Buying Multi-Generational Home
National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that the share of multi-generational home buyers rose to 14% in 2022––close to an all-time high. Here’s a closer look at multi-generational living, along with tips for finding a home that’s suitable for a diverse group.
Home Staging Tips to Attract Buyers and Sell Faster
Home staging tips are important for a successful sale. Selling your home quickly and at the right price takes more than just listing it online. To draw in potential buyers and secure top offers, your home needs to stand out. That’s where home staging comes in.
By strategically preparing your home—through redecorating, repairing, and making it look its best—you can make a lasting impression and significantly increase its appeal.
How To Increase My Home’s Value: 7 Weekend Projects
Increase Your Home’s Value with These 7 Weekend Projects.
10 Pro Tips for a Smooth Home Move
Whatever your circumstances, the road to the closing table can be riddled with obstacles — from issues with showings and negotiations to inspection surprises. But many of these complications are avoidable.
How To Stretch Your Holiday Budget in Season of Inflation
You don’t have to break the bank to celebrate the holidays in style—even in this season of inflation. Prices may be higher on everything, but there are still plenty of opportunities to stretch your holiday budget and find extra savings.
35 Tips to Furnish New Home For Less
35 Tips to Furnish New Home for Less Buying a new home is one of the most exciting experiences in life. And if you’re like most homebuyers, you’ll be planning your furniture placement and decor before the ink dries on your offer letter. But before you run to the nearest home goods store, take a deep breath. First, you’ll need to delay any major purchases before you close on your new home. A large outlay or additional line of credit could lower your credit score and, thus, impact your mortgage terms.1 Second, moving and closing costs can add up quickly, so it’s important to be strategic with your remaining budget. But don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to save on home essentials, and we’ve rounded up some of our favorites to share with you. PRIORITIZE WHAT YOU REALLY NEED BEFORE YOU START SHOPPING According to Home Advisor, the national average cost to furnish a new house is $16,000, but it can easily soar higher.2 That’s why we recommend starting with a thorough assessment of what you already have and what you actually need to start life in your new place. Here are some steps to help you prioritize your purchases and keep spending in check. Make a list of everything you need. Going room by room could help you brainstorm—for example, you might list items ranging from a mattress to blackout curtains for your new primary bedroom. Inventory what you already have. Cross the big (dining table) to the small (kitchen knives) off your list as you go. Divide the remaining items into three groups: things you need right away (a mattress), items you’d like to have in the near future (a coffee table for your living room), and pieces that can wait (an area rug). Calculate your budget. Figure out how much money you’ll have available for immediate purchases after the sale has closed, and start researching the items on your priority list to understand how they’ll fit into your budget. Don’t rush the process. Bringing older items to your new space doesn’t mean you need to keep them forever. Consider hanging onto pieces that can tide you over for a year or two until your bank account has recovered from the costs of a home purchase. Before you start shopping, make sure you know which appliances and fixtures are included with your home purchase. We can inform you of the standard contract terms when you’re making an initial offer and note any additional items that you would like to request. TIME YOUR PURCHASES TO MAKE THE MOST OF SEASONAL SALES Did you know that some home items predictably go on sale at certain times of the year? If you can wait to buy these pieces when prices are lower, you could save significantly. Here are some of the best times to buy household essentials:3,4 Bedding and linens: January TVs: Black Friday/Cyber Monday and late January (before the Super Bowl) Furniture: February and August, as well as Black Friday, Memorial Day, and Labor Day Large appliances: Labor Day through October Small kitchen appliances: