Orlando State of the Market May 2022
June 16th, 2022 by tisner
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More Ways to Stormproof Your Home
June 9th, 2022 by tisner
As spring turns to summer, one thing that unfortunately comes along with that change is summer storms. For some people this means frequent downpours or heavy rains. For others it means lightning or the possibility of severe weather. Even for those who don’t live in areas that commonly experience tornadoes or other severe weather, there is still a possibility of damage from things like flooding and high winds. Whether storms are a common occurrence where you live or only infrequent, keeping your home safe during bad weather should still be a concern.
You’ve likely already seen suggestions for how to stormproof your home and stay safe during inclement weather. To make sure that you’ve covered all the bases, here are a few additional ways to stormproof your home that you might not have thought of.
Stormproofing Your Property
There are a few changes that you can make to your property that may significantly reduce the likelihood of storm-related damage to your home. One big thing that you can do is inspect any trees on your property before storm season, and again in the fall to make sure that there aren’t any dead or damaged limbs that could break under pressure. Getting these removed will not only make your trees look better, but will also help protect against home damage or injury from falling limbs.
If your home is on a downward slope or located in a low area, you might also consider installing French drains to reroute water away from your foundation. This can be very effective in preventing damage from flooded basements and garages, as the drains will keep a lot of that water from actually reaching your home. Depending on how the French drains are set up and where they drain to, this can move a significant amount of water away from your home during a storm.
Upgrading Your Defenses
If you’re considering home improvements, there are a few options you might consider. If thunderstorms are common where you live during the summer, installing a lightning rod or other lighting protection components can be a good idea. You also might want to get transient voltage surge suppressors to plug high-value electronics such as computers and televisions into as well, since these help to limit voltage to 1.5 times the normal voltage range. While this is still higher voltage than these devices are used to, they are much more likely to survive without damage compared to the significant amount of voltage they might experience during a lightning strike surge.
Other improvements you can make to better protect you during a storm include installing new windows and a new roof. Advances in window and roof materials make them much more durable than they were even a decade ago, and if your windows and roof have been in place for a long time, then they might already be experiencing some wear and tear. Not only will replacing them before the weather gets bad help to prevent leaks and other storm-related problems, but in the event of a big storm, you may even have an installation warranty on your side.
Review Your Policies
One last thing that you might want to do is look over your homeowner’s insurance and any other insurance policies you have for your property to see exactly what is and isn’t covered regarding storm damage. Flood damage commonly isn’t covered by standard policies, and depending on where you live there may be other storm-related exclusions as well. You definitely don’t want to wind up surprised at your coverage level if you have to make a storm-related claim.
If you’re looking for additional coverage or considering changing your existing policy, let HomeKeepr help. Our app can connect you with insurance agents in your area who will make sure you have the coverage you need for whatever problems might come your way. Creating a HomeKeepr account is free, so sign up today!
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
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By: Homekeepr, Rob Morelli
Mortgage Shopping: Avoid These Mistakes
June 7th, 2022 by tisner
Searching for the right mortgage for your new home is likely the most important step when buying a new home. Having that preapproval lets you know how much house you can afford as well as getting your wallet ready for budgeting. There are some things you can do that can make lenders second guess your application, and you want to avoid doing anything that can sabotage the purchase of a new house:
- Not knowing what is on your credit report can set you up for a surprise when a potential lender pulls it for inspection. Obtain a free report through your bank or credit union so you can correct or dispute errors before you fill out a loan application.
- Sending late payments on credit cards and other monthly bills during the approval process will show on your credit report.
- Opening a new line of credit for large purchases will raise your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Except in emergencies, avoid buying anything on credit until after closing on your new home.
- In the same manner, closing credit accounts can negatively affect your credit score. If you have paid off credit card balances, leave them active, as this shows lenders that you have credit options available.
- Trying to help a family member get a loan by co-signing with them will raise your DTI and can discourage lenders.
- Unless it is completely unavoidable, changing jobs can hurt your loan chances. Lenders like to see a steady income from employment with the same company or same field.
- If you are using gifted funds to assist with the down payment, do not deposit the money into your bank account without documentation from the giver. Learn more about the procedures for down payment gifts from the balance.
