Let’s face it, many times when folks visit the islands they tend to not want to come home from such places.  This is the case typically because the beach is a very relaxing place to be with all the warm air, salt water and sunshine.   What if you could decorate your home to have an island feel?  There are ways to go about turning your home into a tropical oasis.  A few of those ideas are listed below for you.

1. A good way to get started making your home feel like an island paradise  is by beginning to think outside of the box.  Do not be afraid of using bold colors in rooms in which you want to transform.  You can choose bold teal colors that mimic the look of the ocean for your family room then perhaps you can use some wallpaper in your kids’ bathroom that has sea creatures on it.  Don’t worry, as long as you keep it classy, not tacky, you will be able to get away with doing all sorts of wild colors and designs to achieve your beach house feel.
2. Another way to decorate your home to have an island feel is to add some accessories throughout the house that help you achieve the look. Throw pillows with sand dollars and seahorses on them are a great start.  You can even use seashells you have gathered on your trips to the ocean to decorate with.  Putting some seashells in glass vases with a bit of sand in them is a great way to achieve beach décor.
3. One way to give your home an island feel is to use a lot of candles that are scented with tropical scents.  Lighting these daily will help you to feel like you are on vacation when you are sitting in your own home.
4. Lots of ceiling fans throughout your home is another way to create an island oasis inside. You can also use ceiling fans outside on your porch area to take the feel outside.
5. Wicker and rattan is your friend if you want your home to feel like an island. Use it liberally.
6. Using a lot of tropical plants to decorate the inside of your home is another good way to get the island feel you are searching for.

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.

Tiny Houses are really super cute and a lot less expensive than traditional size homes but there are a few things you might want to take into consideration before you decide to purchase a tiny house.  There are pros and cons to owing a tiny house and those are listed for you below for your review.

1. Tiny houses  are typically no more than 100 to 500 square feet.  This may work perfect for you and your family if your family is rather small.  If however you have a large family a tiny house may not be the way to go.
2. You can have a tiny house built for $15,000 however if you want that tiny house to have all the bells and whistles you may end up spending in excess of $80 to $100,000. Basically it will be up to you if you want to purchase a tiny house and “bling it out” so to speak or if you would rather take your money and purchase a large home that already has everything you desire.
3. You may need to check with the zoning board in your area to see if a tiny house is allowed before you make a decision. If so, why not give a tiny house a go…if not, you can always put the tiny house on wheels and travel from state to state.
4. If personal space is important to you then you may not want to even consider purchasing a tiny house. If you do decide to purchase a tiny house your lifestyle will change for sure.  If you don’t mind being in close proximity to your family then a tiny house may be just the ticket!
5. A pro to living in a tiny home is that you won’t have very much space to clean.   If you don’t like spending a ton of time cleaning your house, a tiny home may be the place of your dreams!

These are just a few of the pros and cons associated with tiny house living.  In the end, it is your decision whether or not you want to purchase a tiny house and join the many others you have already done so.

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.

If you currently have your house on the market, you may want to look over a few of the curb appeal mistakes that you might possibly be making listed below.   You may or may not have issues with any of the mistakes that are listed but if you do, we will tell you how to fix them so that you will be more likely to get folks interested in looking at your house.   Curb appeal can many times be the number one reason why a person decides to look at your house in the first place.  Be sure to do your part to make your home’s curb appeal work for you and you might find that you have an offer quicker than you were planning on.

1. If your home is totally gorgeous inside but lacks curb appeal outside, no one may ever know just how beautiful your home actually is because they simply won’t want to come inside.  You need to make sure that the outside of your home matches the quality of the inside.  If your home looks fresh and new inside, make sure that you have fresh paint and landscaping outside.
2. Even though you may have a trash pick-up service, many times when days get busy the trash may be overflowing. Do your best to keep your trash cans out of sight from those who may come to tour your home and also keep them empty if at all possible or at the least not overflowing with garbage.
3. If you have recently starting doing a bit of renovations to the outside of your house, be sure to get those finished before you put your home on the market. You need to think about prospective buyers that may be driving by your house to get a glimpse of what it looks like and realize that no one wants to see a house renovation half completed.
4. If you have a big sense of style that can sometimes get a bit crazy, now is the time to neutral that down a bit. If your front door is painted bright pink for example, you may want to cover it with some white or beige or even black paint before you put it on the market.  Just because you love hot pink doesn’t mean everyone does!
5. If you don’t have a green thumb and therefore you haven’t done any landscaping to the outside of your home, it is time to at least plant a few bushes. Homes with no landscaping tend to be looked over when up against homes with a bit of landscaping.