May Mattresses: Holiday weekends, especially Memorial Day, Labor Day, and 4th of July Vacuum cleaners: April Tools: June Outdoor furniture: August through October Generally speaking, holiday weekends (as well as Black Friday and Cyber Monday) tend to be great times to find deals. If the item you’re looking for is seasonal—like patio furniture or holiday decorations—waiting until the end of that season usually pays off. FIND ALTERNATIVE SHOPPING SOURCES Can’t wait for a sale? It’s time to think outside of the box (the big-box stores, that is). There are plenty of surprising places to find great furniture and houseware deals. Check out overstock and liquidation stores. These stores purchase items other retailers haven’t sold and offer them at a steep discount. The inventory can be hit or miss, but you can often get a great deal if you find what you’re looking for.5 Try private membership/warehouse stores. Retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club often have great deals on home goods. If you’re not already a member, ask family or friends if they are willing to take you to look around before you commit. Consider open-box items. When buyers return items like furniture or electronics, retailers can’t always sell them as new, even if they haven’t truly been used. Look online for open-box deals from retailers like Wayfair and Amazon Warehouse or visit local retailers to see what they have in stock. Give scratch-and-dent appliances a chance. These appliances are brand new but sold at deep discounts because their external packaging was damaged. Typically, this means that flaws are purely cosmetic—but it’s always possible that the merchandise has suffered more serious damage. So, be sure to check out the appliances carefully and ask about included warranties.6 Expand your window treatment search. Window treatments can be surprisingly expensive, but it’s often possible to save by buying off-the-shelf offerings in standard sizes. If you need a custom size or material, consider ordering online from a discount supplier and installing them yourself. Shop secondhand. In addition to thrift stores and garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, and Craigslist are all great places to find deals in your area. Are alternative shopping sources still a stretch for your budget? Check out local Freecycle or “Buy Nothing” groups, which are often hosted on Facebook. Participants offer big and small items they no longer need—everything from furniture to clothing hangers—for free to other members.7,8 DON’T BE AFRAID TO NEGOTIATE FOR A BETTER DEAL Many people don’t realize that prices for home goods, from furniture to appliances, are often negotiable. While asking for a discount can be intimidating, it’s common practice in many industries, although more so at independently-owned stores than chains. Here are a few tips:9,10 Comparison shop before you walk into a store. If you can find a lower price for the same item elsewhere, many retailers will match it. Ask the store associate or manager for the best price
Renovate or Relocate? Tips To Help You Decide
Does your current home no longer serve your needs? Should you renovate or relocate?
First Time Home Buyers: How to Budget For a House
It’s not easy being a first time home buyer right now. At the end of last year, housing affordability hit an all-time low. Here are some workarounds to consider as you plot your first home purchase.
Stress-Free House Cleaning: 30 Practical Tips for Busy Households
House cleaning and keeping an orderly home is a challenge for many of us. Between busy work schedules, social obligations, and family commitments, it’s tough to keep up with daily chores—let alone larger seasonal tasks. The effort is worthwhile!
Selling Your Home: Sellers Checklist
If you want to maximize your sale price, it’s still important to prepare your home before putting it on the market. We have included a check list for your convenience.
Free Admission Days To Recreation In Florida
National Parks that typically charge an entrance fee will waive it on special days of each year, providing free admission to everyone on the following fives days listed below in 2023.
Florida Tool Time Sales Tax Holiday September 2022
Florida’s tool time sales tax holiday begins September 2, 2023, which means shoppers won’t pay sales tax on most of the things found on the tool time list! The Tool Time Sales Tax Holiday ends September 8, 2023.
