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October is National Fire Prevention Month

October 3rd, 2024 by tisner


It’s the time of year to check not only your battery-operated smoke alarm, but anything you have in your home that could start a fire if not properly used and maintained.  This is also the time to talk with your family about your emergency plan in case of a fire.  These tips will get you started: 

  • Every kitchen should have an easily-accessed fire extinguisher.  If you don’t have one, purchase one, and if your old one hasn’t been serviced recently, call an official inspector to make sure yours is in good working order. 
  • Smoke alarms are a must!  Older smoke detectors can be sensitive and go off while someone is cooking, and we inadvertently disconnect the battery to stop that, and forget to reconnect them.  More recently-produced types have a sensitivity button that can reduce that problem for a set period of time and return to normal after the time is up. 
  • Homes with more than one story should have an escape ladder close to an easily-accessed window on the upper floor.  Safewise.com has a list of their best-rated ladders, and offers tips for choosing the right ladder for your home. 
  • Don’t overload electrical outlets, and use extension cords only on a temporary basis.  If you need more outlets, call an electrician to install them.  The cost of this greatly outweighs the cost of a fire. 
  • A visit from an electrician is also warranted if you have outlets that spark when you use them, lights that flicker, or a circuit breaker that trips regularly. 
  • Clean your dryer’s lint screen after each load, and keep the vent and back of the dryer clean from lint build-up. 
  • Have chimneys and furnaces checked out before you use them to make sure they’re clean and in good working order.  If you use a wood fireplace, make sure the screen protector has no holes, and use only a flame-retardant rug in front of the hearth. 
  • While cooking, don’t leave the kitchen, and even though your children may like to help, have their station set up far from any hot items. Keep towels and paper products away from anything hot, and don’t leave cooking oil unattended. 
  • Although it isn’t very common, lightning can cause a house fire.  Lightning rods may seem like an outdated tool, but they are not only helpful for redirecting lightning and prohibiting a fire, they can save your electronics from lightning damage.

Most importantly, you need a family fire plan, and everyone should be familiar with this plan.  For tips and a guideline to setting up your own fire escape plan, consult this page from the National Fire Protection Association, where you can find free printable tools to make your planning process go smoothly.  No amount of time taken to put a plan into place and practice is too much when it comes to protecting your home and family from a fire.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Orlando State of the Market August 2024

September 24th, 2024 by tisner

New Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association data shows August’s interest rate was recorded at 6.1%, down from 6.6% in July. This is the lowest interest rates have been since August 2022.

State of the Market

  • “Interest rates have dropped to their lowest level since August 2022, providing much-needed relief for buyers,” said Rose Kemp, President of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association. “This decrease can significantly reduce monthly mortgage payments by hundreds of dollars. Additionally, buyers have more leverage and options, with homes staying on the market longer and inventory increasing. Now is the perfect time to explore the market, find your dream home, and secure a favorable rate.”
  • The median home price for August was recorded at $384,500, down from $390,000 in July.
  • Overall sales held steady from July to August. There were 2,655 sales in August, compared to 2,652 sales in July.
  • Inventory for August was recorded at 11,511, up 3.2% from July when inventory was recorded at 11,158. This is the eighth month in a row inventory has risen. The last time inventory was this high was September 2015. Inventory in August 2024 was 88.2% higher than in August 2023.
  • August’s interest rate was recorded at 6.1%, down from 6.6% in July. This is the lowest interest rates have been since August 2022.
  • 11 distressed homes (bank-owned properties and short sales) accounted for 0.4% of all home sales in August. This is a 56.0% decrease
    from July, when 25 distressed homes sold.
  • New listings fell 5.2% from July to August, with 3,856 new homes on the market in August, compared to 4,067 in July.

  • Interest rates: The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage in September was 5.9%, down from 6.1% in August. This marks the lowest rate since early 2023.
  • Increasing inventory: The number of homes for sale in September rose to 11,825, up from 11,511 in August. This is the ninth consecutive month of inventory growth.
  • Stable prices: The median home price in September was $383,000, slightly down from $384,500 in August.

You can find ORRA’s full State of the Market Report for August here.

This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association and the Stellar Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor StellarMLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the association or by StellarMLS does not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Due to late closings, an adjustment is necessary to record those closings posted after our reporting date.

