Closing day has finally come and gone – you’re almost finished packing for your move, and let’s face it you are BUSY! But, it is important to slow down to take note of a few things that should be done before and soon after you move in.  Go down this list of must-do’s so you’ll be safe, secure and happy in your new home: 

• Change all of the entryway locks, keypad codes, and make plans to get a security system set up. 
  
• Have utilities turned on in your name, as well as television provider and internet.   
  
• Deep clean the new house, even if it looks clean.  This job can be hired out, or you can DIY if time permits.  Keep in mind costs involved with renting any necessary equipment, as well as cleaning product expenses. 

• Plug in/turn on all appliances, to make sure they’re in working order. 
  
• Walk through the house to check for minor things that didn’t warrant repair by the seller. Having your copy of the home inspection in hand will help you find the problem areas that may need to be addressed before they get too big and too costly. 
  
• If you want update the home’s color palette with a fresh coat of paint, or do any other small improvement jobs consider getting them done before move in day. This will allow for the painting and repairs to be finished easier and faster before settling in with added obstacles. 
  
• Typically sellers leave the window treatments, but in case they didn’t be sure to measure the windows. Allow for time and budgeting to purchase and install shades or blinds until curtains or shutters can be hung. 
  
• Let everyone know your new address:  relatives and friends, of course, but also medical offices, your employer, schools, and other important people that communicate by mail. 

• Create a homeowner folder to keep all of your important papers. Be sure to store it in a safe and easily accessible place. 
  
• Meet your neighbors!  Once you’ve moved in, introduce yourself and your family by hosting a front porch social, with light refreshments.  Slip invites in mailboxes and simply ask them to stop by to say hello.  

Once you get settled in, you’ll need to get into a homeowner frame of mind.  You will have things to keep an eye on and maintain on a regular basis. Bob Vila’s home checklist gives you an idea of what you’ll need to check regularly. 

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.

These days it seems everyone is all about going green.  Have you ever given any thought on taking part in going green?  If so you have come to the right place.  Below are a few tips on how you and your family can go green this spring!   Why not add going green to your spring cleaning list!

•  One way that you and your family can go green this spring is to simply take your shoes off before you enter your house!  You read that right; you can go green by simply taking off your shoes. 40% of all indoor contaminants actually come from the bottom of our shoes so do your part to keep this from happening to you and your family by taking those shoes off!
  
  
• Learn what ingredients are considered to be green so that when you go to the store to purchase all of your new green cleaners you can be confident that you are actually doing some good for the environment.  Some companies that claim to be green actually have some ingredients that are not green once they are mixed together.   Just read up on what ingredients are green and what ingredients are not and are typically passed off as green and you should be heading in the right direction on what to buy and what not to buy.
  
  
• Don’t forget the outside of your home when you are going green.  Many grasses are able to grow and thrive without the help of any type of pesticides and /or fertilizers.  The best way to start going green with the outside of your home is to replace the grass you currently have with native grasses to your particular area.  One perk of this switch is that you may find that you have a lot less upkeep of your lawn once you do this!  Who wouldn’t enjoy having more time with their family and less time doing yard work on a weekly basis!

These are just a few ways in which you can help to make your home a bit more green this spring.  Once you get started going green it is likely that you will find more and more ways in which to do so.  It can become addicting once you make the decision to go green in and around your home!

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

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

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

Spring brings with it exciting times for gardeners who anticipate floral beauty and healthy plants for the grounds of their Orlando real estate. To fulfill your gardening hopes, however, you need to prioritize your time in order to tend to all the tasks necessary for blooms and blossoms.

• Prune

For early blooming shrubs such as forsythia and viburnum, prune them as soon as blooms have passed. Early spring is also an ideal time to prune your roses.

• Deadhead

Remove spent flowers from bulbs, but leave the rest of the plant as is for the time being.

• Weed

Pull weeds from your beds and borders before they have a chance to take hold and spread.

• Compost

Tend to your compost if it has been neglected over the winter. If you do not have a compost bin, spring is a great time to start one.

