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Is Your Orlando FL Home Pet- Ready?

February 9th, 2021 by tisner


Over the past several months, many have brought a new pet into their homes, or are taking it into consideration. Pets can bring so much to our lives, a proven fact.  The addition of a pet to a home is one of the biggest and best decisions a family can make, however.  Is your home ready for the task? Follow these tips for making your home pet friendly. 

Outdoors 

  • A safe environment is as important for a pet as it is for children and having a fenced-in area will usually keep your pet contained, and others on the other side. A pathway made of gravel, cement, or other material that is not plant-based will help knock off any debris that catches on paws and fur before pets go inside. 
  • Consider the plants in your landscaping, and make sure you have nothing that can make your pet ill if they ingest it.  The SPCA offers this great list of poisonous-to-animals plants to help you decide what does not need to be in your landscaping. 
  • When house-training, encourage your pet to use a specific area of the yard for easy clean-up, as well as keeping unwanted odors away from the house.   
  • Purchase an ID tag for your pet’s collar, with your name and contact information just in case they do get out and about.  Having your pet microchipped is like a two-step identification for them in case they lose their collar. 
  • Make sure window screens are secure when you open them in case Kitty wants to enjoy a nap there.  Investing in a window perch or creating a “catio” would be ideal for indoor cats to enjoy the outdoors safely. 

Inside Your Home 

  • Keeping pets brushed and their bedding changed and/or washed regularly is essential in keeping you from doing a lot of extra cleaning and floor repairs.  A hard surfaced, scratch-resistant floor is perfect for homes with pets. Area rugs need to be secure and washable. 
  • Be sure your trash container has a child-proof lid if it cannot be placed in a pantry or cabinet. Not only do you not want the mess, but Fluffy or Fido could eat something harmful. 
  • Crate-training is best for dogs, but most animals need a space of their own.  Provide a comfy pet bed, toys and food and water in a quiet area of the house. Your cat’s litter box should be kept away from their food in a quiet place. Having one more box than you have cats is optimal for them as well. 
  • Are you considering a bird, hermit crab, or other small pet? They require their own habitat, and some have specialized needs: safety from larger pets, child-proof habitat covers, and a room with certain temperature and humidity settings. 
  • Check with your local municipality to see if you need permits for exotic pets. 

Creating a pet-safe home is along the same lines as making sure your home is toddler-proof.  Because your pet will become part of the family, make sure you provide the best home, the same as you would for a relative.  When your pets are happy, it just adds to the sweetness that pets bring to 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.

Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!

Posted in Home Tips from Teri, Just for Fun | No Comments »

What’s New in Garage Door Styles?

February 3rd, 2021 by tisner


Garage doors might not seem like they make much of a difference, but imagine what your home would look like if you just had a flat door where your current garage door stands. Because they take up so much real estate on the front of most homes, garage doors can actually have a huge impact on the way your home looks and feels. So, what do you want your house to say today?

Garage Door Options

Here are some current garage door trends that could speak volumes:

  • Bright Colors. There was a time when garage doors came in muted neutral colors and whites, and absolutely nothing else. Thankfully, those times are in the rearview mirror and we’re living in a far more enlightened – and vibrant – age. Bright colors can help enhance especially interesting woodwork on garage doors, complement homes with a lot of color, like Spanish styles or Victorians, or make fancy hardware pop like nothing else. Be careful with bright colors, though, because there is such a thing as too much; you can end up overwhelming the rest of your home if you don’t use them with caution. White trim on a brightly colored garage door, for example, can help contain the energy if you need to tone it down a bit.
  • Sleek Industrial Lines. There’s something about clean, sharp lines that can turn a modern house into an ultra modern one. Those industrial lines are still a hot commodity, as are glass panels in nearly invisible aluminum frames. The look isn’t right for every home, but an industrial garage door can be an incredibly flexible design element, especially when placed against square-cut stone, dark colored shiplap, or natural wood siding.
  • Country Cottage Styling. The whole country cottage meets industrial hardware look has really had some staying power. Not only does it give a big helping of nostalgia to a lot of people, it also makes it easier to blend more modern elements into older homes that may have been seriously deprived of any sense of self by excessively generic remodels of the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. It may come as no surprise, then, that garage doors that are designed to echo the same look are also super popular. Choose carriage house doors or doors that resemble barn doors for an industrial cottage look beyond the interior of your home. Pairing these garage options with Dutch lap siding or irregular stone or brickwork can really make both the doors and the house pop.
  • Natural Wood. Sure, natural wood doors have been available for some time, but never in anywhere near as many designs or tones. Look for solid wood doors for a lot of rustic flare, or choose a synthetic wood door for a modern home to give it a little more earthy feel without all the maintenance. Your industrial homestead can really make a statement with wooden garage doors made from horizontal strips in different wooden tones.
  • Asymmetry. Mid-century modern homes are gaining a lot of popularity these days, but until recently there wasn’t a great garage door complement for them. Say hello to the asymmetrical door. With garage windows on one side rather than across the top, these unusual statement doors are perfectly paired with other square and rectangular outdoor elements, just like what you’d find on a vintage MCM ranch style home. Those side windows still let in a lot of light, while allowing a great deal of security and privacy inside your garage. It’s kind of the whole package.

