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K-Pop in the Emirates to take centre stage at Expo 2020

November 10, 2021 by Louie Alma Photography No Comments

K-Pop in the Emirates to take centre stage at Expo 2020

KITE will bring the wildly popular Korean music genre to Expo 2020 on November 12th, with the catchy hooks and sing-along lyrics of boy band Highlight and solo artist Punch.

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News and Tips

How to change your WiFi password – and why you should

November 10, 2021 by Louie Alma Photography No Comments

How to change your WiFi password – and why you should

Setting up a new home WiFi box (also known as a router)? It’s tempting to focus on just getting the darned thing to work but you should also change the WiFi password while you’re at it, and there may be more than one.

The broadband router is the beating heart of home technology that beams WiFi to desktops, laptops, mobile phones, smart TV sets and possibly more. To keep your connection secure, changing WiFi passwords should be as regular as changing lightbulbs.

The task shouldn’t be overlooked because one of the two passwords is often easy to guess. And with it you can change the other one. There’s even the possibility that your new router has no password protecting it at all…

Image credit: Dan Duchars/ Future Plc

As an important part of your digital home security system, we’ll talk you through how – and how often – to change passwords and take a look at what might happen if you don’t.

Why should I change my WiFi password?

Anyone who has ever known your WiFi password still has it, unless you change it. And they can access your internet connection and everything on your network from nearby, including outside your home within a short distance. So if your neighbour’s teenager once babysat for you, or your ex-flatmate lives across the street, they could be streaming movies right now using your broadband and you’d never know.

Or it can be used more maliciously. Robert Schifreen is a former hacker whose company Cybaware now provides security awareness training to staff in companies across the UK.

Schifreen outlines the worst case scenario: “If you do get hacked, i.e. if someone uses your WiFi password because they used to know it and you never changed it, that person is now connected to your router and everything connected to it. They can access (or try to) your computer, phone, security or doorbell cameras, other smart devices such as heating thermostat, your printer, router, and so on.

“If you haven’t changed the Admin password on your router they can change its configuration settings, disable your internet service, disconnect your devices such as the cameras, or change your WiFi password and lock you out completely.

“They could even disable the router’s firewall, which means that they can then hack your devices from wherever they are in the world, not just while they’re connected to your WiFi.”

Image credit: Neale Smith /Future Plc

How to change your router’s WiFi password – step by step

First, know that you actually have two broadband passwords assigned to your router. The Admin password is the one that you use to change the router’s settings. The WiFi password is the one that you, family members and guests use to sign into WiFi wireless internet.

The default Admin password for your router is usually generic. It might even be “admin” or “password” or blank. When you first get your router (or right now, if you didn’t do it already) change it.

Find out the current settings. The instruction manual should give you the two pieces of information you need to do this: an “IP address” (a set of numbers and dots that you type into your web browser, where you would normally type the website address) and a password. If you’ve lost your instruction manual, you can Google these settings, you just need the make and model of the router.
Type the IP address into the web browser on your laptop, computer, phone or tablet, then log in using the default Admin password.
Then change the Admin password (see below for how to pick a good one). You shouldn’t need to change it again.
While you’re there, change the WiFi password too. That’s probably already a string of letters and numbers that is unique to your router. But you need to remember it every time you set up a smart device or a guest asks for it. So it’s best to change it to something that’s memorable only to you (see below). This is the password that’s worth changing regularly.
Some router brands prioritise security and make it easier. For example, Netgear routers force you to change the Admin password when you set them up for the first time.

Sandeep Harpalani, VP Connected Home Products, Netgear, also recommends checking the settings: “Use the highest level of security, like WPA3, which is more secure and protects against weak passwords being cracked by guessing.”

Image credit: BT.com

What are examples of good WiFi passwords?

Your Admin password should be impossible to guess and you need to keep a record of it but you won’t use it often. So it can be a random string of letters and numbers. Online password generators are great for this.

