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When you buy real estate in a subdivision or planned unit development, you may be subject to a host of rules and regulations as established by the Homeowner's Association (HOA) governing that development.
You’ve most likely heard of HOAs, but you may not know exactly how they operate and how they can impact you and your Lakewood Ranch real estate. In this article, you’ll get information on some of the broader issues that you should be aware of when moving into a community governed by an HOA.
What is a Homeowner's Association?
It is a corporation formed by real estate developers to market, manage and sell homes and lots within a development.
Does the real estate developer retain control of the HOA forever? No. After a predetermined number of homes or lots are sold, the control is turned over, first, to a group of homeowners. Later in the process, elections are held once a year within the development to choose board members.
Can anyone be a board member?
As long as you’re a property owner in the development governed by the HOA, you can campaign for the position. Elections are held once a year. It...
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Buying a home is a business transaction, but it’s hard to keep emotions completely out of the process. Most sellers in today’s market already know that they need to avoid upsetting their buyers. And buyers shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that just because the real estate market is down they can get away with annoying the sellers. Keep your cool this summer and avoid upsetting sellers so that your home purchase goes smoothly and for a fair price.
• Don’t put down their home. By pointing out everything that is wrong with a house, you could force the sellers to take less money, but this strategy rarely works. You’re more likely to anger the seller to the point that they won’t continue negotiations. That doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate for the best deal possible, but be careful not to shoot yourself in the foot.
• Don’t present an absurdly low offer. In today’s market, there’s often room to negotiate on Lakewood Ranch real estate, but offering something too low will often insult the seller. You’re better off coming in with what you think is a fair or a slightly low offer...
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Ideally, to make a room light and bright you want a lot of large windows that let in natural light. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have large windows in every room of our Lakewood Ranch homes. So, what do we do to brighten those dark rooms?
Increase Natural Light
If a room has one large window, make the most of this natural light by placing a mirror opposite that window. The mirror will scatter and reflect the ambient daylight throughout the room.
Add Artificial Light
Another great way to lighten window-challenged rooms in your home is to add artificial ambient lighting. Ambient lighting, whether natural or artificial, sets the tone and mood of each room. Here are several ways to add artificial ambient light to your rooms:
· Recessed fixtures: Recessed fixtures throw light downward in a cone shape, so place them in an evenly spaced grid pattern. This allows pools of light to overlap and provide consistent lighting.
· Chandeliers: A chandelier can overpower a room if it’s too big or seem out of proportion if it’s too small. To calculate the best size chandelier for your room, measure the width of...
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Buying a home is one of the few occasions in which some form of negotiation is the rule rather than the exception. Just because it is the norm, however, does not mean that most people are good at it.
Here are a few tips to help you negotiate the best deal when buying your next Lakewood Ranch home:
1. Know your bottom line. Determine your bottom line and stick to it. This sometimes means you have to be willing to walk away from a deal. It also means being realistic about what you’re asking from the seller. Many sellers are faced with the fact that their home may not be worth what they paid for it. This puts limits on the concessions a seller can offer.
2. Stay flexible. For example, what if the Lakewood Ranch home you'd like to buy needs a new heating system. The seller is unwilling to replace the unit but is willing to put $3,000 toward your closing costs. The $3,000 you're saving in closing costs...
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If you’re short on time, here’s a list that will take you one minute to read and will give you 9 tips to help get your Lakewood Ranch home sold faster:
1. Set the right price. A Lakewood Ranch home priced correctly from the start will sell faster.
2. Provide a thorough disclosure statement.
3. Add a one-year home warranty. They’re reasonably priced and provide peace of mind for the buyer.
4. Offer financial incentives. There are a variety of financial incentives you can offer depending on the needs of the home and the buyer. Here are a few to consider:
a. Cost to replace the carpet
b. Cost to paint the home
5. Make your home shine. Fix it. Paint it. Clean it. Polish it. If there’s anything you’ve put off, do it now. Your home has to be at its very best.
6. Get a pro’s opinion. Ask your Lakewood Ranch Realtor what they recommend you do to get your home in tip-top shape for marketing. Then do it!
