5 home features THAT MIGHT BE A WASTE OF MONEY

5 home features THAT MIGHT BE A WASTE OF MONEY  

 When looking for a home, there are always features seemingly everyone says you need. But by reconsidering those, you may save yourself a pretty penny. Here are five features to reconsider, especially if you’re trying to buy a house on a limited budget:

•  Close access to mass transit. Regular commuters and people who don’t own cars might be vying for homes near public transit systems. But if you won’t be relying exclusively on these systems, you can save yourself a lot of money by living farther from these hubs.

•  A big yard. All of that open outdoor space may look tempting at first glance. However, ask yourself how often you’ll really be using the yard. Do you have pets or children that will play in it? Will you do any outdoor entertaining? If not, the cost and time spent on lawn maintenance and landscaping may not be worth it.

•  A top school district. Some parents will pay top dollar to send their kids to specific schools—and to live in the best school districts. If you don’t have or plan on having children while living in this house, you may want to do a little research into school districts during the homebuying process and avoid the areas where costs are highe

• Amenities you won’t use. Whether it’s a built-in wet bar or a double oven in the kitchen, the cost of these amenities are reflected in the home’s final price. Ask yourself if you’ll really take advantage of these features before committing to the purchase.
• More space than you need. While large living spaces and extra rooms are nice to have, will you really use them? Be honest with yourself—and save money on the price of a home, as well as on heating, cooling and cleaning costs, by buying a smaller home 

 For Help Buying or Selling your Home Call Mark Card (386)-566-8091

Tips for hiding messes while selling a home

TIPS FOR HIDING MESSES WHILE SELLING A HOME

An important part of the home-selling process is showing it to prospective buyers. Unfortunately, that means tidying up even more frequently than you normally would, so buyers can focus on the house’s features rather than your household items. While it may not be possible to keep your home completely mess-free when you have children, below are some tips for keeping the chaos to a minimum:

 

Under-bed storage. If there’s enough space under their beds, encourage kids to keep their rooms tidy with rolling plastic or rattan storage bins. Then, use an oversized comforter or quilt—or strategically placed blankets—to hide the bins from sight.

Built-in storage. It may be impossible to keep things from leaving kids’ rooms and entering the living room. Utilize furniture with built-in storage, such as ottomans, or clear a drawer in the entertainment center specifically to tuck away

any roaming toys, games and other items.

Baskets and trunks. If you don’t have much built-in storage or discreet space to take advantage of, consider buying decorative trunks or baskets with lids that you can place around your home.

Suitcases. If you need to store toys in the back of a closet, put them in suitcases that you can easily roll and move rather than bulky plastic bins. Suitcases are also a more discreet storage option than bins when buyers glance inside the closet to gauge how much space is available.

Donation. While your kids may feel attached to every toy, stuffed animal or plaything they own, it might be time to downsize the collection. Suggest that they start a donation pile, so that their unused items can bring joy to other kids instead.

Pinnacle Park Port Orange Home Under Contract

Port Orange Jewel Alert!!

Sale pending!! This GATED PINNACLE PARK home is super clean & barely lived in. From the tiled living areas, to the HUGE KITCHEN that is open to the nook, dining and great room area, the SMART LAYOUT utilizes every possible space as FUNCTIONAL to optimize ENERGY EFFICIENCY. There are PLANTATION SHUTTERS throughout the home which adds to the aesthetics as well. The master bedroom has large walk-in closet & the bathing area has a separate shower & soaking tub. The PRIVACY FENCED back yard is gorgeous & easy to enjoy from the extended porch that is TILED & SCREENED. Pinnacle Park is a GATED COMMUNITY close to A+ SCHOOLS, the PORT ORANGE PAVILION, GROCERY & BANKING. There is also a gorgeous CLUBHOUSE & COMMUNITY POOL.

Check out our virtual tour down below

For Help Buying or Selling Your Home Call Mark Card (386)-566-8091

Marbella condos for Sale in Daytona Beach Shores FL

Marbella Condos for Sale in Daytona Beach Shores 

Condos for Sale in Daytona Beach Shores Marbella 

 The Marbella is a boutique style and more private condo development in Daytona Beach Shores, which offers a wide array of luxurious amenities often found in larger condo buildings. Only 24, three bedroom, three bath units comprise this oceanfront oasis as you enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic coastline and Halifax River. Begin your new life of luxury with the comfort and convenience of secure, underground parking, monitored access, a gorgeous, direct-ocean front pool, state-of-the-art fitness facility, social room, and much more. Check out what is for sale in Daytona Beach Shores condos in Marbella 

Marbella Condos

Call Mark and Jenn today for more information on buying an Oceanfront Condo in Daytona Beach Shores. 386-566-8092

What to Pick in an Agent

When selling a home the sellers want the to be sure they are picking the right person for the job. According the the 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, generally customers are looking for guidance through the process, marketing skills, and negotiation skills.

But there's more to specific things consumers value the most. These include:

• Having a thorough plan for their home
• Sellers want to be presented with a plan that can get their home market-ready as soon as possible
• Being problem solvers
• Problems will always arise when buying or selling, thus an agent must be able to find solutions to the problems with little stress on the customer. 
• Having strong customer service
• Real estate is constantly dealing with sellers and buyers, and any agent must have the skills to please the consumer.
• Being there through every step to ensure all the work gets done
• Buyers and sellers want an agent who will be there through every step of the process, and who will explain and help them understand all the necessary steps.
• Listening to exactly what a buyer is looking for or seller is needs
• An agent should understand what their customer is wanting so they are able to meet all their expectations
• Being knowledgeable in the area and the inventory
• Buyers want an agent to know the area so that they are able to find the best home; sellers want an agent that knows the area so they can price and sell their home fast.

Our team wants to help buyers and sellers have the best experience, and therefore we highly value these traits. We would love to help you! Check us out at www.MarkCardTeam.com or call at (386)566-8091.