Lisa Soloway & Allison Roman August Real Advantage Magazine

TheReal Buying, Selling, and Maintaining Your Biggest Asset

Why You Should Attend

Allison Roman Lic# 3409788

Lisa Soloway Lic# 3443698

eXp Realty, LLC 818 E. New Haven Ave #1, Melbourne FL. 32901

eXp Realty, LLC 818 E. New Haven Ave #1, Melbourne FL. 32901

321-720-2141 allison.roman@ exprealty.com

321-301-0824 Lisa.Soloway@ exprealty.com

Open Houses Eco Friendly Ways to Water Your Garden

The Home Repairs To Improve Your Return on Investment

Smart Design Ideas for MultiUse Rooms

Why You Should Attend

Open Houses Y

ou’ve outgrown the house you’re in and find out you qualify for a mortgage that will let you upsize.

You’re a first-time home-buyer and need help deciding what you want.

Your kids have let the nest and you’re ready to sell the family home and downsize.

Whatever your reason for wanting to purchase a new home, it’s important that you get a feel for what you want so you don’t spin your wheels and waste time or end up with a property that isn’t exactly what you want.

Open houses can help you envision what your lifestyle would be if you decide to buy

something similar. Unless the seller is still living in the house, the realtor will likely stage the home with furniture, artwork and other design touches that can help you visualize living there.

You can gather important decision-making information when you attend open houses.

You’ll get to explore other neighborhoods, check out school or amenities you’re interested in and explore the various floor plans available in your price range.

If you’re in the market for a fixerupper, you can visit foreclosure or short-sale home listings.

Be mindful that these homes usually need remodeling. They may also need existing problems to be fixed or appliances to be replaced. If you have the time,

U.S. Navy photo by Kambra Blackmon

The purpose of an open house is to let people see what’s available in a particular neighborhood and entertain the idea of purchasing.

budget, and energy to invest in a fixer-upper, it can be a great investment.

The purpose of an open house is to let people see what’s available in a particular neighborhood and entertain the idea of purchasing. Even though you may not be seriously looking at this particular time, agents will welcome you even if you’re just looking.

Remember, though, to remain loyal to your own agent. When you attend an open house and sign in, indicate that you already have an agent you’re working with. The agent at the open house will appreciate knowing that information and won’t attempt to solicit you to become his or her client.

Open House Etiquette You should know the etiquette of attending open houses before you begin your search. »» Sign-in and indicate that you’re already working with a realtor »» Feel free to enter an open house without ringing the doorbell or knocking »» Make a point of meeting the agent – some will take you through the house and show you special features while

others will let you take a self-guided tour »» If someone is still living in the home, respect their belongings »» Ask the agent if it’s alright to look inside a closed door Open houses don’t just have to be for information gathering. They can also be fun. Enjoy envisioning yourself in lots of different homes until you find the one that’s right for you.

Allison Roman 321-720-2141 allison.roman@exprealty.com Lisa Soloway 321-301-0824 Lisa.Soloway@exprealty.com

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aving water is very important, whether there is a drought or not.

There are many ways to water your garden and keep it flourishing, without wasting water, and these ways can also save you from needlessly overwatering your plants.

Make Sure you are Using the Right Soil - The key to success is starting by accessing your soil and adding nutrients to make it the perfect environment to grow in. You will want to test the soil, add the lacking nutrients, and then add in rich compost. Next, make sure to treat your garden with some mulch and then cover the garden in the off season to reduce evaporation. This can be done easily with a tarp, and will keep the weeds down, which compete with your plants for water.

Watering your garden in an Eco Friendly way is a win- win-win, for you, the environment and your plants.

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Strategically Fight the Heat- The way you decide to map out your garden is important. If you plant the right plants together, they can create shade for the soil and other plants which will reduce your water evaporation. Additionally, you can strategically plant trees or shrubs to shade your garden from extreme heat, and this can also provide some wind over for your plants. You can also save water by grouping plants together that need similar amounts of water.

