Fred Lukas - Wakefields Beach

13/05/2015

Property news: The top estates in SA for the super rich.
http://ow.ly/MmWFz

Estates in the Western Cape dominate a new survey of top residential estates in South Africa

11/05/2015

Monthly fuel cost calculator: Stay in control of your budget no matter what the fuel price.

There’s a tool that ensures motorists know exactly how a fuel price hike or drop will affect their wallet.

The ebb and flow of the fuel price in South Africa means uncertainty regarding how much more, or less, cash one will have in their pockets at the end of the month.

Drive South Africa recently launched a monthly fuel cost calculator that helps motorists stay on top of fuel expenses - helping them budget better. The fully responsive, web-based app works out precisely how much you are going to spend on fuel during the month, and how much more (or less) money you will spend (or save) compared to the previous month.

Budget-conscious households can now utilise the tool to reallocate funds between their expense accounts on a monthly basis, depending on whether fuel costs are higher or lower.

The total monthly fuel spend is based on the current fuel price as updated by South Africa’s Department of Energy on the first Wednesday of every month. The tool is designed to give all motorists an accurate monthly fuel cost calculation, by offering four ways to calculate monthly fuel spend:
- How many kilometres they've driven.
- How much money they've spent.
- How many times they've filled up their tank this month.
- How many litres they've used.

Check it out at http://www.drivesouthafrica.co.za/fuel-cost-calculator/

Source: http//www.women24.com

04/05/2015

Six serious wallpaper myths debunked

There are lots of gorgeous wallpapers to choose from when you are looking to give your home a makeover, but some people shy away from wallpaper because of some common misconceptions.

Myth #1: Worried that wallpaper is not on-trend?
If you want to talk about trends, then the minimalist plain wall is well and truly out of fashion, and bright, colourful wallpapers can be spotted adorning the walls of many homes featured in magazines and on TV makeover shows right now.

Myth #2: Wallpaper is not eco-friendly
Many of us are much more environmentally aware these days and want to do our bit for the planet, so you will be pleased to know that wallpaper is most often made of paper which is renewable and biodegradable.

Myth #3: You can’t use wallpaper in kitchens or bathrooms
A lot of people seem to think that this is the case, but you can happily have your choice of colours and designs hanging on the walls in your bathroom and your kitchen without any worries at all.

Myth #4: Wallpaper is difficult to hang or remove
Some are put off by past experiences of hanging wallpapers, but the new breed of easy-hang wallpapers that are out there, make it a job you can tackle with confidence over a weekend.

Myth #5: You tire of wallpapers more quickly
The truth is that most of us take the time to choose the right pattern and colour scheme for our walls when we are going with wallpaper, so you will probably end up keeping the wallpaper for longer than paint because you loved it so much in the first place.

Myth #6: Commitment issues
Those with commitment issues need have no fears about using wallpaper for their decorating plans. Temporary wall décor products are there to give you great options and a beautiful room as well.
Now that these wallpaper myths have been well and truly debunked, what are you waiting for?

Source: http//www.women24.com/

01/05/2015

At first, they'll ask you why you're doing it. Later, they'll ask you how you did it. Happy Workers' Day

29/04/2015

Property news - Affordable property market: rental units on the rise to address shortages in the market.
http://ow.ly/MdZ0R

To address shortages in the market.

27/04/2015

Easy Ideas To Refresh Your Home.

Here are five easy ideas to freshen up your space:

1. Restyle Your Shelves
You won’t believe the difference moving things around can make. Remember to mix things up by using books and ornaments on your shelves and de-cluttering is always a great idea. Get rid of those dust-gathering knick knacks that you don’t really like and are wasting shelf space.

2. Add A Pop Of Colour
Adding one bright element can uplift an entire room. Add fun, bright, new cushions that won’t cost a fortune.

3. Fresh Flowers Do The Trick
The easiest way to refresh is to add something fresh to your home. Yes, buying flowers can be an indulgence but use your garden for some fresh greenery and you will be amazed at the effect. You don’t always need a full bloom; fresh leaves will work just as well.

4. Change Up Your Throws
Go around your house and collect all the throws, from the bedroom to the lounge and put them in a big pile. Then start again, moving them around. Layer two or three on your bed for new luxury (remember to play with colour tones and textures). In your lounge, add a new colour and texture to what used to hang over your couch.

5. Pack Away
If you have a number of items, like loads of vases, de-clutter by packing them away for a while. The new space will look light and airy, and give you a different feel.

http//www.dailyfix.co.za

20/04/2015

Creative ways to display your family photos.

