Fix or Not What to Fix When Prepping Your Home For Sale

5 Things Every First-Time Buyer Should Know About Southwest Florida Real Estate

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:35:44 GMT

5 Things Every First-Time Buyer Should Know About Southwest Florida Real Estate

Buying your first home in Southwest Florida is exciting — but it's also one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. Before you fall in love with a listing, here are five things every first-time buyer in our market needs to know.

1. Flood Zones Are a Big Deal Here Not all flood zones are equal. Some properties require flood insurance, which can significantly impact your monthly costs. Always check the FEMA flood zone designation before making an offer.

2. HOA Fees Vary Wildly From gated communities in Wellen Park to 55+ neighborhoods in North Port, HOA fees can range from $100 to over $1,000 per month. Make sure you factor these into your budget.

3. Insurance Costs Have Changed Florida homeowners insurance has gone through major changes in recent years. Get an insurance quote early in the process — before you're under contract — so there are no surprises.

4. New Construction Is Everywhere Southwest Florida has boomed with new construction. Buying new can be great — but builders have their own contracts and agents. Having your own buyer's agent costs you nothing and protects your interests.

5. The Right Agent Makes All the Difference In a market that moves fast and has local nuances — from Cape Coral canals to Punta Gorda waterfront — having an experienced local agent in your corner is essential.

�� Ready to start your home search? Call The Liss Lists Team at 516-567-7616 — we'd love to guide you home.

Is Now a Good Time to Sell Your Home in Southwest Florida?

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:24:27 GMT

Is Now a Good Time to Sell Your Home in Southwest Florida?

What North Port, Port Charlotte & Punta Gorda Sellers Need to Know Right Now

If you've been wondering whether now is the right time to list your home in North Port, Port Charlotte, Venice, or Punta Gorda — you're not alone. Here's what the current market is telling us.

Southwest Florida Is Still a Seller's Market — With Nuance Inventory has been slowly rising across Sarasota and Charlotte counties, which means buyers have more choices than they did a year ago. But well-priced, well-presented homes are still selling — often quickly and close to asking price.

What's Working Right Now

Homes that are move-in ready are outperforming fixer-uppers
Pricing correctly from day one matters more than ever
Professional photos and strong online presence drive more showings
Sellers who prepare their home properly are seeing better results

The Bottom Line The window to sell at strong prices is still open — but strategy matters more now than it did during the post-pandemic frenzy. The Liss Lists Team can walk you through exactly what your home is worth in today's market and what it takes to get top dollar.

�� Call us at 516-567-7616 or visit our website to request your free home value estimate.

New Era of Glass inspired counter tops

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:44:41 GMT

Trending Home Design Ideas for Southwest Florida Sellers

As a Southwest Florida Realtor, I'm always looking for ways to help my sellers make their homes stand out in the market. One of the hottest trends right now is recycled glass countertops — beautiful, unique, and eco-friendly! Check out this stunning inspiration ebook from Vetrazzo featuring gorgeous coastal-inspired designs that could give your kitchen or bathroom that extra wow factor buyers are looking for!

Read the Full Ebook Here

Port Charlotte, Florida Ranks 24 out of 25 Best and Affordable Places to Retire

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 23:35:25 GMT

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL RANKS NO. 24 OUT OF 25 FOR THE BEST AND MOST AFFORDABLE FOR RETIREMENT.

As a Realtor serving Port Charlotte, North Port, and Punta Gorda, I am thrilled to share that Southwest Florida continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for retirees in the entire country — and it's easy to see why!

�� Read Full Article Here

Fishermen's Village

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 23:25:42 GMT

FISHERMEN'S VILLAGE DINING

As a Southwest Florida Realtor, I love sharing the hidden gems that make our area so special — and Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda is one of those magical waterfront destinations that my clients and neighbors absolutely love!

�� Read Full Article Here

Fannie and Freddie to Allow Credit Scores Based on Rent and Utilities Payments

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:09:14 GMT

Fannie and Freddie to Allow Credit Scores Based on Rent and Utilities Payments

As a Southwest Florida Realtor, I'm always looking for news that can help my clients achieve their dream of homeownership. This is exciting news for many potential buyers who may have been held back by traditional credit scoring methods. If you've been renting and paying your utilities on time, this could open doors for you! Read the full article below. Read the full article below.

�� Read Full Article Here

Sarasota Falls from U.S. News and World Report Retirement Rankings as North Port climbs

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 22:21:58 GMT

Sarasota Falls From U.S. News & World Report Retirement Rankings as North Port Climbs

Sarasota Magazine, November 4, 2025

Once a perennial favorite, Sarasota drops out of U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 national list of the Best Places to Retire, while North Port rises to No. 135.

Sarasota, long the toast of the retirement world, just got upstaged by its own neighbors. In U.S. News & World Report’s list of the 2026 Best Places to Retire , the city dropped out of the national list of top 250 cities altogether, while North Port, the quiet inland counterpart in the same county, landed at No. 135. On U.S News’ statewide list of best places to retire, the irony runs even deeper: North Port ranks 36th, Bradenton 46th and Sarasota—wedged right between them on the map—comes in at 57th.

Sarasota’s slide is notable given its strong recent history. Under U.S. News & World Report’s earlier, metro-based ranking system, the Sarasota–Bradenton–North Port metropolitan area consistently ranked among the nation’s best places to retire—No. 1 in 2022 and No. 4 in 2025 . Those high placements reflected the region's combined strengths: Sarasota’s cultural amenities, beaches, and medical infrastructure, offset by the relative affordability of its surrounding cities.

But the U.S. News ’ shift to city-level data for its 2026 rankings dissolved that advantage and splintered the former Sarasota–Bradenton–North Port metro into separate city profiles. When evaluated independently, Sarasota’s high housing and insurance costs dragged down its affordability score, while North Port and Bradenton, each still drawing from the same labor and healthcare markets, held on through lower cost-of-living metrics.

Weighting also shifted. The 2026 formula assigns Quality of Life 27 percent of the total ranking for a city and Affordability (Value) 24 percent, followed by Health Care Quality (16 percent), Retiree Taxes (16 percent), Senior Population/Migration (9 percent) and Job Market (8 percent). For the first time since 2020, Quality of Life counts for more than affordability—and within that Quality of Life index, environmental risk counts for 15 percent, alongside crime, weather, culture/leisure access, air quality and walkability. In practice, that tilts the field away from high-cost, higher-risk coastal cities and toward more affordable, lower-risk locales—and helps explain the local inversion.

The humor writes itself: on the peninsula map, Sarasota sits between the two cities that just beat it.

Regionally, several nearby Florida cities do appear in the 2026 national top 250: Homosassa Springs (No. 3), Brandon (No. 53), Tampa (No. 91), St. Petersburg (No. 129), and Bradenton (No. 197) and North Port (No. 135). Country-wide, Florida remains dominant overall— U.S. News notes 94 Florida cities in the national top 250 and 16 in the top 50, including Homosassa Springs (No. 3); Spring Hill (No. 7); Palm Coast (No. 9); Naples (No. 18); Cape Coral (No. 21); Bonita Springs (No. 22); and Port Charlotte (No. 24).

