Tiny Houses are really super cute and a lot less expensive than traditional size homes but there are a few things you might want to take into consideration before you decide to purchase a tiny house.  There are pros and cons to owing a tiny house and those are listed for you below for your review.

1. Tiny houses  are typically no more than 100 to 500 square feet.  This may work perfect for you and your family if your family is rather small.  If however you have a large family a tiny house may not be the way to go.
2. You can have a tiny house built for $15,000 however if you want that tiny house to have all the bells and whistles you may end up spending in excess of $80 to $100,000. Basically it will be up to you if you want to purchase a tiny house and “bling it out” so to speak or if you would rather take your money and purchase a large home that already has everything you desire.
3. You may need to check with the zoning board in your area to see if a tiny house is allowed before you make a decision. If so, why not give a tiny house a go…if not, you can always put the tiny house on wheels and travel from state to state.
4. If personal space is important to you then you may not want to even consider purchasing a tiny house. If you do decide to purchase a tiny house your lifestyle will change for sure.  If you don’t mind being in close proximity to your family then a tiny house may be just the ticket!
5. A pro to living in a tiny home is that you won’t have very much space to clean.   If you don’t like spending a ton of time cleaning your house, a tiny home may be the place of your dreams!

These are just a few of the pros and cons associated with tiny house living.  In the end, it is your decision whether or not you want to purchase a tiny house and join the many others you have already done so.

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.

When faced with the high cost of their child’s college tuition or home renovation, many homeowners use the equity in their property to finance it. How does that happen? There are two ways: a home equity line of credit and a home equity loan. Take a look at the differences between the two before signing on the dotted line:  

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) 

• HELOCs are a second mortgage on the home, but instead of a lump sum, the homeowner typically has a five-to-ten-year “draw” period where they have access to the amount of the credit. 
• During the draw period, some lenders allow interest-only payments on the amount, while some require principle-plus-interest payments. Either way, pay more than the minimum so the principal can be paid off before the repayment period. 

• Once the draw period is over, repayment of what credit has been used will begin.  Keep in mind that these payments will be higher than the earlier amounts you’ve been paying. 
• This line of credit can be used for anything but using it for large purchases or luxury vacations may not be a good idea; start a savings fund for those! Once the draw period is over and the homeowner cannot afford the payments, they could lose your home to foreclosure.  
• In some cases, a lender will close the line of credit early if the borrower’s circumstances change.  If that money is used to pay their child’s college tuition, they will no longer have access to it, creating financial strain. 

Home Equity Loan 

• Basically speaking, a home equity loan is a second mortgage on your home, which will be used as collateral by the lender.  
• The lender usually bases the loan amount on the difference between the homeowner’s equity and the home’s current market value. Nerdwallet can help determine how much equity there is in a home. 
• Most lenders allow homeowners to borrow up to 80% of the home’s total value; it depends on what portion is actually “owned.” In other words, a home that has a mortgage with an outstanding balance will have less equity than a house that has no mortgage. 
• Unlike HELOC, a home equity loan will be paid out in a lump sum and comes with a fixed interest rate.  

While shopping for the best interest rates for these kinds of loans, be mindful of scams!  Stay clear of offers that come in the mail, ads that guarantee qualification, or “lenders” that request fees up front.  Know what to look for when applying for any type of loan, especially those that use the home as collateral. 

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.

Photo credit: CNN

Having a successful yard sale means putting some effort into your setup. Just tossing things on tables or in storage containers in the driveway may be easy, but if you truly want to get rid of unnecessary stuff plus make extra cash, you will want to follow these tips: 

• Make sure all items are clean and free of stains, tears, or breakage. Launder all washable items and wipe hard-surface items with a disinfectant wipe.  
• Set prices low and at twenty-five cent increments so items move quickly and to help avoid bargaining with shoppers. Not pricing your items will take up your time at the sale and may turn some people away. 
• Bundle miscellaneous items, such as jewelry, small toys, and other children’s items, or holiday decorations, in appropriately sized clear plastic bags. Sell the bundles of children’s items as “grab bags.” 

