Fall is a Great Time to List Your Home

If you are considering putting your house on the market but think Fall is not the right time, think again. Buyers are looking. In Autumn, Buyers become truly motivated to find a new home before the holidays. Buyers moving to Florida to avoid cold winters, also resolve to buy a home and move in before winter really sets in. 

Swift Selling Homes Real Estate Agents have put together tips that will make your Lakewood Ranch home stand out this time of year.  

How To Prepare Your Home for a Fall Sale

1. Clean up your yard. Make sure to cut back all dying foliage and dispose of it.   

2. Get creative with curbside flowers. Decorate with Autumn decor. Marigolds, mums, pumpkins.

3. Wash your windows, inside and out. Remove the screens, if you can, and clean those as well.

4. Decorate inside with autumn smelling candles, such as pumpkin and spice. Light them about twenty minutes before the showing. 

5. If you have an evening showing, make sure you turn on all the lights. Lighting improves a home’s atmosphere.

6. Have your HVAC serviced so that your air conditioner runs quietly. 

The Swift Selling Homes Difference 

If you're looking to list your home in or around Sarasota, you can't go wrong with the Swift Selling Homes Real Estate Experts. We have decades of experience selling homes in the Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch area. You can expect friendliness, honesty, and hard work from the Swift Selling Homes Real Estate Experts. There's a reason that so many people trust Swift Selling Homes again and again with their real estate needs. If you are thinking of selling your home click here to see how much your home is worth. 

Check Out Homes for Sale in the Southwest Florida Area

We have a great online service for you to search through the database of all property and homes for sale in Sarasota and the surrounding communities of Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Ellenton, Palmetto and Bradenton. Contact us with any questions you have about any of the properties at 941.417.9335 and let us show you why we are the Lakewood Ranch area’s real estate experts.

Throughout the Sarasota real estate market, luxury homebuyers expect to find resort-like amenities throughout the house. The trend is towards spa bathrooms, home gyms, entertainment areas and outdoor spaces. 

Outdoor living continues to grow as one of the main trends. Luxury homeowners dream of spaces that provide tranquility, connection and touches of nature. More than just an enhancement, these spaces inspire people to set work and stress aside and find moments of calm while making memories with friends and family.

Many luxury homes in the Sarasota area include spectacular swimming pools and water features custom built to create a backyard paradise. Luxury homebuyers are thrilled with  features like tiered fountains in the center of Italian-tiled swimming pools. Gentle streams of water cascading down copper, stone or glass walls is a peaceful and special touch to an outdoor space. 

Homes such as 5965 Gulf Of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key offer an outdoor space that includes a view, fountains, incredibly beautiful pool and atmospheric lighting. The home accommodates lavish parties to small gatherings in private Mediterranean oasis. 

The Swift Selling Homes Difference 

If you're looking to buy a luxury  home in or around Sarasota, you can't go wrong with the Swift Selling Homes Real Estate Experts. With decades of experience and a proven record of guiding buyers towards the right luxury home in the Sarasota area, by bringing together the diverse specializations and skills of a large team of real estate agents. You can expect friendliness, honesty, and hard work from the Swift Selling Homes Real Estate Experts. There's a reason that so many people trust Swift Selling Homes again and again with their real estate needs.

Check Out Luxury Homes for Sale in the Southwest Florida Area

We have a great online service for you to search through the database of all property and homes for sale in Sarasota and the surrounding communities of Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Ellenton, Palmetto and Bradenton. Contact us with any questions you have about any of the properties at 941.417.9335 and let us show you why we are the Lakewood Ranch area’s real estate experts.

In the Southwest Florida area, not always easy to tell that Autumn has arrived. However, that is no reason not to enjoy decorating your home for fall. In Florida, fall means introducing new colors to our natural floral. Changing the decor in your home doesn’t mean a lot of work or money. Below Swift Selling Homes has put together a list to add simple, cozy fall touches to your Southwest Florida home. 

