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Weekly Market Snapshot 11/6 – 11/11

November 12th, 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

What Is a Building Permit?

November 11th, 2020 by tisner


Chances are, you’ve at least heard of building permits even if you haven’t applied for one yourself. Going by their name alone, you can probably guess the general gist of what these permits are used for. You might be surprised to find out that a lot of homeowners don’t really know that much about building permits, especially when it comes to details such as when you need to apply for one. It can actually get kind of confusing at times, so here’s a rundown of the basics of building permits so you won’t be left scratching your head the next time you’re considering a new project around the house.

What Are Building Permits?

As the name implies, a building permit is a written permission granted by a municipality or other governing body that allows you to build something within the body’s jurisdiction. That’s a fancy way of saying that the city or other area you live in gave you permission to build within the city or county limits. This helps to ensure that the work you’re doing is safe and falls within the guidelines established by local building and construction codes. Since these codes can be different depending on the location where you live, building permits help to ensure that everything complies with all local regulations.

Applying for a Permit

In most areas, applying for a building permit is a pretty straightforward process. You fill out an application, prepare a site plan that details what you’ll be building, and schedule an appointment to have the plan approved. Once your permit is approved, you may need to schedule inspections of the works site as well to ensure that things are following the plan that was laid out in your application. Bear in mind that the specific process and any fees or other costs associated with the application process will vary depending on local zoning rules and other legal specifics of the area where you live.

Building Permit Changes

Once you have a building permit, you’re free to go ahead with your building project. What happens if your plans change during the building process, though? The answer depends on the nature of your change. Depending on the jurisdiction you’re in, you may be free to continue your project if the changes are relatively minor or still in the spirit of the original permit. If there are major deviations from what you specified in your original application, however, you’ll almost certainly need to either have your permit amended or apply for a new permit to cover the project as it now stands. Bear in mind that this depends heavily on the jurisdiction that issues the permit, so be sure to check and see how that affects your permit before making major changes to your project.

Do You Need a Permit?

One bit of good news is that not all construction projects require you to apply for a building permit. While this depends largely on the specifics of local building codes, you typically won’t need a building permit for small projects or projects that don’t make structural changes to your home. And you may not need one for some significant modifications, such as replacing plumbing or electrical wiring. As an example, you’re likely not going to need a building permit to paint your house or install a small fence around your backyard, though you may still need to clear those changes with your homeowner’s association if you’re in one. However, should you decide to add walls, convert your garage to a living room, or build a new exterior building, you could very well need a permit depending on where you live.

Finding a Contractor to Help

If you’re frustrated by the process of getting a building permit, there’s some good news: If you bring on a contractor to get the job done, they’ll likely take care of all necessary permits as well. HomeKeepr can connect you with the perfect contractor to both do the work and handle the paperwork, based on real recommendations from people you trust. Sign up for a free account today to get started.

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, David Weinstein 

Happy Veteran’s Day!

November 11th, 2020 by tisner

It happened on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. An armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.

To all veterans of all branches: Thank you for your sacrifice, your bravery, and the example you set for us all. In short, thank you for your service! To all those who have served, and those who continue to serve… Happy Veterans Day!

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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The Storage Unit Hunt!

November 10th, 2020 by tisner


When you have personal belongings that need to be stored away from home, choosing how or where to store it can be a daunting task.  If your house is on the market, you cannot have a rented storage container in the driveway, and in the case of a remodel or 
simply downsizing, it might be less convenient to have a unit across town.  Use these tips to help you decided where and how to store your possessions. 

