Buy Owner Blog

Because the housing market is in turmoil, with foreclosures popping up all over—maybe in your neighborhood even—working to increase the value of your home is more important than ever! Now is the time to fight back against plunging prices. And the best way to do that is to get knowledgeable. You need to know what people are looking for from a home these days. By keeping up with current trends, you will make smarter changes to your home that will be worth the extra cost in the long run!

Here are current renovations that have been known to increase value:
[...more...]

Stuck for decorating ideas? Take a tip from local storefronts and displays, and get some inspiration! [...]

Do buyers want to see eco-friendly design choices? And, most importantly, will implementing such choices mean a higher price tag? [...]

Spring in Florida means preparing yards for fresh summer flowers, heading to the beach and, possibly, getting ready to buy or sell a home! Loads of tourists swarm Central Florida for spring break, possibly steering you away from the area’s main attractions. But have no fear! Ample festivals and free events for locals are occurring in both Orlando and Jacksonville to fill up your spring calendars.

Get outside and enjoy the weather in this sunshine state! Here are some ideas:

In this economy, everybody should jump on the chance to enjoy outdoor fun with family and friends at the fair free price that these events offer!

Free events

During April and May, an abundance of parks in Orlando and Jacksonville provide free family-friendly movies in the park! Pack a picnic and a blanket and enjoy this outdoor experience! Some of the parks that offer this include Enzian Theater in Central Park and City Hall in Lake Mary on every second Thursday of the month, and Treaty Oak at Jessie Ball DuPont Park on April 17 and 24, and May 1 and 8.

Every first Wednesday of the month, downtown Jacksonville presents the Art Walk! Jacksonville streets fill up with all types of appreciative art forms. This includes an array of performing artists, such as Jazz trio performers, and visual arts with paintings and photography!

[...more...]

It’s a basic fact: Make it easy for buyers to see themselves in your home, and you make it easy for them to make you an offer. The thing that encourages this feeling could be called the secret to the home-selling process: staging. Effective staging should showcase your home’s strengths by opening up the rooms with strategic furniture and décor placement. It uses proper maintenance and appealing aesthetics to woo buyers. Here’s how:
1. Focus on Firsts: First impressions, that is. You only get one chance to make an impression, so the exterior of your home (what buyers see first) matters. Manicure the lawn, trim hedges, plant colorful flowers. Make sure anything that needs to be repaired receives attention. Aim to greet first-time visitors with a WOW factor. [...more...]

To celebrate spring, incorporate the sights and scents of flowers, trees and freshly cut grass by bringing them inside! [...]

Warm weather allows the opportunity to make small, inexpensive but significant green changes to your lifestyle. [...]