Spring is in the air, time for planting, remodeling… Here are some ideas on homes and their need to be updated to sell for a good price.
Sellers are encouraged to showcase home renovations as buyers are increasingly seeking turnkey homes. Buyers are willing to pay more for remodeled homes.
NEW YORK — Even as home prices keep going up and properties become less affordable, homebuyers are willing to pay more to own a remodeled home, according to Zillow.
Nationwide, buyers pay roughly $13,200 more than expected — about 4% of the median price — for renovated homes, researchers at Zillow found.
In the company’s analysis last year, buyers were willing to pay less than 1% more.
“Buyers looking for a turnkey home should be prepared for increased competition from other buyers,” Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert, said in a statement. “For sellers, if you have made renovations, flaunt them in your listing description.”
Zillow analyzed 359 key words in the listings of more than 2 million homes that hit the market in 2024. Of those key words, the term remodeled more than any other spurred buyers to pay more.
Listings on Zillow with this key word are more often saved and shared. Almost 30% of Zillow’s listings for homes for sale are described as renovated, which the company attributes to a pandemic-era boom in renovations.
Before the pandemic, the company found that home listings that included such terms as fixer, TLC, needs work or good bones saw more demand and were more likely to sell.
Now, across the country, a home listing that uses the term fixer-upper sells for about 7% less than expected — the largest discount in three years, according to Zillow. And home listings with the terms needs work or TLC sell for about 8% less.
I spend many blogs describing home improvement ideas…this week I list the improvements we have made to our 25 year old home. I include the vendor and or handyman who did the work…if they are still in business. Also included an updated “Who to Call” with added: hauler, handyman; yard services and Mrs. Grout.
INSIDE:
House: wall to wall carpets goneall floors tiled.
Tile grout restored and resealed in Office, Kitchen, Great Room, Laundry Room …Mrs. Grout (plan to do master shower)
Guest bedroom blinds replaced 2025… Hunter Douglas Warranty!
All crank out windows are rebuilt- David Arnold
Hunter Douglas luminettes and silhouettes cleaned several times including 2024: Clean Carpet & Drapes (Anne Thompson Interiors, Hernando)
Fireplace refurbished and working 2024Mr. Fireplace
Granite counters installedin guest bath, laundry room and kitchen.
2021: Stainless SteelKitchen sink, oven , range, microwave,and 3 door refrigerator and s/s Bosch dishwasher (2020)
Original stove top replaced with an GE induction system
;
Garbage disposal and sink water filtration system replaced;Handyman Kevin Hurd
One way to make your home a more valuable,attractive,and or “modern”place to live is to add smart devices to your home.Whilea total smart home will cost you hundreds of dollars, just adding one or more $100 items might be a good start. I read twoZDNET articles.
As the first article suggests:In these days it’s easy to automate your entire life. You can buy a car that can drive and park itself, a smart watch that can detect if you’ve fallen and call for help, and a robot vacuum that can map out where your home needs to be swept. And thanks to Smart home set up, you can even automate your lights, and the temperature, and even how you get your news. These articles can tell youwhere to start… these articles might give you some ideas:
Smart home products:there’s something for everyone, no matter what phone one mayhave or what voice assistant one may prefer.
Both these articles talk about smart speakers with tons of abilities like playing music, setting reminders, making phone calls,answering questions and acting as a control hub for other smart devices via voice command capabilities.The Amazon Echo speaker or the Echo pop or the Echo dot are tech examples.
Video Doorbells: You can add to your homea video doorbell: they provide insight into who or what is at your door without you ever leaving your couch. Our top pics for the best video doorbells have HD video and motion detection and connect to a mobile app as well as other smart devices so you can ask Alexa, who’s at the door?Another way to protect entries of your home is to install a smart lock. Today’s devices use fingerprint technology and customizable key combinations and make it easier to go to Keyless and say goodbye to the day of forgetting your overcrowded keychain.
Smart thermostat: a device that can actually save you money on your electric bills by creating automated schedules. The best smart thermostats adjust themselves to your climate schedule and offer voice control with Geo fencing technology.
