In today’s fast-paced real estate market, especially here in Orlando, where new developments continue to shape our skyline and suburban neighborhoods, homebuyers aren’t just looking for square footage—they’re looking for soul. That’s where your home’s character becomes a powerful selling point.

Whether you’re preparing to sell or simply want to fall in love with your home all over again, adding personality and style doesn’t require a full renovation. In a vibrant, design-savvy city like Orlando, homes that showcase charm and thoughtful upgrades tend to stand out—both on the market and in everyday living.

Here are some affordable, impactful ways to boost your home’s character—from curb to kitchen.

🌴 Exterior Enhancements: First Impressions Matter

🎨 Paint Your Brick

If your brick exterior is feeling dated, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders. While it’s a job best left to the pros, if you’re a confident DIYer, check out the Do’s and Don’ts from the Brick Industry Association for expert tips. Light, neutral tones are popular in Florida and help reflect sunlight, keeping your home cooler.

🏡 Add a Porch or Portico

Want to enhance your entryway? If a full porch isn’t in the budget, consider a stylish portico that complements your home’s architecture. Not only does it boost curb appeal, it gives you a covered spot for those rainy Central Florida afternoons when you’re juggling keys and groceries.

🌿 Refresh Landscaping

Tidy landscaping adds instant style. Choose native Florida plants for low-maintenance beauty—think coontie palms, firebush, or blanket flowers. If overgrown shrubs or bare spaces are killing your vibe, a trip to your local nursery can offer the inspiration (and expert advice) you need.

🪨 Upgrade the Walkway

A basic concrete walkway is functional but swapping it out for pavers or natural stone can elevate your exterior. If a full replacement is out of budget, consider staining or painting the concrete for a fresh, customized look.

🎨 Update the Shutters

Old shutters? Give them new life with a fresh coat of paint or a style swap. It’s a small detail that can dramatically change your home’s façade—especially when paired with a newly painted front door.

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🏠 Interior Upgrades: Make It Feel Like Home

🖼️ Crown Molding

Adding crown molding instantly elevates any room. Lightweight options like polystyrene foam are easy to install and budget-friendly. This classic feature gives your home that high-end, custom-built look without the high-end price tag.

💡 Statement Lighting

Don’t settle for builder-grade fixtures. Swapping in stylish light fixtures is an easy and affordable way to inject character. Each room can have its own vibe—check vintage shops, tag sales, or Habitat for Humanity ReStores for unique finds.

🚪 Revamp Interior Doors

Can’t replace hollow-core doors? No problem. With a bit of paint, trim, or board-and-batten style upgrades, you can give plain doors a high-end look. Brands like Schlage offer DIY-friendly styles that make a big impact.

🪟 Add Trim & Architectural Details

Enhance your doorways, windows, or walls with new trim, baseboards, or wainscoting. Not only do they add charm, they’re great at hiding imperfections and making rooms feel finished.

🍽️ Upgrade Countertops on a Budget

If new countertops aren’t in the cards, resurfacing kits are a great alternative. They come in a variety of finishes and can dramatically change your kitchen’s look. For ideas and reviews, check out resources like The Spruce.

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💡 Final Thoughts

Adding character to your home doesn’t mean breaking the bank. Start small—whether it’s a lighting update or a fresh coat of paint—and build your way toward larger upgrades. Over time, your home will begin to reflect you—your taste, your personality, and the Florida lifestyle you love.

And if you’re thinking about selling? These upgrades can increase your home’s appeal and value, helping it stand out in Orlando’s competitive market.

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.

Who says every wall in your home has to be plain white with a few family photos or framed art? If you’re ready to add personality, style, and a focal point to your space, it might be time to think beyond basic decor—and say hello to the power of an accent wall.

Accent walls are a great way to express your style, create visual interest, and give your room that “designer” feel without a full-scale renovation. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or just want to freshen up your space, here are some standout ways to make your walls speak volumes:

🖼️ Bold Wallpaper—No Commitment Needed

You don’t need to paper the entire room to make a statement. Choose a bold or bright wallpaper pattern for just one wall to create a stylish, eye-catching feature. For inspiration, Better Homes & GardensⓇ tested 30 of the best wallpapers for 2025.

