Your home is on the market, the whole family has pitched in, decluttered, cleaned like never, reworked the furniture layout, and maybe even done some painting and remodeling.  You also work full-time, and the kids keep you busy after school with activities and lessons.  How do you keep the house clean and smelling fresh for showings?  Follow these tips so you won’t have to work too hard after working hard. 

• Two things to be done daily:  keep the mail sorted and newspapers in the recycle bin and make the beds.  If there’s an upper bunk bed that’s a beast to keep looking show-perfect, have a large comforter that can be thrown on top and cover the not-so-perfect sheets. 
• The bathroom can be an issue with needing constant cleaning to keep it sparkling and fresh, and disposable cleaning wipes are the best way for a quick clean.  You can also use a bit of fresh-scented cleaner for pouring down the sink and tub drains to clear the air while you’re away. 
• Once you’ve done a major clean of the tubs and showers, keep them shiny with a DIY daily cleaner.  Bev from The Make Your Own Zone has a great guide for keeping the shower sparkling! 

• If you have pets, but don’t have time for constantly vacuuming and sweeping stray fur, keep them brushed daily, and, if they love the sofa, have sheets on the furniture to simply remove when you know someone will be there for a walk-through. 
• Didn’t have time to do the dishes?  Rinse them well and stash them in the oven if you have no dishwasher.  Pouring some vinegar and baking soda down the drain/disposal will help keep any food odors away. 
• The kitchen can be a major source for oily spots, and baking soda is the key to getting those areas clean.  Sprinkle some on a damp cloth, scrub the greasy areas, and go back over them with plain water.  Wipe down those areas as soon as you’ve finished cooking to keep them from getting visibly dirty again. 
• If you can afford to have more than one throw rug or mat by the front door, have one clean and ready in case one gets visibly dirty, or just to put a fresh one down before a showing. 
• Choose one room to spend most of your leisure time in.  That way, when they kids are finished with homework, reading, or toys, everyone can keep an eye on things, and make sure whoever makes a mess cleans it up. 

In today’s busy world, a lot of home showings are done on the weekends.  Have your weekly cleaning jobs done by Thursday evenings so you will only have to make sure things are in order and wipe down a few areas before buyers start coming through.  Delegate an age-appropriate job to every person in the house and make a list if necessary.

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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The mortgage-lending process has several steps, and one of them is the appraisal.  Lenders require an unbiased valuation of the home that’s being sold, and the appraiser will not only look at sales of similar homes in the area, they’ll look at the property itself. Here are several things sellers can do to get ready for the process, and maybe even improve the appraisal value of the property. 

Outside 

• Start your once-over outside, and make sure your front and back yards are neat and clean of debris.  Check fencing for any damaged places and repair them.   
• Small improvements are best for the look of your landscaping:  fresh mulch, some new plants, and a recent mow and trim work. 

• The siding of the house should look great:  no peeling paint, no broken or missing vinyl siding, no rotting wood.  
• Check condition walkways and steps, making sure nothing is in disrepair or needs replacing. 
• Make certain windows are in good working order, with no rotting sills, cracked glass or peeling paint. 
• Decking and porches should be in safe condition. 
• Check the roofing for missing shingles or bad spots. If your roof has had any recent repairs, have that information ready for the appraiser to take note of.   

Inside 

• Walls should look great–no permanent marks or cracks.  If you see a problem that needs repair, have the work done, or you’ll need to allow the buyer to have a credit to make the repair. 
• Flooring that’s worn, soft, cracked, scratched or stained won’t make a good impression.  Clean the carpets, and make repairs to any hardwood, tile or linoleum. 
• Bathroom fixtures should be clean and in good working order. 

• In the kitchen, that sagging cabinet door needs to be set right, and faucets and plumbing should be in good shape. 
• Odors can signify a problem:  pet odor can be taken care of with some elbow grease and deodorizing cleaners, and if mold is an issue, have that erased by a mold-cleaning specialist.  If it’s just general bathroom mold, there are plenty of household cleaners to remedy that. 
• Ceiling stains can be a sign of a leak.  If you’ve had that repaired, have that information available for the appraiser, and paint the ceiling. 

