The best chance for selling your Orlando Florida home is within the first four weeks. Each year, in our area, many home sellers make the same mistakes over and over again. To help you avoid making the same mistakes, I’ve compiled a list of the main factors to ensure you sell your home faster and net more.

Pricing

It is very important to price your property at a competitive market value when you list it. Overpricing by only a few thousand dollars could mean that your house will not sell in a desired time frame.

An overpriced home:

• Minimizes offers
• Lowers showings
• Lowers agent response
• Limits financing
• Limits qualified buyers
• Nets less for the seller

Cleanliness

Most people are turned off by even the smallest amount of dirtiness or odor when buying a home. If your house is squeaky clean, you will be able to sell your home faster and net your desired return. Odors must be eliminated especially if you have dogs, cats, or young children in diapers or if you are a smoker. You may not notice the smell, but the buyers do!

Likewise, declutter. You are moving anyway, so get rid of that old junk now so your house will appear larger. Put items you can’t bear to part with in storage to free up space.

Easy Access

The easiest way to show a house is to have a lockbox accessible to real estate agents! Allow your home to be available during all reasonable hours. Midmorning and midafternoon are usually the best, but sometimes people will want to see your home in the evening after work. Allow your home to be available on short notice as well.

Showtime

When your home is being shown, please do the following:

• Keep all lights on
• Keep all drapes, shutters and blinds open
• Keep all doors unlocked
• Make sure the temperature is appropriate for the season
• Leave soft music playing
• Take a short walk with your children and pets
• Let the buyer be at ease and let the Realtor do their job

Paint and Carpet

Paint is your best improvement investment for getting a greater return on your money. Paint makes the whole house smell clean and appear neat. If your house has chipped paint, exposed wood, or the paint looks faded, it is time to paint. If your carpet is worn, dirty, outdated, or an unusual color, you may need to seriously consider replacing it. Many houses do not sell because of this problem.

Curb Appeal

Your front yard immediately reflects the inside condition of your house to the buyer. People enjoy their yards. Make certain that the trees are trimmed so the house can be seen from the street. Has the grass been mowed, trimmed and edged? Walkways should be swept. Clean away debris. Remove parked cars. This all adds to curb appeal. If a buyer doesn’t like the outside, they may not stop to see the inside.

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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TurfMutt, the official spokes dog for the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, knows that fall is the time to get the family yard prepped for spring. He encourages homeowners to do these four tasks this fall so they can have a fabulous family yard next spring. Homeowners who plan to put their home on the market in the spring will find these fall actions will spruce up their yard for spring.

Mulch your leaves — instead of raking and bagging them is good for the family yard and the environment. As leaves decompose, they feed your lawn.

Keep cutting your grass until the first frost— mowing at about 2-3” keeps your family lawn healthy when it turns cold.

Aerate in the fall — this ensures water, oxygen and nutrients can get to the grass roots in your family yard.

Install smart controllers on irrigation systems to help conserve water – your family yard needs about an inch of water per week, even during the fall.

We hope you will consider sharing the infographic “Family Yard Fall To-Dos” with your readers and followers.

For more information about our living landscapes and the family yard visit www.savelivinglandscapes.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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As Hurricane Irma bears down on the tropics and Florida, and the clean-up from Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana continues, many minds are on what they would do in case of an impending weather crisis.  Here is a hurricane preparedness checklist to make sure you’re ready for a natural disaster.

Preparing Before the Storm

• Get cash from your ATM–in case of a power outage, our debit and credit cards will be unusable. Get enough money to last a week to ten days, depending on your forecast.
• If possible, have necessary prescriptions refilled if they’re close to renewal.
• Find out where the nearest evacuation shelter is, and get a list of what you need to bring for your stay. Gather these things and have them ready to go, if necessary.
• Secure anything outside that can be blown around in a storm, or store those items in the garage.
• Make sure your home is secure, check for loose storm doors, loose siding, and see that windows are protected either by storm shutters or strong plywood cut to fit your windows, and have a handy person attach them.
• Fill all your vehicles’ gas tanks.
• Batteries and flashlights are very important, as is a battery powered radio.
• If you rely on cell phones for contact, buy and charge portable chargers ahead of time.
• Flooding is always a possibility, so get as many things off the floor that you can. Take precious items, photos and important documents and put them in plastic containers and store them in the attic, if possible.

