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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/</link>
        <description></description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/8-wise-steps-to-sell-your-house-after-a-reverse-mortgage.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/8-wise-steps-to-sell-your-house-after-a-reverse-mortgage.html</link>
            <author>info@naplesguru.com (Tim Ryan)</author>
            <title>8 Wise Steps to Sell Your House After a Reverse Mortgage</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
In this era of economic turbulence, when there is a slump in the property market, use of reverse mortgage has gradually risen into prominence. According to (HUD) the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a reverse mortgage is nothing but a home loan that enables the home owner to cash a part of the equity in his house. If you have done a reverse mortgage, with the hope of saving more and now planning to sell your house just to take advantage of the topsy-turvy housing industry, them you have come to the right place. This article can tell you about the essential steps that you must follow while selling your house after a reverse mortgage. Remember, with the precarious condition of real estate market, selling a home which have already amassed reverse mortgage is not at all easy than selling a home with no mortgage. 
 



Reverse mortgage 
As the definition suggests, reverse mortgage refers to the loan, which is secured against the equity of the homeowner. As per the lending policies a reverse mortgage could be transformed as monthly payments, lump sums, a credit line, or some mixture. Everyone doesn’t qualify for a reverse mortgage. As long as you are at least 62 years old and own a home with sufficient equity, you can take out a reverse mortgage loan against your home's equity. However, remember, before selling the home with a reverse mortgage on it, you have do way with all the obligations incurred on the property first. 




How to sell your home with reverse mortgage


 
•	First and foremost, assess exactly how much you owe on your reverse mortgage. Take into account the initial amount received, the Interest and other fees and figure out the total amount owed. Check out if any extra fees will be added to your debt, if you pay the loan off before you receives the entire amount.




•	Next, contact the lenders of reverse mortgage and let them know that you are planning to sell the home.


 
•	In the mean time, compare the amount you owe on the reverse mortgage and the home's current value. In case you find out the loan amount and the present home values is more or less same and you lack sufficient financial resources to cover the costs related to selling the home, discard the plan of selling your home for the time being.



•	However, if you can afford to sell the house, acquire a payoff quote from your lenders which is the approximate amount of money required to pay back the loan in full.


 
•	Now decide to terminate your reverse mortgage agreement as per the reverse mortgage contract. You will be required to pay a nominal fee for doing so. You can pay back the reverse mortgage at that very moment or can delay it till your home sale completes.




•	Advertise your home for sale. You can appoint a real estate agent for this task as well. 



•	As soon as you find a potential buyer, who is offering you a price that equals the value of your home, accept his offer. Remember, the amount offered must cover your reverse mortgage debts including as well as the interest. 



•	Finally, close the deal. Pay the reverse mortgage in full from the proceeds of your home's sale.



Follow the aforementioned points and sell your house after a reverse mortgage successfully.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:41:14 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/keep-your-pet-and-your-clean-house.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/keep-your-pet-and-your-clean-house.html</link>
            <author>info@naplesguru.com (Tim Ryan)</author>
            <title>Keep Your Pet AND Your Clean House</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Cats
and dogs can make an environment messy – and you might think it's impossible to
have a clean house and keep pets. But companion animals can be kept at the same
time your house is kept clean. It takes planning, mindfulness, and staying on
top of messes. Here are five important tips to keeping your pet and your house
clean.


#1
– Clear the Air – Vacuuming and Air Purifiers


If
you have a problem with fur getting everywhere, take heart – get an air
purifier that is designed specifically for fur and dander filtering. Vacuum
often, using a high-powered vacuum designed for dealing with cat and dog fur.


#2
– Use Slipcovers and Blankets Liberally


To
keep cat and dog hair out of your furniture, use a slipcover or strategically
placed blankets so that your pet can lie on top of it, and it's completely
washable should it get messy from shedding, dirt, and accidents. When you're
entertaining guests, remove the slipcovers or blankets, and confine the pets to
their own room for the evening.


#3
– Mats, Mats, and even more Mats


Pet
place mats for food and water help catch messy eaters and drinkers, and cats
who like to go for a swim while they're drinking. Floor mats at each entrance
help keep dogs from tracking in dirt if you don't have time to wipe their feet
each time they enter the house. If they track dirt in despite mat and rug
placement, make sure it gets cleaned up immediately to avoid attracting more
mess to the mess.