The appraiser will be looking at general things, but if something costs $500 or less to repair, take the chance that it will improve the value of the property.  Don’t go replacing a working 10-year-old HVAC unit that you’ve kept maintained, as that won’t necessarily add to the appraisal value.  Have other major repair paperwork ready for the appraisal appointment and allow the expert to walk around and do their assessment.  The buyer already likes your house well enough to make an offer, and you’ve likely already done the work to make your home sell.  Maintain your house during the showing process, and it will benefit you come appraisal 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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When you purchase a home, having a mortgage requires you to keep homeowner’s insurance on your property, plus it’s just smart to protect your investment. If you haven’t gotten that far yet and are still a tenant, renters can also purchase a policy that will protect their belongings, which, on average, are valued at $20,000, according to esurance.com.   

Don’t assume that your landlord’s insurance will cover your personal property.  Renters insurance generally covers: 

• belongings lost because of bursting pipes or a leaking water heater 
• items stolen during a burglary 
• damage caused by the weight of ice or snow, downed trees, and fire 
• natural entities such as lightning and windstorms 
• personal property that’s lost or damaged while in your possession even when you’re not at home 
• others’ belongings that you’ve borrowed and were in your home and damaged 
• appliances that break down because of short-circuit damage 

What may not be included on a renter’s policy: 

• liability if someone gets hurt in your home 
• additional living expenses in case you’re unable to live in your home in case of emergencies 
• food replacement in the event the fridge and freezer stop working 
• a roommate’s belongings 
• medical coverage if you are hurt inside the dwelling 

Stand-alone policies are needed for: 

• flood damage 
• high-value family heirlooms or other high-value possessions 
• natural disasters like earthquakes and sinkholes 
• a roommate’s belongings, unless they are listed on your policy or have a policy of their own 

If you’re planning to buy a home soon, protect your possessions now, so in the case you lose them, you won’t have to slow the home-buying process down to replace everything.  Remember, too, that homeowners’ policies cover more, and will be significantly more in cost.  While you’re saving for your down payment and maintaining your spending, start budgeting for your homeowner’s premium. No amount of money can cover peace of mind.

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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It may be just the beginning of Autumn, but many are already thinking ahead to the holidays and having guests over.  If it’s been a while since you’ve been in the guest room except to create a pile of things that should be stored somewhere else, it’s time to get in there and make it ready for anyone who may be coming to visit.  

The Guest Room 

• Tackle the cleaning of the guest room first.  Anything that you’ve stashed on the bed, closet or dresser that should be stored elsewhere, get that done.  Use under-bed storage containers to get some things out of the way, or store on the closet shelf. 
• Go through the closet and remove things that haven’t been worn in a year or more and donate those.  Guests will appreciate some empty hangers in the closet to keep their clothes from staying folded in a suitcase. 

• On the same token, open the top two dresser drawers, and purge anything inside that isn’t being used, and empty at least one drawer.  Use a sachet of cedar chips for a nice fresh-smelling place for your guests to keep their belongings. 
• Clean the room as if you were Spring-cleaning:  wash all the bedding, vacuum the whole room, including under the bed, and dust all wood surfaces well.   
• Have extra pillows and blanket on the bed, especially if the room is on the cooler side of the house.  Once you have the big things done, getting the room ready just before they arrive will go more quickly. 

No Guest Room? 

• If you don’t have the extra bedroom, consider investing in a futon, sofa bed or even a twin chairbed for your living area.  Even a good quality air mattress can be made into a comfortable overnight sleeping spot, and can be put wherever you want, and is easier to use for some privacy for your guests. 
• Your couch is a bit “lumpy,” or you simply want to make it comfier in case of needing it for extra beds, and a feather bed is perfect for this.  Featherbeds are easily stored, and will certainly offer some comfort when placed on top of the sofa cushions. 
• You will need a small table or other flat surface for guests to keep their luggage–anything that will make them feel like they have space of their own.   
• If your guest space will be in a living area, give them a feeling of privacy with a screen to block off the sleeping area.  Deciding to use a screen can give you an excuse to make one, and apartmenttherapy.com has a great tutorial for a screen made from hollow-core doors. 

Extras 

• Start stocking up now on trial- and travel-size toiletries, and purchase a couple of new towels to keep tucked away for guests. 
• Make sure the lighting in the bedroom is good, and all the lightbulbs are working. 
• Have a new house key made and hang it on a special keyring and use solely for guests. 

Getting the big things done now won’t have you scrambling during the busy holiday season to get ready for any overnight visits.  Most of the time, the whole point of having friends and family spend a few days in your home is to enjoy them!  Preparing now will mean less stress and plenty of enjoyment later!