WHEN YOU CLICK ON THEfull article link:You will find links and information on certain brands and where to buy them… so you can do your own research.
Right now I am struggling getting my new sprinkler system box wifi set up—weak internet signal!
If you live in Citrus County, you might want to check with BD resident for updating technology: Schlabach Security and Soundhttps://sssonline.biz/
This week I present several articles about homeowners’ insurance. What is covered in a natural disaster?How old can your roof be, to get it insured?
In a previous blog,I discussed how to shop around for homeowners insurance if you find your homeowner insurance going way up because of the age of your roof.Most of the info isstill accurate, except in Black Diamond, you can now choose the material of your roof (steel, asphalt shingle or tile).Of course, the POA/ ARB has to approve the roof contract. Here’s the link to that article:
Then the Florida Association of Realtors published an article on homeowners’insurance and natural disasters.What does insurance actually cover?
Standard homeowners insurance typically covers the structure of your home, other structures on your property (like a detached garage or shed), and your personal belongings in the event of fire damage. This includes fires caused by candles, grease, electrical malfunctions (e.g., faulty wiring), wildfires, and lightning. However, a standard policy may not cover all fire damage, including damage caused by nuclear hazards, arson, poor maintenance, or regular wear and tear. Please contact your insurance agent if you have questions.
I got to thinking about the fires in California… and I asked my local agent to explain what homeowners’ insurance covers in catastrophic incidents.
The recent devastating wildfires in California serve as a sobering reminder of how natural disasters can strike with little warning, causing significant damage and disruption. While here in Florida, we are fortunate to have preventive measures such as prescribed burns to help reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires, we are not without our own weather-related challenges. Our state is frequently impacted by hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding, making it crucial to ensure that your home insurance policies are up to date and provide the coverage you need.
Last week’s blog contained home maintenance issues and how to keep your home’s value high.This week I present articles about remodeling and updating your home. I include things for the kitchen, quartz vs granite, and an important topicnowadays is the age of your hot water tank…when selling, insurance companies will not insure a hot water heater that’s over 15 years old. So you have a decision to make…do you replace the one you have, or do you put in a tankless system? Bob Vila gives you some ideas on other DIY home improvements.
Keeping your home in good shape…what inspectors look for:
Have your HVAC air conditioning system serviced once a year and dryer vent be cleared out once a year. Check your windows for deterioration. If you have a tile roof, then have it checked for cracked or slipped /and or missing. Non-functioning GFCI’s are a big item when it comes to inspections if they are not working. You can buy a tool from the hardware that you can test your GFCIs and if you see they need to be placed, a handyman you can do that, but if you need new ones, (like your house was built before the code that requires smoke detectors by bedrooms and in garages, then you probably should have those installed.) They’re saying smoke detectors are only good for 10 years. We bought ours online and then Premier Electric put ours in. If you have a garage service door, please check it because they tend to rot at bottom after a while. You might want to put in a fiberglass door even though it’s pricey. Garage door bottom seals also need periodic replacement. Walk around your house looking for rotted facia and/or squirrel chewed facia and have it replaced. Home ownership is costly when it comes to upkeep and repairs but a home’s value also depends on the shape it is in.
This week I report on devices you can purchase to make your home a “smart home.” What are the best “smart”amenitiesto add in your home? (Good selling point for a future sale).Another article suggests “21 Gadgets That Make Great Gifts.”These articles might spark an idea for a holiday present for someone.
The first ZDNET article, “Smart Home Starter Pack” names five devices you need.It not only talks about what you need, it suggest things like a video doorbell, smart lights, smart locks, smart thermostats. The article also gives you suggestions on where to get your best deals on these devices.
The second article (from FAR)talks about “Aging -in-Place Tech Making Staying Home Easier”Aging adults are more and more choosingto stay in their home rather go into assisted living facilities, creating a multi generational home, etc.Here are some technology tools that make it easier to stay in place including smart phones and tablets, smart home systems, medical management systems, remote health monitoring,sensor technology, and personal emergency response systems.