Indeed, we’ve seen real estate news reflect the North Port rankings. Wellen Park has been a fixture on national best-selling master-planned community lists for years. In 2020, it ranked No. 4 nationally, with 1,415 new-home sales. More recently, Wellen Park ranked No. 6 in 2024 with 960 sales—an increase from the prior year—and continues to expand with new neighborhoods.

The through-line in both the state and national rankings is consistent. With city-level scoring and revised weights, the rankings favor places that clear the bar on both everyday costs and risk, giving nearby North Port room to land ahead of the City of Sarasota.

Florida Realtors

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 22:17:07 GMT

Timeless Kitchen Upgrades That Se ll

November 4, 2025

Design experts say classic materials, balanced layouts and elegant lighting choices can elevate kitchen appeal and boost resale value.

NEW YORK — Timeless kitchen design upgrades rely on choices that never fall out of style, from durable materials and balanced layouts to elegant finishes. These updates keep your space fresh while maintaining a classic look that adapts to changing trends. The result is a kitchen that feels current yet enduring, boosting both comfort and long-term value.

Imagine stepping into a room where every detail feels intentional, from the cabinetry lines to the glow of the lighting. The kitchen has long been recognized as the heart of the home, often carrying the greatest influence on resale potential and daily enjoyment alike.

By embracing enduring upgrades, you create a space that blends function with style and invites people in year after year.

What backsplash never goes out of style?

Among the many backsplash options available, classic subway tile continues to stand the test of time. Its simple rectangular shape, usually set in a horizontal running bond pattern, has been used for more than a century and remains just as relevant in modern kitchens.

Natural stone slabs, such as marble or quartz, also provide a timeless option. For homeowners seeking a slightly more textured look, mosaic tiles in neutral tones like white, gray, or beige can achieve balance while retaining longevity.

What kitchen style won't date?

Transitional kitchens are often considered the style least likely to date. This design approach blends traditional features, such as paneled cabinetry or natural wood finishes, with modern elements like clean-lined hardware and efficient layouts. The balance allows homeowners to enjoy a space that feels both current and classic.

Another enduring style is the modern farmhouse kitchen, which incorporates natural materials, neutral colors, and functional layouts that echo timeless design principles. While decorative accents can shift with trends, the foundation of wide sinks, simple cabinetry, and sturdy surfaces remains consistent.

Minimalist kitchens, when executed with quality materials, also age well. Their focus creates a backdrop that adapts easily as tastes evolve with:

Uncluttered surfaces
Durable finishes
Thoughtful lighting
Neutral color palettes
Streamlined hardware
Choosing lighting

Don't forget lighting when it comes to trendy kitchen ideas. Lighting defines both the mood and functionality of a kitchen, making it one of the most impactful upgrades for lasting design. A layered approach works best:

Ambient lighting for overall brightness
Task lighting for food preparation
Accent lighting to highlight architectural details or design features
Decorative lighting to add personality and style
Natural lighting from windows or skylights to connect the space with the outdoors

This combination ensures the space remains versatile throughout the day and across different uses.

Classic fixture styles tend to hold their appeal. Pendant lights with glass or metal shades over an island provide focused illumination while blending with nearly any cabinetry or countertop choice.

Under-cabinet lighting adds practicality by brightening work surfaces without drawing attention to the fixture itself. Recessed ceiling lights remain a mainstay for their unobtrusive appearance and even distribution of light.

The finish of fixtures also contributes to timelessness. Neutral metals such as:

Brushed nickel
Polished chrome
Brass
Oil-rubbed bronze
Antique pewter

Complement both modern and traditional designs. Homeowners who prefer a warmer feel often turn to matte black, which pairs well with light and dark palettes alike.

Kitchen remodeling tips

Add natural elements

Bringing natural elements into the kitchen helps create a sense of warmth and balance for kitchen style enhancement.

Wood accents
Stone surfaces
Greenery
Exposed brick details
Bamboo or rattan seating

Provide texture while softening the harder edges of cabinetry and appliances. A butcher-block island top, stone flooring, or open shelving made from reclaimed wood introduces timeless character without overwhelming the design.

Plants are another way to add longevity and freshness. Herbs grown on a windowsill or potted greenery placed on open shelves bring color and life into the space while remaining easy to change or update.

Adding architectural character

Architectural details often outlast decorative trends because they shape the structure of the space itself. Elements such as crown molding or exposed beams provide dimension and character without overwhelming the kitchen. These features bridge traditional and modern styles, making them adaptable to future updates.

Even subtle touches like arched doorways or paneled wainscoting can transform a plain kitchen into one that feels both established and enduring. When paired with neutral palettes and durable finishes, these architectural details serve as long-term investments that elevate the space while keeping it timeless.

FAQs

What is the triangle rule in interior design?

The triangle rule in kitchen interior design refers to the optimal placement of the sink, stove, and refrigerator. These three points form a "work triangle" that minimizes unnecessary steps and creates efficient movement during cooking.

For balance, each side of the triangle is ideally between four and nine feet, with the total perimeter falling between 13 and 26 feet. This layout principle has been used for decades because it improves functionality and flow, regardless of changing design trends.

What is the hidden kitchen trend?

The hidden kitchen trend emphasizes clean lines and minimal visual clutter by concealing:

Appliances
Storage
Work zones
Range hoods

Behind cabinetry or paneling. Refrigerators, dishwashers, and even small appliances are integrated with matching cabinet fronts, creating a seamless look.

Some designs include sliding or pocket doors that can close off entire prep areas when not in use.

Are white kitchens out of style?

White kitchens are not out of style, though their popularity has shifted over time. Designers continue to favor white cabinetry and walls because they create a clean, bright backdrop that adapts easily to changing tastes.

While all-white spaces peaked in popularity several years ago, many homeowners now balance white with warmer elements such as:

Natural wood accents
Textured backsplashes
Bold hardware
Warm-toned flooring

For more info: https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/rss.xml

Islands

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 16:25:10 GMT

Florida's 'Pink Palace' Is A Beachfront, Bubblegum Resort With Gulf Coast Access And Endless Amenities

By Rebecca High Nov. 1, 2025 2:15 pm EST, Islands

Long Key is one of a slender string of barrier islands fringing Florida's Gulf Coast that stretches all the way up to Clearwater. It was here in the 1920s that architect Thomas Rowe built a palace for his forbidden love interest, the lead actress then playing in the opera "Maritana," whose lead male character is named Don César de Bazan. As the story goes, her family forbade the marriage, so, heartbroken, Rowe moved to Florida and built the Don CeSar hotel and resort in her honor. The hotel opened in 1928 and reportedly came in 300% over budget, but it attracted a sophisticated set during its roaring heyday, hosting famous guests like F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Lou Gehrig, Al Capone, and even Franklin D. Roosevelt. During World War II, it was converted to a military hospital and VA regional office. It later underwent a multi-million-dollar restoration in the 1970s and again in 2018. In 2024, the region was hit my hurricanes, and after significant damage, Don CeSar closed for several months, then reopened in 2025.

