Three Reasons Why Listing Your Home During the Winter Can Benefit You!

Three Reasons Why You Should List Your Home in the Winter!


1. Buyers are SERIOUS
Many use their holiday time or take additional time off during the holidays, to come and house hunt for a future job or voluntary move they have lingering in the future. Being they have limited time, they will schedule multiple properties, and most more than likely select one while they are here in order to complete all necessary paperwork to get the ball rolling on their purchase, so perhaps they can close on their new home from afar and have their new home to move into when they arrive to the area.

2. Homestead Tax Exemption for Buyers
In addition to the above, Buyers who close on their home prior to January 1, are able to file for what we call Homestead Property Tax Exemption. This is an incredible benefit to Florida Homeowners. It will take up to $50,000 off the assessed value of their home so their tax bill will be less. Also, Homesteading your primary property, caps the rate that your property taxes could increase. Meaning, they cannot go above 3% in a year.

3. Less Competition
Everyone believes that spring and summer is the ideal time to list. While this is accurate to an extent, listing this time of year means less competition for you because many will hold out until spring and summer to list their home for sale. If a family is looking in a specific neighborhood, and needing to move ASAP. Let’s say there is only 1-2 other listings in your designated neighborhood, the inventory selections are lower. Meaning, there is a better chance they will select your home, vice when spring or summer come, many may select to list their homes then creating more options for the consumer and lowering the chances they may pick your home.

So, overall, it is a great time capitalize on these three components of the consumer. Even if your home is not sold and closed by January 1st, you still are positioning yourself to sell in early part of the year which can have many great benefits!

Seven Ways to Upgrade Your Bathroom on a Budget

Are you tired of your current bathroom but don’t feel like draining the bank to do a complete overhaul. Fear not! Take a weekend and revamp your space with these seven ways to upgrade your bathroom while not breaking the bank. Grab your paint brush and home tool kit and get ready to upgrade!

1. Select a Fresh Color
A simple coat of paint can truly re define and make a space feel brand new! By changing the wall colors, you are altering the room’s color palette and helping the space feel fresh and take on a new look. Don’t forget to paint the trim! A Fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make a change. TIP: Staining or Refinishing the cabinets is an affordable option to making the space feel new too!

2. Install a New Mirror
Ditch the original or builder grade mirror. Hang something frame-less or one with a unique shape to add a new chic style and statement in your new bathroom! For those who like modern yet original, a simple rectangular mirror with a thick frame will be your go to choice.

3. Update Lights
Changing the light fixtures gives the bathroom an instant face lift! Light fixtures can show character, offer fun flair, and are easy to install! You won’t need more than a few tools. They can also be found for very affordable prices at your local home improvement store.

4. Install a New Shower Head and Faucet
Upgrade your shower head to make your bathroom feel more like a spa! Splurge on a rain shower head or one with a removable handle to help cleaning the bathroom be a breeze! Make sure to have the new faucet match the shower head so the space stays consistent and timeless.

5. Change out the Cabinetry Hardware
A simple change as small as changing the knobs and handles on a cabinet can give the bathroom a slight change of look. Change knobs to a pull handle for a modern look. You can even paint current knobs to save even more!

6. Change out Linens
If you display your linens in your bathroom, purchasing some fresh towels with a matching new bath rug can change up the space. White linens offer a clean, crisp feel, but nontraditional colors can be fun too! Choosing a fun color as teal, mustard, or navy add a fun hue to the space.

7. Add Shelving
Do you have an open wall? Hang some free-standing shelves to display art, towels, items for storage and maybe a fresh plant or two. Small baskets can hold soaps, lotions, cotton balls, and items you would like to share with your guests.

Three Reasons to Sell Your Home This Spring

Are you considering selling your home this spring but not sure if you are ready to make the dive? Well, the market is hot and overall, inventory is still low. We are still facing a shortage of inventory for the volume of buyers we are seeing in Northeast Florida. There is still a high demand for homes that are not readily available. Here are three reasons we think you should consider selling this spring!

1. Inventory Is Low

While we are progressing out of a Seller’s Market, we are not at a completely balanced market yet. A balanced market can carry homes for all qualified buyers in a market area, on average for six months. In our areas, we are still seeing the average month of supply for homes between two and five months. We are at a shortage of affordable homes for first time home buyer’s or downsizing movers (Homes under $350,000). If you are thinking about selling, take some time to consider if now may be the right time for your family to make a move.

2. Contract Time is Fast
Due to the lack of inventory, buyers are being forced to remove a majority of contingencies when placing an offer. This means, they are offering a more aggressive sales price, placing more money down, limiting seller concession requests, and not asking for a ton of repairs. This means, the banks and lenders are able to move through the contract in as a little as thirty to forty days!

3. Ideal Move Time
Many families who wish to relocate within the same city limits often begin looking during the spring. This way, they can close on their new home, get settled meeting new families and neighbors throughout the summer for the new school year. With the time change that occurs in spring, it also stays lighter out later meaning, more sunlight for buyers to stay out looking at homes. Lastly, everything is blooming! Take advantage of mother nature and allow the curb appeal to help showcase your home with the luscious greens of trees, new mulch, and some fresh blooms!