The Importance of Homeowner’s Insurance!

Homeowner’s insurance is the most important protection for your most valuable asset – your home.

However, the cost of homeowner’s insurance can be a significant expense for many homeowners. The cost varies depending on several factors, such as the value of your home, your location, and your insurance history.

Location

One of the most significant factors that can impact the cost of homeowner’s insurance is the location of your home. If you live in an area that is prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes or floods, your insurance rates may be higher. This is because the risk of damage to your home is higher in these areas, which means the insurance company is taking on a greater risk by insuring your property.

Flood insurance is an important protection for homeowners in areas that are at risk of flooding. Homeowner’s insurance typically does not cover flood damage, which means you need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy if you want this coverage.

Flood insurance can be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or through private insurance companies. The cost of flood insurance can vary depending on the risk of flooding in your area, the value of your home, and other factors.

If you live in a flood-prone area, it is important to consider purchasing flood insurance to protect your home and belongings. You can access this information on the FEMA flood map.

Age

Another factor that can impact the cost of homeowners insurance is the age and condition of your home. If your home is older or has not been well-maintained, the insurance company may consider it a higher risk and charge you a higher premium. Similarly, if your home has certain features that make it more susceptible to damage, such as a swimming pool or a wood-burning stove, your rates may be higher.

History

Your insurance history can also impact the cost of your homeowner’s insurance. If you have a history of filing claims, insurance companies may view you as a higher risk and charge you higher premiums. Similarly, if you have a poor credit score, insurance companies may consider you a higher risk and charge you more for coverage.

While the cost of homeowners insurance can be a significant expense, it is important to have this protection for your home. Without insurance, you could be at risk of losing everything in the event of a disaster or accident.

To keep your rates as low as possible, consider taking steps to reduce your risk, such as installing a security system or doing home repairs. You can also shop around for insurance quotes to find the best rate for your needs.

Fraudulent Claims

Many of my clients express frustration with the high rates and wonder why they are so much higher than in other states. The truth is, that one of the major reasons for the high rates in FL is excessive fraudulent claims.

Fraudulent claims have been a significant issue in Florida for years, particularly when it comes to property insurance claims. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Florida consistently ranks as one of the top states for insurance fraud. This type of fraud can take many forms, from staged accidents to falsified damage claims.

Fraudulent claims not only drive up the cost of insurance but also have other negative effects on the real estate market. For example, insurance companies may be hesitant to provide coverage in areas known for fraud, making it more difficult to sell homes in those areas.

Natural Disasters

One of the primary reasons that Florida is particularly susceptible to insurance fraud is the prevalence of natural disasters like hurricanes. When a hurricane hits, it can cause widespread damage to homes and businesses, making it easy for dishonest individuals to submit false claims. This type of fraud can drive up the cost of insurance for everyone in the state, even those who have never filed a claim.

In addition to natural disasters, there are other factors that make Florida a target for insurance fraud. For example, the state has a large population of seniors, who are often targeted by unscrupulous individuals looking to take advantage of their vulnerability. There are also many people in Florida who are struggling financially, and some may be tempted to file fraudulent claims to collect insurance money.

Additionally, some insurers may require higher deductibles or refuse to cover certain types of damage altogether, which can make it harder for homeowners to recover from disasters.

Solution

So, what can be done to address the issue of fraudulent claims in Florida? One approach is increasing penalties for those caught committing insurance fraud. The state already has strong laws in place to address insurance fraud, but enforcement can be challenging. By increasing the penalties for those who are caught, it may be possible to deter some would-be fraudsters.

Another approach is to educate homeowners about the dangers of insurance fraud and how to avoid it. Many people may not realize that filing a false insurance claim is a serious crime that can have significant consequences. By raising awareness about the issue, we may be able to prevent some instances of fraud from occurring in the first place.

Insurance companies can also take steps to address the issue of fraud. For example, they can invest in technology that can help detect fraudulent claims more quickly and accurately. They can also work with law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those who are committing fraud.

As a Real Estate Broker, I believe it is important to educate my clients about the issue of insurance fraud and how it can impact the cost of homeowner’s insurance in Florida. I also believe it is important to work with reputable insurers who have a strong track record of combating fraud.

In conclusion, by working together, we can help protect homeowners and keep insurance rates as affordable as possible.

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48 Ways to Speed up an Orlando Home Sale

Accurate Home Evaluation- Contact an experienced Orlando Realtor to walk through and give you some ideas about what needs updating, repaired, or removed.

Repair damaged walls- patch and paint.

Replace damaged or cracked floor tiles.

Lubricate any squeaky doors.

Repair any sticky windows.

