“Not a drive by” is real estate talk for letting another Realtor know that they have to really work at getting a buyer to go inside to check out the home because the curb appeal just isn’t there. People would drive by and keep going thinking the inside was as unappealing as the outside. When potential Orlando home buyers are looking for a new place, they want a home that looks like it was loved and cared for.  They have a sense that if there is pride in the landscaping and the outside of the home, there will be pride on the inside, too. Curb appeal is both a visual and emotional hook for buyers. It says “Someone was happy here. I could be happy here, too.” In a tough housing market, the curb appeal of a home makes it stand out and can ultimately make a difference in selling the home.

One of the most inexpensive renovations to a home is landscaping. Combined with other small outdoor touches that improve curb appeal, you increase the value of your most important investment. A home is not just a place to live, it is one of the most important investments you can make. Landscaping investments will actually appreciate if they are properly maintained. Orlando plants and trees in nurseries to find some that appeal to you. An investment of $500 to $3000 will help trigger the sale of your home. Nurseries have experienced staff who are eager to help you redesign your yard.

You could hire a landscape architect to re-design your outdoor space and create an ideal look for your neighborhood. Or, you could do it yourself for much less of an investment. Be sure to consult with local nurseries to find the best trees and shrubs for your climate, and determine how to properly care for them.

Here are some additional tips for improving your Orlando home’s curb appeal:
Read the rest of this entry »

Fall festival time is here in Orlando.  Come down to the town of Celebration and celebrate fall in the old-world German tradition of Oktoberfest.  You can sit by the lakeside and rock away the stress of the work week.  On Friday you can enjoy the sounds of Dan Witucki and Heimatland Musikanten.  There will even be yodeling and a sing-a-long.  Come back on Saturday to hear the sounds of rock and blues band Mo Geetz.  Everyone will enjoy dancing to these wonderful musicians.  The leaves will be falling both nights!

Bring the entire family to enjoy this fun fall event.  The kids will love the hayride, or take a ride on the Celebration Express Train.  There will also be pumpkin painting.  This is a great event near Orlando that everyone will enjoy.

Free mobile app to search all homes right from your phone!

This information is brought to you buy Teri Isner and the Orlando Avenue Top Team. Teri Isner has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando real estate market.

Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando homes for sale, having become the Best Listing Agent in Orlando. You can reach Teri by filling out the online contact form or give her a call.  

Get out and enjoy fall in Orlando at the Harmony Harvest Festival.  This festival has something for everyone in your family to enjoy.  The kids will love the carnival rides that will be operating Friday thru Sunday.  Everyone will enjoy the arts and crafts vendors and the live entertainment.  For the car lovers Sunday there will be a car show from 12pm-6pm.  On Friday and Saturday there will be a show by Swamp Girl Adventures. 

This festival is a great way to enjoy fall in the Orlando area with your family.  Gather up your family and head down to Harmony the weekend of October 14^th-16^th.

Free mobile app to search all homes right from your phone!

This information is brought to you buy Teri Isner and the Orlando Avenue Top Team. Teri Isner has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando real estate market.

Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando homes for sale, having become the Best Listing Agent in Orlando. You can reach Teri by filling out the online contact form or give her a call.  

Aside from fires, gas leaks, and spills, a lot of us are unaware of the other potential dangers in our homes. Either that or we have forgotten about the other possibilities because they tend to be rather small. And by small, it does not mean that the consequences can’t be detrimental, it means that the incident just may not be as obvious or immediate as a fire or spill. It is true that virtually everything in a home can be seen as dangerous in one way or another, but there are definitely certain things that you should be careful of. To do so does not involve much effort, simply just some awareness and memory. So to jog your memory, here are some common potentially dangerous things to beware of in your Orlando FL home. This information can be especially useful if children are running around the abode.