A Door to Admire…

… is only a few clicks away, if you’re ready to get started. Log into your HomeKeepr community where you can can check out recommended overhead door professionals, architects, and other home aesthetic experts who can help you choose the perfect garage door for the vibe your home secretly wants to give off. You’ll be surprised at how easy the whole process is – and how much the feel of your home can change with just one decision!

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, David Weinstein 

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Posted in Home Tips from Teri | No Comments »

Ready to Refinish Your Cabinets? You Have Options!

January 27th, 2021 by tisner


It’s been a long year, and it’s ok if you’re tired of staring at those kitchen cabinets you’ve frankly hated for years. 2021 is a year about promise and change, and you can start the process in your very own home. There are lots of ways to give your cabinets a new look, whether you prefer something more classic or super contemporary. There’s an option for every budget, and most of the time you won’t even need to replace your cabinets or counters, unless you just really want to.

Remake Those Cabinets to Create Your Dream Kitchen

When it comes to giving your cabinets new life, you have options. Some are pretty simple and don’t require a lot of effort; some are quite challenging and may generate a great deal of mess and confusion. They’re all valid options, though, depending on just how much time you’re willing to put into the project.

You’ll have the most flexibility if you’re working with wooden cabinets, whether or not they’ve been painted previously. Laminated cabinets (also sometimes called MDF) are a bit of a different beast, and are very difficult to change once they’ve been installed. Here are a few things you should consider, depending on your cabinets:

  • Swapping Hardware. Sometimes, the thing making your cabinets feel old and dated is the hardware. It might sound like a small thing, but heavy cabinet hardware from the 1970s has a whole different feel than more streamlined contemporary hardware. If you’re on a small budget, or you can’t have your kitchen torn apart for an extended period, investing in new hardware could give you a whole new look.
  • Repainting. This is generally only a trick to try on cabinets that are made of wood, but if you use specially designed paints and primers, you can often make paint stick to laminated or metal cabinets. Choose a paint that’s self-leveling and dries hard, like a latex-based enamel cabinet paint, along with a bonding primer, for the very best results.
    • You’ll need to take the doors down, sand the existing finish just enough to rough it up, and allow for plenty of dry time, but because these paints are tintable, the sky is really the limit. It goes on just like other high grade paint, so mix and match colors, paint two-tone designs on your existing cabinetry, or freehand it with fancy designs for a look you really love.
  • Restaining. This will only work with wood cabinets, but you can really change the look of a room simply by restaining your existing cabinets. It’s possible to strip old paint off of painted cabinets, but be warned: it will be a lot of work and mess, so do it outside as much as you can.
    • Once you have all the old stain or paint sanded off, apply your new stain per package directions. Today’s stains come in a lot more than traditional “wood” colors; many can create simulated whitewash or aged wood, or add a thin tint of color that will still allow the wood grain to show through.

If redoing your cabinet doors seems like it may be more mess than you’re prepared to deal with, or you want to change the actual design of your cabinet doors, another viable option would be to order all new cabinet doors. You may still need to paint or stain the cabinet bases to match, but a whole new design is a lot easier to achieve with new doors, and replacing those doors is a lot simpler than replacing all your cabinets.

Need a Little Help Deciding?