Located just south of St. Pete Beach with its award-winning white sand and vibrant downtown, if you cross over from the mainland via the Pinellas Bayway, you can't miss it: The colossal Mediterranean Revival-meets-Art Deco palazzo sits between Gulf Boulevard and the sea, painted in pastel bubblegum pink with lace-white trim, perched on the white sands of St. Pete Beach for nearly a century. Today, the Don CeSar — known as "the Pink Palace" or "the Pink Lady" — is a resort offering full waterfront access and white-sand beach, gorgeous restaurants, heated pools, ornate fountains, and even, some say, the lonely ghost of its visionary, Thomas Rowe.

Take advantage of the expansive spa, heated pools, and beach access

Today, freshly remodeled, the Don CeSar welcomes guests to enjoy a full slate of upscale amenities across its 80 acres of waterfront property — a rare luxury along this laid-back stretch of coastline. Much of the surrounding Gulf Coast remains underdeveloped, dotted with small, charming beach towns like Redington Beach, a quiet retirement haven with wide, white sands, several miles north of St. Pete Beach, and just south, tranquil Pass-a-Grille Beach, an uncrowded escape from the Sunshine State's busier coastal spots.

The resort's 277 rooms and suites include two penthouses, several private terraces, and 36 spacious beach suites about a half-mile up the beach, which offer extra room for groups, kitchenettes, and privacy. Many of the rooms face water — either west over the Gulf, or east across Gulf Boulevard to Boca Ciega Bay. Spa Oceana, one of Don CeSar's prestige amenities, features 16 treatment rooms, a rooftop terrace, aroma-infused steam rooms, and whirlpool baths in its 11,000-square-foot facility overlooking scenic views. Guests can choose from globally-inspired relaxation packages to classic hair and nail care. Other highlights include a 4,000-square-foot gym and optional fitness classes, two heated pools with a pool concierge and bar, and direct access to the white sugar-sand beach, where loungers, cabanas, kayaks, and other water toys are available to rent.

"This is a pink sandcastle!" wrote one Tripadvisor reviewer, adding, "Gorgeous art deco decor, great location, highly recommend. The beach and the pool were amazing." Another reviewer noted, "Swim out in the water a bit and turn around....WOW, what a sight. Beach was interesting with many different sea shells and sand dollars."

Wine and dine yourself at the Don CeSar

The Don CeSar features two on-site restaurants, bars, and several boutique shops — most open to the public — so even if you're not spending the night, you can stop in for subtle Art Deco elegance. Maritana, the resort's fine-dining restaurant (and one of the few in the area with a dress code), is named in homage to the romantic opera whose heroine captured Thomas Rowe's heart. Furnished with plush velvet upholstery, gold lampshades, and teak accents — all nodding to the glitz of "Gatsby" while maintaining a modern tone. Maritana is open for dinner only and serves contemporary classics such as Oscietra caviar, oysters on the half-shell, dry-aged steak, roasted duck, and Maine lobster.

Society Table offers a more casual experience, serving three meals a day with well-rounded breakfasts, light lunches, and diverse dinners ranging from dynamite shrimp and fish tacos to steaks and burgers. Meanwhile, there are plenty of places to grab drinks throughout the property. The Lobby Bar, the Beacon Pool Bar, and The Rowe Bar — a sports and shuffleboard bar — are all great watering holes serving small bites where you can refuel and relax. For something sweet, Uncle Andy's Market is a hit with all ages, with a candy wall, dog treats (yes, the Don CeSar is pet friendly!), gelato, plus grab-and-go items like snacks and beer you can take back to your room.

Located about 20 miles from the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and just under 30 miles from Tampa International Airport (TPA), the Don CeSar is easy to reach. Parking on-site isn't free, but the Suncoast Beach trolley runs along Gulf Boulevard between St. Pete Beach and Clearwater, so if you're flying into town, you can skip the rental car and still explore.

Unlocking the Dream of Homeownership with a VA Loan For many first-time homebuyers, saving for a down payment is the biggest hurdle to homeownership. Fortunately, for those who have served our country

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 15:48:56 GMT

Buying a home with a VA-backed loan

Get step-by-step instructions for buying a home through the VA home loan program.

What kind of VA-backed loan will I need to buy a home?

You’ll need a VA-backed purchase loan .

You’ll go through a private lender, like a bank or mortgage company, to get this loan. We’ll guarantee part of the loan against loss, which will allow your lender to give you better loan terms, like the option to pay no down payment.

How can I buy a home with a VA-backed loan?

Buying a home is a complex process, and getting a VA-backed loan is only one piece of the puzzle. Stay on track by following the steps below.

Steps to starting the process and finding a home

Apply for your VA-backed home loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
You’ll need to show your COE to your lender as proof that you qualify for the home loan benefit.
Find out if you qualify for a COE
Apply for your COE now
Look at your current finances
Go over your credit profile, income, expenses, and monthly budget to make sure you’re ready to buy a home. Decide how much you want to spend on a mortgage—and be sure to include closing costs in the overall price.
To learn more:
Find out current VA home loan limits
Read about the VA funding fee and other loan closing costs
Get more advice from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Use CFPB’s mortgage calculator
Choose a lender
Remember, you’ll go through a private bank, mortgage company, or credit union—not through us—to get your loan. Lenders offer different loan interest rates and fees, so shop around for the loan that best meets your needs.
Be prepared to pay lender fees. Many lenders charge Veterans using VA-backed home loans a 1% flat fee (sometimes called a “loan origination fee”). Lenders may also charge you additional fees. If you don’t know what a fee is for, ask the lender. In some cases, lender fees are negotiable.
To learn more:
Read about the VA funding fee and other closing costs
Choose a real estate agent
Get recommendations for potential real estate agents online or from relatives, friends, and neighbors. Then meet with several agents to find one you like.
Read all agreements before signing with an agent. Make sure you understand any charges, fees, and commissions as well as your rights and obligations in the buyer-agent relationship.
Shop for a home
Look at houses in your price range until you find one that works for you. When comparing homes, be sure to consider what factors are most important to you and your family. These may include factors like how far you’ll need to commute to work and the quality of local schools.

Steps to buying your home

Once you’ve found the house you want to buy:

Work with your agent to put together and sign a purchase agreement
Be sure the sales contract includes the “VA escape clause” or “VA option clause.” This provides an option to void the contract if the property doesn’t appraise for the contract price.
Ask your real estate agent for advice on other options for voiding the contract you may want to include, such as if the property fails a home inspection. These options are called contingencies.
To learn more, watch this helpful video:
Using your VA home loan benefit: working with a Realtor and lender
Have the house inspected and appraised
We strongly recommend that you get an inspection to check for any major defects before you purchase your home. A VA-approved appraiser will also appraise the house to make sure it meets basic property condition requirements (called minimum property requirements, or MPRs), and will provide an opinion of value on the house. Please note that an appraisal isn’t the same as an inspection.
If the property doesn’t appraise at a value that’s high enough to get the loan, you have a few options:

Request a Reconsideration of Value (ROV). You can ask your real estate agent to provide the lender with valid sales data showing the property is worth more than its appraised price. The lender will ask the appraiser to reconsider based on this information.
Renegotiate the sales price. Ask the seller to lower the price to match the appraised value.
Pay the difference between the appraised price and the sales price. To do this, you’ll need to pay this cost at closing.