🎨 Stenciling for a Custom Look

Stencils have come a long way since the floral borders of the ’80s and ’90s. Today, they offer modern patterns, clean lines, and endless customization. Ambitious DIYers can even design their own!

🎯 Painted Accent Walls: Simple & Impactful

One of the quickest and most budget-friendly ways to create an accent wall is with a fresh coat of paint. In just one day, you can dramatically shift the vibe of a room. Real Simple offers designer-approved tips on color choice, painting technique, and even how to arrange furniture around your new focal point.

🌲 Plank It Up

Plank walls are alive and well in 2025 for a reason—they bring warmth, texture, and character to any room. Options range from reclaimed wood to peel-and-stick panels, making this idea flexible for different styles and budgets.

✨ Texture Is Trending

Adding depth and dimension to your walls is a fresh, eye-catching way to elevate your space—and it’s easier to pull off than you might think. You could go subtle with a custom drywall finish, add classic charm with beadboard or wainscoting, or go bold with a standout material like tin tile. Tin tile is one of our favorites—it’s vintage-inspired, touchable, and totally attention-grabbing. Just choose a pattern and scale that fits your wall, and you’ve got a statement piece that adds character in an instant.

🧱 Think Outside the Paint Can

Still looking for more ideas? The Handyman website showcases creative wall options like stone veneer, brick, stamping, and more. Accent walls are as versatile as your imagination!

Whether you go rustic, modern, bold, or subtle, an accent wall can completely change the feel of your space. Once you try it, don’t be surprised if you end up adding one in every room!

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.

Why Local Schools Matter When Buying a Home

When purchasing a home, several key factors often come to mind—location, price range, style of the home, condition, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and features on your wish list, both inside and out. One often overlooked, yet incredibly important, consideration is the quality of the local school system.

For many families, access to a strong school district is a top priority. In fact, studies have shown that buyers are often willing to compromise on other aspects of their home—such as square footage or finishes—in order to live in an area served by higher-performing schools. That speaks volumes about how much parents value education. While private schools are an option for some, many families depend on public education, making the quality of local schools a critical part of the home-buying decision.

Even for buyers who don’t have or plan to have children, the school district still matters. Properties in areas with highly rated schools tend to hold their value better and often sell faster and at higher prices.

Here in Orange County, our public schools have made significant strides over the past year. Thanks to thoughtful strategic planning and a commitment to continuous improvement, our schools are not only maintaining high standards but also continuing to grow and evolve. We are fortunate to have access to many excellent public schools that provide our children with the education they need—and the kind of learning environment we all hope for them to experience.

If you’d like to learn more about Florida’s school systems and how they’re evaluated, visit the Florida Department of Education.

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 a drop in new listings as some Orlando sellers pull out of the market.

State of the Market

“Sellers may delist for many reasons, but the recent national increase in delistings, including a 47% jump reported by Realtor.com, emphasizes the importance of pricing realistically from the start,” said Lawrence Bellido, president of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association. “Trends in real estate come and go, but setting the right price early on can help avoid the need to pull a home off the market.”

The median home price for June was recorded at $390,000 – the same as May.

Overall sales decreased by 1.5% from May to June. There were 2,551 sales in May and 2,513 sales in June.

Inventory for June was recorded at 13,793, down 1.2% from May when inventory was recorded at 13,957.

June’s interest rate was recorded at 6.7%, down from 6.8% in May.

26 distressed homes (bank-owned properties and short sales) accounted for 1.0% of all home sales in June. This is an 18.2% increase from May, when 22 distressed homes sold.

New listings fell 8.4% from May to June, with 3,854 new homes on the market in June, compared to 4,208 in May.

ORRA’s full State of the Market Report for June 2025 can be found at https://www.orlandorealtors.org/statemarket

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.