#4
– Grooming is a Must


Frequent
brushing and regular bathing will help your pets look and smell better, and
will also keep fur and dander off your things. If you can bring your pets
outdoors to brush and groom them, then so much the better for your house.


#5
– Get on Messes and Stay on them


If
you have let your house get messy, that's okay. Lock up the pets for a while
and do a serious deep cleaning, making sure that every spot in the house has
been cleaned from pet markings, mistakes, and whatnot. Use cleaners that are
pet-friendly, but don't leave them hanging around for animals to get into –
better to be completely safe than sorry. Once the deep cleaning is done, stay
on top of messes as soon as they happen. This will lessen the possibility of
repeat “mistakes.”


Even
people with five or six animals in their house can keep it clean if they plan
ahead, pickup right away, and use preventive measures to ensure their house
stays clean.


About The Author: Kevin Hughes
is a Boise Idaho real estate agent servicing buyers and
sellers in Idaho. If you’re looking for a great home in Idaho, you can visit
Kevin’s website where you can search great cities like Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Eagle.


Authored
by Kevin Hughes
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:53:35 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/5-simple-bathroom-upgrades-to-get-your-home-sold.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/5-simple-bathroom-upgrades-to-get-your-home-sold.html</link>
            <author>info@naplesguru.com (Tim Ryan)</author>
            <title>5 Simple Bathroom Upgrades to Get Your Home Sold</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
When it comes to selling real estate, it is no secret that the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house. Therefore, if you want to increase your chances of getting your home sold quickly and at a respectable price, you will certainly want to give some attention to the bathroom. Fortunately, upgrading the bathroom does not have to be a money trap. Whether selling Nashville real estate or a home in Naples, here are 5 simple bathroom upgrades that will help get your home sold.




Bathroom Upgrade #1: Switch Out the Vanity



Unless you have a vintage home that has been restored to its original grandeur, it is generally a good idea to replace an old vanity with a framed mirror over the sink instead. Not only will this bring the bathroom up-to-date, but a large, framed mirror will add a level of sophistication to the room while also making the bathroom appear more spacious.



Bathroom Upgrade #2: Replace the Fixtures



Replacing your old fixtures with shiny, new fixtures will bring your bathroom up to current standards while also giving it a fresh, new look. Replacing your fixtures with new ones will also help make the bathroom look cleaner, and if it there is any bathroom that potential buyers want to look clean aside from the kitcBellevue TN homes for salehen, it’s the bathroom. When selecting new bathroom features, look for water-efficient items to further impress potential buyers.



Bathroom Upgrade #3: Repair Tile



Depending upon the type of tiling you select, replacing all of the tile in your bathroom can be a costly endeavor. If at all possible, the most cost-effective plan would be to replace only those tiles that are cracked, worn or chipped. After replacing problem tiles, be sure to clean the grout and caulk with a heavy-duty grout cleaner and to add fresh grout where necessary.



Bathroom Upgrade #4: Update the Tub



An outdated or old tub will be a certain turnoff to potential buyers. If replacing the tub is not in your budget, you might want to consider looking into an overlay to cover the tub. Another option is to cover up chips and fading porcelain with tub paint. If you decide to replace the tub completely, consider purchasing one with jets and other hot tub features, as these are great selling points.



Bathroom Upgrade #5: Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint



A fresh coat of paint goes a long way with giving a facelift to any room. Not only will a fresh coat of paint help cover up any chips and faded areas, but it will also help you create an updated look that will appeal to a broader range of potential buyers.
About The Author - Josh Anderson is a Nashville area Realtor and specializes in Green Hills homes for sale in his role with Keller Williams.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:40:23 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/quick-fix-or-complete-renovation.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/quick-fix-or-complete-renovation.html</link>
            <author>info@naplesguru.com (Tim Ryan)</author>
            <title>Quick Fix or Complete Renovation?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Most homeowners have a few areas in their home that they
know could use some work. That’s normal, right? Things deteriorate over time.
Maybe it is something that has bothered you since you moved in, or maybe it’s something
that just recently became a problem. The question is, how much time, effort,
energy, and money should be given to the ‘problem area’? There are several
different things to consider when making your decision.


Often times, a trip to a home improvement store like Home
Depot can get you a rough idea of pricing. From there, you will need to
determine how important the problem is, i.e. is it visible for all to see, or
is it something only you will really notice? Another factor to consider is how
much longer you plan to be in your home. Some people think that if they are
moving soon, the repair method is always best. But, in some instances, going
ahead and renovating will result more appeal and a better price when you sell.
The following are some things to consider when weighing this decision.


