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Marco Island Condos, Marco Island Real Estate, Marco Island Homes for Sale, Marco Island Luxury Homes

Waterfront Luxury Home Specialist

239.821.7926
Cathy.Rogers@Sothebysrealty.com

Gorgeous, Salt-Tolerant Native Flowers For South Florida Properties

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[ Image by Bob Peterson]

If you have a home in Marco Island or any South Florida coastal county, be sure to choose salt-tolerant native flowers to make landscaping a breeze! Native flowers always do better at home and for properties with salty soils and salty breezes, salt-tolerant native flowers do much better. It can help increase your property value to have healthy, strong, flowers around your property. So, do consider salt-tolerant native flowers over other types of flowers. These flower require the least amount of maintenance in our area!

Check out our favorite salt-tolerant native flowers for South Florida coastal properties: Crinum Lily, Blanket Flower, Swamp Sunflower, Beach Sunflower, Wild Sage, and Powderpuff. Also, visit this page from the University of Florida IFAS Extension for other landscaping ideas.

Are You Buying a Home on Marco Island?

Considering buying a home on Marco Island? We’d love to help you find one that’s just right for your needs.

First, check out available Marco Island area properties using this helpful search tool. If it’s easier, you can just call us at 239-821-7926 or get in touch with us online to let us know what you’re looking for. We’re happy to contact you however you prefer. Then, we’ll start searching our databases right away using criteria you specify!

In the meantime, you can also easily explore Marco Island real estate by price:

Also, to stay current on the latest listing and community events, connect with your Marco Island area expert on Facebook or Twitter!

Selling Your Home Down The Road? Solar Panels Might Be A Good Investment

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First time home buyers are willing to pay more for solar panels.

If you’re thinking of selling your home in the future, you might consider investing in solar panels. Most people installing solar panels think about their own energy cost savings. Here’s something else to consider though. First-time home buyers are really into solar panels, according to the latest data.

They’re so into solar panels that entry-level listings with solar panels in the descriptions sold for up to 40 percent more than predicted!

This next generation of home buyers see solar panels already installed as a long term investment. Right now might be the single best time to install solar panels to your home if you plan on selling down the road. Why? Let’s say you plan to sell in two years. Well, if you install solar panels this year, not only will you reap the benefit of millennial home buyers fighting over your house, willing to pay 40 percent more than we’d predict, but it’s not too late yet for you to benefit from the federal solar tax credit!

So, the cost isn’t nearly what it looks like at first glance. If you purchase solar panels now, then when you file taxes in 2019, you can get almost one-third of that cost right back in your pocket next year as a tax credit. A 10,000 system would cost seven grand when you factor that in. And if young home buyers are willing to pay up to 40 percent more than predicted for their first home, these make a sound investment.

Now, while Florida doesn’t have the same solar incentives as some other states, there is one other incentive. Florida homes have tremendous solar energy generating capabilities. Under the law they have to credit customers for net excess energy generation in a month. So, if you generate more energy than you use, you’ll get paid for that energy.

Are You Buying a Home on Marco Island?

Considering buying a home on Marco Island? We’d love to help you find one that’s just right for your needs.

First, check out available Marco Island area properties using this helpful search tool. If it’s easier, you can just call us at 239-821-7926 or get in touch with us online to let us know what you’re looking for. We’re happy to contact you however you prefer. Then, we’ll start searching our databases right away using criteria you specify!

In the meantime, you can also easily explore Marco Island real estate by price:

Also, to stay current on the latest listing and community events, connect with your Marco Island area expert on Facebook or Twitter!

Four 1-Hour Upgrades to Boost Your Curb Appeal

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Quick Upgrades to Boost Curb Appeal - Sell Home Marco Island

If you’re selling your home on Marco Island region, you already have location on your side… and you probably already know the importance of staging your home well and maximizing its curb appeal. Beyond cleaning, painting and landscaping, a few quick projects can greatly improve the way your home looks to passers-by.

Get a New Mailbox

It might surprise you how much a new mailbox can increase your home’s appeal from the street. Whether your mailbox affixes to the house or greets visitors at the end of your driveway, it is often the first thing people see then they approach your home. That makes updating your mailbox a prime opportunity to make a great first impression.

Install New House Numbers

Every person who comes for a showing will be actively looking for these numbers. They’ll have looked at the numbers on neighboring homes, as well, as they approach. Fresh new numbers are another great way to make your home stands out as the best-looking one in the neighborhood.

Invest in a New Porch Light

You should be able to install a stylish new porch light fixture in less time than it takes to prepare dinner. Choose a nice, bright LED fixture for energy efficiency—highly desirable to buyers. Homebuyers will be doubly impressed if you include features such as motion and light sensors.

Add a Pair of Planters

Twin planters flanking the front door create a welcoming look. Greenery and flowers have universal appeal, and the symmetry looks clean and inviting.

Are You Selling a Home on Marco Island?

