What to Expect From HOAs

Here’s what to expect from an HOA.

If you’re considering buying a home in an HOA, be sure to thoroughly read and evaluate if it makes sense for you to live in such a community. There will be restrictions, guidelines, rules, and regulations, and while many people find that they keep the community nice and uniform, not everyone likes it. Living in an HOA will come with fees for the amenities and common areas. Sometimes these can be savings, such as when the cable, internet, and phone service are included because the HOA has negotiated a bulk rate with the provider. HOAs also have a community board, which will decide what type of community they want to have, such as what kinds of pets are allowed. There are often restrictions on certain breeds or weight classes for pets, whether you’re an owner or a renter.

"Ask questions upfront, read the rules and regulations thoroughly, and ensure that it makes sense for you financially."

On the subject of renters, HOAs may also have rental restrictions in place. It might be that you can only rent a certain number of times per year, for example. They may also have restrictions as to how you can alter your property, be that putting up a fence, using certain paint colors, or what types of vehicles can be parked in the driveway. It’s common to have a motorcycle or truck restriction; often, they’ll restrict work trucks, meaning that trucks with lettering on them aren’t permitted. Before buying a property in a community with an HOA, be sure to ask questions upfront, read the rules and regulations thoroughly, and ensure that it makes sense for you financially. If you’ve been considering purchasing within an HOA or have questions about doing so, be sure to reach out to me via phone or email. I’d love to help you. 

Are You Throwing Away Money on These Upgrades?

These are the four home upgrades we don’t advise for getting the best ROI.

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In a previous blog, we discussed which home improvements we recommend to get the best return on investment. Today, I’m sharing the opposite: the top four home upgrades that won’t get you great ROI. However, never say never; if you’ve already made any one of these enhancements to your home, you’ve likely enjoyed it, so it was worth it. Nevertheless, these are the renovations that, if you’re planning to sell soon, won’t get you all your money back:

1. Pools. Buyers love pools, but if you install a $50,000 pool, buyers aren’t going to give you a dollar-for-dollar return for it. Not everyone wants a waterfall or special pavers; some like a cleaner look—it’s a very personal preference.

2. Glass-enclosed lanai. Some buyers love these, but many are only here for a few months of the year; they want to be outside in the beautiful weather, enjoying the breeze. So many buyers see no value in a glass-enclosed lanai. However, if you already have one, other buyers will like it because it’s a multi-season room.

"Forgoing these refurbishments will save you both time and money."

3. Expensive bathroom remodel. The exception to this rule is if you have an extremely outdated or worn-out bathroom; if you can’t stand your bathroom, chances are, the buyer won’t either. There are many levels of upgrades, but I suggest not doing a large remodel if it isn’t truly needed. You don’t want to sink too much money into it. I’m also more than happy to come out for a consultation if you’re unsure what to do.

4. An expansion to the home. If you want more space, it’s better to move to a larger home rather than building an addition and making your current one bigger. For example, if you think buyers would prefer three bedrooms instead of two, putting in the kind of money it would take to build a new bedroom won’t get you a full return on the investment. Always be careful not to over improve the home for the area. You may find there is a maximum price a particular community can bring especially to a resale or older home. Don't get caught by diminishing return!

Forgoing these refurbishments will save you from losing valuable marketing time and increasing your cost to carry, only to get a modest percentage of it back.

If you’re thinking about doing any remodeling of your home, we’re more than happy to help. If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.

Which 4 Upgrades Have the Best Return?

Here’s what sellers need to know to make the most of their time and money.

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If you’re thinking about selling your home soon, consider the fact that not every home upgrade will give you a great return on investment. However, there are four improvements that will. The first upgrade that we typically recommend is minor—and I stress, minor—kitchen repairs. You don’t necessarily want to pour a lot of money into new cabinets, especially if yours already meet today’s standards. That said, changing out the hardware, appliances, and putting in a nice piece of quartz will make your kitchen feel as good as new (or even better) in the eyes of a buyer. If you’re thinking about a major renovation, let’s talk before you invest the money; we want to be sure that you’ll get a return on your investment. The second upgrade that almost always pays off is a fresh coat of paint. Nothing freshens up a home better! Choose a light, bright, and neutral shade that’s appealing to everyone. There are two colors out now that seem to strike a chord with the majority of buyers in today's market, and I’m more than happy to discuss which choices will make the most sense for your home.

