Rants and Raves of a Bum: March 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned our world upside down. From the old normal where you can pretty much do anything you want and go wherever you want to go, suddenly you have to adapt to the new normal where the first order of business is safety.

That means quarantining at home, and in case you need to venture beyond your front door, you have to wear protective gear to keep yourself and others out of harm's way.

After more than a year of the new normal, you have probably gotten accustomed to the way things are now. But that should not be an excuse for you to be complacent, especially when it comes to your financial plans.

For instance, there's no need to postpone the expansion of your investment portfolio. If you have sufficient money saved for a downpayment, it is as good a time as any to purchase real estate.

After all, the pandemic's not ending soon. While herd immunity is in the offing after enough of the population has been inoculated, it does not guarantee the total eradication of the COVID-19 virus. There's no point in biding your all too valuable time.

But first, you need to partner with a competent real estate broker in the Philippines. Also, you may want to follow these recommendations on how to search for a property while under a pandemic.

1. Maximize video tours

You do not have to risk your safety to search the real estate market for viable investment opportunities. Realtors have become crafty in response to health precautions brought about by the pandemic. Now, they conduct video tours for potential buyers.

Make the most of these virtual property tours, at least to weed out offers that don't appeal to you. Once you've narrowed down your options, you can schedule an actual property tour.

Request for your realtor to follow strict safety guidelines and protect yourself by wearing a face mask at all times and bringing 70% rubbing alcohol.

2. Do not dismiss fixer-uppers

Just because a property looks like it needs some serious repairs does not mean it should automatically be crossed off your list of viable options. That's most true if you are in the market to turn a profit from your purchase and not for a primary or secondary residence.

You can easily flip a fixer-upper. You might be surprised with how certain repairs could vastly appreciate the selling price of a house. Something as minor as a new paint job could do wonders on a property's market desirability.

Just make sure you study house flipping first before pursuing it full time. There are inherent risks to this business model, too.

3. Trust your gut

The pandemic has led to a widespread loss of employment. To cite an example, many seafarers have been stranded on land for more than a year. Some of them had to give up properties whose monthly mortgage they could no longer afford to pay.

That means a bargain deal is out there. It will likely come from a seller who's strapped for cash. You just need to know where to look. Once you spot what seems like a lucrative investment, trust your gut and make an offer fast. Remember that you are competing against many buyers, some of them seasoned real estate investors, and you can't afford to be derailed by indecision.

That goes without saying that the whole process should not be rushed if there's no valid reason to. The key is to have a flexible timetable, one where you are ready to make an offer tomorrow if the property warrants such or in the next two months if nothing tempting comes along.

4. Look into the possibility of remote transactions

A real estate agent worth their salt knows how to adjust to the needs of the times. For example, they will find ways to allow remote transactions if a buyer is afraid of going out for when papers need to be checked and signed.

Ask your realtor if, for instance, there's a chance for online notarization of pertinent purchase documents. Keep in mind that once you decide to close a deal, you will have to gather several papers from different offices. A competent agent will make the process easier and safer for you.

Find a property, even amidst a pandemic

Pandemic or no pandemic, your financial security should be of the utmost priority. Every opportunity you get to expand your investment portfolio, you must grab with an equal dose of care and audacity.

The former you pull off by following pandemic-related safety guidelines, doing ample research, and working with the best agent in the industry. The latter you accomplish by simply believing in your instinct as an investor and knowing that, at the end of it all, any kind of investment is all about taking informed risks.

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You may want to replace your old kitchen faucet if you find problems like leakage or giving your kitchen an updated look. It is not really hard to replace the old one with a brand-new kitchen sink faucet as long as you have the right instructions and the right tools.

In this article, I will show you how to go about the whole process.

Necessary tools:

· Adjustable wrench

· Multiple screwdrivers

· Flashlight

· Safety goggles

· Towels

· Bowl

It would take about 2 hours to complete this process. Before replacing the old faucet, read the instructions properly.

How to replace a kitchen faucet?

1. The first step to find out the type of your old faucet. you should count the components of your kitchen faucet that how many components are there in your whole faucet. it is because you need to know how many holes are there on the sink to install a new one. Most of the faucets have two major components, the sprayer and the faucet. The faucet could contain one or three holes while the sprayer has one hole.

2. Climb under your sink to look at the place where the faucet and sprayer are mounted. Count and note down the number of holes. You may find three plastic nuts and a shaft nut in total if your faucet comes with 3holes. By this time, you should decide what tools you are going to need.

3. Turn off the water supply by rotating cold and hot water valve handles. After this, turn on the faucet to remove any excess water. it could cause damage if any water remains in the faucet.

4. You should uninstall the components of the faucet by turning the plastic nuts using your fingers counter-clockwise. If you find them too tight, use pliers for unscrewing the nuts completely.

5. Pry down the holding bracket using your hand and remove it properly.

6. After that, it is time for removing the base of the sprayer by turning the nut counter clockwise that is holding the base of the sprayer.

7. Get rid of the sprayer head by rotating the head counter clockwise till you take it away from the sprayer base.

8. You would find a pin in the sprayer. Take a plier for pushing the pin and remove the retaining pin completely.

9. There would be a hose and you have to remove all the components like sprayer mount and sprayer base from the hose pipe. Take out the hose pipe from the sink and put it in a bowl to drain excess water.

10. Unlock the lines of the supply by rotating the nuts counter clockwise. If you find the lines too short for resting on a bowl, wrap a dry towel round them to prevent any water dropping.

11. Take out your old kitchen faucet and from the sink and clean the area of the sink water and soap. Let it dry for some time after washing the area.

