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The old adage, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”, rings especially true when it comes to selling your home. Enhancing your home’s curb appeal is one of the best ways to generate more potential buyers. Many exterior and landscaping projects are quicker and easier than interior updates and provide a high return on investment. If you are getting ready to list your home, here are some quick tips on how to turn the heads of potential buyers.

Fresh Paint!

Sometimes all it takes to make your home look brand new is a fresh coat of paint. If you want to get an idea of how much it will cost, keep in mind that one gallon of paint will cover roughly 400 square feet of surface. Make sure to use neutral colors and check if your HOA has an approval process before you begin. A bold color may scare potential buyers away before they even enter the home. On a smaller budget, use paint to update different aspects of your home’s exterior such as the front door, trim or shutters to accent your home’s color scheme.

Brighten Things Up!

If you haven’t done it in a while, you’ll be amazed at the difference a pressure washing will make on your house, driveway, and sidewalk. Try adding some potted and hanging plants to the front entry and other areas of outdoor living space, but remember to keep it neat and clean. If you don’t own a power washer you can ask neighbors for recommendations or check out a helpful site like nextdoor.com. 

Lighten Things Up!

Outdoor lighting can highlight all of your home’s best features! Uplights will enhance your home’s architectural details and accentuate special landscaping features. Walkway lights can be a relatively inexpensive way to make your home look warm and inviting in the evening. Updating coach lights and patio lights are relatively inexpesive and can really modernize the look of your home. The right lighting can dramatically increase your home’s curb appeal, and also provide added security.

Go Green!

Your lawn will speak volumes to potential buyers. If they see you’ve taken meticulous care of the yard, they know you’re taking care of the house as well. Lay down fertilizer, prune trees and bushes, and add some fresh mulch to catch buyers’ attention. Remove areas that are overgrown and keep it simple. 

All the Small Things!

Sometimes the small details are the difference between a potential buyer liking your home and falling in love with it. Add a bench to your entryway or front porch. Add pavers to your walkway or driveway.  Inexpensive additions such as a brand new welcome mat , new address signs or door knocker are nice final touches.

If you’d like more information on how to increase your home’s curb appeal, or any other topic regarding the sale of your home, we would love the opportunity to speak with you. 

Filed under: Blog by Erin Hudson

Being a first time home buyer is exciting! But at times, it can also be overwhelming and it is hard to know where to start. It is important to do your research to avoid making an impulsive purchase that can hurt your financial goals. We’ve put together a few tips to get the ball rolling on your first home purchase!

1- Get a copy of your credit report.

When applying for a mortgage loan, your credit will be one of the key factors in whether you’re approved, and it will help determine your interest rate and possibly the loan terms.

2- Improve your credit score.

According to nerdwallet.com, if the initial credit report produces any errors that could drag you down. You can work to resolve these issues before you move forward.Look for opportunities to improve your credit, such as making a dent in any outstanding debts. To keep your score from dipping after you apply for a mortgage, avoid opening any new credit accounts, like a credit card or auto loan, until your home loan closes.

3- Get pre-approved with a mortgage broker or lender before house hunting.

You can get pre-qualified for a mortgage, which simply gives you an estimate of how much a lender may be willing to loan based on your income and debts. As you get closer to buying a home, it’s smart to get a pre-approval, where the lender thoroughly examines your finances and confirms in writing how much it’s willing to give you, and under what terms.

4- Pick the right type of house and neighborhood.

There are so many options and it is important to think about your personal needs. Make sure you find out whether there are amenities and homeowners fees with the property. Also look at nearby schools, safety and crime statistics, the local community and nearby stores, hospitals and any other stores you will frequent. 

5- Know your down payment options.

It’s common to put 20% down, but many lenders now allow you to do much less. First-time home buyer programs allow as little as 3% down. However, putting down less than 20% may mean higher costs and paying for private mortgage insurance, and even a small down payment can still be hefty. For example, a 5% down payment on a $200,000 home is $10,000. There are many down payment calculators available online to help you land on a goal amount. DOWN PAYMENT CALCULATOR

6- Hire an experienced real estate agent.

This is where we come in! The right buyer’s agent should be highly skilled, motivated and knowledgeable about the area. You can check out our experience on our website and contact us here.