Your WiFi password should be more memorable and easier to type because you’ll use it a lot. Random gobbledegook is a pain for that.

Robert Schifreen has a handy way to come up with memorable, secure passwords: “A good rule for choosing strong passwords is ‘two unrelated words, with a number or symbol after each’. Simple as that. So ‘plant=Wagon6’ is a good one.”

Common sense prevails when it comes to storing passwords. If your WiFi password is stuck to your fridge, don’t have your fridge in the background of photos on social media.

“If customers want to store their passwords, they can use a password manager on their phone or save via password protected notes etc… We advise customers to make sure it’s not visible through a window for a passer-by and potential hacker to see,” says Amber Pine, Managing Director of Sky Broadband.

“If you end up with too many passwords to remember, it’s OK to write them down,” says Schifreen. “After all, people who steal passwords generally do it via the internet, not by peeking at your paperwork. Having loads of strong passwords written down is much safer than having loads of weak or similar ones that you can remember off the top of your head. But if you do write them down, don’t make it obvious. Those My Internet Passwords books that you can buy online aren’t ideal!”

Image credit: Sky

How often should I change my WiFi password?

You don’t need to change the Admin password regularly and only you should know it. You won’t use it often but keep it somewhere safe because you will need to use it to change the WiFi password.

Schifreen recommends changing the WiFi password once a year. It’s easy to change… but then you need to type the new password into every smart device in the house.

“How about picking a date every year (a day between Christmas and New Year, maybe, when there’s never anything to do) when you change all your important passwords?” he suggests. So that’s email, banking, shopping etc as well as WiFi.

“Never use the same password on more than one system or website,” he adds. “When hackers manage to break into a system and discover the list of everyone’s email address and password, they use that list to try logging in to hundreds of other systems with the same credentials.”

He also points out that you don’t have to tell your password to house guests, you can offer to type it in for them instead.

Big brands often go further, making it easy to change and manage passwords via a phone app. Sandeep Harpalani explains: “You can always find your password from the Netgear Nighthawk/Orbi router management app. You don’t need to store the password in other places.”

The app in turn is protected by your phone’s usual security (face ID, fingerprint, passcode). You can use the app to manage every aspect of your home internet, including parental controls and pausing the internet to any device.

The post How to change your WiFi password – and why you should appeared first on Ideal Home.

Reading time: 6 min

News and Tips

Buying a house: the step-by-step process

November 10, 2021 by Louie Alma Photography No Comments

Buying a house: the step-by-step process

Buying a house can be a complicated process. In a recent survey by regulated property buyers GoodMove only two per cent of respondents thought the process was easy – illustrating just how hard and confusing it can be.

If now is the best time to buy a house for you, Nima Ghasri, Director at GoodMove, believes preparation is essential: ‘When entering the property market, buyers should know exactly what they want and what to expect,’ says Nima.

So, whether you’re a first-time buyer, or you’ve bought a home before and need a reminder of the moving house checklist, we’ve put together property advice for buying a house steps offering clear, helpful advice, to help you on your way to becoming a new homeowner in England.

If you’re buying a house in Scotland, be advised that there will be some differences in the home-buying process in regards to surveys, making an offer and the conveyancing process. See mygov.scot for more details.

Buying a house: the step-by-step process

From finding online estate agents to knowing the price of solicitors fees for buying a house, follow these 15 steps for a smooth buying a house process.

Image credit: Future/ James French

1. Consider how much money you need to buy a property

There are lots of things to consider when buying a house, but first and foremost you need to work out how much you have to spend. You’ll need money for a deposit, funds to pay stamp duty which is a government tax paid on all homes over £125,000 or, if you’re a first-time buyer, properties over £300,000.

Then there’s the valuation fee, house survey, cost of hiring a solicitor and cost of hiring a removal company, as well as on-going maintenance costs once you’ve moved in.

