De-cluttering: It’s Not Just For Orlando Home Sellers!... 

Yes, homeowners who are planning to put their Orlando or Central Florida homes on the market do need to de-clutter as the first step in preparing their homes to be photographed and shown. But those who are thinking of buying soon should also de-clutter, simply because it will make the move far easier and less stressful. When the time comes to move you'll only need to pack those items that you use every day. Whether planning to buy or planning to sell, the key to success is starting early, and not trying to do it all at once. If you wait, the task becomes overwhelming and you'll be tempted to just dump everything into boxes to "deal with later."  Instead, take it one room at at time - or even one closet, pantry or drawer at a time. 

The first step is to get five sturdy boxes. 

Label them:

• Keep (for the occasionally used items you'll put in storage until they have a place in your new home)
• Throw away
• Give away
• Sell
• Not sure

Financial expert Suze Gorman says "If you don't use it or love it, get rid of it," and that's a good sentiment to use as you're pondering the items in the "not sure" category.  If you haven't worn that shirt or used that casserole dish in two years, give it away. If you haven't gotten around to repairing that broken clock for so long that you forgot you owned it, throw it away. As you fill each "give away" or "throw away" box, get it out of the house. The next time you're out and about, drop the give away box at a local non-profit thrift store. Put the throw away box out to be collected with the trash or drop it at the landfill. Pick up replacement boxes on your way home.  When you have enough "sell" boxes, hold a yard sale. Turn some of that unneeded "stuff" into cash and buy yourself a treat - or save it for an extra-special celebratory dinner when you move into your new home. We’re about to hit the Fall season… which is a terrific time for yard sales in Orlando!!!!

A bonus to getting this done early: It feels really good to live in a de-cluttered home. 

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What Orlando Home Buyers Should Consider First...

When you want to buy a home in Orlando you have quite a few things to consider, but two things should be primary:

·        The Price

·        The Location

First, the price. It can be oh-so-tempting to spend all your lender says you can afford. But should you do it?

The lender doesn't know anything about your life and what you like to do with your money. He or she doesn't know that you love to go to concerts or attend sporting events. He doesn't know that you're taking piano lessons or that your daughter is in a pricey private school. She doesn't know that the week at the beach or the ski mountain each year is vital to your well-being.

Take what the lender tells you and then scale it back to leave room for the other things that are important in your life. If the lender says you can spend $X and your payment will be $Y – ask what you can spend when your payment is $Y minus the dollars you want to keep for enjoying life.

And then the location. Location is vital to quality of life for a couple of reasons.

First, you want to be able to enjoy your home. Part of that is enjoying the neighborhood, and the neighbors.  By law, your agent is not allowed to steer you toward a neighborhood with people who share your interests, values, family make-up, etc. But you can do some driving around and look for yourself. You can even stop and talk to some people and ask about the neighborhood.

Second, you want to be able to spend time in your home rather than on the road.  Look for a location with a fast commute to school, work, or the recreational pursuits you enjoy. The dollars you might save in choosing a home 30 miles out will be more than used up in the gasoline you'll buy over the years – to say nothing of the hours of "home time" you'll miss. 

When you're ready to find your new Orlando home, get in touch. I'll be pleased to help you find a home that fits the budget that you determine, in a location that suits your lifestyle. 

When you're searching for a new home here in Orlando/Central Florida you have a fair idea of what you want and don't want, so take the time to really nail it down. Sit down with those who will share your new home and come up with three lists of nine.

• The first list is things you either must have or "really, really want" in your new home.
• The second list is for things you'd like, but they aren't truly necessary.
• The third list is things you don't want at all.

For instance, you may absolutely need an extra room to use as a home office. You might also need an oversized garage to house toys or an antique car. Perhaps you're an avid gardener and "must have" sunny space in the yard for a garden. 

Put those at the top of the first list, right along with the number of bedrooms and baths you must have. And do think that over carefully – if you have 5 children, do they really need separate bedrooms or could you substitute 2 or 3 large bedrooms? And what about you – do you really need a separate bathroom all your own - or space for an easy chair and table in the corner of your bedroom? Or can those features go at the bottom of the list? 

The second list might contain things like a bay window, storage under the stairs, or a skylight.

Then, the things you absolutely don't want. For instance, you might not want a location in the flight path of the local airport or within smelling distance of a feedlot. I met a man once who absolutely didn't want an extra bedroom, because he didn't want to make it convenient for guests to spend the night.

Perhaps you won't be able to list 9 items on each list. If that's the case, finding your new Orlando/Central Florida home will be much easier.

Before you begin viewing homes, make several copies of your lists and take them along when you tour. Make notes as you view each home. This will help you avoid confusion as you compare one house to another and try to remember the various features and benefits of each.

Do be sure to give your agent a copy of your lists ahead of time.

Because we know the area and because we're out showing homes every day, we know the inventory and will be able to save you time by eliminating homes that are missing things on your "Must have" list or that contain things on your "absolutely don't want" list. 

When you're ready to find a home in Orlando/Central Florida, call me. I'll be happy to work with your needs, wants, and "don't wants" to find you the perfect home.