If you’re thinking of selling your home on Marco Island, let us give you a free comparative market analysis. We’ll tell you exactly how much your home is worth under current market conditions, which will help you settle on the right listing price.

When you’re ready, call us at 239.821.7926 or get in touch with us online.

 

How to Stage a Closet for Home Sales

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how to stage your closet - marco island homes for sale

 

When your home is on the market, what’s in your closet can be as important as the condition of your yard and the size of your kitchen. Some buyers will even check your closets for key clues as to who you are and how you live. Here are some easy ways for you to spruce up your closet and send the best message to potential buyers.

A Unisex Closet May Make the Best Impression

If the closet of your master bedroom has only one gender’s clothing, you might not think anything of it, but an intuitive buyer might take this as a sign of a troubled marriage. This might make them suspect that you are going through a divorce and need to sell quickly, so they will offer lower than normal. As such, it’s best to keep men’s and women’s clothing in the same closet space and not fuel anyone’s imagination.

Take a Minimalist Approach

Because cluttered closets look smaller, only store what you absolutely need, and leave as much room as you can. Even if you have a large closet and are just messy by nature, the homebuyer will not give you the benefit of the doubt as they take a look at the closet space for themselves. In their mind, if your stuff barely fits, how can theirs?

Don’t Give Away Your Income Bracket

Keep all of your personal paperwork out of the closet, including tax returns, utility bills, and credit card statements. Don’t try to impress homebuyers by displaying only your fanciest clothing as you may give them the wrong impression that the house is out their price range. At the same time, be sure to keep any “junk clothes” out of sight.

Are You Ready to Sell a Home on Marco Island?

If you’re thinking about selling your home on Marco Island, we’d love to help you. Call us at 239.821.7926 or get in touch with us online so we can tell you about our innovative marketing strategies that help our clients sell their homes faster – and at the right price.

Upgrades vs. Repairs: What to Do When Your Marco Island Home is on the Market

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Repairs vs Upgrades - Sell a Home on Marco Island

When you’re thinking about putting your home on the market, you’re probably wondering whether repairs or upgrades will pay off.

Unfortunately, not all work you put into your home comes back to you by way of profit when you sell.

So which repairs and upgrades are most likely to pay off in the end?

Repairs vs. Upgrades in Your Marco Island Home

When you’re selling your home, it’s entirely up to you whether you should make repairs or upgrades. If they fit within your budget, and if they’ll make financial sense when you sell, by all means – tackle those projects!

However, you need to know which will have the most benefit before you start making your “To Do” list.

Quick Fixes

Many “quick fixes” can pay off big when you decide to sell your Marco Island home. Those include:

  • Caulking doors and windows
  • Fixing and repainting fences
  • Fixing cracked concrete
  • Painting walls and ceilings

Upgrades

Many REALTORS®® will tell you that you shouldn’t spend a lot of money on upgrades if you’re putting your home on the market. However, small upgrades – such as modernizing faucets, light fixtures and other fixed pieces in your home – may make a big difference in what buyers are willing to pay.

Other upgrades that may pay off include:

  • Staining and refinishing cabinets
  • Adding energy-efficient appliances

In most cases, big upgrades don’t pay off as well as small ones do (just ask HGTV; their pros say that even if you redo your entire bathroom, you’ll only end up adding $200 to your profits).

Thinking of Upgrading?

Before you make any decisions on whether to upgrade or repair your home before you sell it, talk to your REALTOR®. Because your REALTOR® knows what’s going on throughout the Marco Island real estate market, he or she will be able to tell you whether it’s better to save your energy or put some effort into boosting your home’s worth.

If you’re thinking of selling a home on Marco Island, we can help. Call us at 239.821.7926 or get in touch with us online. We’ll help you sell your Marco Island home quickly and at the right price!

 

5 Tips for Staging Your Marco Island Home

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Marco Island Home Staging Tips - Marco Island Homes for Sale

When you’re selling your home on Marco Island, you want it to look its best – and in order to do that, you need to stage it to maximize its appeal to buyers. The goal is to create a space that potential buyers can see themselves living in, because when that happens, they’re more likely to make an offer.

5 Expert Home-Staging Tips

You don’t have to hire a professional home stager before you put your home on the market. In fact, with the right guidance, you can do it all yourself.