These are just a few ideas to get you thinking of perhaps some curb appeal mistakes you may have currently at your home and how to correct the issues to help snag a sale.

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.

Just because your home doesn’t have any major issues such as a leaky basement or a floor that is about to cave in doesn’t mean you don’t have a lot of little ways you are losing cash each month.  Below are a few small tips to help you save money at home that may eventually add up big.

1.  If you have yet to change your lights over to energy efficient ones you should do that right away.   This is an easy way to save a little bit each month that doesn’t take long at all to accomplish.  LED lights are going to cost you a bit more than regular light bulbs but in the long run they will be a big help to your budget.
2. Big ticket items such as air conditioning systems can cost you and your family a lot each year if you don’t do your part to make sure they work to the best of their ability.  Make sure to change your air filters on a regular basis and clean all the vents as well.  This type of maintenance should be done before the heat of the summer begins so that all will work correctly when it is needed most.
3. Another small way to save money at home  is to make sure you eat what you put in your refrigerator.  Wasting food is a big money pit that affects many Americans today.   If you buy a lot of produce and other perishables you need to be sure to put them at eye level so that they don’t get lost in your fridge only to have to be thrown out later.  If you have a small family you might want to purchase smaller amounts of foods that don’t have a long shelf live to avoid wasting each week.
4. If you haven’t already done so, get rid of your landline phone.  Most everyone these days has a cell phone and the need for a landline phone has almost become obsolete.  Save that $40 per month and put it towards something of better use.  You may be surprised at just how quickly $40 each month can add up.
5. Before you decide to bring a furry family member into your home, realize that they are quite expensive.   If you are trying your best to save money perhaps buying a pet might need to go on the back burner for a while.

These are just a few ways in which your pocketbook can get a bit of rest  on a regular basis.  Use the ideas you like and see what a difference they can make.

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.

Sometimes your circumstances change, and you find yourself needing to buy a home ASAP!  In the past, you’ve looked at houses for a month online before you start actively looking, taking your time to find an agent.  Now, however, your new job needs you as soon as you can get there, but how quickly can you buy a new house?  Faster than you think if you follow these tips! 

• Find a buyers agent that has a reputation for handling sales efficiently.  You want someone who understands your need to buy quickly, but who will also make sure you’re not making huge mistakes in the process. 
• Make sure your credit score is in good standing, and gather all paperwork necessary for the lender:  tax returns from past years, current pay stubs, bank statements, documentation for rent payments if you’re a renter, gift letter if someone is gifting part of the down payment, and proof of any assets you may have. 
• Don’t just get pre-qualified for a mortgage–get pre-approved.  This way, you’ll know exactly what you can afford, and when you make an offer, the seller will be certain you are serious about buying the house. 

• You might have to forgo the perfect house dreams, but don’t sacrifice your must-haves.  That said, not being extremely picky with what you want in a house will see your success a few steps closer.   
• When you talk to your agent, ask them to look for homes that have been on the market for a while.  This may give you some leeway in the offer process because the seller is likely somewhat anxious to sell. 
• If you have any equity in the home you will be moving from, and you don’t want to lease or rent it, selling as quickly as you are able will give you a head start on the purchase of a new home.   
• Be prepared to put your belongings in storage if you do sell before you buy, and talk to friends or relatives about staying with them temporarily. 
• You’ll want a transaction without a lot of contingencies so there isn’t a lot of time-consuming negotiating, but be careful about what you are willing to let go to buy the property.   

• Don’t go AWOL during the process–sure you’ll be busy getting packed up and prepping for a move, but you need to be available to your agent so no time is wasted.   

The best tip is to get started as soon as you know you have to move–the more time you have to take care of buying a new home, the better the outcome will be, saving you time, money, and future headaches.   

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.

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Photo credit: realtor.com

Buying a home is so exciting, and unless your new home is brand new construction or newly renovated, there may be a few projects you have planned. If any of these plans are in the current budget, get them completed before moving: 

• First things first, change all locks on the house, including the garage door and any outbuildings. 
• Painting interior walls would be finished sooner if done before getting boxes and furniture in the house. 
• Most sellers are required to leave the house and property clean as a whistle, but doing a deep clean on your own or hiring a pro to do the job will make you feel better, knowing it was done.  Have hard surfaces steam-cleaned to ensure that as much dirt, grease, and germs have been blasted away.  

