IN THIS ISSUE
OCTOBER 2018
• 12 STEPS OF SELLING A HOME IN CENTRAL FLORIDA - PART 1 • HOME IMPROVEMENTS THAT GIVE YOU THE MOST RETURN ON INVESTMENT • THE LATEST REAL ESTATE MARKET DATA
12 STEPS OF SELLING A HOME IN CENTRAL FLORIDA - PART 1 When a home is placed on the market, sellers always want to know, “How long will it take before someone buys it?” The short answer is, of course, we know the average time it takes to sell a home. The long answer is that each transaction is different. There are about 200 steps your REALTOR® will take when selling your home in Central Florida, but we’ve consolidated them in this newsletter. Working with a REALTOR® that really understands these steps will put you in the best position possible to sell your Central Florida home and may give you a better understanding of what's to come once you decide it’s time to put your home on the market. Step One: Find a Knowledgeable REALTOR® Selling a home is a big decision and doing so is more laborintensive than just putting a “for sale” sign on your front lawn. Just like you wouldn’t want to invest a large amount of money in the stock market without the advice of a reputable financial advisor, you shouldn’t sell your home without a knowledgeable REALTOR® on your side. Choose a REALTOR® who has knowledge about the area, including upcoming developments in your desired neighborhood, and one who has plenty of experience. You want a REALTOR® who can get you the best results possible, and one whose reputation for results will set your listing apart. Step Two: Understand the Market As previously mentioned, every transaction is different, and the same applies when gaining a clear understanding of how the real estate market is performing. Is it a buyer's market or a seller's market; is there a change on the horizon that will impact (good or bad) market dynamics; what trends are taking place with interest rates and financing; and what aspects of public policy are impacting the national, state, regional or local real estate market? All of these are vital factors to know and understand when considering making such an important financial decision – working with a real estate professional that genuinely understands each aspect of the market is imperative to your success in selling your home. Step Three: Position Your Home to Get Results How you "position" (price) your home on the market is one of the most important things to consider when selling real estate. Overpricing your home ensures a lack of activity, creates a negative perspective from ready, willing, and able buyers, prolongs your time on the market, impacts your profitability, and increases your level of frustration with a process that should be enjoyable. Likewise, underpricing your home means
you leave your hard-earned money on the table for the taking, creating an opportunity for confusion, doubt and remorse to set in during and after the sale, and tells prospective buyers you aren't working with a qualified, competent REALTOR® – which can wreak havoc on your negotiations. Remember, the key is balance. You want to make sure your home is positioned properly, which means it will be both appealing to buyers and will give you the best return on your investment. Step Four: Create a Marketing Plan More than 90 percent of home buyers will search online at some point during their home search. It’s important to meet potential buyers where they are. This means you’ll need to create an online strategy that ensures your listing performs well. Here’s where your REALTOR® will do the legwork for you by highlighting your property on their website, through social media, via online advertising, and so much more. The key is drawing buyers to your listing while they're deciding which houses they’d like to see in person, and a tech-savvy REALTOR® will make sure they view your home as one they can’t miss. Step Five: Screen and Coordinate Showings Your REALTOR® should have a clear and consistent plan on how they manage leads, efficiently route them to the appropriate team member, qualify and screen them, and, ultimately, work with you on when and how to best coordinate viewings of your home. This process involves everything from state-of-the-art technology, to a keen understanding of the right questions to ask prospective buyers, to effective communication with all parties, and, of course, an understanding and respect for you, your home, and your safety. Step Six: Negotiate an Offer A home buyer has decided your home is the one they want to pursue, and now’s the time to negotiate. The importance of this part of the process can't be overstated. Many times people think of price when they think of negotiating; however, when selling your home, there is so much more to consider, negotiate, and navigate to ensure a successful conclusion to the process. Your home is an incredibly valuable asset, and you need an expert on your side to negotiate a contract that will bring you the best price with the best terms and the least amount of legal liability – now and down the road. Stay tuned for steps 7 through 12 in next month’s newsletter.