• Orange, Yellow, and Red - Decorate the front of your home with pumpkins and mums of fall colors. Or if you have a color scheme going, add contrasting warm colors with gourds of all shapes and sizes.   

• Love Thanksgiving? Pull in natural elements onto your dining room table. Pumpkin and apple spice candles along with acorns, pinecones, and even scattered branches can draw a rustic element into your décor.

• There isn’t a lot of leaves changing in Florida but you can bring in bouquets and place them around your home to give it a fall look. Prime colors for fall foliage include bright orange, cream, burgundy, brown, greenery and fresh magnolia leaves. 

• Pumpkins announce that Autumn is here! They come in every available material, color, and size. Just adding them to your decor will make your home feel like Fall.  

All it takes is a little imagination and creativity to transform your Southwest Florida home.

The Swift Selling Homes Difference 

If you're looking to buy or sell a home in or around the Sarasota area, you can't go wrong with the Swift Selling Homes - The Real Estate Experts. You can expect friendliness, honesty, and hard work from the Swift Selling Homes Real Estate Experts. There's a reason that so many people trust Swift Selling Homes again and again with their real estate needs.

We have a great online service for you to search through the database of all property and homes for sale in Sarasota and the surrounding communities of Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Ellenton, Palmetto and Bradenton. Contact us with any questions you have about any of the properties at 941.417.9335 and let us show you why we are the Southwest Florida area’s real estate experts.

I remember the Hurricane season of 2017. I had lived in my home for 5 years but there had never been a need to install the Hurricane shutters. They were all neatly tucked away in the garage with the fastener kit unopened. My community was in a scramble with yeah sayers and naysayers. However, in the end we ALL decided to unite and break out the preparation instructions as the hurricane's path was demonstrating a direct hit.

So as we approach that special time of year please be assured that knowledge is power and that the end result will be a closer kindred allegiance with all of our neighbors.

Hurricane Season Preparedness

With hurricane season upon us, knowing if you are at risk and what to do if you are in danger is essential for you and your loved ones. Hurricane season usually runs from May to November and can be brutal for anyone along the east coast or for parts of the southern United States like Texas or Louisiana. Here are some things that you can do to be prepared for the next big storm, especially if you are in an area at risk of flooding. 

Get ready before it's too late

It's never too early to prepare for the next big storm, rather be safe than sorry, right? If you know that you are in an area that is at risk, it's even more vital that you get a game plan before it becomes too late. Get an evacuation plan together. Scope out the easiest routes that will be the least consumed with traffic to make sure you have plenty of time to get out of the danger zone. Practice this route so that you know it perfectly in an emergency. If you can’t make it to your evacuation route for any reason, know where you can find shelter. Just like the evacuation route, know how to get to shelter without question as a contingency plan. You can find shelter in buildings with lower levels and with no windows. Have an emergency kit ready to go. In your kit you should include at least 3 days worth of supplies for you and whoever else would be going with you, including medications, food rations, tools, and basic necessities. Gather all of your important documents like birth certificates, or passports and make sure that they are secured somewhere safe and that they can be recovered in the off chance something were to happen. Be sure to go over these plans and practice them with your family. Doing this will ensure that everyone knows their role when an emergency strikes.

Know what to look out for, Know what to do

Being ready is key but knowing when to take action could save a life. Being aware of what to look out for in the threat of a potential storm is key in areas with possible threats. If you are in a flood zone, look out for any types of heavy rainfall. If you are in a well-built house then stay safe and stay inside. If an evacuation has been called for then it is time to move. Remember, mere inches of flowing water is enough to knock someone down. Protect what matters most to you. Keep all of your valuable assets on higher levels of your house to make sure they do not see any damage. Always listen to emergency systems and weather radios if you are unsure about conditions and never try to venture out or try to swim through the flooded areas. Always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. 

Swift Selling Homes Real Estate Expert | Lakewood Ranch Real Estate

In the Lakewood Ranch area, it makes sense for Home Buyers and Sellers to work with an experienced real estate expert especially in this competitive market. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Sarasota and surrounding areas, give Swift Selling Homes a call today. We are the areas expert Real Estate agents, standing by ready to help. 

