Latest news with #AlexeiMorgado
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
New TikTok trend involving your front door could result in severe damage
Homeowners and sellers tend to overlook the importance of their home's front door. However, experts argue that this is one of the key features that can make or break a sale. Front doors offer a first impression to buyers, and as the saying goes, the first impression lasts the longest. For owners, the main entry to the home is also the first line of defence from the outside world, whether it be intruders or the elements. Over in the US, there's been a resurgence of the concerning 'door-kicking' prank, which gained traction on TikTok last year. This trend has led to concerns among owners and sellers alike — especially given that things have escalated rapidly since the prank was last popular. The TikTok 'door-kicking' trend, which started in 2024, involves pounding and kicking on front doors in the middle of the night. While it might seem like a harmless prank at first, it often leaves residents bewildered and burdened with costly repairs. Against this backdrop, the importance of your front door can't be overstated as it's more than just an entryway: it's both the first impression of your home and a critical line of defence. According to high-quality doors can increase a home's marketability by 5 per cent to 10 per cent, as it suggests durability and low maintenance. Materials matter when it comes to front doors With all of this in mind, as real estate agent Alexei Morgado puts it, homeowners should not view the front door just as a surface-level design enhancement but also as a security feature. Fibreglass Fibreglass offers a balance of strength, insulation, and low maintenance, mimicking the look of wood without the warping. According to Doors Plus, 'fibreglass doors lead the way in resilience to the elements and insulation performance'. Although the price is high, fibreglass doors have a longer lifespan than wood or steel doors. Also, its low maintenance makes it cost-effective over time. Steel Steel is the most durable material available for front doors, making it an ideal choice for enhanced security. As long as the weather conditions aren't too extreme, it will not be affected – unlike wood, for example, which can warp when it gets wet. The downside of a steel door includes that it can be easily scratched or dented and requires a good finish to prevent rust. Solid wood Wooden doors can provide a stunning finish, and owners can accentuate the grain to achieve a beautiful appearance. They can also be stained or painted to give a different finish and to give a tired door a new lease of life. While timeless and customisable, wood demands regular maintenance. But it adds unmatched warmth and character. How to protect your front door There are several upgrades owners can make. Steel-reinforced doors with deadbolt plates and longer strike screws slow down break-ins fast. In addition, smart locks are helpful, but the core still comes down to the strength of the actual door and frame. Owners should also consider smart security upgrades, such as video doorbells or cameras, which can deter pranks and enhance monitoring. Finally, in terms of return on investment, doors are one of the simplest high-impact upgrades you can make. 'But the ROI goes far beyond resale value. Insurers are also beginning to include fortified doors in homeowners' premiums,' Morgado told Realtor. 'And even more valuable is time on the marketplace. Homes with obvious security upgrades, including smart doors and secure doors, also sell faster, particularly with millennials and Gen Z, who care about tech as much as security.'
Newsweek
02-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Plane Passenger's Aerial View of 'Odd' Housing Development Goes Viral
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A striking aerial photo of a circular housing development from a plane window has sparked viral attention on Reddit and new appreciation for one of Florida's most curious communities. On May 1, Reddit user u/cgatlanta shared an image of the Rotonda West community in Charlotte County, captured from a flight bound for Miami International Airport. The photograph quickly drew attention from other Reddit users, receiving more than 23,000 upvotes and 1,300 comments to date. "Looked out the window of my flight to MIA and saw this [odd] community," the Reddit user said. The image shows the strikingly symmetrical, circular neighborhood with street patterns radiating from a central hub, giving it the appearance of a crop circle. From above, Rotonda West appears almost mathematical in its precision—a rare view that has fascinated viewers online. An aerial shot of a traffic circle in a residential neighborhood in the U.S. An aerial shot of a traffic circle in a residential neighborhood in the U.S. Getty Images Alexei Morgado, a Florida-based realtor and CEO of Lexawise Real Estate Exam Preparation, elaborated on the unique development for Newsweek: "Rotonda West's amazing shape was the idea of Joe Klein, CEO of Cavanagh Communities Corporation, in the late 1960s; its development started in 1970, with the first official residents moving as early as 1971. "Its shape is quite eye-catching but not as unique as we may think; it actually took inspiration from radial city layouts, a clear example of this being Paris, while an obscurer one would be Washington, D.C.," he added. While the town's unusual layout may not have been an accident, it has certainly sparked a range of intrigue and a fair share of banter online. "A housing development designed and laid out in the design that you see," one viewer said. "It was started years ago. "I believe there are a lot of vacant lots there, burrowing owls nest in the open areas, lots of people travel there to see those owls." Another added: "Anyone else think this looks like the Millennium Falcon?" "Pac Man lives there," a third viewer joked. "The odder part of that picture is the neighborhood just to the right of the picture, meadows and villas in which was developed in the seventies and has no houses, just streets upon streets of nothing," another viewer commented. Several viewers had quickly identified the image as being of Rotonda West shortly after it was posted. "This is why I love Reddit," one viewer said. "Within 15 minutes someone had your answer," while another added: "I lived in that community once upon a time." Morgado said that the design of Rotonda West features a central hub and eight pizza slice-shaped segments. "Klein aimed to create an aesthetic design that didn't sacrifice functionality, and the circular shape offers just that: it has a really efficient traffic flow, allows quick access to healthcare and public safety facilities, and facilitates community planning," he said. He noted that the beauty of the community is further enhanced by the presence of canals and green spaces, adding: "The design was also influenced by WWII airfield layouts in Southern Florida." Newsweek reached out to u/cgatlanta for more information via Reddit.