8 Strategies to Secure Lower Mortgage Rate
8 Strategies to Secure a Lower Mortgage Rate This year, mortgage rates have been on a roller coaster ride, rising and falling amid inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty. Even the experts are divided about where rates are headed next1 when it comes to predictions. There is hope for you in that you might get a lower mortgage rate. This climate has been unsettling for some homebuyers and sellers. However, with proper planning, you can work toward qualifying for the best mortgage rates available today – and open up the possibility of refinancing at a lower mortgage rate in the future. How does a lower mortgage rate save you money? According to Trading Economics, the average new mortgage size in the United States is currently around $410,000.2 Let’s compare a 5.0% versus a 6.0% fixed interest rate on that amount over a 30-year term. Mortgage Rate (30-year fixed) Monthly Payment on $410,000 Loan(excludes taxes, insurance, etc.) Difference in Monthly Payment Total Interest Over 30 Years Difference in Interest 5.0% $2,200.97 $382,348.72 6.0% $2,458.16 + $257.19 $474,936.58 + $92,587.86 With a 5% rate, your monthly payments would be about $2,201. At 6%, those payments would jump to $2,458, or around $257 more. That adds up to a difference of almost $92,600 over the lifetime of the loan. In other words, shaving off just one percentage point on your mortgage could put nearly $100K in your pocket over time. Therefore, how can you improve your chances of securing a low mortgage rate? Try these eight strategies: 1. Raise your credit score. Borrowers with higher credit scores are viewed as “less risky” to lenders, so they are offered lower interest rates. A good credit score typically starts at 690 and can move up into the 800s.3 If you don’t know your score, check with your bank or credit card company to see if they offer free access. If not, there are a plethora of both free and paid credit monitoring services you can utilize. If your credit score is low, you can take steps to improve it, including:4 Correct any errors on your credit reports, which can bring down your score. You can access reports for free by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. Pay down revolving debt. This includes credit card balances and home equity lines of credit. Avoid closing old credit card accounts in good standing. It could lower your score by shortening your credit history and shrinking your total available credit. Make all future payments on time. Payment history is a primary factor in determining your credit score, so make it a priority. Limit your credit applications to avoid having your score dinged by too many inquiries. If you’re shopping around for a car loan or mortgage, minimize the impact by limiting your applications to a short period, usually 14 to 45 days.5 Over time, you should start to see your credit score climb — which will help you qualify for a lower mortgage rate. 2. Keep steady employment. If you are preparing to purchase a home, it might not be the best time to make a major career change. Unfortunately, frequent job moves or gaps in your résumé could hurt your borrower eligibility. When you apply for a mortgage, lenders will typically review your employment and income over the past 24 months.5 If you’ve earned a steady paycheck, you could qualify for a better interest rate. A stable employment history gives lenders more confidence in your ability to repay the loan. That doesn’t mean a job change will automatically disqualify you from purchasing a home. But certain moves, like switching from W-2 to 1099 (independent contractor) income, could throw a wrench in your home buying plans.6 3. Lower your debt-to-income ratios. Even with a high credit score and a great job, lenders will be concerned if your debt payments are consuming too much of your income. That’s where your debt-to-income (DTI) ratios will come into play. There are two types of DTI ratios:7 Front-end ratio — What percentage of your gross monthly income will go towards covering housing expenses (mortgage, taxes, insurance, and dues or association fees)? Back-end ratio — What percentage of your gross monthly income will go towards covering ALL debt obligations (housing expenses, credit cards, student loans, and other debt)? What’s considered a good DTI ratio? For better rates, lenders typically want to see a front-end DTI ratio that’s no higher than 28% and a back-end ratio that’s 36% or less.7 If your DTI ratios are higher, you can take steps to lower them, like purchasing a less expensive home or increasing your down payment. Your back-end ratio can also be decreased by paying down your existing debt. A bump in your monthly income will also bring down your DTI ratios. 4. Increase your down payment. Minimum down payment requirements vary by loan type. But, in some cases, you can qualify for a lower mortgage rate if you make a larger down payment.8 Why do lenders care about your down payment size? Because borrowers with significant equity in their homes are less likely to default on their mortgages. That’s why conventional lenders often require borrowers to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI) if they put down less than 20%. A larger down payment will also lower your overall borrowing costs and decrease your monthly mortgage payment since you’ll be taking out a smaller loan. Just be sure to keep enough cash on hand to cover closing costs, moving expenses, and any furniture or other items you’ll need to get settled into your new space. 5. Compare loan types. All mortgages are not created equal. The loan type you choose could save (or cost) you money depending on your qualifications and circumstances. For example, here are several common loan types available in the U.S. today:9 Conventional — These offer lower mortgage rates but have more stringent credit and down payment requirements than some other types. FHA — Backed
