Along with all the planning of what you’re going to do and where you’re going to stay, consider this checklist to make you feel more comfortable while you’re away from home.

• Ask a trusted friend to pick up your mail, newspaper and keep yard picked up to avoid an appearance of not being at home.
• Stop your mail (USPS Hold Mail Service) and your newspaper.
• Don’t post about your trip on Facebook and other social media until you return; some burglars look for this type of announcement to schedule their activities.
• Do notify police or neighborhood watch – especially if you’re going to be gone for more than just a few days. Let your monitoring service know when you’ll be gone and if someone will be checking on your home for you.
• Light timers make it look like someone is home. Set multiple timers for various times to better simulate someone at home. There are plug-in modules for lights and appliances that would allow you to control them from your phone while your out of town.
• Do unplug certain appliances – TV, computers, toaster ovens that use electricity even when they’re off and to protect them from power surges.
• Don’t hide a key; burglars know exactly where to look for your key and it only takes them a moment to check under the mat, above the door, in the flower pot or in a fake rock.

These easy-to-handle suggestions may protect your belongings while you’re gone while adding a level of serenity to your trip.

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 comparing the cost of owning a home to renting, there is more than the difference in house payment against the rent currently being paid. It very well could be lower than the rent but when you consider the other benefits, owning could be much lower than renting.

Each mortgage payment has an amount that is used to pay down the principal which is building equity for the owner. Similarly, the home appreciates over time which also benefits the owner by increasing their equity.

There are additional expenses for owning a home that renters don’t have like repairs and possibly, a homeowner’s association. To get a clear picture, look at the following example of a $300,000 home with a 3.5% down payment on a 4.5%, 30-year mortgage.

The total payment is $2,264 including principal, interest, property taxes, property and mortgage insurance. However, when you consider the monthly principal reduction, appreciation, maintenance and HOA, the net cost of housing is $1,218. It costs $1,282 more to rent at $2,500 a month than to own. In a year’s time, it would cost $15,000 more to rent than to own which is more than the down payment and closing costs to buy the home.

With normal amortization and 3% annual appreciation, the $10,500 down payment in this example turns into $112,00 in equity in seven years. Check out your own numbers using the Rent vs. Own or call me at (407) 467-5155. Owning a home makes sense and can be one of the best investments a person will ever make.

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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Acquisition Debt is the amount of money borrowed used to buy, build or improve a principal residence or second home. Under the new tax law, mortgages taken after 12/14/17 are limited to a combination of $750,000 on the first and second homes. The mortgage interest on this debt is tax deductible when itemizing deductions.

It is a dynamic number that is reduced with each payment as the unpaid balance goes down. The only way to increase acquisition debt is to borrow money to make capital improvements.

Prior to the new law, homeowners could additionally borrow up to $100,000 of home equity debt for any purpose and deduct the interest when itemizing deductions. Mortgage interest on home equity debt is no longer deductible unless it is for capital improvements.

Acquisition debt cannot be increased by refinancing. Some confusion occurs because mortgage lenders are concerned in making home loans that will be repaid according to the terms of the note and using the home as collateral. That does not include making a tax-deductible mortgage.

Another thing that adds confusion to the issue is that the lenders will annually report how much interest was paid in a year but only the amount that is attributable to acquisition debt is deductible.

Even if the interest on the cash-out refinance is not deductible, it may be advantageous to pay off higher interest debt such as credit card debt and replacing it with lower mortgage debt.

It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to know what part of their mortgage debt is deductible. The challenge becomes more difficult after a cash-out refinance. Homeowners should keep records of all financing and capital improvements and consult with their tax professional.

By: PatZaby.com

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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With Summer here, and the kids out of school, some families are wishing they had a more functional catch-all space for the “stuff” of Summer break.  Not every home has a mudroom, and not every homeowner has the budget to add a mudroom onto their most-used entryway. Here are some ideas to turn any entry space into an organized “mudroom.” 

• There are some must-haves for a mudroom space:  a place to hang coats and bags, storage for the small stuff, and seating is nice for shoe removal.  You can DIY, hire a carpenter, or repurpose items for your drop off spot. 
• Toy boxes with a closing lid makes a perfect bench and storage area for removing and storing shoes.  Add family member-specific baskets inside so everyone’s things stay together. 
• With some inexpensive crates, stained boards and double hangers, you can easily create a pretty space for coats and footwear.  See this simple and functional corner space from A Beautiful Mess for inspiration. 

