Lakeland Florida Living

Part 1: 15 Reasons Why Homeowners Sell Their Lakeland Fl Homes

2013-05-17T15:23:36Z

Part 1: 15 Reasons Why Homeowners Sell Their Lakeland Fl Homes

Homeowners stay in their homes 5-7 years

Homeowners in the U.S. sell their homes or move every 5 to 7 years on average. Why do homeowners sell their homes in Lakeland Fl and elsewhere in the entire country after such a brief period of time? This may be puzzling for homeowners who have lived in their homes for the past 30 years or more. It is not a shock these days that people move this often. Here are some reasons why people sell their homes:

1. Upsizing. Usually, first time homebuyers outgrow their starter homes due to a growing family, like when a couple has more children, or the children grow up and need more space to move around the home, then these Lakeland Fl homeowners may need to find a bigger home.

2. Upgrading. Let’s admit it, part of American thinking is people want what they don’t have and always want bigger, better, more luxurious, and upscale homes. The grass is always greener on the other side.

3. Correcting a bad buying decision. Some homeowners think they made a mistake when they bought their current home and want to correct this mistake by buying a new Lakeland Fl home. It might be that not having a yard used to be okay, but eventually the homeowner longs to garden or have an outdoor play area for the children, or the home is in a very busy street full of noises from the vehicles passing by and the homeowners would want to move to someplace more quiet.

4. Job Relocation. Whether it’s a job relocation, or changing jobs altogether, most employees prefer to live near their place of work to avoid spending more time commuting or getting stuck for two hours in heavy traffic everyday.

5. Personal Relationships. When a couple decides to live together or get married, then that means one of them would have to sell their home. On the other hand, break-ups could also be a reason for a homeowner to sell the home, since the homeowner might be unable to sustain the mortgage on a single income, or the homeowner simply wants to leave the home that has too many bad memories and wants to get a fresh start.

6. Empty Nest. Another type of relationship affecting the decision to sell a home is the relationship of parents and children. Once the children have grown up and moved out, the parents might opt to sell the home and buy a smaller Lakeland Fl home that is easier to maintain.

7. Changes in the neighborhood. Whether these changes are economic, social, or physical, once the homeowner feels that the neighborhood has worsened, this could be reason enough to sell the home and move to another area. Examples of these changes are construction of a freeway nearby, making it noisy or new neighbors who are loud and inconsiderate.

Thinking of selling your home! If you experience any of these changes and you considering selling your home, I have a passion selling your home and would like to share my online marketing expertise with you. Please email me at petra[at]petranorris.com or call 863-619-6918. I have lived in Lakeland for the past 20 years and service areas of Lakeland, Auburndale, Bartow, Winter Haven, Mulberry and the surrounding cities in Central Florida.

Request your home’s value report

5 Ways To Prepare Your Lakeland Fl Home For An Open House

2013-05-10T20:40:17Z

5 Ways To Prepare Your Lakeland Fl Home For An Open House

Tips to prepare your home for an open house

Spring is open house season, which means there are a lot of buyers out there looking for Lakeland Fl homes. This also means a lot of sellers will be showcasing their own Lakeland Fl home for sale. You will need to compete for the buyers’ attention by making sure that your home will be in its best possible condition during the open house.

It’s not just enough to make the home as clean as possible. There are some other things you need to do to prepare your home for the open house:

1. Depersonalize. Personal stuff like family photos, awards, trophies, and other sentimental objects can be distracting and your potential buyer might look at it more that the actual home. The buyer must be able to visualize themselves actually living in your home. It would be hard for them to do this if the home has too many personal stuff that has the mark of the previous homeowner in it. The goal is to have your Lakeland Fl home like a blank slate so the potential buyer can imagine where to place their own stuff. If you have pets, make sure they are away from the home not just on the day of the open house, but ideally a few days prior to avoid lingering pet odors.

2. Don’t pile all your clutter in the closet. Resist the urge to shove all your personal stuff and clutter in the closets. Your potential buyer might look inside the closets, too, since they would also want to know in advance if all their own stuff would fit in the closets. They would want to take a look at all available storage spaces and the more available space they see, the more it would look like your Lakeland Fl home has all the available room they need. Ask friends, relatives, or neighbors if you could temporarily store some of your stuff with them. The goal is to make your home look as spacious and free of clutter as possible.

