Why You Need an Agent for New Construction

September 21, 2018 by

Are you ready to buy a home and considering going in the route of new builds? It may seem like an easy enough process, where you get to call the shots of how you want your dream home to be, but there is a lot of risk when it comes to new construction if you are going in blindly. It’s unfortunately not as trouble free as we’d like to hope, if you don’t have the right representative by your side to help with the things that need to be looked out for from a professional’s eye. Below, we’ll dive into the many reasons you need a professional buyer’s agent representing you in the sale. They are, after all, on your side. And it’s their role to ensure you aren’t taken advantage of by the builders and their representatives in the transaction.

1. HIRING THE RIGHT BUILDER

The most important part of finding an agent is having a professional’s perspective to finding a builder with a great reputation. You get to benefit from your agent’s network of vendors, lenders, and home builders. They have the industry expertise to connect you with a builder that matches your needs, and more than likely, have already had experience with the builder with a past client. Or, if they haven’t worked with a builder you want to use directly, they can gather person-to-person recommendations from other agents to know the expected experience with said builder. They will help you find one, that not only delivers exactly what their clients want, but in a timely fashion.

2. THE RIGHT LOT IN THE RIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD

The lot you choose to go with in a new build can either be a positive to your new home, or detrimental. In the excitement of the process, we tend to overlook important features of a property. It’s important to have a professional to ensure you make a purchase that will best serve you. They’ll be able to find a neighborhood that best fits your lifestyle and a lot that has a location that works for you. Whether you’re single with pets, or a family with children, the lot location can really make a huge impact. Especially when it comes time to selling it in the future. These are important things your agent will be able to help walk you through, so your decisions work in your favor in the long term, as well as now.

 

3. UPGRADES AND PLAN MODIFICATIONS

Not only will your agent be able to ensure you get the upgrades and modifications that will best suit your lifestyle, but will also help you make decisions that will increase the value of your home in the long term. They are working for your best interest long term, and with an agent’s guidance, you can be sure to make changes that end up benefiting you.

 

4. HANDLING CONTRACTS AND PAPERWORK

Your agent will handle the contract and all of the paperwork, and they will be sure to review it to ensure that it is in your best interest. They will be able to help you break down the best loan types, purchasing processes, and steps to take that benefit YOU, not the builder. They are, after all, working for you. They’ll make sure there are no overlooked terms in a builder’s contract that could end up hurting you after you move in. Or even during the building process. You want to make sure you have a professional who is experienced with the paperwork and contracts and knows how to make revisions that work in a way that make you happy.

5. NEGOTIATIONS

It is imperative in the purchasing process to have an agent that is able to represent you and negotiate for you. The building process is so much more than having the builder put in your favorite counters and floors. They will be able to get you a price that actually benefits you – not the builder. They will be able to run a comparative market analysis to ensure you are paying a fair price for the property. You don’t want to end up overpaying for the home – it could put you in a tough spot when it comes time to sell. They’ll also be able to negotiate terms around building time frame, closings costs, and so many other aspects of a contract that you may otherwise overlook.

6. BUILDER’S AGENT REPRESENTS THEM, NOT YOU

It may seem easy just to pop into an office of a new build, or a builder’s office, and use the onsite agent. But keep in mind that this agent works FOR the builder, NOT for you. So they will be working to make sure the builder gets the best deal at the end of the day. By having a buyer’s agent of your own, you can ensure there is a professional on your side that can walk you through the process and avoid being taken advantage of during the transaction. They will also have a better handle on things when you hit bumps along the way. If you end up working with a builder who isn’t holding their end of the deal, they will have the power to make connections that ensure the builder holds their end of the contract terms.

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Top 5 Staging Props

September 20, 2018 by

1. ORCHIDS & HIGH QUALITY FLORALS

Orchids are an incredibly versatile prop. They are beautiful, elegant and add class into any interior, regardless of the style of home. They will pair well with just about any room. You can add it into a bathroom for a spa-like feel, group it into containers for a grand entryway centerpiece, or make it the highlight of the dining room. Adding high quality florals can be the perfect way to decorate any space, and the variety of flower types and arrangements can blend into any decorating theme.

2. BOOKS

Books are wonderful space fillers and can introduce you to subtle pops of color into your living space. They can also be used as risers to add dimension to your room by propping other decorative pieces.

3. BOWLS, TRAYS, & VASES

Ceramic containers can really add a calming and organic effect into a decorative scene. They have a beautifully subtle, and can be the right touch to bring a room together. Using vases, trays, and bowls allow a lot of versatility. Vases can be used as a creative way to hold utensils in a kitchen and bowls can be used for small plants. The right container, paired with the right filler, can set the scene and create a warm and inviting space.