• Pick up a sturdy old piano bench at a tag or yard sale, dress it up with paint to match your decor, add cushions, put a couple of storage bins or baskets underneath, and you have instant mudroom.  The seat even lifts to store keys, gloves, or the family’s flip flops! 
• If there’s a large enough wall space, create a board-and-batten wall, add coat hooks, and you have an almost instant vertical storage area, and it looks great, too!  Learn how to do this inexpensive project from The DIY Mommy. 
• Mount some inexpensive shelving, add hooks, and you have a place to hang your coats as you come inside, and a shelf for stashing the other stuff.  Add a lower shelf with hooks for the kids’ belongings. 
• There are many clever ways to remake a closet into a mini mudroom, and even make it pretty! Find inspiration from these ideas at Farmhouse Blooms. 
• Who said that your mudroom space has to be inside?  If your family goes inside via the garage, just use the above tips to create your mudroom space.  Add plastic storage containers by the door for shoes, boots and other awkward items, and the mess stays out of the house! 

Sometimes we have to re-think our spaces, and carving out an area in our homes for a makeshift mudroom may take some thought, depending on your home’s layout.  Just focus on the area that most of the coming and going is happening, and what your family needs most for a drop-off area.  You’ll soon be a little more organized, and have a cleaner home as a bonus! 

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: rafaelmartinez.me

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer you don’t want in your home but because it is colorless and odorless; you may not even be aware the deadly condition exists. The Center for Disease Control says more than 400 people in the U.S. die annually from carbon monoxide poisoning and over 10,000 require medical treatment each year.

Unmaintained furnaces, water heaters and appliances can produce the deadly gas. In addition, other sources could be leaking chimneys, unvented kerosene or gas space heaters or exhaust from cars or trucks operating in an attached garage.

The Environmental Protection Agency suggests the following to reduce exposure in the home:

• Keep gas appliances properly adjusted
• Install and use an exhaust fan vented to the outdoors over gas stoves
• Open flues when fireplaces are in use
• Do not idle car inside garage
• Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up central heating systems annually

Headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and feelings of weakness or fatigue are a few of the most common symptoms. Lower levels of exposure to carbon monoxide may be mistaken for the flu.

Carbon monoxide alarms should be on every level of a home and especially, in sleeping areas. The alarms can be purchased for as little as $25 and plugged into the wall like a night light.

Regardless of the government requirements, no one would want to put their family, guests or themselves at risk for something so deadly.

By: PatZaby.com

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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Most homeowners are doing what they can to pinch pennies, and when something goes wrong, the thoughts of calling a repair service can send us into a tailspin for fear of a hefty bill.  Some fixes are simple enough that anyone can DIY them with a little knowledge and supplies; here are seven of them: 

• Toilet bowl leaks can really add up on your water bill.  There are two common things that cause them:  a leaky flapper, or the fill valve needs replacing.   For less than $20, you can replace either of them.  To get started, check out this information from Today’s Homeowner to test where your leak is and go from there.  The internet is chock full of videos and how-to articles for either fix. 
• Your beautiful just-refinished wood floors are squeaking, and unless you’re using the noise as a burglar alarm, you can get rid of it with talcum powder.  First, make certain that the squeaking isn’t because of a loose board.  If that’s the case, replace the nails or floor staples.  Still squeaking?  Sprinkle talcum powder over the seams, and rub it in with your fingers or a thin plastic card. Walk over the area, and listen for the noise, and apply more powder if necessary. 
• It’s laundry day, and you’ve just thrown a load into the dryer, and the drum suddenly stops turning.  The drum belt is easy and inexpensive to replace, thanks to this guide and video from Sears, and no appliance repair service needs to be called!  

• Replacing light bulbs is easy, right?  What happens if you accidentally break the bulb off at the socket?  Go to the pantry, grab a potato, and cut it in half.  After turning the electricity off at the breaker box, carefully push the sliced side of the potato onto the bulb socket, and once it has a grip, unscrew and remove the broken piece from the fixture.   
• Your cabinets look great, but you’re having a hard time keeping them closed.  For a few dollars each, you can purchase magnet catches, and install them in no time. 
• Every now and then, something bumps into the drywall hard enough to create a hole.  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. 
• 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! 

