A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

The majority of home buyers in the FL region begin their search online. The Internet is becoming an increasingly viable way to present homes from both an interior and an exterior vantage point. Although Jay Myers will help you to understand the best angles for presenting a photographic display of your house, you can help by pointing out what it is you love best about the home. A great backyard garden, a cozy front porch swing, a spacious kitchen, the tile on your bathroom floor – no matter what it is, use it as a way to entice buyers into contacting your agent for more information.

Virtual tours are becoming a very popular way to showcase your home online, as well. Allowing viewers to “walk through” your home gives them a stronger connection to it.

Signs and Advertisements

The more traditional Florida home selling options include putting up a sign or placing an ad in the newspaper, in your local real estate magazine, or even on direct mailing advertisements. These steps have long been a part of the buying and selling market, regardless of where you live.

The truth of the matter is, there’s a reason these actions are relied upon so heavily: no one will know you’re selling your Orlando home unless you post it somewhere! While decisions related to where you place the signs and advertisements will most likely be made with the assistance of Jay Myers, you can help by finding additional ways to spread the word of your sale. Online home selling postings for Winter Garden or Windermere are fairly common, and oftentimes, simply letting your friends and family know that your Orlando home is on the market can go a long way in spreading the word.

Rely on Jay Myers

Of course, the most important home marketing step you can take is trusting Jay Myers to work hard to sell your home as quickly and efficiently as possible. Like any real business partnership, selling a Florida home is all about finding someone you can trust and working together to get the best possible results.

However, almost every homeowner will tell you that these costs are definitely worth buying a FL house. Not only are you purchasing a place to call home, but you’re making a financial investment with potentially huge returns. That’s why you should always consider a home inspection before signing on that dotted line, even if the added expense isn’t one you’re looking forward to.

What is a Home Inspection?

Many people equate a home inspection with a home appraisal, and with good reason. At their core, the two processes are very similar: in both, a trained professional goes through the home and inspects it with the intent of informing all parties involved on making the smartest buying and selling decisions.

However, the similarities stop there. Home appraisals are done to give buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and financers a better idea of what the home is worth (based on “surface” things like square footage, number of rooms, and amenities like a fireplace or granite countertops). A home inspection, on the other hand, is all about informing buyers about the potential problems that lie underneath the surface.

For example, a home inspector will be able to answer the following questions:

• What is the condition of the plumbing and/or electrical system, and how easy is it to access in the event of a problem?

• What will be the realistic costs and challenges of heating or cooling the house?

• What is the state of the foundation, the roof, and other structural components?

• How many years of use will you be able to get out of the electrical/plumbing/heating systems?

• What are the potential safety hazards of the house (lead paint, radon, termites, asbestos, mold, etc.)?

What a Home Inspection Does for You

Although most home inspections cost the potential homebuyer hundreds of dollars up front, they typically end up saving homebuyers thousands of dollars in the end. When you get a home inspection, you can not only step away from a purchase that might not be right for you, but you can also require sellers to either “fix” the problems before you buy the home, or adjust the price in order to allow you to make the repairs.

Of course, there’s also the benefit of knowing that the home for sale in Orlando that you purchased is safe and comfortable. It can be difficult to know just what a house has in store for you until you’ve lived in it for a few months. A home inspection is the best way to take the house for a “test drive” before you make the investment. And with so many choices currently on the Florida real estate market, you’re in a perfect position to make a smart, financially-sound choice for your entire family.

Choosing a home in FL based on the quality of the neighborhood is especially important. There are so many diverse and incredible places to live here that you can change your lifestyle simply by moving closer to that hip, urban center or further out, where suburban sprawl or a few acres of your own are calling.

Most people already look at neighborhoods and communities in Orlando when considering a home purchase. In fact, some of the more common considerations include:

• School districts
• Type of neighborhood (gated, urban, suburban, etc.)
• Public transportation options
• Access to commuting routes
• Proximity to shopping
• Proximity to facilities like police, fire, or medical care
• Tax rates
• Crime rates

However, although these are all very important parts of choosing a neighborhood in the Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida areas, finding the facts might not be as easy as you hope. For example, things like tax rates can be researched, but you’ll also need to look at the future of development in the area. If there’s a big plan for condos to go up in your family neighborhood, you might find that the area is gearing for development. This might mean higher tax rates as the community draws in a higher-income crowd. (It might also mean a change in the neighborhood dynamic).

