Category: News and Information

Choosing an Orlando Realtor, Technology Vs. Experience

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Choosing an Orlando Realtor

The younger generation is all about using the latest technology available to communicate socially as well as promote their career no matter what profession they are in. Young Orlando real estate agents especially rely on using the latest technology thinking that this will give them some kind of edge over more experienced Orlando Realtors. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I think it’s better to have a balance of both the old and new school way of doing things. But if I had to pick one way or another, I would go old school strictly because more experienced agents are just that…more experienced.

 

There’s just no substitute for good old-fashioned “been there, done that” experience. It’s kind of like the soldier that’s worked his way up the ranks through being on the battlefield as opposed to another soldier with the same rank spending all of his time inside of a classroom. Which one would you rather have at your side in a real situation? I don’t know about you, but I will pick the battle-tested soldier every time!

 

Lately, I see newer real estate agents that are really skilled at using the latest technology but they lack the basics of what it really means to be a really good real estate agent. I’m talking about what to do when you’re face to face with a seller or buyer on an appointment. Learning how to do a good old fashion presentation of what services they can offer as a real estate agent and not just how many real estate apps you have on your smartphone or how many likes you have on your Facebook Fan Page. At the end of the day, those aren’t the most important things that will enable someone to become a quality real estate agent.

I’m always hearing about RE offices having training courses where newer agents that are tech-savvy teach older agents about technology. I think this is a great idea for older agents that want to get up to speed on the latest real estate tools and technology. However, I think it would also be beneficial to have the more experienced agents teach newbie agents about the basics. I would even go so far as to not allow any i phones or computers of any kind during the training to really get the point across that it’s not all about technology. Why not have new agents go out on a ride-along with the more experienced agents, then discuss what could’ve been done differently to make it a more successful appointment.

 

The Best Option is Hiring an Experienced Orlando Realtor That is Also Tech-Savvy

I’ve been an Orlando real estate agent since 2005, and when this whole wave of new technology hit the real estate profession, I learned very quickly that I would need to keep up with it or it would hurt my business. In our brokerage “Orlando Realty Consultants” technology is absolutely essential because of the number of clients that we have. We have systems in place to help us streamline our business as well as keep things organized and running smoothly.

Real estate buyers and sellers these days are very demanding and they have every right to be.  After all, buying or selling a house is one of the most important transactions that will occur in someone’s lifetime. The real estate software that we use in our company enables us to communicate often and easily with our clients keeping them in the loop with almost daily updates of what’s happening with their house. We also have a tool on our website that makes it extremely easy for buyers to search out homes that are for sale throughout the state of Florida from the comfort of their own homes…Just like a pro!

 

So I think that when you’re looking for a real estate to handle your home buying or selling needs, try to find one that is not only experienced but is also familiar with the technology. By doing this, you will have the best of what both worlds have to offer to make your experience far more pleasant while striving to achieve your real estate goals.

 

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The Benefits of Professional Carpet Cleaning

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

A carpet is used to cover the floor and enhance the beauty of the home. There is a wide variety of carpets available in different colors, materials, and designs. Along with enhancing the beauty of the home, a carpet also protects the floor from any marks or scratches. However, it is extremely necessary to keep carpet in a clean and hygienic condition to improve the appearance of home and extend the lifespan of your expensive carpet.

Getting your carpet cleaned by a professional company offers numerous benefits. There are many companies, which provide professional service for carpet cleaning. When you are looking for professional service of carpet cleaning, hire a company which has the experience and expertise in cleaning all types of carpets.

When it comes to carpet cleaning, many householders think that they can take up the job of cleaning and save some money. In reality, if the cleaning of carpet is not being handled by the professionals, it can reduce the usability of the carpet and degrade its beauty. Changing a carpet very often might cause a big hole in your pocket. So, saving some money may actually make you pay unnecessarily for a new carpet every time. Therefore, hire a professional carpet cleaner and enjoy numerous benefits as mentioned below:

•           Hygienic: Cleaning a carpet not only means wiping out the dust but killing the germs, fungus and bacteria, as well.  If you don’t hire a professional and clean the carpet on your own, there are chances that the hidden bacteria and germs may still survive in the carpet. On the other hand, professional service providers for carpet cleaning in Katy use high-end machinery and equipments that not only wipes dust but kills harmful germs, as well.

•           Periodic cleaning: Most of the householders hate the job of carpet cleaning and keep avoiding it until the extreme need arises. If you are one of such householders, you can handover the task of cleaning to professional service providers. Professional cleaners regularly make visits to your home as per your agreement with them and clean up your carpet. This keeps your carpet clean and new looking every time and saves you from last minute hassle.

•           Safety concerns: Cleaning a carpet may also require shifting some of the furniture from one side of house to another. If you don’t have an experience of such kind of work, you might hurt yourself during shifting and adjusting the furniture. There is also probability that your expensive furniture may break apart. Professional cleaners know the tricks and tactics of removing the furniture and reinstalling it. This will save your expensive furniture from cracks and breakages. More importantly, you will not get hurt during the cleaning process.

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Putting Your Home On The Market: 5 Curb Appeal Tips For The Winter

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Selling your home in the winter is a little harder than selling it during the summer. Shoppers are so busy with the holidays that they don’t want to even think about buying a new home, and other shoppers hate dealing with the snow and ice. Increasing the curb appeal during the winter can help you get your house sold.

Change the Lighting

Depending on where you live, the sun might set as early as five pm at night, which is the same time that people leave work. Adding some new lighting to your home can make the house look brighter and livelier, but those lights will also give potential buyers a better look at the property. Outdoor lighting is something that is often forgotten about in homes. By giving your home a good look at night you can see where a little extra something would be very welcomed.

