Selling Your Lakefront Home in Clermont

Right now is an excellent time to sell a home, but a successful home sale is only as successful as its selling strategy, even in a sellers’ market when there are a large amount of potential buyers’ out there looking for homes.

Here are some things to consider when selling a lakefront home in Clermont Florida:

Pricing

Prices of lakefront homes and other waterfront properties can vary greatly, even when they are located in the same town or on the same lake. Waterfront property values are impacted by many different factors, some that have nothing to do with the house at all.

Some of these factors that impact lakefront home value include:

Location

Particular Lake and lake size

Home square footage and amount of property frontage on the water

Amenities- of the community/neighborhood, the lake itself, and the surrounding town

Current health and usability of the lake

It is key to set the listing price of your home at fair market value, even in a sellers’ market. The best way to do this for a lake home is to hire a local agent that specializes in lakefront properties.

Cleaning and Repairs

Though homes are selling quickly, it is still a good idea to have your home in great condition before listing it. This will help your home to sell more quickly and for as high of a price as possible. Some great low cost repairs to make include:

Fresh Paint: a coat of fresh paint will do wonders to brighten up a space and make it feel like new. This gives the impression the home is well cared for. Neutral colors are best to appeal to a larger set of buyers and wider range of style preferences.

Curb Appeal and Landscaping: one of the main reasons people want to buy a lake home is for the land. You want to make sure that the outside of the home is clean, tidy, and nice looking. Make sure that if you have a dock it is also in good repair.

Clean, Clean, Clean: there is nothing more off-putting than a home that smells musty, is dirty, or cluttered. Make sure to only keep out the essentials for living and consider investing in professional cleaning services to show off your home in its best light.

Homes that seem to be in move-in ready condition sell much faster than those that need a fair amount of work to make them livable.

For more information on selling your lakefront home in Clermont please contact me anytime. I have extensive knowledge in the local real estate market and selling lakefront properties. For more information on lake homes in Clermont and surrounding areas please contact me at any time.

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How to Stage Nearly Every Room in Your House

Staging a house is one of the major steps to listing and selling property. Just 30 years ago staging was practically nonexistent. Homeowners simply cleaned their house and hope for the best, but with the addition of HGTV, fixer upper programs, and home staging shows, staging is a necessary part of the selling process. But, everybody’s home is different and every room is different so let’s go room by room to find out the best way to stage each room in your home.

Curb appeal

Let’s start from the outside and work our way in. Most MLS listings require the main photo of the house to be the outside of the house or the view from the house. 90%, probably more, of listings show the outside of the house so that first initial picture has to make a great impression.

Make sure the grass has been mowed, trees and bushes have been trimmed, walkways swept and neatly edged, and it doesn’t look too cluttered or crowded. You will have a lot of people coming up to your front door and while they are standing there waiting for their agent to get the key, they will be looking around, so make sure you have enough space at the front door and a welcome an inviting atmosphere. Make it easy for people to get to the front walk, stairs, or front porch. Keep flowers to a minimum and usually only one color at a time. Consider touching up the trim on the house itself, repainting house numbers, and sprucing up the mailbox if necessary.

Front door and entrance

Once people get into the house make sure they have enough room to maneuver. If it’s too crowded, they will immediately feel uneasy and uncomfortable. Remember, there are usually at least three people visiting the home while it is on the market, the agent, and one or two buyers. There could be more so you want to make sure there’s plenty of room for everyone to get comfortably into the house. If there is enough space consider a bench where people can put on their shoes, a shoe rack or coathanger, or simply a small table to set down keys or a wallet. Make the entrance inviting, warm, and welcoming but not too crowded unless you have plenty of space.

Living room/family room

In today’s modern design many homes have both the living room and a family room. This could mean a formal living room and a casual living room or an open floor plan. If you have a formal living room, this should be free of any major media such as TVs and video games. It might have a fireplace so dress up the mantle with just one or two small items.

Have chairs facing toward each other and away from the wall so there’s plenty of room to move around the furniture. If you have a coffee table, consider one or two simple items with neutral colors and decor. Nothing should be stacked on the floor other than furniture and you want to create a sense of atmosphere in the room so if there are hardwood floors consider a large rug in the center that all the furniture goes onto. Large throw pillows or one throw blanket is about all you need to create a cozy environment.

Family room – the family room should be exactly that, a space where families can gather, watch TV, have family movie night, game night, or simply entertain friends and family. This should be comfortable but not cluttered. If there are bookshelves they should be cleared off with just a couple of books and a knickknack per shelf.

Related Post: 4 Things Home Inspectors are Looking for

The kitchen

This is the heart of most homes so staging a kitchen is really going to be a crucial part of the staging process.

Schedule a Listing Consultation

First of all, clean every single cupboard, drawer, and cabinet. Pack away items you know you won’t need until the new house, clean cupboards, organize things in pantries, and clear everything off of the counters. Then carefully put back one or two items per space. For instance, if you have a large island, clear it off completely and just have a bowl of lemons or fruit or even a vase with fresh greens and flowers. Windows should be cleaned and sparkling, and all cabinets should be wiped down.