Water only When your Plants Need Water- Many gardeners overwater their plants because they don’t understand their root systems. If you plant when it is not too hot out, then your plants have time to develop a root system before it gets too hot. The deeper the roots are, the stronger they are and are more resilient to droughts. This helps you save water, and saves you from overwatering your plants.

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Watering your garden in an Eco Friendly way is a win- win-win, for you, the environment and your plants.

Using these tricks and setting your garden up for success, will help your garden flourish, and will result in your garden requiring less work, making it all the more pleasurable for you.

Choose Veggies and Plants that are Drought Tolerant- Veggies like chard, asparagus, artichoke, some squashes, peppers, cucumber, and chilies require less water and actually flourish better with less water.

Planting these will help you build you Eco Friendly Garden. You can even add in certain herbs such as sage, oregano, thyme, lavender, rosemary, and more.

Deep Root Drip Irrigation System- Installing a system like this is one of the best ways to conserve water. These systems will encourage the roots to imbed themselves deeper into the soil. Watering from above encourages the roots to grow higher up. You can use this irrigation system to measure how much water is actually needed, and to build your strong deep roots which will make your plants resilient to drought and heat.

Allison Roman 321-720-2141 allison.roman@exprealty.com Lisa Soloway 321-301-0824 Lisa.Soloway@exprealty.com

The Home Repairs To Improve Your Return on Investment

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mall changes can equal big wins. When you’re getting ready to put your home on the market, consider making some of the following repairs, which can bring a return on investment of at least 50% of the value of both the cost and effort.

1. Paint the outside A new coat of paint on the outside of your home can make the whole house look clean and fresh. Plus, it’ll help your home look a bit newer.

3. Add new house numbers If the numbers are old and hard to see from the street, or you want something to stand out more, new numbers are an inexpensive way to improve curb appeal.

2. Repair or replace the front door The front door needs to look welcoming to a prospective buyer. Add a coat of paint to perk up the front of the house. And if the door is very weathered or looks outdated, consider replacing it with a modern, new door. Those with upper glass panels that let light often also have very secure locks that can help your home stay safe.

4. Update windows New windows require a bigger investment because they need to be installed by professionals, but modern windows that are energy- and security-conscious can really update a home. They can also cut down heating and air conditioning costs.

5. Replace the welcome mat A new welcome mat can be instantly inviting and make a

home look ready to welcome a prospective buyer.

6. Redo landscaping A bit of landscaping can perk up any lawn or garden. Get rid of weeds, cover up bald spots on the lawn, and add flowers or plants for an updated look.

7. Perk up your patio Clean the tiles and remove weeds. Add some inexpensive lawn furniture or rearrange what you have to make it feel more inviting.

8. Fence the property If there are any issues with boundaries or less than stellar

neighbors, consider adding fencing to the perimeter.

9. Light up the outside.

You will have buyers coming at all hours of the day and night. A well lit garden path and home entryway looks welcoming and can help them feel as if they are coming home.

10. Start storing Every homeowner will want to make the most of whatever storage areas are available. The first step is to declutter your home as much as possible. Donate, dump or put into commercial storage anything that you haven’t used in the past couple of years.

Clean out the garage and add shelving around the walls. You may also consider buying a freestanding tool shed to store all your gardening tools and lawn mower.

If you have a basement or attic, make sure easily accessible for storage. Don’t cram your belongings into kitchen cabinets and closets because potential buyers will see. Consider asking friends or neighbors to borrow space in their garage for anything you really need to have to hand until the house finally sells.

11. Finish the basement Adding a whole new room (or floor) to any house can add considerable value.

12. Finish the attic This is another way to add another functional room to the house and increase its value.

Whether you choose to finish the basement or the attic, make sure the space can be used for several purposes rather than just as a bedroom.

13. Make the primary bedroom all-purpose Consider furniture, fixtures, fittings and color schemes to create a primary bedroom that is warm and inviting to all.

14. Update the kitchen Replace old appliances with new energy-efficient models. Give your cabinets a facelift with a coat of paint or new doors and add new hardware for an easy, modern look.