Aside from ensuring your home is spotlessly clean (which includes saving a set of new bathroom towels to put out for showings and having an arsenal of lightly fragranced candles), the five best things you can do to stage your house are:

  1. Boost your home’s curb appeal. Your home has to look its best from the outside because it creates the first impression for potential buyers. Make sure you pull weeds, rake up all the lawn clippings and trim your shrubs. Plant seasonal flowers or add seasonal décor to the porch (don’t go overboard on the décor, though!) to add a little something extra.
  2. Fix any issues you can. It’s easy to fix dripping faucets and replace window screens, touch up paint and handle small cosmetic issues. Although they’re really small problems, potential buyers can see them as an indication that there are bigger problems lurking beneath the surface.
  3. Try to minimize your presence. Remove your personal effects, including family photos and eccentric décor so potential buyers can see themselves living in your home.
  4. Maximize the appearance of space by rearranging (or removing) some of your furniture. Move your furniture so it creates easy traffic flow, even if it means putting some pieces in storage. You don’t want buyers to feel as if rooms are crowded or cluttered; you want them to envision their own furniture in each room.
  5. Declutter everything. Remember that potential buyers will open cupboards, look in drawers and open closets. Minimize what you have in each so that buyers see how much space is available; if your bedroom closet is stuffed to overflowing, remove more than half of your clothes and put them in storage. Put extra kitchen appliances in storage (are you really using the juicer or the breadmaker?) and line up the coffee mugs neatly.

Are You Selling a Home on Marco Island?

If you’re selling your Marco Island home, we can help you do it quickly and at the right price.

Call us at 239.821.7926 or get in touch with us online. We’ll answer your questions about marketing, your home’s value and anything else you’d like to know.

 

Autumn Home Staging: How to Set Your Home Up to Match the Warm, Rich Colors of Autumn

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Autumn Home Staging: How to Set Your Home Up to Match the Warm, Rich Colors of AutumnCan you believe that autumn is already here? Autumn is not only a great time to enjoy some cooler weather, but it is also a perfect time to sell a home. If you want to sell your house this autumn, these home staging tips will have buyers pounding down your door.

Improve Your Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is easily the most important factor when it comes to selling a home, and it is even more important in the autumn. Maintaining great curb appeal can be difficult in autumn because of all the falling leaves.

Raking the leaves and planting some autumn flowers will make your home inviting to buyers. You can even add some pumpkins around the porch, if you desire.

Brighten Up The House

The shorter days of autumn make lighting more important when staging a home, because nobody wants to walk into a dark and depressing house. The best way to brighten up any house is by opening the blinds and turning on every light.

While it may not be great for the electric bill, the extra lighting will help the home sell quicker. You can even place some spotlights on the floor behind furniture to brighten up the darker rooms.

Make It Feel Comfortable

There is something about the cooling weather of autumn that makes people want to stay inside. Showing off how comfortable your home is will definitely pique buyers’ interest. A great way to make your home more cozy during a showing is by playing seasonal music and handing out some fresh baked cookies – it adds a personal touch and a subtle sense of coziness.

Accent The Home With Autumn Colors

While it is impossible to change the color scheme of your home to fit the season, you can add some accent colors throughout the house. If you have a neutral colored couch, then you can easily throw some red or orange pillows on it to make it really stand out. Adding some autumn decorations to each room is also a great way to accent your home with autumn colors.

Autumn is an extremely popular time to buy or sell a house, and for good reason. Taking advantage of autumn’s vibrant colors when you stage your home will give your house an irresistible appeal. For more information about how to sell your home in the autumn, or if you’d like to list your home for sale, contact an experienced real estate professional today.

You Ask, We Answer: Understanding the Real Estate ‘Short Sale’ and How This Process Works

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You Ask, We Answer: Understanding the Real Estate 'Short Sale' and How This Process WorksA short sale is something that occurs when a homeowner is not able to make the mortgage payments on time due to a financial hardship. Instead of foreclosing on the property after one or more missed payments, the bank may agree to allow the homeowner to turn the home over to the bank, which will sell it to as close to market value as possible.

Here’s what you need to know about how short sales work and what circumstances might call for one.

Step 1: The Homeowner Provides Information To The Bank

The first step in the short sale process is for the homeowner to submit an information package to the bank. The homeowner will provide information such as the reason for the short sale, an authorization letter allowing the real estate agent to talk to the bank, and a financial statement. In addition, the seller may need to provide an HUD-1 statement as well as a list of comparable homes in the area.

Step 2: The Buyer Makes An Offer

Once the house is put on the market, a buyer can make an offer just as he or she would on any other home. The seller will then have the opportunity to accept any offer that he or she receives from a prospective buyer.

Step 3: The Bank Makes A Decision About The Offer

Once the seller accepts an offer to buy the home on short sale, the seller is responsible for sending information about the sale to the bank. Before the sale is finalized, the bank must approve the buyer’s offer. It could take as little as two weeks or as long as 120 days for the bank to approve the offer.

However, not all short sales are immediately approved. The seller’s bank bank might decline the buyer’s offer for one reason or another. A bank may decline a short sale offer if the bank negotiator thinks the house is worth more than the buyer’s offer or if the seller violates a clause in the short sale agreement – such as moving out of the property and violating a clause that states only owner-occupied properties are eligible for short sale.

Buying a home that is being sold as a short sale requires patience and an ability to move at the bank’s pace. Working closely with an experienced lender or mortgage broker may make it easier to get through the process without a lot of hassle or drama. For more information about short sales, or to complete a short sale on your property, contact a local real estate agent today.

Contact Cathy


239.821.7926
Cathy.Rogers@Sothebysrealty.com