12. Find a new kitchen faucet that contains the same number of the holes like your previous one.

13. Read the instructions in the manufacture of the new faucet and set the new faucet in the holes. Leave a hole for adjusting the sprayer.

14. There would be a mounting hardware in the new kit. Mount the new faucet by using the components from the kit and set it under your sink.

15. Take a screwdriver and tighten the bracket screws or nuts to make the final adjustment.

16. You should work for attaching the supply lines with the valves now. Finger tight them first and then tighten them finally with an adjustable wrench. You don’t need any tape in this process because supply lines come with a seal.

17. After unscrewing the plastic nut from the new sprayer mount, drop the topmost part of the mount in your sink. Hike under your kitchen sink and screw the nuts of the sprayer.

18. Feed the supply line of the sprayer by the sink mount.

19. Climb under the sink to lining up the finish of the supply line with a quick connector. Drive the hose pipe into the connector till it makes a ticking sound.

20. Unscrew the head of the sprayer by turning the aerator counter clockwise. Ensure that the handle of the faucet is off-site.

21. Turn on the cold and hot water connection valves.

22. Flash the sprayer by holding it down for 1 minute and after that, turn off the water to reinstall the head of the sprayer.

23. Turn on the water of the faucet and flush it for about 1 minute. Then install the aerator in place.

24. Your kitchen faucet is ready to use but don’t forget to check everything properly if there is any water leakage or not. Check the places attentively where you have made connections.

Finally, you may have learned how to replace a kitchen faucet successfully. Follow these steps carefully and put safety goggles on your eyes for protection.

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If you live in a hot climate, you may have considered installing AC before. Air conditioning in your home has its pros and cons, but its main function is that it keeps you cool and comfortable when the weather is too warm for your liking.

Some people avoid installing AC because it can be expensive, and can cause skin dryness. Nevertheless, for many families it is the best option for keeping everyone cool and comfortable - particularly for kids and pets.

In this blog we will explore three tips on installing air conditioning in your home!

1. Get a reputable company

Just like any homeware, your air conditioning can be bought cheaply, or it can be bought expensively. AC systems range in price and quality, similarly to any product - but the bottom line is, you need a quality system that will not pack up in a year’s time. A reputable air conditioning company can install a very high quality system; yes, it will cost you more, but in the years to come you will not regret investing in a proper AC system.

To find a reputable AC company in your area, make sure you read online reviews and ask neighbors and friends for advice.

2. Understand the maintenance needs of AC

When you buy an air conditioning system and have it installed, that’s not the end of the road as far as maintenance is concerned. Air conditioning systems need regular maintenance to stay safe to use, as well as to ensure they last as long as possible.

Here are a few aspects of AC that need to be maintained regularly.

Cleanliness. Having your air conditioning system cleaned can be a pain-in-the-you-know-what, but it is a crucial aspect of owning an AC system. Air conditioning that isn’t cleaned regularly collects dust and grows mold, which then is distributed around your living space or corporate space every time the system is switched on. This is not good for the health of your family, and can cause the system to break.

Replacing filters. If there are filters in place, you’ll need to replace them as frequently as you are instructed to by the supplier. You may be able to do this yourself, but it might be easier to have someone complete the task for you.

3. Know who to call in an emergency

In the height of summer, it can be super uncomfortable if your air conditioning system fails for some reason. This could be due to a blockage, an electrical fault, or damage due to another structural fault in your home.

When you have AC installed for the first time, make sure you are aware of who to call in an emergency. Seeing as air conditioning is powered by electricity, there is even a chance it could catch fire, although this is very very rare. In any case, it’s wise to know who to call for Emergency Air Conditioning Repair.

Final Thoughts

If you are thinking of having air conditioning installed in time for summer, make sure to use this guide to check all your boxes!

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For most of us, Filipinos, especially those who already have a family of their own. There are a lot of things that everybody wants to own in life. The most important one is to own a home. Whether it is a house and lot or a condominium unit, it is an ultimate goal for every one of us to be able to invest in a property.

However, do keep in mind that the possibility of unfortunate events happening, such as natural calamities and fire, is very real and always at a time when they are least expected.

One of my greatest fears is a house fire. The scary part about it is that it's a fear that many people have to face head-on.

I don't know about you, but I'm attached to certain possessions. Aside from the important documents, I have collections like ref magnets, key chains and old memorabilia that would absolutely just break my heart to lose.

We all know that in a house fire, nothing is safe. The first thing to worry about is your family. Getting everyone out of the house safely is our top priority, and it's very lucky if we can get out of it alive.

However, losing a home and all the possessions inside it is a huge tragedy. The financial strain and sentimental loss are immense, and those going through this grueling process needs all the help they can possibly get. But how to help someone after a house fire may not be exactly as you'd expect.

Here are some ways that we can help someone who is recovering from a house fire.

1. Contact family members and loved ones to inform them of the accident. Provide them with what they need like food, clothes and temporary shelter if possible.

2. Attend to frightened pets and ensure their safety and comfort.

3. Get permission from Fire Department officials before you re-enter the fire-damaged structure to check out for some things that you can still recover.

4. Help them in reaching out their insurance company so that they file your claim right away.

Getting a fire report is a priority as it contains the specifics of the incident. This is important for insurance purposes. For me, getting a fire insurance in the Philippines is vital in protecting our properties. Insured properties may include buildings, machinery and equipment, stocks in trade, goods in process, household fixtures, furniture, appliances, and other fixed properties.

5. Start the process of replacing important documents lost in the fire (licenses, passports, birth certificates, etc.)

Fires can be traumatic for the entire family and the neighborhood affected. Take care of everyone’s emotional needs and schedule counseling, if necessary.

Have you or a loved one ever been through a house fire? Please SHARE so that everyone gets the help that they need.

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