4. FILLERS

Fillers are the perfect couple to the types of containers noted above. Fillers can be wicker balls, moss balls, faux lemons or other fruits, limes, bread, lemons, flowers, and just about anything else you can think of. Fillers can bring in a lived-in look to any space, warming up what could otherwise feel like a bare room.

5. LIFESTYLE ELEMENTS

Having lifestyle elements in your home can really set the pace for the theme you want to incorporate. Lifestyle elements are things that breathe life into any room, and prevent it from feeling too staged. These can be things such as a teapot on a night stand, a bowl of fruit on a dining room table, little figurines on nightstands, books on a coffee table, etc. You can even add a breakfast tray on a set bed. Use lifestyle scenery sparingly so it doesn’t come off too cheesy and over-done.

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10 Household Chores to do Annually

September 17, 2018 by
 10 Household Chores to do Annually

Sing me some graces, there is such a thing as over-cleaning! Here are ten chores around the home that you really only need to do annually, minus special circumstances. Let’s dive in!

1. Curtains & Drapes

Unfortunately, we don’t mean the dusting part. You’ll want to dust at least once a month, but when it actually comes time to getting them cleaned, you only really need to do that once a year. You can take them in to get dry cleaned or follow the instructions on their tags if you choose to wash them at home.

2. House Gutters

Gutter guards can be a great investment, especially if you live around trees that shed all year long. These can keep your gutter cleanings minimal, generally about once per year. You’ll want to do this in the autumn when all of the leaves from the trees have already fallen.

3. Fireplace & Chimney

After the winter, you’ll want to give your fireplace a thorough cleaning. You can use a shop vacuum to clean up the embers. Make sure to wash down the fireplace tools as well. Go an extra step further and schedule an appointment with a chimney sweeper.

4. Carpets

We wish we meant vacuuming, but that’s pretty much a weekly or biweekly task for most households. In this case, we mean a deep clean. The best time to get this taken care of is right after summer.

5. Outdoor Furniture

The best time to clean outdoor furniture is when you bring them out of storage for Spring. Of course, if messes up happen while you’re using them, you want to clean the spots right away, so you avoid an accumulation of stains in a short period.

6. Mattress

Mattresses have improved through the years but they still need a little bit of attention. At least once a year, give your mattress a thorough cleaning and change the position of it.

7. Kitchen Cabinets & Pantry

Early November is a great time to clean out kitchen cabinets, drawers, and the food pantry to get them ready for the holidays. Do a section of cabinets at a time and empty them out completely. Wipe down the shelves and reline with shelf paper if needed.

8. Linen Closet

Just once a year, empty out your linen closet and give it a thorough cleaning. Take time to vacuum away dust and spiderwebs and reline any shelves.

9. Garage, Basement, & Attic

No one is expecting you to have a perfect garage, basement, or attic. However, a good cleaning at least once a year can help you keep an eye on things, such as moisture or insect problems. It can also feel good to get rid of junk that tends to accumulate in these hidden spaces.

If you’re in the market to sell your home, you can always give me a call, and I’ll refer over some preferred vendors that can help you knock out your cleaning tasks.

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Eliminate Pet Odors In Your Home

September 12, 2018 by

Eliminating bad odors from your home is incredibly important, you want to make sure you’ve removed them before putting it on the market. Often times, the first thing buyers notice upon entering your home, is how it smells. If there is an odd odor, it will instantly put them off. No matter how beautifully staged and presented it is, strong odors or stale air can make your home unappealing to prospective buyers. Opening windows and exhaust fans will only go so far in removing foul odors, but won’t generally eliminate it completely. To ensure you don’t lose potential buyers, follow these odor eliminating tips to ensure your home smells and feels fresh and new.

Don’t Use Artificial Freshening Sprays

Don’t make the mistake of spraying artificial room freshener sprays in hopes that it will remove the bad odor. Deodorizers will quickly fade, and only mask the smell, sometimes in an overwhelming way. If a buyer walks into your home, your air freshener can cause a reaction, like a runny nose or a headache, and will make them suspicious of an underlying foul odor. Instead of trying to mask it, locate the actual source of the bad odor and get rid of it.