Repair any leaky faucets or toilets

Re-caulk sinks and tubs

Repair or replace any broken windows or screens

Replace nobs on cabinets [if needed]

Update your lighting fixtures [if needed]

Update blinds [if needed]

Replace faucets and showerheads, [if needed]      

Paint the interior in neutral colors

Paint exterior doors and window trim

Paint shutters

Repaint exterior [if needed]

Brighten- Remove heavy window treatments that block light

Wash all windows thoroughly

Increase the wattage of light bulbs

Replace dark lamp shades

Depersonalize- Remove family photos

Store knickknacks and trinkets

DE-CLUTTER Thin out the books on your shelves

Empty kitchen counters

Place out-of-season clothing in storage

Rent a storage unit to store unneeded items

Organize the pantry

Organize closets

Organize basement

Organize garage and shed

CLEAN- Clean all interior surfaces

Wash windows and doors

Air out and clean in cabinets and under sinks

Power wash exterior of house and sidewalks

Clean outdoor furniture

Clean porch lights of cobwebs 

HIDE SIGNS OF PETS- Remove pet smells

Hide pet food and bowls

Take pets for a walk during showings or send them to daycare during open houses

STAGE INSIDE- Reduce the amount of furniture in each room

Organize furniture to create seating areas and give each part of the home a purpose

Place fresh cut flowers around the home during showings

PRUNE AND LANDSCAPE Remove dead plants

Prune or replace overgrown shrubs

Fill open spots with seasonal flowers

Add fresh mulch to beds

STAGE OUTSIDE- Make sure the front porch/entryway is clean and inviting

Use outdoor furniture to create inviting spaces

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Should I Stage My Orlando Home Before Selling?


Is it Worth the Hassle to Stage My Orlando Home?

Shakespeare once said that “all the world’s a stage”… this also includes the house you want to sell for top dollar.  As a Realtor in Orlando, I can’t tell you enough how much of a difference it can make to set the stage before revealing your home to the world.

Unless you’re an interior designer, staging a home is not a do-it-yourself type of task. Staging involves hiring professionals with talent and skillsets for interior design. A good stager will give your house a makeover that will make you think twice about selling. By using temporary furnishings and décor, your house will get more than its share of “oohs… and aahs…” from potential buyers doing their walk-through.

Quality staging is not like an insurance policy by any means and there’s no guarantee that your home will sell for more money because of it. However, It is a great and powerful marketing tool. Great staging should present your home in its most flattering light and will keep you at the higher end of the comps in your area. Have you ever heard of the saying “dress for the job you want, not the one you have”? When selling a house… when want it to be dressed to the 9’s to get the price you want.

Staging helps potential buyers to visualize what their life could look like living in such an elegantly decorated home.

Staging Leads to Great Listing Photos

Great photography is a must when marketing your home for sale. By having pics of a staged home instead of an empty or messy home, you’ll increase your chances of finding an online buyer 10 fold. Especially these days the majority of home buyers start their search by looking through online listings before hiring a Realtor in Orlando, FL.

Before Hiring Stagers Consider This

In addition to being Realtors, we are also Orlando real estate investors, we’ve bought and rehabbed many houses over the years. I can tell you from my own experience that staging does help. Like… a lot. There’s always one or two buyers that ask if they can also purchase the furniture and decorations.

But don’t just take our word for it. Recently, a survey from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® revealed that:

Almost 80% of buyers’ agents claimed staging makes it easy for the buyer to imagine the property as their future home. It’s kind of like helping the buyer to dream it to achieve it so your real estate agent can make the sale.

40% of Orlando listing agents say that a staged home spends a lot less time on the market compared to an empty house. For you the seller, time saved could mean more money in your pocket and being able to move out sooner. Listing agents also claimed that staged homes will fetch a higher dollar amount… between 6-10%!

Some listing agents in Orlando will offer staging services to their clients but most of the time you’ll have to hire someone and pay for the staging yourself.

Professional home stagers will usually charge according to how many rooms you want staging. We pay roughly $700 per month when we stage a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house which includes everything from the furniture to décor.

What about staging the house yourself?

If you’re on a tight budget, then hiring a professional may not be an option for you. If this is the case, check out some Youtube video tutorials on the subject to help guide you. If you have a friend or relative with really nice décor in their house, you may want to ask them for some staging ideas.

Declutter and clean at the very least

No potential buyer is going to enjoy walking through a messy or dirty house. Take the time to declutter and clean it like it’s never been cleaned before. Move some furniture into the garage if you have to, organize household items out of sight, and remove anything that makes a room look smaller. You should also change out any burnt light bulbs and have the carpets shampooed.