Not quite sure what you want to do with your cabinets? It’s ok, we’ve all been there. Just look in HomeKeepr for a recommendation for a cabinet maker, interior designer, or general contractor with kitchen experience. These experts know how to make your dreams come to life, no matter how specific they might be.

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, David Weinstein 

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Posted in Home Tips from Teri | No Comments »

Top Siding Options for 2021

January 21st, 2021 by tisner


Homes both old and new face a determined foe: the elements. One of the only defenses against moisture, wind, and heat is the siding your house is clad in. You can think of it a bit like house armor. So, when it comes time to choose your home’s main line of defense, what will it be? The cheapest option you can possibly come up with, or a well-considered siding that is both durable and attractive? It’s time to look at your siding options.

Siding Choices for 2021

Although you can side your house in an amazing array of materials, from metal barn siding to asphalt shingles, there are definitely options that are far more effective and attractive than others. Siding options haven’t changed a lot this year, but there’s plenty to be said for the materials that are widely available today. Common siding choices include:

  • Vinyl. Although vinyl is final, it’s not always the most durable material out there. There are a range of grades of vinyl siding, and which you choose matters. Look for a heavier option, with a longer warranty, if you want to ensure your siding will be around a while. Higher end vinyl siding comes in a wide range of patterns, too, including imitation shakes and fish scales (rounded shingles), plus it can be oriented either vertically or horizontally, depending on your home’s style and your personal preference. On the other hand, while vinyl may be the most versatile material for the money currently on the market, if you live in an area where high winds are a problem, it may be difficult to keep vinyl siding attached.
  • Fiber cement. Made from a combination of cement and wood fibers, fiber cement siding is durable and long-lasting. Unlike its predecessor, modern fiber cement no longer contains asbestos, but does still retain the same unrelenting strength. It’s a heavy duty siding, however, so expect to pay more for installation. You’ll also likely be needing to repaint it occasionally. Fiber cement costs more than vinyl siding in general, but has a useful lifespan of 50 years or more, so if you plan to stay in your home and are looking for an alternative to stone or brick, it might be the answer.
  • Wood. Good old-fashioned wood siding has been a popular choice for generations, but modern homes have steered away from it for a variety of reasons. Because wood siding requires a lot of maintenance, many homeowners simply don’t have the time to reseal or repaint it often enough to maintain the original look, and over time this lack of care can lead to insect infestations. Wood siding is great for some applications, but it’s only as good as the care you give it. If you’re prepared to go the long haul on your home, or just want a small accent, wood might be a great option. The cost will vary considerably depending on the thickness, style, and species of wood you choose.
  • Composite. Composite, also known as engineered wood, is a compromise for homeowners who want a wood look, but don’t want all the upkeep of real wood. It’s still going to need more care than other types of siding, but you can still expect to get 20 or 30 years of use from it. Unlike real wood, which can be sanded and refinished if you get lax in maintenance or simply want to give it a different finish, composite siding is kind of a set-it-and-forget-it option. It will be the color or stain you chose initially unless you remove it all and start again.
  • Brick or Stone. Brick and stone go hand in hand when it comes to siding choices. Both are sturdy materials that require an expert mason to install properly, so if you’re considering a DIY siding job, these may not be the right option. Considerable skill goes into properly creating a stone or brick siding, and without the proper prep work, your siding can simply slip off your house. It’s not a pretty picture. On the flip side, stone and brick are pretty much forever, requiring only minimal tuckpointing for maintenance. So, as long as you don’t decide to paint brick or stone, you’ve got siding you can trust for a lifetime.

Siding Your Home in 2021

Choosing the siding that’s best for your home’s needs, your favorite aesthetic, and your budget can be challenging, but a professional siding installer can help you navigate the many options. Just look in HomeKeepr for a recommendation for siding installers and brick masons in your area, they’ll be happy to answer your questions and narrow your options.

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, David Weinstein 

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Posted in Home Tips from Teri | No Comments »

Is It Time to Replace Your Windows?