Best Pet Carpet Cleaners for Accidents

We all love our furry friends, but unfortunately, they can get your home pretty smelly. Whether the smell is on the carpet, furniture, or even on the walls – it’s essential to have it removed. Most odors stem from accidents. You always want to attend to the accident right away. Blot them with a paper towel and use mild dishwashing liquid to help remove the odor. Once completely cleaned, blot again with fresh paper towels to dry the spot. If the accident is not recent, use an enzyme cleaner to eat the bad bacteria. Another great idea is to use activated charcoal. It is a form of carbon that has been activated to make it extremely porous. You can get activated charcoal meant for pet odors at most pet stores.

Green Cleaning Products

Using natural odor eliminators is a great green alternative to most of the chemicals sold at stores. One of the most recommended products is to use baking soda. You can place an open box of it in a room to help absorb unwanted smells. It also helps to remove musty aroma in dark spaces, like a basement. On top of being used to remove pet odors, it also works great for cigarette smells. If you don’t wish to use baking soda, most pet supply stores will have green cleaning products that help remove odors, while still being safe for your household.

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Cleaning 101 Before Listing

September 11, 2018 by

Before you put your home up for sale, you’ll want to ensure it’s clean for all of the buyers that will come through. A dirty house isn’t appealing, and you won’t get a good offer, if you get one at all, if your home isn’t in tip-top shape. Cleaning your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming, below we’ve listed the top things to remember to clean for each room.

FOYER:

+ Clean the door and hardware.
+ Wipe off all fingerprints on windows/furniture.
+ Clean off scuff marks on floors and door.
+ Replace all light bulbs and ensure light fixtures are working.
+ Tidy/clean up the coat closet. People WILL look in there to see the size.

KITCHEN: 

+ Wipe down all cabinets.
+ Clean all appliances, inside and out.
+ Clean stove hood, on top and bottom.
+ Clean behind the refrigerator, on top and bottom too.
+ Ensure the microwave is clean of food splatter.
+ Clean the space behind the sink.
+ Wipe down blinds/shades.
+ Wash any kitchen rugs, clean the floors and baseboards.
+ Store all of your pet food/food out of sight.

BATHROOM: 

+ Clean behind toilet and under sink.
+ Only display absolute necessities, declutter.
+ Organize and clean under the vanity.
+ Scrub floors and clean grout lines.
+ Keep dirty clothes and towels off the floor.
+ Be sure to lock away any medication.
+ Clean the fan and make sure it’s functioning.
+ Replace any dead lightbulbs.

BEDROOM:

+ Wash sheets, comforters, and blankets.
+ Clean the curtains and rugs.
+ Dust furniture.
+ Remove any obvious stains from fabrics.
+ Keep closets clean and organized.
+ Store away dirty clothes and personal photos.
+ Clean marks on walls.

These are just the basics you don’t want to forget about. If it’s within your budget, we highly recommend hiring a professional cleaner to ensure your home is in its best condition. Contact your agent to get a great local recommendation.

Filed Under: Blog

Living The Comfortable Life At Alton

September 4, 2018 by

Imagine yourself living a relaxed, comfortable life at Alton, a new community in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

 

Designed and built by Kolter Homes, Alton is situated on Donald Ross Road close to the Abacoa Publix Shopping Center, San Michele and Evergrene.

 

Welcome to a vibrant community in an exceptional neighborhood in Palm Beach County.

 

Ideally situated at the intersection of Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter, Alton’s location grants its residents eternal sunshine and easy access to Florida’s beautiful beaches.

 

With your convenience in mind, Alton merges residential living, recreation, and business in a community of homes, hotels and retail shops. When completed, the development will comprise of 136 acres of lakes, nature preserves, parks, and open space. There are walking trails and bike paths.

 

Alton is defined by integration and connectivity, for a healthier and happier lifestyle for everyone. It will have over 2,000 single and multi-family homes, up to 700 apartment homes, 300 hotel rooms and over 500,000 square footage of retail space.

 

Alton brings the best of new home construction in Palm Beach Gardens. All Alton Home models are fitted with the highest level finishes based on modern designs that exemplify luxury living in the Alton community.

 

The planned commercial area of the Alton development will be situated on 40 acres south of Donald Ross Road. In the northeast corner of Alton will be the Alton Town Center.

 

Alton Town Center will be a bustling, high-end retail destination in the heart of Palm Beach Gardens. It will have several components including big box, an entertainment or lifestyle component and a retail component that will make it the ultimate shopping destination in northern Palm Beach County.

 

Indulge in a variety of regional and national brands to be housed in this commercial establishment that Alton residents can easily reach by walking or biking. You don’t have to go far to buy your groceries, pet supplies, hardware items, do your fitness routine, or get your daily caffeine fix. There will be plenty of dining options here, too.

