December 28th, 2021 by tisner
In these, the darkest days of the year, there’s nothing more important than adequate lighting. Unfortunately, firing up those incandescent bulbs costs money, and the more hours they run, the more they cost. Although change can be hard, today’s LED bulbs are better than ever, mimicking traditional bulbs in almost every way but with significant benefits to homeowners who make the switch.
LEDs Are Much Safer in Homes
Incandescent bulbs get hot. Sometimes they get very hot, especially when in enclosures like ceiling can fixtures. There are endless stories about recessed lighting catching fire because the wrong wattage bulb was put in by a homeowner in an attempt to brighten their space a little. That 100-watt incandescent bulb generates significantly more heat than a 40-watt or even 60-watt bulb.
LED bulbs, on the other hand, barely generate any heat at all no matter how bright they are or what color they put out. There’s almost no risk of fire due to overheating, making them super safe to leave running without supervision, even in a can light. Even better, LED recessed lighting kits are now available that replace the old can light housings, further reducing risk with upgraded construction.
LEDs Offer Additional Features
Incandescent bulbs are really good at making light, but they’re kind of a one-trick pony. LED lights, on the other hand, are super versatile. They can have built-in speakers for music on demand in rooms like bathrooms or on covered patios where it may be awkward to keep a stereo or smart speaker. They can also be smart themselves, allowing you to change the color of the bulb based on your needs. If you’re in the mood for a blue light in your kitchen, well, just a few clicks on your phone and it’s done. If you’d rather stick to whites, but like to flip between blue hue light and yellow hue light as the day progresses, you can do that, too. You can even turn a smart bulb on and off without installing a smart switch.
Energy Consumption: Plain LEDs Versus Incandescent Bulbs
The other thing that LED bulbs do is they save money and energy, and in a huge way. It might not seem like much, but running a 60-watt incandescent light bulb five hours a day adds up to about $11 a year in energy expenses – if your house has 30 light bulbs, that’s $330 a year! That incandescent bulb is rated for about a 1,000 hour lifespan, so if you only use them five hours a day, you’ll be replacing them every six months, on top of the $330 extra you’ll spend on energy. For people who work from home and may have lighting on all day, 16 hours a day, the cost of running a single incandescent bulb shoots up to $35 yearly, with a bulb change every couple of months. The electricity cost alone for those 30 bulbs is over $1,000!
LEDs, on the other hand, cost only a fraction of an incandescent bulb to run and last a whole lot longer. At five hours a day, a 10-watt LED bulb (equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent) will cost you $1.83 a year to run, and last five and a half YEARS. Even with 16 hours a day of use, that 10-watt LED is still only $5.84 to run; 30 of them will cost $175 yearly. And they’ll still last most of two years (1.71 years, to be exact).
Ready to Upgrade Your Lighting?
Although changing out incandescent bulbs for LEDs is something a homeowner can easily do, you may still want some help choosing smart bulbs or rewiring old can lights into sleek, modern recessed LED lights. If you need a hand, all you have to do is ask your HomeKeepr community. There, you’ll find recommendations for the best electricians in your area, as well as smart home experts who can advise on the latest smart LED technology!
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 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.
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By: Homekeepr, Rob Morelli
Posted in General Real Estate, Home Tips from Teri | No Comments »
December 23rd, 2021 by tisner
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 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.
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Stats courtesy of StellarMLS
Tags: housing market updates, Orlando Sellers
Posted in General Real Estate, Housing Market Stats, Orlando Buyers | No Comments »
December 21st, 2021 by tisner
Pinching pennies is nothing new to homeowners, and when something goes wrong, thinking about a hefty service bill can turn many into DIYers! Almost every household has the tools and items needed for these quick and easy fixes:
- Drywall holes can be intimidating, but there is no need for a drywall expert to come in for this job. Lowe’s shows us how to patch the hole and spend much less than the cost of a repair bill.