7- Budget for all home ownership costs.

Look at properties that cost less than the amount you were approved for. Although you can technically afford your preapproval amount, it’s the ceiling — and it doesn’t account for other monthly expenses or problems. Think about a broken dishwasher that could pop up, especially right after you make such a big purchase! Shopping with a firm budget in mind will also help when it comes time to make an offer.

8- Know your debt-to-income ratio.

Before you start looking for your dream home, you need to know what’s actually within your price range. According to consumerfinance.gov, studies of mortgage loans suggest that borrowers with a higher debt-to-income ratio are more likely to run into trouble making monthly payments. The 43% debt-to-income ratio is important because, in most cases, that is the highest ratio a borrower can have and still get a qualified mortgage. 

9- Check first-time home buyer programs and grants.

In addition to federal programs, many states offer assistance programs for first-time home buyers with perks such as down payment assistance, closing cost assistance, tax credits and discounted interest rates. Your county or municipality may also have first-time home buyer programs.

10- Know the types of loans available.

There are a lot of mortgage options out there, each with their own combination of pros and cons. A few loan options include conventional mortgages, federal housing administration loans and Veterans Affairs loan. A well versed mortgage broker or lender can help you to understand the differences and qualifications.

Let us know if we can help! CONTACT US

Filed under: Blog by Erin Hudson

FEATURED LISTINGS:

6256 MASTERS BLVD, #C302, ORLANDO, FL 32819

Priced way below appraisal! This 3 bed 2 bath lake view Penthouse condo is located at the prestige Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Country Club, with close proximity to major highways, golf courses, Universal Studios, Volcano Bay, Disney, shopping, and fine dining on Restaurant Row. This unit is located on the top floor, with a private elevator for easy access and a gorgeous view of the lake. The interior has been updated with new carpet and fresh paint. One of the best features in the home is its wood deck with a wood burning fire place and small view of the lake.

8940 SAVANNAH PARK, #40, ORLANDO, FL 32819

 8935 BAY COVE CT, ORLANDO, FL 32819

Filed under: Blog by Erin Hudson

(photo via @studioMcGee)

The kitchen is often the centerpiece and most frequently used room in your home. In fact, it’s so important, many buyers may not even consider buying your home if they don’t like the kitchen. Remodeling or upgrading your kitchen can be expensive. However, a successful kitchen facelift can be done with just cost-effective updates!

Ideas to Spice Up Your Kitchen Without Breaking the Bank

FRESHEN UP: A fresh paint job in the kitchen is a great first step. If you have a bold color, consider painting a neutral tone. Cabinets can also be repainted or stained for a fresh, new look.

• KEEP IT CONSISTENT: Do you have mismatched appliances? Instead of completely replacing them, order new front panels from the manufacturer so all of them match.
• UPGRADE YOUR HARDWARE: Adding new or modern hardware to the kitchen can change the whole look inexpensively. Take a look at pinterest or home decorators magazines for inspiration.
• LET IT SHINE: Bring light into the space by replacing heavy window coverings with lighter ones. Swap dim light bulbs with new fixtures that work well with your kitchen. Adding a modern pendant can help your kitchen to stand out.
• DE-CLUTTER: The counters should be clear of clutter to emphasize a large and clean prepping area. Try embellishing the space with a bowl of fruit, candles, nice soap, new dish towels or bottles of gourmet cooking oils.

Let Us Help!

We have worked with many clients, banks and asset managers to remodel their homes to get the best price for the neighborhood and know many contractors in the area. Our real estate experience and specific knowledge of your community can help match your budget to home upgrades which may provide a good return on investment. We can provide valuable insight on keeping upgrades in line with the rest of your home and other homes in your neighborhood. If homes in your neighborhood with neat and simple kitchens are selling, it’s probably unwise to consider expensive upgrades and may not provide a return. In contrast, if most homes in your community feature state of the art kitchens, planning an upgrade would be a good idea before listing. Call us today for a consultation.

Filed under: Blog by Erin Hudson

In honor of Black Friday & Cyber Monday, we picked a few of the homes FOR SALE in Southwest Orlando that have the best value! Click on the address to view more details about each home.