 

Here are some of the tenants listed in the Alton Town Center site plan:

 

Publix | LA Fitness | Zoes Kitchen | Home Depot (proposed) | Starbucks | MOD Pizza | Tipsy Salon | PetSmart | Juniors Barber | Panera Bread | Chipotle | Chase Bank | Bolay | Longhorn | Panda Express | Moon Thai & Japanese | Habit Burger | Raw Juce

 

A community that’s within 3 miles of every place you need: world-class beaches, golf courses, expressways, major industrial and retail outlets, top universities and schools, and the Palm Beach International Airport.

 

Everything you need for a comfortable life is here in Alton Palm Beach Gardens.

 

Filed Under: Blog

Let’s Landscape That Pool

September 1, 2018 by

 

Ready to take on the task of landscaping your pool space? You generally don’t realize the importance in the types of trees you use until it’s too late. Let’s go over a few rules the trees around your pool should follow that will provide minimal upkeep and provide the best aesthetics.

  • The trees you choose should have minimal leaf drop and are not overly messy. You want to avoid cleaning seeds, fruits, flowers, and dead leaves as much as possible. This task can get tedious.
  • Choose trees that have shallow root systems. Some tree roots can cause cracks in the concrete and cause problems with the plumbing.
  • Choose trees that can be preferably moved around in large growing containers.
  • Go with a tree that matches the theme of your decor, weather that’s tropical, Japanese, Mediterranean, desert oasis, etc.
  • Pick a tree that doesn’t block a view you may want to keep when it’s fully grown.

Below, we’ll list top 9 of our favorite trees to use throughout your pool landscaping. We recommend these trees based on their root system and the minimal amount of shedding in their leaves and fruits. Choose from one below that will match the theme of your decor:

1. Palm Trees

2. Citrus Trees

3. Banana Trees

4. Japanese Maples

5. False Cyprus

6. Floss Silk Tree

7. Fruitless Olive Trees

8. Ironwood

9. Palo Verde

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Save Your Home From Dryer Fire

August 30, 2018 by

Every year, more than 2900 home fires are started by clothes dryers. The leading cause of these fires are from a build of up lint from lack of maintenance. The removable lint filter unfortunately doesn’t catch all of the cloth and fabric particles, so maintenance requires a little more than just emptying the filter after each load. Whether you live in your own home or plan to purchase in the near future, it’s important to have safeguards in place for the utilities that you use that could put your home at risk. You want to make sure that the lint that gets trapped in crevices and in the hose on it’s way outside are thoroughly cleaned.

Here are a few warning signs to look for that may indicate your dryer is getting clogged up by lint:
•Clothes are taking a lot longer to dry, and sometimes not even drying all the way.
•Clothes may be hotter by the end of the cycle.
•The outside of the dryer starts to get really hot.
•The outside exhaust vent flapper isn’t opening much.
•The laundry room begins to feel really humid.
•There is a burnt smell in the laundry room.

If this seems to be the case, then you’ll want to evaluate your dryer. The tools you need to clean it are as follows:
•A vacuum with a long hose attachment.
•Dryer vent brush kit.
•Screwdriver
•UL listed metal foil duct tape

Here are 4 steps to cleaning your dryer:

1. Remove the lint trap filter and make sure it’s completely cleaned off. You want to make sure you’re cleaning the filter after every load to help prevent lint build up.

2. Vacuum the space that houses the lint trap filter. The filter doesn’t capture all of the particles, and this is the second place the lint will begin to accumulate.

3. Disconnect the dryer duct and clean out the duct with a long hose from a vacuum. You can also use a duct brush to help you complete a more thorough job.

4. Make sure the duct is connected properly. You don’t want it cinched in any part of the duct, to prevent crevices where the lint can get stuck.

No one knows the value your home has as much as this real estate pro, keep it protected by taking some simple cautionary steps to keeping everything in running order. And if you’re in need of a brand new laundry room altogether, don’t forget to give me a call.

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Frenchmans Reserve-The Perfect Oasis to Enjoy Life

August 29, 2018 by

Frenchman’s Reserve Country Club
The Perfect Oasis to Enjoy Life

Come and discover why the Frenchman’s Reserve Country Club was included in the Platinum Club of America for 2016-18.

Located in the prestigious golf course community in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Frenchman’s Reserve Country Club is one of the well-known country club communities in the state of Florida.