January 12th, 2021 by tisner


People don’t always appreciate all the roles that windows fill in the home. They provide natural light, give you a way to open up and let in some fresh air, and even help regulate indoor temperatures. Many homes even use windows to add a decorative element that is hard to achieve with other forms of decoration. With that said, not all windows are created equal. Some windows use cheap materials to keep costs down. Your old windows may have started out in good shape but ended up showing their age as time goes by. They may have even become damaged or otherwise in need of repair. Regardless of the reason, you might have windows in your home that just aren’t doing what you need them to do. Should you replace them? Here are a few things that you should consider to help you make this decision.

What’s Wrong With Your Windows?

Before rushing in and replacing windows, stop and think about the actual reason that you want to replace them. Do you simply not like the way that they look, or is there a bigger problem? Do the windows leak or have drafts? Is there visible damage to the glass or the window frame? There are a lot of viable reasons why you might replace windows in your home, but if you’re on the fence then it’s worth taking the time to articulate what those reasons are.

Repair or Replace?

In some cases, you might not actually need to replace your windows to take care of your issues with them. If you’re dealing with cracked glass, damaged window frames, or other forms of damage, you might be able to repair the windows at a lower cost than replacing them outright. If repair is an option, try getting some quotes to see whether it’s cheaper in your case to repair than replace.

Consistent Styling

It’s possible that at some point in the past, one or more windows in your home was replaced for some reason. Unfortunately, when that happened there may not have been a lot of care put into matching the replacement with the existing windows. This usually leaves the home with a few windows that stick out like sore thumbs. If you’re tired of certain windows being an eyesore, you might replace them and upgrade to something that more closely matches the other windows in your home. As an alternative, you could also replace all the windows and create a new style that’s all your own.

Improving Energy Efficiency

One big reason for replacing windows is to improve the overall energy efficiency of your home. Modern windows tend to go a lot further toward keeping things warm in the winter and cool in the summer than older windows do. By upgrading your windows to more energy-efficient models you can not only eliminate drafts and take care of other issues, but you can also save yourself a significant amount of money over time.

Replace One or All?

One thing to consider when looking at window replacements is whether you want to only replace certain windows or if you want to upgrade all the windows in your home. Replacing all the windows creates a more uniform style, but it also comes at a significantly higher cost. It’s certainly an option if it fits your budget, but if the price tag is a bit steep then you might also look into only replacing certain windows with similar styles that will closely match the existing windows in the home.

Getting New Windows Installed

When the time does come to replace some or all of your windows, you want to make sure that the job is done right. This is where HomeKeepr can help. Sign up for a free account today to find window installers in your area who can get the job done right without breaking the bank.

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, David Weinstein 

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Posted in Home Tips from Teri | No Comments »

Organized or Messy?

January 5th, 2021 by tisner


Sometimes, your intention to become more organized only moves clutter from one place to another, and that accomplishes nothing.  You want to declutter and see the difference, not neater piles!  What mistakes are you making in your efforts fruitless? The following tips will tell you and give you advice on how to correct those mistakes: 

  • Begin by looking at your flat spaces.  While they may be clean of dirt, if you see even one pile of “uncategorized” papers, toys, or gadgets, it is still messy.  Every place that has a pile needs a container to hold those things, and once it is full, clean it out. Do not leave things inside that can be seen over the top edge.  
  • A much-used entryway can get chaotic, even with hangers and bins for everything. Store off-season items in a closet, or in case of outdoor toys and sports, in the garage.   
  • Any neat home can feel busy and cluttered because of the decor.  Hanging lighter curtains instead of heavy drapery, clearing knick-knacks, and using one or two pieces of hanging art as a focal point calms the space. 
  • Anywhere there is technology, there are cords. While rolling them up and using a bread tie may help a bit, that may not be enough. Use cord covers or sleeves in the same or similar color as your wall paint to hide the techy mess.  A hanging table cord pocket works well, too, and can be purchased online or DIY with an accordion file holder. 
  • Do you have open shelving in your kitchen? Shelves without doors can certainly get cluttered, so if you do not care for a messy-looking kitchen, have one open shelf for a bit of style, and use doors for the rest. 
  • Refrigerators can get cluttered since they are used for reminder boards as well as storage on the top.  Post paper items on one side, toss what is not needed, and clear the top of all but one large basket that can conceal what you need to stash there. 
  • You can love using pillows and throw blankets, but too many strewn on your living room furniture will give an unkempt appearance.  Keep your favorites out and store the rest in an ottoman or bench with storage space for easy access. 
  • Toys can accumulate all over the house, in toy boxes, storage containers, and baskets.  Instead of allowing them to take over, keep them organized in small storage containers or cubbies.  Better yet, store half of them elsewhere, and every few months switch them out with those in the house.  