The Swift Selling Homes Difference 

If you're looking to buy or sell a home in or around Sarasota, you can't go wrong with the Swift Selling Homes Real Estate Experts. With decades of experience and a proven record of guiding buyers and sellers in the Sarasota area, we bring together the diverse specializations and skills of a large team of real estate agents. You can expect friendliness, honesty, and hard work from the Swift Selling Homes Real Estate Experts. There's a reason that so many people trust Swift Selling Homes again and again with their real estate needs.

Check Out Homes for Sale in the Lakewood Ranch Area

We have a great online service for you to search through the database of all property and homes for sale in Sarasota and the surrounding communities of Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Ellenton, Palmetto and Bradenton. Contact us with any questions you have about any of the properties at 941.417.9335 and let us show you why we are the Lakewood Ranch area’s real estate experts.

Receive the Latest Local Market Stats

Curious about local real estate? So are we! Every month we review trends in our real estate market and consider the number of homes on the market in each price tier, the amount of time particular homes have been listed for sale, specific neighborhood trends, the median price and square footage of each home sold and so much more. We’d love to invite you to do the same!

Get Local Market Reports Sent Directly to You

You can sign up here to receive your own market report, delivered as often as you like! It contains current information on pending, active and just sold properties so you can see actual homes in your neighborhood. You can review your area on a larger scale, as well, by refining your search to include properties across the city or county. As you notice price and size trends, please contact us for clarification or to have any questions answered.

We can definitely fill you in on details that are not listed on the report and help you determine the best home for you. If you are wondering if now is the time to sell, please try out our INSTANT home value tool. You’ll get an estimate on the value of your property in today’s market. Either way, we hope to hear from you soon as you get to know our neighborhoods and local real estate market better.

Summer is the season for home improvements. The sun is out, the weather is good and the days are longer, making it the perfect time to get to work on that project list. If you are thinking of making improvements to the exterior of your home or property, you might be interested to know that some projects provide greater returns when it comes to selling. 

If you want to sell your home, it is critical to make a good first impression. The majority of home buyers will make a decision about whether or not they want to look inside based solely on its curb appeal. Why is curb appeal so important?

The presentation of your property, also known as curb appeal, is important because it sets the expectation for the interior. It either invites buyers inside for a closer look or turns them away. It’s true that the inside is what will sell the home – the floorplan, the flow, the size of the rooms, the architectural details – all those things will factor into a buyer’s decision but if your home doesn’t welcome people from the street, most people just won’t bother taking a look inside. 

While you can’t change the structural look of your home, you can create curb appeal. Simple updates and maintenance can enhance your home and invite buyers inside. Updates don’t have to be expensive, they can be easy fixes that just require some time and elbow grease. Here are a few ideas to help get you started:

1. Clean up.
When buyers are looking at homes, a neatly manicured lawn is a key feature, demonstrating maintenance, care and upkeep. And cleaning up is among the easiest updates you can make. A few hours of work will make a big difference in the appeal of your home to potential buyers. 

Rake leaves, remove broken branches and dead plants. Use a power washer to clean driveway and sidewalks, fences and garden walkways. Wash windows – on both sides – for an instantly cleaner façade. 

2.Get green.
Nothing can be more inviting than a beautiful lawn and garden.  The neatly trimmed and manicured look lends instant credibility to a home, so trim hedges, bushes and vines, giving them shape and symmetry. Weed the garden and flower beds and plant bright, colorful flowers. Mulch the planting beds with a rich, deep-colored mulch, to create contrast and prevent new weed growth.

Repair bare spots in the lawn by planting plugs, which can be picked up at most home improvement stores.  Add ground cover to large or shady bare spots. If large areas of the lawn need to be replaced, you can re-sod them for a quick fix or re-seed them. 

Window boxes can add charm to any exterior and a cheerful pop of color. Place a few potted plants strategically on a front porch, entry or walkway. Avoid cluttering the space with too many plants, though; less is usually more.