To learn more, watch these helpful videos:
VA home loans: What are MPRs?
What’s the difference between VA’s appraisal process and a home inspection?
Review pre-closing paperwork and give your lender any other needed information
Your lender must give you a Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before closing. Be sure to read it carefully. It includes loan terms, fees, closing costs, and your estimated monthly mortgage payments. Your lender may also ask you to provide more information or documents at this time.
Close on your new home
Your closing may be held at a title company, escrow office, or attorney’s office. Be prepared to sign a lot of documents—and be sure to take the time to read everything before you sign.
To learn more:
Go to Fannie Mae’s website
Move in
After closing, you’re ready to move into your new home. Congratulations!

What if I need help or more information?

Call us at 877-827-3702 to find the nearest VA regional loan center. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.

You can also use the resources below to learn more about the VA home loan program and the home-buying process.

Online resources

Download a home loan toolkit (PDF) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Get tools and resources for homebuyers from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Helpful videos

Veteran stories about using a VA home loan

Eeland was able to buy a home before age 30
Play this video about Eeland (YouTube)
Gibb and Monelle bought a home for their children to grow up in
Play this video about Gibb and Monelle (YouTube)
Brian and Amy bought a home and had enough money left to fix it up

How to Achieve the Perfect Coastal Look

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 18:48:40 GMT

How to Achieve the Perfect Coastal Look by Liz | Balance + Rhythm

17 Florida cities make U.S. News’ top 250 places to live

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 19:23:40 GMT

17 Florida cities make U.S. News’ top 250 places to live — None of them are Orlando, Miami or Tampa

Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida

Fri, May 30, 2025 at 3:37 PM EDT2 min read

Seventeen Florida cities placed among the best places to live in the U.S., according to the U.S. News & World Report's " 516-567-7616 Best Places to Live " ranking.

The publication analyzed 859 cities in the U.S. based on five categories: quality of life, job market, value of living, net migration and desire to live in the area. They said they evaluated each category by using a methodology determined by Americans' preferences.

"While quality of life remains the top priority for many Americans – and has the heaviest weight in determining the Best Places to Live rankings – U.S. News slightly adjusted its weights to increase priority for a location's job market amid heightened economic uncertainty," Erika Giovanetti, consumer lending analyst at U.S. News & World Report, said in a May 20 statement .

You can read more about the methodology on U.S. News' website .

Which Florida cities were placed on U.S. News's list? Which one is the best?

Florida doesn't see a spot on the list until 59 — Parkland. According to the methodology, the South Florida city saw a score of 6.4 out of 10.

The Villages saw a slot on the ranking before Orlando, Tampa or Miami. Here are all 17 Florida cities on the list:

Parkland - 59
Palm Harbor - 68
Weston - 74
Jupiter - 124
Ormond Beach - 162
Pensacola - 166
The Villages - 177
Naples - 179
Riverview - 198
Bonita Spring - 203
Pinellas Park - 126
Kendall - 219
Apopka - 221
Doral - 227
Clermont - 241
North Port - 242
St. Petersburg - 246

What is the best place to live in the U.S., according to the list?

JOHNS CREEK, GA - AUGUST 14: Keegan Bradley celebrates his victory over Jason Dufner during a three-hole playoff during the final round of the 93rd PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club on August 14, 2011 in Johns Creek, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Only about a state away from Florida, Georgia's Johns Creek is the U.S. News and World Report's top place to live in.

"Just north of Atlanta, Johns Creek is the kind of place where tree-lined streets, a strong sense of community and a high quality of life come together to make it one of the nation’s most desirable places to call home," the report says.

See the top 10 best places to live in the U.S.

Johns Creek, Georgia
Carmel, Indiana
Pearland, Texas
Fishers, Indiana
Cary, North Carolina
League City, Texas
Apex, North Carolina
Leander, Texas
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Troy, Michigan

Fix It or Not? What to Know When Prepping Your Home for Sale

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 18:55:26 GMT

Fix it or Not - What to know When Prepping Your home for Sale

When you make the decision to sell your home, it can be tricky to know which changes would make your home sell more quickly or boost the sale price — and which would be a waste of your time and resources. Each home (and each homeowner) is different; that’s why we’ve come up with eight key questions to ask yourself before making any changes to prep your home for sale.

Colonna + Co Interiors

General Questions

These first three questions will help you take the temperature of the real estate market in your area and assess the competition.

1. How hot or cold is the market in your area? Are homes being snapped up after the first open house, or are they languishing on the market for months? Are homes being sold at or near the asking price, or for much lower? Are open houses bustling with people, or is attendance sparse? Get a feel for the market in your area by talking with your real estate agent and checking local listings. If it’s a seller’s market, you may be able to get away with doing fewer repairs and modifications before selling, and still have good results — in a buyer’s market, expect to do more work to make a positive impression on buyers.

Haus Interior Design

2. How fast are you looking to sell? If you need to sell your home immediately — say, because you have already committed to buying another home or need to move because of work — it is in your best interest to do everything in your power to ensure a quick sale at the highest price possible. If you have more flexibility, and you feel uncomfortable making too many pricey changes to your home before selling, it may make more sense to focus on cleaning, decluttering and making small cosmetic changes (like painting) — particularly if the market is hot and favors the seller. If you aren’t getting the offers you would like, you can always decide to spring for a few bigger changes later and relist your home.

Find a reliable painter in your area

Interiors by Kathy Rollins, LLC

3. What is the condition of comparable homes on the market? It can be quite helpful to know a little about the homes that buyers in your area are looking at. Examine photos of homes for sale in your area or even attend a few open houses, and make a mental note of how the other homes compare to yours. Are the kitchens updated? Are the floors in good shape? If all of the other homes you see have a certain feature (for instance, an updated kitchen) that yours lacks, consider making that a priority. You don’t need to make your home exactly like all the other homes on the market; just make sure there isn’t a single factor that could give your home a disadvantage.

Consult a local kitchen designer to see what you can update quickly

Dream Home Staging & ReDesign

To Fix or Not to Fix: Deciding Which Repairs Are Worth Tackling

The next five questions will help you assess whether or not to make a specific repair or change before selling your home.

4. Does the faulty item give the impression the property has not been well cared for? Leaky faucets, cracked tiles, an overgrown lawn, broken appliances or anything else that doesn’t work as it should can immediately turn off buyers. At an open house, people often zip through quite quickly, and if they notice one or two things that send up red flags, they may not give your home another chance.

Shop for a new toilet on Houzz

JLK Interiors, Design & Project Management

5. Can you find a less expensive fix? Let’s say you scoped out the comparable homes on the market in your neighborhood, and they all have updated kitchens but yours hasn’t been touched for some time. Rather than spend big on a full kitchen remodel, why not give your kitchen a less costly refresh? For instance, you could paint the cabinets, swap out cabinet hardware , change the light fixtures and upgrade the appliances to something current and functional but not top-of-the-line. You will put some money into it but not nearly as much as with a full remodel — well worth it if it gets your home in the running in a competitive market.

Warline Painting Ltd.

6. How much will you realistically need to lower the price if you don’t fix it? If you have a lot of costly repairs to tackle to get your home ready to sell, you may be considering selling it as is. But keep in mind that buyers looking for a fixer-upper will also be looking to discount the selling price for the repairs plus the hassle. In other words, you won’t be able to simply estimate how much the repairs will cost and deduct that from the selling price; you’ll need to deduct even more to make it worth the buyer’s time and effort. Discuss this with your Realtor and look into other fixer-uppers for sale in your area to come up with an appropriate selling price.