It’s also important to consider the different times of day and the year in which you visit your prospective home.

• How crowded are the streets during rush hour? On the weekends?
• How safe do you feel walking around during the day? What about at night?
• How maintained are the parks and streets in the winter? In the summer?
• How is the noise level at night or in the morning? Does this change on the weekends?

In order to make the most well-informed decision possible on your new home in Orlando, it’s best to ask a trusted real estate professional like Jay Myers or to talk with current (and past) residents. Not only will you get an insider’s view on what the FL community looks like after hours and in real life, but you might also learn that the people who will become your new neighbors are an enticing draw all on their own.

Price: $1099/mo
14432 Clarkson Drive
Orlando, Fl 32828
Contact: Orlando Realty & Property Management by Keller Williams Realty at the Parks
Future Tenants: 407-641-5782

Bedrooms: 2
Property Sub Type: Townhome
Square Ft: 1240
Bathrooms: 2.5
Year Built: 2005

*Priced low to rent fast!
*2 Bedrm/2.5 Bath Townhome
*Ceramic Tile & Carpet
*Granite counter tops in the kitchen
*Stainless steel appliances
*Includes new washer and dryer.
*Large garden tub in master bath with two sinks.
*Pre-Wired for Home Theater
*Sand Volleyball Court
*Move in Ready!
*Cable TV included
*Conservation Lot
*2 Car Garage
*Convenient to 408 & 417
*Fitness Center
*Community Basketball
*Community Pool
*All appliances included
*Blinds included
* http://www.ocps.net/Parents/Pages/FindaSchool.aspx
*Pets Ok
*Available now
*SORRY, NO SECTION 8 ACCEPTED
*Call 407-641-5782 to see this townhome

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From Alafaya and 408, head South to Avalon Park’s second entrance Mailer Blvd. Turn left on Mailer go down to Cleary Way, take a left on Cleary Way and go to Clarkson, right on Clarkson. 

Need property management?  Need to buy or sell a home?  Looking for a home for rent?  Go to our site, http://www.407rentals.com or give us at Orlando Realty and Property Management a call at 407-641-5049.  We service all of Central Florida including Winter Park, Winter Garden, Windermere, Orlando, Maitland, Kissimmee, Altamonte Springs and the rest of Central Florida.  

We answer calls 7 days a week at 407-641-5782.
View all of our properties at http://www.407rentals.com
WE SHOW PROPERTIES 7 DAYS A WEEK!

While most homeowners should make changes to their houses that suit their lifestyle rather than the eventual sale price of their home five, ten, or even twenty years down the road, there are a few things to keep in mind. After all, if you will someday be selling your Orlando house, you want to be sure you’re maximizing your profit.

• Repair all the little things – now. Most of the time, homeowners are willing to overlook the little idiosyncrasies like a broken step on the porch or chipping paint on the kitchen cabinets while they live in their house. These small repair needs are a bit like a knee that acts up in the rain or a car that always requires you to turn the key three times to the right before starting; they just become part of the everyday backdrop of your life. However, for someone buying a home in Orlando, Windermere or considering real estate in Winter Garden, these things can become glaring problems. By fixing issues as they arise (rather than waiting until you’re ready to sell your FL home), you not only avoid making major repairs all at once, but you actually get to enjoy the repairs while you live there.
• Know your neighborhood. If you live in one of Orlando’s family-friendly neighborhoods, chances are things like well-maintained yards, large family rooms, and spacious kitchens will be worth more in the long run. If you live in a Windermere condo, you might find that built-in bookshelves and jacuzzi bathtubs are more appropriate. While you don’t have to tailor every change to your eventual sales audience, you can choose to make the types of changes that will translate into the highest returns.
• Don’t ignore the less visible changes. Almost all of the houses for sale in Orlando go through cosmetic changes before they hit the market. Fresh paint, new kitchen appliances, and good landscaping are fairly common. Less common are things like a new roof, updated plumbing, or even a newly-installed automatic sprinkler system. However, these things show up in a home inspection evaluation, and when you put your trust in a FL real estate agent like Jay Myers, these types of changes will always get the focus and attention they deserve.