In Case of Evacuation

• Pack enough clothes and necessities for a few days’ stay for each family member. If possible, allow children to pack their things in a book bag so they can help carry the load.
• Gather your important papers, put them in a large, plastic zipper bag, and pack them with your clothing. You can also use your camera phone to take photos of important documents.
• Pets are considered family, and many people don’t want to leave them if they decide to evacuate. Ask your vet for shot records in case you can take them with you to an emergency shelter.
• Notify family and friends of your plans.

Staying Put

• Unless there is a mandatory evacuation for your area, you can decide to stay at home and ride the storm out.
• Water is an absolute necessity–fill every empty container that has a lid with clean water. Cooking pots and casserole dishes work well, too.  Clean and fill your bathtub with water for bathing and flushing.  Just keep the bathroom door closed so little ones won’t be tempted to climb in the tub for a swim.
• Start your icemaker now, and bag ice in plastic zipper bags or plastic Tupperware-like containers. Store as much as you can.
• Go ahead and prepare and eat any perishable foods before the storm. Stock up on read-to-eat foods. Keep your freezer as full as possible, or use some of the ice and containers filled with water to keep it packed. A full freezer keeps food cold longer during a power outage.

Hurricanes are storms to respect.  Prepare as soon as possible–it is better to be prepared early than sorry.  Whatever you and your family eventually decide is a very important decision–don’t risk your lives for something that can be replaced.  Follow your local government’s emergency management team’s advisories, and follow a reliable weather source for updates from the National Hurricane Center.

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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Moving into a new home can be a very exciting time in the lives of all of those involved.  Moving can also however be a time of sadness and or a feeling of displacement.   Both feelings of sadness and happiness are quite normal when it comes to moving.  Most folks likely don’t ever think they will feel sad when they move into a new home and are many times quite surprised by the feeling when it creeps up on them.  There are a few ideas listed below for you to help you make it through your feelings of sadness and blues during your next move.

1. Be sure to plan some road trips back home before you move away from your loved ones.  Planning ahead to spend quality time with those whom you are moving away from can give you the sense of comfort  that you might not otherwise have.
2. Many times when you move into a new home you think it is going to be so much better than your old house, especially if it is bigger and brand new. However, many times when you move from a small old cozy house into a large new house it can seem cold and sad.  Be sure to decorate your new home as quickly as possible once you move in.  Use your old decorations mixed with some new ones to keep those feelings of sadness at bay.
3. If you have just moved to a new area and you want to feel connected to those who live around you, do your best to get out and make friends with your neighbors as soon as you can. Perhaps they can show you the local hot spots so that you can connect with even more people.  The more connected you become the less likely you will suffer from the moving blues.
4. If you moved for your job, do your best to make friends with your new co-workers and let them know how you are feeling. You may find a few friends that are going through a similar situation as your own that you can connect with.
5. If you have left family and friends behind, take advantage of your smart phone and or computer and video chat on a regular basis so that you stay connected.

These are just a few ideas on how to keep the blues away  when moving.  Keep in mind that sadness can hit you whether you are moving far away or just the next town over.  Change is hard, but these tips should help to make your transition a bit easier.

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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Replacing your shower curtain is a quick, fairly inexpensive way to spruce up your bathroom.  You may not realize just how many different types there are until you begin looking but there are quite a few types to choose from.  Below is a list of a few different ones, along with the pros and cons of each.