  • Think of your visits to a storage facility like an interview! Ask to see the available unit, check for holes or other damage, and look (and smell!) for signs of mildew. 
  • Go over each site’s payment plan closely, as some facilities have strict payment rules and can auction your unit if your payment is just one day late. 
  • Some items need to be in a climate-controlled area but be prepared to pay a higher rental fee.  Items that will most benefit from this type of storage facility include electronics, furniture, and collectibles. Find a more comprehensive list from moving.com.  
  • Hold off on signing a contract until speaking with your homeowner’s insurance agent. It could be that your belongings will be covered under certain circumstances.  Some storage companies will offer insurance for an added fee, so make certain of their policy before you sign. 
  • Even if the items are insured, a storage unit company that offers secure fencing, good lighting, security cameras, and a fire alarm and sprinkler system is still your better choice. 
  • Remodeling or painting? A portable rental unit may be your best bet, as many companies will deliver a container that can be kept in your driveway. If you are moving, the unit can be packed, stored off-site, then shipped to your new home. 

One last tip is to go online and look at reviews for area storage units and ask friends and family for recommendations.  You will likely find going with a reputable company could cost more, but your peace of mind is worth a few extra dollars per month.   

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: Inside Self-Storage

Risks Homeowners Take When Selling

November 6th, 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!

National Doughnut Day – November 5th

November 5th, 2020 by tisner


National Doughnut Day on November 5th is one of two observed by doughnut lovers across the nation. The first Friday in June is the other day doughnuts steal the bakery case spotlight ready to tease their way into white bakery box home!

For more information on the National Doughnut Day celebrated in June.

History disputes the origin of the doughnut. One theory suggests Dutch settlers brought doughnuts to North America much like they brought other traditional American desserts. They receive credit for such desserts as the apple pie, cream pie, and cobbler.

Doughnuts come in many shapes. Was the original doughnut round? If so, American, Hanson Gregory laid claim to inventing the ring-shaped doughnut in 1847. He was on-board a lime-trading ship. Only 16 at the time, Gregory claims he punched a hole in the center of dough with the ship’s tin pepper box. Later, he taught the technique to his mother.

Traveling further back in time, we look at an English cookbook. According to anthropologist Paul R. Mullins, an 1803 volume included doughnuts in the appendix of American recipes. However, the earliest recorded usage of the term doughnut is found in a short story in a Boston Times article about “fire-cakes and dough-nuts” published in 1808.

A more commonly cited first written recording of the word is Washington Irving’s reference to doughnuts in 1809 in his History of New York. He described balls of sweetened dough, fried in hog’s fat. The author called them doughnuts. Today, these nuts of fried dough are called doughnut holes.

Another author, William Cullen Bryant describes doughnuts fried in lard in his book Picturesque America; Or, the Land We Live In which was published in 1872.

Donut versus Doughnut
  • Print ads for cake and glazed donuts and doughnuts existed from at least 1896 in the United States.
  • George W. Peck published Peck’s Bad Boy and his Pa in 1900It contained the first known printed use of donut. In it, a character is quoted as saying, “Pa said he guessed he hadn’t got much appetite and he would just drink a cup of coffee and eat a donut.”
  • In 1919, the Square Donut Company of America was founded. Square donuts offer an easier to package product.

The more traditional spelling is doughnut. However, both doughnut and donut are pervasive in American English.

Doughnuts come in a large variety of recipes, flavors, and toppings. However, just like many pastries, we are only limited by imagination and ingredients at hand. From syrups and jellies to sprinkles and custards, top them, fill them, bake them or fry them. Doughnuts have a mouth-watering way of glazing and dusting their way into our shopping carts. They also slip into the break room at work to share.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalDoughnutDay

Stop at your favorite doughnut shop and indulge in a fresh doughnut or try making your own with one of the following recipes:

Best Baked Doughnuts Ever
Easy Drop Doughnuts
Easy Doughnuts
Chocolate Doughnuts

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: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/

Weekly Market Snapshot 10/29 – 11/4

November 5th, 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

Hot Flooring Trends for Homeowners

November 4th, 2020 by tisner


Very few things in a home can make such a difference to both form and function as new floors. Flooring reflects not only your style and personality, but also your lifestyle. The right floor can make it easier to keep your home cleaner, hide imperfections, and set the mood for a cozy living space. And although flooring has generally been an “anything goes” environment for a while in home design, there are certain trends that have been a lot more popular than others. Here’s a brief round-up that should make your flooring search a little easier.