Rosewood Custom Builders

7. Is it one of the first things potential buyers will see? First impressions are key, and that is never more true than in the real estate business! If you have a repair you are unsure about tackling, use this as a litmus test: Is it something the buyer will see as he or she approaches your house and walks through the front door? If so, fix it.

Hire a home improvement professional to tackle repairs

Evens Architects

8. Could it be a deal breaker? Some home repairs, like a new roof, are just so major that they will scare off all but the most determined buyers. If the market in your area is hot (see No. 1) and you have ample time (see No. 2), there’s no harm in trying to sell without making the big repair, as long as you are willing to price it accordingly (see No. 6). If it’s a buyer’s market but you don’t have time to make the repair before listing, you could offer to pay for it as part of the sales agreement — otherwise it’s probably best to make the change first and then put your home on the market.

Tell us: Are you selling or have you recently sold your home? What has worked or not worked for you? Share your experiences in the Comments.

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Charlotte Co. home inventory expected to decrease during summer

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 17:08:00 GMT

February’s inventory for single-family homes and condos in Charlotte County soared to heights not seen in years, but some sellers are expected to pull their homes off the market after Easter, an area Realtor said.

Ryan Finnegan, of The Nix Team at Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty, said the predicated dip inventory will come after seasonal visitors return north after April 21, causing some sellers to remove their listings.

Ryan Finnegan

This tourist season saw a few twists with many homes on the market sustaining flooding from hurricanes Helene and Milton in September and October. As a result, they were pulled off the market before the arrival of many seasonal visitors. Some Charlotte County homes are currently being totally renovated and/or elevated to withstand flooding from future storms, Finnegan said.

After the storms, sellers with finished repair work relisted their homes back, adding to inventory levels. But a decrease in inventory may occur when the warmer months arrive and owners decide to wait until next season to sell, Finnegan said.

Single-family inventory rose to 9.5 months in February, a 26.7% year-over-year increase, according to data from Realtors of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto Inc. It represented a 0.6-month increase from January.

Stiff competition in the market caused sellers to lower their asking price, and in February, sellers were getting an average of 92.7% of their asking price. The median price of single-family homes was $349,000, down $1,000 from January.

Cash buyers comprised 43.7% of February’s sales, reflecting a 3.7% decrease from a year ago.

Meanwhile, there were 4,042 single-family homes in inventory, a 32.3% year-over-year increase.

Condominiums and townhomes saw a huge inventory buildup in February. There were 1,176 condominium and townhome units for sale, a 36% increase from February 2024.

Of the buyers, 67.9% paid cash, with a median sale price of $267,000.

Sellers of condos and townhomes fared a bit better in February than in January, as they received 91.3% of the original listed price versus 88.8% the previous month.

For both single-family homes and condos, it took a shorter amount of time to contract and sale, but this could have been due to buyers returning north and seeking to buy homes before they leave.

The post Charlotte Co. home inventory expected to decrease during summer appeared first on Gulfshore Business .

Naples to define underground parking and whether to allow it

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:57:00 GMT

The city of Naples plans to define “underground parking” after being sued over denying an underground garage and discovering its codes don’t provide a definition.

Mayor Teresa Heitmann noted Miami is now building an underground garage 50 feet below ground near Biscayne Bay. “We’re a little behind the times on underground parking,” Heitmann said at a Feb. 18 City Council workshop, adding that members need to educate themselves.

City Manager Gary Young noted that in 2023, Vice Mayor Terry Hutchison urged Council to establish criteria, yet nothing was done. Young suggested staff and City Attorney Matthew McConnell research the Florida Building Code and what other cities are doing, and come up with criteria for a workshop before May.

A legal consultant’s opinion said underground parking isn’t a permitted use in any Naples zoning district and requires a special approval, variance or deviation. Five projects with underground parking were approved by Council before Naples was sued in December 2023.

M Development filed its lawsuit three months after Council halted all underground-garage plans due to flooding concerns after Hurricane Ian. The lawsuit alleged Council imposed an illegal moratorium that prevented its development from being approved. M Development settled in June 2024 and in October transferred its interest in the project, now called The Avenue, which has street-level parking.

The legal consultant also said Senate Bill 250 doesn’t preempt Naples from adopting an ordinance to allow permitted or conditional uses for underground parking or enacting regulations.

In February 2000, voters approved a commercial building height amendment to the City Charter that bars buildings higher than 42 feet, excluding public-service districts. Commercial buildings in Naples are limited to three stories, and height is measured from the first floor Federal Emergency Management Agency elevation.

But in February 2024, City Council voted 4-1, with Hutchison voting nay, to allow NCH Baker Hospital to rezone from a medical district to public-service, and approved a conditional use allowing NCH to build a five-story, 87-foot-high heart center, with Hutchison and Council member Beth Petrunoff dissenting.

This month, Petrunoff said she didn’t want to violate the height amendment, but agreed they could consider underground parking as a conditional use.

“It’s pretty clear it was done because people were very worried about Miami-ization, increased density and increased intensity,” she said of the 2000 ballot referendum. “… I’m vehemently opposed to running over our charter height amendment and our residents like a speed bump. Their vote on the charter-height amendment is the most sacred rule that we have because it is a direct vote of the people.”

Removing water from the garage below 465 5th Ave. S. was a “debacle,” she said, and Spring Lake, a city retention pond designed to filter stormwater, turned black overnight — costing taxpayers more than $1 million to remediate. She pointed out Council intended that garage for public use, yet it’s closed to the public, with No Trespassing signs.

She noted city code is silent on the definition of a floor and opinions over the years vary, so they must defer to Florida Building Code, which says an underground garage is a first floor. She also cited dangers of flooding, including lithium batteries in electric cars, and urged city officials to learn from past hurricanes and mistakes.

“It’s as clear as mud on that in terms of what opinions different people have had over time,” added Council member Ray Christman, who noted it isn’t economically feasible for developers to build an underground garage if they’re only allowed two floors above.

Council member Bill Kramer contended underground parking is better than surface parking because it reduces intensity, but Council member Linda Penniman said no matter what they do, they will “run amok” of the charter amendment.

Vice Mayor Hutchison is adamantly against underground parking.

“It increases density and intensity and I think it places our residents, property and life safety at risk,” Hutchison said, noting it doesn’t fit the comprehensive plan and other guiding documents. “These are contradictory to resilience planning in the city. They don’t add to resiliency, but instead, they complicate efforts to mitigating flooding risks, saving lives and minimizing damage to property.”

He noted federal predictions show Naples faces rising sea levels of several feet in the future and added: “We’re going to have the community screaming at us if we continue with it down this path.”

The city’s 364-space First Avenue parking garage is set to open March 17 and should help to allay parking woes.

Building Official Steve Beckman will work with the city attorney and staff to add language for proper ventilation, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, structural and flood requirements, as well as occupancy and draining stormwater after flooding and electrical vehicle and other safety concerns.

This story was published on March 14 in The Naples Press.