Discover Flavor Palm Beach September Event
Discover Flavor Palm Beach September Event Flavor Palm Beach is a month-long dining event, September 1 – 30, 2022, and was started in 2007 to introduce diners to the vast array of restaurants throughout Palm Beach County. To participate in Flavor Palm Beach, no tickets or passes are required. Simply make a reservation, visit the restaurant, and enjoy the food. You will experience menus that define the art of dining in The Palm Beaches, dishes found nowhere else. For an entire month, restaurants and bistros offer prix fixe [a meal consisting of several courses served at a total fixed price] menus for lunch and dinner to tempt you to taste the local cuisine from Jupiter to Boca Raton. Choose from the best restaurants and enjoy three-course lunches or dinners. Here’s your opportunity to try restaurants you’ve heard so much about – without breaking the bank. Plus any evening in September would make a great date night. With more than 60 restaurants, September is your month to discover the many flavors of The Palm Beaches. Flavor Palm Beach is a great time to savor the dining and culinary delights found throughout The Palm Beaches. From farm-fresh, organic, or sustainable to surf-and-turf or burgers and fries, the dining scene is savory and delicious variety. The restaurants participating in Flavor Palm Beach will satisfy your gourmet food cravings. Each restaurant has different entrees and a unique atmosphere from the others. Scroll through the menus of participating restaurants below and choose your favorite FLAVOR! Flavor Palm Beach – Participating Restaurants Includes Address, Phone Number, Lunch & Dinner Menus We highly recommend trying new restaurants this month during Flavor Palm Beach. Check out what others say about dining in The Palm Beaches. For more information, visit flavorpb.com. 2022 FLAVOR Palm Beach Restaurant List Palm Beach County September 1-30, 2022 2022 Flavor Palm Beach Official Logo COASTAL AMERICAN 3800 OCEAN, Singer Island AMBASSADOR GRILL, Palm Beach AQUA GRILLE, Juno Beach BLUE POINTE BAR AND GRILL, Tequesta BRANDON’S AT TIDELINE, Palm Beach BREEZE AT THE EAU, Palm Beach COOL’A FISH BAR, Palm Beach Gardens FIREFIN GRILL, Palm Beach Gardens FLORIE’S AT FOUR SEASONS, Palm Beach KEE GRILL, Juno Beach SEAWAY AT FOUR SEASONS, Palm Beach SEMINOLE REEF GRILL, North Palm Beach THE ATLANTIC GRILLE, Delray Beach TOMMY BAHAMA, Jupiter TWISTED TUNA, Jupiter MODERN AMERICAN ANGLE AT THE EAU, Palm Beach BARCELLO, North Palm Beach BRICK AND BARREL, Jupiter CAFE CHARDONNAY, Palm Beach Gardens CROSBY KITCHEN AND BAR, Jupiter FERN STREET, West Palm Beach GALLEY, West Palm Beach HONEYBELLE, Palm Beach Gardens JOSCO BAR AND OVEN, Tequesta PADDY MAC’S, Palm Beach Gardens PAVILLION GRILLE, Boca Raton RED LIGHT, West Palm Beach SEASONS 52, Palm Beach Gardens STADIUM GRILL, Jupiter TABLE 26, West Palm Beach THE WOODS, Jupiter SASSAFRAS, West Palm Beach THE SOSO, West Palm Beach ITALIAN AND GREEK CAFE CENTRO, West Palm Beach CASA MIA, Jupiter CUCINA CABANA, North Palm Beach EVO ITALIAN, Tequesta GRATO, West Palm Beach LA MASSERIA, Palm Beach Gardens LIMONCELLO, North Palm Beach POLPO AT THE EAU, Palm Beach SALUTE MARKET, Palm Beach Gardens TAVERN PI, Jupiter MANA GREEK FUSION, Jupiter FRENCH ALMOND PALM BEACH, Palm Beach CAFE BOULUD, Palm Beach CHEZ MARIE BISTRO, Boca Raton LA GOULUE, Palm Beach THE PARISIAN, Jupiter STEAK AND SEAFOOD AVALON STEAK AND SEAFOOD, Delray Beach RAINDANCER STEAKHOUSE, West Palm Beach RUTH’S CHRIS, Boca Raton RUTH’S CHRIS, West Palm Beach THE BUTCHER’S CLUB, Palm Beach Gardens WARREN, Delray Beach ASIAN INSPIRED KAPOW NOODLE BAR, West Palm Beach KAPOW NOODLE BAR, Boca Raton LATIN-INSPIRED CASA CANA, Tequesta CALAVERAS CANTINA, Jupiter SPECIALTY MELTING POT, Boca Raton MELTING POT, Palm Beach Gardens PADDY MACS, Palm Beach Gardens PLANTA, West Palm Beach WYNDHAM LOBBY BAR, Jupiter Now… to Real Estate in Palm Beach County Search Condos & Homes For Sale in SE Florida Ready to Buy, Sell, Rent, or Invest in Real Estate? Get tips from 40+ years of experience as Realtors® and Custom Home Builders. Let’s chat…. coffee on us! Schedule a FREE Consultation Doug Martin Realtor® Emeritus Broker 561-339-3299 Email Me Featured Articles Blog Posts Browse All Posts
Home Sellers: Avoid These 7 Costly Mistakes
Whatever your circumstances, the road to the closing table can be riddled with obstacles — from issues with showings and negotiations to inspection surprises. But many of these complications are avoidable.