3. Dress it up.
Paint your front door and shutters in a bright color that pops against the color of the home. Repaint trim that is peeling or faded. Make repairs to loose front porch boards or railings. Fill cracks in your concrete and restore crumbling concrete edges or corners.

A new doormat will invite visitors inside and make them feel welcome. Opt for a mat that is simple and sophisticated. Add plants on either side of the doorway to add symmetry, which is appealing to buyers and pleasing to the eye. Clean or polish front porch and coach lights or replace them as necessary.

Change the look of your home instantly with updated house numbers; don’t try to get fancy - clean and simple is the rule for numbers so they can be easily read from the street.

If your entryway, porch or front walkway are dark, add lights. Light will make a huge impact on the curb appeal. Solar lights for the walkway are inexpensive and easy to install.

4. Finishing touches.
During the day, open your curtains and let the light in – to create a warm, inviting feeling to your property. At night, leave your front porch light and coach lights on, as well as a hall lamp or kitchen light. Light evokes emotion and warmth and you want to convey that your home is warm and welcoming. Nothing looks more lonely than a dark house.  

Add a wreath to your front door. Keep it neutral and sophisticated.  Boxwood wreaths are a good option – green and manicured, they look lovely on any front door.

There are a number of other home improvements that can improve the look of your home AND add value at selling time, click here for our FREE Home Improvement Guide.

If you are considering selling your home, call us to see how we can help.  If you are thinking of buying or selling, or know someone who is, give us a call to see how we can help you.  We’d love to be your Realtors!

Swift Selling Homes - 941.417.9335

Is AI disrupting the future of Real Estate Agents?

DISRUPTION, DISRUPTORS if that isn’t the new buzz word. I remember when those words meant you were acting out in the classroom but now they indicate a “BUY” signal for the entity that is about to take control.

I am a Real Estate agent with over 20 years’ experience and there is an AI in my future.

Oh, it has come on so insidiously with the introduction to SIRI and ALEXA. I rather appreciate their help “Hey Siri, Find me a gas station!”. Sadly, however,  the next waved of AI is going to provide assistance for a while and then probably waltz me right out of a job.

The new AI in Real Estate will uncover better deals, negotiate more appropriate price points, and even provide a better selection of properties for buyers.

AI advantages over real estate agents:

• Cost. Who doesn’t want to save money, so the option to pay a 2% commission to a machine over a 6% commission to an agent is going to win every time.

• Objectivity. As we learn to depend and trust on the algorithms of AI we have to weigh the efficiency of the machine and the data versus the Real Estate agent that promotes a certain property based on intuition or their personal interest of earning the commission.

The Obstacles

The AI technology is moving fast but there are some obstacle to overcome before we turn in our lockbox keys.

• Showings. For the foreseeable future, homebuyers will want to personally tour their properties before making the purchase, and that means someone will have to step in to physically show the property. Real Estate agents will be able to sort out the AI recommendations combined with their own experience

• Negotiation. We credited AI systems with having more objectivity, relying less on intuition than on data. Until the AI learns how to interpret intuition we will still have value in our industry. We use this intuition to negotiate deals between the parties.

• The Personal Touch. Buying a home is both a personal and emotional experience. My homebuyers want to share the experience of touring the home and negotiating the deal. They are not ready to buy from an AI but they will be lead by the information that they provide. I guess in a sense we will remain workers for the AI, at least for a while longer.  

COMPLEX ANSWERS

So as complicated as the Real Estate industry has become, we can welcome a little help from our AI friends. So until we all get the boot, I am going to embrace a little help from my forthcoming AI friend.

“Hey Kelle, find me some health insurance on the cheap!!”

Knowing which home upgrades can bring you the most return on your dollar can save significant heartache and struggle when it does come time to put up that For Sale sign. Some upgrades can bring you big money, whereas other can cost more than they are worth in the long run. Buyers can be picky, and all have their own style. Don’t let that bring you down though, there are upgrades that can be done to suit anyone’s vision of a perfect home.

