SkyFive Properties Blog

Most home renovation projects have the potential to increase your property’s value. Whether your desire is to make small, cosmetic tweaks throughout or to completely re-engineer the flow and feel of a room with a full-blown, “down-to-the-studs” renovation, you’re quite likely to see a return on that investment when it comes time to sell.

Yet not all renovations are alike: the return on investment for some is much greater than for others. What’s more, certain rooms or components of your home renovation can be deal-breakers: they can sell the home for you, so even if the ROI is not as great, the need to renovate is still there. Curb appeal (for example), is hugely important in getting a house sold, even though the ROI is not quite as high as some other projects. So, what’s a home renovation project that’s got the greatest ROI and will get your house sold?

Renovate your bathrooms. The bathroom (like the exterior curb appeal or the kitchen), can make or break a potential sale. Buyers can fall in love with an immaculate master bath, or be forever scarred by an unsightly, dated, dirty bathroom.

Having a clean and inviting bathroom is vital to getting your home sold, and the return on investment is substantial: of all home renovation projects, bathroom remodels offer one of the greatest increases to home value relative to the initial investment.

And what’s great about the bathroom renovation is that it doesn’t have to be wildly expensive: a substantial, worthwhile renovation to a bathroom might cost around $10,000. That alone could get your home sold, and compared to the cost of renovating a kitchen (for example), it’s an absolute steal.

So don’t wait: if your bathrooms are feeling dated and dingy, get to work on updating. Focusing on these few key areas in your bathroom will make all the difference in getting you serious value for your bathroom renovation project. It is better to reach out to a skilled team with tons of experience for such purposes. For instance, bathroom remodeling contractor Perth has spent years helping clients and closely following their results. To wrap this up, if you want to increase your property’s value, you better ally with trustworthy professionals.

Fix Your Floors

This may come as a surprise, but the floor is one of the most important components of a complete bathroom update that will deliver serious value (and serious style). And if you’re selling your home, having an updated bathroom floor is paramount since appraisers consider the quality of floors when determining your home’s value. Dingy, worn floors can seriously hurt your ability to sell your home at a good price point, so it’s absolutely essential that you update them.

This is doubly true for the bathroom: because bathrooms are a smaller space with minimal furnishings (if any), aspects of the room like the floor and the walls get more attention than they do elsewhere. The bathroom floor can pull the room together: it can make a style statement unto itself (a statement that isn’t often made in the bedroom or living room, for example).

And you don’t have to invest a lot of money to have a killer bathroom floor. Choose trendy, modern tiles, or go for a newer wood laminate. Save money by installing your floors yourself: it’s a fairly easy thing to learn and you’d be surprised how quickly you can lay tile or fix laminate planks together once you get going. You can also up the ante by investing in heated flooring. While the cost to install is a bit high, heated bathroom floors are the height of luxury: they’ll make you feel great while you’re in the home using them, and they’ll certainly catch the eye of savvy buyers when listed among your home’s high-end features.

Update the Vanity

We mentioned earlier: there aren’t a ton of furnishings in the average bathroom, so what’s there will certainly get attention and make a statement about the room. Like your floors, your vanity is not going to go unnoticed by potential buyers, and if your vanity is old, dirty, or dated, you’ll have problems.

Do yourself a favor: update your vanity. This may be one of the more expensive aspects of your bathroom renovation but a worthy one. After all, some larger vanities might require you to replace long countertops and several cabinets, which will certainly add more cost than just a new mirror and lights. Choose granite countertops if you’re able (they’re so in right now). And take special care to choose eye-catching fixtures. Brushed nickel, brass, and bronze fixtures can elevate the room with a little glamor.

Go Big on the Shower

It’s not an overstatement to suggest that a great shower can sell a home. And what luck: shower renovations do not have to be woefully expensive to be effective. What’s popular right now is a large, open walk-in shower. You don’t need to invest in a fancy soaker tub to sell your bathroom, and if space is limiting, then we’d encourage you not to.

As long as your home has one tub remaining somewhere in the house, potential buyers would prefer that you update your bathroom to remove the dated tub and replace it with a light and airy walk-in shower. And wherever possible, forgo barriers. Nothing screams “closed-off and dark” like a shower curtain, so if you’re able, get rid of it. Design a bathroom that instead uses glass walls and doors, or (even better) nothing at all. Barrier-less showers open up what is already a fairly small room, make the flow of the room smoother, and increase light. But what’s more, they’re inclusive: older buyers that might struggle to step over the edge of a tub will thank you for eliminating that obstacle for them.

Speaking of showering your potential buyers with convenience, if you’ve got a fairly large space in which to build your walk-in shower, go ahead and include a custom, built-in shower bench in the design. The added expense and labor is minimal, and it’s a feature that’s always appreciated. Shower benches don’t have to be large: you can build a triangular bench into one corner of a shower if space is at a premium. Yet the value-add will be incredible. For shaving legs or for resting shampoo bottles, the shower bench is a must-have, and your buyers will thank you for it.