Replace old appliances with new energy-efficient models. Give your cabinets a facelift with a coat of paint or new doors and add new hardware for an easy, modern look.

15. Update the bathroom A new toilet seat, shower curtain, and matching linens and mat can give the room a much-need facelift. Consider replacing an old vanity unit in a small room with a pedestal sink.

Once you’ve completed the repairs of your choosing, you’ll find they were worth the effort when your home is that much easier to sell.

Allison Roman 321-720-2141 allison.roman@exprealty.com Lisa Soloway 321-301-0824 Lisa.Soloway@exprealty.com

Smart Design Ideas for MultiUse Rooms

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o you have a room in your home that you aren’t sure what to do with? Or do you have a room in your home that needs to serve multiple purposes due to a lack of space? The fact is, most rooms can be made into multi-use rooms with some planning and a bit of creativity.

Den/Playroom A popular double use of space is to use the den as a playroom as well. The trick to make this a great space is to use attractive storage solutions like decorative baskets and storage bins to store the toys when they aren’t in use. This way, you can use the space as a stylish den or sitting area when it’s adult time.

Most home owners need a guest room, an office or both. Luckily there are many options to convert different rooms to be used for these purposes and more. The majority of what you’ll want to focus on is clever storage solutions and functional placement of furniture to make the most of each combined space.

Bedroom/Office Any bedroom can double as a home office for a quiet space to work. Simply clear out enough space to set up a desk and make sure there is sufficient lighting for the area.

Office/Closet If you have a large walk-in closet, you can make it into office space. This will help to keep your computer and other work materials out of sight and give you some privacy behind a door.

storage. Seasonal decorations, offseason clothing, and items that are important but not used on regularly need somewhere strategic to go.

Installing shelving in your guest room or office can make a useful and tidy place for all that extra stuff.

Office/Workout Space Having a home gym is a luxury but finding space to keep your exercise equipment can be pretty daunting.

The weights and machines need to be readily available but mostly out of sight. The office doubling as exercise space can also help keep you fit as you work from home.

Workout/Playroom If you have children and you also desire a workout space, an extra room, especially one that has a good amount of space, can do double duty. You’ll be able to keep an eye on the kids while you get in some exercise. Use partitions or child gates to separate the exercise machines for safety and never leave children unattended.

Living Room/Guest Room Frequent out of town guests and overnight visitors? Guest rooms are a bonus. But unless these guests are staying for months on end, the guest room likely doesn’t get a ton of use. So instead, furnish your living room with pull-out sofas for those special occasions that guests arrive.

Guest Room/Office If you think your guests would prefer a room to themselves, you can set up your office as the guest room to get some extra use out of that space. A strategically placed daybed can make a great place for guests to lay their heads.

Multipurpose Storage/Guest Room Most homes can benefit from extra

Dining Room/Office Dining rooms don’t have to only be for dining. Your dining room can also make a great office space.

To keep the area decluttered when it’s not being used as an office, add shelving and cabinets to keep the desk and computer area out of sight.

Multi-use rooms can make your home more livable than you’ve ever dreamed. With the right furniture placement, shelving and storage, you can use just about any room in multiple ways. Not only will you increase the functionality of your home, but you’ll also be making the best use of the space you have with these clever ideas.

Multi-use rooms can make your home more livable than you’ve ever dreamed. With the right furniture placement, shelving and storage, you can use just about any room in multiple ways.

Allison Roman 321-720-2141 allison.roman@exprealty.com Lisa Soloway 321-301-0824 Lisa.Soloway@exprealty.com

TheReal Buying, Selling, and Maintaining Your Biggest Asset

Allison Roman Lic# 3409788

Lisa Soloway Lic# 3443698

eXp Realty, LLC 818 E. New Haven Ave #1, Melbourne FL. 32901

eXp Realty, LLC 818 E. New Haven Ave #1, Melbourne FL. 32901

321-720-2141 allison.roman@exprealty.com

321-301-0824 Lisa.Soloway@exprealty.com