If you’re worried about the condition of the roof on the Orlando home you want to buy, you may need a roof inspection. Although some states don’t require that a roof inspection be included in the real estate contract, it's often better to be on the safe side and get the roof inspected.
Just what is included in a roof inspection? Here’s a short list:
What Is The Roof on the Orlando Home Made Of?
Roofs are commonly made of composition shingles, wood shake, or clay tiles. The material the roof is made of can determine the life of the roof. Tile roofs can last as long as fifty years, while wood shake has an expected "useful" life span of forty years. Roofs made of composition shingles can last twenty to forty years, and are often under warranty for that amount of time.
How Many Repairs Have Been Made?
The roof inspector may also get a count of how many layers are on a roof. Some states require that the roof be completely removed and replaced at certain levels. The inspector will verify that previous roof repairs were done correctly and with the right materials.
Is There Any Roof Damage?
When inspecting the roof, the inspector will look for any slight movements that would indicate loose shingles or tiles. He’ll look at the ridges of the roof and around the edges to gauge any damage.
The added expense of a roof inspection may seem steep, but it's worth the cost to ensure that your roof is in good condition.
Thinking of buying? Let us help you find a Orlando home (and roof) that's in excellent condition. Give me us call today at 407-876-5771.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
6 Ways to Tell if You Need to Paint Before Putting Up Your Orlando Home for Sale
If you’re putting up your Orlando home for sale, it may be time to bring out the brush and spackle. This doesn’t just mean on the outside, but everywhere. If you’re not sure whether you need to do it, here are a few ways to tell:
1. Peeling exterior – You may be used to the home and not see the peeling paint, but, as any real estate agent will tell you, curb appeal is very important. If buyers don’t like the way your home looks on the outside, they very seldom go inside. If the paint is peeling, it’s time to redo it.
2. Eye-catching colors – While you may enjoy your robin’s egg blue house with canary yellow shutters, buyers may not. A Orlando home for sale needs to be painted in a way that the buyers can see themselves living in it. If your house is painted in unusually eye-catching colors, you need to repaint in neutral tones. Stick with neutral colors for interior painting also.
3. Peeling/stained shed – If you have a wooden shed on your property, you might need to repaint it or even replace it. Exposed wood under the paint is a major detractor and an eyesore. It may not matter to you, but it will matter to the buyer.
4. Cracks in the walls – If the interior of your home has little cracks, seal the drywall with spackling and repaint. Though small, the cracks will be seen as a negative, even if the rest of the house is well cared for.
5. Cracked tiles or water spots on the ceiling – Who looks up at the ceiling anymore? The buyer will and will see that unsightly stain in the corner that you haven’t noticed for years.
6. Artistic inspiration – If you’re an artist and you found the need to express yourself on the walls, you might consider repainting. Ask your real estate agent before hand; some forms of expression may sell better than others. It might be slightly painful, so it’s okay if you let someone else do it.
When you have a Orlando home for sale you have to be honest with yourself. Look at the house with fresh eyes and in a buyer’s point of view. If something stands out, it probably needs to be fixed.
If you’re thinking of selling your home, I'd be happy to give you suggestions on how to make it sparkle so it will sell faster and for more money. Call us today at 407-876-5771 for more information.
1. Peeling exterior – You may be used to the home and not see the peeling paint, but, as any real estate agent will tell you, curb appeal is very important. If buyers don’t like the way your home looks on the outside, they very seldom go inside. If the paint is peeling, it’s time to redo it.
2. Eye-catching colors – While you may enjoy your robin’s egg blue house with canary yellow shutters, buyers may not. A Orlando home for sale needs to be painted in a way that the buyers can see themselves living in it. If your house is painted in unusually eye-catching colors, you need to repaint in neutral tones. Stick with neutral colors for interior painting also.
3. Peeling/stained shed – If you have a wooden shed on your property, you might need to repaint it or even replace it. Exposed wood under the paint is a major detractor and an eyesore. It may not matter to you, but it will matter to the buyer.
4. Cracks in the walls – If the interior of your home has little cracks, seal the drywall with spackling and repaint. Though small, the cracks will be seen as a negative, even if the rest of the house is well cared for.
5. Cracked tiles or water spots on the ceiling – Who looks up at the ceiling anymore? The buyer will and will see that unsightly stain in the corner that you haven’t noticed for years.
6. Artistic inspiration – If you’re an artist and you found the need to express yourself on the walls, you might consider repainting. Ask your real estate agent before hand; some forms of expression may sell better than others. It might be slightly painful, so it’s okay if you let someone else do it.
When you have a Orlando home for sale you have to be honest with yourself. Look at the house with fresh eyes and in a buyer’s point of view. If something stands out, it probably needs to be fixed.
If you’re thinking of selling your home, I'd be happy to give you suggestions on how to make it sparkle so it will sell faster and for more money. Call us today at 407-876-5771 for more information.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Your Orlando Real Estate Agent and You
As an Orlando real estate agent, I get to meet people from all ends of the spectrum: buyers, sellers, renters, etc. I also come across other agents, and it constantly amazes me at the different outlooks surrounding the real estate profession. Many buyers think sellers and real estate agents are out to stiff them. On the opposite side, many sellers think buyers and agents are out to stiff them. Unfortunately, even some agents think both are out to stiff them.