First off, let’s clarify the difference between repair and
renovate. Repair is a quicker and generally cheaper solution, i.e. re-painting,
caulking, or general repairs. Basically, a repair takes what is existing and
attempts to bring it back to it’s original condition. Renovating involves
demolition or removal of an old item or surface and replacing with new. Wood
floors where there was previously carpet or new windows would be renovations.


In a lot of cases, renovating makes more sense as a lot of
time and energy could be spent trying to bring something back to it’s original
form, only to still be unhappy with the results. For example, let’s say the
base molding in a home has been chewed or scratched by a dog. You could paint
it, and even sand and paint it, but it will still look chewed. It would be
quicker, easier, and cheaper to just buy a new piece of molding, paint it, and
apply it.


Often renovating makes a bigger mess than repairing. Any
sort of demo involving sheetrock or flooring will cover your entire home in a
thick layer of dust. If you plan to renovate, prepare to live in a mess while
the job is going on. Even after the job is complete your home will be dusty for
a couple weeks.


Each year, the National Association of REALTORS® publishes a
report on which projects yield the most bang for their buck called the Cost vs.
Value report. If you are considering moving and are facing the question of
repair or renovate, this would be a valuable analysis tool.


As always, get a couple opinions from different qualified
professionals prior to making your decision. Factoring in a price and different
professional opinions on the work to be done will pay huge dividends in your
decision making process. One contractor may say that repairing is hopeless and
you have to renovate. Another could suggest a quicker, cheaper alternative.
From these meetings, you will get a much better understanding of what is
involved in both options. You will of course learn about cost as well, which
will likely play a huge part in determining the right course of action.


Sometimes the repair or replace question becomes even more
complex when it comes to system type things. Maybe the heat pump you have was
designed to last 30 years and it’s only in it’s 12th year. Replacing would
likely cost more, and maybe the newer unit is only designed for 8 years, so
what would be best? Doing your research and asking lots of questions are the
best strategies when it comes to making the decision to repair or renovate your
space.

About The Author: Kimberley Kelly specializes in helping home buyers find real estate Palm Springs and La Quinta homes for sale in and around the Southern Desert in California. For more information you may want to check out some high end luxury Palm Desert homes or visit her website. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:23:40 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/selling-your-home-during-the-summer.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/selling-your-home-during-the-summer.html</link>
            <author>info@naplesguru.com (Tim Ryan)</author>
            <title>Selling your Home During the Summer</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Many people know that spring is the time of year when everyone tries to sell their home. Most of the time, the market gets flooded with homes, and many are left to sell during the summer. If you are faced with selling your home during the summer months, you can be just as successful selling it with a little forethought.



Don’t Sweat the Season
Just because your home didn’t sell during the spring doesn’t mean it’s a terrible home or that you have less chance of selling it. In fact, the summer season means fewer homes to look at and a greater chance for your home to be noticed. Take advantage of the season by showcasing your home in style and playing up the mindset of the summer.



Work with the Summer Swing
Summertime means longer days and more time outdoors. Although it may not be your normal schedule, play with the mindset and swing of the summer. Have later open houses and home showings. The longer days mean there will be plenty of light even at nine at night. By showing later, you have a greater chance of getting more buyers to come through after work and dinner.



Live on the Outside
No one wants to be cooped up after a long summer. Moving your main living area out of doors embraces the summertime life. It also helps others to see how versatile your property is. Stage an outdoor seating area with a couple chairs, a chaise lounge, and a small side table or coffee table. Put a vase of fragrant summer flowers on the table and your outdoor escape is ready for relaxing or home showing.




Summer Curb Appeal 
Since everyone’s mind is on enjoying the outdoors, your curb appeal is more important than ever. Beyond keeping the kids toys and bikes put away, this involves maintaining the garden, flower beds, and landscaping. It takes a couple hours every week to mow the grass, edge the yard, pull the weeds, and trim the bushes. If you don’t have time, hire a landscape crew or a local high school student willing to do a great job. 