27 Unique Gift Ideas Especially For Seniors:Gadgets to consider: spy lens cam,portable heater, magic flosser, specialty sunglass and eyeglasses, drones, powerful
flashlight, Martha Stewart ideas, including her new cookbook and blender recommendation,Oprah gift suggestions, seat cushion, and fireblanket, etc.
In Q3 2024, the average annual cost to maintain a single-family home rose to $10,433. Maintenance is crucial to keeping things running smoothly. And so…
It’s that time of year,when I start talking about what are you doing to keep your home in its best shape?
Recent sales included three home inspections with a lot of the problems listed in this article.I also include a FEMA and insurance information link for those who may have had some hurricane damage this past year…
That air conditioning vent filter was three years old. You’re supposed to change those out every year. And if you have dogs or cats, probably more than that.
3 years old!
foundation cracks?
Clogged gutters
Your dryer vent needs to be cleaned out once a year. (Fire hazard)
Your gutters need to be cleaned out a couple of times a year( if you don’t have the screens on them) because they can cause a back up of water and eventually a roof leak.
If you have not had your home’s tile roof inspected since you bought the house, and have been residing in the house for a number of years…It may be time for a roof inspection, and to make sure that any tiles that have slipped are put back into place,and cracked and chipped tiles replaced. That will extend the life of the roof.
How old is your hot water tank? If your hot water tank is more than 15 years old, and you are trying to buy a home and obtain homeowners’ insurance,you cannot get insurance on the home with an older hot water tank. It has to be replaced.
Do you have a Challenger brand electric box ?Bent Tree and Bermuda Dunes villages mainly have them from the 1990’s.They are supposedly fire hazards and insurance companies will not ensure a home that has that kind of electrical box. It’s a couple thousand dollars to change it out.
Those ofyou who have a Black Diamond constructed home built between 2000 and about 2006…you need to check your windows to make sure that the Pella windows (that they put in and were not painted correctly)have not rotted away. They will not pass a home inspection if they are rotted out.They need to be replaced or rebuilt.David Arnold does a great job, but he’s very busy.
Sliding glass doors…become hard to open after many years…Nextdoor recommendation:
“We had John’s Sliding Door come out and fixed our difficult to open slider. He came on time, cleaned up afterwards and very professional! It comes with a 3 year warranty. He even fixed our lock!I would highly recommend him. 352-290-3846
New handy person recommended by my blog reader:
“While golfing a few years ago I noticed a young man just off the 15th hole of the Ranch coarse cleaning the gutter system very similar to my home in Black Diamond. As I required gutter cleaning, I approached him to schedule the service at my home. I have been using him for two years now and could not be more pleased. He knows how to walk a tile roof without damage, very reliable reasonable rates, and reliable service. He does roof blow offs and gutter cleaning. His name is Skyler Hoffman (352) 445-1410. I would not hesitate to refer him to my neighbors. “
When was the last time you walked around your house looking at the outside walls? Are you seeing any cracks? Seeing any burrowing animals?
It is so important to be proactive with the maintenance of your home.You never know when you may have to sell…A well-maintained home will not have to go through price reductions after its homeinspection if it is in good shape.
FEMA Assistance Programs for Flood Victims: What You Need to Know
Given the recent hurricanes affecting our local community, it’s more important than ever to have the facts and be prepared. Recovering from floods can be overwhelming, but FEMA offers several programs to assist with recovery. Here’s a quick guide to FEMA’s main programs and how we, as your local insurance agency, can help you protect your assets.
1. Individual Assistance (IA) Program
FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) provides financial help for:
Temporary Housing: If your home is uninhabitable.
Home Repair: To fix essential damage.
Other Needs: For medical, transportation, and personal items.
To apply, register on FEMA’s website or call 1-800-621-3362.
2. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
If you have flood insurance through FEMA’s NFIP, you can file a claim to cover flood damage. If you don’t have flood insurance yet, consider getting coverage to protect against future storms.
3. Public Assistance (PA) Program
FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program helps local governments and nonprofits recover by funding:
Debris Removal: Clearing flood debris.
Infrastructure Repairs: Fixing roads, bridges, and public buildings.
Local governments apply through state offices.
4. Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Program
The HMA program funds projects to reduce future flood risks, such as:
Floodproofing: Elevating homes or structures.
Flood Control Projects: Building levees and improving drainage.
Contact your local government for available programs.
5. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
If you’ve lost income due to flooding, DUA can help. Apply through your state’s unemployment office.
How We Can Help: Protect Your Assets
As your local insurance agency, we’re here to help you understand and navigateinsurance. Whether it’s reviewing your current coverage, assisting with claims, or finding better rates, we’re committed to ensuring you’re properly protected.
With recent hurricanes reminding us how quickly disaster can strike, contact us today to make sure your property is covered and you’re prepared for future events. Thank you,Kevin Hewitson, Insurance, kevin.hewitson68@gmail.com
Making Your Move: A Guide to Relocating with Purpose and Ease
Relocating to a new state often brings a chance to redefine personal goals and explore untapped opportunities. This shift offers a unique space to step outside comfort zones, cultivating growth and fresh perspectives. Moving also opens doors for professional advancement and exposure to new communities and experiences. Embracing the change can deepen one’s understanding of different lifestyles and create pathways to fulfilling connections. Successfully navigating a move involves practical planning and a readiness to adapt to new surroundings — and this guide is here to help.
Transform Your Move into a Career Opportunity
Relocating can be the perfect time to pursue your passions and consider a career change. For instance, if you’re interested in impacting education, you might want to check this out and explore an online education doctoral program. These programs offer the flexibility to balance work and study, allowing you to continue earning while advancing your education. As the demand for specialized skills in education grows, obtaining a doctoral degree can significantly enhance your career prospects and earning potential. Embracing this opportunity can lead to a fulfilling career that aligns with your interests and aspirations.
Evaluating Biking and Walking Infrastructure Before Relocating
When considering a move, it’s crucial to assess the local infrastructure for biking and walking, as these can significantly impact your quality of life. Investigating the availability of bike lanes and pedestrian paths can reveal how committed a community is to promoting safe and healthy transportation options. For example, areas with well-developed networks of separated bike lanes and pedestrian pathways not only enhance safety but also encourage more people to choose these modes of travel, contributing to better public health outcomes.
Assessing a State’s Cultural Innovation and Creativity
It’s important to evaluate a state’s reputation for cultural innovation and creativity. States that have shown significant growth in arts and cultural industries often provide a vibrant environment for creative professionals. For instance, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies offers an interactive dashboard that highlights the economic contributions of arts and culture in each state. By choosing a state with a strong cultural sector, you can ensure a supportive community that values and fosters artistic expression.
Harnessing Local Insights for Neighborhood Safety
Engaging with local community groups or online forums can be a valuable strategy for understanding the safety dynamics of a neighborhood. Platforms like neighborhood watch programs offer firsthand accounts and discussions that can provide you with a clearer picture of the area’s safety concerns. By participating in these groups, you not only gain access to real-time updates on crime trends but also have the opportunity to connect with residents who share their personal experiences and safety tips.
Evaluating Accessibility and Amenities in Local Parks
When considering a move, it’s crucial to assess the accessibility and amenities of local parks and recreational areas. Ensuring that pathways, entrances, and facilities like restrooms and drinking fountains are accessible can significantly enhance your quality of life. Look for parks that offer inclusive playground equipment and consider the availability of quiet zones for those with sensory sensitivities.
Evaluating Economic Stability: Key Industries and Risks
It’s crucial to assess a state’s reliance on specific industries and the associated economic risks. Understanding this dependency can reveal potential vulnerabilities, especially if the state is heavily reliant on a single sector. For instance, states with economies tied to volatile industries may face significant challenges during economic downturns, impacting job security and local businesses. By thoroughly evaluating these aspects, you can make a more informed decision about the economic stability of your potential new home.
Relocating to a new state is a significant decision that involves careful consideration of various factors. By evaluating career opportunities, infrastructure, cultural vibrancy, neighborhood safety, park accessibility, and economic stability, you can make a well-informed choice that aligns with your lifestyle and aspirations. Embrace the adventure of moving with confidence, knowing that you’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure a successful transition.
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