If you’re celebrating the holidays away from home, you may be wrestling with how to get gifts to your loved ones. With careful planning and packing, however, you can get your gifts safely to their destination. Read up on our favorite tips for flying with gifts.

Flying with Wrapped Gifts

Wrapped gifts are allowed in both carry-ons and checked luggage. However, airport security may need to open gifts as part of their inspections, but it is rare. To decrease the likelihood of your gifts being unwrapped, pack them in your checked luggage rather than your carry-on.

Flying with Edible Gifts

Be sure to factor where your baggage is stored during flight, especially edible gifts as they may be prone to spoiling or melting. Bag and cushion perishable gifts with clothing to avoid a mess in your suitcase. Keep in mind, any liquids or sauces that exceed 3.4 oz. will need to go into your checked luggage.

Flying with Valuable or Irreplaceable Gifts

Carry valuables onto the plane in a small carry-on bag and place it beneath the seat in front of you. The only way to ensure your items are not damaged, stolen, or lost is to carry them yourself. An alternative is to ship valuables via a shipping service that includes insurance and tracking.

Flying Home with Gifts You Receive

Pack a sturdy duffel bag to use as an additional piece of luggage on your return flight. Use it for clothing, laundry, shoes, non-breakable items, and transport fragile gifts home in the more protective suitcase.

By using these tips as a guideline, you can better organize and prepare for your trip.

By: Surge365

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.

Simplify Your Thanksgiving Travels!

This Thanksgiving, AAA expects 53.4 million Americans to hit the road, the highest single-year increase since 2005. Here are expert tips and tricks for making one of the busiest travel holidays of the year easier than ever. You can thank us later!

Be Mindful and Thoughtful

Can holiday travel feel stressful? Does it help to take out your frustration on fellow passengers and travelers? It doesn’t have to be this way. Frame your journey as an exciting adventure. Everyone traveling has a similar goal to celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones. Practice slowing your breathing if long lines or traffic are causing you stress.

Travel Light

Everyone flying will be packing carry-ons to accommodate their journey. Overhead compartments will fill up quickly. Try to pack everything into a backpack that will fit under the seat in front of you. If you have gifts or bulky items, consider shipping them to your final destination ahead of time.

Travel at Odd Times

The day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year, closely followed by the Sunday after the big day. Fly to your destination a few days early and fly back on Friday when the masses are out shopping the best deals of the year. Drive through the night to avoid traffic.

Stay Connected

Smartphone users can take advantage of apps that provide updates on airline statuses, road traffic, weather, and current news. Social media is a great resource to be the first place to hear about anything that might go wrong with your flight. Airlines can also be more responsive to public pleas of assistance on social media.

By using these tips as a guideline, you can better organize and prepare for your trip.

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.

By: Surge365

It won’t be long before the streets of your neighborhood are filled with children, and some parents, will be costumed and carrying bags and buckets for Halloween treats!  Since many homeowners don’t regularly use the front entrance to their home, they may not think about all the little feet that will be tramping up the path to your door.  Make sure everyone has a safe trip for their candy by following these tips before October 31! 

• Do your own walk-up to your front door, and examine everything, including the driveway and front steps.  Make sure there are no loose pieces or large cracks that can cause anyone to take a tumble.  Porch railings should be secure. 
• Yard decor should be fixed securely so the wind can’t blow it over, or curious little hands cannot pull it down. 
• Battery-operated LED tea lights are inexpensive and much safer to use in place of lighted candles.  Many options are available for LED’s, including a flickering light that is perfect for your jack o’ lantern. 

• Speaking of lights, make sure that not only is your porch light switched on, but that the path you’ve created is well-lit. 
• Decor that hangs from the trees is scary and fun, so make certain they are hanging at least ten feet from the walkway, making certain they don’t obstruct anyone’s view. 
• Take an afternoon close to Halloween to be sure any shrubbery, trees or edging isn’t in the way of where trick-or-treaters must walk.  Inspect for loose branches in nearby trees and remove them. 
• If you have room in the garage, consider parking the car there.  The folks that are coming and going would likely appreciate the extra room to pass others. 
• A constantly-ringing doorbell or persistent knocking can cause your pets some distress and a lot of barking.  Confine them to a room, or even better, to their crate.  Check out these other great tips about your pets and Halloween from the ASPCA. 