• Have a “FREE” table for items that are not in the best condition. 
• Check your lawn the day before: trim the grass, fill in any holes, and clean up after pets. Do not forget to have a clear “Not for Sale” sign on items not included in the sale. 
• Display colorful balloons or other party decor to attract attention, play upbeat music in the background–make it a pleasant experience for everyone! 
• Make sure shoppers have plenty of space to walk around and can get around safely. 
• High-interest items and large/heavy items should be closest to the street to draw shoppers. This will also make it easier for buyers to load them. 

• Place your “check out” in a way so people can pay on their way out. Get plenty of small change at the bank the day before. Keep your money in a fanny pack for safety and never leave it unattended. Accepting electronic payments by using Venmo or Paypal can help boost sales! 
• As the day wears on, slash prices or have a “bag” incentive: whatever shoppers can fit in a grocery bag you provide is theirs for five bucks. 

When the day is over, schedule a pick-up by a non-profit that will take your things away for free. It may take a few weekends to prepare and organize for your yard sale, but keep in mind that decluttering and extra cash are your goals, and it will make the effort worthwhile.  

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.

Photo credit: Avery

If you currently have your house on the market, you may want to look over a few of the curb appeal mistakes that you might possibly be making listed below.   You may or may not have issues with any of the mistakes that are listed but if you do, we will tell you how to fix them so that you will be more likely to get folks interested in looking at your house.   Curb appeal can many times be the number one reason why a person decides to look at your house in the first place.  Be sure to do your part to make your home’s curb appeal work for you and you might find that you have an offer quicker than you were planning on.

1. If your home is totally gorgeous inside but lacks curb appeal outside, no one may ever know just how beautiful your home actually is because they simply won’t want to come inside.  You need to make sure that the outside of your home matches the quality of the inside.  If your home looks fresh and new inside, make sure that you have fresh paint and landscaping outside.
2. Even though you may have a trash pick-up service, many times when days get busy the trash may be overflowing. Do your best to keep your trash cans out of sight from those who may come to tour your home and also keep them empty if at all possible or at the least not overflowing with garbage.
3. If you have recently starting doing a bit of renovations to the outside of your house, be sure to get those finished before you put your home on the market. You need to think about prospective buyers that may be driving by your house to get a glimpse of what it looks like and realize that no one wants to see a house renovation half completed.
4. If you have a big sense of style that can sometimes get a bit crazy, now is the time to neutral that down a bit. If your front door is painted bright pink for example, you may want to cover it with some white or beige or even black paint before you put it on the market.  Just because you love hot pink doesn’t mean everyone does!
5. If you don’t have a green thumb and therefore you haven’t done any landscaping to the outside of your home, it is time to at least plant a few bushes. Homes with no landscaping tend to be looked over when up against homes with a bit of landscaping.

These are just a few ideas to get you thinking of perhaps some curb appeal mistakes you may have currently at your home and how to correct the issues to help snag a sale.

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.

We spend more time inside our homes than outside, and regular cleaning and maintenance of the outside of our homes is not something we think of as often. Taking care of the siding of our homes extends its lifespan and keeps our homes looking great! 

• Warm water and mild detergent are your first defense in keeping any siding material clean. Use a long-handled brush with soft bristles, and working in small sections, scrub from top to bottom to avoid streaks.
   
• Pressure washing is a great way to clean the outside but take care because you do not want to put a hole through vinyl or damage wood. Bob Vila offers a wonderful guide on the best use of a power washer for exteriors.
   
• Inspect your siding before you begin cleaning. Take care of any problems as soon as possible to prevent further damage and costly repairs. 