3. Make your home feel warm and inviting. Although you need to depersonalize your home, it still needs to look inhabited. An almost bare home is less appealing to buyers. Stage your home. Add in some scented candles, fresh flowers, or potted indoor plants. Spruce up your living room with brightly colored throw pillows. Put a bowl of fresh fruits on the kitchen counter. Leave some fresh folded towels in the bathroom. Your goal is to show the buyer that your Lakeland Fl home is a great place to live in.

4. Let there be light. Bright and naturally lit homes sell. Make sure your windows are clean from the inside and outside to maximize the sunlight flowing inside the house. Check all your light bulbs to see if they are working and if the light is bright enough to showcase the rooms’ best features. take down heavy drapes that block the sunlight from straming through the windows.

5. Use the open house day as a day off. It’s not a good idea to hover around during your Lakeland Fl home’s open house. Your agent should be in charge of that. But instead of just eating away time at the local coffee shop during the open house, why not take the day off to spend quality time with loved ones? Selling a home and moving is a stressful experience, so reward yourself and your family with a mini-vacation. Give yourself a little reward. Then later on, you could reconnect with your Lakeland Fl agent when he or she has gathered enough feedback on your home.

Although you may not get an offer on the first day of your open house, but it can lead to future showings and eventually, a successful sale.

These tips should be used daily when your home is on the market. Buyers do prefer personal and private showings with their real estate agent. Keeping your home show-ready is a must to achieve top dollars.

Seller Tips | What Do Buyers Really Want In A Lakeland Fl Home?

2013-04-25T12:53:52Z

Seller Tips | What Do Buyers Really Want In A Lakeland Fl Home?

Sometimes amenities of a community will help buyers choose a smaller home over a larger home

In the world of real estate, size does matter, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Homebuilders. Most buyers are looking for homes around 2,000 square feet. The problem is, 50% of homes in the U.S. are almost 40 years old and do not possess the amenities buyers are looking for.

According to NAHB, only 1/3 of homes in the market have 2,000 square feet or more of livable space. Existing homes are most likely under 1,600 or even under 1,200 square feet, which is a size that only a few buyers want.

So does this mean bad news for Lakeland Fl home sellers with homes under 2,000 square feet? Will buyers skip your home or put in the bottom of their list? It actually depends. Don’t lose heart, there are other factors that buyers look for in a home in Lakeland FL aside from the size.

Location is also a very important consideration for homebuyers. Size and location are often open for negotiation and buyers may even consider sacrificing one area in order to get the amenity which is more important to them.

For example, your Lakeland Fl home for sale may be smaller than what the potential buyer was looking for but it is located in a neighborhood with the best school district and has a potential for expansion, then all these factors will make your home still appealing.

To properly market a home which falls short in size, look for other features and amenities in your home that you could highlight. Make sure you and your Lakeland Fl agent have good marketing materials like brochures and flyers that have fabulous photos and descriptions which play up your home’s best features.

Another great tip is to show the possibilities in your home. Say your buyer needs a home office and you have an extra room that could easily be turned into an office. This will give your buyers an idea of how to use different areas in their home to meet their own needs. Helping buyers see the possibilities will open their minds and not exclude your home because they think that your home will not meet their needs.

If your home lacks in size, then make up for it by showing more space as possible. Remove any bulky furniture and clutter and try to leave as minimum furniture as possible. This will give the home an airy and refreshing feel.

If your Lakeland Fl home for sale is smaller than what most buyers are looking for, don’t lose heart. You just need to emphasize the fantastic features and amenities that come with your home.

Energy Efficient Homes Saves Both Energy And Homeownership

2013-04-22T13:37:46Z

Energy Efficient Homes Saves Both Energy And Homeownership

Energy Efficient Tips are not just for homeowners, it is for all mankind.

