Countryside Home Sold 938 Meadow View

Countryside Townhome Sold in Port Orange

The Mark Card Team just sold this beatiful townhome in Countryside.  This home, located in Port Orange Florida, sold to a buyer looking to escape the congested city life.  Countryside is an ideal place to find rest and a slower pace, yet be close to shopping, hospitals, medical facilities and also the A+ schools that Port Orange is known for.

Countryside is one of the best neighborhoods in the area, because it offers miles of walking and biking paths, a community pool and tennis courts.  There is an incredible clubhouse and also RV/Boat parking area - that is offered at a first come first serve basis.

The Mark Card Team has been helping buyers and sellers in the Countryside Subdivision for nearly 20 years and raised their son in Countryside and love the area.  If you're looking to make a move, contact Mark Card and Jennifer Card today.  We are happy to help. 386-566-8092

Port Orange Retirement Homes

Retiring in Port Orange

Retiring in Florida is a dream many hard-working Americans have. Florida has been a popular spot of retirees for decades because of the enticing tax breaks and well, the weather is pretty fabulous too. Buying a home in Port Orange opens you to many possibilities of activity, relaxation and also rejuvenation.  Call Mark and Jennifer Card to help you find your new home in the Sunshine State.

Looking to Retire in Port Orange FL?

Benefits to retiring in Port Orange

• No Income Tax
• Retirement Income is Exempt
• Homestead Property Tax Exemption
• Senior Citizen Property Tax Over 65 yrs old & max. income requirements 
• No Grocery Tax
• FREE activities at the beach

Port Orange Active Communities

• Villages of Royal Palm 
• Cypress Head
• Spruce Creek Fly In

Port Orange 55+ Communities

• Summer Trees

Gated Communities

• Sanctuary on Spruce Creek
• Cypress Head
• Sabal Creek
• Covendale
• Spruce Creek Fly In
• Hunt Club
• Villages of Royal Palm

Golf Communities

• Cypress Head
• Spruce Creek Fly In

Port Orange Riverfront Homes
Port Orange Homes Under $250,000

A 55+ community that is nearby is Latitude Margaritaville.  Here you will find that you have no maintenance on the exterior of your home.  This 55+ gated community located in Daytona Beach has a resort pool area, restaurant and bar.  They also have plenty of activities and even a band shell that is sure to bring some amazing music for the residents.  Margaritaville also has a dog park. 

Port Orange Family Days Starts

Port Orange Community Trust

Jenny Fike, Dr. Amy Hall, Jennifer Marano, Kim Ball
Port Orange Community Trust Leadership Team 

The Port Orange Community Trust will host the 2019 Port Orange Family Days Thursday, September 26th-Sunday, September 29th at Port Orange City Center.  The Community Trust reports that there is sure to be fun for the whole family with attractions like:

Port Orange Days 2019 

JEEP Beach Show & Shine
Food Trucks
Business Expo
Rides
Games
Community Parade
ONE Daytona Kid Zone
Halifax Veterinary Pet Parade

There are opportunities available to volunteer at the event as well.  If you're looking for fun in Port Orange, be sure to check out the Port Orange Community Trust website for all the details on this annual event.

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

Summer Trees

Summer Trees Port Orange Homes for Sale 

Nestled between mature oak trees in Port Orange you will find a neighborhood called Summer Trees. This neighborhood is one of a kind in this area. Many trees line the streets and provide shade and a great atmosphere for families. There are newer and older homes available in this community for purchase. Newer homes were mostly custom built and developed by different contractors. This is a wonderful neighborhood with lots of kids in the newer section. There is also a retiree section with a 55+ community only designated area. This part of the neighborhood is a little older, but provides a great environment for retirees. If your're interested in buying or renting a home in this amazing subdivision click the link below! 

Summer Trees

For help buying or selling your home, call 

The Mark Card Team 

386-566-8091

Port Orange Homes in Golf Communities

Port Orange Homes In Golf Communities 

With a great community and wonderful people, Port Orange is a great place to settle down, and relax with a good game of golf with friends and family! Port Orange has great golf community homes! Cypress Head Golf Course is surrounded with beautiful homes and is located in the top school district in the area.  Port Orange is well-known for it's amazing schools.  If you are looking to make a move to Port Orange, we welcome you to contact us.

Click the link below to see the amazing golf community homes Port Orange has to offer Port Orange Golf Community Homes

For help buying a great home in a golf community, call Mark 386-566-8091

New Homes In Port Orange

Looking To Buy A Newer Home In Port Orange? 

Are you are looking for a new home in an A+ school district and to be close to beautiful beaches? Port Orange is a great place for families to grow and make great memories! Port Orange is the place to go for safe neighborhoods, tons of family activities, and A+ schools for every age, just around the corner!

  Click the link below to see newer Port orange homes built after 2010.New Port Orange Homes 

For Help Buying or Selling Port Orange Homes 

Call The Mark Card Team at (386)566-8091

Atlantic High School Career Expo 2017

Atlantic High School Career Expo

The Mark Card Team at Realty Pros Assured recently participated in the Atlantic High School Career Expo.  Principal Stephen Hinson and Counselor Jan Turp, as well as their staff, worked tirelessly to gain community participation in the event and it was a success for all.

Hundreds of students filed in to learn more about careers they can work toward once completing high school and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to answer questions and hopefully inspire this generation to explore careers related to real estate, as well as home and business ownership.