July 4th Independence Day Celebrations
The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day or July 4th, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. But the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.
Overcome Inflation With Real Estate Investments
The Top Home Design Trends for 2022 are represented in the above photo. Key words: warm, inviting, minimalist, back to nature, rounded, earth tones, variety of textures. These design trends will be covered in this article.
Home Buyers: 10 Step Buying Process
Home Buyers: 10 Step Buying Process 1. Save Your Down Payment Many people believe you need a 20% down payment to buy a home. There are loans available that allow buyers to put down as little as 3% or 0% with a VA or USDA Loan. 2. Know Your Credit Score Your credit score is a numeric representation of your history and ability to pay back debts in the past. Different home loans have different credit requirements. Save credit card purchases until after you close on your mortgage… to improve your credit score. 3. Find a Real Estate Agent Once you have a handle on your credit score and down payment savings, the Martin Group 561-339-1779 can guide you through the home buying process. 4. Get Mortgage Pre-Approval We can give you a list of lenders from which you can choose the one you want to work with to get pre-approved for your mortgage loan. This will help keep you on budget during the next step! 5. Go House Shopping Make a list of what you want vs. what you need in your next home. The Martin Group of Realtors® will use this list to find homes for you to tour. We make the appointments for you after your approval of our list. 6. Make an offer Using our 50 years of experience as real estate agents, the Martin Group will help you determine the best price to offer in the current market for the home. In a competitive market, you may net be the only one bidding and will want to stand out! 7. Get a Home Inspection Once your offer is accepted, you will want to have the home inspected professionally to ensure there are not any hidden issues with the home. We can furnish a reliable list of home inspectors. 8. Get a Home Appraisal Your lender will arrange for a home appraisal to ensure that the property is worth the price that you have agreed to pay for it. The bank will only issue a loan for the appraised value. 9. Close the Sale Once your loan is approved, your lender will schedule a closing date. This is the day you sign all your paperwork with a Title Company to complete the purchase and get the keys to your home. 10. Move In Congratulations! You are now the owner of the home! And time to move in. The Martin Group can give you some recommendations for moving companies. This is the beginning of your next phase in life. Enjoy! CONGRATULATIONS! Summary of 10 Step Home Buying Process Ready to Begin the Buying Process? We have many more tips to help you… Let’s Talk! Schedule A FREE Consultation Doug Martin Realtor® Broker 561-339-3299 Email Me
Ways to Safely Show and Sell Your Home
Follow these key guidelines during in-person showings of homes to protect health & well-being of all.
