Summer Security

Security Tips for Summer

Summer is a care-free time: School’s out, the weather’s nice and vacations are planned. But that easy-going attitude can leave your house vulnerable, especially if you’re leaving it unattended while you’re kicking back on vacation. You know the standard tricks—stop the mail, have a trusted neighbor on the lookout—but you don’t have to stop there.

Some other ways to keep a secure home are:

Go for a smart home. A smart home set-up allows you to control lights, appliances, thermostat and security systems from your smartphone. So with the tap of a button you can turn the lights on and off from anywhere. Products differ, but simple starter kits are often available starting at around $100.
Fake your TV. Rather than leave your TV on, fake it, and utilize a product that mimics the light made from a real HDTV, including mimicking scene changes, fades and on-screen motion. These small devices start at around $20
Install fake security cameras. A security camera can be a strong deterrent, but it is expensive. Fake ones, however, are quite cheap—they sell for as little as $10.
Get a sophisticated light timer. Plugging your lights into a timer is the age-old burglar deterrent, which means that determined burglars are wise to this trick. So make sure your timer either turns the lights on and off at random, or allows you to program separate times for each day of the week.
Activate a barking dog. Although a little more expensive, several products mimic the sound of a barking dog as someone approaches the home. Attached to a motion sensor, the “dog” will start barking if someone is near the home and get louder and more persistent as the person gets closer.

Summer is a great time to keep a safe home or even do some home tune ups. Our team would love to help you with your home. Check us out!

1736 Arash Circle Port Orange, FL 32128

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/XP7QV7/1736-Arash-Circle-Port-Orange-FL-1030804

DING! DING! DING! This is a showstopper in Waters Edge. If you've been searching for a LAKEFRONT, CONCRETE BLOCK home you'll want to see this right away. It has TILE and WOOD and NO CARPET--ideal for Florida living. The kitchen is skillfully integrated with the great room , while the breakfast nook overlooks the LAKE beyond. The master bedroom has WOOD flooring (and so do the other 2 bedrooms) and the bath area is ideal for keeping everything ORGANIZED. The laundry room is located inside and has a hang dry area above. Pavered, Screen porch has a lovely view and this is located in the A+ Port Orange School District! Square footage received from tax rolls. All information recorded in the MLS intended to be accurate but cannot be guaranteed.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 1,982

Price: $224,900

For more information about this property, please contact Mark Card at (386) 566-8092 or markcardteam@aol.com. You can also text 4422851 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.MarkCardTeam.com

MLS ID: 1030804

709 Hillville Drive Port Orange, FL 32127

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/GW53Y7/709-Hillville-Drive-Port-Orange-FL-1030685

A + SCHOOLS, LOCATION, NEW KITCHEN, FENCED WITH A SUPER MAN CAVE & WORKSHOP! Seller has upgraded kitchen with beautiful cabinets, GRANITE, STAINLESS APPLIANCES, TILE and UNDER CABINET LIGHTING. There is also a CENTER ISLAND BAR & EAT-IN AREA. Wood laminate flooring is used in the living room and you'll love the OVERSIZED LAUNDRY/HOBBY area. The garage has been cleverly converted to an ADDITIONAL FAMILY ROOM/MAN CAVE area to allow EASY CONVERSION back to an oversized 2 CAR GARAGE. It has been outfitted with an upgraded window system, but still has the garage door in tact along with SUN TUNNEL for energy conservation. The back yard is COMPLETELY privacy-fenced and has a WORKSHOP & FIRE PIT...sure to impress. CLOSE TO SCHOOLS, BIKE PATHS & CLOSE TO SHOPPING/MEDICAL/RESTAURANTS.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 1,789

Price: $229,900

For more information about this property, please contact Mark Card at (386) 566-8092 or markcardteam@aol.com. You can also text 4419012 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.MarkCardTeam.com

MLS ID: 1030685

Your Return on Investment

ROI IS KING

Every smart homeowner knows that major—or even minor—remodeling projects should be undertaken with one eye on design and the other on the ROI. You want to be comfortable with whatever return on investment you receive for upgrading your home because, unfortunately, many upgrades won’t entirely recoup their cost upon sale. But the use you get out of the home with the upgrade might still make the construction worthwhile, regardless of the ultimate selling price. Here’s the top 10 remodeling projects that provide the best return on investment nationally.

1. Add fiberglass attic insulation- Cost recouped: 107.7%
2. Replace your entry door with a steel door- Cost recouped: 90.7%
3. Install a manufactured stone veneer (instead of vinyl siding)- Cost recouped: 89.4%
4. Complete a minor kitchen remodel (cost estimate includes new cabinet fronts and hardware, new energy-efficient appliances, laminate countertops, mid-priced sink and faucet, dingy floor replacement and wall paint)- Cost recouped: 80.2%
5. Replace the garage door- cost recouped: 76.9%
6. replace the siding- Cost recouped: 76.4%
7. Add a wood deck- Cost recouped: 71.5%
8. Add a two-story addition (cost estimate includes adding a family room, bedroom and bathroom)- Cost recouped: 71.1%
9. Finish the basement- Cost recouped: 70%
10. Add a family room- Cost recouped: 69.3%

When looking to sell our team is here to get you the best price, and your most return on investment. Check us out on markcardteam.com! 

Hard Rock in Daytona

Daytona Beach Hard Rock 

Daytona has been known for many things that have drawn in thousands of visitors annually. Hard Rock International is excited to bring their product to our area, and make it more known for music and meetings. They recently announced it is scheduled to open later this year.

This will be their fourth hotel in Florida. It is on a beachfront property, and will include 200 rooms and 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. This will be in the location of the former Desert Inn. 

Also included is new amenities, including a Rock spa, a Body Rock workout facility, kids club, and a beachfront pool. Additionally, they are introducing the “The Sound of Your Stay” music amenity program, which allows guests to set a mood with complimentary vinyl player and records or Fender guitars

Rendering by Hard Rock International

We are excited to continue to see our area grow. Our team wants to help our area develop. And if you are interested in being apart of this growth, check out some listings in our area. Contact us at (386)566-8091 for more information on these. 

Home Tune Ups

It's always a great time to do a quick tune up of your home.  It just takes a moment to make sure your home is humming along. Here’s a quick checklist of fixes to make now to save you time and money later.:

     Interior

Check seals around windows, doors and bath

 Drain your water heater 

Check and fix leaky faucets

 Replace your HVAC filters

Clean out your dryer vents

Replace batteries in smoke detectors

Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher

Vacuum refrigerator condenser coils

Exterior

Inspect the roof

Check driveway and walkways 

Clean the gutters

Wash the window exteriors and check screens for repairs

Inspect deck and patio for warped, molded or splintered boards

Trim bushes and trees, or any vegetation near an air conditioning unit in particular

 Remove leaves and other debris from lawn

Patch up your home’s paint job

Look for cracks or weak spots along the lower section of the exterior

At the Mark Card Team we can help you tune up your home for resell. We'd love to help you! Check us out at markcardteam.com