The most important thing you can do to your Orlando home is enjoy the time you’re going to spend there. However, by keeping its eventual sale at the back of your mind, you’ll be able to get the most out of your life – and your investment.
]]> http://www.orlandorealtyandpropertymanagement.com/get-the-most-out-of-your-home/feed/ 0 http://www.orlandorealtyandpropertymanagement.com/check-out-the-orlando-realty-and-property-management-twitter-page/ http://www.orlandorealtyandpropertymanagement.com/check-out-the-orlando-realty-and-property-management-twitter-page/#comments Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:26:33 +0000 Jay Myers http://www.orlandorealtyandpropertymanagement.com/?p=575 Check out our Twitter page….. Follow us on Twitter!

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However, as any responsible real estate agent will tell you, buying a fixer-upper can be a big challenge. Excessive or hidden damage in a home can be both dangerous and costly. Before you make the plunge, make sure you follow a few important fixer-upper guidelines.

1. Always get an inspection. Nothing will give you a better idea of what kind of repairs you’ll come across than a thorough home inspection from a trusted source. Don’t take on more damage than you, your contractor, and your budget can handle.

2. Pay attention to the layout and structural foundation of the house. If you’ve always dreamed of a large kitchen, make sure your potential new home can be adapted in terms of wiring, plumbing, and layout. Sometimes, the skeletal structure of a house prevents certain types of cosmetic changes.

3. Location matters. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a single family house in Orlando, Oviedo or Longwood or a condo in Windermere, Winter Park or Winter Garden; a home’s value is only as high as the neighborhood in which it’s located. A rundown building in a nice neighborhood has the greatest potential to bring an enormous resale price.

4. Know the difference between “big fixes” and “small fixes.” Things like drywall, painting, floor refinishing, landscaping, and hardware are easy to do yourself. Things like plumbing, electrical work, windows, and roofs can be more expensive and difficult. Stick to changes you can make for certain based on your skill level and budget.

When buying a home in Orlando or looking at Windermere real estate options, a fixer-upper can be one of the best ways to get the home of your dreams for a low overall cost. Just make sure you enter into the transaction with your eyes open, with flexibility in mind, and with Orlando Realty and Property Management at your side.

Within the first minute, people decide if they could live in your home. The problem is that there are so many homes on the market right now, that if yours doesn’t catch their eye immediately, then they have other choices. The struggling housing market is forcing people to take more drastic measures to sell their homes. Many homeowners say they need all the help they can get. With the market not being so good, there are ways you can make your house stand out. Staging your home is the way to make your house stand out in the Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida areas.

The idea of home staging is to highlight your home’s best attributes and positively affect potential buyers. Staging your home isn’t about your own tastes. It is about making the home appealing to the general population. Whether you go at it alone or use a stager, you need to have the attitude that your home is no longer your home.

Following are some tips to consider:

• Take down family pictures. Potential buyers need to picture themselves in your home, not you!
• Staging your rooms to show off their true potential. Clear out clutter or other personal items that will distract buyers.
• Painting the walls yourself is the cheapest upgrading option you have. This will really attract buyers. Try a neutral tone.

Staging your home is a great option to make your home stand out in the Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida areas. Let myself, Jay Myers, your agent offer you advice about how to make your house more attractive to buyers.
]]> http://www.orlandorealtyandpropertymanagement.com/staging-and-real-estate/feed/ 0 http://www.orlandorealtyandpropertymanagement.com/unclutter-your-home-in-order-to-sell/ http://www.orlandorealtyandpropertymanagement.com/unclutter-your-home-in-order-to-sell/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:24:58 +0000 Jay Myers http://www.orlandorealtyandpropertymanagement.com/?p=326 It is very important to make a great first impression to the potential buyers of your home. Every seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it’s not luck that makes that happen. It’s careful planning and knowing how to efficiently unclutter your home that will excite buyers. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into an appealing and marketable home.

Get rid of those items that have been sitting around for years without being used or even handled. This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it. Buyers and real estate agents should see your house in its best condition from the very first day it’s on the market.

Here are a few approaches to take to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell. Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don’t want buyers scratching their heads and saying, “What is this room used for?”

Another way to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell is to make those minor repairs and best of all, make the house sparkle! Only do one room, or even one small area, at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Your best friend is the trash bag; when in doubt, throw it out. Many find it easier to use boxes to sort items, so you don’t have to find a home for everything as you unclutter. Most important, be quick and decisive when sorting. Tell yourself:
• If you don’t need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
• Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
• Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.

If you are getting your house ready to sell in the Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida areas, then take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let a friend help point out areas where you can unclutter your home and let myself, Jay Myers, your agent help you to get your house ready to sell.
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