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July 18, 2017
Summer is the perfect time to tackle some home maintenance projects. The days are longer and the kids are out of school, so they can do a lot of the work. All homeowners should take care of their homes by performing ongoing maintenance and repair. This will keep it in good condition so you can get the best price possible when you decide to sell it. Here’s a list of a few projects to take care of during the summer. Tune Up the Air Conditioner No one in South Florida wants their air conditioning to go out or not work properly during the summer (feel free to insert a, ‘Your wife is hot,’ joke here). So, your No. 1 priority […]
July 11, 2017
It’s officially hurricane season, and that means that we’re not bragging about our weather anymore to our friends up north. This being said, it’s one of our busiest times of the year, because there are still many potential buyers are hoping to move into their new home before school starts. But, house hunting in the heat and humidity can be grueling. Getting in and out of the air-conditioned car can take a toll. These tips will help you survive South Florida’s heat as you search for your dream home. 1. Schedule Viewings During the Cooler Hours Mornings are at least a little bit cooler than the rest of the day, so try to schedule viewings then. Since summer brings longer […]
June 13, 2017
Homes tend to have distinct smells. While homeowners are usually accustomed to that smell, others are not. Funky-smelling or heavily fragrant homes can be off-putting for first-time visitors. When you sell your home, lots of new people will be walking through your front door, so be sure it is smelling as fresh as possible. No one wants to consider that their home may be a little stinky, but it’s important to face the facts so that you can get rid of odors. Nice-smelling spaces will attract more buyers and likely sell faster. Here’s an overview of common home odors and how to get rid of them. Rotten Food Whether it’s coming from your refrigerator, garbage disposal, or trashcan, rotten food […]
May 30, 2017
When you’re selling your home, you want to get the best price possible. And, the best way to get top dollar is to put your home’s best foot forward to attract buyers. Often, this means hiring a professional home stager. Many sellers may not want the extra expense of home staging, but it’s actually a worthwhile investment. Sellers that hire a home stager can often expect to get at least $10,000 more for their homes than those who don’t. In addition to a larger sales price, there are several other reasons why you should consider hiring a professional home stager. Buyers Can Visualize Themselves at Home Professional home staging shows off a property in its best light, which is a […]
May 23, 2017
It seems like every article I read about homebuyers these days is written about millennials: are they buying, are they not buying, what do they want to buy, et cetera. To a much lesser degree, there are articles about boomers and whether they want to move for retirement or stay-in-place. But I haven’t seen anything on ‘second wave’ boomers, who tend to be in a unique situation. Who is the Second Wave? There are more than 76 million baby boomers nationwide. The younger boomers are often referred to as “second wave” because they have different lifestyle needs than their older counterparts. Many second-wave baby boomers are increasingly feeling like their current homes no longer fit their needs. Odds are you […]
May 19, 2017
An Update on What You Need to Know A lot of people have been asking me recently about the potential bridging project in Palmetto Bay over SW 87th Ave, between SW 164th St and SW 163rd Terrace. To bring you up to speed: Miami Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works had been proposing to build a bridge over the canal between SW 164th and SW 163rd to connect SW 87th Avenue, thereby alleviating north-south traffic. The county commission and the transportation planning organization held two separate meetings and as of Friday, January 21, 2022, both county entities declared an impasse on the resolution that was proposed by the villages. One more round of meditation will follow between Palmetto […]
May 16, 2017
Pets are essential members of the family and make any home feel, well, homey. But, trying to sell a home with a pet around can be headache and definitely takes a few extra steps when staging and showing your home. Not everyone is an animal lover. Sometimes potential buyers would prefer not to see, smell, or find any evidence that your beloved pet exists. When you’re staging your home (where your pets also live) to sell, these tips will help: Fix Up Your Yard Back yards are many pets’ favorite places. The back yard serves as a personal bathroom for many, and some dogs like to dig holes. As you’re preparing your home for sale, clean up any poop or […]
May 9, 2017
Cozy bedrooms, bright kitchens, and immaculate spaces. This is what buyers want to see when browsing for a new home. So, sellers need to take beautiful photos to show off their home’s best assets. The quality of listing photos is a sure way to sell a home. While you don’t necessarily need to hire a professional, it may be something to consider. Homes that have been photographed with a professional digital single-lens reflex camera get 61 percent more page views than other properties and have a 47 percent higher asking price per square foot. No matter whether you decide to hire a professional or take the photos yourself, be sure to avoid these mistakes with your listing photos: Blurriness: Out of […]
May 2, 2017
Obviously, all sellers want to get the best price for their home, but knowing when the time is right to get top dollar can be pretty tricky. In reality, there are two key factors you need to balance: a frank and honest assessment of both the market and your personal situation. From my experience, here are a few tell-tale signs that you’re ready to make the move. You Have Equity The reason that you often hear that you should stay in your home for five to seven years before you consider selling is based on the amount of equity homeowners (with a mortgage) have built in that timeframe plus market appreciation. Equity refers to your home’s value minus any outstanding […]