It’s All in the Details

Once your shower, vanity, and flooring have gotten their revamp, you can feel confident knowing that you addressed the major components of your bathroom remodel in a way that was efficient and effective, while adding notable value to your home. But if you’ve got just a little bit more money to spare there’s more you can do, and it’ll be easy (and fun).

Update the paint, which is an inexpensive and easy way to improve the overall look and feel of the bathroom. Today, greys are quite popular for the bathroom, but feel free to choose anything that’s soft, neutral, and doesn’t darken the room. And make sure that when you’ve updated your vanity and shower, that you also pay due attention to fixtures.

Fixtures are a great place to have some fun with your style without breaking the bank. Brass fixtures can offer a real splash of color to an otherwise neutral bathroom. Finally, consider changing out your bathroom mirrors. Clean lines and minimal details are a must, so if your current bathroom mirrors involve elaborate frosted designs or beveled edges, it’s time for them to go. This is a cheap and effective way to bring modern design into your bathroom.

All told, with mirrors, fixtures, and paint colors on-trend and vanity, shower, and the floor that are show-stopping and modern, your bathroom will undoubtedly help you sell your home and will add serious value. Just make sure to enjoy it a little bit before you go.

According to recent data, approximately eight percent of homeowners have chosen to sell their home by themselves in the last couple of years.

Are you interested in joining them and taking this approach?

Selling your home on your own can be a daunting task, but it’s definitely doable. It can also be a good approach if you’re trying to sell your house as quickly as possible.

If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to selling your home yourself, keep reading.

Listed below are some helpful tips that will help you get your house ready to sell and get it sold quickly.

Benefits of Selling Your Home Yourself

There are lots of benefits that come with selling your house on your own. If you choose to do this, some of the greatest perks you’ll experience include:

• Get more money from the sale (no need to pay an agent a commission)
• Maintain total control over pricing, marketing, and all other aspects of the sale
• Devote all your attention to the sale (real estate agents have to split their time between your house and several others)

If you want to enjoy maximum earnings from the sale of your house and want to maintain control over the sale, selling your home by owner is a great option to consider.

How to Sell Your Home Quickly

Do you want to reap the benefits of selling your home yourself? If so, be sure to keep these eight tips in mind. They’ll help you sell your house quickly so you can move on to the next chapter of your life:

1. Renovate Strategically

Sometimes, you need to spend money to make money.

Initially, the idea of paying to renovate your house as you’re getting ready to leave might not make a lot of sense. Keep in mind, though, that certain renovations can increase the value of your home, which means you can get more money for it.

The key is to make the right renovations. The renovations that yield the greatest return on investment include:

• Building a new deck
• Flooring repairs
• Fresh paint
• Increasing the square footage with an extra bedroom or larger family room
• Garage door replacement

Minor kitchen remodels can also pay off. Focus on things like updating the cabinets or countertops or upgrading the appliances.

2. Get Rid of Clutter

Would you be interested in buying a home that was full of junk? Probably not. Why would you expect the people looking at your house to feel differently?

Take some time to clear out as much clutter from your home as possible. Rent a storage unit if necessary.

Getting rid of clutter will help your home to feel more open and spacious, two things every home buyer will appreciate.

3. Stage Your Home

When you’re selling your home yourself, every little thing counts. To make your home more inviting to potential buyers, make an effort to stage it.

Staging doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. Making simple changes, though, can have a big impact on buyers’ ability to visualize themselves living in your home.

Set the dining room table with nice placemats, clean dishes, and some fresh flowers. Place new towels in the bathrooms and some comfy throw pillows on the couch. Little touches like this can make all the difference.

4. Time it Right

If you want to sell your house quickly, it’s best to get it on the market during the peak buying season.

Most people want to buy houses in the spring or summer. Putting your house on the market in November or December, when it’s cold and wet outside, is definitely not ideal.

If you can’t wait until summer, try to at least push back the sale until late February, when things start to warm up a little bit.

5. Spring for Professional Photos

This is another area where you don’t want to scrimp. Professional photos can make your home look a lot more inviting to potential buyers.

For a couple hundred dollars, you can get high-quality photos that will show off your house and increase your chances of selling it faster and for the price you want. That seems like a pretty worthwhile investment, doesn’t it?

6. Set the Right Price

In order to sell your house in a hurry, you need to price it properly. If you ask for too much, your house will likely sit on the market longer than you’d like.

Pay attention to what other, similar houses in your neighborhood are being sold for. Depending on the time of year and the number of other houses being sold in your neighborhood, you might need to ask a little less in order to be competitive.

7. Be Flexible and Accommodating

When you sell your house yourself, you are also responsible for handling the showings. Be flexible and accommodating when people want to come and see your home. Remember, the easier you are to reach and the easier it is for them to view your home, the more likely they are to consider buying it.