Beds: 4

Baths: 3

Sq. Ft: 3,368

Features: Pool, bonus room above garage, large kitchen, corner lot

Why we like this home: This home is the best value in Keene’s Pointe! You can’t beat the price for a home that is more than 3,000 sq feet with a pool in this neighborhood. It is a short sale and all offers must be approved by the bank.

BAY HILL

Beds: 5

Baths: 4/1

Sq. Ft: 3,972

Features: fully renovated, cut-de-sac, in-law suite

Why we like this home: This home is move-in-ready with beautiful upgrades throughout, good quality doors and windows, a new septic tank, new AC, no rear neighbors and a lot of privacy. Located in the beautiful golf course community of Bay Hill.

BAY RIDGE

Beds: 4

Baths: 3

Sq. Ft: 2,739

Features: pool, ranch, open floorpan, spacious kitchen

Why we like this home: Great Dr. Phillips community with excellent schools and close to Restaurant Row. Home has nice upgrades and a beautiful outdoor space.

HIDDEN BEACH

Beds: 4

Baths: 3/1

Sq. Ft: 2,893

Features: pool, open floor plan, upgraded kitchen, lake front, fireplace

Why we like this home: Amazing price for lake-front in Dr. Phillips. The home has been nicely updated with a new kitchen in 2018. The home is open concept and has a pool.

SUMMERPORT

5456 GEMGOLD CT, WINDERMERE, FL 34786

Beds: 4

Baths: 2/1

Sq. Ft: 2,648

Features: upgraded flooring, large lot, on water feature

Why we like this home: Great price for Summerport. This home is beautifully updated inside and out and sits on a large lot with a nice water feature in the back.

ORANGE TREE

6657 EDGEWORTH DR, ORLANDO, FL 32819

Beds: 3

Baths: 2

Sq. Ft: 1,637

Features: open floor plan, pool

Why we like this home:Great price for golf-front home with lots of fix up potential. Open floorpan and great golf view.

TOREY PINES

5141 PINE TOP PL, ORLANDO, FL 32819

Beds: 4

Baths: 3/1

Sq. Ft: 2,933

Features: renovated throughout, fireplace, outdoor living space, pool

Why we like this home: Renovations are done very nicely and the kitchen is extremely spacious with large kitchen island and wine fridge. There is a inviting outdoor space and a 3-car garage. Zoned for great Dr. Phillips schools.

SILVER WOODS

 9014 TERRACE OAK CT, WINDERMERE, FL 34786

Beds: 4

Baths: 2

Sq. Ft: 2,050

Features: remodeled home, pool, fireplace

Why we like this home: This home sits on a cut-de-sac and is nicely renovated inside. Home is fully fenced and features a pool. Silverwoods is walking distance to restaurants and shops at The Grove.

DIAMOND COVE

10513 GLEAM CT, ORLANDO, FL 32836

Beds: 4

Baths: 2/1

Sq. Ft: 2,303

Features: remodeled home, pool, fire place

Why we like this home: The Diamond Cove neighborhood is in a great location- close to Sand Lake and Disney attractions. This home has an open floor plan and has been nicely updated throughout.

Filed under: Blog by Erin Hudson

Surrounded by the beauty of the Butler Chain of Lakes, Keene’s Pointe is one of the most sought-after communities in Orlando. Tucked in Windermere, FL, this gated community is close to the charming downtown areas of Windermere and Winter Garden, close to the expanding Horizon West community with new shops and restaurants appearing all the time. It’s just a short drive to downtown and Central Orlando. Big perk – you are in Disney’s backyard. If you are lucky, you’ll see some of the nightly fireworks show peeking through the trees.

This neighborhood is both meticulously maintained and quiet with a sense of safety. You’ll see families enjoying the outdoors and there’s always someone driving around of a golf cart.

Buying a home here means perks, perks, perks. There are several parks and picture perfect green spaces, boat launches and docks. The HOA office has a pretty screened-in space you can rent. Everywhere you look there are extra-wide sidewalks that span more than 22 miles. There are more than 1,000 homesites surrounding the Golden Bear Club and Jack Nicklaus Signature designed golf course. One of the biggest perks is how family-friendly this community is. There are amazing neighborhood events like Food Truck Nights, Fall Festivals, Halloween golf cart festivities, Easter egg hunts, Santa visits, Turkey Trots and more.