‘I advise all our customers to make a spreadsheet with all of these fees in addition to your expected monthly and yearly ongoing costs, to figure out if you can afford to live there, before putting in an offer,’ says Kate Burns Mortgage Consultant at KB Mortgage Services.

2. Save for a deposit

Typically, you’ll need a 10 per cent deposit when buying a home. So, if you’re purchasing a property for £300,000, you’ll need a £30,000 deposit, which can seem a daunting prospect. ‘According to our research, most first-time buyers (53 per cent) have saved for a house deposit by themselves, with a further 34 per cent having help from their parents or other family members to secure a deposit,’ says Nima.

If, like most, you’re unable to borrow money for a deposit, you’ll need to consider saving. ‘One of the biggest mistakes people make when saving for a mortgage deposit is assuming that you have to save a huge amount each month,’ says Pete Mugleston MD and Money Expert at Online Money Advisor. ‘Even saving £50-£100 each month will get you closer to reaching your goal amount than you were before,’ he says.

Image credit: Future/ David Parmiter

3. Find the right mortgage

There are various mortgages available. Fixed-rate is popular with buyers who want to know what they’ll be paying each month, as this loan has a fixed rate for its entire term. A flexible mortgage allows the buyer to make overpayments, underpayments and sometimes a break from payments. Interest-only mortgages mean you only pay the interest on the mortgage each month, not repay the loan itself. Things to consider are how long you want to be paying off a mortgage, known as the mortgage term.

Instruct a mortgage advisor/ broker to help find the right mortgage for you. ‘An advisor can provide you with lots of helpful hints and tips that you might not have previously thought about and can scan a full range of mortgage options,’ explains Kate.

4. Research your chosen area

If you’re considering moving to an area you haven’t lived in before, you need to check it out. Book a few nights in an Airbnb or hotel to get a feel for the place and to find out what the local shops, restaurants and café culture is like. Do you have children or plan to in the future? If so, find out where the best schools are. If you will need to commute for work, make sure the transport links available including bus, train and motorway network, are suitable for you and your family’s needs.

It’s a good idea to visit at different times of the day and week, too, to get a true flavour for the area including safety and noise.

5. Register with estate agents

Once you know the area you want to buy in, you need to register with local estate agents. Registering is free and will increase your chances of finding the perfect property. Visit the estate agent in person to get a feel for how they operate, but also so you can build a relationship with them. Let them know your finances, if you’re renting, or in a chain, how much deposit you have and how quickly you could complete.

The more appealing you are as a buyer, the more likely they are to contact you above others. ‘Local agents that perform well in your chosen area will often keep buyers informed of new instructions coming to market, sometimes before they are launched to the general public,’ advises Gemma Caulfield, Residential Branch Manager and Senior Valuer at Bramleys.

Image credit: Future/ Simon Whitmore

6. Apply for a mortgage in principle

A mortgage in principle, often shortened to AIP or called a decision in principle (DIP), is an indication of what the lender (mortgage provider) will loan you based on the details you provide about your income, spending habits and debts. Having one will make you more favourable with the seller and estate agent as it shows that you are a serious buyer and are highly likely to be approved for a mortgage. ‘You can do this yourself online through most lenders. The questions asked tend to be straight forward ones about income and expenditure,’ says Chelsea Kennedy, Specialist Property Finance Advisor at Pure Property Finance. ‘Most will run a soft credit check to ensure they are giving you a fairly accurate decision. A broker can also do this for you – usually at no cost at this stage,’ she says.

7. Visit your potential property

Most online property search websites reveal a huge amount of visual detail on property listing including photography, video walk-throughs and street views, but it’s important to visit a property in the flesh, too. Viewing homes in person will give you a clear picture of whether the house has potential, if the description matches the property and, fundamentally, if it gives you that this is the one feeling. ’I would always advise, where possible, to have a second viewing of the house as people always tend to notice more the second time around,’ says Gemma.