Today, in honor of Earth Day, I thought I would bring to you some energy efficient tips not only for home owners, for tenants as well as you are all responsible for your own electric bill. I recently had done an HVAC annual maintenance check up, such check up should be done by a licensed and reputable company not just once but really twice a year. If you live within city limits, the City of Lakeland will provide you with a $50.00 rebate/credit on your utility bill for such a service. They also have programs available for insulation where you can save $200. For more information about energy savings program for Lakeland Electric Customers, please click here

Buying energy efficient Lakeland Fl homes or upgrading your existing Lakeland Fl home for better energy efficiency doesn’t just save the homeowner on energy bills but allows a more sustainable homeownership.

An Energy Star-rated home has 1/3 lower chances of a mortgage default than a home without this rating, according to “Home Energy Efficiency and Mortgage Risks,” by the University of North Carolina (UNC).

What’s the connection between the energy efficiency and defaulting on mortgage payments? It’s simply due to the fact that energy efficient homeowners save more money on their energy bills, so they could put that money toward their monthly mortgage.

The study also found that Energy Star homeowners were one-quarter less likely to prepay when it comes to their mortgage. Because lenders consider prepayment a risk, these loans are more valuable to lenders, according to the study.

Energy efficient homes also add more value to the home. Aside from saving on energy bills and having more money to pay for mortgage, homeowners with solar-powered Lakeland Fl homes can get up to $20,000 added value to their homes, which could help them get out of a financial difficulty in the form of a cash-out refinance, home equity loan, or putting up their Lakeland Fl home for sale.

Understanding Your Lakeland Fl Home Appraisal

2013-04-17T11:52:08Z

Understanding Your Lakeland Fl Home Appraisal

Arm yourself with knowledge and understand your appraisals

Home Appraisal is a term every buyer or seller encounters during the Lakeland Fl home buying process. What is an appraisal and how does it affect the entire deal?

Some sellers find themselves in this unfortunate predicament where they have some buyers lined up with an offer ready, only to find out that the buyer’s financing has fallen through. The reason: the asking price of the home is way beyond the appraised value.

This scenario is an all too common cause of the high number of cancelled contracts for Lakeland FL Homes for Sale as well as in other real estate markets.

To avoid getting into this situation, make sure you know something about home appraisals:

1. Lenders will not usually write a mortgage for more than a Lakeland Fl home is worth. This sets them up for a huge financial burden in case the prospective buyer defaults on their loan. The lender will instead write a mortgage for whichever price is lower, whether it be the appraised value or the sale price.

2. An appraisal is done by the local appraiser’s office or tax office. They compute the market value of your Lakeland Fl home based on square footage, and other specifics of the home such as number of bedrooms, if the home has a fireplace, type of flooring, etc. A home with a fireplace and laminate floors will have a higher appraised value but will also cost more in taxes.

3. Homeowners will receive a statement from the appraiser’s office every year showing the appraised value of your Lakeland Fl home. If you feel the value is incorrect, then feel free to contest it with your local tax office.

4. The local market conditions could generally affect the appraised value of your Lakeland Fl home for sale. If there are 10 Lakeland FL Homes for Sale on your street and half of them are foreclosures, then you could be in for a shock when you find out the current value of your home, since foreclosed homes sell at 15%-20% lower than a regular home. According to the NAR, “Distressed sales, which tend to sell at steep discounts, continue to hamper home prices nationwide.”

Make sure to get the help of an expert Lakeland Fl listing agent to help you determine the value of your home based on current market conditions. A good agent will be able to help you come up with the best price of your home which will still be competitive with other homes in your area maximizing your profits.

Lakeland FL Homes Can Make Great Investments

2013-04-02T17:49:28Z

Lakeland FL Homes Can Make Great Investments

Hiring a local real estate agent for all your real estate buying needs

This question was posed by someone recently on Trulia, a popular website for people looking for real estate: “Is Lakeland a good area for an investment property? I am looking for a steady monthly rental income.”

My answer is yes. I agree with several property managers and real estate agents who replied to the question by suggesting areas such as south Lakeland and locations in Winter Haven near LEGOLAND.

I would also add Bartow to the list of good investment areas because it’s a small city and many investors tend to forget about it. Lakeland is a hotbed for investors right now, and that has created a seller’s market.

