Monthly Archives February 2012

Make Your Kitchens and Baths Sparkle

ORLANDO, Fla. — Savvy Realtors® know that attractive kitchens and baths sell homes. Make them sparkle, and you can almost see a buyer’s eyes light up.

C.J. Wright, a Realtor® with ERA Dan Jones & Associates in Jacksonville, Florida, says its easy and inexpensive to freshen up your kitchen and baths. “De-cluttering and cleaning always comes first,” she says. “Start by taking those magnets off the refrigerator and clean your countertops. Then, you can see what other steps are needed. ”

Here are 16 tips to get your kitchens and bathrooms ready to show:

• Wash walls and tile thoroughly. A little cleaner goes a long way and may save you money on repainting.
• Instead of replacing cabinets, try refinishing them or just adding new hardware. This will give your kitchen a fresh new look without breaking the bank.
• Repair dents or holes in baseboards, walls, and doors with wood putty, which you can find at any hardware store.
• Use a knife or screwdriver to remove any caulk or dirt from the space between the baseboard and the floor tile, and from around sinks, showers and bathtubs. Then re-caulk with bright white mildew-resistant silicon caulk.
• Paint all baseboards to achieve a new bright feel.
• Stage your bathroom just like you would the rest of your house. Add new towels, candles, or decorative soap to make the bathroom more attractive. “I open shampoo and liquid soap containers and swish a little down the drain to make it smell as if someone just took a shower,” says Wright.
• Replace the old shower curtain or lining.
• Clean up the clutter on your countertops, refrigerator, tubs, and sinks.
• Stage your kitchen just like you would the rest of your house. Wright puts empty cereal boxes and a small coffee maker with a bag of coffee next to it on the countertops to give the kitchen a homey feel.
• Empty your refrigerator if possible. If you can’t empty it, scrub it and organize your food to make it look appealing.
• Scrub your stovetop. By using some inexpensive cleaner and a little effort you can renew the appearance of your stove and make it more attractive.
• Buy and install new switch plates. This is a miniscule expense for you, and an appreciated touch for buyers.
• Clean fan blades.
• Clean windows inside and out.
• Make certain all lights and switches work and have high-wattage bulbs; polish the fixtures.
• Polish all mirrors and appliances.

Putting a little effort into your kitchen and baths can really pay off, says Wright. And you can take that to the bank.

Buyers Turn to Professionals for Knowledgeable Advice

ORLANDO, Fla. – Throughout Florida, attractive sales prices, stable interest rates and a wide range of choices have created a great market for buyers, according to 2012 Florida Realtors® President Summer Greene, regional manager with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Florida 1st in Fort Lauderdale.

“Today’s buyers are turning to Realtors to for knowledgeable advice about their decisions,” says Greene. “How do I know if a home or condominium I like is really a good value? Am I better off purchasing a property in foreclosure that needs repairs, or should I buy a more expensive home in ‘mint’ condition? Can I qualify for a mortgage loan? These are just a few of the questions that buyers ask every day.”

In today’s dynamic market, buyers benefit from a Realtor’s training, experience and expertise, adds Greene. By drawing on their knowledge of the local real estate market, housing trends and home values, they help buyers avoid potentially costly mistakes and keep the process running smoothly. “A Realtor can guide buyers at every step of the transaction, saving them time, money and aggravation,” she says.

Unlike a real estate licensee who has simply met the state’s licensing requirements to do business in Florida, a Realtor takes the profession to the next level by voluntarily agreeing to act under, and abide by, a Code of Ethics and by becoming a member of the local, state and national Realtor boards/associations. Green notes that Realtors must agree to a set of professional principles, serve clients fairly, and maintain a high level of knowledge about the process of buying and selling real estate.”

A recent survey from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) indicates the need for advice from a skilled real estate professional. NAR’s 2010 “Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers” found that first-time buyers made up 50 percent of all home sale transactions– an increase from 47 percent in the 2009 study and the highest on record since the survey’s inception in 1981.

The report also found that 83 percent of buyers used a real estate professional, up from 77 percent over the past five years. Nine out of 10 homebuyers used the Internet to search for a home. Most buyers reported that the biggest benefit to using a Realtor was the help they received in understanding the process, and 87 percent of buyers would recommend or use their Realtor again in the future.

A Realtor in Florida can provide a homebuyer with a full complement of services:

• Identify suitable properties for your lifestyle and wallet.
• Provide information about neighborhoods, communities and condo developments.
• Determine the right price range – how much home you can afford to buy.
• Offer advice about the personal and financial data needed to apply for a home loan.
• Answer your questions about real estate values, taxes, utility costs, city or county services and facilities, and potential zoning changes.
• Discuss the pros and cons of buying a property in financial distress.
• Help you negotiate the purchase, including factors like price negotiation, financing, terms, date of possession, repairs, and furnishings or equipment.
• Assist you in finding qualified professionals to do property investigations and provide written reports.
• Provide guidance through the closing process to make sure the transaction completes smoothly.