"New flooring is a surefire way to grab a buyer’s attention."

The third upgrade that buyers love is new flooring. If you have old, worn carpet or outdated tile, upgrading can bring a world of good to your property and make it feel modern. New flooring is a surefire way to grab a buyer’s attention.

Lastly, improve your landscaping. Make sure your shrubs and trees are trimmed, add pops of color wherever you can, and lay down a lovely welcome mat so your home feels inviting.

Remember: You’re competing against a builder, so making the right upgrades in the right areas will modernize your home and draw buyers’ attention. If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.

These Home Improvements Will Net You the Most Money

Here are the best things to focus on when you want to net top dollar for your home.

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Which home improvements will net you the biggest return on investment when you sell? We’ll be answering this today so you’ll land a great price when you decide to list your home. Let’s start from the outside and work our way in. How’s your curb appeal? Sprucing up the outside of your home is the # 1 way to get buyers interested in your property. Does your mailbox need to be cleaned, repainted, or replaced? Do you need to add mulch or flowers to your yard? Do objects on the outside of your home need to be repainted replaced? Are the light fixtures working, clean, and free of rust? Do you have a welcome mat down? You want to literally (and figuratively) welcome the buyer. Keeping all of these items in tip-top shape makes for a great first impression. What do we do inside? Dollar for dollar, a new coat of paint will get you the biggest return on your investment. It’s the best way to freshen up a home and it’s best done by using light, bright, neutral colors. If you have old wood flooring replace it. If you don’t want to shell out the money for wood use wood laminate or tile. In the kitchen, buyers today prefer quartz counter tops. Tile back splashes are another way to clean up the kitchen. Change the hardware on your cabinets and bring in stainless steel appliances. You won’t need an entire renovation if you simply make some inexpensive improvements.

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You won’t need an entire renovation if you simply make some inexpensive improvements.

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Throughout the house new lighting will vastly improve the look of your home. Swap your outdated lighting fixtures with today’s sleek, light, and bright offerings. Change out your old window treatments for new, minimal ones. Buyers don’t want over-the-top treatments for their windows. In the bathroom, buyers are looking for great new cabinets. If you have older fixtures, counters, and cabinets in your bathroom update them. Getting a seamless shower door will save you a total renovation of an outdated shower. Raising the height of the toilet and counters are also inexpensive ways to improve the bathroom. When it comes to showing your home less is more. Always remember to declutter and depersonalize the house before bringing potential buyers in. If you have any questions or need more information feel free to reach out to me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Key Tips to Help You Prepare for a Hurricane

To prepare for a hurricane, there are a few important tips you need to remember.

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To prepare for a hurricane, your first step should be to plan early. Are you staying or going? If you’re thinking of leaving, make sure you have an evacuation route. The gas tanks should be full in all of your vehicles, you should have your maps handy, your pets should be taken care of, and you should know exactly where you’re going and where you’re staying. Once you know a hurricane’s coming, you should also leave sooner rather than later so you don’t risk getting stuck in traffic or at the end of long lines for gasoline. If you plan on staying, make sure you stock up on supplies. There are a lot of things you’ll need during a hurricane that you’ll use the rest of the year anyway, such as water, dried goods, canned food, flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered radio, etc.

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Once you know a hurricane’s coming,
you should leave sooner rather than later.

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Whether you’re staying or going, you’ll want to make sure all the trees on your property are trimmed, your home’s windows and doors are secured, and that the home "in general" is able to withstand the impending storm.

Hopefully you won’t need this information, but if you’d like to know more about how to prepare for a hurricane, click here.

If you’re in need of a contractor, we can also share with you what we call our “golden Rolodex”—our exclusive list of responsible, reliable, and affordable contractors.

As always, if you have any other questions about this topic or you have any other real estate needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d be happy to help you.