ORRA REALTOR® sales represent sales involving Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association members, who are primarily – but not exclusively – located in Orange and Seminole counties. Note that statistics released each month may be revised in the future as new data is received.

Orlando MSA numbers reflect sales of homes located in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties by members of any REALTOR® association, not just members of ORRA.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Get These Fall Jobs Done

September 19th, 2024 by tisner


The weather is cooler, but the days are still long enough to get some regular Fall maintenance done.  Get your home prepped for cooler weather now so it won’t be a problem later.   

  • Clean gutters before the leaves fall so they won’t get clogged.  Consider installing some gutter protectors so the coming leaf drop won’t cause further problems. 
  • Raking leaves is a job many don’t care for, but if you do, and plan on burning them, check with your local government offices or HOA guidelines to make certain it’s allowed.  If not, it’s best to bag them for curbside pick-up, or find a gardening neighbor that would appreciate the extra composting material. 
  • After you’ve mowed and raked one last time, fertilize the lawn.  The roots are still active, and the extra nutrients will help the grass overwinter safely. 
  • Speaking of using the lawnmower one last time, drain the fuel and oil from gas-powered equipment, and clean them well.  This Old House offers some excellent tips on putting up the lawn mower for Winter. 
  • Give the roof a good look and replace broken or missing shingles. 
  • Check windows and doors–inside and out–for drafts and apply weather-stripping or caulking where it’s needed.  Today’s Homeowner has a video that shows us how to apply caulk around our windows. 
  • Call your HVAC serviceperson, and have the heater checked and serviced, if necessary.  Go ahead and make sure your filters are new–buying them in bulk keeps you from having to remember to get one every couple of months and saves you money. 
  • If you use wood for heating, hopefully it’s already cut and seasoned.  Store it at least 30 feet from the house, covered, unless you bring it in a few days before you burn it. 
  • Turn off your sprinkler system timer, shut water off at the main, and drain the system. If you’re not able to drain it yourself, it may be worth the money to hire a pro to blow the pipes out and drain the sprinkler heads. 

It may take a couple of weekends to get all of these done, but all are important to do, and hopefully save you from a headache and spending a lot of money later in the Winter.  Some of these chores could be done by a teenager looking to earn a few extra dollars, and they can learn something in the process. You’re never too young to learn about taking care of your home.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Monday Morning Quarterback for September 8th, 2024 – September 14th, 2024

September 17th, 2024 by tisner

Every Monday, ORRA’s Monday Morning Quarterback Report gives you a snapshot of the previous week’s market activity, including sales, prices, days on market, and much, much more.

Monday Morning Quarterback for September 8th, 2024 – September 14th, 2024

Single-family existing homes

  • Sales of single-family homes increased to 405 during the week of September 08, from 331 the week prior
  • The median price of single family homes increased to $425,000 a change of 1.2%
  • The number of single-family home foreclosure transactions decreased to 1 from 2 the week prior
  • The number of single-family short-sale transactions increased to 1 from 0 the week prior
  • Single-family inventory increased by 95, and now sits at 7,544.

Condos, townhomes, and villas

  • Sales of condos, townhomes, and villas decreased to 105 during the week of September 08, from 120 the week prior
  • The median price of condos, townhomes, and villas decreased to $268,000 a change of -6.6%
  • The number of condo, townhome, and villa foreclosure transactions increased to 1 from 0 the week prior
  • The number of condo, townhome and villa short-sale transactions remains constant at 0
  • Condo inventory increased by 69, and now sits at 3,726.

Want to understand the Orlando market like a pro? Full report offers a deeper dive: https://www.orlandorealtors.org/mmq

https://www.orlandorealtors.org/mmq

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Budget-Friendly Kitchen Improvements When Selling

September 12th, 2024 by tisner


When selling your home, the kitchen can be a make-or-break selling point. While a total overhaul is not necessary, you want the kitchen to look its very best so house hunters are wowed when they walk into the room.

