We are RE/MAX agents who cover Tampa and all the surrounding areas. You can always research the agent by drilling down to aspects such as years of schooling, experience, designations and in addition production level -through the internet today. Now this is not the be all way, by any means. One thing to consider is, purchasing your home is probably going to be the single most expensive thing that you will do in your life. Do you really want someone to assist you who is being an agent part time? Find out more here
Six Home Maintenance and Repair Do It Yourself Jobs
If you are like Nick you are saying it’s just easier to pay someone to take care of this because I have no idea on what I am doing. Well this can become very costly, really quick. It can be intimidating and seem to complex, but over the years we have learned so much in doing some things ourselves that wound up saving us in the long run.
Simple Home Maintenance Tips
Toilets
Water leaking toilets tank will not only cost you money every month in the utility bill, but it can cause damage to your bathroom floor and wear out the internal parts of your toilet. A simple trick is to add red colored food dye in the water tank of your toilet. Check back in an hour or so and see what color the water in the tank is. If it is pink, you have a leak. To replace flapper; turn off water valve, which is normally right behind toilet. Remove the lid and flush the toilet to empty the tank out. Use a towel or sponge to mop out any excess water left in the tank. Remove the flush chain from the lever and then slide the old flapper off the overflow tube. Slide new flapper in place, reconnect the chain and then turn water back on.
Washing Machine and Dryer
Regularly checking your washing machine water supply for leaks is so important. One of the top reasons for insurance claims is for water damage caused by supply lines that are leaking. You should inspect the lines at least once a year and replace them at a minimum of every three years if they are plastic. When checking you notice the metal ends are discolored or rusty, replace them immediately.
You should also check to ensure that the drain lines are tightened properly. A pair of pliers or crescent wrench. You should not be able to tighten any further if the line is properly tightened.
With regards to the dryer, it is important to always make sure you regularly clean your lint screen in order to prevent fires. This will also increase the life of the heating element. You can also remove any fabric softener residue by washing the screen in warm water and dish detergent every week or two.
Air Conditioning
Air Conditioners are normally one the most overlooked appliances when it comes to regular maintenance. And one of the mostly costly when it comes to getting them repaired.
You will want to regularly check the condensation line where the water comes out of the house and make sure that you can see water freely flowing from the line. This will ensure that the line is not clogged. If this is not occurring you can attach a Shop VAC to the line and turn it on for 3-5 minutes and attach it to the drain line. You will hear if anything comes out and then remove the Shop VAC and you should notice that the water is flowing freely again.
Air Filters
Change the Air Filter in your central air and heat often, especially during the peak usage months. Usually 30 days in longest you want to go between changing the filters. Nick puts it on the calendar with the sizes we have in our house, so if he is out he always has the sizes available.
We use the cheap fiberglass filters; which are actually preferred as opposed the HEPA filters for the following reasons: 1. it is more cost effective to use the cheaper ones. 2. The fiberglass filters actually allow for more air flow into the climate controlled unit which will reduce the amount of energy used to effectively cool or heat your home.
Refrigerators
Door Seals are the main thing that you should keep an eye on. By doing this you will reduce the amount of energy it takes to keep your food cool or frozen. This will also keep you refrigerator working more efficiently and prevent premature wear on internal parts.
Easy test for your door seal. Use a dollar bill and close the door on the bill. Then attempt to pull it out with the door closed. If you cannot easily pull the bill out, then your seal is in good shape. If the bill slides out easily, it is time to replace the seals. This is something you can purchase at any local hardware store. Recommendation before heading out the door, take a picture of the tag which has make, and model number of your refrigerator so you show the sales person. This will prevent you from making multiple trips.
If you have a refrigerator with coils along the back, it is recommended that you periodically vacuum the coils to remove dirt and dust build up. The coils contain the coolant that the refrigerator uses to keep the inside temperature cold. If they are dirty, they will not work the way they are supposed to and your refrigerator may stop keeping your food cold.
Hopefully we have given you some very simple DIY tips that even a novice person can accomplish. It really is all about routine maintenance. Which could wind up saving you big money in the long run. Especially if you are considering selling your house. Remember a buyer will do a home inspection and lack or routine maintenance can add up real quick. Please check back regularly as we are always updating our site with good to know information. Feel free to email us any comments or questions to NickandCindyDavis@TampaHomesSold.com
7 Features That Date Your Home
7 Features That Date Your Home
There’s a fine – and often subjective—line between “vintage” and “dated” when it comes to home features. Buyers tend to be willing to pay more for a contemporary-looking property. But how do you determine whether to invest in an update? Here are a few features it’s pretty safe to say are long past their expiration date.