- Do not let poor credit and lack of a 20% down payment keep you from buying a house. FHA, USDA, and the VA all have programs to help make the dream of homeownership a reality. Check each website for eligibility requirements.
Lastly, buying a home without a REALTORⓇ can be a costly mistake. No, there is no money coming directly from your pocket to pay the buyer agent–their pay comes from the home sale. Find a reputable agent who knows how to find the right house for your budget as well as your wants and needs, plus knows all about negotiating a home sale 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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Photo credit: CNBC
Ten Important Financial Terms for Home Buyers
May 17th, 2022 by tisner
While meeting with a lender to discuss the purchase of a new home, you may hear and read words you are not familiar with. Knowing these financial terms and acronyms will make that meeting go more smoothly. Here are some common financial terms that will come up during your mortgage transaction:
- Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM): a type of mortgage in which the interest rate applied to the outstanding balance varies throughout the life of the loan. A fixed rate may be applied for the initial loan period, but after that, the rate will fluctuate. Sometimes called a Variable Rate Mortgage.
- Annual Percentage Rate (APR): the yearly rate of interest that an individual must pay on a loan
- Closing Costs: fees and expenses paid at closing, beyond the down payment; costs can run 3 to 5 percent of the loan amount and may include title insurance, attorney fees, appraisals, taxes, and more
- Debt-to-Income Ratio: the borrower’s monthly debt payments divided by their gross monthly income; the number is one way lenders measure the borrower’s ability to manage monthly payments of the loan they receive
- Earnest money deposit (EMD): deposit made after buyers make an offer on a property; sometimes referred to as a good faith deposit; held in escrow until closing
- Escrow: an arrangement in which a third party distributes the money paid during the property-buying transaction
- Fixed-Rate Mortgage (FRM): a type of loan in which the interest rate on the mortgage is fixed; the rate will not change during the term of the mortgage
- Loan Estimate: tells important details about the mortgage loan requested; compare and choose the loan that’s right for your budget by getting a loan estimate from more than one lender
- Pre-Approved: when the home buyer is approved by a lender for a specific loan amount after the buyer provides documented financial information to be reviewed and verified by the lender
- Pre-Qualified: an estimate of how much the home buyer can borrow based on a review of financial information; not a guarantee of being approved
Do not go into the lending process without some knowledge under your hat! Going into what is probably your largest investment without knowing anything about it may end up in disappointment and having to wait longer to buy your new home. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers many other terms not listed here and is a great resource for learning more.
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: bettermoneyhabits.bankofamerica.com
Choosing a Loan That’s Right for You
April 29th, 2022 by tisner
Finding the right loan to meet your needs can be one of the hardest parts of buying a new home. There are a number of mortgage options out there, and if you choose one that isn’t really ideal for your situation, then you might end up paying a lot more for it in the long run. With so many options, though, how do you know that you’re getting the best loan to match your situation?
It might take a little bit of homework, but there are actually a few different ways to sort through potential loans to find the best one for you. A lot of things can affect the loans that are available to you, including where you live, what your credit history looks like, and even the state of the economy. With that said, here are a few things that you should keep in mind when shopping around for loans to help ensure that you get the loan that best meets your needs.
Interest Considerations
Getting a good interest rate on a mortgage loan is obviously a big concern for most potential buyers, since even a small difference in interest rates can result in large savings when choosing between two mortgages. This is one of the big reasons that it’s recommended that you shop around for your mortgage, comparing quotes from a few different lenders to find the one that offers you the best interest rate. The rate alone isn’t the only thing that you need to consider when comparing loans, though.
Interest can take multiple forms on mortgage loans. Fixed-rate loans lock in a single rate for the entire repayment period, while variable-rate loans can change over time (usually once per year and with the amount of change capped, but the exact details can differ between loan providers). Some mortgages even act as a hybrid between these two, locking in a low rate for a specific period and then changing it after that period has ended. Understanding the type of interest that a mortgage features and how it will work over the course of the loan can help you avoid unexpected payment changes down the line.