Your kitchen should smell clean and look clean so having a nice cotton scent or a warm apple cinnamon smell is often favorable.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms, even half baths, should be an inviting and clean space. Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned, I mean a good deep clean, make each bathroom like a small spa retreat. If you have space, allow for a small basket with rolled white linen towels, a few toiletries, and soap. If you have a large master bath create a spa-like environment with candles around the tub, a perfectly clean shower with either brand-new soap or nothing at all inside. Pack away any personal items, toiletries, brushes, toothbrushes, and makeup and make sure there’s nothing on the counter except for a neat soap dispenser and that small basket of rolled towels if you have enough space. A nice vase of fresh flowers or greenery creates a freshness to the bathroom as well.

Bedrooms

Just as with the bathroom, a bedroom should create a spa-like, restful retreat space as well. Beds should be made with a lot of extra pillows and comfy linens and fresh bedding, dressers and nightstands should be completely cleared off with just one or two items such as a lamp, book, maybe a pair of glasses, and a vase of fresh greens or flowers. If you have enough space a sitting area with a comfy chair, neatly arranged throw pillow, and nightstand makes an inviting space to come, sit, and read a while.

Closets

Closets should be neat and organized. Now is the time to pack up any office season clothing and make each closet appear to have a lot of extra space. If people see a crowded closet they think that there is not enough space in the house itself and may be deterred from looking any further. Walk-in closets should be neatly organized, shoes should be lined up or stacked, and shirts and pants neatly folded or rolled on shelves or in drawers.

Kids rooms

You don’t have to get all stodgy and boring with children’s rooms but they do need to be organized and clean. Get bins or chests to tuck away toys that are not being played with or pack up items that can be used at the next house. Organize closets the same way you would an adult closet and keep books and toys neatly organized. Try to get the kids not to make any mass that cannot be cleaned up within 30 minutes.

Laundry room

A laundry room could also double as a mud room so this space can get dirty quickly. Try to keep floors free of any clothing, rags, or towels, wash dirty or wet clothing immediately, and have a space to hang up wet items, coats, hats, and scarves. The laundry area should be ready for laundry day with the dryer sheets, laundry soap neatly stacked and organized, and counters clear of any clutter.

Schedule a Listing Consultation

Garage

Yes, a garage still needs staging. If people think the house is perfectly clean and clear and then walk into a cluttered garage, they may think that you are hiding something else. It may be time to rent a storage pod or storage space while the home is on the market. If you can get at least one car in the garage, buyers will assume they can as well. You can have items in the garage but they should be neat, organized and labeled.

These are the main rooms in a home that need to be staged. If this seems overwhelming, take it one room at a time. Give yourself a week or more to prepare your house for sale before listing. You only get one chance to make a first impression.

Additional Staging Resources:

Sure-Fire Ways to Get a Home Sold

How to Stage Your Empty Saw Mill Lakes Home in Clermont

How to Stage Your Lake Front Property In Clermont?

Clermont Florida Listing Agent

The Winter Market

Florida real estate sales certainly ramp up in the winter because as the most of the country is under a blanket of snow or at least cold temperatures, we are warm and toasty here in Central Florida. But, this does pose some interesting marketing dilemmas. How do you market of Florida home in the winter? Do you price it differently? What type of buyers are looking for a home in the winter in Florida? All of these can easily be answered by an experienced and seasoned real estate professional.

Of course, any licensed real estate agent can list and sell property on the MLS in the state in which they are licensed, but that doesn’t mean that they will sell the home effectively or for a profit. Nothing beats experience. I know this from experience… Because you can take every real estate class in the book and still not have the knowledge that experience will give you.

Tailoring a Plan for You

Every single real estate transaction is different and there are so many parties involved from buyers to sellers, escrow and lenders, appraisers and inspectors that having the knowledge and the experience to keep everyone on task and close on time is really worth its weight in gold. Because I have dealt with many other buyers agents, I know the drawbacks to an unseasoned agent. I get it, everyone has to start somewhere, but that doesn’t mean that you have to. If you’re looking to sell your property and you want the most profit possible, it takes a seasoned and experienced agent that understands the Clermont real estate market and surrounding communities as well as the micro-markets of individual neighborhoods.

If you’re looking for someone that’s knowledgeable, friendly, and professional then Beth is definitely the agent to go with! She’s reputable, and really knows what she’s talking about. We knew nothing about the area before Beth. She showed us the area, and took the time to patiently show us home to home to home until we found “The One”! I’ll never forget riding around through the backroads following her and falling completely in love! We would not have been able to find our little sanctuary without her. We LOVE the area we now live in, the community, and most importantly our home. We highly recommend you put your trust in Beth. You won’t be disappointed!“

Whether you are buying or selling, understanding the market is crucial. When selling a property in has to be priced correctly from the start. If you don’t, the home will likely sit on the market far longer than it needs to. If you underpriced the property it may sell to quickly and you might actually lose money. Buying and selling takes an experienced real estate agent to negotiate for your terms and your price.

Schedule a Consultation

Advice for Sellers:

Need a listing agent and property manager in one?