Jennifer Card with Counselor Jan Turp

Spruce Creek Football Season

2017 Spruce Creek Hawks

The school year has started, which of course means the return of Friday night football. Last year this team became district champs, and our team can not wait to see what this team brings this year!

Here's their schedule:

August

   Aug 18- Seminole HS

   Aug 25- Seabreeze HS

September

   Sept 1- Atlantic HS

   Sept 8- Matanzas HS

   Sept 15- @ Sandalwood HS

   Sept 22- @ Haines HS

   Sept 29- @ Deland HS

October

   Oct 13- Flagler Palm Coast HS (Homecoming) 

   Oct 20- @ Mandarin HS

   Oct 27- University HS

November

   Nov 3- @ New Smyrna Beach HS

Common Home-Selling Mistakes

When our sellers come to us, we do all we can to ensure they do not make these mistakes. If you are looking at selling, we would love to help you. For more information check us out at markcardteam.com or at (386)566-8091.

Safe Selling

Sellers' Mistakes

You’ve decided to sell your home and naturally you want to sell it quickly, profitably and smoothly. To maximize your success, here are five common and costly mistakes to avoid when selling your home.

Mistake #1 Overlooking repairs

Making repairs before selling is a must. These include electrical issues, water damage, rotten or chipped flooring, or a leaky roof. Consider getting a pre-inspection to uncover necessary repairs that might spook buyers and cause them to lower their offer or back out of the deal.

Mistake #2 Overpricing your home

Buyers are going to compare a sale price to other homes in the area, so your home should be priced competitively. We'll make sure your Realty Pro provides a comparative market analysis to help establish a competitive price and has their own system for helping you price your home.

Mistake #3 Over-sharing with buyers

Another costly mistake is having too much communication with potential buyers. You don’t want to give away too much information to potential buyers, which could be used later during a sale negotiation. Either make yourself scarce during showings or think carefully about what you disclose to buyers.

Mistake #4 Poor Staging 

Both a cluttered home and an empty home will be unappealing to buyers, so proper staging and curb appeal are important. A majority of buyers are shopping for homes online these days, so consider bringing in professional staging and photography services.

Mistake #5 The wrong attitude

Тhis includes both patience and setting expectations too high. Not every prospective buyer will submit a bid—some are just window-shopping or are interested in a nearby home. Remembering that browsers are part of the home-selling process will help keep disappointment at bay.

With the Mark Card Team, we can help you avoid all these mistakes when selling. Check us out on our website! Or contact us at 386-566-8091

Keeping your Air Conditioner in Prime Shape

Air Conditioner Maintenance 

With warm weather upon us, it's important that homeowners and sellers make sure this feature is on full display and tuned up. It's also helpful for homeowners to make sure their units are properly maintained throughout the year.

Air Conditioner Checks:

• Inspect the unit to make sure it's in good working condition.
• The A/C must be leveled and free from obstruction
• Clean and/or replace your air filter
• Check your thermostat to make sure it’s working properly

For  more information or professional maintenance, check out our friends at Air Systems of Daytona. 

 We'd love to help you maintain your home and resell it. Check us out at markcardteam.com or at (386)566-8091.

Certified Residential Specialist

What is a CRS?

About our CRS Designation

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is the highest credential awarded to residential sales agents, managers and brokers. As Certified Residential Specialists, Mark and Jennifer work with the Council of Residential Specialists. The council provide its representatives with the tools, resources and strategies needed to help guide buyers and sellers through the residential sales process.

How do we earn the title Certified Residential Specialists?

In order to obtain the Certified Residential Specialist Designation, Mark and Jennifer were required to meet minim sales volume standard of $20 Million in order to demonstrate high levels of real estate sales, contract negotiations, successful marketing strategy and negotiations components. Only then, were they able to sit for the 48 advanced training course classes. 

Our Professional Affiliation:

• Member in good standing of the Council of Residential Specialists
• Member in good standing of the National Association of REALTORS®
• Member in good standing of the Florida Association of REALTORS®
• Member in good standing of the Seniors Real Estate Specialists
• Member in good standing of the At Home with Diversity Trained professionals
• Member in good standing with the ePro Real Estate Marketing Experts

Certified Residential Specialists are an elite group of residential sales agents, managers and brokers. As a husband/wife CRS team, we are part of an even smaller group. We have earned this title with our dedication and residential experience. Find out more about us on our website, www.markcardteam.com. Or contact us at (386)566-8091. 

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!

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! 

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

Need some tips on selling a home?

Are you looking to sell a home or condo? The competition for selling a home in Port Orange can be stiff, but if you take the time to complete a few tasks around the house, you will close the gap. Recently, we were working on selling a condo in Daytona Beach Shores and the seller asked what he could do to make his unit more attractive to potential buyers. In that case, there were a few simple items that were a huge help. We decluttered every table, and although he thought it was a little bear, experience told us, we needed to create the illusion of S P A C E. Addtionally, we used two colors to accent the furniture and worked to minimize the additional colors in the room. In doing this, we provide the buyer ability to place their own special touches there so they can envision life in this home. Click here for more tips on selling your home or condo faster Visit us at www.TeamCard.us

Looking for Port Orange Homes?

Welcome to the club. The NAR reports that pending sales are on the rise. In this recent article, you'll see expectations for the year to come and how it affects buyers and sellers in our marketplace.
Pending Home Sales Rise

The Mark Card Team Website

Spruce Creek High School Weighlifting Meet today

Come and cheer on the Ironmen of Spruce Creek High today at 3:30 p.m. in the Spruce Creek High weight room.

Spruce Creek High School

Visit us at www.TeamCard.us