• TALL & HEAVY FURNITURE. This is mainly for children, but for adults too – dressers, bookshelves and the like are privy to crushing people when being climbed on or knocked over. A quick fix would be to attach furniture to the wall.
• CORDS. Not only are cords dangerous due to their electrical components, but if placed inappropriately can act as an object to trip over. Make sure your cords are organized and out of the way.
• BATHTUBS. Like cords, bathtubs are dangerous in more than one way. People are very prone to slipping in tubs, so be sure to place a good mat in your tub. Secondly, if you have young children, watch them at all times while bathing to avoid drowning. This also goes for when preparing a bath for yourself – don’t leave a full bathtub unattended.
• MEDICINES & CLEANING PRODUCTS. The same rule is applied to both medicines and cleaning products – do not leave them in reach of children and pets. They can be very toxic, harmful and even deadly. It is likely we have all been taught this rule, but it can be easy to forget when rushing around the house.
• EXERCISE EQUIPMENT. Similar to the last tip, make sure exercise equipment is out of children’s reach. Heavy, mobile objects like weights can be tripped over or can be dangerous if a child decides to make them their new play toy. Also remember to clean your equipment after use because they can harbor sickness-inducing germs.
• PESTICIDES & MOTHBALLS. While both can be very useful in removing unwanted pests, the chemicals in each can be very harmful in the long run. You may choose to limit use to when very necessary, find a safe alternate solution, or opt for not using them at all. It may be a small sacrifice to make in order to ensure good health.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home shopping website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 17 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

A number of research studies have shown that home ownership provides social and societal benefits. Not only is home ownership one of the best ways to build long-term wealth, providing resources for a more comfortable retirement, but it also fosters an immeasurable sense of community and stability vital to growing families. NAR’s “Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing” report reveals that home owners are happier and healthier. They tend to vote more, volunteer more and contribute more to their neighborhoods. Home owners do not move as frequently as renters, which encourages more neighborhood stability, and children of home owners are more likely to participate in organized activities and spend less time in front of the television.

Now take a look at how the Orlando market performed in August.  

Orange County Real Estate Sales Statistics – August 2011  

Orange County saw 173 fewer homes sold in August 2011 than August 2010. A 10 percent decrease. The average sales price increased by 9 percent and the median sales price increased by 19% from August 2010.  Market times increased by 20 days or 20 percent.  

Osceola County Real Estate Sales Statistics – August 2011

Osceola County homes saw home sales decrease by 173 homes, a 27 percent drop. Prices decreased with the average sales price down 12 percent. The median price decreased 2 percent.  Market Times increased by 24 days or 24 percent. 

Seminole County Real Estate Sales Statistics – August 2011

Seminole County residential sales increased by 7 percent with 39 more homes sold in August 2011. The averages sales increased 11 percent and the median sales price increased by 18 percent from August 2010 levels. Market times increased by 16 days or 16 percent. 

Lake County Real Estate Sales Statistics – August 2011  

Residential sales in Lake County increased with 67 additional homes sold for a 17 percent increase. The average sales price increased by 20 percent, and the median sales price decreased by 14 percent during the same time period.  Market times increased by 20 days or 14 percent.  

Polk County Real Estate Sales Statistics – August 2011  

Polk County saw 22 fewer homes sold, a 3 percent decrease.  The average sales price increased by 1 percent, while the median sales price decreased by 7 percent. Market times increased by 25 days or 21 percent. 

Now is the time to get your best price on an Orlando home, before the prices move upward.  

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home shopping website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 17 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Downtown Orlando is going to the dogs next weekend at Barktoberfest.  Bring the family and check out the many homeless pets looking for new forever homes.  Enjoy a wonderful fall day in Orlando at Lake Eola on October 1^st from 10am-4pm.  This is a rescue appreciation event that will feature a German theme to celebrate Octoberfest just with a doggie spin.  There will also be activities for the kids to enjoy like bounce houses and games.

Stop by the food vendors that will feature German cuisine and drinks.  Come out to enjoy this fun event and consider finding a home for a homeless pet in Orlando.

Free mobile app to search all homes right from your phone!

This information is brought to you buy Teri Isner and the Orlando Avenue Top Team. Teri Isner has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando real estate market.

Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando homes for sale, having become the Best Listing Agent in Orlando. You can reach Teri by filling out the online contact form or give her a call.  

Fall is starting to return to the Orlando area and as temperatures start to cool a bit it’s time for the Fall Festivals to start.  What better way to start them off then in St. Cloud at the Oktoberfest andFall Festival.  This is a family event with food and events including a Scarecrow making contest.  See if your family can come up with the best Scarecrow this year. 

This is also a festival to celebrate German culture and the tradition of Oktoberfest.  There will be German food, music and dancing to get everyone in the spirit of celebrating.  Get outside this fall and make the short trip from Orlando over to St. Cloud for this fun festival.