8. Consider a Cash Buyer

If you find that you don’t have the time or energy to renovate and stage your home, but you still want to get it sold as quickly as possible, considering working with a cash buyer.

There are lots of reputable buyers, like the ones on this website, who will make you an offer quickly and help you get out of your house and on with your life in no time.

Need More Help Selling Your Home?

As you can see, there are a lot of steps you can take to speed things up when selling your home yourself.

Selling a home can definitely be stressful, especially when you’re trying to move in a hurry. If you keep these tips in mind, though, you’ll likely find that the situation is a lot easier to handle.

Do you need more help selling your home? Maybe you’re not sure where you should move once your house is sold.

If you’re looking for a new condo or home in South Florida, check out our listings today. We have a variety of options to fit every preference and price range, so you’ll be sure to find something that suits your needs.

So, you’re thinking about choosing a second home to use as your vacation home. Somewhere you can go to relax and enjoy yourself without having to think about the stress of everyday responsibilities. You might think that’s easy but choosing the perfect vacation home is just as complicated as choosing your home. Here are few tips to help you along the way.

Where Do You Want to Be?

Just like any other property, the location is the most important part. When it comes to choosing your vacation property, you need to think about what you want out of it. Do you want to be near to a beach so you can spend long afternoons sunbathing and swimming? Do you want to be nearer to the action- a vibrant city with a great nightlife? Make a list of everything you consider to be important on your vacations and take your search from there.

Bide Your Time

A vacation property isn’t an essential, so you can afford to bide your time and wait for the best deal. There will be certain points in the year where the market is better or worse. Knowing what you want and where you want it in advance will put you in good stead for grabbing a property when it becomes available during a good market season. Getting some advice from professionals, like Hollywood Hills Homes, will help you decide when to pounce and get the best deal possible. This is especially important if you decide to create a second income from vacation home rental.

Your Schedule

Your work and life schedule will have a huge impact on the type of property you want to buy. Buying a vacation property just because you like the idea of it won’t serve you well. If you really plan on making the most of your property, you need to think about the times it will actually be in use. For instance, if you vacation during the Summer, you may want to think about homes in Europe. However, if you get most of your time off during the Winter, you could think about Australia or New Zealand. Knowing when you’re likely to use the property will give you an indication of where you should start looking first.

Learn the Terminology

The terminology used in the selling and buying of vacation properties may be different to what you’re used to with other properties. You may see terms like ‘beachfront’ or ‘oceanfront’ in the descriptions which may sound self-explanatory. However, you may not know that only the latter guarantees that you’ll be near to water. ‘Direct Ski Access’ means you’re only a short distance from the slopes; perhaps a shuttle ride away.

Stay Away from Tourist Areas

The problem is, most people fall in love with tourist areas and then try to purchase properties near them. However, tourist areas have the highest property markups of anywhere. So, if you want something close to those areas but not at the same price, look more towards the outskirts.

Here in Florida, there’s no place most people would rather be than outside. Whether you want to bake in the sun or play with your dog, decks provide the perfect setting.

Why not make this prime hanging out spot even more special?

There are so many awesome ways to take your deck to the next level. Some require a contractor, others you can do yourself on a Saturday afternoon. Make sure it’s customized to your family’s needs and wants.

Not sure where to get started with your deck reno? Keep reading for the best deck design ideas to transform your outdoor space.

1. Size and Shape

Unhappy with your current deck? You don’t have to keep the deck your house was sold to you with. Tear it down and build a new one if you want!

Consider making a layout plan for your backyard. Use exact measurements. This will allow you to see how big you can make it.

You may also want to change the shape of your deck. Some yards suit a rectangular deck, others a square. Some are even curved with rounded walls.

If you don’t want to tear down the current deck, consider expanding it. You could create a lower level that’s a step down from your current deck. Or, it could be a step up to a higher level.

To buy the new wood panels and fasteners for your deck, this website has lots of options. Do your research on which materials are most durable.

Some deck designs have two patios separated by a path. This gives you two areas for activities. One could have lounge chairs, the other a dining set.

2. Get Shady

While the sun feels amazing on the skin, there’s nothing like cooling off in the shade. Every deck needs some shade for the comfort of you and your guests.

There are many options for creating shade. If your yard is lacking greenery, consider planting a tree. Florida Maple trees are some of the best shade trees because they’re durable and full of leaves.

Another option is to build a shade structure on your deck. Pergolas are great because they create partial shade without fully blocking the sun. If you have plants that need indirect light, they’ll do well under a pergola.

You could also invest in a deck awning or patio umbrellas. Awnings are nice because many of them can be closed when you don’t need them. Patio umbrellas are often mobile so they can move to wherever you need them.

3. Lounging Around

If the seating on your deck isn’t comfortable, what’s the point? You need seating that makes people feel welcome and at home.

