First time homebuyers – Are you ready to begin viewing homes in the Orlando area?

You are if you’ve covered these first important steps:

1. Your finances are in order. You’ve put your credit in good shape, and  you’ve saved some money for a down payment, closing costs, and moving  in.  Yes, it’s true that some loan programs will get you in with no down payment. And in some cases you can combine that with seller-paid  closing costs, so you have zero out of pocket to acquire the house.  
2. But don’t forget that even at that, you will have expenses.  They might be as minor as a gallon of paint, a new doormat, or some shrubs to grace the front yard, but there will be expenses. Yard and lawn care tools, garbage cans (if not provided by the city). Remember also that some utilities may require deposits.
3. You understand your own budget and your own spending habits. Your lender will tell you what you can spend on an Orlando home based on your income and current debt.  However, he or she has no way of knowing about other non-debt expenditures that are important to you. For instance, you may enjoy attending concerts or eating out once a week. You may spend all year looking forward to a week at the beach or on a ski hill. You may believe your children will be deprived if they can’t spend two weeks each summer at an expensive camp.  Leave room in your budget for these important expenditures, and leave room to set a bit aside each month as a safety net or for future investment.
4. You’re well aware of the costs of home ownership and you’re prepared for them. Taxes and insurance may be included in your monthly mortgage payment, but you’ll still have utilities, possible HOA fees, maintenance costs, and if your new home is farther from work,  commuting costs beyond what you have now.

You’ve sorted out the difference between your needs and your wants.  You may actually need a set number of bedrooms, space for an office, or a yard for your dogs. Your “want” list will likely be much longer.  Speaking of dogs, if they’re part of your family, make sure your agent is aware of the fact. Some communities do restrict the number and/or size of dogs that are allowed.

Before you begin your search for a home in Orlando, know what your future home must have and don’t bother looking at houses that don’t qualify. From there you can work on finding a home with features you  simply want.

You’ve chosen a neighborhood, based on your own research. A house is just one small island in a neighborhood. Make sure you’ll be happy there by meeting a few of the neighbors, checking the crime statistics, researching the schools, and checking the distance to amenities and services that are important to you. (If you must visit the gym every morning before work, you won’t want to drive 30 miles to get there)!

You’ve chosen an agent to help you find the right home, and to guide you through the process. Real estate transactions today can be complicated, so don’t try to go it alone. Remember that it costs the buyer nothing to have representation, so choose an agent who will be your ally from start to finish.

Are you ready to begin your search for a home in Orlando? If so, get in touch. I’d love to help you find that “just right” home, and to protect your interests as you navigate the process from offer to closing.

Are you ready for your Orlando / Central Florida home inspection?

Your Orlando / Central Florida home is under contract. Now you get to wait (and possibly worry) until the home inspection and appraisal are complete.

Are you ready for that home inspection?  If you’re like most homeowners, the answer could be “No.”

Even if your home is sparkling clean, it may not offer access to everything the home inspector needs to see. Since home inspectors do NOT move furnishings or go in search of access, that could result in an inspection report with items listed as “not tested” or “unable to access/not inspected.”

Then what? The buyers could disappear, or you could be asked to pay for a second inspection, since you did not provide sufficient access. Neither is an attractive option.

Common trouble spot are access to the attic and crawl space. Attic access may be hidden in a closet or located in a garage above a storage space where access is impossible until stored items are moved.

The crawl space access might be beneath stairs or under carpet. It could even be under a dresser or a washing machine. It could also be outside the house, via a door in the foundation.  

If the inspector doesn’t know where to find these access spots, or if they are blocked by furniture, boxes, etc. they won’t be inspected. And, as you might assume, attics and crawl spaces can be the source of problems ranging from mold, to termites, to water damage, to structural problems. The inspector needs to see them.

So be sure to let the inspector know where to find access, then remove all obstacles to getting there.

Access is just the beginning. If the crawl space or attic is crammed full of stored items, the inspector still might not be able to do a complete job, so be sure to remove excess “stuff” before the inspection.

Next, move any furniture or obstruction away from radiators, heating elements, heating vents, air conditioning vents, water heaters, breaker boxes, electrical panels, and electrical outlets. (Yes, he or she will test each outlet.) Replace all burned out light bulbs so the inspector can see that those fixtures are in working order.

Now get to work on the kitchen and bathrooms. You might want to bring in some sturdy boxes, for this, because you need to remove everything from under the sinks and the top of toilet tank lids.

Empty the fireplace of everything but faux gas logs. Empty the dishwasher. If the kitchen range and/or the washer and dryer are staying, empty them as well.

Trim shrubbery and other plants away from hose bibs, dryer vents, the air conditioner, and outdoor lighting and electrical outlets.

Move all vehicles out of the garage.

Have all keys and codes available so the inspector will have easy access to the entire house – inside and out.

Before you leave your Orlando / Central Florida home for the inspection:

• Turn off your computer. The inspector may be turning power on and off, and that could cause data loss or damage.
• Put your pets in the car with you, or in kennel cages.

If you’ve already moved out:

Be sure that the utilities are turned on and pilot lights are burning.