• All siding: check for water or insect damage, foundational cracks

• Wood siding: look for peeling paint, cracked caulking boards, and trim

• Brick: crumbling bricks or mortar, and foundational cracks

• Vinyl: loose, warped, or cracked sections

• Stucco: cracks and holes

• Painting the siding does not have to happen often, it simply depends on the material: 

• Wood siding: every 3-7 years, or every four years if it is stained

• Aluminum siding: about five years

• Stucco: every 5-6 years

• Cement fiberboard siding: 10-20 years

• Wood siding needs a little extra care for preventing insect and water damage. It should be treated with a sealer every two-five years, depending on where you live.
  
• Tougher grime, such as mildew or algae, may need more than soapy water. Hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar will remove algae and mildew, and both are better alternatives for landscaping and your lungs than chlorine bleach. Peroxide cleaners are available in most home stores. 

While the home’s exterior is a large job to tackle, once it is done it will be easier to maintain over time. Regular inspection is more important, as the elements and other factors are always present. Proper maintenance and cleaning will not only add more life to the exterior materials, but it will also maintain the value of your biggest investment! 

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.

Photo credit: Freddie Mac

Between rising rent costs and the desire to have a place you can call your own, one might believe that purchasing a home is a far-off dream. Think again! There is much to consider, from finances to logistics to paint colors, many factors of homeownership are different than when you are a tenant in someone else’s home, so you need to prepare now for a new home later. 

• Start budgeting now if you do not already. There are more expenses involved with homeownership than there are as a tenant, and you need to be able to manage your money properly.
   
• Check your credit score and correct any mistakes, if any, and do what is necessary to improve the numbers if your score is not going to be attractive to lenders.
   
• You may think that you cannot qualify for a loan, but there are different types of loans available. Check your state for low-income down payment assistance programs, and ask if your financial institution offers a first-time-buyer program.
   

• Do you love your rental? If so, talk with your landlord about purchasing the property! Once they become aware that you are interested and possibly moving, the thought of preparing and looking for a new tenant may encourage them to agree to a sale. All you can do is ask!
   
• Consider purchasing a townhouse or condominium when searching for properties. Many are affordable and convenient and would make the perfect first home.
   
• Think about your community options–where you live can affect how much you pay in fees, property taxes, or maintenance costs.
   
• If you have renters’ insurance–and you should–take note that a homeowner’s policy costs more, because it covers much more than just your belongings. Most mortgages will include homeowners’ insurance in the monthly payment. If your current agent can find a cheaper rate, go for it! 

Do you want the freedom to paint your living room bright green? Are you tired of having to keep your growing family quiet so as not to disturb the neighbor’s downstairs? If so, it may be time to think about buying a house. Connect with a Realtor® to guide you through the entire home-buying process.  

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.

Photo credits: www.hf-corp.com

Below is a list of a few rainy day things you can do inside your home so that you and your family don’t get bored being stuck inside.  If you have small children you know all too well how easily they can get bored when they are stuck inside due to bad weather.  Get them and read this list together to get started on some fun!

1. One fun indoor activity you can do with your small children is to have an indoor scavenger hunt. Write down some clues to where you have hidden items in your house and set your children out on an indoor hunt to find them!  This can be fun for you as well as you watch your kids trying their best to find what you have hidden.
2. Another fun rainy day thing to-do inside your home with your family is to go camping inside!  Get your tent out and set it up right in the middle of your family room.  You and your family can sleep in the tent together all night long!  If everyone doesn’t fit you can use sleeping bags to make it a full fledge family event.  A super fun way to make your indoor camping event even more real is to make smores in the microwave!
3. Yet another fun rainy day thing to do inside is to gather all of your board games and get the entire family involved in playing them together! If you don’t have any board games you can likely find some type of game for all to play online.
4. If you don’t want to have to create something fun to do with your family, why not bake some cookies together! It is always fun to get your little ones together in the kitchen to bake.  Have each child create their own cookie with the ingredients you have available, then let the rest of the family be judges to give the best cookie award!

These are a few fun rainy day things you can do inside your home that is sure to make everyone have an enjoyable time even if they can’t go outside!