Free mobile app to search all homes right from your phone!

This information is brought to you buy Teri Isner and the Orlando Avenue Top Team. Teri Isner has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando real estate market.

Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando homes for sale, having become the Best Listing Agent in Orlando. You can reach Teri by filling out the online contact form or give her a call.  

Enjoy the fall weather in the Orlando area at the 4th Annual Florida Airboat Association Show.  This family fun event will take place on October 1^st at the East Lake Fish Camp.  Enter your own airboat or just come out and take a ride and check out the many airboats.  All the excitement starts at 12pm, enjoy the live entertainment, check out the vendors and let the kids play on the playground.   Sit back and enjoy the sounds of John Anderson who will take the state at 7pm.

This family fun event has something for everyone to enjoy, so bring the family for an afternoon of fun.  Airboats are very popular in the swamps around Orlando, so come out and see who gets the top prize.

Free mobile app to search all homes right from your phone!

This information is brought to you buy Teri Isner and the Orlando Avenue Top Team. Teri Isner has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando real estate market.

Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando homes for sale, having become the Best Listing Agent in Orlando. You can reach Teri by filling out the online contact form or give her a call.  

Take a walk in the dark in downtown Orlando in search of ghosts with American Ghost Adventures.  They offer nightly ghost walks around the historic downtown Orlando area where you will learn about the tales of Orlando’s shady past.  One of the stops will be to hear about the Church Street Station which is known for its paranormal activities.  You will also hear stories about the first public cemetery in the area that is now the site of an office building.  Wonder what those people hear at work? 

At the end of the evening you will be inside the Orange County History Center, which was once the old courthouse.  Every participant will be issued an EMF detector and after you have learned the history of building you will be able to do a little investigating on your own.  Who know what will be lurking around the next corner.  Don’t forget to bring your camera and voice recorder to document your experience.

Free mobile app to search all homes right from your phone!

This information is brought to you buy Teri Isner and the Orlando Avenue Top Team. Teri Isner has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando real estate market.

Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando homes for sale, having become the Best Listing Agent in Orlando. You can reach Teri by filling out the online contact form or give her a call.  

Irene skirted us but we not be so lucky the next time. Katia has already formed and heading this way.  I put together a checklist, which will help everyone who might be affected by another storm.

Home Preparation Checklist for Hurricanes

1. Get to the Bank early and take out extra CASH (credit card machines may not be working).

2. Extra gallon jugs of water, bottled water (put bottled water in freezer to thaw later if power outage.

3. Batteries for flashlights, radio, etc. – extra candles, matches, etc.

4. Stock up on canned and dry foods (PET foods if appropriate)

5. Get extra bags of Ice for your freezer, which can go into a cooler if necessary to evacuate.

6. Get a Power inverter for your car (plugs into cigarette lighter with elec. outlet at

7. Put plenty of gas for your grill which hopefully has a “side stove” to boil water.

8. Fill your bathtubs with water for flushing toilets or washing.

9. Wash all clothes beforehand.

10. Have a manual can opener for opening canned food. 

11. Have on hand water-purifying supplies such as chlorine or regular household bleach. 

12. Remove or secure everything in your yard, Deck and Screened Porch – flower pots, furniture, hose reels etc. (These things become missiles and can break through windows.

13. Keep all windows closed (Hurricane speed air entering a home can lift the roof).

14. If you have a cell phone or laptop computer, charge it fully.

15. Keep an “old fashioned” phone (not electronic) which can plug directly into the wall jack. They usually work well with power is out or cell towers fail.

16. If you have important info or photos on your computer that you want to keep, transfer files to a flash drive and keep the flash drive with you.

17. Prepare “evacuation bags” for all members of the family (including pets) which contain important papers, extra clothes, toiletries, pillows, blankets, first aid kit, medications, food, passports, etc., in case you need to evacuate.

18. Find a safe place in your house where there are no windows, and stay there during high winds.

19. Have an evacuation route planned out where you can go. Make hotel reservations early (they can always be cancelled).

20. If you have to evacuate, drive AWAY from the line of the hurricane (west, south, end) where you can charge your cell, radio, laptop, etc. or “Make coffee!”

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home shopping website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 17 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.