8. Make an offer

It used to be common to offer less than the asking price however, these days (especially with the stamp duty break earlier this year), homes have been selling for the asking price or more. Check on Zoopla to see what other similar homes in the area have sold for to gauge what the property is worth. Once you’re ready to make an offer, call the estate agent, but also put the offer in writing in an email, too, stating that the offer is subject to a survey and that you want the property taken off the market to prevent your offer being gazumped.

Make sure you mention any favourable points about your buying position. What’s more, a personal note on why you love the property can go a long way according to Emma Fildes Founder of Brick Weaver. ‘In a hotly contested market with multiple similar offers, I have seen this swing things time and time again as the seller may gravitate to someone they can identify with,’ she says.

9. Apply for a mortgage

‘Having a mortgage in principle isn’t a promise that you’ll 100 per cent get the mortgage you want,’ says Pete. Once you’ve had an offer on a property accepted, you will still need to formally apply for a mortgage. Either via your own research, or through a broker, you should know what the best mortgage for your needs and circumstances is at this stage, so it’s just a case of applying officially for one which you can do yourself, or your broker will do it for you on your behalf if you’ve appointed one. The mortgage provider will ask for relevant documentation such as an up-to-date passport and driving license, proof of current address and evidence of income. ‘Your lender will check your paperwork and credit score, as well as conduct a valuation on the property you intend to buy. From there they will either accept or reject your mortgage offer,’ says Brian Murphy, Head of Lending at Mortgage Advice Bureau.

10. Get a property survey

To assess the quality and condition of the home you’re buying, you’ll need a property survey. They are optional, but it’s better to be aware of any potential structural issues and future repair work. You’re then in a position to either pull out, negotiate the purchase price down, or ask the seller to fix any problems. Most surveyors offer three levels of survey: a Condition Report, a Homebuyer’s Report and a Building Survey.

A condition report is the least extensive and covers the property’s condition including any risks, potential legal issues and urgent defects. A Homebuyer’s Report includes all the features of a Conditions Report, plus defects that could affect the property and provides advice on repairs and maintenance. A Build Survey, also known as a full structural survey, provides an in-depth look at the home’s condition. The surveyor tends to be more hands-on, checking the attic and under floorboards, for example.

Image credit: Future/ Lizzie Orme

11. Engage a property solicitor

Conveyancing is the legal process of purchasing a property. This involves carrying out searches, drawing up and checking contracts, dealing with the Land Registry and paying stamp duty. You can use a conveyancer who isn’t necessarily a solicitor but is experienced in property. Or you can instruct a solicitor with experience in property law. David Jabbari, CEO of UK conveyancers, Muve, advises having a conveyancer in place before an offer is made: ‘It means they can immediately start the legal work and cut the transaction time,’ says David. ’In practice, many people select a conveyancer immediately after having an offer accepted on a property, but certainly don’t leave appointing one for more than a few days.’

12. Exchange and complete

The exchange stage is when the buyer and seller’s conveyancer or solicitor swap signed contracts, and the buyer pays the agreed deposit and a completion date is agreed. Completion usually takes place two weeks after exchange, but sometimes this can be sooner and/or even on the same day. On completion day, your solicitor or conveyancer will arrange for your money to be transferred to the seller’s solicitor. Once received, the buyer can then collect the keys – usually from the estate agent – and move into their new home.

13. Arrange home insurance

It’s essential that you have buildings insurance on your new home from the day that you exchange contracts. It’s typically a condition of most mortgages because, from the day that you exchange, you are legally bound to purchase the property. If it were to flood or burn down before completion and you weren’t insured, you wouldn’t be covered.

