Real Estate Information

Check out the Roaring 20s Arts & Crafts Festival in downtown Sebring Saturday, February 12 from 9AM to 4PM. 

There will be more than 100 craft, art and food vendors expected to convene around Sebring’s historic downtown Circle to celebrate Sebring’s 1920s heritage. Within the lovely setting, festival attendees can browse the booths displaying items such as wooden crafts, homemade soups, leather crafts, clothing, iron crafts, stained glass, jewelry and plants.

There will also be painters, photographers and sculptors with artwork for sale.  And when you get hungry, check out the food vendors who will be selling treats such as kettle corn, funnel cakes, lemonade, Italian ice, hot dogs and ice cream.

 For more information and for booth information call 863-471-5104.

The weather will be great this weekend to get out and enjoy the area! Are you looking for some interesting and one of a kind artwork?

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Looking for a new home can be an exciting time and it is easy to get caught up when looking at homes and fall in love with one and not catch potential problems. You should always have a professional home inspection before signing any contracts but below are a list of some potential signs that something may be problematic.

1. Ceiling stains. Some buyers don' think about looking up at the ceiling but if you see stains then its obvious..something’s leaking. It might be a simple repair or it might be quite costly. Most roof leaks result from neglected flashing that seals “valleys” in the roof or around a chimney or vents, roof leaks mean mean it’s time to replace shingles. If the leak is under a bathroom it might be shower or even the toilet that is causing problems.
2. Odd odors. Pet smells, musty odors and even cigarette smells are red flags as they can be hard to get rid of and may signal a deeper problem. Keep in mind if the home smells like heavy cleaning products the seller might be trying to hide a problem.
3. Wiring Issues. While an electrician is the only one to accurately diagnose wiring problems there are some things you can be on the look out for. Make sure all the switches and outlets in the house function properly. Any lights that flicker or don't work as well as hot outlets are all symptoms of wiring problems.
4. Problems With Windows. You can tell a foggy window problem right away just by looking at them but also be sure to check out all the windows to make sure they are fully functional. Some older windows maybe warped or painted shut and if you do see foggy windows that is a sign that the seal is broken.
5. Insects and Rodents. Keep a close eye out for signs of rodents and bugs. Be on the lookout for hidden mouse traps, rodent droppings, roach motels or other signs that there may be a problem. If you do locate a home that you are ready to purchase, absolutely get a termite inspection as they can only be detected by a professional inspection.

If you do find a home that you have looked thru and found no red flags and you are ready to take the next step it is vital that you hire a professional home inspector to ensure that everything is good to go. It will be the best money you will spend, it will save you thousands of dollars and headaches down the road.

Turn on the news and you are going to hear various news reports and statistics regarding climate change and global warming.  These reports make us realize how important it is that we all do our part to preserve our planet. The biggest question is how and where do we start.

Starting at home is the best place to learn. Below are a few simple things that all of us, as homeowners, can do to start a home recycling plan.  And it is not going to happen overnight, but the more you recycle, the easier it will be to get into the habit. 

Curbside or Drop-off Recycling
Curbside recycling, according to Earth 911, is offered to half the U.S. population. This provides homeowners a convenient way to recycle a variety of different materials such as, plastic, paper, aluminum cans, glass bottles and steel/tin cans. Now, not all areas offer curbside recycling.  In these areas, recycling drop-off locations are a great alternative.

Choose Paper
Plastic bags are not biodegradable and are threatening our marine life and clogging our landfills. There are many different alternatives to the plastic bags, one being the nice canvas reusable bags for less than a dollar each. Some stores will even give you a small discount for using these bags, so it is win-win!

Composting
Composting is an awesome way to limit the amount of garbage in your garbage cans and eventually the amount of garbage you add to our landfills. An added advantage of composting is the nutrient-rich fertilizer you will create for your gardens using organic materials right from your home.

For additional information visit Earth 911 or contact your local home waste collection service provider.