Depending on the size, you could incorporate a variety of seating options. Loungers are popular for patios. They’re great for reading a book, sunbathing, and watching the stars.

Ensure your outdoor furniture is weather-proof with products that make sense as defined here https://www.globosurfer.com/best-outdoor-patio-furniture/. The cushions should be water-proof in case it rains. You may want to consider rust-proofing any metal furniture pieces.

For a funky design, consider installing an egg-swing from the pergola beams. Swings add a childlike feature to your patio, even during an adult dinner party. You could also string a hammock between pillars for prime relaxation.

4. Culinary Oasis

Why do hamburgers taste better outside? There’s just something about a hot grill, the summer breeze, and your friends and family nearby.

For your new deck design, consider incorporating a culinary oasis for the cook of your house.

You could start by designating an area for the barbecue. Counter space is also helpful for plating food and laying out condiments. If you’re going to build a counter, place some bar stools under it for extra seating.

Another amazing way of cooking outdoors is over the fire. In most cities, it’s legal to have a fire pit in your backyard. Make sure it’s far enough away from the house and trees.

5. Fun for the Kids

Young families will love these kid-friendly ideas. If you asked your child what would make your deck perfect, what would they say?

They might suggest a built-in slide that takes them down to the lawn. If you have a backyard pool, you could have a slide that goes from the deck to the water.

Another feature kids will appreciate in a deck is child-sized furniture. Like smaller lawn chairs to go beside the fire. Or, their own mini patio table with an umbrella.

6. DIY Improvements

Many of the ideas above can be costly if you’re on a budget. You don’t need to spend a fortune to get the deck of your dreams. Small home improvements are often affordable.

One easy update is changing the color of your deck wood. Choose a new wood stain at the hardware store. Make sure you clean the wood before staining it.

Adding plants is another easy way to transform your deck. If was empty and barren before, plants can make it feel like your own personal jungle. Consider also planting vegetables and herbs for cooking.

Second-hand stores can be jackpots for outdoor furniture. If you go in the spring or early summer, you’ll find pieces that other homeowners aren’t using anymore. Often, there’s nothing wrong with the pieces and they’re still in style.

Sometimes, a simple cleaning of your deck and backyard can make all the difference. Consider renting a power washer to deep clean the wood. You can also hire a landscaping service to do this for you.

Want More Deck Design Ideas?

The world is your oyster when it comes to designing your dream deck. This is a space for you and your family to spend lots of time in. It deserves to be comfortable, fun, and safe.

Mix and match the deck design ideas above to create a paradise in your own backyard.

Is your current backyard space unsuitable for your dream deck? There are tons of amazing properties out there that will meet your deck dreams. Check out these homes for sale with Sky Five Properties.

Putting up a new fence around a residential or commercial property will require a sizeable investment on your part. On average, Americans spend approximately $2,750 on fence replacement, though that number can swell dramatically depending on the size of the fence and the fencing materials that are used.

There are, however, many instances in which you simply cannot ignore the need for fence replacement. If you put it off for too long, it can compromise everything from the security of your home or business to the privacy of your property.

Here are 7 major signs that’ll let you know it’s time to do fence replacement.

1. Your Fence Is an Eyesore

When people drive by your home or business, is the ugly fence that surrounds your property the first thing they see? This is obviously a big problem, as it means your fence could be impacting your curb appeal.

If you have a wooden fence, you can consider painting or staining it to bring it back to life. You might be surprised by how much different your fence looks when you provide it with a little TLC.

But more often than not, fences that have turned into eyesores will need to be replaced rather than painted or stained. Otherwise, you could run the risk of your fence dragging your curb appeal down for years to come.

2. It’s Missing More Than a Few Pieces

If your fence has one or two pieces that have fallen off over the years for one reason or another, it’s easy enough to replace them. You can buy new fence pieces and put them into place without paying much money at all to do it.

But if your fence is missing tons of pieces, that’s a much different story. It could cost you almost as much to go around and replace those pieces as it would to simply put a new fence into place!

You should get into the habit of keeping a close eye on your fence and doing what you can to prevent pieces from falling off in the first place. But even if you’re diligent about caring for your fence, there will likely come a time when it’ll be too hard to keep up with all the pieces that fall off of it.

At that point, fence replacement will be your only viable option.

3. It’s on the Verge of Falling Over

Maybe a portion of your fence started to blow over during a recent storm. Or maybe you’ve had something leaning up against your fence for so long now that the fence itself is starting to lean, too.

Whatever the case, you should not stand by and allow a fence to fall over without taking action. At the very least, you should have a fence that’s on the verge of falling over shored up so that it doesn’t fall unexpectedly.

But that’s a quick fix for a larger problem that needs to be addressed. If your fence looks like it could fall over at any second, you should think about replacing it as fast as you can.

4. It Was Damaged During an Accident

If you live or work on a busy street, there’s a chance that your fence could be damaged during an automobile accident. Someone could drive right through your fence and do damage to a large portion of it.

