Cape Coral/SW Florida News.....December 2011
State and National News:
- Florida Housing Market bouncing back Read more…
- Interactive map shows population changes Read more….
- Feds outlook turns a little healthier Read more…
- Settlement reached in Drywall cases Read more…
- FL ranks high among states in lowering unemployment Read more…
Taxes, Insurance and more:
- How to Homestead you Lee County property Read more…
Cape Coral and SW Florida News:
- Cape Coral’s Iwo Jima statue restored Read more…
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Planning & Zoning changes to Tarpon Point Read more…
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Downtown Fort Myers thrives Read more…
- Builder purchases remaining homesites in Sandoval Read more…
Real Estate Tips:
- Before and After make overs Read more…
- Green Living Read more…
- Improve and Repair Read more…
Outdoors:
- Interactive map: Florida Panther deaths Read more…
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This month’s feature property….. you can own a beautiful buildable homesite with saltwater waterfront and QUICK direct access to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond for just $79,900
DEAL of the Century!!!! Location! Location! Location!!! WATERFRONT Direct Gulf Access lot means NO BRIDGE or other obstacles. This GREAT home site is located in Unit 58…and the SEAWALL is already in!!!! Fantastic Western Exposure will give you the sunsets that you desire… Imagine building your dream home….walking out your back door…..getting in your boat and heading out to anywhere in the world.. Now that’s ACCESS!!! Boating access to the Gulf of Mexico, beaches, and surrounding islands such as Cayo Costa, Cabbage Key, Sanibel, Boca Grand… Not to mention…this area offers some of the best fishing to be found anywhere in the world. You’ll also love the fact that this lot is close to an 18-hole Championship Golf Course, shopping, restaurants, etc. Come take advantage of the deals while there are still available….
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7 Tips for Staging Your Home
By: G. M. Filisko
Published: March 19, 2010
Make your home warm and inviting to boost your home’s value and speed up the sale process.
1. Start with a clean slate
Before you can worry about where to place furniture and which wall hanging should go where, each room in your home must be spotless. Do a thorough cleaning right down to the nitpicky details like wiping down light switch covers. Deep clean and deodorize carpets and window coverings.
2. Stow away your clutter
It’s harder for buyers to picture themselves in your home when they’re looking at your family photos, collectibles, and knickknacks. Pack up all your personal decorations. However, don’t make spaces like mantles and coffee and end tables barren. Leave three items of varying heights on each surface, suggests Barb Schwarz of www.StagedHomes.com in Concord, Pa. For example, place a lamp, a small plant, and a book on an end table.
3. Scale back on your furniture
When a room is packed with furniture, it looks smaller, which will make buyers think your home is less valuable than it is. Make sure buyers appreciate the size of each room by removing one or two pieces of furniture. If you have an eat-in dining area, using a small table and chair set makes the area seem bigger.
4. Rethink your furniture placement
Highlight the flow of your rooms by arranging the furniture to guide buyers from one room to another. In each room, create a focal point on the farthest wall from the doorway and arrange the other pieces of furniture in a triangle around the focal point, advises Schwarz. In the bedroom, the bed should be the focal point. In the living room, it may be the fireplace, and your couch and sofa can form the triangle in front of it.
5. Add color to brighten your rooms
Brush on a fresh coat of warm, neutral-color paint in each room. Ask your real estate agent for help choosing the right shade. Then accessorize. Adding a vibrant afghan, throw, or accent pillows for the couch will jazz up a muted living room, as will a healthy plant or a bright vase on your mantle. High-wattage bulbs in your light fixtures will also brighten up rooms and basements.
6. Set the scene
Lay logs in the fireplace, and set your dining room table with dishes and a centerpiece of fresh fruit or flowers. Create other vignettes throughout the home—such as a chess game in progress—to help buyers envision living there. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light.
Make your bathrooms feel luxurious by adding a new shower curtain, towels, and fancy guest soaps (after you put all your personal toiletry items are out of sight). Judiciously add subtle potpourri, scented candles, or boil water with a bit of vanilla mixed in. If you have pets, clean bedding frequently and spray an odor remover before each showing.
7. Make the entrance grand
Mow your lawn and trim your hedges, and turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes before showings to make your lawn sparkle. If flowers or plants don’t surround your home’s entrance, add a pot of bright flowers. Top it all off by buying a new doormat and adding a seasonal wreath to your front door.
G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who occasionally rearranges her furniture to find the best placement—and keep her dog on his toes. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.
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