Hard Flooring Options

Hard flooring is any kind of flooring with a solid, and generally non-porous, surface. It’s a pretty big group of materials, really. Hard flooring offers many benefits. The materials are more resilient to regular use, so wear life is longer. And cleaning is easier because there’s no fibers to capture things like pet hair, loose skin cells, dirt, and microbes. Some of this year’s most popular hard flooring options include:

  • Vinyl Plank. Vinyl plank is designed much like laminate flooring, with a tongue and groove locking system that creates a watertight seal when properly installed. The difference between vinyl plank and laminate flooring, however, is that vinyl plank is made from solid vinyl, rather than being several layers of different materials sandwiched together. It’s a great choice for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms, and for households with pets and children. As a bonus, vinyl plank is available in a huge range of patterns, from synthetic marble to the super hot high variation wood-like floor patterns. There’s a vinyl plank product for basically any situation.
  • Wood-Look Porcelain Tile. If you want something that will last longer than vinyl plank, but still look like wood, wood-look porcelain tiles are a great option. They look like wood planks, but are made from extremely durable porcelain. It’s an option that’s very permanent and will last for many, many years to come. They can also be purchased in the high variation wood patterns, though the effect is less obvious than with vinyl plank since there is grout between the tiles.
  • Terrazzo. This might be the coolest flooring you’ve never heard of. Although it’s popular, many people don’t know the term for it. Terrazzo is that tile flooring that’s made from concrete with lots of inclusions like glass, shells, or other interesting bits mixed in. It looks great in mid-century modern homes, or those decorated in the style. And since concrete is extremely durable, it will last and last.
  • Reclaimed Wood. There are lots of places you can go to buy reclaimed wood, sometimes referred to as “architectural salvage.” When a building is being torn down, firms can sometimes acquire the materials, especially if the building is historic. You can also talk to individuals you know who are looking to commit crimes like removing all the original hardwoods from a home they’re remodeling, and pick up the flooring for cheap. It can be labor intensive to install reclaimed wood floors, but you’ll end up with a totally unique look and keep building materials out of the landfill, so it’s kind of a double win.

What About Carpet?

Homeowners have run hot and cold about carpet across the generations. Sometimes they’re in, sometimes they’re out, and usually there are some people who are still really into them even when their popularity is waning. Right now the trend in carpets is to opt for carpeting in limited spots, like using carpet runners for stairs. Carpet tiles are seeing some popularity, especially since they come in a ton of fun colors and tend to have a very low nap, making them easy to keep clean. If you want more carpet, look for large area rugs or keep your carpet in low-use rooms like bedrooms. “Maximalism” is making a big comeback, encouraging big patterns and colors with big personalities. Clashing is the new matching, it would seem.

How About a Flooring Installer?

Once you know what kind of flooring you’d prefer, you’ll need to find someone to install it. Some flooring shops have an in-house flooring installer, but you can’t always rely on these experts to be as expert as you’d like. That’s where HomeKeepr comes in where you’ll have a list of flooring experts who can help you. Not every flooring installer installs every kind of flooring, so be sure to ask them about their areas of expertise before you make your final decision.

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!

DIY Pet Project Ideas!

November 3rd, 2020 by tisner


Have you run out of DIY or handmade crafts yet? Probably not, but if some jobs you have in mind are a little more than you can tackle now, consider making something for the furry family members! From yummy snacks to backyard fun, there are plenty of ways to keep your pets busy and content!
 

An easy way to start giving your pet some extra-sweet treatment is to make homemade snacks! Most use simple ingredients are easy to make, so the kids can get involved!  Taste of Home offers several doggy treat recipes, and here are some recipes your kitty will love! 

