*2024 Real Estate Market Reports Palm Beach County Florida
Palm Beach County Market Reports’ Summary of Single Family Homes and Condos in this month 2024 with Stats and SOLD Housing Trends. Buying or Selling, Text/ Call 561-339-1779 to set-up FREE Consultation.
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.
Save Money on Florida Home Insurance
This 7 strategy article presents expert advice and practical solutions to navigate Florida’s evolving insurance landscape, empowering homeowners to secure comprehensive coverage without breaking the bank.
Palm Beach Gardens Report Real Estate Market
Palm Beach Gardens report of current real estate trends is slightly in a sellers’ market. The Martin Group of Realtors® can help you sell or buy a property. Text or call our office: 561-339-1779 for more info.
Downsize Your Home To Optimize Your Life
Downsize your home to optimize your life. It may be time to trade unused square footage for a smaller, more manageable space. Included are tips to make this adjustment much easier for you.
Real Estate Market Forecast: Opportunities for Home Buyers and Sellers in 2024
Real Estate Market Forecast: Trends for this year show many opportunities for home buyers and sellers in 2024. Look for interest rates and the number of houses listed to change.
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
My Home Didn’t Sell… Now What?
My Home Didn’t Sell… Now What? We’ve outlined the top five reasons a home doesn’t sell—and action steps you can take to overcome each of these issues.
10 Tips to Attract the Best Offers for Your Home
Several articles have been released concerning home design trends in 2023. We have chosen ten of these designs that you could try, as a do-it-yourself project, to update your property this year.
How to Avoid Home Buyer’s Remorse
Several articles have been released concerning home design trends in 2023. We have chosen ten of these designs that you could try, as a do-it-yourself project, to update your property this year.