But when it comes to investment properties listed below $100,000, nearly everywhere in Polk County is a hotbed. It is common to receive multiple offers right now for listings in this price range. I recently worked with someone on a short sale property in Winter Haven that received nine offers.

So how do you increase the chances of your offer being accepted over other offers? Hire a real estate agent or an attorney. These professionals can tell you if you’re not offering enough, or if you’re offering too much. They also perform all the necessary due diligence work to make sure the property you’re considering as an investment is a good property. A real estate agent can conduct a comparative market analysis to make sure you don’t overpay.

Don’t buy on the courthouse steps. You might think you’ve bought something for a steal, but there can be hidden fees such as liens that would have been easily identified by an agent or attorney. We have resources and support teams we work with to do title searches.

They say cash is king, and I mostly agree with that statement- unless you have a great working relationship with a bank that can loan you money right away, should you find a great investment opportunity. If multiple offers are the same, but one offer is cash, sometimes the seller will go with the cash offer.

Investing Elsewhere

I would be remiss if I didn’t devote a few words to investment properties elsewhere, particularly in the Caribbean. I get questions about this occasionally. The truth is if you can afford the real estate, investing in island property can be a wise move. I recently happened upon a great blog post on the top five places to buy Caribbean real estate. According to this post, they are:

Trinidad and Tobago
Aruba
Dominican Republic
Bonaire/Curacao
Roatan/Corn Islands

Let’s say you opt to purchase homes or villas in Curacao or Aruba. These are destinations that people love to visit. For example, Europeans flock to Curacao during the winter. If you own property there, you can negotiate with property management firms on the island to see that it gets rented to visitors while you’re not using it. This is a great way to enable your investment to pay for itself, yet still be available for your own vacation use when you want it.

Regardless of where you buy, I’m a firm believer than if properly researched, real estate is a great investment option. If you would like help locating an investment property in Lakeland, call me. I can help.

How To Evaluate and Respond to Offers for Your Lakeland Fl Home

2013-03-16T01:01:14Z

How To Evaluate and Respond to Offers for Your Lakeland Fl Home

An Offer For Your Home in Lakeland FL is the starting point in negotiations

Yeah! After weeks of making sure the house in Lakeland Florida you are selling is tidy and clean for showings after showings. You received an offer. How do you evaluate and respond to each one of them in a way that benefits you but won’t turn off your buyers?

First of all, always keep in mind that all offers are good ones. Getting an offer means the buyer has chosen your home over the many of other listings competing in the market, so no matter how low, high, or crazy the offer may be, take it as a compliment that they chose your home. The hard decision is whether or not to accept the offer.

A seller always has three options once an offer is received. Either accept the offer, reject it, or counter the offer. While it may be tempting to just counter all the offers, make sure you think twice before doing so.

Keep in mind an offer is the starting point of the communication with the buyer no matter how low the offer is.

While most sellers think that countering an offer is a normal part of the home selling process, what they are actually doing is rejecting the buyer’s offer and making another offer. If you do this, and you give the buyer a moment to pause and rethink their offer even for just a small moment, you might end up losing the buyer.

So before you make that decision, ask yourself if it is really worth the counter-offer. If the risk outweighs the reward, then forget about making a counter-offer.

But in cases where you have weighed your decision and really need to make a counter-offer, bear in mind these tips:

1. Learn about the buyer. Since negotiation is a two-way street where both parties must get a good value, you have to understand your buyer. Whenever possible, learn about the buyer’s background and the reasons why they made their initial offer. Doing this will help you find common ground with the buyer and lead to a successful sale.

2. Give and take. When making your counter-offer, think of not only what you want, but also what you would be willing to give to make the sale successful. If you are asking for a higher price from the buyer, perhaps you could offer to help pay for the buyer’s closing costs or pay points to help them get lower payments.

3. Accentuate the positive. While writing your counter-offer, make sure you emphasize those points you agree with before you start requesting for changes. Point out all the acceptable areas of the offer which may include the down payment, closing date, financing type, inclusions and exclusions, specific contingencies, or even something as small as the earnest money deposit.

When evaluating an offer, it is important to not get too emotional. Take your time in evaluating each offer. Ask your Lakeland Fl agent for help. He or she will be able to give you an unbiased, educated and professional opinion based on an analysis of the current market as well as your needs.