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: boldsky.com

Make sure everyone in your home knows how to use your fire extinguisher and where it is kept.

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: PatZaby.com

Summer is waning, and very likely, your vegetable garden is yielding less, if it hasn’t stopped already. You may think that it’s time to put the soil to rest until Spring, but there is plenty that you can plant now that can be harvested through late fall!  Don’t hang up the shovel–get inspired to keep things growing with these Fall planting tips: 

• Greens love the cooler temps, so plant all that you love, and try something new!  Kale, lettuces, and spinach are easy to grow, as well as swiss chard.  Check out this article from Mother Earth News about growing greens and how to take care of them. 
• Beans of all kinds thrive despite the shortening days, and reportedly taste better when grown in Autumn.  Planting bush varieties are best, as they only take about 45 days until harvest.   
• Any veggie in the brassica family–cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and kohlrabi grow very well this time of year.  These are best grown from young plants, and if possible, start them in your garden on a cloudy day. 

• What’s a dinner in Winter without some delicious roasted root vegetables?  If you’re dreaming about yummy parsnips, turnips or carrots, find a planting guide for each of these and more from Territorial Seed. 
• If you’re busy with the kids’ extracurricular activities, and general activities this time of year, consider planting a cover crop.  Cover crops can organic matter and nitrogen to the soil for the next year’s planting.  Learn more about them and what to plant at eartheasy.com. 
• Plant onions and garlic now.  They will likely go dormant when the weather cools, but they’ll establish their root system and reward you come early Spring. 
• Leave it to the tried-and-true advice from Farmer’s Almanac to set up a handy Fall planting schedule!   

The temperatures can still soar in September, so have some light row covering available for hot days to provide some shade in the heat of the day.  Just like in the Summer months, keep a watch for pests, provide plenty of water and mulch, and don’t fertilize too much.  It won’t be long before you’ll be harvesting and storing plenty for your Winter dinnertime! 

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: Harvest to Table

Hopefully, you’ve made good use and great memories this Summer in your outdoor space.  Just because we’re getting closer to Fall doesn’t mean we have to wrap it all up and put it away!  There’s plenty we can do to transition our porches, decks and patios for cooler weather use.  Let’s look at some simple ideas that will keep us outdoors a little longer. 

• Change pillow and cushion covers from their bright colors to more neutral tones, with a splash of soft red or orange here and there. 
• Once your potted plants’ Summer blooms fade, repot your containers with ornamental grasses, decorative kale, pansies, marigolds and chrysanthemums. 
• Drape light blankets over the backs and arms of your seating to use on chilly evenings. 

• If you don’t already have one, buying or creating a firepit is a great way to warm up cool nights.  If you’re not sure of your style or if the budget is tight, morningchores.com has photos and links to 57 different DIY firepits!  
• The days are getting shorter and adding lighting to your porch is important.  With so many choices for inexpensive and energy-saving LED lighting, you can add torches, candles and lanterns to a table for soft, relaxing lighting without spending a ton. 
• Add a cozy area rug to ward off cold feet and add texture to the space. 
• The cool breezes we long for in the heat of July are a little less desirable on a cool Autumn night.  Add some no-sew outdoor curtains using drop cloths, of all things, to block the wind, and use strong adhesive like E6000 to add heavy washers at the bottom to weight the curtains down. 
• Making the outdoors more inviting in Fall means adding warmth–literally.  Outdoor heaters come in many styles and price ranges and use electricity as well as propane to keep you and your guests’ toes warm. 

• Finally, when the pumpkin patches open, get a variety of pumpkins, gourds and other fall produce, and tuck them into your container plantings, or create a centerpiece or to make the outdoors an even more inviting space to enjoy. 

There’s no need to stop going outside just because the days are shorter, and nights are cooler.  Being outside is proven to help alleviate stress, make us feel happier, and may help us sleep better, especially if we can catch the sunset.  So, don’t neglect your much-loved outdoor space this Fall; you created it to be used, and Fall is the perfect time to enjoy it. 

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: HGTV.com

These unwelcome guests may require some help to get rid of.

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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Between hot Summer winds blowing dirt and dust and drizzly rains, most windows need a bit of cleaning about this time of year.  If you have a second story, cleaning those windows can seem like a daunting task.  Since everyone can’t have the luxury of tip-in easy-to-clean windows, check out these tips for getting all your windows sparkling! 