Live on the Butler Chain of Lakes, on the golf course, on a private lot or even a low maintenance lot, there is really something for everyone! Behind the gates there are 14 neighborhoods with different styles of architecture. There are a few homesites left, so you can either buy an existing home or build your dream house with an award winning builder.

Featured Listings in Keene’s Pointe

 8363 BOWDEN WAY, WINDERMERE, FL 34786

List Price: $499,000

Beds: 4

Baths: 3

Fabulous POOL home in the GUARD GATED neighborhood of Keene’s Pointe! warm interior and an amazing home theater that you rarely see in this size or price of home. This beautiful home offers 4 BEDROOMS + BONUS RM, and 3 Baths, A heated pool with SPA. The entire pool area is PRIVATELY LANDSCAPED allowing you to enjoy the tranquil outdoor setting. Spacious master suite with dual vanities and large shared closet overlooks vast screened pool area. You will love the GOURMET KITCHEN featuring GRANITE COUNTERS,GAS COOK TOP, STAINLESS APPLIANCES and a TILE BACK SPLASH. 2 car garage. KEENE’S POINTE is a guard gated community, that blends world-class golfing, the pristine Butler Chain of Lakes, and the Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve all in one beautiful neighborhood. This is a Garnet floor plan by David Weekly Homes. (via Charles Rutenberg Realty)

 11331 N CAMDEN COMMONS DR, WINDERMERE, FL 34786

List Price: $660,000

Beds: 4

Baths: 2/1

 8022 TIBET BUTLER DR, WINDERMERE, FL 34786

List Price: $889,000

Beds: 4

Baths: 4

“A GOLFER’S DREAM”… This outstanding renovated Golf Front Home offers 4B/4B+Office+Bonus Room spread out in almost 4,000 SqFt mostly on the main floor. This David Weekly Home has an open floor plant and offers you a great space for entertaining all of your family and friends. The Gourmet kitchen with 42” Cabinets, Granite Counters, Gourmet Ranger and Stainless Steel appliances opens to the spacious Family Room with wood burning fireplace. The spacious Master Bedroom has a great sitting/private office area with French doors that leads you to the Pool area. The enormous Bonus Room (29X 24) has a full bath and it is great for Movies night. The fenced backyard offers peaceful surroundings with outstanding views of Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and gorgeous open Pool/ Spa. (via Realty Executives)

 6217 S HAMPSHIRE CT, WINDERMERE, FL 34786

List Price: $1,199,000

Beds: 5

Baths: 4/1

 11643 VINCI DR, WINDERMERE, FL 34786

List Price: $1,999,000

Beds: 5

Baths: 5/2

Absolutely stunning WATER VIEW HOME located in Windermere’s renowned Keene’s Pointe! This custom MODERN estate features 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms, an office and a large game room with Italian porcelain tile throughout the first floor common areas, wood flooring on every room on the first floor and the best there is to offer in high end fixtures and finishes. Master bedroom, office, 2 bedrooms and game room are downstairs along with a Gourmet kitchen and a bright open floor perfect for entertaining. The large master bedroom features his and hers closets and a master bathroom with a soaking tub and separate shower. Upstairs you’ll find 2 additional bedrooms, 2 full baths and a balcony with spectacular pond view. Exterior features include summer kitchen with a large seating area overlooking the pond and an infinity edge pool with a spa and sitting area in the pool. This home has an automation system for lighting, climate, security and audio. (via Summerhill Realty)