While a vacant home is on the market, even in a safe neighborhood, it is crucial to secure it. Savvy criminals can spot an empty house, and you do not want your property compromised, especially when potential buyers are viewing the property. Follow these tips to keep your property safe:

• Always ensure all exterior doors and windows are locked. Intruders often seek easy access and prefer not to draw attention by smashing windows or making noise.
• If you do not already, have motion sensor floodlights installed around the perimeter of your home. This will help deter anyone who is creeping around after dark.
• Outdoor light fixtures and even your HVAC unit are surprisingly common targets for theft. Install motion-detection lighting and secure your HVAC unit’s circuit box with a lock. Consider adding fencing or a security cage for extra protection.
• Talk to your Realtor® about using a keyless lockbox on your entry. This allows agents access and provides a record of who entered your home and when.
• Contact your homeowners insurance agent if the home is empty for more than 30 days; you want to be sure that the property is covered while vacant.
• Keep your landscaping well-maintained to avoid signaling the home is vacant. Have a reputable landscaper or pay a former neighbor to handle it.
• Ask a trusted relative, neighbor, or a reputable house-sitter to regularly check on your home if you have moved too far away. For added presence, see if a neighbor is willing to park their vehicle in your driveway.
• Many affordable wireless home security systems do not require monthly fees. Look for options with smartphone apps that allow you to self-monitor your home and alert contacts if there is an issue.

Keeping the electricity and Wi-Fi connected to a vacant home is a small cost compared to the peace of mind and protection it offers. The expense of utilities is far less than potential repair costs for damage or replacing stolen items. Protect your investment by safeguarding your vacant property.

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.

You’ve got vacation days to use—but between the kids’ packed summer schedules, high gas prices, and a tight budget, a big trip just isn’t in the cards. So, what’s the solution? A stay-at-home vacation, or “staycation”!

Even if you don’t live in a bustling tourist hotspot, you can still take a well-deserved break. Take a week off work, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy some much-needed downtime—right from the comfort of home. Here’s how to make the most of it…

Going Places? 

• If you are truly wanting an away from home experience, book a room in a local hotel for a few days during the week when rates are lower.  A luxury hotel or bed and breakfast would make it feel more like a vacation, if you can afford it. 
  
• Exploring your local area can not only be fun, but educational for the family!  Before your time off, call your local tourism office, and learn about the destinations you’re not aware of, as well as those you do.  Make a list and decide where you’d like to visit. 

• The weekend before your break, get everyone involved in getting the house cleaned up and the laundry done.  Purchase eco-friendly disposable kitchen items, so you don’t have dishes to do every night, or plan budget-friendly take out. 
  
• When you have young children, planning day trips is less difficult on them; spending the day at a nearby museum or state park, then coming home to sleep in their own beds can help keep them in their routine when your time off is over. 

Relaxing at Home? 

• Imagine yourself as a guest in your own home and treat yourself as such.  Vacations are meant to break routines, and you might have to make a conscious effort to stay in a getaway state of mind. 

• Spend an entire day at your local park, splash pad, or other fun spot that you normally take advantage of for an hour or so.  Pack a picnic lunch. 
  
• Plan some out-of-the-ordinary things to do at home.  “Camp out” in the living room, or even the backyard!  Throw yourselves an ice cream party, or some other celebration that is normally reserved for birthdays and holidays. 
  
• Some projects, such as cleaning out the garage, can take a couple of days.  If you must do something, plan as many days of fun or relaxing as you spend working. 

Most importantly, unplug yourself!  Turn off notifications for all your smartphone apps, resolve to check personal email every other day, and let family and friends know you’re taking time off, and, unless you’re planning on a get-together, only available for emergencies.  Vacation days are a precious commodity, and if you’re not taking a long-distance trip, make the most of it, and make memories in the 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.

New Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association data shows nearly 14,000 homes on the market heading into busy summer season.

State of the Market

• “As we head into the summer season, the Orlando housing market is gaining momentum with more homes available and steady sales activity,” said Lawrence Bellido, president of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association. “For buyers, the increase in inventory offers more choices and a chance to explore options that fit their needs. For sellers, it’s a signal to stay competitive—pricing and presentation matter more than ever in a market where consumers are weighing their options carefully.”
  
• The median home price for May was recorded at $390,000, up slightly from $389,900 in April.
  
• Overall sales increased by 3.7% from April to May. There were 2,459 sales in April and 2,551 sales in May.
  
• Inventory for May was recorded at 13,957, up 4.9% from April when inventory was recorded at 13,304. This is the highest inventory since January 2011.
  
• May’s interest rate was recorded at 6.8%, up from 6.6% in April. April’s interest rate was recorded at 6.6%. Interest rates have hovered in the 6.0-range since October 2024.
  