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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Soon little goblins from all around your neighborhood will be coming to your door asking for candy by saying “trick or treat”. There may be more to than you think if you are in the market to sell your home. Let’s take a look at a few tricks and treats that may help you to sell your home more quickly than you may have thought you could. Of course a good Realtor is the way to go but you and your Realtor can talk about these ideas and decide which tricks and treats you want to use to sell your home.

• For some reason buyers are a little scared of the number 9 in your asking price. The last thing you want to do is to frighten your potential buyers off by using the number 9. We have all seen this tactic in the local stores where items are listed for sale at a price of $9.99 or $12.99. Instead of using the number 9 in your sale price why not just round up to the next number to make the number nice and round and to avoid turning away buyers that may have otherwise been interested in your home. For instance instead of listing your home at $199,000 go ahead and list it at $200,000. When your sale price ends with a 9, it looks like you are trying too hard to give a bargain and buyers are not particularly looking for a bargain deal when buying a home.
• Another trick and treat that may help you sell your home is to stay away from a lot of aromatherapy. While aromatherapy is a good thing, it can confuse and even turn off some potential buyers. When potential buyers are looking at your home they are affected by not only what they see but by what they smell as well. If you happen to have a person tour your home who hates the smell of vanilla and you have it piped throughout your house with candles or other smelly goods you may lose that buyer that easily. A good rule of thumb is to go for a fresh clean scent such as pine sol or something similar. You can fill a sink with water and put a dash of pine sol in there to help your home smell nice and fresh.
• If at all possible, stage your home. Homes that are staged tend to sell more easily than those that look extremely lived in. Folks want to imagine their own family living in your home, not see how you and your family live there.

Hopefully these tricks and treats for selling your home will help keep you from frightening off potential buyers.

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: Real Simply 

Choosing laminate wood flooring for a home is a really good decision for a homeowner.  Laminate flooring has come a long way since its beginning a few decades ago, with better quality, ease of installment, and varieties to choose from–you can even get laminate to look like stone! Caring for this manufactured product can be tricky, but with the right cleaning and care, it can look great for years to come.

    Protecting the Floor

• Laminate flooring isn’t real wood–it’s an image of wood adhered to fiberboard, with a bottom that is moisture damage-resistant. It is covered with a clear protectant that is hard enough to protect it from scratching and pitting.
• Although it is made to prevent moisture damage, it still needs to be protected from liquids. Any spills need to be cleaned up as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
• The top layer of sealant is there to protect the floor, but if the dining room chairs are constantly pulled from the table, put some felt pads on the legs to prevent any scratching.
• Other pieces of furniture that don’t get moved often still may need something under the legs, and felt pads or newer style plastic casters work perfectly for heavier pieces.
• High traffic areas are best protected with area rugs and runners. Be sure to use a gripper mat or tape underneath rugs to prevent slipping.
• Even though laminate is great for homes with pets, they can still get scratched in extreme situations. Keep pet’s toenails trimmed to prevent this. Pet accidents need to be cleaned immediately to prevent moisture damage and stains.
• Some toys with sharp edges can dent or pit the floor, so they should be used with care, or in places protected with area rugs.
• Sometimes an area of the floor can get damaged, and the best solution is to call the manufacturer to get their advice. Most even sell repair kits for small DIY jobs.

Keeping It Clean

• The first defense in keeping any floor clean is a mat on both sides of a door that leads outside. A “no shoes” policy could even be put in place to keep even more dirt out, as well as preventing scuff marks.
• Removing dirt and small particles is best done on laminate floors with a microfiber cloth or mop. Sweeping with a broom can scratch the surface over time, and usually doesn’t get all of the dirt, anyway.  Many styles of reusable and washable cloth floor cleaners are available and are perfect for laminate.
• Electric sweepers are also excellent for vacuuming dirt and pet hair. Make sure any vacuum-type sweeper has a gentle brush motion.  Too heavy, and it can scratch.
• Mopping can create streaks because of too much detergent in the cleaner. The best solution for mopping grime or sticky spills is using two parts warm water, one part white vinegar, a few drops of dishwashing liquid, and a drop or two of lemon essential oil. The essential oil helps keep the vinegar odor down, but that smell fades quickly.  Mix this in a spray bottle, and spray each area as you mop.  The less liquid used, the better for the floor.
• In case of streaks, use a microfiber cloth or cloth diaper to buff the floor. These are best for a great shine on the floor. Never use dusting spray, as it can cause floors to be slippery.

Laminate flooring can be an asset to a home, without the expense and extra work a hardwood floor can bring. Without a lot of extra cost, the flooring can look new for many years, as long as attention is paid to its care and cleaning.