Make the Most of Summer Colors
During summer, colors are brighter and more vibrant than they are at any other time of the year. Embrace this in your outdoor decorating as well as indoors. White is a clean, summery color. Deep blue is invigorating and relaxing. Yellows are bright and exciting. Metals are shiny and reflect the light. By combining a few or all of these colors in your decorating, you create a vivid, bright home everyone will want to spend time at.
Bring the 


Light Inside 
Ditch those drab light blocking curtains and grab the sheers! Letting the light into your home will naturally brighten every room and make it feel like a happier home. Changing your old window treatments for new ones or getting rid of window treatments all together will make your home welcoming and lively. 



For information on how to  sell your house fast in Dallas feel free to contact us.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:36:33 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/housing-market-still-weak.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/housing-market-still-weak.html</link>
            <author>info@naplesguru.com (Tim Ryan)</author>
            <title>Housing Market Still Weak</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
According to the National Association of Realtors, the number of contracts signed for home purchases in the United States increased for the second month in a row in June. Contract signings serve as a reliable indicator of the health of the housing market because there is generally a one- to two-month lag between the signing of the contracts and a completed deal. Despite the increase in contract signings enjoyed in June, experts are not convinced that the rise in sales is enough to signal a rebound within the housing market. It's important to remember when looking at national data that all real estate markets are local - thus the trends being discussed will have a different impact on Naples real estate than Bethesda real estate than elsewhere.



The National Association of Realtors reports that the index of sales agreements for previously occupied homes increased by 2.4% in June following an 8.2 % increase in May. Nonetheless, the June reading was just 90.9 and a reading of 100 is what is necessary to be considered “healthy” by economists. The index hasn’t been that high since April 2010, however, which was the final month during which buyers could qualify to receive the federal tax credit. In April of this year, on the other hand, signings fell by 11.3%.




While contract signings are typically reviewed as a reliable indicator of the health of the housing market, many real estate agent are finding that a growing number of buyers are choosing to cancel their contracts after the appraisal determines they bid more than the home was worth. So, despite the fact that homes are more affordable now than they have been in years, economists believe it will be several more years before the housing market recovers.



“In absolute terms this is a very depressed level, and with prices in most areas either still declining or flat, there is little incentive for buyers to be aggressive,” said Joshua Shapiro, who is the chief U.S. economist at MFR, in a recent USA Today article.



While the number of signed contracts increased over the past two months, June was the third straight month during which the sales of previously owned homes went down. Whereas people purchase roughly 6 million homes in a healthy economy, only 4.91 million homes were sold last year. While the Standard &amp; Poor’s/Case-Shiller home-price index rose in 16 of 20 of the cities that are tracked, experts warn that this was mostly due to an increase in spring buyers.



When looking at the numbers, housing prices also appear to be stabilizing. In fact, seasonally adjusted prices have only fallen by 1.2% over the past six months. These figures are roughly one-third of the decline seen over the previous six months. This is partially due to the fact that millions of homes are in foreclosure limbo as the government investigates improper practices by mortgage lenders. Once the probe is complete, prices are likely to fall once more as banks return to seizing foreclosed homes. In fact, 20 of the metro areas that had the greatest decrease in foreclosure activity were in those engaged in judicial foreclosure processes. Combine this with a weakening job market and analysts estimate that prices will fall an additional 5 to 10% by the end of the year.



“Foreclosure activity continued to slow in the first half of 2011, especially in the most foreclosure-saturated markets and in markets where the judicial foreclosure process is used,” said James J. Saccacio, who is the CEO of RealtyTrac, in a recent cutimes.com article. In response to concerns related to the housing market, renting has become an increasingly popular option. This has been particularly true among those who have lost their jobs during the recession. Since 1992, apartments have accounted for approximately 20% of home construction. More recently, however, this figure has been closer to 30%.



About The Author - Kevin Koitz is a Washington DC native and specializes in Potomac luxury homes.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:04:50 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/the-best-way-to-buy-a-home-this-summer.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/the-best-way-to-buy-a-home-this-summer.html</link>
            <author>info@naplesguru.com (Tim Ryan)</author>
            <title>The Best Way to Buy a Home This Summer</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The summer is a great time to buy a home.  Fall is rapidly approaching, and kids will soon be going back to school.  Summer is the perfect time for a family to get moved and situated before the hectic schedules of work, school and play all come together and monopolize your time.  With the extra time available during the summer, it is easier to tour multiple properties, find a mortgage lender, and pack up and move all of your things from one home to another.  One of the best kept secrets of real estate, however, is that your home buying experience can be made even easier with an FHA Home Loan.