While messy is not always a bad thing, when you are spending more time at home you want it to be a place you can relax.  Take a second look at your organizing efforts and make another go of it if you and your family can truly see the mess.  Remember that you must declutter first and foremost; trying to organize clutter is like trying to herd cats!  Start small–one room–and you will soon be on the way to a truly organized, mess-free home! 

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: WESST

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2021’s Colors of the Year Unveiled!

December 29th, 2020 by tisner


Everything has its season, and for paint, winter is that time. Year after year, paint companies release their chosen Color(s) of the Year, which are meant to be reflections on trends that are coming to interior design near you. If you’ve been considering repainting a bedroom or your whole house, knowing what’s in can help you narrow down the impressively huge list of paint options available.

Bold Tones Are Where It’s At

2021 continues the trend that’s been taking us far from the subdued hues that have been so popular in the past. Instead of neutral palettes, homeowners are going big or going home. That doesn’t mean the paint scheme in every house has to be glam, but it does mean that it’s ok to put a little personality out there. Pops of color are glorious when done properly and no longer the sale killer they may have once been. But it’s not exactly a revisit to the 1950s. Color should be used more strategically to create a big impact, highlight features in your home, and influence the atmosphere in living, dining, and sleeping spaces.

Drumroll Please….

Most of the major paint companies have announced their colors for this year, though a few are still waiting for 2021 to roll around. Of those that have made it official, you’ll notice a big trend in color themes. Blues, pinks, and grays rule the day, though they’re not your grandma’s retro flavors.

Pantone: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating
One of the top names in color has come up with one of the top color combos for 2021. It’s a whole mood, really, and sums up 2020 pretty well. Ultimate Gray is a light neutral gray color that would be at home in almost any space. Illuminating, however, is a bright, determined yellow that should be used in small doses. As Pantone’s executive director, Leatrice Eiseman, wrote in a press release about the decision, “The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude.” It’s also way eye-catching.

Rust-Oleum: Satin Paprika
Do you dream of the desert southwest? Or maybe you already live there and want to bring a bit more pop indoors? Satin Paprika may be the answer. This coral red, spicy earth tone is the anchor for three distinct color palettes that Rust-Oleum has developed for 2021. It’s gorgeous in a variety of spaces, works with many different colors, and, frankly, it brings to mind the red stone that’s so common in the desert. Your succulents will feel right at home.

Glidden: Aqua Fiesta
Glidden zigged this year when a lot of the other paint brands zagged, and named Aqua Fiesta its Accent Color of the Year. It’s a bold, but not overly bright, aqua color that goes great with both light neutral browns and grays, allowing it to dress up all kinds of spaces. You might feel like taking an island vacation or dream of mermaids after painting this one on, though.

Benjamin Moore: Aegean Teal
Benjamin Moore was also feeling a bit blue when choosing 2021’s color of the year, but more blue than green, which resulted in a gorgeous dark robin egg-esque color. The gray undertones make it a great accompaniment to the popular gray neutrals, and the more strict blue gives it a bit of a grown-up feel. It’s a super calming color in any room and will even pair well with yellows.

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams: Passionate
Blue isn’t everybody’s thing, and clearly HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams agrees. It chose Passionate for its 2021 Color of the Year. This is a deep carnation, but not quite red, sort of color that looks awesome with earth tones and tans. It’s the kind of color that you may have never expected to like, let alone paint in your home, until you see it in action. Accent it with other bold tones and your humdrum room will absolutely be transformed.

Sherwin-Williams: Urbane Bronze
Looking for deep, rich color that won’t leave anyone guessing about your intention for your space? Urbane Bronze is a color that will define a space without regrets. It’s a warm gray-brown that goes well with a range of flooring and lighting, but stands up on its own without the need for a lot of fanfare. You might not want to use this on every wall, as it may have a way of making your space feel a bit small, but your accent walls and accent pieces will absolutely thank you.