• Prepare tools

Spring is a good time to prepare your tools for the oncoming gardening season and to make any necessary repairs or new purchases. You will be happy you have done so when summer sets in.

• Plant

Spring is a great time to add new plants to your garden. Be sure, however, that all threat of frost has past. Plant such things as trees, shrubs, hardy annuals, and summer blooming bulbs.

• Fertilize & Mulch

Fertilize and mulch beds and borders. Spring is also a good time to fertilize fruit trees. If you applied heavy winter mulch for protection from the cold, you will need to clear it away.

• Stake

Stake plants that may be prone to wind damage during the unpredictable spring weather.

One type of gardening which appeals to many environmentalists is organic gardening, the incorporation of the entire landscape design and environment to improve the soil and maximize plant production without using synthetic materials.

Another gardening philosophy which is gaining in popularity is “no till” planting. Proponents of this system insist that not tilling the soil of your Orlando real estate improves the quality of the dirt by not disturbing it and thus not bringing buried weeds, bacteria, and carbon to the surface. Layers of mulch and other organic materials not only “feed” the soil, but also control weed growth.

Whatever method you select, may your gardening days be happy and your blooms rewarding!

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.

Spring has officially sprung and that means most of us are starting to get the itch to clean our homes.   Below are a few spring cleaning tips for those of you who might be interested in doing it the natural way!  These items are such that you likely already have them in your house so there will be no need to go out and purchase anything.

The number one item you likely already have in your house and that is perfect for spring cleaning  is baking soda!  Yes you read that right, baking soda!  It has many uses such as the following:

• Clean the toilet using a bit of baking soda and a scrub brush
• Clean the inside of your oven using some baking soda mixed with vinegar and a rag
• To brighten up your laundry use half a cup of baking soda mixed with each load
• 1 cup baking soda with 1 cup vinegar will help to unclog a clogged up drain in your sinks
• Sprinkle some baking soda on your rugs and carpets, wait 15 min, then vacuum to freshen them

Another item that you likely already have on hand at home that can help make spring cleaning  easy is vinegar.  There are many uses for cleaning with vinegar such as the following:

• Mix vinegar with salt to get those pesky coffee stains out of your coffee mugs
• Spray vinegar in your bathroom for a good sanitization of each surface
• Believe it or not, let your socks soak in vinegar to freshen them.  This is done by adding 1 cup vinegar to a pot of water and letting them soak overnight
• Use a bit of distilled white vinegar on our toothbrush to make your smile brighter.
• If you want your windows to shine and you don’t want to use regular window cleaner, use white vinegar mixed with water in a spray bottle then wipe clean with a paper towel.

Liquid dish soap is another great help in spring cleaning and my guess is you already have some of this too!  Here are a few uses for liquid dish soap:

• Mop your floors with it!  Mix a couple drops with a gallon of water
• Clean your granite countertops with some liquid dish soap mixed with warm water then dry with a towel.

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.

The excitement of finding your dream home makes it hard to resist the urge to start scrolling listings once you decide to buy. However, the first step in the home-buying process should be shopping for a mortgage lender and getting pre-approved. Here’s why:

• The pre-approval process is more in-depth than a pre-qualification and will determine if there are any unexpected issues, such as inaccuracies on your credit report.
• After pre-approval, the interest rate is locked in for a period of time, depending on the lender.
• Knowing your budget will save time as you prospect available houses and give you flexibility when making an offer.
• Having lender approval shows sellers that you are qualified and less likely to have to back out of the deal due to funding.
• If a property has more than one offer, having pre-approval will give you a competitive edge over those who do not.
• Once your offer has been accepted, the closing process can move faster, as the financing part has already been taken care of.

In areas where competition is fierce, getting pre-approved is essential for potential homebuyers. The security of knowing you have the backing of a lender to make an offer and purchase a home is worth its weight in gold. Start shopping for the best loan and interest rates and start house hunting!

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.

Working from home can be an amazing thing if you get the chance to do it.  Working from home can open up an entirely new world to someone who has always had to work outside of them home.  It can be extremely comfortable to work from home for many reasons; one being you can stay in your pajamas all day if you choose to do so.  If you are someone who doesn’t mind spending the day alone away from other colleges then working from home might just be for you!  Take a look at these few tips for working from home so that you will know more about whether or not you want to give it a try.