FHA Home Loans make buying a home as simple an experience as possible.  As explained by the US Department of Housing, an FHA Home Loan has easy to meet requirements, including down payments as low as 3.5% in some cases, and allows buyers to include closing costs and other fees in the cost of the loan.  This allows families who don’t have money saved for a down payment to purchase a home and qualify for a loan none the less.



FHA Loans are great even if you are buying a home that you expect to fix up and put money into over the next few years.  An FHA Home Loan allows you to include the estimated costs of repairs in the total cost of your loan and pay them off over time.  This is great as it requires no upfront payments and is simply added to your monthly payments.  Environmentally friendly homeowners can also include the cost of making their home energy efficient in their loan and pay off the expenses over time.



With all of the benefits that an FHA Home Loan provides, it worth taking the time to find an approved lender who can help you learn more and find out if an FHA Loan is the best home buying choice for you.  To get started on your search towards finding a lender in your area who can help you better understand these loans, visit FHAHomeLoan.org.




Guest post by Jessica Thorseon of FHA Home Loans.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:21:30 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/to-rent-or-to-buy.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/to-rent-or-to-buy.html</link>
            <author>info@naplesguru.com (Tim Ryan)</author>
            <title>To Rent, or To Buy?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Are you trying to determine whether you should rent or buy a house? If you are like most people, you have probably heard that buying is the always the best way to go. While buying is often the right choice, there are times when buying a home may not be the best option. To that end, it is important to take a closer look at your personal situation in order to determine which route is the best one for you to take.Credit RatingWhile your credit rating may be taken into consideration in both situations, a poor credit score will be particularly damaging when purchasing a home. In general, a credit score of less than 620 will result in a poor interest rate. Therefore, if you have poor credit, it might be best to rent until you are able to bring your score up a little. This way, you will save money in the amount of interest you pay over the long run.Debt RatioIf you are currently carrying around a significant amount of debt, you may not even qualify for a mortgage loan. Ideally, your total monthly debt should be less than 36 percent of your gross monthly income. If it is 50 percent or more, you are unlikely to be approved. If this is the case, it would be better to focus on paying down your debt before you consider purchasing a home.Future PlansObviously, if you will be moving within the next few years, purchasing a home probably is not a good idea. While no one can predict the future, you should consider your family, your lifestyle and your job as you try to determine the likelihood of moving sometime in the near future. If you think there is a good chance of being transferred to a different city within the next two to three years, for example, it might be in your best interest to rent. Remember, the value of your property needs to appreciate at least 10 percent in order to cover the cost of selling it. Otherwise, you will ultimately lose money on the sale. The longer you live in the home, the more it will appreciate before you put it on the market.Maintenance and RepairsWhen purchasing a home, it is important to keep in mind that you are also taking on the responsibilities of homeownership. As such, you will be responsible for taking care of routine maintenance and repairs. Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or not, the cost of maintenance and repairs can add up quickly. Of course, for many people, the pride of homeownership and the ability to personalize the home make the cost well worthwhile. Still, it is important to take this fact into consideration when determining if buying is right for you.ExpenseIn many cases, renting a home will cost less per month than buying a home. On the other hand, purchasing a home is an investment. In addition, there is nothing more satisfying than knowing you are paying toward something that you will ultimately own rather than paying off another person’smortgage. Therefore, it is important to remember the long-term as well as the short-term when deciding between renting or buying a home.



About The Author - Eric Bramlett is co-owner and broker of One Source Realty, a boutique real estate firm specializing in Downtown condos and Steiner Ranch.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:00:14 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/2011-first-half-of-the-year.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/2011-first-half-of-the-year.html</link>
            <author>info@naplesguru.com (Tim Ryan)</author>
            <title>2011 - First Half of the Year</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Can you believe that the year is already half over?!


Sales in Naples Park have remained strong. In the first half of 2011 there were 74 closed sales (residential). The median sales price was $172,000.