The good news in this kind of scenario is that your home or business insurance company could very well cover fence replacement. This will allow you to put a new fence up without digging into your own pockets to do it.

But even if your insurance company doesn’t offer to pay for you to replace your fence, you should still do it in the aftermath of an accident. Repairing a fence in this instance is usually out of the question since an accident can lead to questions about the overall integrity of a fence.

5. It’s Starting to Splinter

Those with wooden fences will often find that their fencing boards will begin to splinter over time. This could make your fence very dangerous both for you and for anyone who might come into contact with your fence on a regular basis.

A few splinters here and there can be sanded down without a problem. But if you have dozens or even hundreds of splinters popping up out of your fence, you’ll need to do fence replacement sooner than later.

You should think about replacing your wooden fence with a vinyl one, too, since vinyl fences don’t force home and business owners to worry about splinters. Learn more information about why a vinyl fence might be your best option before investing in one.

6. It’s Affecting Your Privacy

One of the many reasons why people put up fences around their homes and businesses is to keep their privacy intact. But your privacy could be affected if your fence is ever damaged or if it ever starts to lean over and allow people to get a better view of your property.

If you don’t feel comfortable walking around on your property anymore because of privacy issues, fence replacement can solve this problem. A new fence, especially one made out of the aforementioned vinyl, will make your privacy concerns a thing of the past.

7. It Needs to Be Repaired All the Time

A one-time fence repair isn’t a huge deal. Even though fence repairs cost about $500 on average, that’s a lot less than a new fence will cost.

But if you find that you’re fixing your fence every six months to a year, you’re going to end up paying what you would pay for a new fence before long. Stop repairing your fence constantly and put up a new fence that won’t require as much maintenance.

Schedule Fence Replacement Today

The fence around your home or business is arguably one of the most important parts of it. It protects your property and also prevents the prying eyes of your neighbors from seeing into your home or business.

If your old fence just isn’t cutting it anymore, have fence replacement done today. It’ll make your property safer and more private, and in some cases, it can even increase the value of your home or business as a whole.

Read our blog to see some of the other projects you can do to increase your property value.

It’s time for a change and you’re thinking about selling your home and starting an exciting adventure in a new location.

More than 6 million homes will be sold in the US this year and if you want yours to be one of them then keep reading.

There’s so much to do and it can seem overwhelming but we’ve got some pro tips to make your life easier and help you sell your home faster.

Do Research When Thinking About Selling Your Home

One of the best ways you can successfully sell your home and be happy with the transition is to be an informed homeowner. There are some things you should research:

What’s The Going Price?

It’s good to know what other houses in your area are being sold for. Check local real estate listing and see what people are asking for their homes.

Take a virtual tour or attend an open house to get a feel for the price of houses with similar features and layouts as yours.

Who Can Help?

Researching the most effective ways of selling a house in your area will save you frustration. It is worth taking the time to make informed decisions on who can help you when you’re thinking about selling your home.

You may benefit from a realtor, an organizer, or a home staging expert to help you sell your home faster. Find out more about the main reasons homes end up not selling right away.

Knowing what pitfalls to avoid and the best help to have will give you an advantage and give you peace of mind as you go through the process.

Declutter, Store, and Purge

The sooner you start this process, the easier it will be when your house is up for sale. Prospective buyers want to envision their own family there and they don’t want to feel claustrophobic. The more space you can show them, the better.

Liven up your decor by creating a comfortable and inviting space so people can envision their family making memories in it.

This is a great time to declutter and purge the things you don’t use or your family has outgrown. Why pack and move it when you don’t really need it?

You may want to consider getting a storage unit to hide the clutter you do keep so that it’s out of sight and will be easier to move when you find your dream home.

Spruce Up and Freshen

When your house smells amazing and looks clean and fresh it’s not only good for your family but makes your house more enticing for prospective buyers.

A fresh coat of paint, new linen, and an organized garage may do more for you than putting money into renovations before selling.

Still Thinking About Selling Your Home?

If you’re thinking about selling your home there are a lot of things to consider before making the final decision but we’re here to help when the time is right.

Check out our available condos, houses and commercial properties today or connect with us to learn more about our developer services.

Around 1,000 people a day move to the state of Florida. If you’re one of those people who is considering making a move to the Sunshine State, you might not be sure where to start your journey.

Relocating to Florida and purchasing a house doesn’t have to be a complicated process.

Here’s everything you need to know about buying a house in Florida.

Find the Right Florida Real Estate Agent

Finding the right realtor for your specific needs is incredibly important.

A good realtor will be able to help and guide you through every step of the home buying process from the initial search to closing the deal. They should be able to answer any of your concerns and questions and provide helpful tips on how to proceed.

This will take this possibly tricky and confusing process and make it smooth and understandable.