Keep the closets neat and organized

Make sure they can see the space, buyers always want to check out the closets. Remove some things if you need to rather than having that “stuffed full” look. Consider putting away personal items like family photos, religious pieces, and maybe some artwork to make the house look more neutral.

Only focus on rooms that count the most

You don’t have to stage your whole house to impress buyers. We find that staging rooms where people spend the most time will make the biggest impression on buyers. Staging the kitchen, Living room, Dining room, bathrooms, and Master bedroom is more than enough to make a buyer take notice.

Don’t forget to stage your yard

Curb appeal is super important for getting potential buyers through the front door. Make sure your yard looks the best it can. A freshly cut yard, manicured bushes, and some colorful plants can make a huge impact on buyers and set the stage for what the inside looks like.

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8 Factors That Increase Your Orlando Home Value

 

Are you looking to buy an Orlando home and make a smart investment at the same time? Be aware of these important factors as identified by Realtor.com by analyzing millions of home sales throughout the country.

Having Fewer Bedrooms- As an Orlando realtor, I was surprised when I first read about this. Homes with 1 bedroom experienced an increase in appreciation of over 7% since 2012. Homes with 2 bedrooms have increased by 6.6%, 3 bedroom homes 6.3%, and 4 bedrooms was down to 4.9%. This just goes to show how popular down sizing has become in our country.

Bigger is not always better- especially when it comes to Orlando real estate. past 5 years have been a strong indicator that smaller homes  are more popular than ever among baby boomers as well as first time home buyers. Statistics show that homes smaller than 1,200 square feet have gone up by an average of 7.5% each year and larger homes [ over 2,400 sq ft] have only seen a 3.8% increase.

Open floor layout- These days everyone loves an open floor plan and so the more sought after something becomes, the value it will have. Homes in Orlando with an open floor plan appreciate an average of a whopping 7.4% per year. You can sometimes change your floor plan depending on if the walls you have to remove are load bearing or not. Upgrades such as granite counter tops and stainless appliances only experienced a 2-3% appreciation.

Having a view- Homes with a nice view across the country have increased between 4.9% – 7.9% over the past several years. If your fortunate enough to buy a home with a pretty view, you can always expect to enjoy a bit more appreciation on your home than your neighbor without one.

Modern design- With the exception of a small percentage of buyers who prefer older homes, newer more modern styled homes will always be more desirable for the majority of buyers. As a matter of fact, newer homes with modern designs have been rising an average of 7.7% per year. Bungalows are 2nd at 6.5%, traditional 5.6%, ranch homes 4.5% craftsman 3.7% and victorian at 2.2%.

Homes with 2 car garages-  Orlando homes that have space for 2 vehicles have had an increase of 6.4% per year Vs homes with a one car garage at 6% increase. And believe it or not homes with 3 car garages only saw an increase of 3.8% annually.

Being in the city- This was another one that surprised me a bit, but I guess I’m a little bias. Homes that were in or close to the city near mass transportation had an increase of a whopping 8.4% in value where as homes in the suburbs in good school districts and shopping areas only increased by 7.2%.

 

 

 

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The 9 Top Reasons Why Some Orlando Homes Sell Faster

1- Curb Appeal

Believe it or not, curb appeal is the #1 factor that affects the time a home is on the market. By making your home look its best from the street, you are off to a good start.

 2- Good School Districts

Studies show that homes in good school districts sell faster and at a premium than homes located in less desirable school districts. When Orlando Realtors were surveyed, they said that 1 in 5 people would pay up to 10% over their budget to be in the right school district.

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 3- Move-in ready

Orlando homes that are move-in ready sell 12% faster than homes that need some work or are needing appliances. The less you give a potential buyer to complain about, the better off you are.

 4- Great photography

Orlando homes that are marketed with professional photos sell much faster than pictures taken with your smartphone. Using wide-angle lenses will also make rooms look larger and show better in print as well as online marketing.

 5- Staging makes a huge difference!

Homes that are staged spend an average of 73% less time on the market than homes that aren’t staged.

 6-Video Marketing

Using virtual tours and Youtube videos to market a home will get it sold 20% faster than when no video marketing has been done.

 

7- Upgrades

Homes with upgrades such as quartz, granite, custom cabinets, stainless appliances, high end light fixtures, tankless water heater, etc. sell anywhere from 34 to 61 days faster than homes with n om upgrades.

 

8- Pricing it Correctly

Pricing a home correctly from the start will probably sell in less than 2 months. Overpricing can cause your home to sit for 6 months or more.

 

Choosing The Right Realtor for the job

9- This should probably be #1 on the list. Working with an Orlando Listing Specialist will get your home sold up to 40% faster than with a new agent.

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