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On Saturday, February 5^th, grab the family and head to the Avon Park Airport, 1600 W. Main Street, Avon Park for a  Fly-In Breakfast with all the fixings!  You get a full breakfast, casseroles, sticky buns, all for only $5.00!  Yum! They are serving from 8AM to 11AM. 

Located at Florida Aircraft Services on Avon Park Exec. Airport. 1535 SR 64 West, Avon Park, FL 33825. All proceeds go to Christ Lutheran Church of Avon Park.

Family Fun without all the clean-up afterwards! Have a great weekend!

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One of the first steps a buyer needs to take to purchase a home is to learn more about the different types of home loans and what will work best for their situation.

I often get many questions often from potential buyers who are confused--and often overwhelmed--by the home mortgage process. Getting a home loan doesn’t have to be an ordeal if you do your homework first. A qualified real estate agent can assist with a list of local lenders and information resources to make your life easier. So just ask!

I recommend that you do two things right away, even before you start house hunting:

1) Get your credit reports from the “Big Three” credit reporting agencies. Lenders will review these reports, and you need to know what they contain--and where you stand. Don’t be surprised by “red flags” when negotiating with a lender. Take action beforehand to correct or explain the negatives.

Under Federal law, you’re entitled to one free report from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion each year. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to learn more.

2) Get pre-qualification from one or more lenders on a possible loan amount. That way you’ll have a good “guesstimate” of the loan amount you would qualify for--and how much house you can afford. Once you’ve chosen a lender, you can even get pre-approved for a loan. Knowing your mortgage limit up front will be a tremendous help in your search for the right home.

There are many resources available out there for you to learn more about about mortgage loan basics and the best way to work with lenders. One resource I like is Looking for the Best Mortgage, it is a free, easy-to-understand booklet you can download from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. You’ll get a “shop, compare, negotiate” strategy:

* How to get loan information from more than one lender
* How to get rate and fee information that you can compare
* How to get your “best deal”

This publication also includes a glossary of common mortgage loan terms and a handy worksheet you can use when talking with lenders. The worksheet is great. You’ll find yourself saying, “I didn’t even think of that!” And that’s why it’s such a valuable resource: It keeps you organized and on point.

Getting a home loan is the first step in purchasing a home, so it is so important to do your homework. Learn what you need to know about your home mortgage options up front--and get approved quickly for your new home when you’re ready to buy.

Are Your Granite Counters Safe? I love granite counters. When I finally had my new kitchen built of course it included granite. That was five years ago and I still love my granite as much as the day my kitchen was finished. I never thought that these countertops could be unsafe for my family.

As a big fan of Dr. Andrew Weil and his natural health and wellness tips, I subscribe to his DrWeil.com. While I must admit I delete more than I actually read, this one caught my eye "Radon In Your Kitchen Counter?" I really never thought about this. Is anything safe anymore?

The article started with "January is Radon Awareness Month" – Here it is January 31 and I did not know that either. Did You? As we do know radon is an odorless, colorless gas produced by the breakdown of uranium the seeps out of the earth. Radon can enter a home through the basement, through concrete cracks and then it becomes concentrated in the air we breathe. Living in Sebring, Florida, I do not have a basement or see any in the homes I sell. So, I should not have to worry about radon entering my home – or should I? Dr. Weil went on to say radon can be present in natural materials that are brought into our home. This includes granite countertops as some granite contains uranium. But, if it does emit radon, it is in low levels. However, the article continued on to say some granite is "hot" and tests have shown potentially dangerous levels of radiation. This granite usually comes from the more exotic and striated varieties from Brazil and Namibia.

For more information on radon testing, visit the Environmental Protection Agency website. The EPA advises that all homes be tested for radon. While this is most likely not a problem for most of us, I am going to find out where my granite came from and have my home tested for randon. After all, how many people ever though that drywall could be a problem. Now we have Chinese Dry Wall. Is Brazilian/Namibia Granite next?

