Common Expenses For New Home Buyers

Common Expenses For New Home Buyers 

Here are some expenses to consider when buying your new Port Orange home.  Buyers often overlook important items when searching for a new home.  As the Port Orange home experts, The Mark Card Team has some advice on those hidden costs. Here are some average costs to consider when making your home buying decision:

*As reported through Florida Realtor Magazine

• Bedroom furnishings: $635
• Window covers: $215
• Sofas: $724
• Living room chair and tablas: $687
• Dining room and kitchen furniture: $345 
• Other Furnishings: $1,172
• Outside additions or alterations: $2,106
• Lawnmowers and yard equipment: $515
• Washer and Dryer: $575
• Computer systems: $300
• Other appliances: $1,704
• New fencing: $270
• New pluming fixtures: $150
• Other upgrades and repairs: $1,203

                                               Total: 10,601

To get more information on how much it would cost for your new home contact Mark Card (386)-566-8091 

5 DIY Basics

When you own your home, there is no landlord to go ask for help or fix a problem. So Realtor.com recommends homeowners learn to handle these basic problems:

Change the HVAC filters
    - Replace this quarterly to keep your air system running well and cut your energy bills
Cutting the water supply
    - Find and tag the shut-off valve when you first move in. Then you can easily find it and turn the handle 90 degrees when it needs to be turned off.
Unclogging drains
    - Learn about chemical drainers and drain snakes. The chemical drainers may work, but a drain snake is also a good option.
Resetting a circuit breaker
    - To do this just open the panel cover and find the breaker in the "off" position, then flip it "on."
Clean gutters
    - These need to be cleaned annually or every two years to avoid debris build-up that can trap water. Trapped water can seep into your home and cause thousands in damage.

The direct contact movement

The Direct Contact Movement

 Being in direct contact with a top producing realtor in Port Orange, can help you maximize your real estate investment goals 

In today's society technology is more relevant that ever. You can use your phone or computer to do just about anything. In some ways it's a good thing, it makes our lives easier and more convenient, but it can do some damage as well. People forget about the basic act of communicating to a person directly, not by using a robot voice recording or a chat room. Most real estate agents are moving towards the technology side of things, but the top producing agents are doing just the opposite. The top producing agents are putting themselves in direct contact. By taking the time to pick up a phone and connect with someone, you are creating a bond, forming a trust between you and the clients. Not only does it help form connections but it helps things run more smooth and efficiently. 

To get into direct contact with a realtor about buying for selling your home call Mark Card (386)566-8091

Bricks And Mortar Retail Is Changing!

S. Ridgewood Commerical Lot for Sale in Port Orange 

Is your Commercial Property Attractive to Potential Buyers?

According to Florida Realtor magazine, Bricks and Mortar Retail is evolving. Citing changes in consumer needs, owners are working in conjunction with Realtors to change existing buildings to fit the needs of today's markets.

Online sales are leading many national retailers to vacate their "big box" stores. These strategies are proving helpful as the end of the year vacancy rate was 10.83% while the prior year was at 12%.

 Adding diversity by rezoning to new mixed-used developments has helped to create an appealing retail experience by using a strong mix of local tenants and national brands. Economic prosperity and population growth should bode well for retail in the upcoming years.

For any commercial real estate buying or selling needs,

call Mark Card 386-566-8091

Best Return for Your Investment

Best Rate of Return on Home Improvements 

Recently homebuyers are more attracted to home's structure than cosmetic details.When updating or renovating you want to earn the most return for the investment. Based on 2017 data here are the top-10 home improvements for return on investment, according to Remodeling magazine's 2018 Cost vs. Value report:

1. An updated garage door will give a 98.3% return.

2. Adding manufactured stone veneer equals a return of 97.1%. 

3. You will get a 82.8% return with a new wood deck addition.

4. Minor kitchen remodel will give an 81.1% return.

5. Replace your siding and get a return of 76.7%.

6. A 74.3% return will be earned with updated vinyl windows.

7. Giving your bathroom a universal bathroom design will equal a 70.6% return.

8. And a complete bathroom remodel usually earns a return of 70.1%.

9. When you update your windows with new wood windows replacements it earns a 69.5% return.

10. A new roof can equal a 68.4% return.

Legal issues that could Stall a sale

Legal Issues That Could Stall A Sale!

When you're looking to buy a new home, there are unforeseen challenges that can arise.  Be sure to keep an eye out....

Issue #1: Foreign investment and real property tax act! This means a buyer who purchases U.S. real estate from a foreign seller is required to withhold and pay to the Internal Revenue Service at closing a percentage of the gross sale price. This amount is not the tax itself, it is a deposit to be applied against the sellers actual tax bill when the seller files a federal income tax return. FIRPTA presents a few issues for seller, especially in the sale of a highly leveraged property where the sellers may not have enough profit from the sale to satisfy the withholding and any loans secures by the property.

Issue #2: Power of attorney! In many cases International owners of Florida real estate cannot be presented during the entire sales process. To keep a transaction moving, they might wish to sign a power of attorney.

Issue #3: Visas! Another challenge for international investors is immigration status. First of all, some visas allow them to stay on the United States for only a short period of time. For example tourism visas issued to residents 

of many Asian countries allow only a six-month stay. This present 

logistical challenges if the closing is scheduled near the end of their stay.

To avoid these time consuming issues and get into your new home call Mark and Jenn! (386)-566-8091