October 31st, 2017 by tisner
With energy costs on the rise, it is essential for a homeowner to stay on top of all they can in order reduce their heating and utility bills during the cold Winter months. Here are some things consumers can do on their own at little or no cost to keep money in their pockets every month.
- Check windows and doors for drafts. Seal spaces with caulk or weather stripping.
- Look at all of the utility-entry places around the outside of your home, and fill around pipes with insulation or cement, if practical.
- Close the foundation/crawlspace vents as soon as temps get colder than 40°. This helps protect water pipes from freezing as well.
- Go into the attic and inspect your insulation, or consider adding insulation if you haven’t taken that step. This can cut your energy costs and pay for itself in a few years.
- Check ductwork for places where it may have come apart and repair—this job may be better for a service person to undertake.
- The sun can be used to help keep the house warm by simply keeping curtains on the south side of your home open during the day.
- Hanging thicker panels or thermal curtains can help insulate around windows as well. If you don’t want to change curtains, easy-to-install cellular shades allow light to shine through while insulating your windows.
- Plastic sheeting is inexpensive and easy to install on drafty windows or unused patio doors, and just as easy to remove when Spring arrives. Kits are available at hardware and home improvement stores.
- Have your furnace serviced before it’s time to use it, and replace your filters once a month.
- Close the damper in the fireplace when you’re not using it.
- Install a programmable thermostat–if heating with a heat pump, make sure the thermostat is the type specifically for heat pumps. Program the thermostat for the lowest temperature setting that your family is comfortable while at home, preferably in the 60° range. Turning it down 10°-15° at night and using an extra blanket will calculate to big savings on your energy use and costs.
- Using a humidifier is not only healthier, it can cut down on heating costs. The more moisture there is in the air, the warmer you feel.
- If you use ceiling fans, make sure they’re turning clockwise on low speed to pull up cool air, and circulate the warm air that collects near the ceiling.
- Thinking about changing your home’s heat source? Do it before the cold weather sets in. Check out the many different products available to help you make this decision.
The Department of Energy states that simply turning down the thermostat is the number one money-saver. For every degree it’s lowered, consumers save approximately 3% on heating costs. Lowering the temperature may mean wearing a sweater and socks inside, but the money you can save outweighs the bulky clothes.
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: BMS Electrical
Tags: energy efficient, energy saving tips, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, homeownership, money saving tips, orlando avenue top team, Orlando Sellers, Teri Isner
Posted in Home Tips from Teri, Orlando Buyers | No Comments »
October 25th, 2017 by tisner
There are many positive aspects of living in a neighborhood that is governed by a Homeowner’s Association (HOA). Finding the right one for you and your family may take some research, but if you’re looking for a managed area, it could save some headache in the end.
What is an HOA?
- And HOA is an organization that creates and enforces rules in a subdivision or condominium. When you purchase a home in an HOA community, you are, by default, a member of that HOA, and must pay fees and follow their bylaws.
- Most HOA’s now have their information, some complete with neighborhood photo galleries, available online, making it easy to start your research.
- Fees and their due dates vary by neighborhood, depending on amenities.
- Research the amenities that a neighborhood’s HOA focuses on. Whether it’s community beautification, a neighborhood gathering place, or a neighborhood walking path and gym, there are many options available.
- After you look at the qualities of an HOA and narrow down which ones you like best, find out what the fees are and how they’re paid. HOA fees can be high, but in comparison with what amenities they offer, it could save you money in the end.
- Most HOA’s have rules and regulations that go beyond your local municipality. These bylaws are in place to protect your property value, and maintain a certain quality of life for the homeowners.
HOA Benefits
- The amenities that some HOA communities offer can save a member money in the end. A community center means a gathering place for members, saving rental fees for party venues. A walking track or swimming pool can save residents from joining private gyms and health clubs.
- HOA neighborhoods in general are more appealing aesthetically, because member fees go towards keeping the common areas clean and landscaped.
- Some HOA organizations provide security, trash pick-up, pest control, as well as street sweeping and snow removal. Your property is your responsibility, but the shared areas are taken care of.
- If you choose to live in a condominium community, the organization usually handles all landscape maintenance, as well as exterior home maintenance: for instance, if a shutter blows off the building, it’s taken care of. All the homeowner needs to do is notify someone on the property management board, and they handle the rest.
- The community organization board members live in the neighborhood, so they are aware of needs specific to the area, and can better handle solutions to any problems.
- Homes in HOA neighborhoods protect your investment in a fluctuating market because of their home-maintenance regulations.
Don’t let bad press shy you away from considering a home in an HOA. If a house you absolutely love is in an organized community, do careful research, talk to residents in the community, then make your decision. There are many different aspects to different organizations, and finding the right one for you and your family just takes a little research and thought.
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: https://texasenergyexperts.com
Tags: Advantages of a Homeowner's Association, buying a home with HOA fees, HOA, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, orlando avenue top team, Orlando Sellers, Teri Isner
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October 20th, 2017 by tisner
There could be some legitimate reasons for not buying a home but indecision is not one of them. Indecision is rooted in not having enough information to move forward to own a home or continue renting.
If you keep renting, at the end of the year, you have had a place to live and a pile of receipts that helped the landlord pay for his house. Deciding to buy a home will give you a place to live that is yours and all the things that come with that.