Chances are you take great pride in your home, and want a professional to take care of some things for you.  Sometimes, though, 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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When it comes to gardening, going organic can be difficult, especially when there are so many manufactured products to keep weeds and insects at bay. It’s not uncommon knowledge that the fewer chemicals we use in our lawns and gardens, the better it is for everyone.  Follow these tried-and-true tips to get you started on a more natural approach to a healthy garden. 

• Make sure your garden soil is enriched with natural compost, and one way to do that is with grass clippings!  According to Mother Earth News, a mulch of 1”-2” of cut grass can feed your garden for the season.   
• Another way to get free compost is saving vegetable scraps from your kitchen. When you’re prepping for dinner, keep the parts you would normally throw away in a small bucket or jar with a lid nearby, and throw it in your compost pile or worm bed. 
• Speaking of earthworms:  vermicomposting is one very beneficial thing you can do to improve your soil.  Learn how to have your own worm beds from gardeningknowhow.com.  Kids love this project! 

• The little tags in the cell packs of plants aren’t there for nothing.  They have important and necessary planting information on them.  Put your plants in the right place, in the right amount of sun, and it will reward you with good growth. 
• When and how you water your garden plays an important part in keeping diseases and pests at bay.  A morning shower with a water hose can rid your plants of nasty aphids.  Watering your plants in the evenings can cause fungi and mildew to grow, and neither is easy to get rid of once they set in. 
• Learn the difference between detrimental and beneficial insects.  We don’t want to be bitten, but many stinging insects are taking care of the bad ones that are eating up our vegetables.  The Sod God offers some excellent information as well as infographics to help you distinguish between the good and the bad. 
• Row covers are a great and chemical-free way to keep not only insects away, but veggie-loving birds as well.  As long as they cover your plants completely as they grow, they will provide a barrier between your plants and the bad guys. 
• If your plants are being taken over by soft-bodied insects like aphids and whiteflies, make your own insecticidal soap–it’s easy with these instructions from Horticulture magazine. 

Whether you’re interested in going completely organic in your gardening, or just trying to cut back on man-made chemical use, it takes knowledge and a little extra work.  Growing a Greener World is an excellent television source for all things natural, and there are many books and magazines on the subject.  Look for sources that have been certified as an organic entity or is written or produced by someone who has been gardening the natural way and has lots of experience.  Reap the rewards of not only a great vegetable harvest, but the rewards of keeping chemicals out of the ground, and our water sources. 

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: Mother Earth News

June 1 marks the official beginning of hurricane season, and everyone, especially homeowners, should be prepared in every way.  Once you’re ready, it’s less stressful when a watch or warning is issued, leaving you time to get a few big jobs done without having to concern yourself with the smaller details. 

• Check with your insurance agent and ask any questions about your homeowner’s insurance policy so you’ll know what’s covered, and what isn’t.  If you need more coverage, add it to your policy now. 
• Make sure you have flood insurance, or that your coverage is up-to-date. It takes thirty days for a new policy’s coverage to begin, so don’t wait until a storm is bearing down on you before you purchase. 
• Plan your evacuation route in case of a mandatory event from your local government.  This is especially important if you live in a new area. Print route maps and keep them handy, or store them in your smartphone’s maps app. 

• Have a plastic storage tote with lid that contains tarps, light blankets, flashlights, brand new batteries, bottled water, canned food, manual can opener, and a battery-operated radio. Print a list of necessary phone numbers and emergency contacts and place it inside the tote as well, in case you’re unable to keep your cell phone charged.  
• In case of power outages, inexpensive portable USB chargers can be used to keep your cell phones charged.  Solar chargers are available as well but cost more. 
• If you don’t have an emergency fund, start one now.  
• Take a look around your home and make sure gutters are clear, shingles are sturdy, shutters are tight, as well as making sure outdoor additions and buildings are secure.  Make upgrades or repairs if necessary. 
• Check any trees on your property for hanging or dead limbs, and overhanging limbs that could cause damage.  Have a tree service remove them. 

• Look out for elderly neighbors and family members.  Ask if they need help getting the big things ready or ask them if they’d like to be included in your family hurricane plan.  They may want to remain independent, but it may be a relief to them knowing they’ll have some assistance a phone call away in time of an emergency. 
• Don’t allow your vehicle’s gas tank to get below a half tank.  Keep it as full as possible in case of shortages when the time to evacuate comes. 

