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Celebration Florida Real Estate Market Report for August 2020

September 10th, 2020 by tisner

The Celebration Real Estate Market Trends Report for 34747 shows 148 homes sold in August 2020 compared to 152 in August 2019. The average sales price was $362,135 compared to $297,868 in August 2019 and homes were on the market an average of 75 days, compared to 70 days in August 2019.

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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Weekly Market Snapshot 9/3 – 9/9

September 9th, 2020 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.

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Stats courtesy of StellarMLS

Before You Buy, Budget Like a Homeowner

September 8th, 2020 by tisner

If you are a renter, you know that rent costs are on the rise, and it may be getting more difficult for you to stop thinking that a home purchase cannot be easier on your wallet. Starting on buying a home can come a year in advance of your first house hunt and creating a homeowner budget is the first step.   

  • Write a list of needs and wants for your future home, beginning with size, the number of rooms, type of neighborhood, size of the yard, garage, or no garage, etc. Be realistic, as there is only so much house you can afford. Set a price range, and stick to it. 
  • Create an income/expenses list, or use this handy budget calculator so you may see exactly where your money is going.  If there is little left of your paycheck at the end of the equation, it is time to begin eliminating unnecessary purchases so you can start saving. 
  • Start paying off any debt you currently have credit cards, car loans, or personal loans. Eliminating these balances will reduce your debt-to-income ratio, and will show lenders you’re serious about paying for a home. 
  • Once you start paying off debt, start depositing the amount of those payments into a savings account. Not only do you need to save towards the payment, but you’ll also have other costs for buying a home: appraisal, home inspections, and other fees may or may not be added to the closing costs. 
  • Some people that live on low incomes may feel like homeownership is a pipe dream, but that is not true. Many government-backed agencies will assist those with limited incomes buy a home: 
  • Federal Housing Administration offers loans with low down payments (3.5%). 
  • USDA  helps low-income families in rural areas with purchasing a home with no down payment. 
  • VA loans assist veterans with home-buying, as well as home repair. 

No matter your income, homeownership is within reach if your credit report and score is within an acceptable range and may differ according to the lender.  Learning how to budget your income, paying your bills on time, and saving money are all possible, and it may take discipline on your part. The result, however–a home of your own–is worth all the time and effort it took to prepare for it! 

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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Is It Safe to Hire In-Home Workers?

September 3rd, 2020 by tisner


As a part of maintaining good social distance, many people are limiting who they bring into their homes. But this can lead to a bit of anxiety when you need to bring in some extra help to do jobs around the house. Plumbers, electricians and other contractors can’t do their jobs without access to your home’s internal space, but is it safe to bring workers inside when they also have to visit other homes and businesses as a part of their job?

Contractors want to keep themselves and their crew safe on the job, so almost any contractor you hire can be expected to follow appropriate safety protocols while in your home. With that said, there are things that you can do to help ensure that everyone remains safe when you have to bring in workers for necessary tasks around the house.

Necessary Questions

Before hiring a contractor or anyone to work inside your house, take a few moments to ask about their safety policies. You can ask about things such as whether they or their crew wear masks or ventilators when on the job or while dealing with customers. You can expect most contractors to have a safety and masking protocol in place, though it’s possible that you may encounter one or two who don’t want to take these precautions on the job. Asking them a few simple questions can help you identify those contractors and workers who will respect your desire to stay safe, and who will be careful the entire time that they’re in your home.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Before contractors and in-home workers are scheduled to show up, take the time to clean up the area where they’ll be working and sanitize any surfaces that they’re likely to come into contact with. This makes it easier for them to do their jobs safely. It also demonstrates that you are willing to show others the same considerations that you wish to be shown as well. Some contractors will sanitize the areas they work in at the end of the day as a courtesy, but if they don’t, then you should carefully sanitize the area after any workers have left each day.

Masking and Distancing

Ideally, any workers who are in your house will wear a mask or other protection while they are inside. At the same time, you and your family should put a mask on whenever you’re in the same part of the house where work is going on. Additionally, while you should stay away from work areas whenever possible, it’s important to maintain proper social distance from workers when you do have to go into that part of the house. If you need to talk to the contractor or other workers, be sure to do it from at least a 6-foot distance or take the conversation outside if the work is happening in an area where proper distance is difficult to maintain.

Post-Work Cleanup

Once work is wrapped up and the work crew is gone, be sure to check the work area to see if there is any additional cleanup needed. Most if not all of the cleaning should have been done by the workers while wrapping up, but it’s possible that some materials will remain that need to be disposed of. Wear gloves and a mask when handling any packing material or other items that were left behind by the work crew. You should also sanitize the entire work area unless you know for sure that the workers sanitized everything just before they left. While it may seem like extra work, it helps to ensure that there aren’t any contaminated surfaces left behind.