Sure-Fire Ways to Get a Home Sold

Does a Home with a View Cost More?

Buyers are Not Going to Make an Offer on Over-Priced Homes

Will my Neighbors House Value Affect Mine?

Clermont Realtor AND Property Manager in One

I was fortunate enough to find Beth through social media while I was living in NY. I knew I was moving to Central Florida, but had no idea where exactly I should land with my family. I briefly spoke with Beth and she “got me” right away. She recommended Clermont and I loved everything she showed/told me about it. We moved here sight unseen and she nailed it. We LOVE it here. She went out of her way to drive around the area and take photos to send me so I could get a feel for it and sent me tons of area info in the mail. She helped us get into a rental as we thought that would be the smartest first step and now we are working with her to find a home to buy. Beth is extremely knowledgeable about real estate and the Central Florida area. She is well known and well liked which is a bonus in her field. I highly recommend anyone looking for a realtor in the area she serves to meet with her and put your trust in her” – Zillow review

I love helping people find the right home and just because I love Clermont doesn’t mean that you will love it too. There are a lot of different cities and towns around the Northwest Orlando area including Winter Garden, Minneola, Winter Park, and even places close to Orlando such as Dr. Phillips and Windermere.

The goal is to find the right house for you within your budget. That could be a beautiful lakefront home in Clermont or a townhouse in one of the larger, gated communities closer to Orlando.

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“Beth is a 5 star realtor!! She knows and understands the housing market and her negotiations skills are impeccable !! Beth handles and owns the process from beginning to end and kept us well informed.. She is absolutely the best !!!!! you won’t be disappointed !!” Ruddocks

Understanding the market throughout the Orlando area is key to not overpaying for a home, getting the property you want at your terms, or pricing a home correctly to sell. Not knowing the market could mean losing out on thousands of dollars for both buyer and seller.

As your Realtor®, it is my goal, job, and passion to assist in your real estate needs and guide you to the right and result. Whether that’s finding a beautiful single-family home close to the water, a home with boat docks and access to marinas, or simply a beautiful wooded lot perfect for custom building. Let’s find the right home for you.

“Beth is a friendly and professional realtor. She is an expert in all real state needs. She found two perfect tenants for my house and help me with all the process. I highly recommend her. She always ready to help and give you a wise advice. She is a hard worker. Beth is an expert in all real-estate needs” – Silvana A.

Not only can I buy and sell properties but I manage them as well. If you’re in the market for real estate investment or cash flow rental property, I can point you to the right neighborhoods and communities that gain equity quickly and are continually growing and improving, increasing your bottom line.

I can help you find and purchase the right property for your investment needs and then manage it with aggressive tenant screenings, in-depth care of tenants needs and repairs, and direct deposit and communication between your tenants and you.

When it’s time to buy, sell, or invest in Clermont and surrounding communities give me a call. Because I’ve done this for years, I understand the micro markets of our area and how to negotiate on your behalf. Let me be your guide to your next home purchase or sale. Read More Reviews

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Sure-Fire Ways to Get a Home Sold

Now that we’re heading more into the full-on summer season the homes on the market have slightly plateaued and there are fewer listings for buyers. But this also means that there are fewer buyers out there for the homes that are already on the market. So what you do if your home has sat for too long and is just not selling?

If you think you’ve tried everything make sure you’ve done the following steps to ensure you get the most buyers in the door and the most eyes on your property.

Double check your photos.

Are the photos showing the home in the best light? Have you taken pictures in the morning, in the afternoon, on a sunny day and on a cloudy day? All of these factors can make a big difference because to buyers that first impression means they’re either going to see more of the home or pass it by. Make sure that the outside is clean, neat and trimmed, fresh paint on the door or at least the trim of the house, and a very welcoming and inviting front porch. Everything about the first photo of the home should invite buyers in. If you’re not comfortable with the photograph ask your real estate agent to have better ones taken or take them yourself.

More: How to take awesome pictures of your listing

Make sure half of your items are packed up.

Buyers do not want to see a home that is busting at the seams with items. If you pack up half the items in your closet, your cupboards, pantries, and drawers it will leave a lot of room showing buyers there is plenty of extra space to go around. The last thing a buyer wants is a crowded space.

Consider professional staging.

This can be an expensive undertaking but you might just consider getting a paid consultation from a professional stager. This can be a little less expensive and can provide tips on design and layout that you may not have thought of before. Sometimes just simply moving furniture around, offering a better layout and flow, or giving the kitchen and the tables certain accents can make a world of difference when showing a buyer.

Make sure the home is priced correctly.

As a real estate agent, I want to make sure the home is priced right from the beginning. Pricing a home high and then lowering it if it doesn’t sell only means it’s going to sit on the market longer and eventually sell for lower than it should have is priced correctly at the beginning. You may need to stop and do a reevaluation of what your home is currently worth in today’s market. If you listed it a couple months ago it may be a completely different price today.

I want your home to sell just as quickly as you do and as a professional real estate agent in the Orlando and Clermont real estate area. I do everything possible to get more buyers in the door and more offers on the table so that you can move on with your life. Call me today and let’s see how I can make your home sell as quickly as possible.