7. Stage your home....
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The Internet has made researching real estate easy for anyone who knows how to surf online. Whether researching real estate to sell homes or to find a property for their next big investment, many property owners and home buyers think they’ll save a lot of money by doing all the work themselves.
However, statistics show that you’re more likely to sell your property quicker or find your dream house faster when you work with a professional Realtor® or real estate agent. Working with a Realtor provides you with an expanded housing database, years of property-purchasing knowledge and valuable contacts for everything from inspections to loans.
The trick is to find the right Lakewood Ranch real estate agent or Realtor to fit your needs. Here are 5 tips to help you find your perfect fit:
Knowledgeable – You’ll want to find an agent who is experienced and doesn’t always agree with you. If they’re constantly telling you yes, then they may not be working in your best interest.
Hard working – Agents who’ve been in the real estate business for decades could be burned out and new recruits might not be...
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While some people are hesitant to buy into a real estate market that seems to still be bottoming out, many studies have shown that owning a house is an investment in your future and that of your community. From tax breaks to property taxes, being a Lakewood Ranch home owner can put money in the bank. It also gives you a sense of pride in contributing to community institutions such as the police force, local government offices, fire stations and free medical services.
Did you know that statistically you and your neighbors are more likely to properly maintain and update your Lakewood Ranch homes when you own them rather than rent them? Maintaining and updating your home boosts the real estate market around you, giving you the chance to increase the value of your property, your neighbors’ property and eventually your entire community.
4 more reasons why you should buy instead of rent:
Building financial security – While it may take many years for you to actually make a...
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Lakewood Ranch Country Club, MOVE IN READY! Neal St. Raphael model with European feel courtyard entry complete with lovely fountain leading to a solid wood raised panel door. This home is a great room plan with Brazilian hardwood floors throughout (except in the bathrooms), crown molding and volume ceilings.
Large Master Suite with luxurious tiled master bath, walk in shower, bathtub and double vanity. Also, there is a large second bedroom with adjacent bathroom and a den large enough for a floor to ceiling library on one wall. The kitchen has a granite topped island, granite counters, stainless steel appliances and 42" raised panel wood cabinets with under-cabinet lighting. A granite topped breakfast bar and a breakfast Cafe add more enjoyment to your morning meal.
Oversized laundry room leads to a 2 car garage. Spending time outdoors is peaceful on the brick pavered lanai, with three fans, overlooking the mature landscaping. The nearby...
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As a homeowner, one of the biggest traps you can fall into is over improving your Lakewood Ranch home.
Turn on any home improvement channel, and they will show you all the latest and greatest in must haves for your Lakewood Ranch home. What they don’t tell you is that even the best upgrades won’t guarantee an increase in your resale value. In fact, most remodel jobs only recoup 60% to 70% of their costs.
Here are some tips to help you avoid over improving your home:
Assess the value of homes in your neighborhood.
Unless you plan on staying in your Lakewood Ranch home forever, do some research on the home values in your neighborhood before you begin any home renovations. Ideally, you want to add improvements that increase the resale value of your home while staying within the average market price of homes in your neighborhood.
For example, if the homes in your area sell for an average of $250,000, with the highest priced home in the area going for $350,000, make home renovations that increase the value of your property to the average home price...
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As a society, it seems as if we no longer appreciate our homes for their emotional and sentimental worth. Instead, we focus solely on their monetary value.
An appraiser can estimate a Lakewood Ranch home's monetary value, but to gain a true concept of your home’s worth, you must also take into consideration:
1. Pride of ownership. You don’t buy a pair of Prada shoes because you’re going to be able to resell them and make a profit. You buy them because they make you look good and feel good.
2. Security and stability. Your home provides a roof over your head that’s in your control. You can decorate it the way you want. You don’t have to worry about a landlord selling the property or asking you to move out. In the “olden days” (or should I say “golden days”), we called our homes our castles because, as owners, we felt like the kings and queens of our homes. You can still feel that way! Claim your castle and crown yourself king or queen today.
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