It’s best to find an agent who specializes and who is an expert in your local real estate market like this helpful realtor. This way, they’ll better understand and have knowledge of the local market and be able to find you the perfect home for you and our family.

Florida is a large state with many different areas and communities, so this finding a local real estate agent is crucial to find precisely what you’re looking for.

Financing Your Mortgage

Before you start working with your agent to find potential homes in Florida for you, consider getting a mortgage pre-approval if you aren’t paying in full with cash.

Having a pre-approval for your mortgage will increase your chances of actually being a valid contender for the home you want. Without approval, the seller will have no way of knowing if you can afford the house and go through with the sale.

An approval happens when your lender goes through and analyzes your financial situation thoroughly. This means they’ll look at your debt-to-income ratio and will check your credit score.

You also have the chance to get a pre-qualification. A pre-qualification is different than a pre-approval because the pre-qualification is an estimation of the amount of house you can afford based off of your family’s income and other possible financial commitments.

This will help you get a better idea of which areas and communities in Florida will work best for you.

Consider a Deed Protected Community

Florida is a state that has many deed protected communities. These communities are run by an active homeowner’s association that creates rules and regulations for the properties within.

This might be the perfect fit for you and your family. You’ll find that these communities usually have amenities like dog parks, community centers, pools, and planned community activities.

Some communities even offer security like gates, call boxes, or security guards.

Most homeowner’s associations will require a monthly fee. This will most likely go to help fund things like maintenance for all community areas.

Deciding if this type of living is for you will help you narrow down your home search.

Your Home Search

Your real estate agent will have access to all the MLS listings in your area. MLS stands for the Multiple Listings Service.

The MLS will have all active listings for the area you’re looking to move to.

Sit down with your real estate agent and compile a list of criteria with the specific wants and needs for your new home. This can be things like having a large backyard, a pool, proximity to the beach, or being in the school district that you want.

Make sure to note any lifestyle preferences that could affect the type of house your real estate agent might show you. This way, you aren’t wasting time viewing homes that don’t work for you and your family.

Another aspect of your search when moving houses will be your budget. You’ll find that maybe the dream neighborhood that you want to live in might not exactly fit within your budget.

This is when it’s best to listen to your realtor’s expertise of your area. They’ll be able to help you find an alternative location for you to look in.

Your agent will be able to set up showings by coordinating with the listing agent. You can also opt to go to public open houses of houses you would like to see.

If there isn’t any way that you can make it physically to the state of Florida to make showings, don’t worry. Here’s when having a knowledgeable and trustworthy real estate agent is extremely helpful.

Talk to your agent about going through the homes themselves and reporting back to you with all the relevant information and specs on the house. You can work with them to decide which house works best for you that way.

Your realtor will also be able to help you negotiating an offer, writing up the contracts, and closing on the home.

Think About Insurance When Buying a House in Florida

Florida is a state where there’s a chance you might experience different natural disasters like hurricanes and flooding while living here.

You’ll need to take into account these things when going to purchase a home in Florida. The house should be strong enough to endure the hurricane force winds that come with the storm.

The age of the home will often determine how up-to-code the build was.

You can also prepare in advance of any storms by investing in quality insurance monthly. Make sure to factor in the amount of money you’ll need every month for your mortgage and decide how much you can afford for disaster insurance.

One tip is to get in contact with a local insurance provider in your area. They’ll be able to help you get a better understanding of what each of your perspective homes will need as far as insurance coverage goes.

You can then compare the homes and make the best decision for you.

A Unique Market

As you can see, there are a few unique aspects when it comes to buying a house in Florida. You now know that finding the right local realtor with a good level of knowledge and expertise from the beginning of your search will help you navigate any of your concerns as they arise.

Sky Five Properties specializes in providing real estate services to those who are looking to live in the glamorous communities of the South Florida area and beyond.

Continue reading through our blog for more real estate ideas, tips, and information.

Colorado is an appealing place for potential transplants. The Centennial State added 70,000 residents in 2017, a growth rate of about 1.4 percent.

That’s a good amount of growth. Yet the housing market in Colorado still varies depending on which part of the state you’re in.

Denver is still the most populated city and county in the state. But El Paso County, which includes Colorado Springs, is closing in fast.

In fact, at least one report predicts that the Colorado Springs housing market will become the hottest market in the entire country in 2019. Keep reading to find out some Colorado housing market basics.

The Denver Housing Market

There are plenty of good reasons to move to Denver. You’ve got plenty of arts and culture opportunities inside the city. If winter recreation is more your thing, you don’t have to travel far outside of the city to find stellar ski slopes.

But the Denver housing market has been up and down lately. The prices are high, but fewer people are buying.

Anyone trying to buy a house in Denver in the first part of 2018 ran into a white-hot sellers’ market. Both real estate agents and referral agents stayed busy.

As the year dragged on, though, housing inventory went up in the Denver area. Houses and condos began staying on the market longer. By year’s end, metro Denver home sales were down 5.5 percent from 2017.