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.

Just because your home doesn’t have any major issues such as a leaky basement or a floor that is about to cave in doesn’t mean you don’t have a lot of little ways you are losing cash each month.  Below are a few small tips to help you save money at home that may eventually add up big.

1.  If you have yet to change your lights over to energy efficient ones you should do that right away.   This is an easy way to save a little bit each month that doesn’t take long at all to accomplish.  LED lights are going to cost you a bit more than regular light bulbs but in the long run they will be a big help to your budget.
2. Big ticket items such as air conditioning systems can cost you and your family a lot each year if you don’t do your part to make sure they work to the best of their ability.  Make sure to change your air filters on a regular basis and clean all the vents as well.  This type of maintenance should be done before the heat of the summer begins so that all will work correctly when it is needed most.
3. Another small way to save money at home  is to make sure you eat what you put in your refrigerator.  Wasting food is a big money pit that affects many Americans today.   If you buy a lot of produce and other perishables you need to be sure to put them at eye level so that they don’t get lost in your fridge only to have to be thrown out later.  If you have a small family you might want to purchase smaller amounts of foods that don’t have a long shelf live to avoid wasting each week.
4. If you haven’t already done so, get rid of your landline phone.  Most everyone these days has a cell phone and the need for a landline phone has almost become obsolete.  Save that $40 per month and put it towards something of better use.  You may be surprised at just how quickly $40 each month can add up.
5. Before you decide to bring a furry family member into your home, realize that they are quite expensive.   If you are trying your best to save money perhaps buying a pet might need to go on the back burner for a while.

These are just a few ways in which your pocketbook can get a bit of rest  on a regular basis.  Use the ideas you like and see what a difference they can 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.

There will be more than just you, your real estate agent, the seller, and their agent involved in the process–unless you are paying cash for a new home! Appraisers, lenders, and inspectors are just a few of the folks you will come across, and it will relieve some stress on your part if you familiarize yourself with who they are and what part they play during your house purchase.
 

• Real Estate Agents
  The agent you choose will be your resource and constant contact throughout the home-buying process. In most transactions, there will be a listing agent representing the sellers, but it is unlikely you will be meeting them.
   
• Mortgage lenders
  To be adequately prepared to begin looking for a new house, you should be pre-approved for a mortgage. Meet with a few different lenders to find the best loan for you; see what the balance recommends for finding the right mortgage.
   

• Appraiser
  The mortgage company wants to be sure that the property is worth what the asking price. The appraiser is usually one of the lender’s choosing. Learn more about what is involved with the appraisal from realtor.com®.
   
• Home Inspector
  You do not want any surprises with structural issues, mold, or insect infestation after you have the keys in hand, so it is in your best interest to hire an inspector to go over your prospective home. Call several inspectors, and ask these important questions.
   
• Homeowners Insurance Agent 
  Most insurance companies offer a discount for having more than one policy with them, and it may be easier to go with your current insurer, so give your agent a call. Do not let that stop you from shopping around for better rates, however.
   
• Real Estate Attorney
  Many states require you to hire an attorney, as they will go over all of the documents, handle funds, and perform the title search, to name a few of their jobs during the home sale process. Find out why it is always a good idea to have a real estate attorney, whether it is the law or optional.
   
• Title Insurer 
  In case there are any questions about the sale of the home being legitimate (no liens, family feuds, etc.), you will need title insurance, and in most cases, the lender or attorney will already have that lined up.
   

• Mortgage Servicer 
  Sometimes, a lender will sell your loan to a mortgage servicer, and you will be notified if that happens. Learn the difference between a lender and a servicer at Investopedia. 

These entities are typically involved in the home-buying process, but not every one. You may come across another professional or service during your experience. Your Realtor® will keep you informed of each step, so no need to be concerned if there is a step along the way you are not familiar with. Every one of them, however, is important for a smooth transaction, protecting you and your largest investment. 

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.

Photo credit: Istock