout the day. It can be used as a giant info platform.
So you want quality screen, such as LED video wall rentals by Bay Area Lighting and Sound, which provides a crisp and bright result, even in a large space. This is ideal for large, modular displays, so you can simply hire the scale you need for your event, without needing to invest in a permanent solution that may not fit all your corporate activities.
Live Polling Stations
Perhaps the best and fastest way to ensure attendees feel involved is to give them a voice. Live polling stations can allow guests to weigh in on industry questions or react to speaker topics in real time. It’s a simple concept, but it can be very effective, especially if organizers regularly review polls throughout the day.
Polling can be done in different ways, such as touchscreen kiosks or mobile apps. The benefit is that you can display the results on your event screen practically instantly. So, this definitely encourages active participation from your attendees.
This can also be a great way to gather insights about the event, as you can record what attendees care about and what topics receive the most engagement. Ultimately, it’s the kind of info you need to design successful events that keep people coming back year after year.
Interactive Product Demos
How compelling can you make a presentation? The answer is: Never enough. Presentations and conferences require a lot of attention from visitors. So, you want to make these as engaging and interactive as possible, especially if you are using them to introduce your products or services. There’s no way around it: It has to be engaging, memorable, and give visitors a first-hand experience.
What can it look like?
You could have a tech station where guests can test new software in a specific case scenario.
You could have a touch-and-try setup for consumer products. For things that are tough to bring with you, such as larger solutions, a guided VR experience could be a game-changer, taking people inside the product story.
The key focus here is to design an experience that gets people curious, either because they want to ask questions or they want to explore at their own pace. That’s why your product demos should create conversation naturally.
Digital Scavenger Hunts
How about encouraging your guests to explore the entire event space? Most visitors stick to a few stands or the main conference area. But if you start using digital scavenger hunts as a tool, you can get people to check the whole site.
Placing QR codes throughout the venue helps you create a guided adventure that encourages people to be curious about your story. Guests can scan codes to unlock clues, win prizes, or even access hidden content. Suddenly, your event goes from dull to engaging.
Over 40% of marketers use QR codes to create engagement at events. It makes sense as they are effortless and fast. Most people automatically scan a code with their phones, so participation is not only instantaneous but it is also not disruptive.
Besides, you can use scavenger hunts to direct guests toward areas or schedules that receive less interest. So, they are also an excellent tool to maximize the reach of your event.
Breakout Mini Workshops
Sometimes the most engaging moments at a business event happen in the smaller, more intimate spaces.
Breakout mini workshops offer guests a chance to dive into focused, hands-on activities that last just long enough to spark interest without being overwhelming. They are “micro learning experiences” that deliver value in 5 to 10 minutes. These are ideal for busy event days.
These sessions can be skill-based, creative, or exploratory.
You might offer quick tech walkthroughs, short brainstorming exercises, rapid-fire coaching sessions, hands-on demonstrations led by specialists, etc. The sky is basically the limit, and you can run the same micro sessions throughout the day; each station can have a specific set of workshops.
The structure is flexible, which makes it easy for attendees to jump in whenever they spot a session that interests them.
The beauty of mini workshops is the variety they bring to an event. They break up long stretches of sitting and create natural opportunities for networking and conversation.
People tend to remember the things that can help them, so that’s why dedicating 5 to 10 minutes to answering their questions or providing support to one of their issues can be a game-changer.
When considering what interactivity means for your visitors, you need to focus on activities that will deliver value to those visiting your events. It’s also important to appreciate that interactive ideas are designed to come on top of your regular conference and speaker schedule. It’s never a case of doing one or the other. You need both for a successful event.
My blog focuses on Health/Wellness. Many people develop chronic illnesses at some point in their lives. This creates all kinds of changes for us and those around us. The following contributed post is entitled, Navigating Life After Becoming Chronically Disabled.
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Adjusting to life after becoming chronically disabled is very emotional and also logistically taxing, but with the right resources and community support available, after being diagnosed it can become an enriching journey of adaptation and purpose.
Working with a life care planning company can give you invaluable guidance and resources. These experts specialize in creating custom plans tailored to your specific needs, helping you to address challenges and reach your long-term goals more easily. They cover things like managing medical services and even finding the right programs for you. Life care planners offer holistic approaches that enhance your quality of life, covering everything from financial to resource allocation so as to give you a more secure future.