Top 10 Tips for Selling Your Home
Top 10 Tips for Selling Your Home Decide if you are really ready to sell. Here are a few thoughts to consider: Getting your home ready to sell and hiring the right people have costs with time, money, and emotions. Homeowners tend to love their homes. Make sure you’re emotionally ready to let go. Low interest rates are projected to continue to the end of this year. If space or functionality is the issue, sometimes taking out loans for renovations could be a better fit for you than going to a larger house and a bigger mortgage payment. 1 Selling Options If you want to sell your home faster, then the first step is to hire a professional real estate agent or a licensed Realtor®. The ideal person will know the local market and able to provide you with a professional CMA or Comparative Market Analysis of your home with the others in your area. Keep in mind that a Realtor® will help with the entire process, from hiring a professional photographer who will take top-notch photos of your home to negotiating for the best price. Realtors® also write a real estate listing that sells your home. Planning and hosting showings of your home, as well as marketing your property to get it seen by buyers, is included in their services. Another option is to sell your home yourself, known as FSBO or For Sale By Owner. Everything done is up to you, the owner. Contact the Martin Group of Realtors® at 561-339-1779 for your FREE consultation, without any obligation. 2 De-clutter, De-personalize, Clean De-clutter: Take half the stuff out of your closets, then neatly organize what’s left. Rearrange the furniture so your home looks inviting and so buyers can move through your home without bumping into anything. If necessary, put bulky items in storage. A crowded room looks like a small room. De-personalize: Remove all your family photos and memorabilia. You want buyers to see the house as a home for their family, not yours. Remove political and religious items, your children’s artwork (and everything else) from the refrigerator and anything that marks the house as your territory rather than neutral territory. The same goes for any collections such as figurines, sports memorabilia or kids’ toys that can make a buyer think less about the house and more about you. Family photos can be replaced by neutral art or removed entirely – just be sure to remove any nails and repair nail holes where any hanging photos used to be. Clean Everything! Nothing turns off buyers like a dirty house. Hire a company to deep clean if you can’t do it yourself. When your home is on the market, no matter what time of day, it should be clean and neat. Key places to keep clean while your home is on the market include: kitchen countertops, inside kitchen cabinets and appliances, floors and room corners where dust collects, shelves, bathroom countertops and cabinets, toilets, tubs and showers, inside closets, windows, inside and out, walls, baseboards, doors and garage. 3 Make Minor Repairs Focus on quick repairs to address things that could deter potential buyers. Survey the house and you can probably take care of the easy repairs yourself: Fix loose tiles, leaky faucets, paint scuffed areas on walls, fresh coat of paint on outside of front door, tighten door knobs and handles, fix mailboxes, deep clean carpet or replace when there are pet stains, and replace nonworking light bulbs and smoke detectors. Depending on how much time and money you want to spend getting the home ready, you might also need to update fixtures, buy new appliances, install new hardware on the cabinets, and give the interior a fresh coat of Depending on how much time and money you want to spend getting the home ready, you might also want to update fixtures, buy new appliances, install new hardware on the cabinets, and give the interior a fresh coat of light neutral paint color. 4 Refresh Flooring Deep Clean or Replace Carpeting Clean, Buff, or Refinish Hardwood Floors Clean, Buff or Replace Tile 5 Landscape the Front Yard If you want to sell quickly, then it’s essential to make a good first impression. And the first thing a buyer sees is a home’s exterior and how it fits into the surrounding neighborhood. To boost your home’s curb appeal: Paint the front door, plant colorful blooming flowers, sweep away spiderwebs and debris from windows, eaves, and porches.Wash the windows inside and outside, fix broken light fixtures and mailboxes. Make sure the trees, shrubs, and lawn are kept nicely trimmed. Plus get patios, sidewalks, porch ceilings, driveways and house pressure-washed, if needed. Keep in mind that a tidy exterior not only looks nice, but also signals to potential buyers that you’ve taken good care of the place. 6 Offer Buyers Some Extras Another way to make the home purchase more attractive to a buyer is to offer something to sweeten the deal. You could offer, for example, to pay some or all of the closing costs. Buyers are looking for a deal, especially since the price of sold homes have increased in the 2022 market. Another tip is to offer a transferable home warranty, which provides discounted repair and replacement services for household appliances and systems. A potential buyer may feel more at ease knowing that the home is protected, which could make your home more attractive than a competing home. Do your best to make the buyers feel that they are getting something extra with your home that other listings do not have. 7 Determine Best Selling Price Price it right to sell quickly! One of the most effective ways to sell your home fast is to price it competitively. And be ready to lower the price if you don’t have any offers by a certain date. If your home is overpriced, it will take a lot longer to sell plus you probably will end up selling it for much less.
10 Tips to Buy and Sell A Home at the Same Time
What will I do if I sell my home before I can buy the next house? Ten Tips are given in this article to help you when faced with this challenge of buying and selling a home at the same time..