  • Install new hardware on drawers and cabinets. Classic styles are best for a kitchen that will soon be on the market, and less expensive.
  • Spruce up the cabinets! White and other neutrals give a clean look and brighten up the space, and all work well with pops of trendy color around the kitchen.
  • Give your sink a makeover simply by replacing the faucet and the handles.
  • Refurbish with new cabinet doors. This can be a little more expensive, but not as costly as replacing all of the cabinetry. Something as simple as adding trim to create a paneled door-look can make your cabinets look custom! Find other great cabinet makeovers from Better Homes & Gardens®.
  • Adding a tile backsplash gives a whole new look to your kitchen, and it is an easy DIY task. Ask This Old House shows step-by-step how to use adhesive mats and mosaic tile sheets for this kitchen improvement.
  • If the countertops are dated and unattractive, upcycle them with laminate if you have intermediate carpentry skills. If not, hire a pro for the job. Styles of laminate sheeting include look-alike marble and faux granite and can be purchased or ordered from your local home center.
  • Flooring is important in the kitchen, and in case you have spruced up the cabinets or added a new backsplash and the floors simply do not work well anymore, there are some affordable ways to improve it. The Spruce offers four types of flooring that look great and will not break the bank.

Whether you decide to make just one change, (or several!), create a budget, stick to it, and stretch the makeover out over a few months to keep from overspending. For potential buyers to come in and see a clean, new-looking kitchen shows them you care enough about the future owners to improve this much-used space. If your budget does not allow for a lot of improvements, remember that a simple update can make a big impact.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Monday Morning Quarterback for September 1st, 2024 – September 7th, 2024

September 10th, 2024 by tisner

Every Monday, ORRA’s Monday Morning Quarterback Report gives you a snapshot of the previous week’s market activity, including sales, prices, days on market, and much, much more.

Monday Morning Quarterback for September 1st, 2024 – September 7th, 2024

Single-family existing homes

  • Sales of single-family homes decreased to 331 during the week of September 01, from 501 the week prior
  • The median price of single family homes remains constant at $420,000
  • The number of single-family home foreclosure transactions remains constant at 2
  • The number of single-family short-sale transactions remains constant at 0
  • Single-family inventory increased by 78, and now sits at 7,449.

Condos, townhomes, and villas

  • Sales of condos, townhomes, and villas decreased to 120 during the week of September 01, from 148 the week prior
  • The median price of condos, townhomes, and villas decreased to $287,000 a change of -7.6%
  • The number of condo, townhome, and villa foreclosure transactions remains constant at 0
  • The number of condo, townhome and villa short-sale transactions remains constant at 0
  • Condo inventory remains constant at 3,657.

Want to understand the Orlando market like a pro? Full report offers a deeper dive: https://www.orlandorealtors.org/mmq

https://www.orlandorealtors.org/mmq

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Monday Morning Quarterback for August 25th, 2024 – August 31st, 2024

September 4th, 2024 by tisner


Every Monday, ORRA’s Monday Morning Quarterback Report gives you a snapshot of the previous week’s market activity, including sales, prices, days on market, and much, much more.

Monday Morning Quarterback for August 25th, 2024 – August 31st, 2024

Single-family existing homes

  • Sales of single-family homes increased to 501 during the week of August 25, from 424 the week prior
  • The median price of single family homes decreased to $420,000 a change of -2.3%
  • The number of single-family home foreclosure transactions remains constant at 2
  • The number of single-family short-sale transactions decreased to 0 from 1 the week prior
  • Single-family inventory decreased by 41, and now sits at 7,371.

Condos, townhomes, and villas

  • Sales of condos, townhomes, and villas increased to 148 during the week of August 25, from 120 the week prior
  • The median price of condos, townhomes, and villas increased to $310,750 a change of 11.5%
  • The number of condo, townhome, and villa foreclosure transactions decreased to 0 from 1 the week prior
  • The number of condo, townhome and villa short-sale transactions remains constant at 0
  • Condo inventory decreased by 8, and now sits at 3,657.

Want to understand the Orlando market like a pro? Full report offers a deeper dive: https://www.orlandorealtors.org/mmq

https://www.orlandorealtors.org/mmq

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Removing Carpet

September 3rd, 2024 by tisner


Homeowners of houses built in the wall-to-wall carpet phase may be pleasantly surprised to learn that there is hardwood flooring beneath rug.  If you’ve pulled up a corner of the carpeting and found just that, or simply want to remove the old carpet before new is installed, DIY’ing this job is a good idea, but be ready–here are a few tips for removing wall-to-wall carpeting: 