Ideas for Dog Lovers 

  • Once those treats are done, give your dog something to think about and create a treat game for them to play.  This bottle-spinning puzzle requires few materials and basic building skills. 
  • Using a purchased dog bed or making one yourself, you can create a special spot for the dogs to get their rest. Find the perfect dog bed project here from HGTV. 
  • Traveling with Fido can create a real hairy mess on car interiors, but a hammock may be the answer! Sewing basics will come in handy for this fairly simple DIY hammock project. 
  • Upgrade that cagey dog crate by creating this cover with a removable top. The cave-like atmosphere it creates is comforting for the dog and gives you space to use as a table! 
  • An active dog is a happy dog when they have plenty to do outside! If you have the space, why not create a tire tunneltug toy, or PVC agility course? 

Ideas Cats Will Love 

  • Any cat owner knows that cats love to have a place to hide, sleep, observe. Make a fun hideaway with a t-shirt and a few other materials! 
  • Keeping an indoor cat entertained can be a challenge, and toys can be expensive. Create a simple feather toy or cat-treat puzzle to keep them busy. 
  • Bring the outside indoors: grow an indoor garden just for Kitty.  She will think she is the queen of the jungle! 
  • Will these inexpensive shelf steps keep your cat off the counters?  
  • While it is virtually impossible to make your cat stay in the yard, making a “catio” gives them a place to be outside while keeping them safe, as well as local wildlife. Install a cat door or open a window and have a structure like one of these waiting on the other side, or build this catio as part of your home’s design.

Making or building something specifically for your pets will be worth the time and effort you put in because content pets are less likely to damage your home with chewing or bad bathroom habits.  You will also have peace of mind, as you know your furry friends are safe, whether they are resting or playing. 

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: Pinterest

31 SPOOKY HALLOWEEN TRIVIA NO ONE EVER TOLD YOU

October 31st, 2020 by tisner

– Shoppers will spend $86.27 on average celebrating Halloween
– 72% of parents admit to stealing candy from their kids
– 68% of people will celebrate Halloween
– 172 million people plan to celebrate Halloween
– U.S. confectionary and nut stores that sell candy, employ over 23,000 people
– Skittles are the top Halloween candy- followed by Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, MM’s, Snickers, and Starburst
– The most popular children’s costume is princess, with 7.9% of children going as a princes for Halloween
– Following princess in popularity is Superhero, with 6% of children choosing to go as their favorite superhero
– 8.9% of adults who dress up go as a witch
– 17% of people dress up their dog for Halloween
– What do those dogs dress as? Pumpkin (9.3%), Hot dog (7.2%), and Superhero (7.2%)
– 1927 is the year when the phrase “Trick or Treat” first appeared in the US
– The word “pumpkin” showed up for the first time in the fairy tale Cinderella
– 2x more children die as pedestrians on Halloween than the average day
– Halloween in 2020 will have the first full moon since 2001- watch out for werewolves!
– The most Jack O’Lanterns ever lit at once were 30,581
– Top planned Halloween purchases: Candy 95%, Decorations 72%, Costumes 67%, Greeting cards 35%
– The world’s largest Halloween parade is New York Village’s Halloween Parade which draws 2 million spectators and more than 60,000 people in costumes
– 2 Billion lbs of pumpkins are grown in the US every year
– Trick-or-treating has existed since medieval times.
– Back then, it was known as “guising” in Ireland. Young people dressed up in costumes and asked for food or money in exchange for songs, poems, or other “tricks.” Today, the tradition has morphed into children to getting dressed up and asking for candy.
– The potato famine, and the mass immigration of the Irish into the US helped spread Halloween in the US.
– Sugar rationing during World War II halted trick-or-treating.
– Consumers spent approximately $9 billion (!) on Halloween last year.
– Some shelters adopt out 0 black cats for the month of October.
– The first Jack O’Lanterns were actually made from turnips.
– More than twice as much candy is sold for Halloween as Valentine’s Day.
– The haunted attraction industry makes between 500 and $800 million a year in ticket sales.
– Owners of haunted attractions spend more than $100 million annually in props, such as fog machines, lighting equipment, costumes and more.
– Jack O’Lanterns used to be carved out of turnips, potatoes, and beets.

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: TastyTrivia

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