No Comments

Selling a Home in a Down Economy

first-time-home-buyers

The real estate market is slowly recovering, but people entering it now will still be competing in a down market. Fortunately, the outcome of a housing sale isn’t completely outside of a seller’s control. In a down economy, sellers will simply have to pay more attention to the factors that will improve their chances.
A sought-after location is essential in real estate, and sellers in Florida will already have an advantage over sellers in many other states. Florida is a relatively popular U.S. state, and many people famously move here for retirement. Florida is also a popular location for a second home. While fewer and fewer people have the money to retire today, many Florida cities show a positive job outlook compared to the job outlook in other areas. Of course, Florida’s beautiful weather is as good as ever.

Real Estate Sales and Timing

Succeeding in real estate often requires very specific timing. The weekday on which a home is listed can affect the results of the sale. The season in which a home is sold can make all the difference. In a down market, sellers really should take advantage of every technique that could work in their favor.
Sellers should get their homes on the market by springtime. Potential buyers will have already completed their taxes in the early spring, meaning they will have already cleared away one set of expenses and potentially received some new funds in the form of tax refund money. Buyers also typically want to move during the summer, so they will want to do their housing searches earlier. Sellers that get their houses listed during the springtime will be tilting the odds in their favor.
Sellers that put up the listings for their homes on a Thursday may have an advantage over competitors that post their listings on different days. Listing a house on Thursday gives sellers the opportunity to make their homes visible to potential customers by the weekend, which is when most people want to start or complete transactions related to real estate. The less time homes spend on the housing market, the easier they will be to sell. Getting a home sold and off the market quickly is key, and homeowners should be aware of the fact that the longer their homes spend on the housing market, the more their odds of making a successful sale decrease.

Real Estate and Repairs

Homeowners that have neglected any home improvement projects need to get them done before they place their homes on the market. Being able to tell potential buyers, for instance, that a new addition was added to a house or the plumbing is in perfect shape is advantageous.
Some homeowners may even be able to benefit from getting a home inspection in advance. They can include the home inspector’s positive report in the open house, giving buyers even more assurance that they’re choosing a good home. Attitudes towards real estate are changing, but many people still view homes as investments. Many buyers are wary of purchasing a home that requires costly repairs, and being able to reassure them otherwise will help all sellers.

Real Estate and Presentation Tips

Making a good impression on people coming to see the house during a showing can make or break a sale. Buyers can be influenced by very tiny details. Buyers will have an abundance of choice in the current market, and homeowners must present their homes at their best.
As buyers are approaching a given home, they should already be intrigued. Homeowners that are good at gardening could spruce up their yards and plant some flowers. They also may want to touch up the exterior of their homes. It’s a good idea to repaint a home before selling it, especially if the paint has noticeably degraded.
Not all buyers will have enough time for home improvement projects. Plenty of people have to sell homes quickly, particularly during a time of shaky finances where people change jobs quickly. However, those people will still be able to clean their homes and clean their yards. Presenting buyers with a tidy and uncluttered home still counts for a lot. There are also things that homeowners can do in only one day that will improve the presentation of their homes.

Simple Improvements for Selling a Home

Doing something as simple as letting in the natural light by drawing open the curtains can make a home look more picturesque to a lot of people. Florida is famous for its sunshine, and homeowners should take advantage of this absolutely free asset. The home should be well-lit in general, so using all artificial light can help. Having beautiful lamps and attractive lighting fixtures is another asset.
Homeowners should capitalize on all the senses when they are trying to sell a home. People that enjoy baking can bake just before an open house, thus filling the home with the smell of baked goods and creating the impression of hearth and home.
Oddly enough, homeowners may want to put away family photographs and drawings that their children did, or other emblems of their specific personal lives. Buyers need to be able to imagine themselves as the future owners, and the illusion is shattered when they see other people’s memories before them. Still, professional artwork and tasteful decorations can brighten any home, as long as they are not ostentatious.
The housing market can fluctuate quickly. Improving the look of a home is useful regardless of the housing market, which is why homeowners should feel motivated to do so regardless of the state of modern real estate.