Enjoy the country club lifestyle all-year round with its state-of-the-art sports and social club facilities. The ultimate luxury club, its world-class amenities offers an abundance of leisure opportunities for club members:

● At the heart of the country club is the impressive Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, an 18-hole championship golf course.
● The 45,000-square feet Grande Clubhouse evokes old-world elegance in its Florida heritage design.
● Make your dream country club wedding come true in elegant surroundings. Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other happy occasions in any of the club’s banquet facilities where you can have formal or casual dining options for your events. Or have a simple meal while taking in the beautiful sight of the well-maintained fairways.
● Relax inside the men’s and women’s locker facilities and lounge/card rooms.
● For the sports-minded who are not into golf, there are seven lighted Hydrogrid clay tennis courts, two croquet courts, and two multi-purpose courts that can be used for basketball, pickleball & volleyball.
● There’s a fitness center with a group workout studio and Pilates studio for a serious body workout.
● No need to worry about your little ones. They can stay for a while at the Kids’ Korner where professionals will look after them.
● Spoil yourself with some indulgent pampering at the Escape Spa and Salon with its full-service treatment rooms and locker rooms with steam rooms.
● Enjoy water fun time with the family in the tropical resort-style outdoor pool, whirlpool and kiddie pool.
● Visiting family and friends can stay in one of the deluxe, fully-appointed guest suites.

A Frenchman’s Reserve Country Club membership offers a wide variety of amenities and services, ensuring that there’s an exciting activity for everyone, whether young or old.

A notable name in South Florida golf real estate, the Frenchman Reserve exclusive community consists of single-family homes in Mediterranean-style architecture with lake or golf views. Membership opportunities are offered with every new home.

The Frenchman’s Reserve community is ideally situated near recreational areas for the whole family. Mere minutes away are the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, providing a year-round sanctuary for water sports buffs. It is also near many arts, history, music, fine dining, shopping, and entertainment establishments in Palm Beach Gardens.

Integrating private country club living with modern conveniences amid lush surroundings, Frenchman’s Reserve is a community you’ll be proud to call your own and a valued investment you can enjoy for years to come.

Below is a link to our listing in Chambord, located in Frenchamans Reserve.

http://329chambordterrace.CanBYours.com

Filed Under: Blog

Jupiter Dog Beach

August 27, 2018 by

Your Furry Friend’s Beach Paradise

 

If you’re looking for a beach in Florida where your beloved pet dog can roam free, you won’t find a more dog-friendly beach than Jupiter beach.

 

Let your dog run around unleashed from sunrise to sunset in the only legal dog beach in Palm Beach County.

 

Thanks to a policy enacted by Jupiter’s town council, dogs have been allowed on Jupiter’s beaches since 1989.

 

The dog-friendly area of Jupiter beach is clearly marked. It covers 2.5 miles, starting from beach marker #25 at Marcinski Road going north to beach marker #60.

 

It’s a fun place with friendly folks and dogs. Watch your dogs run free and play here in Jupiter beach. The easy beach access makes this a great place to take your furry friend for a walk, or to socialize with other dogs.

 

Follow these dog-friendly beach area rules to ensure that everyone enjoys their visit to Jupiter dog beach.

 

  • If your dogs are well-behaved, obedient, and well-socialized, then they are allowed on the beach.
  • As a responsible dog owner, you are expected to:
    • Supervise your dog at all times.
    • Make sure that your dogs are leashed while walking from the car to the beach, at crossovers and water fountains, and around small children. When off-leash, it’s best to have your dogs run around in uncrowded areas.
    • Not go outside the  boundary of the dog-friendly beach areas. Dogs are not permitted in lifeguarded areas, Town of Jupiter parks or Palm Beach County natural areas.
    • Keep in mind that the beach is open to all people. Respect those who may not want to be around dogs.
    • Maintain the cleanliness of the beach. No littering. You can find dog waste bags at every beach crossover. How To Take Care of Your Dog at the Beach
  • When out on a hot day, limit your dog’s sun exposure and make sure your pet rests in a shady spot to avoid sunburn.
  • Avoid long walks on hot sand or asphalt that may cause burns on your doggie’s paws.
  • Watch your dogs when they’re running especially when you know they’re out of shape.
  • Give your dogs plenty of cool, fresh water. Don’t let them drink sea water.
  • Monitor daily water conditions. Be careful of jellyfish and sea lice. Also, check for reports of rip currents.
  • Before letting them swim, know your dogs’ preferences and skills so they won’t overdo it and get tired fast.Now you don’t have to leave your dog behind when you want to go on a beach vacation. Bring your pet dog along to enjoy a fun vacation in Jupiter Dog Beach.
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