Building a Support Network
Surrounding yourself with a strong support network is important when managing your chronic disability. Family, friends, healthcare providers and advocacy groups can all give you emotional support, practical assistance and moral encouragement as you make life-altering decisions. Peer support communities, whether they are online or in person, can be life changing. Sharing experiences with like-minded peers forms a sense of community while giving you amazing advice from people who understand your daily struggles. Advocating for your needs is important in building a network. From work, school and healthcare settings to social interactions such as events and sports leagues, being clear about the accommodations and expectations will make sure that you have smoother interactions and form an atmosphere that builds disability inclusion.
Mastering the Art of Adaptation
Living with a chronic disability does mean becoming more adapting. Mobility aids, accessibility apps and voice-activated devices all play an amazing role in making your everyday tasks easier. While time and energy management become important life skills. Those that are living with chronic conditions often learn the “spoon theory” approach for prioritizing activities that truly matter in balance with their physical or mental constraints. It’s not about doing everything but rather about doing what matters most. So you are adapting.
Rewriting Goals and Purpose
Living with a chronic disability doesn’t mean your dreams are unattainable and you should just forget about them. It may just mean they require reimagining. Setting meaningful goals, like creative outlets, new career paths, advocacy work or simply self-compassion, is very important in maintaining a sense of purpose. This can sometimes lead you to discover hidden talents or passions through this process. Meanwhile, self-compassion should not be neglected. Taking breaks for your mental health needs as well as practicing mindfulness are important parts of living a balanced life.
Conclusion
There’s no simple or clear-cut answer to “now what?”. Your life after becoming chronically disabled can be an unpredictable rollercoaster ride that is filled with challenges and opportunities too. But when you look for support, adapt to new realities, and remain open-minded to possibilities that come your way, living with chronic disability may lead you to growth and self-discovery. Chronic disability reshapes anyone’s life, but with resilience and resourcefulness it can open doors never thought possible before the chronic disability occurred. Stepping carefully forward could create meaning from living a valuable existence.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money. You financial health is a key component of your life. There are specific things you can do to take control of it. The following contributed post is entitled, The Best Ways To Take Control Of Your Finances.
Taking control of your finances can be challenging. However, the more you focus on it, the more you can transform how you use your money and what you can do with it.
As strange as it may sound, tracking every dollar is critical. If you can keep an eye on every cent, then your overall money picture will usually take care of itself.
Try to log as many expenses as possible. Then, at the end of the month, review where your money is going and whether it is worth the outlay. You have to live a little, but it shouldn’t be dominating your finances. There should be plenty left over.
Build Out Your Dollar Spending Plans At The Start Of The Month
Next, you want to build out your dollar spending plans at the start of the month. That means tracking where every dollar you earn is going to go so you know what you’re spending ahead of time.
When you approach your money like this, it makes you much more intentional. Because you know already where all your money is going, there’s no ambiguity. This approach stops money from disappearing.
Sometimes, of course, life will throw a curve ball in your direction financially. And when this inevitably happens, you want to be ready.
The best way to do this is to gather people around you who can offer help. Having a powerful advocate makes a real difference.
Once you have the right people in place, you can begin to respond to the issues you face, whether they are legal, familial, or just pure bad luck. Then, you can really begin to move forward with your life and start enjoying things again without worrying about money being a big issue for you.
Give Yourself A Buffer
You also want a financial buffer in life. Ideally, you don’t want to be feeling like you’re living on the edge all the time. That’s no fun at all.
Even a small buffer can make a big difference in your psychology. You suddenly feel like you have room to move and that you can really do things with your time. You don’t necessarily have to walk down the same tired road you’ve been following all your life.
Finally, you can really take control of your finances when you eliminate your high-interest debt. This kills wealth more than anything else, so getting rid of it makes an enormous difference to your finances and well-being.
The best way to get rid of high-interest debt is to attack the most expensive loans first, reduce them, and then work from there. However, you can also go for quick wins if you want, paying off smaller debts to encourage you to complete the process and really make it happen. Target anything that’s above 10% interest, as this is really expensive.
My blog focuses on Home/Living and Home/Property Discussions. Investing in real estate can be lucrative, but there can be losses as well. It’s important to know how and how you can protect against losses. The following contributed post is entitled, When Property Investment Doesn’t Work Out.
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When a property investment stops performing, there’s more than frustration at stake. The strain on your finances can be significant. Ultimately, most people choose property investments to generate passive income. So when the property starts draining your savings through repairs, vacancies, or even taxes, it’s not fulfilling its functions.
While some level of costs is unavoidable, when it accumulates month after month, the stress builds up, especially when you’re juggling mortgage payments with little to no rental return.
Many investors begin by revisiting the basics of property investment strategies. Once an investment turns into a liability, education alone won’t fix the problem. What you need is a realistic plan of action. Fortunately, there are some emergency solutions you can deploy to revive your property’s performance or prevent it from affecting your investment portfolio further.