• Any flooring projects you would like done would go more smoothly if completed before living there.   
• Have a look at electrical outlets in each room and add or move them as needed. Consider upgrading outlets to include USB plugs as well, making it more convenient to charge your gadgets. 
• Call an HVAC repair person and have the AC unit thoroughly cleaned and ask if they offer a service plan so that you do not have to schedule this twice per year. 
• If getting new toilets is not possible, at least purchase and install new seats.  In case the bolts are stubborn, The Family Handyman offers some help in getting the old seat off. 
• The security system should be up and running before moving, so check any existing installations and decide to upgrade or not. Get the internet connection established so you can test everything so it will be ready when you bring your belongings. 

Any major renovations to the house would make life easier for you and your family if they are finished or nearly so by the time you are ready to move in.  Otherwise, stay a while before you decide if the remodel is exactly what you need.  Once the big things are done, enjoying your new home, and getting to know your neighbors will be the number one priority. 

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.

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Photo credit: moving.com

When you’re shopping for a home, it can feel like you’re hemorrhaging money. You’ve got all sorts of things to pay for, from loan application fees to home inspections, so when the issue of earnest money comes up unexpectedly, it can be a “slam on the brakes” moment. Now that the days of low to no down payments are largely past and markets everywhere seem to be running thin on inventory, earnest money may well be the most important negotiating tool you’ve never heard of.

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.

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By: Homkeeepr, David Weinstein

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.

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There is always excitement in buying a new home! While the up-front expenses can be stressful, the visions new homeowners see for their house can cause them to forget about necessary situations that should take precedence.  Let these helpful tips keep you on the right track after becoming homeowners: 

• While your new house has had a thorough inspection, you may want to go through that list and begin planning for items the inspector may have noted would need repair soon. Get estimates for the fixes and begin saving now. 
• Assuming the former owner kept everything in tip-top shape and not performing your own monthly or seasonal inspection is never a good idea. Print this handy checklist, and use it for DIY inspection and maintenance so you stay a few steps ahead of a major repair need. 
• Beginning any major work as soon as the moving truck leaves the driveway may be too soon!  Live in the home for a while and learn its quirks and possible trouble spots before drawing plans and hiring a contractor.  Finding an unforeseen issue with the house after work has begun can cause more financial burden. 

• Renovation television shows make DIY tempting, to say the least.  If you have no experience in a major remodel, leave it to the pros.  Paying the right person to do the job could save you thousands in “mistake” money. 
• A total overhaul of your decor as soon as you move in can put a dent in your wallet. Personalizing your home is best done room-by-room or whatever is easiest on your budget. Living space furniture with new slipcovers, new stylish pillows, and a fresh coat of paint on the walls should satisfy anyone who is itching to make their home “theirs.” 
• Probably the furthest thing from new homeowners’ minds is their future tax returns, but not keeping receipts and all other financial forms related to your home purchase could hurt come tax time. Consider hiring an accountant or tax preparer when the time comes. 

Getting used to your new budget should be your priority.  Utility bills and other expenses may be more than you have ever experienced and getting behind at the beginning is not the way to start your home-owning journey.   

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 Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!

Photo credit: Discover

If you are a renter, you know that rent costs are on the rise, and it may be getting more difficult for you to stop thinking that a home purchase cannot be easier on your wallet. Starting on buying a home can come a year in advance of your first house hunt and creating a homeowner budget is the first step.   

• Write a list of needs and wants for your future home, beginning with size, the number of rooms, type of neighborhood, size of the yard, garage, or no garage, etc. Be realistic, as there is only so much house you can afford. Set a price range, and stick to it. 
• Create an income/expenses list, or use this handy budget calculator so you may see exactly where your money is going.  If there is little left of your paycheck at the end of the equation, it is time to begin eliminating unnecessary purchases so you can start saving. 
• Start paying off any debt you currently have credit cards, car loans, or personal loans. Eliminating these balances will reduce your debt-to-income ratio, and will show lenders you’re serious about paying for a home. 

• Once you start paying off debt, start depositing the amount of those payments into a savings account. Not only do you need to save towards the payment, but you’ll also have other costs for buying a home: appraisal, home inspections, and other fees may or may not be added to the closing costs. 
• Some people that live on low incomes may feel like homeownership is a pipe dream, but that is not true. Many government-backed agencies will assist those with limited incomes buy a home: 

• Federal Housing Administration offers loans with low down payments (3.5%). 
• USDA  helps low-income families in rural areas with purchasing a home with no down payment. 
• VA loans assist veterans with home-buying, as well as home repair. 

No matter your income, homeownership is within reach if your credit report and score is within an acceptable range and may differ according to the lender.  Learning how to budget your income, paying your bills on time, and saving money are all possible, and it may take discipline on your part. The result, however–a home of your own–is worth all the time and effort it took to prepare for it! 

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 Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!