Add Some Decorations

While some experts tell you that you should get rid of clutter and anything that makes your house look lived in that advice doesn’t apply during the holidays. Shoppers want to imagine how they would feel living there, opening their gifts on Christmas day and celebrating with friends. Adding an inflatable Santa, decorating the trees and shrubs with lights or hanging pine from your porch gives your home a festive look.

You basically want to make the house look a bit on the neutral side, so your potential buyers can see themselves in your home, but also homey. It is a bit of a fine line, but portraying the right look with your home during the holidays can really help your house fly off the market.

Take Care of Pests

When the temperature drops, rodents and pests look for places to hide. You might find squirrels living in the eaves, mice hiding in your porch or even raccoons nesting under your home. If you need help with companies can help. You don’t need to worry about sliding on the ice, injuring yourself under the porch or even suffering from bites.

Eliminate Ice and Snow

As much as you might like the look of those icicles hanging from your roof, shoppers look at those icicles as a potential hazard. Now is the time to shovel the walk, take care of the built up snow that ice trucks left in your yard and get rid of snow and ice hanging from the roof. Remember that the way your home looks says a lot to the potential buyers. By staying on top of these seemingly small ideas, the message can say a lot more.

Bring in Some New Plants

A bright pop of color can make your home instantly look more inviting and welcoming. While you can’t use all types of flowers during the winter months, you can find some cold-weather plants. Poinsettias, certain types of ivy and witch hazel all thrive in cold weather.

Despite what some people might say, you can sell your house easily during the winter. You need to get your house ready for potential buyers with a little bit of curb appeal from holiday decorations and cold-weather plants you place outside.

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Do I Need Mover’s Insurance? 4 Benefits of Purchasing Mover’s Insurance

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Most people spend weeks or even months planning their next move, but they don’t think twice about insurance. Some assume that their homeowners‘ policy covers any damage, while others think the movers will pay for those damages. If you find yourself moving soon, check out four simple reasons why you need the right insurance.

Moving Companies Aren’t Liable for Damages

Moving companies agree to pick up your items from one location and move those items to your final destination. In the hopes of making you sign a contract quickly, most companies will tell you that your price includes the cost of insurance. The only problem is that this insurance doesn’t cover the actual cost of your belongings. Companies will pay you a price of $.10 to $.30 per pound for anything broken or damaged during the move. Moving insurance will give you the actual replacement value of those items.

Insurance Covers Items in the Truck

Even if your homeowners policy covers your belongings, the policy often won’t cover items in transport. Your insurance covers anything inside your home, and it will provide coverage to belongings in your new home, but the policy doesn’t apply when you hire a moving company. Moving insurance kicks in from the moment those movers arrive at your house and stick with you until the movers unpack the truck at your new home.

Easy Filing of Claims

Filing a claim with most companies is easy. You can visit the company’s website, log into your account and complete any necessary paperwork. Other companies let you contact a representative over the phone, and that customer service rep will walk you through the process of filing a claim. The insurer will then either send you a check through the mail or deposit the money directly into your checking account.

Peace of Mind

The number one benefit associated with buying moving insurance is that it gives you peace of mind. Why should you worry about your family heirlooms and the precious valuables that you collected over the years? The last time that you moved, you probably worried and wondered from the moment the truck left your sight, but with moving insurance, you no longer need to worry. If those workers break or damage anything on the truck, your insurer will cover your loss.

Planning a move might take a long time, but you can feel better about your move with the right insurance. Your policy will cover damage, breakage, and even theft, and unless you don’t care about your belongings, it is worth the investment. You might think to yourself, “is it worth the money?” Compare prices so that you can make sure you are getting a fair price, but in the long run, movers insurance will really help you be safe rather than sorry.

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5 Warning Signs Your Home Alarm System is Obsolete

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Your home security system is only as strong as the technology behind it. A good home security company will go the extra mile to stay up to date with technology and change your system as new products become available. If your current system has one or more problems, it might be time to update that old obsolete system.

No Home Automation

Home automation is a feature offered by Vivint, ADT and other companies. Whether you choose Vivint home automation or a system from another company, you have the chance to use your alarm system to control the thermostat, appliances and other things in your home. Outdated systems won’t offer this feature.

Lack of Remote Control

The newest alarm systems give you remote access. You can log into your account from your phone, tablet or computer, and the system will let you take a look at security footage, turn the alarm system on and off or even control the lights. An obsolete system will still have just one panel that you must control from inside your house.

Importance of Yard Sign

Does your alarm company still talk about the importance of having a sign in your yard or on your window? While these signs were once an effective warning system to potential thieves, homeowners can now buy those signs even if they don’t purchase an alarm system. If your security company still makes this feature a selling point, move on.

Still Hardwired

Old security systems once used a hardwired connection. While there are a number of benefits to hardwired connections, the best systems now use wireless connections. You don’t need to worry about cutting into your walls, tripping over wires or dealing with hardware failures.

No Panic Button

A panic button lets you push a single button, which will emit a loud beeping noise that scares robbers and sends an alert to the security company at the same time. If your system has a panic button on your main console, you might need a newer system. These newer security alarms let you carry a panic button with you to reach help from anywhere in your home.

Having an alarm system in your home protects your family against robbers, thieves, vandals and anyone else who wants to do them harm. If you still rely on an old or outdated system, it’s time for an upgrade. Alarm companies now make systems that come with wireless designs, remote panic buttons and even total home automation.

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