If your family photos are slowly piling up, we have put together a collection of ideas for creative ways to display your family photographs and show them off. From a collection of framed photos on a wall to a collage of your family favourites, you're bound to be inspired by at least one idea.

• Mounting your favourite photographs up the side of a staircase allows for plenty of space if you need to mount a lot of photos. Keep it simple and use a collection of like-styled frames in varied sizes, or mix it up with different frames to create an interesting collage and an eye-catching feature.

• A passage or hallway that lacks interest is the perfect place for a collection of your favourite photographs. If there isn't any natural light in the space, install wall-mounted down-lights or ceiling spotlights.

• Having photos block mounted means that you can mount them almost anywhere. This is a lightweight option for mounting your family photographs and you can use heavy-duty mounting tape as an alternative to picture hooks or nails.

• Fill up an empty space behind a sofa with a trio of oversized family photos. These provide a wonderful display without overpowering the room.

• Welcome guests to your home with a collection of photographs displayed in an entrance hall. Simple white frames and white photo mats are a wonderful way to display black and white or sepia-toned vintage photos.

• If you prefer something with a bit more impact, add a black frame to your black and white photographs.

• Floating shelves make for an eye-catching display of family photographs and you don't have to hammer in hundreds of picture hooks or nails! You can also use floating shelves for a collection of large and small photos.

It's time to put on your creative thinking cap and decide where you want to display those family photographs.

http//www.home-dzine.co.za

15/04/2015

Property Market News: Property prices set to come down
http://ow.ly/Lwf4E

The “slow puncture” of property prices decreasing to levels that better reflect a poorer economy has started, FNB property economist John Loos...

13/04/2015

Home maintenance tips to save you money.

You have done it; you have made the big investment for you and your family. A home, a place of shelter for years to come. However, in order to keep your home in the best possible condition over a sustained period, you must be aware of the importance of consistent maintenance.

This is according to Steven Barker, Head of Home Loans at Standard Bank, who says we need to look for potential issues around the house that, if not taken care of properly, can cost us much more in the long run.

He says home maintenance should be a regular commitment as anything can happen: roofs leak, drains get blocked, or walls crack. “Neglecting to maintain a home can lead to minor problems that can subsequently result in larger more expensive problems.”

Barker shares the following tips for home maintenance:
- Hose down gutters monthly to prevent them becoming blocked and rusted. If they are blocked, the water may seep into the roof causing damage to the ceilings.
- Regularly check and maintain your ceiling boards as ceilings are costly to replace. If your roof springs a leak, it will eventually seep through to the ceiling boards, making them water-logged and heavy. This could cause damage to expensive furniture and the insurance company may refuse your claim if they classify the damage as negligence.
- Replace old washers with new ones on leaking taps.
- Make sure your electrical wiring is in order; it’s essential for your safety.
- Plaster up cracks.
- Unblock your drains.
- Oil any wooden window frames.

“It is important that you keep your property in a good condition by checking it regularly and repairing it when needed. However, despite your best efforts, things can still go wrong because accidents do happen, so it is important to have home insurance for when these instances occur.”

He says being insured will allow you to have peace of mind.

http//www.property24.co.za

10/04/2015

Logic will get you from A to Z. Imagination will get you everywhere.

07/04/2015

Edible Gardening - Entertaining Autumn Outdoors

It’s April, & probably the last opportunity to soak up a lovely warm-ish day in South Africa before the cold chill of winters approach sets in. Why not arrange some outdoor time on your patio with friends and family and surprise them by preparing some dishes, almost exclusively from your garden?

Right now you could be harvesting a host of herbs like thyme, parsley, marjoram and mint, to name a few and the season for veggies like peppers, tomatoes and beetroot will be coming to an end, so it’s a great excuse to pick and use them. Harvesting directly from your garden is not only convenient but also has the added benefit of eating healthy, naturally grown fruit and vegetables in season and you’ll taste the difference.

Some harvesting tips to keep in mind before getting stuck in:
•Prolong your lettuce harvest by only picking the larger, outer leaves each time, allowing the inner leaves to keep growing.
•Tomatoes are ready to be picked when they’re uniformly red – just before they soften.
•Lemons, depending on variety and care, should be available to harvest pretty much all year round, so keep your tree well watered, prune when necessary and protect it from pests to keep your bounty flowing.
•Peppers are a catch-22 harvest. If you want volume, you should pick them frequently and before they mature, since they’ll keep trying to produce viable seed. But if it is flavour you’re after, you need to let them reach maturity before harvesting, knowing you’ll have less but tastier fruit.

http//lifeisagarden.co.za

05/04/2015

Happy Easter to our Christian Customers and staff!