Lakeland FL Homes for Sale – Sandpiper Golf & Country Club

2013-05-17T14:22:14Z

Furnished Sandpiper Golf & Country Club for Sale – 6223 Peacock Run Lakeland FL 33809

Lovely vacation home or retirement home in the 55+Active Adult community in Lakeland FL for sale. Home located in the Sandpiper Golf & Country Club Community which is fully furnished and has updated stainless steel appliances. 2 bedroom/2 bath featuring a screened-in lanai with the view of the Golf Course. Breakfast bar and eat-in kitchen with the bay view window enhances the layout of the home.

6223 Peacock Run Lakeland FL 33809 – For Sale – Sandpiper Golf & Country Club

Furnished Sandpiper Golf Homes for Sale – Lakeland FL

Overview
Maps
Photos
Features

Video
Neighborhood

$120,000

Single Family Home

Main Features

2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Interior: 1,071 sqft
Lot: 4,305 sqft

Location

6223 Peacock Run
Lakeland, FL 33809
USA

To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the “Like” button below:

Petra Norris

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. Real Estate Brokerage
(863) 619-6918
pnorris500@gmail.com
http://www.petranorris.com

Listed by: CDV Transatlantic, Inc. Real Estate Brokerage

Our recent listings

Lakeland FL Home For Sale – 4130 E County Road 540a, Lakeland, FL 33813
Furnished Sandpiper Golf Homes for Sale – Lakeland FL
Lakeland FL Homes for Sale – Lake Front

Subscribe to our listing feed

Nearby properties for sale

Sandpiper Golf Homes for Sale – Lakeland FL 33809

2013-03-10T02:56:25Z

Sandpiper Golf Homes for Sale – 5962 Chickadee Drive Lakeland FL 33809

The Sandpiper Golf & Country Club is an active 55+ active adult community located just off North Socrum Loop in Lakeland FL. This 3 bedroom 2 bath home features 1828 sq.ft of living space with a great layout of split floor plan. Neutral colors throughout the home with ample room to strategically place your furniture. Upon entering this well-maintained home that boasts a large family room and separate dining room which is great for entertaining or family gatherings.

Home for Sale – Lakeland FL 33809

Sandpiper Golf Homes for Sale – Lakeland FL

Overview
Maps
Photos
Features

Video
Neighborhood

$140,000

Single Family Home

Main Features

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Interior: 1,828 sqft
Lot: 5,400 sqft

Location

5962 Chickadee Drive
Lakeland, FL 33809
USA

To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the “Like” button below:

Petra Norris

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc. Real Estate Brokerage
(863) 619-6918
pnorris500@gmail.com
http://www.petranorris.com

Listed by: CDV Transatlantic, Inc. Real Estate Brokerage

Our recent listings

Lakeland FL Home For Sale – 4130 E County Road 540a, Lakeland, FL 33813
Sandpiper Golf Homes for Sale – Lakeland FL
Lakeland FL Home For Sale – 5333 Greenbriar Rd., Lakeland, FL 33810
Furnished Sandpiper Golf Homes for Sale – Lakeland FL
Lake Wales FL Homes for Sale – 55+ Twin Fountains Community

Subscribe to our listing feed

Nearby properties for sale

How To Write a Perfect Purchase Offer for a Lakeland FL Home

2013-03-05T20:48:31Z

How To Write a Perfect Purchase Offer for a Lakeland FL Home

How To Write the Perfect Purchase Offer for a Lakeland FL Home

When writing an offer to purchase a house, buyers typically rely on real estate professionals. If you are going to be doing this on your own as you so freely can, especially buying a “For Sale By Owner”, it is helpful to understand more about these important contracts.

Home buyers usually rely on their Lakeland FL agent or real estate attorney to write their purchase offers. It is safer to have it written by an agent since the offer must follow all the state’s laws about buying a home. But if you plan to do it on your own or would want to assist your agent, then it is important to understand how to write the perfect offer to purchase that Lakeland FL home.

1. Get the right form.

First, you will be needing the appropriate form for your state and type of purchase. Every state has different forms for different types of purchases and properties, so make sure to get the right one and the current form. A strong offer starts with having the right form and this is where your Lakeland FL agent will certainly advantageous to you and also be able to help you.