Valspar: Hues of the Year
Valspar couldn’t pick just one, so instead went with a whole range of colors for the year. It chose 12 muted colors; these are colors that could be considered “barely there,” just a hint of bold for a room that isn’t ready to go all in. These subtle choices range from misty blue to a warm apricot, with buttercream, green, beige, and gray also on the menu. Use this palette together to create a wholly harmonious space.

Ready to Get Painting?

Choosing your colors is only the first step to getting that big paint job done. If you need some help finding a painter who will knock it out of the park, don’t hesitate to ask your HomeKeepr family for a recommendation. After all, it’s an awfully good feeling knowing that someone you believe in trusts the painter that’s going to make your dreams come true.

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, David Weinstein 

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Posted in Home Tips from Teri | 1 Comment »

Should You DIY Your Holiday Lighting?

December 16th, 2020 by tisner


A good holiday light display can be awe-inspiring, leaving neighbors talking and prompting people from all over town to drive by just to see it. Unfortunately, some of these displays can be difficult to install, and may even require some technical know-how if you want the display to sync to music or have multiple parts working together. There are services that can help with this, putting in the work to set up your lights, regardless of whether you want a modest display or something that would make Clark Griswold green with envy. Are they right for you, though? Here are a few things to consider.

Display Complexity

One thing that can influence your decision of whether to DIY your holiday lighting is the complexity of the display you want to create. There might not be much of a need for you to hire someone if you are doing basic decorations or have all the equipment you need to get your lights in place. If you want a large elaborate display, or don’t already have everything that you need to reach and mount lights everywhere you want them, you might be better off hiring someone to get the decorations done.

Available Free Time

Putting up lights around the holidays can take a lot of time, especially for larger displays. This is why a lot of people make decorating into a weekend project when there’s more time available to put into it. Between work, family time, and other responsibilities, though, you may not have large blocks of time available to put into your decorations. This can lead to holiday decorating being stretched out across days or even weeks of small bursts of activity, so if you’re in that situation you might consider paying to have it done instead.

Necessary Equipment

Hanging lights might seem like a simple task, but it becomes a lot harder if you don’t have the necessary equipment on hand. While you can get light mounting hooks and other supplies pretty cheaply, you’re looking at bigger expenses if you find that you need to buy a ladder or other equipment just to get to the areas where you want the lights to go. If you don’t already have everything you need, hiring someone who does may be the cheaper and easier option.

Technical Configuration

Some lighting displays are really impressive, using computers and other specialized hardware to sync multiple display pieces, and in some cases even operate projectors or broadcast music that can be picked up on the FM band. If you’re not very technologically savvy, setting up a display like this might be more of a job than you can realistically handle alone. Bringing in someone with experience setting up these more technology-driven displays can save you some serious time. It may save you money as well, as they’ll make sure that you don’t buy anything that you don’t actually need to get your display working.

Other Services

When trying to decide whether you can do your decorating yourself or if you need to bring someone else in, consider whether there’s anything else that you need help doing. Some holiday decorating services offer assistance with multiple parts of decorating, including setting up trees or displays inside the house. Some may even offer custom decorations or consulting services to make sure that everything ties together and matches the existing themes of your home. These are all things that you can typically do yourself, of course. Still, if you have a certain look in mind, it’s worth remembering that you may be able to get some help bringing it to life this holiday season.

Finding the Right Installer

Finding a light installer you can trust isn’t always easy, but HomeKeepr is here to help. Sign up for a free account today and connect with workers who can get the job done right the first time.

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

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Your Home’s Inspection Pass or Fail

December 8th, 2020 by tisner


All your pre-home sale jobs are finished, you and your RealtorⓇ are getting the details ironed out and are ready to start marketing your home for sale.  Now is the time to think ahead to the home inspection after an offer has been made and accepted.  You need to be certain the behind-the-scenes part of your sale is as good as the new flooring and fresh paint on the walls! There technically is no “pass or fail” with the home inspection but doing your own “home” work will keep any surprises at bay. 