14. Move in

As soon as you’ve completed, the home is officially yours and you can move in. ‘It’s common for buyers to receive the keys sometime after midday on the completion date. If you’re lucky enough to be handed them immediately, you can begin moving in as soon as possible,’ says Dave Sayce, Founder and Director at Compare My Move. When choosing a completion day, make sure the date chosen suits you and your family’s needs. If you have children, it might be easier to move at a weekend or during the school holidays, for example. Or if you think you’ll need help from family and friends, you’ll need to check their availability first before agreeing to a completion date.

15. Change the locks

Changing the locks as soon as possible once you’ve completed on a house purchase is always a good idea. Even if you trust your seller, you don’t know who may have previously had access to the property and how many sets of spare keys are still in circulation. What’s more, not having the locks changed may invalidate an insurance claim should your home get broken into, especially if an intruder has let themselves in using a key and there aren’t any signs of forced entry.

The post Buying a house: the step-by-step process appeared first on Ideal Home.

Reading time: 10 min

News and Tips

Christmas gonks for 2021 – ideas for styling seasonal gnomes around the home

November 10, 2021 by Louie Alma Photography No Comments

Christmas gonks for 2021 – ideas for styling seasonal gnomes around the home

Gonks were the most in demand Christmas accessory of last year, set to be even bigger for 2021! Seriously, last year in the run up to Christmas they were like gold dust. No sooner had you found the one you wanted to welcome into your home and it was gone – quicker than you could say ‘son of a nutcracker!’.

To stay ahead of the curve we’ve been on the look for where to buy these popular festive must-haves and explore how to style them around the entire home.

Here’s where you to buy the best of these little characters this festive season…

Christmas gonks: display ideas

1. Stand a Christmas gonk outside to greet guests

Image credit: John Lewis & Partners

What a way to extend a friendly warm welcome. This adorable ‘Lady Gonk’ design is holding a present, to extend even more of a welcome. The standing figuring is ideal to place beside the front door to greet guests.

Of course if you don’t have a sheltered porch area, out of the wind and rain, it would be just as welcome next to a TV unit or bedside the Christmas tree even – both festive focal points for sure!

Buy now: Festive field Lady Gonk Figure, £25, John Lewis & Partners

2. Dress the walls and windows

Image credit: Stickers4walls.co.uk

Festive decorating is taking over walls and windows this year, thanks to the many brilliant stickers available. These adorable Christmas gonks are perfect for a friendly Christmas window decorating idea.

The set of Scandinavian Gnome stickers are easy to pop on the window panes to extend your decorating scheme, from indoors to out. The stickers are also ideal for walls to welcome festive fun to living room walls. Made from soft PVC static cling vinyl are reposition-able and reusable, so they can be used year after year.

Buy now: Reusable Gnome Trio Window Decorations, £36.99, Sticker4walls.co.uk

3. Hang Christmas gonk decorations

Image credit: Livelaughlove.co.uk

This charming Grandpa Gnome is just the thing to add a rustic touch to festive trees. The simple, yet statement design is made of grey felt, a white fluffy beard and rustic twine to hang it perfectly on tree branches.

Buy now: Grandpa Gnome, £2.95, Livelaughlove.co.uk

4. Leave the door open for all

Image credit: BAA Stool

Invite the spirit of xmas into every room, quite literally by choosing a Christmas gonk doorstep to keep the door ajar. This superb handmade little Gonk is channelling ‘Gandalf the Great’ vibes… and we like it! This very bearded creation is utterly charming, to sport a more traditional take on this festive decoration. There’s even a little bell to add to the charm.

5. Fill the hallway with friendly Gonks

Image credit: Dunelm

These more traditional knitted red, white and blue Scandi-style Gonks are ideal to introduce this classic gnome into your home. Perfect for a whimsical winter wonderland decorating theme.

Collect a few to create a curated display with other festive decorations, such as garlands and paper pom poms. Hallways are a great place for this simple idea, to welcome visitors with a cluster of friendly face.