  • You’ll need a few things–heavy duty trash bags, protective gloves, sharp utility knife, dust mask, and a crowbar, and for removing padding glue or staples, a flat floor scraper or padding adhesive remover. 
  • Remove all the furniture from the room, as well as floor vents, and any under shoe molding.  Vacuum very well to remove as much dirt and dust as possible. 
  • If there is a room door that swings inward, take the door off the hinges to keep it out of the way. 
  • Suit up with the dust mask and the work gloves, and start in a corner, pulling a section back with the crowbar, taking care to be mindful of the tack strips that can be holding down the carpet around the perimeter of the room. 
  • Once you’ve pulled the carpet back, fold it over, and, using the utility knife, cut a section of carpet from the back side for easier going. (Cutting the large rug into sections makes it much more manageable than rolling up the whole piece.)  
  • Remove the tack strips with the crowbar if you have hardwood floors under the padding that you plan on refinishing.  Start in the middle of the strip, loosening the nails, and work towards the ends. 
  • After the tack strips are out, tackle the padding.  Pull it up, cutting into sections the same way the carpet was cut. 
  • Some padding is installed with adhesive, and some is stapled to the floor.  If there is glue remaining on the floor, follow the instructions on the carpet padding adhesive remover to get the glue off the flooring. The staples can be removed with the floor scraper. 
  • Remember that if you’re planning on recarpeting the floor, leave the tack strips in place, and remove the padding anyway, as most installers require new padding to be put down. 

Call your local municipality to find out how they would like for you to dispose of the old carpet, because the large amount may not be able to be picked up by the regular truck.  Don’t hesitate to ask about recycling programs that are available, as virtually all carpeting can be recycled.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Florida – Where Americans Really Want to Live

August 29th, 2024 by tisner


Americans value sunshine, safety and affordability, a new study shows. Of course, Florida tops the list of most desirable states to live.

NEW YORK – Many Americans seem to have contradictory and confused feelings about the places they call home.

Although 73% of Americans say they like where they live, 59% of Americans still get frustrated with their home city or state and 43% are embarrassed by their state, according to a new study from Clever Real Estate.

Out of the 1,000 Americans asked about where they do and don’t want to live, nearly six in 10 live where they’ve always lived. However, approximately 84% of respondents said they could be convinced to move to another city or state.

Many Americans want to pursue a better life elsewhere, but 50% say they can’t afford to move to a more desirable location.

Safety, sunshine and affordability

Where do Americans dream of moving? The answers were pretty simple. When asked what makes a place desirable, 68% of Americans cite low crime, 66% say affordable living and housing costs, 62% desire good weather, and 52% want low taxes.

Those preferences were also consistent in reverse. When asked what makes places undesirable, 73% don’t want high crime, 65% complain about high cost of living, 62% say high taxes, and 54% cite bad weather and pollution.

Tampa is the most desirable city

With Americans wanting to live somewhere affordable, sunny, and safe, it’s not surprising that Tampa, Florida, was ranked the most desirable city in America.

Tampa has year-round warm weather, no state taxes, a low crime rate, and greater affordability than other Florida cities. Its median home value of $361,177 is cheaper than hot spots Orlando and Miami, where median home costs are $379,039 and $441,339, respectively.

Locals say quality of life appeals to potential residents, too.

“From the rich diversity and incredible restaurants to our beautiful waterfront with boating attractions just steps outside our door, there’s something for everyone,” says Kirstin Albert of the Tampa Convention Center. “It is such a friendly and welcoming community. Not to mention our year-round summer weather.”

Charlotte, North Carolina, came in second, followed by Virginia Beach, Virginia, Nashville, Tennessee, and Orlando, Florida.

Americans chose Honolulu as their top midsize city, which may mean many respondents forgot or were unaware of the price of living in paradise.

Honolulu is one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. Basic goods and services cost much more than in other states. Real Estate Witch says the city’s median home value of $794,000 is more than twice the national average.

After Honolulu, the most desirable midsize cities are Colorado Springs, Colorado; Charleston, South Carolina; Cape Coral, Florida; and Palm Bay, Florida.

Florida is the most desirable state

The Sunshine State is home to one-quarter of the 10 most desirable large metros and the 10 most desirable midsize metros, so it’s no wonder it ranks highly among the most desirable states.

More than one-third of respondents ranked Florida among their top five states, placing it ahead of California at number two. The two states have some similarities, but Florida has the edge thanks to its low tax burden and lower cost of living. California also ranks as the worst state to live.