That said, the average price of a Denver-area home is still more than half a million dollars. If you want a condo instead of a home, you should prepare to pay an average of about $350,000. Home values in Colorado show no signs of declining anytime soon.

The Colorado Springs Housing Market

If you drive 70 miles south of Denver to Colorado Springs, you’ll get a different story. In Colorado Springs, buyers are more likely looking at both high prices and low availability.

Colorado Springs has a lot of jobs and a lot of young people. As young people move up the career ladder, they’re more likely to stop renting and start house-hunting.

Colorado Springs has a sleepy reputation that doesn’t match the reality on the ground. Its population is rapidly approaching 500,000.

So what’s a buyer in the Colorado Springs housing market to do? For starters, you should know that an offer is more than just the price tag of the house.

Things like closing costs also factor into which bid the sellers choose. In Denver, you can sometimes get away with trying to split closing costs. But in Colorado Springs, you may have to offer to pay all the closing costs yourself if you want your offer to stand out.

Closing costs will vary depending on the price of your house. But you should prepare to pay about 5 percent of the home’s sale price.

The Housing Market in Colorado

Denver and Colorado are the two biggest markets, but the housing market in Colorado is much more than those two cities. Fort Collins and Boulder are also seeing robust housing sales right now.

Prefer a less populated region? Consider heading west to the Grand Junction area.

Housing market news tends to focus on residential properties. But finding commercial properties can also be challenging in certain conditions. Check out our blog post on commercial property searches to learn more.

Thinking of moving to North Carolina? Well, it has a lot to offer.

With places near the mountains or the beach, cities or suburbs, you can find what you want here.

Let’s take a look at the cheapest places to live in North Carolina.

Why North Carolina?

North Carolina is becoming very popular for “transplants”, or people migrating to different cities. 3 of the state’s cities are ranked among the 35 fastest growing cities in the country.

This is because North Carolina offers a lot of great amenities. From stunning geographical sights to mild winter temperatures, the scenery is incredible year-round.

Places like Durham County are situated in the middle of the state, giving their residents a reasonable 2-3 hour drive from the ocean and the Appalachian mountains.

Beyond the scenery, the state offers a very unique vibe. With so many people coming from different backgrounds, a lot of cultures influence the region.

North Carolina is known for its hospitality, moderate politics, and a relaxed environment.

The best part is that many areas of the state come at very affordable prices. Let’s talk about that.

The 4 Cheapest Places to Live in North Carolina

North Carolina, as a whole, is more affordable than the national average.

As most people know, buying a home in a city is more expensive than in rural areas. We will include both for people with different needs in a new location.

1. Concord

Concord is a small city in Carrabus County with a population of around 94,000.

The average rent price has been on the rise, according to RentCafe, currently at $1,017 a month for a one-bedroom.

This may be a bit out of your price range, but there’s one great fact. The average home price is $168,300. Compare that to the national average of over $300,000.

This is a great area if you want a smaller city to avoid traffic and still get a feel for city life.

2. Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a very affordable pair of cities in Forsyth County, with average rent prices at $792 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.

If that’s not appealing, the average cost of a home is only $132,500.

The twin cities of North Carolina offer several benefits, including:

• Medium size – While still a larger city, Winston-Salem has a population of around 244,000. If you want a city vibe, but aren’t a fan of major cities like Charlotte or Raleigh, this may be the place for you.
• Attractions – These cities offer 15 different museums of almost anything you want to learn about. For sports fans, it is also home of the BB&T football stadium.
• Scenery – Winston-Salem is located right near the mountains. This is a great spot for a nice view and some more mild summers.

Check out https://www.winstonsalemhomes4sale.com for more information.

3. Sawmills

This is for people looking for a rural area to move to, with a population of only 5,100 people.

While the apartment industry isn’t booming here, the average cost of a home is only around $110,000.

While fairly isolated, Sawmills is only an hour drive to Charlotte and other cities, and very close to the mountains.

4. Eden

Eden is a nice, suburban area with a population of over 15,000. Bordering at the north

It may surprise you to learn that the average home price in Eden is only $44,000. People buy cars for more!

Even if repairs are involved, this is extremely affordable. If you are looking to repair a home, or purchase a fixer-upper, here are some helpful home improvement tips.

Eden offers very easy drives of less than an hour to cities like Greensboro and Winston-Salem. From Greensboro, located in the center of the state, you are conveniently close to Raleigh, the capital city.

Eden is also located right on the border with Virginia, for easy access to another state.

Next Steps

If you think you are ready to move, there are a lot of important considerations to know before jumping in.

North Carolina is a great area on the east coast. Mild winters, warm summers, and lots of great options for outdoorsy people or city-dwellers.

Now that you know the cheapest places to live in North Carolina, keep doing your research, and look into buying the best property for your needs!