I know they say “it’s a dog eat dog world”, but if everybody was truly out to stiff everybody else (rather than just get a fair deal), nothing would ever get done. There’s a big difference between a good agent and a crummy agent. So, maybe we all need to be reminded of what a good Orlando real estate agent really is:
Your agent is your business associate. They are in the business of finding what you need, whether it’s a house to buy or a buyer for your house. As a business associate, they look for the best deal for you, because the best deal for you is the best for them.
Your agent is your negotiator. This goes along with the first, but is more in depth. For instance, if you’re looking at new construction and the builder has a “buyer’s agent”, do you really think that agent is there to help you get the best deal? No, they’re there to help the builder get the best deal. That’s why you have your own agent there – you know they’re on your side.
Your agent is your friend. Especially when you’re having problems selling your house, you’ll have a lot of worries. A good Orlando real estate agent will be there to listen to them and either a) relieve your worries or b) be understanding of them.
As real estate agents, we understand that selling a house isn’t easy. We understand that buying a house can be stressful. We even understand that you may be stuck in a situation you’d rather not be in, such as during a foreclosure. Good agents aren’t just agents; we’re good friends.
If you need to sell your home or are looking to buy one, we would love to help you.
I know they say “it’s a dog eat dog world”, but if everybody was truly out to stiff everybody else (rather than just get a fair deal), nothing would ever get done. There’s a big difference between a good agent and a crummy agent. So, maybe we all need to be reminded of what a good Orlando real estate agent really is:
Your agent is your business associate. They are in the business of finding what you need, whether it’s a house to buy or a buyer for your house. As a business associate, they look for the best deal for you, because the best deal for you is the best for them.
Your agent is your negotiator. This goes along with the first, but is more in depth. For instance, if you’re looking at new construction and the builder has a “buyer’s agent”, do you really think that agent is there to help you get the best deal? No, they’re there to help the builder get the best deal. That’s why you have your own agent there – you know they’re on your side.
Your agent is your friend. Especially when you’re having problems selling your house, you’ll have a lot of worries. A good Orlando real estate agent will be there to listen to them and either a) relieve your worries or b) be understanding of them.
As real estate agents, we understand that selling a house isn’t easy. We understand that buying a house can be stressful. We even understand that you may be stuck in a situation you’d rather not be in, such as during a foreclosure. Good agents aren’t just agents; we’re good friends.
If you need to sell your home or are looking to buy one, we would love to help you.
Can’t Sell Your Orlando Real Estate?
If you watch the Orlando real estate market, you probably know it’s finally showing a little bit of upswing, with national home sales going up by 2.4% in May. While lower mortgage rates and more affordable home prices, along with an $8,000 tax credit for first time buyers, has made selling a home easier, you may still end up holding on to that house for quite awhile. Instead of selling straight out, consider renting to own.
Called a “rent-to-own” or “lease-option,” these deals normally require paying around 5% of the overall purchase price in up-front fees. In addition, buyers are usually required to pay extra rent each month. This is a win-win situation for both the buyer and the seller.
For you as the seller, you have regular rent that goes into your pocket, either to pay down the mortgage you still have on your home or to go toward your new home. In addition, you keep the property profitable as well as get it off the over-stuffed Orlando real estate market.
For the "rent-to-own" buyer, the additional rent payment knocks down the selling price. Properly drafted, a lease option agreement can help buyers having trouble arranging financing or money for the down payment.
Typically, lease agreements are written in 12 to 36 month increments. If the buyer decides they don’t want to buy after all, you can:
a) Put the house back on the market to sell straight out.
b) Put it back on the market as a rent-to-own.
This is also a plus for you, as you can have the contract state that you keep the deposit, as well as the extra rent they have paid.
Don’t think this is just for home sellers, either. Many condominiums are offering the option as well. Some developers are even offering to apply 100% of the rent toward the purchase of the condo.
There are some possible drawbacks to this option, but it is something to consider if you’re trying to sell your Orlando real estate and can’t get it off the market.
If you’d like to sell your home, we can help. We specialize in solutions that get your home off the market fast and give you the most money in your pocket.
Called a “rent-to-own” or “lease-option,” these deals normally require paying around 5% of the overall purchase price in up-front fees. In addition, buyers are usually required to pay extra rent each month. This is a win-win situation for both the buyer and the seller.
For you as the seller, you have regular rent that goes into your pocket, either to pay down the mortgage you still have on your home or to go toward your new home. In addition, you keep the property profitable as well as get it off the over-stuffed Orlando real estate market.
For the "rent-to-own" buyer, the additional rent payment knocks down the selling price. Properly drafted, a lease option agreement can help buyers having trouble arranging financing or money for the down payment.
Typically, lease agreements are written in 12 to 36 month increments. If the buyer decides they don’t want to buy after all, you can:
a) Put the house back on the market to sell straight out.
b) Put it back on the market as a rent-to-own.
This is also a plus for you, as you can have the contract state that you keep the deposit, as well as the extra rent they have paid.
Don’t think this is just for home sellers, either. Many condominiums are offering the option as well. Some developers are even offering to apply 100% of the rent toward the purchase of the condo.
There are some possible drawbacks to this option, but it is something to consider if you’re trying to sell your Orlando real estate and can’t get it off the market.
If you’d like to sell your home, we can help. We specialize in solutions that get your home off the market fast and give you the most money in your pocket.
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