No Comments

Relocating to Florida: Personal Paradise Begins With Realtor Lorraine Valdes

realtor-lorraine-valdes

Florida has long held the reputation as the retirement capital of U.S. – but, not all 55+ communities are the same. It’s not just about home size, location, amenities, or the color of the walls. When you are looking to relocate to Florida, the active adult community you choose has to have the right balance: one that feels like home, and one that provides comfortable and safe environment to embrace your retirement years. This is where a like Realtor Lorraine Valdes can help.
Lorraine Valdes specializes in the Orlando, FL and Kissimmee, FL areas, so she can help you navigate through the many types of 55+ + “active adult” communities, and help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Communities like Solvita, Bella Lago, Bella Pointe, Champions Gate, Reunion, and Waterview are some of the most popular locations. For those who are not familiar with the Florida area, however, Lorraine is your perfect resource to help you find the ideal winter getaway, or get you established in a permanent residence. Either way, it’s important to note that Lorraine cares about her clients. She will walk you through the entire process, so buying a home becomes an uncomplicated, exciting escapade, rather than a stress-filled experience.
If you are looking for the premier community in Central Florida, the one who has received the most accolades is Solvita. Whether your preferences lie in outdoor activities like hiking, boating, bocce, tennis, or golf, or whether you are interested in yoga, clubs, chess or Zumba, there are so many pursuits to occupy your time, you may find your interests develop in so many new hobbies, that you find you’re busier in your retirement than you ever were before. The best part, however, is that they have affordable homes for people at every price point, with resale homes available in the ranges of $90,000 to $475,000, and long term rentals beginning at around $900 per month.
Tuscan-inspired, the ambience Solvita projects is reason enough to settle in, but it offers so much more. Complete with twin 18-hole championship golf courses, breathtaking wooded preserves, and spectacular sparkling lakes, its 4,300 acres offers everything you would expect in a Mediterranean village, including charming old-world streets, fully appointed clubhouses and a number of distinctive gathering spots to enhance the community’s charm. The exceptional planning and amenities available are some of the many reasons Lorraine has become the go-to Realtor of choice when it comes to Solvita real estate properties, and she can help you find your dream home, too.
Though it’s possible to find a home on your own — whether new construction or otherwise – tackling the job on your own can become a painstaking process. This is why having the right Realtor is essential, and it is particularly important for older couples who are either retired or close to retirement, as it is a major factor in finding the right property. But, how do you know who the “right” Realtor is for you?
The right Realtor to handle your real estate needs is easy to recognize when you know what you’re looking for, and Lorraine Valdes possesses every quality and element that a good Realtor should hold. She provides not just the exceptional knowledge and service you deserve, but her attention to detail and her ability to connect with her clients make her hands-down one of the top agents in all of the Kissimmee and Orlando areas. As your real estate professional, Lorraine knows the communities that support an active adult lifestyle like the back of her hand, but she also has spent years representing buyers and sellers of all types of property as well. This means that she understands that all her clients are different, and that whether you’re looking for your first home or your last, her vast real estate expertise makes her shine.
Given that she specializes in 55+ adult communities, whether you’re on the brink of retirement, or even if you’re already there, you should consider having realtor Lorraine Valdes assist you. Her website features an abundance of information to assist buyers and sellers of all kinds, it allows you to search the MLS for new listings, and you can even visit her blog for a free buyer’s guide. Lorraine Valdes takes the challenge out of buying a home, and turns it into an exciting adventure. Your own personal paradise is waiting, and she can help you find it.

No Comments

Why We Fall in Love—With Houses!

Falling in love can be wonderful—and finding the perfect house can make a house-hunter weak in the knees.

A survey by Realtor.com shows that falling head-over-heels for a house is fairly common—69% of respondents reported that they have had a home crush. House-hunters with a “home crush,” as defined in the survey, are drawn to the same house again and again. Realtor.com surveyed 1,082 individuals from Jan. 9 to Jan. 20 who reported having had a home crush.
Read more

No Comments

Top 5 reasons you should consider choosing one of Central FL's gated communities.

Have you ever considered living in a gated community? There are so many benefits to picking a luxury gated community over any other type of neighborhood. Here are the top 5 reasons you should consider choosing one of Central FL’s best gated communities.

1. Exclusivity
People are attracted to the exclusivity and prestige a gated community provides them. In order to enter a gated community, you need to enter a security code in a keypad or be allowed in through a security guard. Your gated community will not have everyone in Central FL driving around in your neighborhood for no reason. Most people see living in a gated community as a privilege. You should take pride in your home and your gated community.
Read more

No Comments

Safe Eye for the Aging Guy: Home Improvements to Promote Safety

As your favorite senior heads into his golden years, a home improvement  “makeover” may not be the first thing on your mind. But, I’m going to tell you why it should be.

I’m talking about making over his home to improve his safety. By improving his home, you help him age in place. You are not only upgrading a home, but you’re also improving a life.
Read more