Decorating becomes overrated when you’re trying to put all the pieces together. Every piece, from the ottoman to the couch, should flow in harmony and appeal to the eye. But that’s not always an easy task.

Still, there are ways to focus on what matters to improve the decor in your living room.

The living room is an important space in the home. It’s a gathering place to share ideas and favors with family and friends. In some cases, it’s a landscape for business and financial endeavors.

Whatever the use, the decor should look the part.

If you’re looking for unique ways to decorate a living room space, read this. Learn here how you can improve your living room decor.

Window Treatment

Start upwards then go down. Depending on the color scheme and wall treatments, people tend to look up when they enter a room. Give their eyes something to feast on.

Start with the windows.

The right curtains and blinds can make your windows a positive focal point in the room. If you decide on traditional curtains, go with the blackout option. Blackout curtains are not only modern and trendy, but they also offer unique benefits.

They block out 99% of sunlight, which is important if you’re living room sits on the sunny side of your home. Excess sunlight can fade the color on your furniture, making it ultimately irreversible.

Blackout curtains act as a sun shield, guarding your living area pieces.

Blinds are also a formidable option. The right blinds add texture to your window view. They give the room a sophisticated, modern feel. Plus, they’re economical. Budget Blinds has options for your living space to bring it into the 21st century.

Play with both options until you get the window feeling you desire.

Color Scheme is an Important Part of Living Room Decor

Shades and colors can make or break a room’s decor. And choosing the right color is something the average homeowner struggles with.

Choose your paint color last. It’s easier to match wall colors with furniture than vice versa.

Colors set the tone in a room. If your furniture has accents of blue and green, expect a calming effect in the room. Paint the walls either color. If your goal is to go with a more energizing effect, accent with shades or red, yellow, and orange.

To neutralize a living room, stick with a color scheme that’s heavy on whites, grays, and tans.

Pick a Style

The best way to turn a living space into a junkyard is by not pinpointing a style. This is where cheat sheets come in handy.

Look through design magazines and catalogs for ideas on where to start.

Learn what styles are and pick one. Depending on the style of your home, make the inside match the outside. If your home has dormer windows with an eastern seaboard feel, go with the Cape Cod style.

Cape Cod is a Mid-Century Modern look from the early 1900s. It’s characterized by natural shapes and refined lines.

For a more current look, go with the urban modern effect. Use larger furniture with geometric designs. Accent it with vintage and traditional pieces.

Whatever you decide on, look for thematic inspiration first. Find the design that’s right for you and your space.

Furniture

Once you’ve determined your style, decorate with the big pieces first. The sofa, entertainment pieces, and rug are other focal points in the room.

Picking the perfect area rug can present a challenge. You have to troubleshoot and decide best where they’ll fit in the room. Decide on the size first. A rug that’s disproportionately small can the room look fragmented—disjointed.

Make sure important pieces of furniture—sofa, tables, lamps, etc.—sit on the rug. And, add floor space between the rug and the walls.

Avoid pushing the sofa up against the wall. Doing so shifts the focus to one side of the room. Arrange the furniture so that you have conversation areas and respectful space for traffic.

Fill spacial voids by accenting with throws, pillows, mirrors, end tables, and more.

Lighting

When it comes to lighting a room, there are three types of lighting—ambient, task, and accent.

Ambient Lighting is general lighting that adds an overall glow to a room. It creates enough comfortable light to move around and perform tasks. Lamps, chandeliers, and track lights are good examples of ambient lighting.

Task Lighting is specific to having enough light to perform a task. It’s localized and adjustable for whatever workspace you’re in. It should provide a reduction in glare and prevent eye strain when reading, cooking, or doing other small tasks.

Accent Lighting creates focal points in the room with light. It works in synchrony with ambient lighting. For wall decor like art or stand-alone plants, use accent lights to highlight their beauty.

Depending on the mood you want to set for your living room, choose your light wisely.

Art

Naked walls denote an incomplete room. You don’t have to cover every inch of the walls, but don’t leave them bare.

The art on the walls should flow in cohesion. Use pieces that entice the eye while balancing the room. Remember art is subjective, but don’t go outside of your style theme.

Arrange your art with respect to the ambiance in the room. Then, use an accent light to highlight its beauty.

Mirrors

Mirrors may be a symbol of vanity, but no home is complete without them. Use the right decor strategy when placing them throughout a room.

Mirrors open up a room by using reflections to make the room seem larger than it is. If you’re unsure of where to start with mirrors, stick with the classic design. Classic mirrors work with any decor, while still adding depth to the room.

Also, consider mirror pendants. They look like wall jewelry and add another place of focus in the room.

Improve Your Living Room

The living room is the first place people see when they enter a home. That’s why it’s important to have the right living room decor.

Start with the windows and make your way down to the floor with a modernized area rug. Give the walls some focus, then light the room to your level of comfort.

Review our services for insight into owning and marketing the perfect living space.