When you consider principal reduction, appreciation and tax savings, your monthly cost of housing could be much less than the rent you’re paying. The principal reduction included in each payment is like a forced savings account that increases as your mortgage balance decreases. Your equity in the property will also grow due to appreciation as the home goes up in value. The equity is part of your net worth and an investment in your family’s future.
The income tax savings can be an additional financial consideration if the combined interest and property taxes are greater than the allowable standard deduction.
Trends are showing that both tenants and homeowners are staying in their homes longer. It’s been said that whether you rent or own, you’re paying for the home. Do you really want to buy the home for your landlord? Check out your numbers on a Rent vs. Own and then, call us to help make it happen.
By: PatZaby.com
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
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Tags: buying a house, first time home buyers, home buying, homebuyers, house hunting, orlando avenue top team, renting, Teri Isner
Posted in General Real Estate, Orlando Buyers | No Comments »
October 6th, 2017 by tisner
Buyer’s mortgage pre-approval is good for everyone in the transaction. It saves time, money and removes the uncertainty of knowing whether the buyer will be qualified after negotiating a contract. The direct benefits include:
- Looking at “Right” homes – price, size, amenities, location
- Find the best loan – rate, term, type
- Uncover credit issues early – time to cure possible problems
- Negotiating power – price, terms, & timing
- Close quicker – verifications have been made
There is a significant difference in having a trusted mortgage professional take a loan application and run all the necessary verifications compared to going through calculators on a lender’s website. Beside the peace of mind, the cost of being pre-approved is a bargain and generally, limited to the cost of the credit report.
Even if a person has been pre-approved, a second opinion from a different lender may be a good option. It can verify there is a good deal or you’ll discover that you can improve it. Either way, it works to your advantage. Contact me if you’d like a recommendation of a trusted mortgage officer.
By: PatZaby.com
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
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Tags: buying a house, first time home buyers, homebuyers, homeowners, mortgage, orlando avenue top team, Orlando Sellers, pre-approval, sellers, Teri Isner
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September 22nd, 2017 by tisner
There is no doubt that the largest challenge in today’s housing market is a lack of housing inventory for sale. This challenge has been defined as an “overwhelming lack of supply,” and even a “straight up inventory crisis.”
First American just released the results of a survey which sheds light on the reasons for the current lack of supply.
The survey asked title agents and real estate professionals to identify what they believe are the top reasons for this lack of inventory in their markets. Here are the results of the survey:
- 47% – existing homeowners are worried that they will not be able to find a home to buy
- 5% – first-time buyer demand is absorbing a large share of available homes
- 3% – existing homeowners’ mortgage rates are lower than the current rates
- 6% – insufficient or negative equity in the home
- 6% – foreign buyer demand is absorbing a large share of available homes
As the survey revealed, there is a shortage of current homeowners willing to put their homes on the market for one of three reasons (see numbers 1, 3 and 4 above).
Is this an opportunity for some homeowners?
The report on the survey explains:
“The crowd has spoken, and it seems in many markets home buyers and sellers alike are ‘imprisoned’ by the lack of housing inventory.”
That leaves a tremendous opportunity for every homeowner not facing these concerns. If you can put your home on the market today, you are subject to far less competition than at any time in recent history. That will result in your home selling quickly and for the highest possible price.
Bottom Line
While many homeowners are feeling imprisoned for multiple reasons, those who are not handcuffed by these concerns have a once in a lifetime opportunity to sell their houses at a peak selling time.
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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Tags: buyer demand, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, housing market update, orlando avenue top team, Orlando Sellers, Teri Isner
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September 21st, 2017 by tisner
The Windermere Real Estate Market Trends Report shows the average sales price was $545,417 in August 2017 compared to $507,422 in August 2016. Homes were on the market for an average of 70 days compared to 86 days last year. Homes sold for 96% 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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Tags: home prices, home sales, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, housing market update, orlando avenue top team, Teri Isner, windermere florida, Windermere Real Estate Market Report
Posted in 365 Orlando, Windermere | No Comments »
September 21st, 2017 by tisner
The Kissimmee Real Estate Market Trends Report for 34741 shows 52 homes sold in August 2017 up from 51 in August 2016. The average sales price was $174,481 compared to $140,204 in August 2016 and homes were on the market an average of 32 days, down from 53 days in August 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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Tags: home prices, home sales, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, homeownersh, housing market update, kissimmee florida, Kissimmee Real Estate Market Report, orlando avenue top team, Teri Isner
Posted in 365 Orlando, Kissimmee | No Comments »
September 21st, 2017 by tisner
The Celebration Real Estate Market Trends Report for 34747 shows 128 homes sold in August 2017 compared to 92 in August 2016. The average sales price was $273,487 compared to $243,623 in August 2016 and homes were on the market an average of 101 days, down from 110 days in August 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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Tags: celebration florida, Celebration Real Estate Market Report, home pricesh, home sales, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, homeownersh, housing market update, orlando avenue top team, Teri Isner
Posted in 365 Orlando, Celebration | No Comments »
September 18th, 2017 by tisner
By and photo credit: www.nar.realtor/infographics
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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Tags: football fans, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, National Association of Realtors, orlando avenue top team, Orlando Sellers, real estate, Teri Isner
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September 8th, 2017 by tisner
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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Tags: curb appeal, home maintenance, home sellers, homebuyers, homeownership, orlando avenue top team, Orlando Sellers, Teri Isner, yard maintenance
Posted in Home Tips from Teri, Orlando Buyers | No Comments »
