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money? At Century 21 Real Estate
Professionals, we have been helping home buyers
and sellers make sense of the Orlando housing market
since 1985, so we are accustomed to using our past
experience to read and understand current trends
and give informed advice to our clients.
Another hot topic for the Orlando
area housing market is property taxes and homeowner's
insurance. If you watch area news broadcasts you
can't miss hearing about the debates and new laws
that could possibly be passed, but what does it
mean to you as an individual buying or selling a
home? Taxes and insurance can drastically affect
the affordability of your monthly house payment
and must be a factor that is given careful consideration
on each home that you are interested in.
We have the resources to help you
make an informed decision when deciding to buy or
sell a home. Our in-house mortgage company can give
you several excellent loan programs to choose from
and give you exact principal and interest payment
information on each. Our experienced sales associates
can help you shop for homeowner's insurance and
receive quotes as you are shopping for homes. They
can also help you estimate your property taxes and
any possible increases due to a reassessment when
you make a purchase. Finally, our in-house title
company can give you an accurate estimate of the
closing costs, escrow accounts, and pre-paid items
you can expect at your closing.
There is more to your decision
than payments, taxes, insurance, and closing costs...right?
After all, buying a house is supposed to be fun!
We understand that part of the process too! All
of our associates, staff members, mortgage consultants,
and title closers make their home in Central Florida
and have gone through the same steps to find a place
to live for their own families. And although Century
21 is the biggest name in real estate worldwide,
even the owners of our company live and work in
the Central Florida community. Please browse the
links below for some in-depth information about
the different areas to call home in Central Florida:
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in Seminole County: |
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Surviving
a Tough Real Estate Market - How Century 21 Real
Estate Is Raising the Bar - Click To Read Article
Tips to Improve the Chances of
Selling Your Home in a Slow Market:
(1) Make the Most
of that First Impression:
A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and
a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does
a freshly painted – or at least freshly scrubbed
– front door. Rake leaves in the Fall. If
it’s winter, shovel the walkways.
(2) Clean Clean Clean:
Here’s your chance to clean up in real estate.
If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading,
consider some minor redecoration. Fresh wallpaper
adds charm and value to your property.
(3) Check Faucets and Bulbs: Dripping water
causes stains and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing.
Burned out bulbs or faulty wiring leave prospects
in the dark. Don’t let little problems detract
from what’s right with your home.
(4) Don’t Shut Out a
Sale: If cabinets or closet doors stick in
your home, you can be sure they will also stick
in a prospect’s mind. Don’t try to explain
away sticky situations when you can easily plane
them away. A little effort on your part can smooth
the way toward a closing.
(5) Think Safety: Clean
away potential disasters: roller skates on the stairs,
festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and
low hanging overhead lights.
(6) Spacious Living:
Potential buyers are looking for more than just
comfortable living space. They’re looking
for storage space, too. Make sure your attic and
basement are clean and free of unnecessary items.
(7) Bathrooms Help Sell Homes:
Make bathrooms sparkle. Check and repair damaged
or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. Enhance
your bathroom with flowers, guest towels, and your
best mats and shower curtains.
(8) Pay Attention to Detail:
Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, pushed-out
screens and other minor flaws can detract from your
home’s value.
(9) Dream Bedrooms: For a spacious look,
remove excess furniture. Hang fresh curtains and
use attractive bedspreads.
(10) Warmth of the Sun: Pull back your curtains
and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery
your home is.
(11) Sweet Scents:
The old trick of delicious scents still makes homes
appealing. Bake cookies, pies, or other delectable
treats. Or use potpourri as long as the scent you
choose is not overwhelming.
(12) Coloring the Night with Light: Turn
on the excitement by turning on all your lights
- both inside and outside - when showing your home
in the evening. Lights add color and warmth, and
make prospects feel welcome.
(13) Garage Neat: Organize the garage. This
is often a place that becomes cluttered.
(14) Closets Are Important:
Closets look their best when they are orderly and
not too full. Be sure the lights work and pack away
items unused to make them look more spacious. Great
time to box up unwanted clothes and donate them
to charity.
(15) Control the Music:
When it's time to show your home, it's time to turn
down the stereo or TV.
(16) Keep a Low Profile:
CENTURY 21® Sales Associates know buyers - what
they need and what they want. Your CENTURY 21 Sales
Associate will have an easier time articulating
the virtues of your home if you stay in the background.
(17) Don't Turn Your Home
into a Second-Hand Store: When prospects
come to view your home, don't distract them with
offers to sell those furnishings you no longer need.
You may lose the biggest sale of all.
(18) Expert at Hand:
When prospects want to talk price, terms, or other
real estate matters, let them speak to an expert
- your CENTURY 21 Sales Associate.
(19) Make it Inviting:
Be sure the front entrance is clean and inviting.
Paint the gutters, downspouts and the front door.
Also sweep the walks, steps and driveway.
(20) Touch Up: A small
investment in paint for the inside and outside helps.
Remember to choose neutral colors.
(21) Avoid Crowd Scenes:
Potential buyers often feel like intruders when
they enter a home filled with people. Rather than
giving your house the attention it deserves, they're
likely to hurry through. Keep the company present
to a minimum.
Featured Podcast
Real Estate 101
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