1. The best way to work from home is to make space in your home that is specifically for working.  If you let work spill over into other parts of your home you are more likely to lose paperwork and turn your home sanctuary into a stress filled place that no one wants to spend time in.  Your home (even if you work in it) should be a place of rest and relaxation where you go to get away from it all.  Keep it that way by using this first tip.
   
2. Another tip for working from home is to set time boundaries for your work. If you work from a computer and you have a family that needs taking care of, it is best that you set your work schedule around your family time.  This way you won’t end up losing out on quality family time by spending that time on your computer away from those you love.  If it is possible spend only a certain designated time of the day working on your job.   If you need to turn off work email notifications in order to accomplish this, so be it.
   
3. Use technology to stay in touch with those you work with. When you work in an office and you have a question about your job or something that needs to be discussed, all you have to do is pop in to another office and talk about it.  Working from home  can sometimes cause communication gaps between you and those you are working for or with.   Keeping those lines of communication open through email and or video chat is most beneficial and many times can be crucial to your job.

Again, working from home can be the best thing since sliced bread, just do your part to make sure it doesn’t overtake your everyday life.

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

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

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

Every Monday, ORRA’s Monday Morning Quarterback Report gives you a snapshot of the previous week’s market activity, including sales, prices, days on market, and much, much more.

Monday Morning Quarterback for November 17th, 2024 – November 23rd, 2024

Single-family existing homes

• Sales of single-family homes increased to 365 during the week of November 17, from 305 the week prior
• The median price of single family homes decreased to $430,000 a change of -6.0%
• The number of single-family home foreclosure transactions decreased to 1 from 2 the week prior
• The number of single-family short-sale transactions remains constant at 0
• Single-family inventory increased by 3, and now sits at 7,846.

Condos, townhomes, and villas

• Sales of condos, townhomes, and villas increased to 102 during the week of November 17, from 83 the week prior
• The median price of condos, townhomes, and villas decreased to $263,000 a change of -7.7%
• The number of condo, townhome, and villa foreclosure transactions remains constant at 1
• The number of condo, townhome and villa short-sale transactions remains constant at 0
• Condo inventory increased by 43, and now sits at 3,878.

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.

Many people turn to the “Foreclosures” section of online house hunts or newspaper ads. Sure, the price is a bargain, but there is normally a different process when purchasing a home that is in foreclosure. Consider these tips before heading to the auction or making an offer:

• If the property is on the auction block, the bidder will likely need the full purchase amount in cash. The lender is looking to recoup as much from the defaulted loan as possible, which does not allow time for the financing process.
• Most foreclosures have been unoccupied and will be affected by that. The new owner will need to be ready to put in some work and cash to bring it up to code/living conditions.
• Some states allow redemption to the homeowner, and HUD defines this as “…a period after [the] home has already been sold at a foreclosure sale when [a homeowner] can still reclaim [their] home.”
• Because a foreclosed property is sold “as is,” the buyer will not receive any disclosures, meaning, a home inspection is a must!  Depending on who owns the property will make a difference in how much time the buyer has to complete the inspection. 
• On the other hand, if the property is REO (real estate owned), the buyer will be able to go through the home-buying process in the usual way and have time to secure financing for the purchase.
• An REO will be sold as-is just like an auctioned property, and all repairs will have to be done by the new owner–there are no repair requests or contingencies granted.
• For buyers who are new to the foreclosure-purchase game, going through a bank to buy the property is their best bet versus bidding at an auction.
• For distressed properties, it is recommended that the interested party have a title search performed. Buying a foreclosure takes long enough, and this will help remove any roadblocks.

For foreclosure-hunting convenience, realtor.com® has a search page specifically for foreclosures! Municipality offices also publish notices on tax foreclosures, and if the funding is available, pre-foreclosures and short sales are other great property bargains. Remember to contact a Realtor® that is experienced in distressed sales. Their knowledge and expertise can make a drawn-out process go smoothly!

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.

