Treasure Coast Real Estate Blog

Your local news and information source for homes and investment real estate along South Florida's Treasure Coast

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Commonly Overlooked Home Inspection Details

Buyer Beware: Don’t Neglect to Inspect a Home Yourself


Home inspectors are professionals trained to spot problems and evaluate properties, but this doesn’t mean you should neglect to evaluate a home thoroughly before you buy. Here are some commonly overlooked areas you can check for yourself.

Home inspection professionals are trained to spot problems and evaluate a home’s overall condition. While they have a reputation for being ethical and thorough, they are also still human. Sometimes details escape their attention.

If you’re making a major investment in a home, there’s no reason you have to leave 100% of the inspection up to someone else. There are definitely areas you can review for yourself (or hire an outside party to review).

Before you sign off on a house, don’t neglect to review these commonly overlooked areas:

1. Roof: Yes, inspectors will consider the roof condition, but they probably won’t be on top of the roof when they do it. This is one area where hiring a roofing contractor to take a look can be a major benefit during negotiations.

2. Fences: You might not think there’s much to inspect here, but replacing a fence is expensive. What looks sturdy on a sunny day can turn into a giant repair after the first storm of the season. This is especially true of wooden fences.

3. Drains: Fill up tubs and sinks and see how long it takes them to drain. If they’re slow, you’ll want to know why. It could be something as simple as a clog, but what if it’s more?

4. Fireplaces: Home inspectors will often give these the once-over, but they sure aren’t going to light a fire. If you can, make sure these operate as expected. It’s also a good idea to find out when the chimney was last cleaned and who the owner uses to maintain it.

5. Heating/Cooling: The time of year might impact how thorough an inspector is with the heating and cooling system. After all, who’s likely to really run the A/C in the winter or the heat in the summer? With such a big ticket item, you want to be certain it performs as expected.

Pricing is directly tied to a home’s condition, so don’t overlook the opportunity to protect yourself from repair bills. Problems present you with leverage in negotiations.

Ready to hunt for a home in great shape? Let me help you with your search. There are all kinds of properties available right now!

This post has been authored by Eric Slifkin, REALTOR® serving South Florida’s Treasure Coast. You can reach me at 888-288-1765, or visit my Web site. As your resource for information on new or resale homes throughout the Treasure Coast, please be sure to contact me about any home you may find on the Web, yard sign or ad and I will research the property, arrange showings and handle all the details. 

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Keller Williams Realty
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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Don’t Fear a Hot Homebuyer’s Market

You Can Still Find a Home at a Fair Price


A recent survey of would-be home buyers revealed fears that the market is too hot, driving many people to sit on the sidelines. Don’t let “macro fears” drive your decision-making process. There’s still plenty of opportunity to find the right home at the right price.

If you’ve found yourself paralyzed by this active market, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey of 3,500 buyers, a whopping 58% of potential homebuyers are sitting on the sidelines because they’re afraid the market is too hot. Here’s a breakdown of their top concerns:

1. Affordability: Prices are rising or too high (27%)
2. There's too much competition from other buyers (17%)
3. There aren't enough homes to choose from (14%)

While it’s true we’ve seen a dramatic increase in market activity over the past few years, it’s important to remember that what you want isn’t necessarily what everyone else wants. Where you want to live and the type of home you want to live in isn’t necessarily subject to the “macro trends” in any given market situation.

Your dream home is as unique as you are, and the only way to understand what’s out there is to take the time to share the details of what you’re looking for with a professional who is tuned into the market. What’s more, an agent can help debunk market myths and keep an eye out for properties which fit your specific criteria.

Now is a good time to make a list of criteria for your next home. Begin with your “must haves” and move on to your “nice to haves.” Consider square footage, neighborhood, amenities, and your budget as you put together this list. Reflecting on this information will help you have a productive discussion with a buyer’s agent and also contribute to your understanding of “what’s out there” in your immediate market.

Often our fears turn out to be unfounded. If you’ve been letting your perception of the market stymie you from pursuing your dream, now is a good time to start a discussion with someone who can help you see the whole picture.

Questions? I’m happy to help you answer them! Get in touch today!

This post has been authored by Eric Slifkin, REALTOR® serving South Florida’s Treasure Coast. You can reach me at 888-288-1765, or visit my Web site. As your resource for information on new or resale homes throughout the Treasure Coast, please be sure to contact me about any home you may find on the Web, yard sign or ad and I will research the property, arrange showings and handle all the details. 

Saturday, September 5, 2015

The Keys to Killer Curb Appeal

Thinking of selling your Treasure Coasthome?  As you probably know, curb appeal is an essential component of preparing a home for sale.

Our free eBook "The Keys to Killer Curb Appeal" is a helpful checklist and guide to making your home as appealing as possible to prospective buyers.

Download the Keys to Killer Curb Appeal or read my SlideShare presentation below. If you have questions about this guide, or would like to chat a little more about the home selling process, please call me at 888-288-1765,  I’d love to learn more about your goals regarding the sale of your home and your timeline for moving.






This post has been authored by Eric Slifkin, REALTOR® serving South Florida’s Treasure Coast. You can reach me at 888-288-1765, or visit my Web site. As your resource for information on new or resale homes throughout the Treasure Coast, please be sure to contact me about any home you may find on the Web, yard sign or ad and I will research the property, arrange showings and handle all the details.

Friday, September 4, 2015

OPEN HOUSE Sunday 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM at The Pines, Jensen Beach, FL

OPEN HOUSE, September 06, Sunday 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
2431 Northwest Windemere Drive, Jensen Beach, FL
Get Directions Click Here
Description Photos Maps & Local Schools Walk Score
$ Click for current price
3 BEDROOMS
2 BATHROOMS (2 full)
2375 Square Feet
Discover Jensen Beach living in this beautiful three bedroom, two bath pool home in The Pines. Features include tile floors in living areas, crown molding, stainless steel appliances and more. Recently painted inside and out. Minutes to shopping, dining, beaches and ''A'' rated Martin County schools. Low HOA. Move in ready. A must see!
Jensen Beach, FL Homes for Sale

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Eric Slifkin

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772-288-1765

eric@treasurecoasthomesales.com

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