Before giving up on the property entirely, it’s worth evaluating whether targeted upgrades could improve its performance. Many renters in 2025 expect modern, functional spaces, and even modest improvements can make a big difference in demand.
What are the most popular upgrades for rentals?
● Refreshed kitchens with energy-efficient appliances ● Modern bathrooms with clean finishes ● Smart home features (keyless entry, programmable thermostats, etc.) ● Work-from-home dedicated surfaces
Additionally, if you have a house, enhancing curb appeal can be a great way to attract better tenants. A tidy exterior with a low-maintenance landscaping layout can instantly create a positive first impression.
While improvements will require upfront investment, they often allow you to raise the rent. The right improvements will also ensure tenants will want to stay and treat the property well.
Consider Changing Your Rental Strategy
If the property is sound but tenants aren’t applying, it might be the rental strategy rather than the home itself that needs adjusting.
One of the most effective shifts is allowing pets. A large portion of renters own animals, yet many landlords still restrict them, making pet-friendly homes extremely appealing.
Welcoming tenants with pets also tends to improve retention. Pet owners move less frequently because finding a new rental that accepts animals can be challenging. This stability helps reduce turnover costs and maintain consistent income.
Besides, you can protect your property by vetting tenants and their pet-ownership habits carefully. Some landlords also introduce a pet deposit.
Sometimes, the most practical solution is to walk away from an investment that’s no longer sustainable.
Selling the property can free you from ongoing mortgage payments and the stress of trying to make an underperforming asset work.
Traditional selling can be an option, but it comes with its own challenges. Listing a home on the market often requires repairs, cleaning, staging, and showings, and even after all that, it may take months to find a buyer.
If you need a faster, more predictable option, selling to cash home buyers can be a much simpler path. Cash buyers purchase homes as-is, meaning you don’t have to invest in repairs, deal with inspections, or wait for bank approvals. Closings can happen in a matter of a few days.
What is the best approach for an underperforming property investment? There is no clear answer, and it all depends on your goals. So, it’s important to be clear about what you want to achieve and how much youare willing to invest.
Also, it’s worth remembering that property investors spread their income across multiple properties. Owning only one property doesn’t generate sufficient revenue, but that doesn’t mean the property is underperforming.
My blog focuses on Home/Living and Home/Property Discussions. Renovations are key to owning any property. The key is to get them done as economically and efficiently as possible. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Get A Home Renovation Done Easily.
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Let’s face it, home renovations aren’t easy. There are so many things you need to think about and it can soon become a hassle. Which is why the more organised you are and the sooner you get things sorted, the better it will be both in the short term and the long. If you’ve never really renovated a property before, it can be a challenge knowing where to start and what’s involved in the process. This is why in this article we take a look at what you can do to help it move along more smoothly and have the best renovation experience you can. Keep on reading to find out more and get inspired.
Your renovation of your house will only be as successful as the people working on it. Take your time to research tradespeople, read reviews, and ask for recommendations. Don’t be afraid to get multiple quotes and meet contractors in person to gauge their communication style and expertise. You want a team who listens to your ideas, offers valuable suggestions, and understands your long-term vision. A trustworthy, skilled team will not only produce better results but also make the entire experience far less stressful, allowing you to actually enjoy the transformation process. Look for a company through somewhere like Uptown Community Resources. This is a directory of trusted and reliable local businesses which you know you’ll be in safe hands for.
Set a clear budget (and have some contingency funds!)
Before any work begins, it’s essential to map out a realistic budget. Renovation costs can creep up quickly, so having a clear financial plan keeps everything on track. Break down your spending into categories such as labour, materials, décor, and unexpected extras. It’s also smart to build in a contingency fund, which is usually around 10–20%, for those surprises that inevitably pop up once the work begins that you never expect! Having this buffer in place will help prevent stress later and give you the freedom to make decisions without panicking about overspending.
Plan your timeline carefully (and prepare for delays)
A well-thought-out timeline is crucial if you want your renovation to run smoothly (or as smoothly as it can!). Take into account things like contractor availability, delivery times for furniture or materials, and any periods when you may not be able to access certain rooms in your home. Break the project into phases so you can see exactly what’s happening when, and be prepared for slight delays. Renovations rarely run with military precision! A clear timeline helps you stay organised, reduces disruption and ensures that every stage of the process flows logically from one to the next.
These are just a few things for you to watch out for and plan for in order for your home renovation to go as smoothly as it can. While no renovation job is ever simple, this can really mean the difference between it being stressful and being smooth sailing. What are some top tips you have for a successful home renovation? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.