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Popcorn ceilings
Also known as acoustic, or cottage cheese ceilings, they were styled using a popular spray-on ceiling finish for decades. Fortunately, the finish is easy enough to remove using a variety of DIY methods. -
Tiled countertops
Even if they’re not from the 40s or 50s, once you’ve wasted time scrubbing grout clean, you’ll understand why these should go. -
Brass
Back in the 80s, brass fixtures shone from everywhere they could be screwed or plugged in. That kind of home bling worked back when everyone wondered who shot J.R. To appeal to today’s buyer, update to a more neutral shade such as black or gray, or you can go with the very trendy copper. -
Mauve
Also known as dusty rose, in the 80s this color infested everything from walls and carpets to Don Johnson’s “Miami Vice” blazers. Try swapping out for more neutral colors. -
Short backsplashes
Popular in the 90s, colored glass and funky tile short backsplashes added color to kitchens. But they also visually shortened the kitchen walls. Replace them with tiles that reach all the way to the ceiling to make the space look larger. -
Light wood cabinets
They were everywhere in the 90s, but are a quick, inexpensive update. Just grab some paint or stain from the hardware store. -
Wood paneling
Generally speaking, if you can envision Marsha, Cindy and Jan giggling in front of it, it needs to go.
Not sure what to scrape, paint or replace? Nick & Cindy Davis can help suggest what updates may be worth the investment.
6 Questions to Ask a Potential Listing Agent
Selling your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. It’s important to have a qualified professional by your side to help you navigate the twists and turns. Here are some questions to help determine which listing agent is right for you.
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“Where’s the best coffee around here?”
Although a perfect caramel macchiato isn’t critical to the sales process (though it certainly can’t hurt), your listing agent should have experience in your neighborhood. He or she should have bought and sold enough homes to know the area’s history, pros, cons and quirks, not to mention where the locals head for a good cup of joe.
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“How will you market my property?”
Two balloons on a yard sign no longer cut it. Find out exactly how each prospective listing agent plans to reach buyers. A strategy should go beyond holding an open house. If an agent looks baffled when you mention “virtual tour,” it may be time to find someone more experienced in digital outreach.
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“How many clients do you have right now?”
Go for the Goldilocks agent, the one with the slate of clients that’s “just right” and can give you the attention and energy you deserve. Even with an assistant, an agent with double-digit clients may not be able to provide the personal focus you require. On the other hand, if you’re an agent’s only client, there’s probably a reason why.
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“Can I talk to a previous client – or three?”
Ask for references from clients an agent has worked with in the past six months. Some things to ask: How responsive was the agent during the process? Did the client get their asking price? What could the agent have done better?
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“How much would you list my property for?”
Make sure prospective agents can explain their pricing rationale, including showing you comparable sales listings in the area.
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“What’s your sign?”
No, not their horoscope. Ask about professional affiliations. When agents are part of the RE/MAX network, they bring with them the power of the company whose agents sell more real estate than any other.
When you’re ready to find an agent, start your search www.TampaHomesSold.com
5 Reasons Homes Don’t Sell (and How to Address Them)
It can be stressful to see your home languish on the market while others in your neighborhood are moving quickly. A home that isn’t selling can cost you time and money, not to mention your sanity.
Here are 5 reasons your home may not be selling, and advice for addressing them.
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Pricing
Of course you want to sell your home for as much as possible. But an overpriced home can turn away even the most eager buyers. On the flipside, if you repeatedly reduce the price, buyers can see it as a sign of your desperation to sell – prompting them to submit even lower offers. Your listing agent can help you come up with a price comparable with other properties in your neighborhood. A professional home appraiser may also be able to help. -
Timing
If possible, hold off on selling until the main buying seasons in the spring and summer. If you must sell during an off-peak time, you can still attract serious buyers – but you'll need patience and ways to sweeten the deal.
To offset bad timing, you might offer incentives such as paying some or all of the buyer's closing costs. To pique interest among real estate agents and brokers, consider offering a selling bonus above the standard commission. Just make sure you stipulate it’s available only if the agent brings a full-price offer to the table or closes the sale on your preferred date.
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Location
If a poor or unsafe location is preventing your home from selling, you may have better luck generating interest among buyers by adding new security measures. Consider installing an alarm system, outdoor lighting and gates or fences.
Additionally, promote any practical and safe features of the location such as the proximity of public services (fire and police stations). Also offer to introduce prospective buyers to neighbors you know. This can provide a sense of community and make them feel welcome.
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Condition
Investors and buyers with home improvement skills look for bargains, so they will typically offer less for a home that needs a new roof, has faulty plumbing or electrical systems, structural problems or that needs a lot of cosmetic work. The more repairs you make before buyers view the home, the more likely you are to receive competitive offers. It’s usually cheaper to do the repairs yourself than to offer allowances in the closing contract.
Another idea is to purchase a home warranty that covers items that break down after the sale. This gesture gives prospective buyers additional peace of mind about the home's condition.
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Marketing
If everything else is lined up and your home still isn’t selling, it could be due to your marketing. Particularly in a crowded market, its import to make an extra effort to get your home noticed.
Buyers usually go online first to search for homes, so make sure your photos represent your house in all its glory. It’s often a good idea to hire a professional photographer. Also be sure the home description doesn’t skimp on listing all the features, amenities and upgrades. This is where a listing agent can come in handy. They’ll be able to use their professional experience to create a marketing plan that makes your home standout.
Remember, when you're ready to start the process of selling your home, help is just a phone call or email away. Nick & Cindy Davis are standing by. To find out more about us please visit www.TampaHomesSold.com