Loan Terms and Features
The term of your mortgage is another thing that you should pay careful attention to, since it can affect both your monthly payment and the amount that you pay in interest over time. Longer-term loans may cost you more in the long run, especially if you have a loan that will increase in interest over time. Likewise, shorter-term mortgages can save you money in interest, but might be harder to pay each month due to a higher overall payment. You should also watch out for loans that only have you pay against interest during the first part of the loan’s term; this starts you off with a low monthly payment, but isn’t reducing the amount that you owe at all until the payment increases.
There are other mortgage considerations that you should keep in mind as well. Most mortgages will require you to cover a portion of the property being purchased in a down payment, and the down payment amount can vary significantly between lenders. Different loan programs such as loans secured by the FHA can reduce this and some other costs as well. Just be sure to do your due diligence in exploring your loan options first.
Finding the Perfect Loan
The key to finding the mortgage that’s right for you is finding lenders that you can trust. Fortunately, HomeKeepr can help you with this. Our app can connect you with lenders and loan professionals so that you can compare offerings and secure the best mortgage that you can find. Creating an account is free, so sign up today and get started in your hunt for the perfect mortgage loan. Your dream of becoming a homeowner is just a few steps away!
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
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By: Homekeepr, Rob Morelli
Weekly Market Snapshot 4/20 – 4/27
April 28th, 2022 by tisner
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.
Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!
Stats courtesy of StellarMLS
Weekly Market Snapshot 4/7 – 4/13
April 14th, 2022 by tisner
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.
Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!
Stats courtesy of StellarMLS
Weekly Market Snapshot 4/1 – 4/6
April 7th, 2022 by tisner
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.
Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!
Stats courtesy of StellarMLS
What to Consider When Adding On
March 29th, 2022 by tisner
Additions can be a good way to get more functionality out of your home. Your addition might be an extra bedroom for your expanding family, a home office to provide you with a space to work from home, or even a sunroom or hobby area. Your add-on might even be a way to add more space to existing rooms, removing or extending walls to let your current kitchen, bedroom, or other area flow seamlessly into your new addition. There are just so many possibilities.
Regardless of what you plan to use the room for, though, adding on to your house is a big undertaking and may be kind of a big investment as well. Even relatively small additions can be a big project, so it’s important that you know exactly what your plans will entail before you start work on expanding your home. To help with this, here are a few things to consider when making plans to add on to your home.
Planning the Expansion
Though you may have a good idea of where you want your addition to go, it’s important to spend some time actually planning it out. Consider details such as where the property line is located, whether there are any size or location restrictions based on state and local building codes, and whether there will be issues with the location of utilities or the slope of your property that could cause problems. Taking the time to rule out potential problems with your addition now will save you a lot of headaches down the road.
Another thing to keep in mind is how well your addition will combine with your existing home. While you obviously have a good reason to want more square footage, if you just have an added room tacked awkwardly onto your home, it can have a major impact on your home’s overall value. A good addition will blend seamlessly into your existing home, matching the exterior and making it difficult to tell that an add-on was made down the road.
Cost and Investment
Depending on the sort of addition you want to make, the budget for your add-on can fall within a pretty wide range. It’s very important that you spend some time researching exactly what it will take to make your expansion plans a reality. The time of year, materials costs, and factors such as the size and types of materials you choose will all affect how much you’re going to have to spend. Taking the time to do a bit of research and consult with your contractor about the options available to you can end up making a big difference in the final cost of your expansion.
This is important not just because of the immediate impact to your pocketbook, but also the overall difference that it makes on your home’s value. All the money that you put into your addition is an investment in your home, and you want to get the biggest return on that investment that you can. Making smart choices and not letting your budget balloon out of control will go a long way toward maximizing your home’s value in comparison to the cost of your add-on. It’s more work now, but you’ll be thanking yourself if you find yourself wanting to sell your home at some point down the road.
Moving Forward With Your Addition
Choosing the right contractor is one way that you can affect the overall cost of your addition and maximize the return on your investment. HomeKeepr can help you with this, matching you with contractors and other pros in your area based on real recommendations from people that you already know and trust. Best of all, creating a HomeKeepr account is free. Sign up for an account today and get started finding the right professional to make your expansion dreams come true without breaking the bank.
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.
Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!
By: Homekeepr, Rob Morelli
Orlando State of the Market February 2022
March 24th, 2022 by tisner
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.
Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!