Finding the Best Contractors

HomeKeepr is here to help you find the best contractors for the work you need who will respect your desire for safety in the home. Sign up for a free account today and start finding workers based on real recommendations from people you trust.

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, David Weinstein

Fire Pit Safety Tips

September 2nd, 2020 by tisner


Fire pits are becoming a backyard staple, and they provide a great place to cook outdoors or wind down at the end of a busy day.  While a fire pit is meant for pleasure, we must
 remember that we are “playing” with fire, and precautions have to be taken so it remains so. 

  • The location of your fire pit should be at least ten feet from any structure, neighboring property, or fence, with the best distance being twenty-five feet. 
  • A wide-open spot is best for placement, away from hanging tree branches, and never on a covered porch.  In choosing a fire pit for a covered location, propane should be your choice for fuel. The flames will be easier to control and extinguish, if necessary. 
  • Use non-flammable materials as a base for the fire pit:  rock, cement block, or fire-resistant composite material should be spread at least twenty-four inches out from where your fire pit stands. Never sit it directly on the grass or a wooden deck.  
  • While looking through the many options when purchasing a fire pit, you need to make certain that it is at least six inches deep, and a minimum of two feet in diameter.  A removable screen is another great asset for the fire pit, as it will help contain embers from floating up with the flames. 
  • Extinguishing a wood fire in your fire pit is simple enough: douse it completely with water and stirring the ashes with a shovel to be certain the fire is out completely.  Use only a metal container to dispose of ashes. 
  • If a full-on fire pit is not a possibility, a tabletop version may be your best choice. Fueled by denatured alcohol gel or bio-ethanol, these tiny fireplaces can be used anywhere, anytime. 

Always check with your municipality to get the proper permits and give your insurance agent a call to make sure you do not need extra coverage on your homeowner’s insurance.  Once you get all your safety precautions taken care of, you can enjoy your new retreat, knowing it is not only relaxing but safe as well. 

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!

Photo credit: BobVilla.com

Weekly Market Snapshot 8/27-9/2

September 2nd, 2020 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

Eco-Conscious Decorating

August 25th, 2020 by tisner


When we think of being ecologically minded
, what usually comes to mind is recycling, organic gardening, and alternative sources of energy. Far from our minds is our home’s decor! Decorating is a deeply personal part of living, and if you are thinking about becoming greener, here are a few ways you can reduce your carbon footprint while you create your interior environment: 

  • In some cases, going green for decor can be expensive, but it does not have to be! Thrift stores, consignment shops, and tag sales are all perfectly green alternatives to buying new! 
  • Paint and other wall/wood treatments can be full of harmful chemicals.  Look for labels that say “non-toxic,” and paints that are low- or zero-VOC.  Learn more about “green” paint from the spruce. 
  • When shopping for new items, look for wood that is harvested responsibly, made from repurposed pieces, or even repurposed wood. 
  • You will pay more for carpeting made of natural fibers or recycled materials and organic dyes, but a clear conscience for the green living you are trying to achieve will outweigh the cost. Create custom designs with Flor carpet tiles, or go with 100% biodegradable Earth Weave carpet. 
  • Other eco-friendly flooring options are reclaimed wood, bamboo, and cork flooring. 
  • Use natural fabrics for bedding and draperies, or even upholstery:  cotton, linen, hemp, or wool are all more sustainable than synthetic textiles. 
  • Look for locally made artisan furniture, art, or decorative pieces.  You will likely find these crafters use locally found, sustainable materials. 

Green living is a commitment to a lifestyle, but it does not mean your home’s interiors cannot be beautiful. Being fully committed to using less energy and water, as well as purchasing earth-friendly items for your home will make your home beautiful to you, and that is what matters most. 

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!

Photo credit: Inhabitat 

Fla.’s 2Q 2020 Housing Market Reflects COVID-19 Impact

August 19th, 2020 by tisner

2Q median prices up, sales down year-over-year. Chief Economist O’Connor expects sales to continue to improve, though a single-family inventory shortfall is an issue.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s housing market reflected the impact of coronavirus pandemic and economic turmoil in the second quarter of 2020, particularly during April and May: higher median prices and more pending inventory, but fewer closed sales and fewer new listings compared to 2Q 2019, according to the latest housing data from Florida Realtors®.