The post Naples to define underground parking and whether to allow it appeared first on Gulfshore Business .

Punta Gorda unveils plan to protect, harden assets against future storms

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 17:35:00 GMT

Relocating assets of the former ShorePoint Health hospital, and elevating, retrofitting or relocating the former YMCA Bayfront Center building and Punta Gorda Boat Club are just some of the many recommendations in Punta Gorda’s 2024 Climate Adaptation and Vulnerability Assessment.

On March 19, Punta Gorda City Council will approve and adopt the plan that was first initiated in 2009 and updated in 2019. Since then, the city received funding through Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Resilient Florida Program and hired Taylor Engineering Inc. to bring the city’s assessment plan up to date.

While the report was being prepared, the city was hit with hurricanes Helene and Milton within two weeks of each other in September and October. The assessment was amended to reflect the impact of those storms before being finalized in December.

The report recommends the Herald Court Parking Garage, which is approximately 1,900 feet from the waterfront, have its low-lying corridors studied to see how water flows in the direction of the parking garage and could impact assets along its path.

While elevation in Punta Gorda ranges from sea level to approximately 15 feet above sea level, many of the city’s assets and critical infrastructure and essential services, such as communication, water, power and waste management, are in low-lying areas and vulnerable to future storms.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Natural Risk Index shows the city is rated relatively moderate to very high risk, and all of Charlotte County is at relatively high risk for hurricanes.

Many homes in the downtown area and Historic District were built at sea level. The report recommends elevating or demolishing homes prone to flooding. For vacant lots in the area, owners could help mitigate flooding by allowing their property to be turned into a small park or habitat.

Taylor Engineering’s project team, using National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data, projected sea levels could rise between 0.6 and 0.8 feet higher by 2050 and up to 2 feet higher by 2080.

The city already launched its pilot project at Tiki Point along the central Harbor Walk to create a living shoreline. If successful, the project will be a model for additional shoreline protection projects across the city.

Living shoreline projects emphasize mangrove management and protection, as mangroves provide a natural barrier for coastal cities and reduce wave action and storm surge.

The natural shorelines of Trabue, Shreve and Gilchrist parks also are targeted for living shoreline projects.

Other focus areas in the city’s Climate Adaptation Plan are affordable public housing, community centers, including Cooper Street Recreation Center, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda Library, Charlotte County Jail and Emergency Operations Center, South County Regional Park, and emergency response, including fire stations and law enforcement offices, water treatment plants, and schools and school board facilities.

The post Punta Gorda unveils plan to protect, harden assets against future storms appeared first on Gulfshore Business .

Fort Myers Council discusses possibility of performing arts center in Midtown

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 13:15:00 GMT

If the city of Fort Myers wants a performing art center, it most likely will have to be built with private money.

Council member Liston Bochette brought up the topic during March 17’s City Council meeting, asking to discuss it further at a workshop.

Bochette said sports venues and a performing arts center would help diversify the city’s income stream. He compared it to owning a balanced portfolio of investments.

“Let’s take a look at it as a long-term goal,” he said.

“It’s an added quality of life,” city Economic Development Director Steve Weathers told Council. Improving the quality of life can help attract people to live in the city, he said.

A mid-size arts hall with maybe 400 to 500 seats is lacking, Bochette said. The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College in south Fort Myers has nearly 1,900 seats.

Bochette would like to see a study done to assess the need for a performing arts center.

The cost of a hall can vary. Shell Point Retirement Community built the private Tribby Arts Center for $25 million. One being built in Sarasota is costing $407 million.

The city already has several large-item projects in the planning process, including a new police station and either a new or rebuilt city hall, so it’s unlikely to be able to foot the bill.

Bochette said a possible site could be in Midtown, an area the city is trying to rehab just south of downtown. Weathers said Lee Memorial Hospital’s Cleveland Avenue campus after the hospital is torn down would be a great location.

“It’s a heavy lift but not an impossible task,” Weather said.

The post Fort Myers Council discusses possibility of performing arts center in Midtown appeared first on Gulfshore Business .

Easy DIY Home Projects That’ll Make You Say, “Yes I Can!”

duda@secondgen.com — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 18:12:21 GMT

By: Leanne Potts

Beautiful you-can-do-it inspirations for easy DIY projects.

As anybody who’s been inspired by HGTV can tell you, DIY home projects on TV look amaaaazing.

But DIY renovations in real life: kiiiinda the toughest thing ever. And, yet, these rookie craftsmen did beautiful, jaw-dropping work that will totally inspire you. Check out these easy DIY projects for your home:

#1 Pinterest-Worthy DIY Window Seat

An empty recess in a room is a ripe spot for a DIY project, as home improvement blogger Britt Kingery can tell you.

She and her husband, Justin, built a window seat so ridiculously Pinterest-worthy you’ll want to make one for yourself (like, right now).

It’s a roomy 10-foot beauty, so you can seat a houseful of guests without dragging chairs all over the place. And (bonus!) there’s storage underneath for stashing lots of stuff out of sight.

You can custom-create your own for about $250 if you’ve got a few essential DIY tools.

Or you can do an Ikea hack to get the same result. Just attach one of their long, horizontal storage systems to your walls. Then add cushions and preformed molding for the same custom look.

The big reveal doesn’t happen overnight, and a renovation almost always looks worse before it looks better.

Britt Kingery, home improvement blogger

#2 Miracle Makeover With Just Paint, Stain (and Patience)

“The Brady Bunch”-orange wall and abused floors in the before photo are homely enough to strike you blind.

But what a miracle paint, sanding, and stain can do! Lighter shades on the walls, trim, and floor reflect natural light, making the space so much brighter. And for very little money (about $150).

The key to such an amazing transformation, Kingery says, is to be a tortoise, not a hare.

Sanding, taping, patching holes, and waiting on stain, paint or polyurethane to dry takes care and patience if you want professional-looking results.

“The big reveal doesn’t happen overnight, and a renovation almost always looks worse before it looks better.”

#3 Instant Open Floor Plan

Cramped, dark kitchens are so very 1981.

Sarah Lemp of the “All Things With Purpose” blog turned her dated kitchen into an open, light-filled space that feels and functions like a larger room.

The cost? $300. Yep. For less than the cost of a set of countertop canisters at Williams Sonoma, Lemp worked magic.

The biggest fix? She just removed a set of overhead cabinets that blocked light and the view into the dining area, making an instant open floor plan.

Then she turned to paint, the budget remodeler’s friend. She used a soft griege (designer-speak for grayish beige) for the walls of the kitchen and dining area.

She painted the remaining upper cabinets white, and the bottom ones dark gray.

“I love the look of white cabinets, but figured a darker color was more kid-friendly,” she says.

Lemp skipped the requisite subway tile backsplash and went with peel-and-stick shiplap instead. “It was easier and cheaper,” she says.

#4 Brighter Bedroom With Paint and Wood

This may be an ugly room, but we’re not sure because it’s so dark all we can see are cheap blinds and a poofy valance that hasn’t been fashionable since the Olsen twins were toddlers.

It needed major help.

Ashley Rose and Jared Smith of the blog “Sugar and Cloth” pulled off a weekend makeover by painting the walls a lighter color and replacing the window treatments with wispy, white drapes that practically pull sunlight into the room.