As Greene says, “Buying a home is a huge commitment and a major financial investment.
With a Realtor involved, a buyer can relax, knowing the purchase is in safe, knowledgeable, capable and caring hands.”

Sunshine State Offers Appealing Year-Round Lifestyle, According to Florida Realtors®

ORLANDO, Fla. — There might be blizzards in Boston, sleet in Chicago or rain in Raleigh, but chances are the weather is warm and sunny in Florida. In fact, during the winter of 2010-11, there was snow on the ground in 49 of the 50 states – with the exception of Florida.

“Our wonderful climate is just the start of a great Florida lifestyle,” says Florida Realtors® 2012 President Summer Greene, regional manager with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Florida 1st in Fort Lauderdale. “From culture to sports, historical attractions to Space Age technology, the Sunshine State really has it all.”

What does Florida have to offer? Pick up an online travel brochure and some benefits are clear: Beautiful beaches. Miles of scenic parks and nature preserves. In fact, the state’s park system is one of the largest in the U.S., with more than 160 parks covering more than 700,000 acres and 100 miles of Florida’s beaches.

If you enjoy the water, Florida’s oceans, bays, rivers and lakes offer boating, fishing, swimming and other water recreations. Golf is a favorite pastime throughout the state. In addition, Florida has unique entertainment parks and other family-friendly attractions, as well as a full array of theater, music, dance, art and other cultural offerings.

In addition, Florida has a rich and varied history, which includes the city of St. Augustine, the oldest permanent European settlement in the mainland United States. Of course, there is also an appealing year-round climate, with an average annual high of 81 degrees Fahrenheit and an average annual low of 60 degrees, giving the Sunshine State its well-known nickname and reputation.

“There is so much to see, to experience and to enjoy in Florida, from the distinctive white sugar sand beaches of Destin in the north, to the family fun offered by Orlando’s theme parks and attractions, to the leisurely, laid-back lifestyle in the Keys,” says Greene. “We have visitors coming here from around the world to vacation in Florida. But they only get to sample what Florida offers for a brief time; when you’re lucky enough to be a Florida homeowner, there’s no end to the possibilities!”

Florida Realtors® know that the state’s unique quality of life is one of its best assets. And publications from around the country continually give Florida high marks in their surveys. Here are a few recent examples:

• Oviedo in Central Florida was named one of Family Circle’s top 10 best towns for families in America in 2011.
• Pembroke Pines, Tamarac and Sunrise in Broward County were recently recognized by Business Week as best places to raise children.
• Money magazine named Coral Springs, Miramar and Weston as among the 100 best small cities in America.
• CNN Money highlighted two Florida schools – Indian River State College and Palm Beach State College – on its 2011 list of America’s ten most affordable colleges.
• Siesta Beach was named the No. 1 beach in the U.S. in 2011 by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach) is based on 50 criteria including number of sunny days, sand softness, algae and pollution content, safety record, and more. Leatherman is a Ph.D. coastal scientist, professor of environmental studies and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University in Miami.
• Florida was recently named the Best Trails State in America, winning the biennial National Trails Award from the national nonprofit organization American Trails.

Finally, Florida has an attractive cost of living, including one the nation’s lowest overall tax rates. And, with recent data from Florida Realtors showing that $137,500 was the statewide median price for an existing home in August 2011, housing prices compare well to other similar states.

Positive Trends in Fla.’s Housing Market in Jan. 2012

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 22, 2012 – Florida’s housing market reported gains in median sales prices and a reduced inventory of homes for sale in January, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.

Realtor® David Hall: Advocating for Young Adults

Realtor David Hall (pictured far right) is passionate about helping kids find their way after aging out of the foster care system. Several years ago, Hall took his son Jack (left) to Tallahassee to advocate for children’s issues during the Florida Legislature’s Children’s Week and to meet with then-Gov. Charlie Crist (center).

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Realtor® David Hall receives a phone call from a teen asking him to meet at the Driver’s License Bureau and lend him money to get a photo I.D. A few minutes later, another teen calls to see if Hall can take him to lunch. Such is a normal day for David Hall, a broker-associate with Coldwell Banker Residential in Port St. Lucie.

Florida’s Existing Home, Condo Sales Up in 4Q 2011

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 9, 2012 – Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales continued their positive trend in fourth quarter 2011, posting gains compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest housing statistics from Florida Realtors®.

New Data System Launches with 2012 Existing Sales Reports, Says Florida Realtors®

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 2, 2012 – In February 2012, Florida Realtors® will launch a new statewide housing market reporting partnership with 10K Research and Marketing, which will use combined data from local Realtor boards/associations and their Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) throughout the Sunshine State.