  • Pest damage and/or infestation is important to check for, as there are health and structural issues with either situation.  You could be completely unaware that critters are living in your home, so have an extermination service do a thorough inspection and take care of any extra guests you may have stowing away. 
  • Check for leaks turning on each faucet and watching closely under the sink for drips. Inspectors do not like dripping faucets, either.  Do not forget to test each toilet for running water, and clear any clogged or slow drains. 
  • Be on the lookout in tight dark spaces for mold or mildew, especially the attic space and on the underside of the roof. 
  • Outside, look at your roof carefully, taking note of missing shingles or sagging areas. 
  • Call your HVAC to set up a service call to make certain everything is running properly, as any issues will be flagged by an inspector. 
  • Make sure working bulbs are installed in every light fixture.  Inspectors need to make sure the electricity is working and blown light bulbs can throw that off. 
  • Repair cracks in windowsills, as leaky windows do not normally get high points during an inspection. 
  • If there are any cracks on walls, inside or outside, or in your foundation, have them checked out by a foundation expert, and if necessary, taken care of as soon as possible.   

When you are highly motivated to sell, consider hiring an inspector to conduct a pre-listing inspection.  If problems arise, you decide to make the repairs before the sale or offer incentives to prospective buyers with repair credits.  Showing buyers that you have or are willing to make repairs before the sale offers them the peace of mind that they are getting what they pay for when purchasing the property.  

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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Get Fired Up! Checking Your Furnace for Winter

December 2nd, 2020 by tisner


When the last of the brightly colored leaves cling tightly to otherwise bare trees, you know that winter is coming. It’s a sad state of affairs, but happens every year, just like clockwork. The sleet, the snow, the ice, the cold, it all comes in a cycle, and because of that, you need to be paying particular attention to your furnace this time of year. Even if it hasn’t yet started raining down frozen apocalypse upon your head where you live, being ready for the day you’ll have to kick the heat on is a good idea. After all, you don’t want to find out that your furnace isn’t working properly when there’s a foot of snow in the forecast.

Furnace Basics

There are a lot of different kinds of ways to heat a house, but this article is about furnaces in particular. A furnace is a complex piece of equipment that not only contains a heat source, but also a blower to distribute heat throughout a home using a duct system. It’s part of a larger HVAC system, which generally also includes an air conditioner or heat pump. They can be mounted in attics, crawlspaces, garages, basements, and even outdoors in the right situation.

You should already be performing basic maintenance on your HVAC system, no matter what season. This would include items like changing the furnace filter (or cleaning it if it’s an electrostatic one) and flushing the condensation line. Keep those up, even in the winter.

Getting Ready for Winter

As for winter-specific tasks, your furnace should have a pre-launch check at least yearly. If you’re already using it for heating, it’s not too late, just remember to do this before you fire it up next year. Go through this list and hit all the items on it:

  • Thermostat. Likely you use your thermostat year-round, but if you don’t, check that your furnace will come on and go off with the control on the wall. If your thermostat is very old, it might be a good idea to replace it with a programmable or smart thermostat to help you save more fuel or electricity this winter.
  • Pilot light. Older gas or propane-powered furnaces often have a standing flame pilot light, which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a fire in your house. All the time. Make sure the pilot light is actually lit if your furnace has one, otherwise you’re gonna be cold, and there’s also a chance gas is leaking in your home. If it’s a newer furnace, it likely has an electric ignitor, which will light the furnace automatically when it kicks on. If you’re not getting heat from a furnace with an electric ignitor, follow the instructions on your furnace to reset it; if that fails, try resetting the breaker.
  • Detectors. Smoke and CO2 detectors should be checked regularly, but definitely before you fire up the furnace. They have test buttons on them for this purpose. If they don’t go off, check the batteries or connections if they’re hardwired. Any detectors that fail inspection should be replaced immediately.

These are all simple things you can do to get ready for furnace season. However, there are a few other tasks that you should call an expert in to check or maintain.

When to Call in the Pros

Obviously, you’ll need to call a pro if your furnace won’t come on despite your best efforts. But you should also have an HVAC professional out to clean the air handler, flame sensors, and other vital parts of your furnace. Some DIYers might be able to do this with no issue, but for the general public, it’s safer and much smarter to call someone who knows furnaces inside and out.

Where would you find such a person? Well, in your HomeKeepr community, where you can search for an HVAC professional in your area. It’s great to know that the pros you’re working with have been used by the people in your own networks and found to be at the top of their game.

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

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Posted in Home Tips from Teri | No Comments »

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