The Red Cross offers many other tips about being prepared for emergencies, including what to do about your pets and contacting your distant family afterwards.  Waiting until the last minute can create added stress on you and your family.  Don’t get caught in the worst of the storm to realize you forgot flashlight batteries or bottled water.  Take an afternoon to prepare now, and, like a home fire drill, make sure the whole family knows their role in case of an emergency.

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: South Florida News Service

Many of us have seen the “she shed” photos on social media, where an outdoor building has been made into an outdoor spot for Mom to unwind–the counter to the basement man cave.  With these ideas, you can take your garden shed, gazebo or covered porch to many levels to provide a place to relax, entertain, or watch the children play in the sprinkler.   

Outdoor Oasis Plan 

• First, check with your municipal codes for accessory buildings, garden sheds, and see what permits you need to add one to your yard. If you already have one, you’re one step closer to your party hut. 
• Decide on what will fit in your space, then shop pre-fab shed distributors, Pinterest for DIY material-repurposing ideas, or online for downloadable building plans.  

• How do you want to use your space?  Will it be an entertaining area, a place to relax, or a low-budget pool house? Make a budget for decorating and extras, and stick to it. 
• Once you have your building in place, choose your decor and paint scheme:   

• Beach-inspired colors are bright, and you can include an old surfboard, vintage buoys and signal flags found at tag sales. 
• Rocking chairs, light colored walls, natural elements, and floral seat cushions make for a country retreat. 
• Go modern with simple folding chairs, which offer a storage bonus, simple green succulent plants in sleep pots, neutral colors, and a sleek bar of polished wood. 
• Send guests a message of fun in the sun with a palm-frond roof, tiki torches, lots of wood elements and an open-air bar for a tropical feel. 
• Create a small pool house with space for lounge chairs, as well as hardware for hanging clothes and towels, and storage for pool toys.   

Outdoor Entertaining with Conveniences 

• Lighting can be tricky if you don’t have electricity running to your outdoor structure.  If you decide to fully wire the place, have an electrician take care of this aspect.  You want it well-lit, but not a shining beacon–soft lighting is perfect for Summer night entertaining. 
• Give self-charging solar lights a try.  LED’s associated with solar lighting have come a long way, and can be bright without being harsh. 
• Battery-operated LED lights are an excellent alternative, and come in many designs to complement your decor.  Strings of Chinese lanterns and vintage-style bulb covers can be found in many styles in home centers and online. 
• You may not want to deal with the cost of a hiring an electrician to wire your new party pad, but using solar power on your small building is easier than you may think.  Home improvement centers have small solar kits that you’ll need to light the night without adding to your utility bill. 
• Solar-powered ceiling fans for outdoor use are easily found online, as well as stand-alone units.  Moving air will keep you and any guests comfortable.   

With so many products and ideas available at our fingertips, thanks to the internet, an outdoor gathering place can be outfitted as simply or luxuriously as we want–there’s no need to break the bank.  Create a haven that fits the needs for your family, and make fun-filled Summer memories without leaving your backyard! 

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: 888tuffshed.com

Homeowners are familiar that they can deduct the interest and property taxes from their income tax returns. They also understand that there is a substantial capital gains exclusion for qualified sales of up to $250,000 if single and $500,000 for married filing jointly. However, ongoing recordkeeping tends to be overlooked.

New homeowners should get in the habit of keeping all receipts and paperwork for any improvements or repairs to the home. Existing homeowners need to be reminded as well, in case they have become lax in doing so.

These expenditures won’t necessarily benefit in the annual tax filing but may become valuable when it is time to sell the home because it raises the basis or cost of the home.

For instance, let’s say a single person buys a $350,000 home that appreciates at 6% a year. Twelve years from now, the home will be worth $700,000. $250,000 of the gain will be exempt with no taxes due but the other $100,000 will be taxed at long-term capital gains rate. At 15%, that would be $15,000 in taxes due.

Assume during the time the home was owned that a variety of improvements totaling $100,000 had been made. The adjusted basis in the home would be $450,000 and the gain would only be $250,000. No capital gains tax would be due.

Some repairs may not qualify as improvements but if the homeowner has receipts for all the money spent on the home, the tax preparer can decide at the time of sale. Small dollar items can really add up to substantial amounts over many years of homeownership.

You can download a Homeowner’s Tax Worksheet that can help you with this recordkeeping. The important thing is to establish a habit of putting receipts for home expenditures in an envelope, so you’ll have it when you are ready to sell.

By: PatZaby.com

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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