Closed sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 68,675 in 2Q 2020, down 19.2% from the 2Q 2019 level; closed sales of condo-townhouse properties totaled 22,571, down 33.9% compared to 2Q 2019. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Quarterly data figures normally offer a good look into prevailing economic and market trends, according to Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor. “This year, however, has been a notable exception, with the state of the housing market shifting rapidly from week to week,” he said.

O’Connor added, “For example, we were only down a little over 4% year-over-year in new pending sales of single-family homes during the second quarter, but this masks the fact that we were down 35% (new pending single-family home sales) in April, only to see a phenomenal bounce-back recovery of 2.3% in May and over 23% in June.

“All indications are that Florida will continue to see home sales surge through the end of the summer, with our biggest near-term issue being a severe lack of single-family inventory.”

The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in 2Q 2020 was $277,500, up 4.7% from the same time a year ago, according to data from Florida Realtors Research department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. The statewide median price for condo-townhouse properties during the quarter was $207,000, up 6.2% over the year-ago figure. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

“With mid-year inventory levels down over 27% compared to last year, the scarcity of homes on the market will continue to propel prices upward,” O’Connor said. “Price growth has remained so strong throughout the pandemic that at the mid-point of the year, Florida had already seen close to $50 billion worth of closed single-family home sales, less than 2% off from last year’s pace.”

In 2Q 2020, the median time to a contract (the midpoint of the number of days it took for a property to receive a sales contract during that time) was 37 days for single-family homes and 50 days for condo-townhouse properties.

Inventory was at a 2.8-months’ supply in the second quarter for single-family homes and at a 5.7-months’ supply for condo-townhouse properties, according to Florida Realtors.

According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.23% for 2Q 2020, down from the 4.0% average recorded during the same quarter a year earlier.

To see the full statewide housing activity reports, go to Florida Realtors’ Tools and Research section. Realtors also have access to local market stats (password protected) on Florida Realtors’ legacy website.

© 2020 Florida Realtors®

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!

What Can Hurt Your Home Sale

August 18th, 2020 by tisner


House hunters have many expectations when they are
 looking for a new home. Most sellers usually have made themselves at home, and love many aspects about it, but not all buyers would agree. Do not hurt your home’s sale with these: 

  • Nothing shouts “Don’t buy me!” more than an unkempt yard!  If nothing else, keep the grass cut and weeds and shrubbery trimmed. Put a bit more effort into it, and put down fresh mulch in the flowerbeds, and add a pot of flowers to the top step. 
  • No one wants to walk into a house with plastic storage containers stacked up in each room “hiding” the seller’s clutter. When you declutter, get rid of things, or put them in storage if you cannot part with them. Your rooms will appear larger without a lot of stuff in them. 
  • Touring a house that has a grimy stove or mildewed bathtub caulking is a huge turn-off:  no one wants to move into a dirty home. If you cannot find the time to clean the house spotless, hire a professional to do it. 
  • Natural light is important to most home buyers, so window treatments that block light need to come down, cleaned, and stored for moving. Add sheers, blinds you can open, or pull the shades up completely when you know the house is being shown. 
  • Items such as rodent traps or insect baits, should not even be an option for you. If you know you have mice or insects in your home, have them exterminated before you put a sign in your yard.  
  • Wall-to-wall carpeting is not as appealing to buyers today as it was in the past. If you can afford it, remove carpeting that is hiding hardwoods and spruce them up. No hardwood? Have the carpets professionally cleaned, and if you really need to sell, offer a new carpet credit to buyers. 
  • When you know about a problem and don’t bother to make repairs–think dripping faucets or cracked windows–buyers will not be impressed with your house, and if they’re remotely interested, offers won’t be close to your asking price. 
  • Any unpleasant odors will put off most people, and homebuyers will wrinkle their noses as soon as they walk in. Cleaning is important to remove dirt, but you need to clean for odors, too. Follow these tips from realtor.com® for removing any funky smells from your home. 

The impression your house makes on potential buyers largely depends on you. Salespeople of all kinds must make a pitch to draw the buyer in, then grab and keep their attention. The effort you put forth will show in the feedback and offers you will receive. In the case of selling your home, sweat the small stuff! 

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!

Photo credit: A1 ChimneyPro

Windermere Florida Real Estate Market Report for July 2020

August 12th, 2020 by tisner

The Windermere Real Estate Market Trends Report shows the average sales price was $599,897 in July 2020 compared to $591,670 in July 2019. Homes were on the market for an average of 49 days, compared to 60 last year. Homes sold for 97% 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.

Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!

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Keller Williams At-The-Lakes
700 Celebration Blvd
Suite 300
Celebration, Fl 34747

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