Blog – Page 31

How To Make Your Home More “Florida-y”

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Whether you live in the Sunshine state or just want to feel like you do, adding touches to make it feel more “Florida-y” will do the trick. Whether it’s paint or just decorations, making your home feel open, airy, sunshiny and bright will lift your spirits and make you think of the beach.

Start with paint colors

Think of what surrounds you and paint accordingly. Cool blues match the ocean or Gulf and beige or tan for the sandy shores. Add touches of bright lemon yellows of the sunshine or citrusy lemon or oranges, perfect for a closed in room that needs brightening. Think of the beautiful sunsets over the ocean or gulf and use pinks, pale salmons and lavender. For that cool calm try pale blues and greens. A butter yellow or light peach can add an airy feeling to a room.

Add pops of bright colors

Now that your paint has set the tone for the room, add pops of bright colors like fuchsia, lemon yellow, orange and lime. Use throw pillows or area rugs to bring in the fun colors. In the kitchen find bright colored small appliances to add that colorful touch. Many manufacturers now make things like coffee makers, blenders, mixers and toasters in bright yellow, purple, turquoise and red. Make them the functional part of your Florida vibe.

Beach theme

If that isn’t your taste, then start thinking beach theme. Find fun wall hangings that convey beachy messages. Use shells to decorate tables or shelves. Make a tasteful candle holder with glass containers with sand and shells surrounding the candle. Use your imagination and feel like you’re on the beach.

Disney charm

And what’s Florida without Disney? Add some fun Disney characters to your décor. They aren’t just for kids rooms anymore! A little Mickey or Minnie in the guest room, or Pooh and Tigger in the bath brings in some whimsy and Florida fun.

So go on, make it feel like Florida!

How Home Sellers Shoot Themselves in the Foot with Bad Pricing!

October 27, 2021 By Tara Jacobsen

Home sellers in Clearwater, Dunedin or St. Pete, who are selling homes need to make sure they don’t shoot themselves in the foot by pricing their homes wrong!

As a homeowner, going with what you think its worth, versus actually finding out what it is worth can make the difference between selling your home quickly and having it languish on the market. Pricing it even $5,000 to $10,000 too high and it will sit. Pricing it right the first time will assure a sale.

One of the biggest mistakes home sellers make when pricing their home wrong is thinking that the home is worth more than it is. The market has changed much in the last several years including in Clearwater, Dunedin and St. Pete and even if you adjusted your thinking from before the housing bubble burst, you still probably inflate the value. Maybe your neighbor just got a great price for their home and you know yours is just as good, if not better. But is it? Do you have the high end finishes that they do? Is your bath or kitchen showing some wear?

Ok, you’re thinking, I can always come down if I’m pricing it too high. Bad idea, for a few reasons. First, when buyers look for a home they choose a price range from the highest their budget will allow to the lowest price that represents the quality of home they want. No matter if they search the internet first or just contact a Clearwater Dunedin or St. Pete realtor to assist them, if the home is slightly overpriced, it won’t show up in the buyers price range. What that means is the buyers who can buy your home won’t even see it. Second, the market for a newly listed home is the most active in the first 30 days. You won’t be willing to drop your price for at least 90, meaning you miss the hot selling period.

So contact a great realtor, and ask her to come and evaluate your home, list it right the first time and laugh all the way to the bank! Give us a call today to for a free in-home market analysis 727-410-0336

Should Your Realtor Be Texting, Emailing or Calling You – Technology Based Realtor Tools

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Seems everyone these days is anchored firmly to their smart phone. Scan a bus, train, waiting room or store and you’ll find at least one person scrolling through something on its screen. Maybe that person is you.

If it is, should your Realtor be texting, emailing or calling you? Shouldn’t your Realtor be using technology based tools to best communicate with you? The answer, of course, is yes. Your Realtor should be up to date on all the latest smartphone and technology based Realtor tools available.

Your Realtor should be communicating with you in the way that works best for you. Here are a few examples:

Busy Moms

A busy mom who is hardly ever at home, whether working, carting kids to activities or running errands, can’t be tied to one place waiting for a call to a landline. In fact, she would probably prefer to have a quick text message or email she can check on her smartphone while she’s on the run.

Office Worker

Someone who works full time in an office setting may be able to take a phone call more easily than answer a text message. Paying attention to which number, office land line, office cell or personal cell is important. Does their office frown on taking calls on a personal smartphone? Do they work in a “cube farm” and need to keep a ringer off?

On the road

Someone on the road a lot, whether for a job or that busy errand running mom, may not be able to safely answer a text message or even take a call on their smartphone. Your Realtor should ask if email would be a better option.

Apps

There are also other technological answers that could help. Apps that allow people to text from a computer means a desk bound office worker CAN answer a text and may prefer it to trying to answer a smartphone call.

Technology today means that communication may be even more complicated, but your Realtor should take the time to find out which method works best for you, then use it to keep you up to date and in the loop.

Where Do Buyers Come From? Hint, Hint…Think Realtors

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

You are considering selling your home, and you aren’t sure if you should sell with a Realtor or by yourself. Which will bring you more buyers? Think Realtors.