6121 GREATWATER DR, WINDERMERE, FL 34786

List Price: $4,200,000

Beds: 4

Baths: 4/3

Discover lakefront living at its finest sitting on 1.09 high and dry acres of the Butler Chain offering extraordinary indoor/outdoor spaces with over-the-top finishes and features. Wide welcoming porches, expansive outdoor living with fireplace and full kitchen, open terrace with pergola and sunrise views, English-style gardens, and dock all provide ample opportunity for relaxation and entertaining. Warm wood flooring featured throughout the first floor, leads from the formal living and dining areas further into the interior to a true gourmet’s kitchen with custom copper hood and professional grade appliances. Designed for entertaining, the kitchen and butler’s pantry are steps away from the formal dining and a one-of-a-kind casual dining nook inviting guests to linger! Adjoining the kitchen is the family room with cleverly concealed TV storage and adjacent game room. Disappearing sliding doors open the spaces to the outdoor living area. A luxurious master suite offers water views and the master bath features stone flooring, granite tops, his & hers closets, dual vanities, soaking tub and separate shower. Steps away from the master, an office with custom built-ins creates the ultimate home office and completes the first-floor. Upstairs 3 additional en-suite bedrooms accompany a second bonus room and theater room with wet bar. Additional amenities include an underground 7-car garage with lifts, an elevator, stained glass window, courtyard fountain, steel beams, spray foam insulation, and so much more. (via Stockworth Realty)

If you are interested in calling Keene’s Point home, just drop us a line.

Filed under: Blog by Erin Hudson

Thanksgiving is days away and when the holiday season begins, we cherish the time we can spend with our family and friends. During this time, it is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the season and forget about ways we can give back to those who may be less fortunate. Giving back is the best way to spread holiday cheer!

There are so many wonderful opportunities to give back in Central Florida and signing up to help has never been easier. Here are a few organizations to consider:

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Second Harvest Food Bank’s mission is to create hope and nourish lives through a powerful hunger relief network, while multiplying the generosity of a caring community. There are various opportunities and getting involved is easy.

You can sign up online for an available shift at the food bank. Must be at least 10 years old and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

https://shfbcf.volunteerhub.com

Clean the World

Clean the World foundation is a global health organization committed to improving the quality of life for vulnerable communities around the world.

Volunteers must be at least 8 years old. Children ages 8 through 15 require supervision by a parent or guardian.

Various opportunities, both weekday and weekend available.

https://cleantheworldfoundation.org/volunteer/volunteer-events/

United Against Poverty Orlando

UAP’s mission is to serve those in poverty by providing crisis care, case management, transformative education, food and household subsidy, employment training and placement, personal empowerment training and active referrals to other social service providers.

With an average of 490 shifts available each week, individual volunteers assist with everything from bagging groceries, to staffing our Welcome Desk and working in our warehouse. *must be at least 10 years old

On the second Friday of every month from 5-8, you can bring the whole family and participate in Family Volunteer Night, for a memorable evening spent learning the joy of giving back.

https://uporlando.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida finds, creates and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and families.

Activites will vary based on our organization’s needs. Below are some areas you may be asked to assist with:

• Welcoming families to the House
• Light administrative work
• Assistance with housekeeping
• Assistance with serving meals

https://www.rmhccf.org/how-to-help/volunteer

A Gift For Teaching

A Gift for Teaching is Central Florida’s primary provider of free school supplies. You can give your time and effort to help children in need.

Volunteer events include store assistant, front desk assistant, cleaning assistant, teacher check-in, tradeshow event helpers, and volunteering to help with many events around town.

Volunteer

Filed under: Blog by Erin Hudson

Winter Garden Farmers Market

Friday’s on the Plaza

Enjoy live music every Friday night on the Plaza from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Watch the band, or enjoy strolling down the streets with the backdrop of live music. This is always a magical setting for a night out on the town.

• November 2- Grass Fed (Bluegrass)
• November 9- Porchdogs (Cajun, Zydeco)
• November 16- Grimes Alley (Blues, Country, Acoustic Unplugged)
• November 23- Good Times Jazz Band (Jazz)
• November 30- LIGHT UP WINTER GARDEN

Plant Street Market

Enjoy live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the market. The indoor artisan market has 20 vendors with unique offerings, including organic food choices, hand-made products and Crooked Can Brewery, featuring craft beer and wine. Grab a table outside and enjoy the fall weather and live music. Music starts at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.

31st Annual Light Up Winter Garden

Free! Sponsored by Duke Energy, the West Orange Ministerial Association and the City of Winter Garden.

Event Date: Friday, November 30th, 2018
Event Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Ceremony starts at 6 pm *Street lighting at 6:15 p.m.
Event Location: Downtown Winter Garden – Plant Street

It’s that magical time of year again and what better way to kick of the fun! Welcome the season with entertainment, vendors, shopping, children’s activities and more!

Filed under: Blog by Erin Hudson

Filed under: Blog by Erin Hudson

Filed under: Blog by Erin Hudson