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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Who said every wall in your house had to be a white wall with art or family photos?  Why not add an accent wall to add interest and style, as well as be a focal point in the room?  Here are some wonderful ideas to make your wall go from silent to telling a story: 

• Stenciling has come a long way from the floral room borders of the 80’s and 90’s.  There are so many stencil designs available, and ambitious DIY’ers can even make their own!  Bob Vila gives us a step-by-step tutorial on stenciling, as well as offering tips and tricks that are good to know before you get started. 
• Wallpaper doesn’t need to cover every wall of a room.  Add a bold or bright print to one wall, and add style and interest to the room.  Get inspired for a wallpapered feature wall with these ideas from Better Homes and GardensⓇ. 
• Create an accent wall with paint–this DIY can be done in a day, and make a huge difference in the look of the room for the amount of time it takes.  This article from Real Simple has interior designer advice on choosing a color and even furniture placement after the job’s done, as well as tips for painting. 

• Plank walls are a popular choice for a focal point as well as an accent wall.  There are many materials choices for this feature:  reclaimed wood, pre-stained wood, peel-and-stick tile, and even vinyl paneling! 
• Sponge painting is still being used today, but with a more subtle look that adds the appearance of texture to a wall.  There are many techniques, and House Painting Tutorials has several examples and links to their tutorials for each technique. 
• Creating a board-and-batten from stock materials is a good undertaking if you’re handy with power tools, and this type of wainscoting can really transform a room.  It may take a while to get this one done, but the difference it will make will be worth it. 
• Embossed tin panels or tiles can be used to create a vintage-look focal point, or add corrugated tin for a more industrial look.   

There are many more ways to change the look of your home with accent walls, and The Handyman website covers several of them–stone, brick veneer, and stamping to name a few.  Once you get started, you may love the style accent walls add to your home, and end up with one in every room!

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: buildbetterschools.info

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.

Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!

Photo credit: realtor.com

Garage doors might not seem like they make much of a difference, but imagine what your home would look like if you just had a flat door where your current garage door stands. Because they take up so much real estate on the front of most homes, garage doors can actually have a huge impact on the way your home looks and feels. So, what do you want your house to say today?

The walls of your home are begging for a new paint job, or you simply want to change your decor colors, but money is not flowing freely enough to hire a painter.  Painting is one DIY project that is cost-effective and easy enough to make it look as if you hired a crew to do the work.  Go over these tips before you get started: 

• Flat or matte paint is great for hiding flaws, and best used in low-traffic rooms, as it is not as easy to clean as glossy paint.  Use latex paint for high-traffic walls, and oil paint for wood trim.  Leave windows open when painting with oil paint because the odor is quite strong, and it takes longer to dry. 
• When picking colors, do not be afraid to go bold, unless you plan to sell soon, then neutrals are your best choice. 
• Purchase paint samples and apply each color in a 2’x2’ area on the wall you are planning to paint. Once it is dry, you will get a better feel for the color in the different lights, and whether you can live with it or not. 

• The ceiling cannot be forgotten in your new design!  Change the feel of the room’s height by going a shade darker (for a lower ceiling feel) or go a shade lighter or use a lighter color to give the illusion of a higher ceiling. 
• Use this handy paint calculator to determine how much paint you will need.  Other supplies necessary for a professional look are painter’s tape, drop cloths, putty, a putty knife, caulking, and any tools you may need for removing hardware from any doors or walls. 
• Clean your walls and sand if necessary, then use a vacuum to make sure all the dust is gone. 
• Covering a dark color, stains on the walls, old paneling, or new sheetrock may require a coat of primer prior to painting. Tint the primer with a little of your new wall color before applying. 
• Before you start on the walls, do the little stuff first:  paint in corners and close to the ceiling with a good brush, working your way down to catch drips. 

• Paint the walls in 3’-4’ sections in an overlapping W-pattern, applying paint until you need to reload the roller. When you are near the ceiling and corners, get as close as possible using what is left on the roller where you previously already cut in. This gives a smooth appearance to the finish. 
• Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours and avoid hanging anything on the walls for a few days. Hopefully, you should not have to do any cleaning until the paint has cured, usually two weeks to thirty days. 

Giving your home a facelift with paint is easy and rewarding if done correctly. Feeling adventurous? Try painting a pattern on your wall.  It may take more time, but the dramatic effect it makes in the room makes the wall a focal point, and one you can take pride in since you created 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!

Photo credit: BergerPaints 

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!

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