Kitchen Remodel

No need to get all fancy with a large kitchen blowout. You can make upgrades to your kitchen to give it that wow factor without gutting and rebuilding the entire thing. Replacing the old appliances with stainless steel is gives your home a sheek and modern twist. If you have old laminate countertops, try replacing them with stone or wood for an added flair. Upgrading your lighting to brighten up the kitchen is a great way to open up the space and give it a great finishing touch. Kitchen upgrades can get you an 81.1% return according to Bankrate. A minor face lift can go a long way when you update your home. Be sure to throw in a coat of paint, too. Everyone loves a newly painted home.

Garage Door

Not all upgrades have to be inside the home. In fact, upgrading your garage door has one of the highest returns out of any. You can expect an estimated 85% return at resale, says U.S. News by adding this one simple upgrade to your home. Take a look at your neighborhood and see what’s popular. You may not need to spring for the top of the line as long as it suits your home and the trend of other homes around you.

Entryway improvements

Along with the garage door, exterior improvements including the entryway can bring a large return on investment. Repainting and updating your door, siding, shutters, and cleaning up your porch can net you around a 95.5% return when it comes time to resell according to HGTV. If you decide to repaint and your home was built before 1978, always be sure to test for lead before you start to strip or sand it down. If you have iron rails that are starting to show some wear, consider repainting them while you’re at it to give that fresh and clean look. Take a look at refreshing your mulch, planting flowers, trimming your shrubs, and putting in some seasonal plants to spruce up your entrance with some lively color.

Think outside the box

When we think of upgrades we think of upgrading the things we can see. Why not upgrade the things behind the scenes like your insulation, HVAC, water heaters, or windows. Upgrading these will improve your energy efficiency while you are currently in your home and greatly improve the resale value later on when the time comes to move out. This will reduce your energy costs significantly in the meantime until you are ready to put your home on the market. Simply upgrading or replacing your attic insulation can provide a 116% return and is not something many people would expect. With any upgrades you decide to do, going energy efficient will get you the most out of your investment on resale with more and more home buyers looking at being as budget friendly as possible in every area they can.

It’s not GOLD the baby boomers are seeking these days, it’s SAND!

FINALLY, It’s that time in life when you are ready to achieve something of real importance; to find that object that has been in the middle of your vision board forever. It’s time to reward yourself for all of your effort, planning and investing. It is time to buy that RETIREMENT HOME in Southwest Florida. I suggest you not waste another moment of time and begin your search in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

To those of us who have lived here a while, we are perhaps a little desensitized to the glitter and eye candy of this premier community. I can remember my first visit to Lakewood Ranch; I thought, “Who does the landscaping to keep this community so pristine and beautifully presented? Everywhere I looked there were sidewalks, parks and trails with people of all ages running, cycling, walking and being active.

Lakewood Ranch has over 40,000 acres of planned community with every homeowner's budget in mind. The community of Lakewood Ranch Florida has homes values ranging from 200,000 to 6 million…we have condominiums, single family homes, villas and the new disrupter…the coach home. A quick visit to one of the two information centers will be an eye-opener regarding the history and future of this amazing community.

Besides being a community of A+ rated schools for the children there is  Golf, Golf and more Golf! LAKEWOOD Ranch is noted for having some of the most beautiful and challenging courses in Southwest Florida. And don’t forget to learn to play Pickle Ball…so scoot over tennis. Pickle Ball is the new rage!

Seeking some new hobbies or activities? Lakewood Ranch has over 45 clubs ranging from Ballroom dancers to Mahjong enthusiasts. During the winter months plan to do some tailgating at our Polo matches or make the choice to get involved in Lacrosse or Cricket. Actually, my favorite local club is the Moose Club located beachside on Anna Marie Island. Speaking of beaches, we have beaches, beaches and more Beaches! In less than 20 minutes your can be on one of the numerous beaches that have been voted #1 in all America.

So make that call, visit that website call Jan Swift to become your agent and get your plane ticket to Southwest Florida.