What are the most inexpensive improvements that we can make to our house to make it show better?

Aug 6th, 2013
by edsmith.
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No two houses ever seem to be in identical conditions. One home may need paint while another may need landscaping upgrades. We can easily compile a list of decorating suggestions to help “dress your house for success”.  The entire process takes less than 30 minutes.

However, some commonly overlooked interior items when sprucing up are things such as A/C registers, door knobs, door hinges, cabinet hardware and light fixtures.  These can be inexpensive items to replace and may really help freshen up the appearance!

For more info, please visit us at www.destinfloridarealestate.com . Please email questions to smith@realtor.com

Posted in: Home Ownership, Home Repairs, Sellers, Short Sales.

We enclosed our attached screened porch on the back of our house. Our existing A/C unit won’t keep it cool. Will it hurt our resale value if we add a window unit to keep the new area cool?

Jul 5th, 2013
by edsmith.
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In most cases yes, a window unit will detract from the value of your property. A much better option may be one of the new mini split air systems that are available both locally and online.

These are permanently installed climate control systems that work well in situations just like yours. Also perfect for mother-in-law quarters, garages or any area that needs additional climate control. No duct work is required making the installation very simple. You will need an A/C contractor to install your system, but the price can be extremely affordable.

For more info, please visit us at www.DestinFloridaRealEstate.com . Please email questions to smith@realtor.com

Posted in: Home Ownership, Home Repairs, Investment, Sellers, Short Sales.
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I am putting my 30 year old home on the market for sale. Are there any things I could do to spruce it up without spending a lot of money?

Jun 26th, 2013
by edsmith.
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Curb appeal is the first appeal. Cutting back shrubs, adding mulch and flowers for color and painting trim and doors can be great ways to enhance that all-important first impression. Landscape design is not everyone’s forte, so try driving around looking at other houses to find an attractive design that you feel would be easy to apply to your home.

For more info, please visit us at www.DestinFloridaRealEstate.com . Please email questions to smith@realtor.com

Posted in: Sellers.
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I am having trouble working with agents in this market because I like to make really low-ball offers and then the agents stop working with me. Shouldn’t they be willing to help me get a good deal?

Jun 19th, 2013
by edsmith.
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This is not a buyer’s market anymore. Any properly priced property here will sell within a fairly quick time period. If you are only offering 50% of fair market value on listed properties, your odds of success are slim to none. Knowing this, most agents will be reluctant to process dozens of offers for you that they know will never come to fruition.

You should consider hiring a fee-based buyer’s agent to represent you. Under such an arrangement, the buyer’s agent could agree to accept a fee from you up front, thus eliminating the reluctance to go to bat for you otherwise.

For more info, please visit us at www.DestinFloridaRealEstate.com . Please email questions to smith@realtor.com

Posted in: Buyers.
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My property is on a vacation rental program and I want to sell it. Should I take it off the rental program so it can get shown and sold faster?

Jun 12th, 2013
by edsmith.
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No, but it is a judgment call on your part. On the one hand, the income is very important to many buyers out there. On the other, the lack of availability to show might appear to hamper the sales efforts, but the income can make the property more valuable.

Many buyers in today’s market realize that the big “turn-over” day is Saturday and that in many cases that is the only day available to show such properties. A common option for buyers would include submitting an offer subject to physically viewing within X numbers of days.

For more info, please visit us at www.DestinFloridaRealEstate.com . Please email questions to smith@realtor.com

Posted in: Sellers.
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Can I short sell my property if I have two mortgages on it?

Jun 5th, 2013
by edsmith.
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Yes. Many of the short sales that we complete for our clients have not only multiple mortgages, but are often encumbered by liens and judgments as well. However, additional encumbrances create additional challenges to the successful completion of the short sale. Every additional challenge serves to protract the entire process. At the end of the day, every entity with a claim against the property has to be either fully satisfied or agree to a compromise in order to close the deal.

For more information please visit www.DestinFloridaRealEstate.com or email us at smith@realtor.com

Posted in: Sellers, Short Sales.
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I have been frustrated when searching for properties online. The properties are either sold or not even on the market at all. Where do we get accurate information online?

May 29th, 2013
by edsmith.
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We are guessing that you are searching on one of the many 3rd party websites out there that offer free listing information to consumers. These websites frequently display grossly inaccurate information. Trying to determine how they even obtain some of their information in the first place can be like trying to solve atomic equations.

Much more up to date and reliable online information is available through real estate company websites such as ours: www.DestinFloridaRealEstate.com

For more on this topic or others, please email us at smith@realtor.com

 

Posted in: Buyers.
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As an owner, can you really get paid by the banks for short selling your house?

May 22nd, 2013
by edsmith.
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Yes. Many lenders (not all) will pay you, as the homeowner to cooperate in the short sale of your property. This is referred to by the lenders as “relocation assistance”.  This assistance is based on a number of factors, including the loan balance, current value of the property and the loss severity rate. At least one major lender has recently increased their limit on relocation assistance payments to a whopping $45,000!

For more on this topic, please visit http://www.floridarealestate.com  or email us at smith@realtor.com.

Posted in: Short Sales.
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Why can’t I rebuild my property that’s seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line if it ever gets destroyed?

Apr 25th, 2013
by edsmith.
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This is actually a very common misconception. In most circumstances, you could rebuild. Being situated seaward of the “CCCL” does not in itself prohibit you from rebuilding a damaged or destroyed property. In fact, activities that are not expected to cause any impacts or measurable interference with the coastal system are generally exempt. However, modifications to the foundation of such a property may very well trigger additional requirements and permits.

For more info, type this URL into your web browser: rem.ax/15Rm4RO
or visit us at www.DestinFloridaRealEstate.com . Please email questions to smith@realtor.com

Posted in: Home Ownership.
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Emerald Coast in the News

Apr 17th, 2013
by edsmith.
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The local area has been in the national spotlight not once, but twice last month:

The Travel Channel announced that Destin has been named “Best Family Beach” in their Best Beach Contest. Cited among the many reasons were Destin’s many fishing options, the Emerald Grande Hotel, Destin Commons, the Okaloosa Island Pier, Kelly Plantation Golf Course, HarborWalk Village and the Gulfarium.

The U.S. Census Bureau released its report on America’s fastest growing metropolitan areas. The MSA primarily making up the Emerald Coast ranked 3rd in the entire nation based on growth rate. Midland Texas came in first, followed by Clarksville Tennessee. Of the top 10 MSA’s in the nation, two were in Florida and three in Texas. 

 

Posted in: Current Events.
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