Sales First Six Months in 2011


Closed Sales - 74


Median Sales Price - $172,000


High - $515,000


Low - $75,000


Naturally, the first half of the year is slightly busier than the 2nd half. However, many people can find great deals in the slower months. If you you are interested in buying Naples Park real estate you need to be receiving email alerts. If you are not please let us know.  
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:28:39 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/what-to-do-if-your-home-doesnt-sell.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.naplespark.com/blog/what-to-do-if-your-home-doesnt-sell.html</link>
            <author>info@naplesguru.com (Tim Ryan)</author>
            <title>What to do if Your Home Doesn't Sell</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
So you’ve upgraded and updated your home with state of the art appliances, repainted the baths, installed new carpeting throughout and even added a back deck in a harmonious setting which complements your home even more so all to put it on the market in hopes for a quick sale. But now it’s been several months with only a few showings here and there, and your frustration level is getting shorter and shorter. This is not the home you wanted to spend the rest of your life in as you want to move up into the home of your dreams; that was the plan. What to do, what to do. Why not then, create this home as your dream home? This may be the only option as the other options would be to walk away, or to just feel stuck with a home that doesn’t meet your needs or your family’s at this point in time. In the early years of 2000, many homeowners spend thousands of dollars in renovations so that they could get a major return on their investment and move on to bigger and better Naples real estate deals. Prices went through the roof back then and no sooner did one put a ‘For Sale’ sign in their front yard was the property gone, often within twenty four hours. Mortgage lenders let the money flow like a river, lending to those who should never have qualified or been approved. Those days are gone, and the reality is that being in a buyer’s market there are thousands of listings out there, all screaming ‘Me! Me! Me!’ This is why perhaps that your home hasn’t moved much less budged. If that’s the case, why not consider then just to stay put for a bit. You’ve upgraded the appliances and put in the new decking, but this was all done to make a quick profit on your home so you could move on to bigger and better things. How about creating your home that bigger and better thing then, and turn your home into a place of serenity, a place you want to live and to come home to. If you have the wherewithal to buy the home of your dreams, then put that money into the house you are currently in. If the reality is that your home won’t sell because there is simply too much competition that is out there, give your home and yourself the gift of the best and most fantastic features that you were looking at when looking at your dream home from a grande gourmet epicurean kitchen, to a European inspired master bath. Yes, keep in mind the resale value of the home after these improvements are made, but this should not be the only issue of importance. Think of what is important to your family right now and what will be the part of your home that is attractive to those who have a family if you decide in the future to sell. 


Think space first. Small is sweet and quaint but not for a growing family, a family starting out, or a couple who loves to entertain. More square footage is number one but must be planned, boasting of open spaces and places with modern and luxuriant appliances and gadgets. If you are currently in a home that is more miniscule in its size than what you want today, then take a good look at each room making a mental survey of what can be done in each area to enhance the flow and size of the home. Maybe doors or walls need to be removed to bring in more light and to give the illusion that the home is larger than what it actually is. Have unused space in the house such as an extra bedroom or storage area? Make the vacant bedroom into an office, a game room, or a meditative space with fragrant candles, airy tropical foliage, bamboo mats and an inviting living ensemble. Take the storage room that is normally filled with boxes and items that should be disposed of, add shelving and create an additional closet for linens, towels, toiletries, and the like.


Expanding a living area is another smart project in which to venture in. Not only can enlarging a living room recoup major bucks in the event you put the house on the market for sale in the future, but you can create the most fantastic room enjoyed by each family member that you just may never want to sell your home.  Another option: keep the size of the living area, but add additional space by creating a separate solarium or outdoor enclosed living area just off of the existing one. Enclose it with glass, which will give the room a sense that it is one with the environment outside. Create this space either as an additional living area or as a dining room that will be enjoyed for years to come. 


Take a good hard look at the master bath and kitchen. No matter what one thinks sells the most in a home, it is definitely the master bath and kitchen. Take the master bathroom first, for instance. Create a dreamy and romantic standing shower by enclosing it with seamless glass, using serene colors for the tile and paint such as tranquil pale turquoise blues and greens, high end fixtures and toilet, add a Jacuzzi tub with a Capiz shell chandelier above. For the kitchen, install a wonderful kitchen island with its own sink and modern sprayer, indoor grill, inlayed marble cutting board or breakfast bar.


Creating the home of your dreams doesn’t have to cost a fortune either and will make it stand out amongst the other Naples homes. Upgrades such as what is listed can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 or more, depending on the amount of money and time spent on the rooms you are focusing on. So what if your home doesn’t sell? Perhaps it is a sign to just sit tight and appreciate what you do have and explore what can have. 
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            <pubDate>Thu, 05 May 2011 14:30:12 -0500</pubDate>
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