Thursday, August 11, 2022 / by Ana Baldner
It’s already August! This month may feel like a sudden downshift but finding a way to stretch out the last weeks of summer is key. As the school year starts, set aside some time to make sure your home is ready for the transition into Fall.
Here are some things to check off your to do list in August:
Set up a shared family calendar
With the start of a busy year, the best thing to make sure you have is a “command center” for all your family's needs and commitments. Create a family calendar to put appointments, practice times, and important dates up so that everyone is in the loop.
Clear up the kitchen
Make your dinners go smoother by cleaning out items in your kitchen. Throw out any expired, stale or unwanted food from your pantry and fridge. This will make dinner prep simpler and faster. Set aside unwanted items that are not expired and not opened and donate them to local charities.
Organize family photos
S; ...
Read More
Thursday, August 4, 2022 / by Ana Baldner
If you're thinking about selling your home, there are some things you should consider when getting ready to list. Many people are under the false assumption that you need to make major upgrades around the home in order to increase it's value. However, there are a couple of improvements you can make that will return the money you put in and attract more buyers.
Why shouldn't you fix everything?
The main reason you shouldn't go around updating everything in your home is because not everything will return value. Money spent on repairs, replacements, and upgrades may be wasted if the prospective buyers don't find the improvements necessary or don't notice them. It's better to stick to cost-efficient fixes that will actually make an impression on potential buyers.
What should you fix?
When buyers look at your home during a showing, they tend to fixate on flooring, walls, kitchens and baths. So make sure to address basic wear and tear issues that appear in these areas.
A f; ...
Read More
cocoa beach florida, cape canaveral, melbourne beach, merritt island, florida lifestyle realty, florida living, satellite beach, cocoa, space coast real estate, florida lifestyle, cape canaveral real estate, beginner tips, what to do, home renovation, sell your home, updates, what to do when you sell your home
Thursday, July 28, 2022 / by Ana Baldner
e are currently in the midst of hurricane season. Some of us may be first timers and others well-seasoned Floridians. It's important to prepare early. The worst thing you can do is put off your preparations until a storm hits.
Here are 4 steps to make sure your family is ready in case of an emergency:
Make a plan
Identify how you will receive the emergency warnings and updates.
Write down important phone numbers you may need in case your cell phone is not accessible, i.e. emergency numbers, family members, out of state contacts. Have multiple copies of this list and make sure every member of your home has a copy. At least one contact should be outside of the impact area.
Pet owners! Identify a plan of action in case your area is evacuated. This could mean a pet-friendly hotel or even an out of state friend who can take your pet.
Identify your families specific needs that your plan must tailor to during an emergency. This could mean disabilities, medica ...
Read More
cocoa beach florida, cape canaveral, melbourne beach, merritt island, florida lifestyle realty, cocoa, cocoa beach real estate, titusville, brevard county, florida lifestyle, beginner tips, ocean oasis, what to do, first aid kit, hurricane preparedness, hurricane season, national hurricane center, safety
Monday, July 25, 2022 / by Ana Baldner
Read More
Thursday, July 21, 2022 / by Ana Baldner
With the average listing price in Brevard County hovering around $494,000, many homeowners are feeling the squeeze that comes with rising mortgage rates. CNBC News reported that the rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage is at 5.65%. This a huge increase compared to the 3.29% rate we saw at the start of 2022. As these rates increase, so does the cost of buying a home with a mortgage.
At the current rate, the cost of a 30-year fixed mortgage on a $494,000 home would mean around $2,151 in monthly payments, if you put down 20%.
In better news, the constraints that limited supply has caused are slowly lifting as more homes are entering the market. We are seeing some softening in the buyer's experience of the market.
Here are some things to consider about your mortgage if you're looking to purchase a home:
Your Overall Budget
You should be comfortable with your monthly budget. Take everything into account when determining it. Generally, the rule is you should spend 30% of your; ...
Read More