A pair of wall-mounted reading lamps added a second layer of light, because a lonely overhead fixture can’t light the whole room all by itself.

And that wall behind the bed? It’s strips of reclaimed wood with an adhesive backing. Peel, stick, and you’re done. No nails. No glue. And just one tool: a level to make sure you stick the wood strips in a straight line. Awesome.

#5 An Easy-Peasy Backyard Patio

Dirt’s ugly. It’s also a pain, turning into mud when it rains, dust when it doesn’t, and sneaking into your house on the feet of dogs and kids.

Covering it with a paver patio is a great fix. Chelsea Foy of the blog “Lovely Indeed” built this one in a neglected flower bed in just 10 hours.

She used patio stones molded to look like several individual bricks, because leveling one large stone is tons easier than leveling a bunch of bricks.

Those arcs of large river rocks just off the patio make a natural-looking transition between the factory-perfect pavers and the rest of the yard. They’ll also give you less lawn to mow or flowers to tend.

#6 Fancy Wall Molding for a Bargain Price

Wall molding makes a room look so custom, so finished, so much better than boring old drywall. But it costs around $25 a square foot just for the materials.

Mysha Barton of the blog “Remington Avenue” pulled it off along her stairs for just $30 — total.

The secret? She used MDF (medium density fiberboard, aka fake wood) to keep it cheap, and didn’t mount it in the traditional way with board panels on the wall.

Instead, she put thinner “chair rail molding” directly on the wall, and painted everything white, including the wall to get that rich look of molding.

The toughest part was cutting all those angles, Barton says.

She got it done with a miter box and a handsaw. “My advice is to use scrap wood to practice your angled cuts before taking on your expensive molding pieces.”

Barton did this project in just eight hours with three small children in the house, so even if 10th-grade geometry made you cry, you can do this.

#7 A Space-Saving Workbench

A DIY workbench is a gateway project, one that can lead you to harder projects and possibly, a home improvement addiction. Make this workbench your very first project and you’ll have room to do scads of projects — money-saving ones.

It’ll fit in a small space because it’s actually a door mounted on door hinges, so you can fold it flat against the wall when you’re not using it. Be sure to buy a solid wood door, not a hollow one, so it’s sturdy enough to stand up to years of projects.

We’re pleased to announce the addition of a real estate veteran to our team. Andrew Stevens joins us in our main office after 10 years in our northern branch.

How to Prevent (Home) Buyer’s Remorse

duda@secondgen.com — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 18:10:09 GMT

Feel Confident in Your Choice!

By: Lynn Ettinger

You can make a successful offer on a home even in a competitive market — with the right information and help.

When you’re house hunting, the pressure of competition can move you from “Hmm, I like that, but it’s too pricey,” to “I have to have that!” You think, so what if paying for this house will put me way over budget? I can cut back somewhere else, right? But that kind of thinking can get you into trouble. Trouble that’s totally avoidable.

Whether you’re in the middle of a home bidding war or facing down a list of must-haves, don’t lose sight of your budget and the risks. That way, you can own a house without home buyer’s remorse. And you’ll have money left to enjoy things like new furniture, entertainment, and just plain having fun.

Who Has Home Buyer’s Remorse and Why?

A competitive real estate market can set buyers up to purchase a home that’s either beyond their budgets —sometimes hugely beyond — or doesn’t meet their needs, according to a 2021 survey by Bankrate and YouGov. The survey found that recent home buyers, including 64% of millennials, had regrets about their home purchase. The top reason? They were unprepared for maintenance and other home ownership-related costs. On top of that, 13% percent of millennials said they think they paid a higher sales price than they should have.

“Things in homes always break down, so people should put aside a budget for anything that will need fixing,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®. “A rule of thumb is to anticipate 1% or 2% of the home price for potential maintenance,” he explains. “So, for a $300,000 home, that means setting aside $3,000.”

One reason home buyers may be tempted to go over budget is they’ve been influenced by the beautiful homes on TV, according to an NAR report on home staging. “The shows can create unrealistic expectations for the home buying process and how homes should look,” says Brandi Snowden, NAR director of member and consumer survey research. In time, buyers can view features that used to be luxuries as necessities. They believe everyone has them and they should too. One solution: Work with a REALTOR as early as possible in the process. “Make sure your agent knows your budget, so they can help you set expectations and stick to them,” she advises.

How to Navigate House Hunting in a Competitive Market

In addition to pressure to exceed their budgets, buyers are facing hurdles like these five:

1. Requests to Waive Contingencies

Tamara Suminski, a real estate agent at Beach Real Estate Group in Manhattan Beach, Calif., is seeing not only bidding wars but also sellers wanting buyers to waive contingencies. “With an appraisal contingency, if the appraisal comes in low, the buyer has choices. They can choose to try to renegotiate with the seller, bring in the difference, or cancel. When they remove that contingency and its protection, and if the home doesn’t appraise at the right level, the seller is not very likely to renegotiate with them. And the buyer has waived their right to cancel. If they cancel anyway, they’re risking their deposit.”

Some buyers are also waiving contingencies related to home inspections. These investigations are an opportunity to have a home inspector view the home based on disclosures and for the buyer to use findings as a bargaining tool, Suminski says.

Eliminating these protections can end up costing money for buyers. And the more offers the buyer writes and loses, the more risk they will tolerate. So, they may waive contingencies and regret it later, says Suminski. Talk to a buyer’s agent who will guide you through this and explain the risks of removing protections and unknown variables, she advises.

2. Speed Showings and Decisions

Bryan Yap recently bought a home in an expensive and highly competitive market — Orange County, Calif. He found that with the pandemic, each showing lasted only 15 minutes. That was one of the biggest hurdles. “We’d see three, four, or five homes in one day. It’s hard to keep track of what you like and don’t like with each house. What I would do differently is take notes immediately after viewing a home. If you’re able to prepare beforehand, create a list of wants and requirements in priority order. Immediately after seeing each home, rank it based on the list.”

3. Focusing on the Top of Your Price Range

“If you’re looking in a micromarket where listings are achieving multiple offers and homes are going above asking price, don’t set your on the houses at the top of your price range,” Suminski says. If $300,000 is your upper limit, look at houses priced at $250,000 or $275,000. Otherwise, you’re going to be outbid from the gate every time.”

That was the process Yap used when he was looking. “I would look for homes $25,000 under my max budget. I went on Zillow and looked at homes that were sold recently and tried to calculate the average over-listing price those homes were being sold for and factor that into my offer price.”

4. The Need to Compromise

Yap’s must-haves were three bedrooms, two baths, and being closer to the city center of Anaheim. “I was able to get three beds, two baths, but I did have to compromise on location. I also had to compromise on price, which was doable because I could still afford it. To compete with all the potential buyers, I knew that we had to either offer an over-list price or remove some contingencies.”

Suminski advises adjusting your search outward geographically, even if it means a longer commute. Buyers might also have to compromise on property types and features. In addition, they should consider doing some DIY projects instead of wanting everything to be move-in ready. “They may have to be willing to look at townhouses instead of single-family homes or install carpet and paint on weekends.”

5. Information Overload

In the two years before he started searching for a home, Yap did a lot of reading. “It was a massive plan I had to come up with and stick to so that I’d be able to afford buying a home.”