1. The typical shower curtain  many people have in their homes is made of vinyl.  Vinyl is good because it is very easy to clean as well as inexpensive.  There are usually tons of variations to choose from at your local department store so you are sure to find one that shows your style.  Clean up for the vinyl shower curtain is easy because all you need to do is toss it in the washing machine, then air dry it.  The cons to having one is that are not quite as expensive looking as other kinds of curtains which can sometimes make your bathroom look a bit outdated as a result.  They don’t last as long as other types because they can easily rip throughout the wear of daily use.
2. Another one you may want to take a look at is the cotton blend. The pros of these are they tend to make your bathroom feel cozy.  They also come in a wide array of colors and patterns.  They also tend to last for a good many years.  The cons to this blend are that they need frequent laundering to keep from having a buildup of mold.  Also they can be a bit more costly.
3. Silk or satin may cost quite a bit more but these types of fabrics can go a long way toward making your bathroom look fancy. The only con to this type of fabric besides the price is that it is not water resistant and will require dry cleaning.
4. Hemp fabric is another option but typically this material doesn’t come in as many color choices as do all the others. It is however a very environmentally friendly choice.

Now that you have read of a few different choices you have concerning shower curtains you may be more able to make a wise decision on which one works best for you and your style.

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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Some Highlights:

• The National Association of Realtors surveyed their members & released the findings of their Annual Profile of Home Staging.
• 50% of staged homes saw a 1-10% increase in dollar value offers from buyers.
• 77% of buyer’s agents said staging made it easier for buyers to visualize the home as their own.
• The top rooms to stage to attract more buyers are the living room, master bedroom, kitchen, and dining room.

By: KCM Crew

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 Windermere Real Estate Market Trends Report shows the average sales price was $584,461 in July 2017 compared to $542,789 in July 2016. Homes were on the market for an average of 82 days compared to 81 days last year. Homes sold for 97% of the list price.

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 Kissimmee Real Estate Market Trends Report for 34741 shows 39 homes sold in July 2017 down from 57 in July 2016. The average sales price was $162,155 compared to $157,279 in July 2016 and homes were on the market an average of 62 days, down from 72 days in July 2016.

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 Celebration Real Estate Market Trends Report for 34747 shows 108 homes sold in July 2017 compared to 94 in July 2016. The average sales price was $271,723 compared to $279,026 in July 2016 and homes were on the market an average of 107 days, down from 121 days in July 2016.

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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If you have decided you want to buy land to build on instead of buying an already built home, there are a few things you need to consider first.  The biggest thing you need to consider before buying land is whether you want to live in the country or the city.  Do you want acreage or do you want neighbors, or perhaps both?  Below are a few tips for buying land that may be of some help to you.

1.  If cost is important to you then you may want to purchase land  out in the country instead of the city.  The price for buying a spot of land in the city is a lot more expensive and the size of the land will be much smaller as well.  If you like to have your space then buying a lot of land out in the country may be just the thing for you.
2. Once you have decided where you want to live, city vs. country you then will need to go to the land you are considering and look around.  Look up and see what there is to see.  Do you see a lot of cars passing by or do you see a school close by or a factory?  All of these things can become issues for you when buying a piece of land so be sure to pay attention to all of your senses when on the land, sights and smells.
3. Find out what the zoning requirements are on the land you want to build on.  You may have plans to build a small home on your land when the zoning requirements are that you build a house that is at least 2,000 square feet.
4. Pay attention to how close the land you want is to water.  Are there any flooding problems?  Have there been problems in the past?  These are things you need to think about.
5. You also need to find out about the water quality on any land you are considering purchasing.  Find out if the water is pure or if you will need to purchase a water filtration system for your home once you build.  These types of things can be costly so be careful to ask as many questions as you need to get the answers you need.

Hiring a Real Estate agent to help you find land to purchase  is the best thing you can do because they already know all of these tips and can help lead you in the direction that is best for you and your family.

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

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

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

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