• Grab a bucket and mix up some DIY window cleaner:  1-gallon water, 1/4 cup vinegar and a squirt of liquid dish detergent (but not a large squirt–too many suds can mean more rinsing and streaking). 
• Tools you’ll need:  a soft-bristled brush with a long handle (a car-washing brush would be perfect) or flat microfiber mop, water hose, a step ladder or stepping stool, microfiber cloth or newspapers. 

Ground Floor Windows 

• Make sure the windows are out of direct sunlight, not only for your own comfort, but so the heat won’t dry the cleaning solution before you can rinse it. 
• Remove the screen panels, lay them flat, and give them a good shower with the hose, then gently scrub with the cleaning solution.  After rinsing, allow them to dry while you tackle the windows. 
• Much like washing a car, rinse off as much dirt as you can, starting at the top of the window.  Use the brush to give the glass a gentle scrubbing, paying extra attention to bug or bird droppings or anything else stuck to the window. 
• Rinse with the hose, and use a squeegee, microfiber cloth or newspaper to wipe off excess water. If you use a squeegee, make sure you work in rows, top to bottom, wiping the blade dry in between swipes. 

Upper Floor Windows 

You don’t need a ladder to get a clean finish on the windows that are too high to reach.  Here’s how: 

• Remix the above cleaning ingredients, and add 1-2 tablespoons of dishwasher rinsing aid to the mix.   
• A very handy tool to have would be a hose-end sprayer made especially for window spraying that you can pour your new batch of cleaning solution in, much like a liquid fertilizer hose-end sprayer that gardeners use.  Check your favorite home store for one of these–most cost less than $20. 

• Just like downstairs, rinse the screens and windows with a jet of plain water to remove dust and grime. 
• Spray the solution on the windows, out of direct sunlight. 
• Rinse with plain water, and the rinsing aid should allow your window to dry without streaks, no wiping or squeegee required! 

Another tip if you’re using old rags or a microfiber cloth to wipe dry:  using cloth that have added fabric softener can cause the windows to streak.  Keep cleaning cloths absorbent by keeping the fabric softener out. The Family Handyman has a great tutorial for cleaning the stuck-on stuff, as well as how to get the best use of a squeegee for window cleaning.  Go ahead and get started on this much-dreaded chore.  Once you’re finished, you’ll clearly see how satisfying the results are. 

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: greatdayimprovements.com

Accepting a new job, moving closer to aging parents, or looking for a fresh start, you’ve decided to relocate. You haven’t chosen a real estate agent to get your house sold, because you’re considering using your house for extra income as a rental.  There are pros and cons to becoming a landlord, so look through these tips to get you started on making the decision. 

• You need to first look at the financial aspect of renting your house. 

• Landlord’s insurance premiums may cost more than your homeowner’s insurance. Talk to your insurance agent about the differences in these policies. 
• Do the math–if you have a loss after all your expenses (insurance, repairs, property taxes, etc.) are deducted from the rental payments, it’s a better idea to sell. 

• If the money that a home sale would generate will help you buy a new place, by all means, sell. 

• One factor to consider is that if your move is temporary–you know you’ll be returning in a few years, and it may be a good idea to lease while you’re away, so you won’t have to house hunt upon your return. 
• Take into consideration that in larger areas, there may be times of a vacancy.  Can you handle the old mortgage and the new?  If not, put the house on the market. 
• If there are improvements that need to be done to the home before you can sell it, and you’re not financially able to make them, then renting may be a good option.   
• Keep in mind that most tenants will not care for your house like you, and, after moving, it could be at a great cost when you have to make the repairs.   

• Things can happen, and you may get tenants that can’t pay the rent on time, or stop paying rent, and you’re stuck with the mortgage payment, as well as having to go through the eviction process.  
• Do you really want to become a landlord?  Talk to a few people who are experienced in renting and leasing property, writing down questions to ask, and get their thoughts on the process. Experience is the best teacher. 

Renting or leasing your home is a big decision to make, especially if you know you may be coming back.  The stress of renting just might be greater than house-hunting when you move back.  Talk to other property managers in your area and look at your financial information before you make the final choice. When you decide to sell, call a trusted RealtorⓇ. 

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: sterlingpropertysolutions.com