If your appliances use propane or fuel oil, be sure there is enough in the tanks to keep things running during the inspection.

A bonus for you: Since you’ll be moving soon, look at the things you’ve moved for the inspection with an eye toward putting them in storage or packing them in boxes for the move right now. You’ll be one small step ahead when it comes time for the move.

Will the right paint color help sell your Orlando / Central Florida home?

It might. And the wrong paint color can certainly make it harder for you to sell.

First, look at the exterior. If the paint is in good condition, consider power washing to remove the dust and give it new energy.  Can you tell if you need a new coat of paint? If your hand is chalky after swiping the paint, it's time. If a new coat of paint is called for, consider your choices with three things in mind:

• Will this color appeal to the masses? 
• Does this color “fit” the neighborhood? 
• Will this color complement the color of my roofing?

Studies show that white is preferred by about 40% of homeowners. It has the added advantage of flexibility, because you can add other colors to the door and to the window and door trim.  The drawback is that white shows dirt more than other colors do, so it may need to be power washed more often.

Grays and other neutrals are also fairly safe, while pastels such as peach, and vibrant colors such as purple could make your house stand out like the proverbial “sore thumb” in the wrong neighborhood.

If your house is already a neutral color and doesn’t need to be repainted, painting the front door a bright and lively color can add new vibrancy. The color you choose might not appeal to everyone, but since a door is small, buyers won’t dismiss the house based solely on the color of the door.

Inside, it’s a good idea to add a fresh coat of paint and to stick to neutrals. Fortunately, neutral no longer means white or beige. The “New Neutrals” include shades of gray, pale blues, and sage greens. Some decorators recommend using a vibrant color as an accent wall in a room or two, but do so with caution.  Unless your potential buyers love the color, it could be a drawback. And, unless they’re planning to buy new furniture, they’ll be looking at the house with an eye toward how their own furnishings will look in your spaces. Earth tones can be a good choice for accents.

Whatever you do, resist going wild in every room with a color that may appeal to only a few. You want agents and their buyers referring to your home as the one with the beautiful rock fireplace, the well-appointed gourmet kitchen, or some other appealing feature - not as “the turquoise house” or “the electric purple house.”  Yes, buyers can repaint, but many buyers today are looking for a Orlando / Central Florida home that is “move-in ready.” Few will want to repaint the entire house before they move in, and those who are willing will likely want a price reduction to cover the time and expense.

You my love one of the new colors of the year, but remember you’re not painting for you. You are painting to give your home the greatest appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers. Stay neutral even if you personally consider it boring. 

If you’d like to know what colors buyers here in Orlando / Central Florida seem to love this year, call me. I’ll be happy to share what I’ve learned. 

Cathy Starkweather
Top Producer Club, Multi-Million Dollar Realtor
01.407.274.8476 / cathystarkweather@gmail.com
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How Much Are Regal Palms Resort HOA Fees And What Is Included?

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT REGAL PALMS RESORT & SPA...

• Until October, 2017 - there was a monthly HOA fee and a separate monthly club fee. In October, 2017 the HOA bought out the Club and all paid to the HOA. This transition has been excellent for the community, owners and buyers. 
• Depending on where the townhome is located within the community will determine the HOA fee. Most of the units fall under the Regal Palms Owners Association and 2021 HOA fees DROPPED!!! From $561/month to $509/month. This is terrific news for owners.. However, there are 106 homes that are with the Villas at Regal Palms Association (a separate association), which are are in the back section of the resort. The addresses for these with the higher HOA fees are 2806 Calabria to 3846 Calabria and also 10 properties on Bergamo. The Fees for these specific units are $620 for the 3 bedroom and $740 for the 4 bedroom.
• All owners have to pay their own electric and water. For the Regal Palms Owners Association,  the HOA also pays for is the painting of the outside and roof replacement. The owner is responsible for the interior walls, ceilings, etc. For the Villas at Regal Palms, they are setup as condominiums and include other items. 
• When selling/purchasing a home, at times there's a one time capital contribution or transfer fee to the buyer. There's no fee to the buyer when purchasing in Regal Palms. The seller is responsible for the required $50 Estoppel fee. 
• Owners do not have to pay a resort fee. Every rental townhome however needs to check in at the front desk and pay the nightly resort fee of $20/night.
• The HOA fee in Regal Palms Owners Association includes: Ground maintenance of common grounds and around townhomes, building exterior, roof, exterior pest control, security, trash removal, basic cable, basic phone, internet and phone.  Amenities covered are: community pools, lazy river, slide, sand volleyball court, games room/Banana Jacks, fitness, inside/outside spa's, sauna, steam room, playground.  
• Owners are RECENTLY able to screen in their patios/lanai. In addition, may extend the lanai or open patio within the guidelines set by the HOA. A survey of the property will be required. The addition cannot be any wider than the width between the pillars of your unit and may not extend farther than 12 feet. 
• For more information on Regal Palms and other vacation homes in the Disney area, please contact me directly:

Cathy Starkweather
Realtor & Investment Home Specialist
LaRosa Realty, LLC
cathystarkweather@gmail.com/ 01.407.274.8476