- A squeaky wood floor can be charming or irritating, so if it is the latter, you can fix it with talcum powder as long as it is not due to a loose board. If it is not loose, sprinkle talcum powder over the seams, and rub it in with your fingers or a thin plastic card. Walk over the area to listen for the squeak, and apply more powder if necessary.
- Is there a cabinet door that does not want to close completely? For a few dollars, you can purchase magnet catches and install them in no time. There can be issues with the hinges, too, and it may just need a simple adjustment.
- The two most common toilet bowl leaks are a leaky flapper or a bad fill valve. For less than $20, you can replace either of them. To get started, check out this information from Today’s Homeowner to test for the correct leak, and go from there. The internet is chock full of videos and how-to articles for either fix.
- When your clothes dryer drum stops turning, do not fret–the belt is easy and inexpensive to replace, thanks to this guide and video from Sears, and no appliance repair service needs to be called!
- Doorknobs take a lot of abuse and eventually need replacing, or maybe you just want to upgrade your door hardware. Buildipedia offers this how-to video for this simple project–no locksmith required!
Taking pride in your home sometimes means hiring a pro to take care of things. On other occasions, however, a simple job can be taken care of on your own, so grab your toolbelt, and get to work! Your wallet will thank you!
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 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.
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Photo credit: kjmagnetics.com
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December 14th, 2021 by tisner
Upgrading or replacing your home’s water heater is an expensive job, but a necessary one. With today’s technology, there are many options, and it can be a bit daunting when it comes to choosing the appliance that is right for you and your needs. Learn about different types and ways to save with this guide!
- Most importantly, installing a water heater is not an easy DIY unless you are an electrician or plumber. Saving a few hundred dollars is not worth the peace of mind of a properly and safely installed water heater.
- Traditional tank water heaters are the least expensive to purchase and have installed. When it comes to the real money saving–the energy costs associated with heating and maintaining the temperature–it is not the least expensive, as the radiant heat loss while being stored is great.
- The average family of four would need a storage capacity of forty gallons, adding ten gallons for each additional family member.
- Because of government-mandated regulations, this type of unit has become larger over the years, making replacement an issue.
- Storage-type water heaters have a lifespan of ten to fifteen years.
- Tankless or on-demand heaters can be installed in smaller spaces, and this is important if you are upgrading to a larger unit and the available space is not sufficient.
- There are whole-house water heaters as well as smaller electric-only units that are installed under sinks for almost instant hot water whenever it is needed.
- Tankless heaters use, on average, twenty to thirty percent less energy than storage-type heaters, meaning the higher cost of the unit will pay for itself in energy cost savings.
- Some utility companies offer a rebate for qualified on-demand heater installation. Type in your ZIP code at the Energy Star website to see if there is a program in your area.
- Solar water heaters will need a stand-by traditional unit in case the water is not heated to the set temperature. The expense of installation of a solar unit will pay for itself over time, and they have a life expectancy of about twenty years.
- Heat pump water heating systems use less energy and are considered to be the best bang for your buck. There are space and temperature requirements, however, so choose this water heater wisely.
Another boost to installing an energy-efficient unit is a possible tax credit! Today’s newer units come with timers and smartphone apps so that you can control when your water is ready for use, which is another money saver. Research all of the available options so when your plumber installs your new water heater, you will have peace of mind that you have made the best decision for your home and family.
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 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.
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Photo credit: americanstandardwaterheaters.com
Posted in General Real Estate, Home Tips from Teri | No Comments »
December 9th, 2021 by tisner
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 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.
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Stats courtesy of StellarMLS
Tags: housing market updates, Orlando Sellers
Posted in General Real Estate, Housing Market Stats, Orlando Buyers | No Comments »
November 23rd, 2021 by tisner
When your elderly father has decided that he would like to live in his home as long as possible, or it is time to make the mother-in-law’s home a little safer, a few changes in the house need to take place. While every family is unique, most needs of our aging parents are the same. How can we make small improvements with a big impact on their safety and comfort? The following tips are a great place to begin:
- For the wheelchair-bound person or one who needs to use a walker, add an accessibility ramp to their most-used entry. Contractors who specialize in ADA-compliant improvements can assist with design and added features.