• 22 distressed homes (bank-owned properties and short sales) accounted for 0.9% of all home sales in May. This is a 8.3% decrease from April, when 24 distressed homes sold.
  
• New listings fell 6.6% from April to May, with 4,208 new homes on the market in May, compared to 4,503 in April.

ORRA’s full State of the Market Report for May 2025 can be found at https://www.orlandorealtors.org/statemarket

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.

You love your outdoor space, but is the afternoon sun stopping you from using if for more than weekend mornings with a cup of coffee?  Closing in the space may not be in the budget, but there are many ways you can shade the area without putting a hole in your wallet! 

• Sail Shades For less than $100, purchase a sail shade, a piece of polyethylene fabric, normally cut into rectangles or triangles and grommeted.  Most come with a good length of rope to anchor it to your roof or attach it to a pole.  It’s practically instant shade, and weather-resistant, so it can be left up all Summer.   
  
• Cabana A breezy cabana can be made from a simple wooden structure, or even piping!  Check out these ideas from Home Decoration Magazine. 
  
• Vining Shade Build a vertical trellis wall, making sure it’s facing the direction the sun is shining. Plant fast-growing perennial or evergreen vines and train the plants to grow up the trellis.  The trellis itself will shield your space from the sun, and the plants will help as they grow. 

• Slatted Shade Pergolas are beautiful open structures on their own or covered with trailing plants.  The price tag can be big, depending on how it’s done, but wooden pergola kits are available, as well as metal pergola kits for even less.  These instructions from The Created Home show you how to build a simple attached pergola for about $200. 
  
• Temporary Shade  Lifehacker has a tutorial for a simple canopy that’s easy to put up, and easy to take down.  
  
• Living Screen Visit a reputable nursery where you can get advice from a grower about good shade trees to plant as a screen around the perimeter of your patio.  Purchasing 6’-10’ trees may be a bit more expensive, but with the right planting and care, the trees will grow and thrive, providing lush, living shade. 
  
• Container Shade Bamboo is a hardy plant, and easy to grow in containers. Using several containers together will provide lush greenery for shade or a privacy screen.  Find the best bamboo for screening, as well as what containers are best here. 

If building or planting your outdoor canopy isn’t your thing, then an extra-large outdoor umbrella will do the trick.  Many models are available, and have extending possibilities, and can rotate to follow the sun’s path.  No matter what you decide to use, take advantage of your own shady spot to unwind after a busy week, move family meals outside, or just soak in the outdoors.   

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 a move out of state is necessary, selling the house your leaving behind may seem scary. A well-thought-out plan is an absolute must for the sale to go smoothly.  Read on for some tips to help you get your home-selling plan in place: 

• Look for a REALTOR® who has experience with long distance sales and is comfortable handling the process with a seller that isn’t local.  Be available for lots of electronic communication with them. 
  
• Find a tax attorney or accountant with a background in handling out-of-state home sales, because you may have double capital gains taxes to pay.  A professional will be able to walk you through the tax process and let you know if there are any credits you can claim at the end of the year. 
  
• Unless your current home is paid for, you will have to pay as if you live in two homes once you move.  Bridge loans are always a possibility, and you’ll need to be certain your home sells within a certain time period, as bridge loans are short-term.  Learn more about bridge loans, and decide if one is the right fit for your budget. 

• Pricing to sell as soon as possible is imperative, so make certain you and your agent are on the same page.  From realtor.com®: “Your for-sale listing will have the most impact as soon as it is published. That’s when you’re most likely to get fair market value for the home—before people start questioning why your house has sat on the market for so long.” 
  
• Consider a remote closing, especially if you are so far away that when it comes time to close on the property, you have to spend a lot in travel costs. 
  
• Consult your insurance agent before you move, as your homeowner’s insurance will need some changes on your policy, as the house will be vacant. 
  
• Leave the electricity on, and have timers on outdoor lighting, and in a few rooms inside.  Keep your security system in place, as well. 

Be wary of cash offers that aren’t through your real estate agent, as well as calls from those who call themselves investors.  Smart scammers see an empty house and know that the sellers are eager to move on.  In case the sale doesn’t happen within a certain time frame, talk to your agent about whether leasing or renting is a good idea for you.  Just keep in mind that your situation needs a REALTOR® with experience and confidence to handle the transaction. 

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.

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.