Texas, Hawaii, and New York round out the top five.

Although California, Texas, and New York are considered desirable, no individual cities in these states topped the list. On the contrary, Americans consider some of New York and California’s largest cities the least desirable places to live.

Where Americans don’t want to live

One-third of respondents ranked the District of Columbia as one of the five worst cities to live in the U.S. New York City was a close second, followed by San Francisco, Chicago, and Detroit.

Los Angeles came in as the sixth-least desirable city, meaning California, the second-most desirable state, has two of the six least desirable cities.

Because Americans want to live in safe areas, the three least desirable cities – Washington D.C., New York City, and San Francisco – have higher-than-average crime rates. They’re also among the most expensive cities in America, with home values far exceeding the national average.

High living costs also impacted the list of least desirable states. California, where everything is more expensive, from gasoline to real estate commission, ranked last, followed by New York, Alaska, Alabama, and Texas.

Southern states make up half of the 10 least desirable list despite respondents saying that the friendliest people tend to live there. Americans named Hawaii the nicest state, followed by Tennessee, Texas, South Carolina, and Florida.

The kindest cities also had a distinctly Southern flavor: Nashville ranked first, followed by Charlotte, Virginia Beach, Atlanta, and Austin.

On the other end of the spectrum, respondents ranked New York the rudest city and state, the city and state with the most annoying residents, the state with the second-most crazy residents, the second-most pretentious state, and the second-ugliest city.

However, New York edged out New Orleans as the city with the best food. New Yorkers may be rude, pretentious, and annoying, but at least they eat well.

By Franklin Schneider
© Copyright 2024, The Courier-Times, all rights reserved.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Utilize Your Space

August 27th, 2024 by tisner

utilize your space

The large dining room, family room or bonus rooms was one of the things that sold your house to you.  Despite our good intentions, though, those rooms sometimes end up being used for storage, folded laundry, or just not being used altogether.  Use these ideas to inspire you to get these rooms ready to spend more time in: 

Extra Bedroom 

Most extra bedrooms end up being the guest room, whether you have guest often or not.  Turn that room into a dual-purpose room; use a daybed with trundle or a wall bed so you’ll have more space in the room for other things. 

  • Set up a home office or study space for the kids. 
  • Add a small double-leafed or card table, use stackable or folding chairs, install some shelving, and have the room serve as the game/play room.   
  • If your children like to invite friends over for video games, hang a flat screen on the wall, a small shelf for their game console, lay a cushy area rug on the floor, and purchase bean bag chairs, slip chairs are large floor pillows for seating. 
  • Create a reading room with a small bookshelf, a comfy chair, blanket, small side table and lamp. 

Bonus/Flex Room 

You couldn’t wait to start decorating and using your extra room, but you’re stumped on exactly what to do.   

  • Get the television out of your living space, get some affordable seating, and create a home theater.  
  • Do you have a musician in the family?  Soundproof the walls, add extra electrical outlets, and clear the floor for your own concert hall. 
  • Give your workout equipment a home in the extra room, use a small television for workout entertainment, install a comfortable bench, hooks for small towels, and include a small fridge for water and smoothies when you’re finished with exercising. 

Not Just for Dining 

Busy families don’t always have time for a sit-down meal at the dining table, but there’s no need to use it for special occasions. 

  • Use one end of the table for office space.  A dining room is less busy than other rooms, and you can get more done there without distractions.  Use a laptop for the space, take advantage of wireless printing, and use part of a china cabinet for supplies so you won’t fill the room with office clutter. 
  • Consider using a smaller table or remove the leaf from a large table.  Place some comfortable seating at one end of the room, add a sideboard to use for a coffee/tea bar, and have an after-dinner seating area. 
  • If your home lacks an extra living area, why not use it for family time instead of a dining area?  Treat the space as you would a den, and furnish it with sofa, chairs, and television for a cozy family room. 

There are no rules that say a room must be used for what the blueprint says.  Your home is just that–your home.  You know best how you and your family can use a space.  It doesn’t have to cost a lot; shop thrift shops and tag sales, or use what you already have.  You can add extra space to your home without picking up a hammer and nail!

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Teri Isner, CIPS, CRS, GRI
Keller Williams At-The-Lakes
1170 Celebration Blvd
Suite 200
Celebration, Fl 34747

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