- Outdoor lighting is essential for everyone’s safety, but there are many options for adding low-voltage lights to posts along ramps and atop porch rails, as well as pathway lighting along walkways.
- Wherever there are steps, handrails are a must, as well as anti-skid treads to minimize slipping.
- Change all doorknobs to lever-type handles for ease of opening for those with arthritis or other motor skill issues.
- Widening doorways is something that may be necessary if wheelchair use is a possibility in the future. Enlarging them to 36” is the general width for ease of use.
- The type of flooring in the home can impact whether it’s a fall risk for someone who has trouble getting around. Low-pile carpeting or secure low-pile area rugs with double-sided carpet tape or non-slip rug padding is best.
- A walk-in or wheelchair-accessible shower with a “curbless” entry is a safe choice when remodeling a bathroom. A built-in shower seat and adjustable showerhead are other useful items that can be added to make bathing safer.
- If a total bathroom remodel is not affordable, simply installing grab-bars to the shower, bath, and toilet area walls will offer security for moving around in the bathroom.
- Changing faucets in the kitchen and bath to a single lever handle or installing motion-sensor or touch-activated units are perfect for ease of use.
- Electrical issues to consider: light switches that can be pressed for turning off and on, electrical outlets placed higher than the standard height and adding more interior lighting.
Download this handy publication from AARP for other ideas to assist with setting up your loved one with independent living. Hopefully you and your much-loved senior will look at this stage of life not as a challenge, but rather as a way to keep a distant but watchful eye over them while they maintain their sense of independence and quality of life.
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 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.
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Photo credit: ASA Generations
Posted in General Real Estate, Home Tips from Teri | No Comments »
November 9th, 2021 by tisner
Maybe you’re adding an expansion onto your home, constructing a standalone storage building in the back yard, or undertaking some other major construction project. Whatever it is that you’re building, you likely already know that big construction jobs can carry big costs. If you haven’t budgeted for the job correctly, though, you might end up surprised at how big some of these costs can be.
Sticker shock for construction projects can be a problem, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little bit of thought and planning you can make sure that you’ve got all your expenses covered in your budget before the job begins. While some of the costs involved will be very specific to the details of your construction project and where you live, these budgeting tips will help you to keep an eye out for things that can drive the price tag up, so you can account for everything.
Major Expenses
Some of the costs of major construction projects are obvious: You’re going to need money to cover things like lumber, siding, wiring, and other materials. You’re also going to have to pay your contractors and laborers for the work that they put into actually doing the construction. If you aren’t paying attention, however, these costs can get away from you and leave you with a bit of a surprise when the bills come due.
Many material costs fluctuate based on supply and other factors and may be affected by things like transportation costs as well. Lumber prices in particular are prone to fluctuation and can increase significantly if supplies are disrupted. If possible, get in a purchase order or otherwise get some sort of pricing guarantee before work starts so that you can lock in a price and protect yourself from price shifts down the road.
Easily Overlooked Costs
While changes to your material costs can be an issue, one problem many people have when budgeting for construction is that they forget to account for all of the smaller costs associated with this sort of project. Some of these costs (like getting a construction permit) may seem obvious, but they can be easy to overlook when looking at the significant costs of materials and other aspects of the job. These costs can also be significantly higher for large projects than they are for the sorts of projects you’ve tackled in the past, so keep that in mind.