2. Property address & legal description

The first section you have to fill out in the form is usually the address of the property so make sure to verify the address of the Lakeland Fl home you intend to buy and make sure you fill out the form with the right address before proceeding to the next part. More importantly, you must have the correct legal description of the property for title examination/search and recording after the purchase. You may get the correct legal description from a previously recorded Deed.

3. Price

Next, you are required to state the price you are offering for the Lakeland Fl home. You will also need to include information on how you intend to pay. This is usually done with cash or a loan. If you choose to obtain a mortgage loan, you want to make the offer to purchase contingent upon you getting approved for the loan. Outline the details of the loan and your earnest money deposit on this section and make sure to include the amount of earnest money you are willing to pay.

4. Closing details

There will be a section on the offer form asking for information about the closing. This includes the date when the home will be paid for and when the seller will transfer the deed to the buyer. Closing usually happens 30-45 days after the offer is accepted. You will also find which documents the buyer, seller, Lakeland FL agents, or attorneys will need to prepare to bring to closing which are in compliance with state requirements.

5. Contingencies

Almost all offers are contingent on inspections. These contingencies should be included in your offer. The law states that buyers may have up to 15 days to check for lead paint unless it is waived in the contract. It would be best to get your own appraisal, if you are paying cash and home inspection. Some states even require a termite inspection. Other examples of contingencies are selling your current home. Think about all the things that might prevent the offer from being accepted by the seller and make sure all these are included in the contingency section of the offer.

The contingency section should specify that the seller grants the buyer and the buyer’s inspector access to the Lakeland Fl home for inspection purposes. You may also want to state that you will not call government inspectors to do the inspections. Some sellers do not want government inspectors on their property for fear of citations on zoning infractions.

You could also include in the contingency that the buyer has the right to do these inspections and the seller should make necessary repairs to damages found as a result of the inspection. Then you should add that the buyer can back out from the deal if the seller refuses to make the necessary repairs.

Responsibility for home inspections vary from state to state. Some states require the buyer to do the inspections and some states oblige the seller to do the inspections. Whatever the case, it should be clearly stated in the contingency section who is going to pay for the cost of inspection and how much of the cost of repairs the seller will pay. This is usually stated as a percentage of the sales price, such as 3% of the selling price. Any amount above that will be the responsibility of the buyer.

Take note that most sellers will not accept offers with too many contingencies, especially if they have other offers with fewer contingencies. Include only those items that are really important and necessary.

6. Repairs

The offer must have a section solely for repairs. If the results of the inspection show that repairs are necessary, state in the offer when the repairs need to be finished. For example, you may state that repairs need to be done at least a week before the closing date. You may give the seller a little allowance by stating that this could change if both buyer and seller agree in writing.

7. Payment of fees

Fees involved in the sale of a Lakeland Fl home are negotiable. It would be best to ask your Lakeland Fl listing agent what is customary in that area. In some areas, the seller usually pays for the title transfer. Some areas will require that the buyer shoulder all closing costs. Delegation of fees will depend on your negotiation with the seller but keep in mind that if you do not follow what is customary in that area, you must be prepared for a counteroffer.

8. Expiration of the offer

To ensure a prompt response from the seller, state the expiration date of your offer in the last section. Ask your Lakeland Fl listing agent how much time is usually needed and if your expiration follows state laws. Give the seller enough time to respond.

You must also state in this section to whom the accepted offer will be delivered to, whether to you (the buyer) or your Lakeland Fl agent. It is advisable that you use a real estate agent or an attorney who would be available to take the accepted offer any time. If you are unavailable once the accepted offer arrives, there is the danger of the home going to another buyer.

8. Finishing touches

The last section should state what items are included in the sale of the home in Lakeland FL. This is where you could also add instructions for the attorney or escrow agent. Finally, state in the last part the place where the buyer and seller will sign the contract.

Remember, the biggest mistake homebuyers make is doing it alone. Writing a purchase offer could be tricky, so make sure to get the help of an expert Lakeland FL Real Estate agent to guide you in writing the perfect offer for your dream home.