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In a time when real estate has slowed down and the future of the market is uncertain, it is critical to be able to sell your home as quickly as possible, for the best possible price.

Peter G. Miller, Columnist for Realty Times has outlined 10 negotiating steps to follow in order to increase your chances of a quick sale for the best price. These steps include the following:

Step 1: Get a local broker.

Step 2: Read the sale agreement.

Step 3: Know the marketplace.

Step 4: Know your terms.

Step 5: Reduce deposit requirements

Step 6: Throw in stuff.

Step 7: Update MLS photos.

Step 8: Review the marketing plan.

Step 9: Visit open houses.

Step 10: Have context.

For more information and detailed descriptions of each step read Peter G. Miller's full article, 10 Steps To Sell More Quickly In Stalled Markets.

Do you have a Sliding Glass Door in your home?  Just about everyone who lives in Florida does.  Here are some tips to help you keep your home safe.   Right now with our current economy, burglary is up.  A few little adjustments can make a difference between keeping your home safe or being the victim and coming home to a mess.  Remember most burglars watch your pattern or routine and strike when you are not home.

Sliding glass doors are secured by latches not locks. They are vulnerable to being forced open from the outside because of these defective latch mechanisms. As a Realtor, I see many malfunction sliding glass doors in homes that I am showing to my clients.  This can be easily be prevented by inserting a wooden dowel or stick into the track thus preventing or limiting movement. Other blocking devices available are metal fold-down blocking devices called "charley bars" and various track-blockers that can be screwed down.

However, this is only half the answer.  Florida has many older homes. Older sliding glass doors can be lifted up and off their track which makes the latch mechanism useless. To prevent lifting, you need to keep the door rollers in good condition and properly adjusted. You can also install anti-lift devices such as a pin that extends through both the sliding and fixed portion of the door. There are also numerous locking and blocking devices available in any good quality hardware store that will prevent a sliding door from being lifted or forced horizontally. Place highly visible decals on the glass door near the latch mechanism that indicates that an alarm system, a dog, or block watch/operation identification is in place. Burglars choose the path of least resistance.  So, with better and updated devices, an alarm systems and definitely big barking dogs, your home may not be the next target.   Use this check list to see how secure your sliding glass doors are.

___1.   Secondary blocking device on all sliding glass doors

___2.   Latch mechanism in good condition and properly adjusted

___3.   Sliding door rollers in good condition and properly adjusted

___4.   Anti-lift devices such as through-the-door pins or upper track screws are installed

___5.   Use highly visible Security Alarm decals, Beware of Dog decals or Block Watch decals

Purchasing a home is one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime, and it can also be one of the most stressful. By having a home inspection it can help to ensure that the quality of your potential home is in good condition and help to eliminate surprises by making you aware to any problems.

So how do you go about selecting a home inspector?    One good way to start is one of the two nationally recognized professional associations for home inspectors; the American Society of Home Inspectors or The National Association of Home Inspectors.   In order to be listed with either of these organizations one has to go through a certification process. Both of these have a search engine to help you find “state certified home inspectors.”  Once you have a few names it doesn’t hurt to check with the Better Business Bureau.  Make a list of inspectors that have been recommended.  Avoiding anyone who has a negative report can help you avoid any potential problems with your inspection. 

A few things questions to ask when talking to your potential home inspector:

• What is the inspector's experience? How many years have they been in the business and how many inspections do they do a year?
 
• Exclusively inspections? Beware of contractors who do house inspections "on the side"--they may be looking for work and this isn’t necessarily what you want.

• What type of report? Will it be written or oral or both? Will the report contain suggestions for remedying deficiencies?   Preference should always be to get it in writing.

• How long will it take? Depending on the size of the house an inspection should take between 2 and 4 hours.

• What will be included in the inspection?

• What certifications do they have? Are they ASHI or NAHI certified?

 “Year after year, RE/MAX Realty Plus, Sebring, Florida continues to be the leader in the Highlands County market.  Maureen is  excited to be part of this great office and is looking forward to another great year!”