A few aspects of the job that you might not consider which can significantly increase your expenses include things like putting down a slab or foundation, installing a roof on a finished building or expansion, renting a dumpster for the construction crew, and interior materials such as fixtures and appliances once the project is done. Even landscaping costs and a bit of extra funding to cover incidentals or unexpected situations should be considered. The last thing you want to do is to budget things precisely and then realize that a portion of your yard has to be dug up to replace some pipes or some of your existing wiring will have to be ripped out to get everything up to code.
Managing Your Project
There are a lot of moving pieces in any major construction project, and hiring a project manager can go a long way toward managing all of them. In some cases your general contractor may act as a project manager as well, but many times they’re there to do the job they’re hired for and the rest of the details are squarely on your shoulders. Consider bringing in a project manager or ensuring that you’ve picked a contractor who will manage the project as well will help with budgeting and cost tracking, while also making sure that you don’t forget some important part of the project that might otherwise come back to haunt you.
HomeKeepr can help you find the project manager or contractor who will keep everything in order. Just sign up for a free account today and start connecting with pros in your area. Once you find the right connection to help keep your project in line, you’ll find that everything else gets a lot easier moving forward.
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 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.
Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!
By: Homekeepr, Rob Morelli
Tags: Orlando Sellers
Posted in General Real Estate, Home Tips from Teri, Orlando Buyers | No Comments »
November 4th, 2021 by tisner
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 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.
Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!
Stats courtesy of StellarMLS
Tags: housing market updates, Orlando Sellers
Posted in General Real Estate, Housing Market Stats, Orlando Buyers, Osceola | No Comments »
November 2nd, 2021 by tisner
When you read and hear that now is the time to buy a home, but are simply unsure of the process, it may keep you sitting right there in your rental! Let these Frequently Asked Questions help get you moving–to a home of your own!
- Does my credit need to be perfect? Not necessarily, but the higher your credit score, the better the loan’s interest rate will be. Lower credit scores could cost thousands over time in higher interest rates. FICO has some tips for improving your credit score.
- I am not sure how much house I can afford. Lenders will look at your debt-to-income ratio when deciding to grant a home loan. Get an idea for yourself by using this handy DTI calculator.
- How much money do I need for a down payment? That depends! Most lenders require 5-20% for a down payment. USDA and FHA offer no- or low-down-payment home loans. Veterans and servicemembers have the benefit of applying for a no-down-payment VA Home Loan through the Veterans Administration as well.
- What is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) and will I have to pay? For most lenders, PMI is a requirement for homebuyers that do not pay a 20% down payment. The cost is normally included in the mortgage payment.
- I am pre-approved for a mortgage. Can I make an offer on a house that I love? Sellers will likely reject an offer that has no lender back-up. Return to the bank and go through the pre-qualification process so you will know just how much you will have to offer on a property.
- Are there any tax advantages to owning a home? While there are many costs associated with homeownership that renters do not have, there are tax credits for some of the taxes you pay, as well as for those who use points to get a lower interest rate. And with rent prices rising, your monthly mortgage payment could be lower than rent!
- How long does the whole process take? A smooth home-buying transaction takes approximately 30-45 days. The time varies as there are so many aspects to the process, and once in a while, there are hurdles to get through.
- Who pays closing costs–the seller or the buyer? In most cases, the buyer pays the closing costs, an expense that can run 3-6% of the cost of the home. In some instances, however, the seller will offer to help with these costs as an incentive to buy the home.
If all of your questions are not answered here, call a Realtor® before you begin your home search or mortgage approval. Their experience in helping you find a lender–not to mention your new home–is invaluable. The best thing about getting assistance from a real estate professional is that their services, in almost all cases, are free to the buyer! Now, what are you waiting for?
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 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.
Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!
Photo credit: www.dca.ga.gov
Posted in General Real Estate, Orlando Buyers | No Comments »
October 28th, 2021 by tisner
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 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.
Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!
Stats courtesy of StellarMLS
Tags: housing market updates, Orlando Sellers
Posted in General Real Estate, Housing Market Stats, Orlando Buyers | No Comments »
