clermont real estate - Orlando and Clermont Real Estate

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.

5 Reasons Rental Properties in Clermont are a Solid Investment

With home prices rising, rental properties are becoming more and more popular. It’s a great balance right now and if you’ve been on the fence about investing in real estate, let me give you some excellent reasons why it’s a solid investment and how you can get in the real estate world around Clermont.

#1. Appreciation potential.

One of the best things about rental properties is that you can use a loan to purchase property and increase the potential return. This is called leverage and when you buy an investment property using more debt than equity, the investment is highly leveraged. If the property appreciates each year by 5% to 6%, your appreciation applies to the entire asset, not just your initial investment. Plus, it’s one of the only investments that you can continually make money while it increases its potential return.

External Related: Should you invest in a co-op condo?

#2. Tax benefits.

If you own a rental property, you can write off the interest on the mortgage and any credit card you use to make purchases for the property. You can write off insurance, maintenance costs, property taxes, and any travel expenses you incurred while managing the property. There may also be more specific deductions on your type of rental property and its location. It’s important to talk to a CPA or licensed tax professional to make sure you’re getting the most out of your investment property.

#3. It offers a wealth of different results.

There are several different ways you can make money on an investment property: long-term capital growth to save money for retirement, positive monthly cash flow from rental income, and adding value to renovate or update an outdated rental property. You can write off the maintenance costs and increase rental prices with a little bit of elbow grease. Some properties may even allow you to subdivide or develop more of the property to increase your cash flow.

#4. Great passive income option.

Not ready to quit your day job? No problem. Investing in real estate is a great way to get started. As long as your property is occupied you should be able to receive a steady stream of monthly income while also paying down the mortgage on the property. This can be even more passive if you choose a property management company to take care of managing the maintenance, tenants, and rental collection of the property.

#5. It works.

One of the best reasons that rental property is a solid investment is that it really works. It’s not a new concept and rental properties are really the core of real estate investing. People always need a place to live and people will always need rental properties. Not everybody will buy all of the time. Student loan debt is at an all-time high, which makes it difficult for many millennial’s to buy a home, so what are they doing? They are renting. Shouldn’t you be the landlord?

From property management to general homebuying, rental investments and listing management, give me a call. There are plenty of great investment properties throughout Clermont, Mineola and Winter Garden. Let’s talk investing today. – Find Real Estate Investments in Clermont

Clermont Waterfront Properties: Lakes vs. Rivers

Waterfront Properties: Lakes vs. Rivers

Living on the lake or a river in Orlando both come with many advantages. Natural bodies of water of all types are serene and invoke dreams of adventure amidst times of calm refreshing. However, when you’re talking about a permanent residence, which body of water would be the ideal choice for putting down roots? Read ahead and decide for yourself!

Lakes offer privacy and atmosphere. Living on a lake, you can enjoy a sense of seclusion not found in just any neighborhood. It gives a sense of privacy compared with a community where you have neighbors right on top of you.

Living on the lake comes with other perks as well. Being surrounded by water makes sweltering summers seem a bit cooler, and lake activities like paddleboating allow families to bond with their neighbors. Lake front homes often come with dock access to enjoy many fun activities on the lake.

Rivers are peaceful and inspiring. Living on the river can be like constantly being on vacation. What you would spend money on to go away someplace and enjoy, you can walk out the door and down to the beach and be there in an instant.

Rivers may not have as many people as a lake on a hot summer day. The water’s constantly moving, so even if someone passes by your way, they’re quickly passing by.

The sound of the river is relaxing and comes with the potential to drown out noisy neighbors or children which is a nice advantage.

For artists, musicians or authors, living on the river provides a source of inspiration for pieces dealing with nature. On any given morning one may see a blue heron flying by, deer grazing in the field nearby, or a few mallard ducks paddling around on the river.

Images by Cliff Flickr

3 Things to Know About Homes with Docks

Three Things to Know About Docks When Buying a Home on a Lake with a Dock

Learn What You can Do Now that You Have a Dock

Find out what you can do with your Orlando lakefront property. If you want to make any changes to your waterfront property, such as adding to your dock or building a seawall, start this process early to ensure that these alterations will be possible. Government agencies can be very strict to deal with, and you don’t want to commit to purchasing a million-dollar home without knowing that you can really do what you want to make it your own. Also find out what kind of activities are allowed on the lake, as some areas have restrictions on jet skis, speedboats and other watercraft.

Winter Care of Your Dock

In winter months, caring for your dock may mean a pipe dock needs to be removed, and a floating dock should either be removed or relocated to a sheltered spot. Lift docks should be winched up so that the legs closest to the shore are at least five feet above the normal summertime water level.

The only dock that remains in its spot is a permanent dock, which, due to its construction, is able to withstand a certain buildup of ice. However, in an area where there may be an extraordinary amount of ice, it might be necessary to install de-icers around the dock legs. These de-icers oscillate the water so that ice doesn’t build up and cause damage.

Dock Safety

Docks can easily break loose and become a hazard if they’re not properly maintained to accommodate stresses created by wind, waves, current, boat wakes and fluctuating lake levels. Furthermore, dock owners are responsible for damage caused by their docks breaking loose, washing away or presenting a hazard to navigation.

You should also know Safety Standards for Residential Docks on Lakes sets out maximum distances docks may be from shores. The standards apply even when lake levels are low. The shoreline is wherever the water meets the land. Boat docks should never be moved so far that they extend into the middle of the river channel or pose a threat to other boaters.

Home Inspection Concerns for Lake Front Homes in Clermont

Buying waterfront property can be complex and you should work with an agent who is familiar with this type of investing. The following are four concerns when it comes to the inspection on a lake front home.

Four Inspection Concerns on Lake Front Homes

1) Have the inspector check the slope and terrain of the property for proper drainage of rain water away from the home. This is even more important when living where the soil is already moist from being near a lake.

If you have a dock, get that inspected too for sagging or any other problems. You might be able to get the seller to finance any repairs or replacements.

2) Purchasing a home with a septic tank? The septic system needs to be inspected to ensure that it’s being properly serviced and that no waste is leaking into the soil or lake. Additionally, once you own the home, make certain to have the tank pumped out every two years to prevent back ups and run offs into the lake.

3) Check for buggy bothers and wood damage. If termite damage is discovered on the inspection, you can have the seller pay for it before the deal goes through. Or you might find wood damage which might be caused by moisture traveling up from the lake to the house through the soil resulting in mold. Mold eats structures and is hazardous to your health as well.

4) Has your house been swimming? An inspector will be able to tell if the house has flooded and if it happens often. Flood waters cause a lot of damage to electrical systems, foundations, wood and can also cause mold. These damages can be quite severe and extremely expensive to fix.

If the home has signs of flooding you should probably just walk away from it. If you’re considering raising the home, and it’s possible and you’re willing to pay the hefty price to do it, talk to surveyors and contractors. Many water front home owners are now raising their homes because they want to remain where they are, but need to prevent future flooding.