Window tinting, or filming, can be a budget-friendly way to take your home’s windows to a higher level of energy efficiency, especially if it is not in the budget to upgrade all the windows in your home.  Learn more about this alternative to new window installation: 

• Window film comes in three types: decorative, privacy, and solar. 

• Decorative films are just that–for aesthetics. They are not necessarily energy efficient. 
• Film in the privacy/security category is made of a thicker material than decorative, and its purpose is to keep prying eyes out of your home, as well as help keep glass together in case of breakage. 

• Solar film is made in different ways, but the sole reason homeowners have it installed is to reflect or absorb UV rays. Some more costly films will work both ways–reflecting and absorbing UV rays–so your home and energy bills benefit from the changing temperature needs of your home. 

• Other varieties include removable/reusable film, semi-permanent, and permanent. Your window’s film/tint depends on the type of window and needs you may have. Learn more with a free e-book from the International Window Film Association. 
• Many electric companies offer a rebate when a homeowner installs energy-saving window film. There is also a federal tax credit for making your home more energy efficient! 
• Added benefits to using window film in your home’s windows are protecting furniture, carpets, draperies, and even wood flooring from the damaging long-term effects of UV exposure. 
• In case you have newly installed windows, check your paperwork, or call the manufacturer, as adding window film to the glass can void the warranty. 

• Window film is available at home stores and online, and there are many DIY instructions online, so it can be done yourself. Application does require some patience; if done in a hurry, you can leave unsightly bubbles throughout the film or uneven trim around the window glass. When hiring a pro for this job, you may receive added protection from some film manufacturers with an offer of a lifetime warranty on their product when it is professionally installed. 
• When purchasing the type of film, you want to apply to your windows, make certain the product is certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council.   

Protecting your belongings and energy consumption from the effects of the sun’s rays coming into your home can be taken care of with window film, but again, make sure the correct type is installed. Whatever your reason for applying film to your windows, rest assured it is a less expensive process than installing all new windows and can even be more cost effective when it comes to making your HVAC system use less energy. 

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.

New Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association data shows highest inventory in nearly ten years.

State of the Market

• Inventory for September was recorded at 11,560, up 0.4% from August when inventory was recorded at 11,511. This is the ninth month in a row inventory has risen. The last time inventory was this high was September 2015.
• Inventory in September 2024 was 71.1% higher than in September 2023.
• September’s interest rate was recorded at 5.9%, down from 6.1% in August. This is the lowest interest rates have been since August 2022.
• Homes spent an average of 58 days on the market (DOM) in September – up slightly from 57 in August. 
• This is a 41.5% increase compared to September 2023 when homes spent an average of 41 days on the market.
• The median home price for September was recorded at $380,000, down from $384,500 in August. 
• Overall sales decreased by 15.3% from August to September. There were 2,655 sales in August and 2,249 sales in September. 
• Pending sales fell by 1.9%, with 3,556 in August and 3,490 in September. 
• New listings fell 8.5% from August to September, with 3,530 new homes on the market in September, compared to 3,856 in August.
• “Lower interest rates and rising inventory levels are setting the stage for a balanced Orlando housing market as we enter Q4,” said Rose Kemp, President of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association. “With the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cuts and a significant increase in available homes, many buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines are now finding opportunities to achieve the American dream of homeownership.”

Market Snapshot

• Interest rates fell from 6.1% in August to 5.9% in September. 
• Pending sales fell 1.9%, with 3,556 in August and 3,490 in September. 
• 17 distressed homes (bank-owned properties and short sales) accounted for 0.8% of all home sales in September. This is a 54.5% increase from August, when 11 distressed homes sold.

Inventory

• Orlando area inventory rose 0.4% from August to September. Inventory in August was 11,511, and inventory in September was 11,560.
• The supply of homes rose to 5.14 months in September, up 18.6% from 4.34 months in August. A balanced market is six months of supply. 
• This is the highest supply of homes has been since January 2015.
• The number of new listings decreased from August to September by 8.5% – from 3.856 homes to 3,530 homes.

ORRA’s full State of the Market Report for September can be found here.

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.