LEARN HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME! CHECK OUT OUR FREE RESOURCES FOR HOME SELLERS. VISIT DREAMBUILDERSREALTY.COM/SELLING
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HOME IMPROVEMENTS FOR UNDER $1000 THAT GIVE YOU THE MOST RETURN ON INVESTMENT Some homeowners go into home improvements with one thing in mind: selling their home in the near future. When this is the case, you should get solid advice from your REALTOR® to ensure these projects will pay for themselves in the end. There are a handful of projects that will not only pay for themselves in the long run but will help sell your home when the time comes. Paint your house. A fresh coat of paint can go a long way to improve the appearance and curb appeal of your home - this goes for the interior or exterior of the home. If you’re going to give your home a facelift with a new paint job, we recommend choosing a neutral paint color. If you're in need of some inspiration, Pinterest is one of the best places to look for trends in exterior color palettes, too! Overhaul your home’s exterior. There is probably more to do than you realize when it comes to the exterior of your home. Pressure washing the exterior of your house, your driveway, patio, and sidewalks will make a big difference. Trimming the shrubs under your front windows or cutting down low-hanging branches from your oak tree will help with your curb appeal. Adding some new flowers and mulch in your planters can also make it easier to sell your home when the time comes.
small children or pets? Your carpet may last even less time than that. Fortunately for you, carpet is probably the least expensive flooring you could go with when re-flooring your home, and it’s a great way to make a big impact on potential buyers. Small projects make a big difference. There are a myriad of small projects that have probably been piling up on your home to-do list and checking off as many of them as you can before selling your home will help your home stand out against the competition. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, or time, to make an impact on how your home shows to others. While we may have listed inexpensive home improvements that give you the most return on investment, that doesn’t mean they each cost $1,000. Some of these projects will cost you more than others, especially depending on whether you do them yourself or hire someone else to do them.
Replace your old carpets. Did you know that carpet only has a lifespan of about ten years? And that's only if you keep it in tip-top shape. Do you have
LEARN HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME! CHECK OUT OUR FREE RESOURCES FOR HOME SELLERS. VISIT DREAMBUILDERSREALTY.COM/SELLING
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FEATURED HOME
LE A S R O F
RESORT-STYLE LIVING
711 LASSO DRIVE KISSIMMEE, FL 34747
5 BED | 5.5 BATH 3,328 SQ FT $520,000
This beautiful five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom home is located in the state-of-the-art Reunion Encore community. Located just minutes away from Orlando hot spots, including the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, shopping malls, and outlets malls, this spacious home features two master bedrooms, three additional bedrooms with ensuites, an open concept kitchen with beautiful granite countertops, and its own private pool and hot tub. You’ll also have access to the Reunion Encore community amenities, which include a beautiful, state-of-the-art clubhouse, fitness center, and aqua park. If you’re looking for resort-style living or your next vacation home, look no further. Contact Dream Builders Realty today to schedule your private tour!
WANT TO SEE YOUR HOME FEATURED HERE? CALL 407.847.5428 FOR MORE INFORMATION
KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW
NEW COUNTY SERVICES COMING TO SOUTH ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL Osceola County recently purchased 19 acres of land off of South Orange Blossom Trail. The county has plans to use this acquisition to build new county services buildings that will include a tax collector’s office, fire station, and a county park for the public to enjoy. This new municipal building and park is conveniently located near the new Poinciana SunRail station. Stay tuned for more information about this upcoming project!