6. Dress the mantel

Image credit: Dunelm

Christmas mantel decorating ideas play a key role in cementing the festive theme for any living room. A nod to embracing the Gonk trend is to feature a few of the jolly characters along the mantel, to add cheer and colour. In this case the designs are reminiscent of a Russian doll, with gnomes ascending in size, to add an element of height interest to the display.

When styling the fireplace it is generally best to work in odd numbers and add ornaments at various heights to give depth to the curated collection of seasonal decorations.

7. Create ambience with candle holders

Image credit: Beautiful Gifts and Things

Create a captivating corner with a cluster of festive tea light decorations. Give the stars of the show their own corner of a room to shine bright with these delightful Gonk votives. From dressing the mantel to the Christmas dining table a festive candle display goes a log way to add a touch of ambience.

8. Top the tree with an on-trend gnome

Image credit: Dunelm

It’s no longer about the fairy, the tree topper for this year is the on-trend Gonk. What better way to finish a traditionally dressed tree than with this Folklore favourite.

Buy now: Gnome Tree Topper, £6, Dunelm

9. Invite Gonks to sit beside the tree

Pink and grey Christmas gonks on the sofa

Image credit Poundland

Place a colourful character beside the tree, to tie in the colour scheme and extend the Christmas decorating outwards from the main point of focus – the Christmas tree.

These charming designs are stylish with colour coordinated outfits, with wobbly legs – perfect for positioning on the sofa or over the mantel, somewhere key beside a beautifully decorated tree.

10. Hang a gonk-garland

Image credit: Dunelm

Elevate the status of Christmas gonks by hanging a decorative garland to capture the attention of all who visit. A decorative garland is an easy way to extending your scheme, making a simple Christmas wall decor idea.

11. Set a festive scene for bedrooms

pink and white bedroom with Christmas decorations

Image credit: Dunelm

Include bedrooms into the festive spirit with simple decorative touches. Light up trees add ambience, paper decorations can add colour and interest while a friendly gonk can be good company. Ideal for kids bedrooms to make the tradition of protector feel more real.

This fabulous pink sequin Gonk is looking for a glam home! The sparkly knitted designs are just the things to welcome this traditional folklore character into the modern home.

Buy now: Pink Sequin Gnome, £10, Dunelm

What are Christmas Gonks?

Christmas gonks are not a new thing, in fact they go back yonks. And it turns out there’s more to these bearded little Santa doppelgangers than mere decoration. The festive little characters originated in Scandinavian folklore where they are believed to protect farms and homes from catastrophes and misfortune.

Many Scandinavian children in fact still leave out food for the Gonks on Christmas Eve, much like the tradition of a mince pie and a glass of milk for Santa.The difference being the Gonk’s snack of choice is a bowl of porridge and butter, as this is said to make the creatures happy and ensure good luck in the new year.

Get your Gonk before they’re gone this year.

The post Christmas gonks for 2021 – ideas for styling seasonal gnomes around the home appeared first on Ideal Home.

Reading time: 5 min

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Why should I change my WiFi password?

How to change your router’s WiFi password – step by step

What are examples of good WiFi passwords?

How often should I change my WiFi password?

Buying a house: the step-by-step process

1. Consider how much money you need to buy a property

2. Save for a deposit

3. Find the right mortgage

4. Research your chosen area

5. Register with estate agents

6. Apply for a mortgage in principle

7. Visit your potential property

8. Make an offer

9. Apply for a mortgage

10. Get a property survey

11. Engage a property solicitor

12. Exchange and complete

13. Arrange home insurance

14. Move in

15. Change the locks

Christmas gonks: display ideas

1. Stand a Christmas gonk outside to greet guests

2. Dress the walls and windows

3. Hang Christmas gonk decorations

4. Leave the door open for all

5. Fill the hallway with friendly Gonks

6. Dress the mantel

7. Create ambience with candle holders

8. Top the tree with an on-trend gnome

9. Invite Gonks to sit beside the tree

10. Hang a gonk-garland

11. Set a festive scene for bedrooms

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