Some interesting things

The Association of Real Estate License Law Officials estimates that there are about 3 million active real estate agents in the US. In 2017 there were 106,548 brokerage firms.

So what are they doing? Well, the American Housing Survey said that in 2018 there was approximately 119.7 million occupied housing units. The typical home seller has been in their home for 10 years. They typical home size is 1,900 square feet and the typical homeowner is 47 years old in 202o as of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Of the sold homes in 2020 were 5.64 million existing homes and 822,000 newly constructed.

Realtors

The NAR has as of July 2021 1,534,008 members, 68% percent of Realtors are licensed as sales agents, and 20% of members specialize in residential brokerage. The median number of years of experience is 8 years. Most Realtors work a 35 hour work week and have some college education, or a degree.

Message? Most are hardworking and educated past high school to some extent. They generally pay attention to technology as well. The top three technology tools that most use or plan on using are an iPad, smart phone and digital camera. 91% use social media to some extent and the top sites for Realtors to place listings are realtor.com®, Zillow and Trulia.

Interesting results

Obviously, hiring a Realtor means that you will have a qualified person helping with your home sale, but how much of a help will they be? Well, the NAR showed that 88% of buyers purchased their home through a Realtor – a share that has steadily increased from 69% in 2001.

The average sales price for an agent based sale was $295,000. For sale by owner (FSBO) sales were 8% of home sales in 2020 and the average sale price was $217,900. That’s a difference of $77,100! They also don’t have the assistance of a professional who understands the process and paperwork.

Paradise Island Towers- Florida Real Estate

October 27, 2021 By Tara Jacobsen

If you’re looking for great condo living in Treasure Island, Florida, Paradise Island Towers is for you. A treasure in paradise for those on a budget.

Paradise Island Towers is located at 10355 Paradise Boulevard in Treasure Island, Florida. The building was originally built in 1963 and has both 1 and 2 bedroom units. 1 bedroom units are about 850 square feet and asking prices range from $130,000 to $150,000, two bedroom units are about 1050 square feet and asking prices range from $150,000 to $220,000.

Prices will vary based on views you have and what floor the unit is on. Units are bright and airy, immaculately maintained and in “move in” condition. The building has great amenities, including a doorman, waterfront deck, a large gorgeous heated pool and boat slips available to rent suitable for sailboats. This is Florida real estate at its best!

A two bedroom unit is bright and spacious. You walk into a living room/dining room combination with a good sized kitchen. There are also a spacious breakfast bar, a dishwasher, stove, microwave and refrigerator. There is a utility room/laundry room right off the kitchen.

Paradise Island Towers units have a nice sized balcony with great water or park views. The guest/main bathroom is a nice 3 piece bath with tiled floors. The units have a lot of storage, including closets in the hallway. The master bedroom is large and has great water views. It also has its own 3 piece bath. The guest bedroom is large enough for a queen bed, and also has great water views. The units are carpeted throughout.

While Paradise Island Towers units may need some updating, paint and new carpeting, none of it is necessary for function. Units are in great condition and are ready to move in. For a tour or more information on Paradise Island Towers or other Florida real estate, contact Deb Ward, the Irish Realtor.

Tips For Buying and Selling A Home At The Same Time!

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

You own a home and for whatever reasons; need for more or less space or job transfer or whatever, you decide you need to sell your current home and buy a new one. You’ve been told that buying and selling simultaneously is impossible, but you also know you need to do it.

The good news is that it is possible to buy and sell at the same time, it just takes some juggling and good decision making. Here are some tips to make it work for you.

Your financial situation

First, have a good knowledge of your financial situation. Have your current home appraised not just for value, but for a realistic selling price. Get a payoff balance on your mortgage. The payoff figure isn’t the same as the balance shown on your mortgage statement. The mortgage company will charge certain fees or amounts of interest. Your escrow balance is normally either refunded to you at settlement or after, so it won’t affect your payoff figure.

Knowing these figures will give you your equity in your current home. It won’t be an exact figure but should give you a better idea of what you will bring to the table in a purchase. It will also give you information to tell your new mortgage company about money down possibly getting you a better rate.

Knowing your finances will also tell you if you could afford a month or two of double mortgage payments if the sale and purchase don’t coincide and what updates you can afford on your current home.

Next, as with any sale, pack, declutter and update

Pack up your things, which by default declutters the space, leaving only what you really need to use for the next 30 to 90 days. Repair any issues and paint the space if it needs it to make it look fresher for potential buyers. Make any necessary updates, especially to baths and kitchens.

Money spent wisely now will pay off at sale.

Now start your new home shopping

Whether you have listed your home or not this can give you an idea of what the current market is for both sellers and buyers. If you are moving to another city or state, take a weekend to go and look. It can help you make decisions about updates needed on your current home and give you an idea of what you will need to buy in the new area.

Lastly, rely on your Realtor

If you are staying local, he or she can help you in both transactions. If you are moving out of state he or she can help you find a buyers agent in your new location. One or both can help you make the best decision for your situation.