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GET RESULTS FOR YOUR HOME E TIV AC
CUSTOM-BUILT HOME 6358 OAK SHORE DRIVE SAINT CLOUD, FL 34771 $949,900 4 BD / 4.5 BA 5,297 SQ FT
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ONE-OF-A-KIND 601 SOUTH DILLINGHAM AVE KISSIMMEE, FL 34741 $319,900 2 BD / 3 BA 1,612 SQ FT
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COVERED PATIO 6939 CUPSEED LANE HARMONY, FL 34773 $244,900 3 BD / 2.5 BA 2,382 SQ FT
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RELAXED FLORIDA LIVING 290 SCRIPPS RANCH ROAD KISSIMMEE, FL 34759 $175,000 2 BD / 2 BA 1,581 SQ FT
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MOTHER-IN-LAW SUITE 1623 12TH STREET SAINT CLOUD, FL 34769 $209,900 4 BD / 2 BA 1,558 SQ FT
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D EN
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LAKEFRONT HOME 1211 TERRALAGO WAY KISSIMMEE, FL 34746 $610,000 5 BD / 5.5 BA 5,428 SQ FT
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PEACEFUL LIVING 2606 CORSINI LANE KISSIMMEE, FL 34746 $230,000 4 BD / 2 BA 2,137 SQ FT
YOUR HOME HERE WANT TO SEE YOUR HOME FEATURED HERE? CALL 407.847.5428
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FEATURED HOME
LE A S R O F
307 ADDISON DRIVE POINCIANA, FL 34759
COVERED & SCREENED-IN LANAI
3 BED | 2 BATH 1,813 SQ FT $200,000
Located in the highly sought after Solivita resort-style community, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is ideal for someone looking to retire into the laid-back Florida lifestyle. Featuring a spacious, split-bedroom floor plan with a great room, formal dining room, and eat-in kitchen, this home has everything you need to start living out your golden years. The master suite features two walk-in closets, a jetted soaking tub, and direct access to the covered and screened-in lanai. The second bedroom offers direct access to the second bathroom and includes twin closets as well as access to the lanai area. The yard features lush, tropical landscaping, which provides additional privacy. Contact Dream Builders Realty today to schedule your private home tour!
WANT TO SEE YOUR HOME FEATURED HERE? CALL 407.847.5428 FOR MORE INFORMATION
THE BENEFITS OF A VA MORTGAGE LOAN Whether purchasing a new home or refinancing an existing mortgage, a VA loan is often the best program available and may save you thousands of dollars. Utilize your veteran eligibility to purchase a home today with no money down.. Streamline Refinance Otherwise known as an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), this is an outstanding (and simple) option for those who currently have a VA mortgage loan and would like to lower their rate. Utilize your veteran eligibility to purchase a home today with no money down. Conventional to VA If your current mortgage is a conventional or an FHA loan, you may still be able to take advantage of low VA rates and fees.
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Purchase - Zero Down Payment The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) backs loans by mortgage companies to help veterans, reservists, active-duty members, and, in some cases, the surviving spouses of veterans. Cash Out Refinance You may be able to take advantage of VA benefits by using the equity in your home to get cash for things such as home improvements, debt reduction or a well-deserved vacation.
Harry Urban Branch Manager
P: 407.931.3800 x 103 hurban@butlermortgage.com www.butlermortgage.com NMLS# 189233
THE ALTA HOMEOWNER’S POLICY –
PROVIDING GREATER COVERAGE
An owner’s title policy is intended to protect you from defects and liens in your title before the deed is recorded. To continue the protection even after the deed is recorded, you have the option of investing in a homeowner’s policy. The homeowner’s policy is an extended coverage that can protect against many common, frustrating problems – building permit violations, supplemental taxes, subdivision laws, zoning coverage, automatic coverage increases and more – that would otherwise be costly. It also safeguards your investment for as long as you or your heirs legally own the home. To help protect against these types of risks and safeguard your investment, upgrade to a homeowner’s policy.
For extending coverage on your investment, contact Rhonda Owen with the Stewart Title of Celebration office at 407.964.3551.
The content in this flyer is intended for general information purposes. It is not intended as legal advice and is subject to change without notice.
© 2018 Stewart. All rights reserved. | 207542176
MARKET TRENDS IN OSCEOLA COUNTY MEDIAN HOME PRICE
$229,900
up 2.2% since last month up 11.6% since last year
NEW PENDINGS
CLOSED SALES
897
744
up 9.1% since last month up 1.2% since last year
As of August 2018
up 7.5% since last month up 10.2% since last year
AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET
SOLD PRICE TO LIST PRICE RATIO
ACTIVE LISTINGS
61
96.8%
2,048
WHAT’S MY HOME’S VALUE?
VISIT DREAMBUILDERSREALTY.COM/MYVALUE
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Residential Customer 809 Mabbette Street Kissimmee, FL 34741
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID EDDM RETAIL
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