Because of how hot the Orange County market is, agents scheduled showings as soon as a house was listed or showed “coming soon” status. Yap treated the home search as “almost a second job,” using lunch breaks and evenings to check emails, do online searches, and text his real estate agent about what he wanted to see. “I had to make a lot of sacrifices. People wanted to set plans with me for the weekend, but I said, ‘Sorry, I have to go view homes that day.’”

He primarily credits his real estate agents, including Sumiski, for keeping him informed. “They made all this possible. I learned a lot from them.”

Some agents, like Suminski, hold an accredited buyer’s representative designation but usually work with sellers as well as buyers. “An [agent with an] ABR has taken extensive buyer’s representation training,” Suminski says. “They’ll provide education to buyers so that they’re learning as much as they can about the market, including the risks involved with different negotiations. If buyers are going to shorten terms or remove protections, they need to be well informed about the pitfalls.”

Learn from Experiences

That access to information and guidance will help buyers making an offer on a home especially in a competitive market. “Today’s buyer has seen and written offers on many properties before they get their offer accepted,” Suminski says. “That’s common across the country. Each is a learning opportunity for buyers about what information they might need to be researching so they can move more quickly.”

When you act on advice from recent buyers and agents, you can stay well informed and get good results even in a tough market. And that’s the best way to prevent home buyer’s remorse.

8 Simple Rules for Negotiating Your Offer and Getting That House

duda@secondgen.com — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 18:07:14 GMT

In today's market it's important to ensure you are getting the best deal.

By: HouseLogic

You and your agent are going to use everything you’ve learned to seal the deal.

Here’s the dream: Your offer is perfect, you don’t need to negotiate, and you can spend the next few weeks addressing more pressing home-ownership questions, like “Why is it called wainscoting?” and “Do I want a new couch in blush or emerald green?”

And it could happen. Many sellers accept the best offer they receive, and for a variety of reasons.

But sellers are also known to reject offers for a variety of reasons. Or make counteroffers. This is especially likely if you bid low, or when you’re up against multiple competing offers.

If you do receive a counteroffer, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to accept the new contract, negotiate the terms, or walk away.

In cases such as these, look to your agent. He or she is your spirit guide. If you decide you want to negotiate — that is, make a counteroffer to the seller’s counteroffer — your agent will use their negotiating skills to help get you the best deal. This is what agents do every day.

But you’re not just going to sit there. If you understand what negotiating tactics your agent may deploy — they depend on the local market and your position — you can back them up. And cheer them on.

Here are eight rules every buyer should know before they — and their agent — start negotiating:

#1 Act Fast — Like, Now

When you receive a counteroffer, you should respond quickly — ideally within 24 hours. The longer you wait, the more space you leave for another buyer to swoop in and nab the property. Also? If a seller senses hesitation, they may decide to withdraw their counteroffer before you even have a chance to respond.

#2 Raise Your Price (Within Reason)

While you obviously don’t want to overpay for a house, you may have to up the ante — especially if you initially made a lowball offer. Lean on your agent’s expertise to determine how much money you should add to the sales price to make it more enticing to the seller.

Then, through their powers of persuasion, your agent can make the counteroffer look even more attractive by pointing out similarly priced “comps” — recently sold homes in your area that are comparable in terms of square footage and features.

As your agent negotiates, it can feel like things are escalating quickly. It’s stressful. You may feel a sudden urge to do whatever it takes to win.

Before you go overboard, there are two things you must keep in mind:

You can’t exceed the monetary confines of the pre-approved mortgage you received from your lender.
You shouldn’t overextend your budget.

Because your counteroffer has to be an amount you’re comfortable spending on a home. You want that new house and to keep living your life. Plus: You’re not out of options yet.

#3 Increase Your Earnest Money Deposit

Increasing your earnest money deposit (EMD) — the sum of money you put down to prove to the seller you’re serious (i.e., “earnest”) about buying the house — is another way to show the seller you have more skin in the game. A standard EMD is typically 1% to 3% of the sales price of the home. Making a counteroffer with a 3% to 4% deposit could be what you need to persuade the seller to side with you.

#4 Demonstrate Patience About Taking Possession

Depending on the seller’s timetable, changing your proposed possession date — the date you take over the property — could butter them up, too. If the seller wants to stay in the home for a few days after closing, try offering a later possession date. You could also draw up a “rent-back” agreement, meaning the seller pays you rent for staying in the home for a set period of time after the closing date.

#5 Let Go of a Few Contingencies — With Care

Want to give your counteroffer an even bigger boost?

Reduce the number of contingencies you’re asking for. It’s your way of saying, “Hey, look, I have fewer ways to back out,” which gives the seller more reassurance that the deal will close.

But be selective: Some contingencies are too important to give up. A home-inspection contingency — the right to have a home inspection and request repairs — gives you an out if you spot major problems with the home (and protects you from buying a total money pit).

You might waive a termite inspection if you’re in a state where the risk is lower.

But ultimately, waiving contingencies depends on your market, your loan program requirements, your risk tolerance, and the circumstances of the house in question. And if you waive contingencies and then you find a problem, the seller isn’t responsible for fixing it.

#6 Ask for Fewer Concessions

At a mortgage settlement, home buyers have to pay closing costs for taxes, lender’s fees, and title company fees. Closing costs vary by location, but you can expect to shell out between 3% and 4% of the home’s sales price. The seller pays an additional 1% to 3%. (Smart Asset and Nerdwallet have simple calculators you can use to get a rough idea of what your closing costs might be.)

When making an initial offer, you have the option to ask the seller for concessions — a settlement paid in cash to help you offset your share of the closing costs. (This move is less feasible if you’re going up against multiple offers.)

Concessions effectively lower the seller’s net proceeds from the sale. Making a counteroffer that removes the concessions you would have otherwise received at settlement puts cash back in the seller’s pocket — and can improve your bid.

#7 Pick Up the Cost of the Home Warranty

Sometimes sellers offer prospective buyers a home warranty. This is a plan that covers the cost of repairing major home appliances and systems, like the air conditioner or hot water heater, if they break down within a certain period (typically a year after closing).

A basic home warranty costs about $300 to $600 a year, according to Angie’s List. If it seems like waiving the home warranty can sweeten negotiations, but you still want the peace of mind of having one, tell the seller they don’t need to cover it — then buy it yourself.

Just keep in mind, whether you or the seller buy the warranty, you’ll need to pay the service fee (typically between $50 and $100) if something does, indeed, need to be repaired while under warranty.

Also, FYI: A home warranty is entirely separate from homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance — the security blanket that covers your home’s structure and possessions in the event of a fire, storm, flood, or other accident — is required if you take out a mortgage. It can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000 per year.

#8 Know When to Walk

When negotiating with a seller, trust your gut — and your agent. If he or she says a deal is bad for you: Listen.

And if you don’t want to make any more trade-offs — and the seller won’t budge — it’s smart to walk. That can be a tough decision to make, and rightfully so! Negotiating is tough. It’s draining.

And losing something you’ve worked hard to get can be disappointing. But don’t worry. There’s a better deal for you out there. And after those strong feelings of frustration pass, you’ll realize: Now I know how to do this.

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