How to Use Lighting to Stage Your Lakeland Sandpiper Home for Sale

How to Use Lighting to Stage Your Lakeland Sandpiper Home for Sale

How to Use Lighting to Stage Your Lakeland Sandpiper Home for Sale

If you are thinking about selling your Lakeland Sandpiper home, make sure you stage it in the “right light.”

Staging with the right light makes any room look better, bigger, and airier. It can create a dramatic mood, draw attention to your home’s best features, and evoke positive feelings in potential buyers viewing your home.

Another advantage of proper lighting is it’s less expensive compared to repainting or reflooring, but creates dramatic results.

A dark home can turn off potential buyers and even decrease the amount of money you get in offers so make sure your Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale is properly lit in order to help sell it faster and at top dollar.

Here are some room-by-room lighting suggestions to help you stage your Lakeland Sandpiper home for sale:

1. All rooms: Use recessed down-lights installed in ceilings or high-hats with a dimmer control.
2. Bedrooms: Make sure there is a table lamp, bedside lights, or a floor lamp to give a softer, more relaxing ambiance.
3. Bathrooms: To reduce glare and shadow, you can angle recessed lighting to bounce the light off the walls and ceiling for a softer look. Over-vanity lights or wall-mounted sconces also work well beside the mirror. Your shower’s interior should have a light with uniform brightness.
4. Kitchen: Group down-lights to focus on where it is most needed like the center island table o r sink.
5. Replace old lighting fixtures with new, modern looking ones. Make sure to get fixtures that produce 200 to 300 watts.
6. Use at least one halogen bulb per room and make sure that each room is lit brightly.

These extra lighting tips could use up more electricity, but it will surely make a huge difference in attracting buyers or in helping them decide in case they are still unsure whether or not to make an offer on your Lakeland Sandpiper home, since the right lighting will boost your home’s focal points and best features.

In the long term, the return on investment from the extra lighting will all be worth it once you sell yourLakeland Sandpiper home.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Lakeland Fl Sandpiper homes for sale.

Tips In Transitioning Into an Active Adult Community

Buyers of Sandpiper Lakeland Homes for Sale: Tips In Transitioning Into an Active Adult Community 

Buyers of Sandpiper Lakeland homes for sale: Tips in transitioning into an active adult community

From selling your old home to settling into your new Sandpiper Lakeland home, there’s a lot of adjustments when moving into an active adult community for the first time.

Though you are looking forward to the benefits in living in a community like Sandpiper Lakeland Fl, the process of moving and adjusting can be demanding if  you are not prepared.

 

Here are some tips to help you have an easier and more simplified transition into an active adult community:

1. Make a checklist.

Staying organized is the key to relocating. Write down your “to do’s,” make a checklist of your inventory to be packed and moves, and stick to your moving date schedule.

2. Ask questions.

Once you have decided to move into Sandpiper Lakeland Fl, make sure that you ask questions and get the answers. What types of homes for sale are available? Is it a gated community? How close is it to the amenities you need? You can research online, talk to the residents, or speak with a trusted agent who has experience in selling Sandpiper Lakeland homes to make sure you have all the information you need before you make that big investment.

3. Enjoy the community.

Once the papers have been signed and the last box has been moved into your new Sandpiper home in Lakeland Fl, it’s time to enjoy the community and your brand new home! Active adult communities have a strong sense of community so you will always find new friends and new experiences here.

Whether you are moving from another state or from another neighborhood, settling into your new home in Sandpiper will be a new chapter in your life that will be an awesome experience! To learn more ways to make the transition easier, call an experience and trusted real estate agent who specializes in Sandpiper Lakeland homes for sale today! 

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Lakeland Fl Sandpiper homes for sale.

Look for in a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl Home For Sale? (Part 2 of 2)

What Do Retirees Look for in a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl Home For Sale?

(Part 2 of 2)

What do retirees look for in a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale?

In the previous article (Part 1), we talked about why retirees prefer to move to Florida and what they are looking for in a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale’s interiors.

Now we will talk about what 55+ buyers are looking for when it comes to a home’s exterior and the neighborhood they will be moving into:

1. Low maintenance exterior. Options that are popular with retirees include stucco on concrete block, cement board, and brick.

2. Energy efficiency. Triple-pane, insulated, low-UV windows help keep utility bills low. Solar panels, solar water heaters and good insulation are also popular not only with retirees, but most homebuyers in general.

3. Size. 90% of retirees like to cut down on house size. The ideal size is anywhere between 1,400 to 3,000 square feet. Open floor plans which lets people be together most of the time and multi-purpose spaces are also in demand with retirees.

4. Outdoor Kitchens. Outdoor kitchens, along with telescoping doors, are popular for 55+ buyers who are moving to Sandpiper Lakeland Fl to enjoy the weather.

What do retirees look for in a neighborhood?

1. Nearby amenities like shopping, dining, healthcare, museums, and other attractions to explore are popular among retirees.

2. Activities. Leisure activities, fitness, walking trails, theater, clubs, volunteer opportunities, continuing education, music and dance performances, and many more. Retirees nowadays are also called active adults who prefer to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle while enjoying the company of friends and loved ones, making these activities and amenities a must in the neighborhood they will be moving into.

3. Golf, boating, and living near water. Sandpiper Lakeland Fl has one of the best golf courses in Florida. The many lakes in Lakeland also offer excellent conditions for boating and all the fun living near the water brings.

If you are putting up  your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl for sale, it would spell a big difference if your home meets most of what retirees look for in a home. Hire an experienced Lakeland Fl agent to give you more tips to attract more buyers to your home and get offers as soon as possible.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for aLakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Sandpiper Lakeland Fl homes for sale.

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!

What Do Retirees Look for in a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl Home For Sale? (Part 1 of 2)

What Do Retirees Look for in a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl Home For Sale?

(Part 1 of 2)

What do retirees look for in a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale?

Retirees who are planning to relocate to Sandpiper Lakeland Fl are looking for specific things in their new homes and neighborhood.

As a seller of a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale, it is important for you to know their reasons and motivations for buying and what they want in a home so you can make a fast sale.

Why do they want to move to Sandpiper Lakeland Fl?

In a recent survey at an Ideal Living Resort and Retirement Expo, 56% of respondents said the main reason they want to move to Florida is the warm weather.

The next main reason is the lower cost of living in Florida, according to 36% of the respondents.

Finally, 33% of the respondents said that the lower income and property taxes were the reasons they wanted to move to Florida.

What are retirees looking for in a Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale?

Interior:

1. Universal design. This is one main feature that 55+ homebuyers go after.

2. Master suite on the main level. It gives easier access, especially for feeble knees or for those requiring wheelchairs or walkers.  Retirees also prefer at least one more en-suite bedroom with a full bath for guests  in the main level, in case a son/ daughter/ elderly parent moves in.

3. Lever door handles. They are just a lot easier to use compared to door knobs, for both young and old alike.

4. Shower stalls with non-skid floors. Bathrooms with tumbled marble and glass enclosures provide easy access while maintaining a stylish look.

5. Comfort height toilets at least 6 inches higher. The extra height of the toilet seat makes getting up easier

6. Wider interior doors and hallways. This allows better and easier wheelchair or walker access. Hallways should be at least 3 feet across for wheelchair access.

Stay tuned for the next article. We’ll talk about what retirees look for in the exteriors of Sandpiper Lakeland Fl homes for sale.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for aLakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Sandpiper Lakeland Fl homes for sale.

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!

4th of July Celebrations for Carillon Lakes Homeowners

4th of July Celebrations for Carillon Lakes Homeowners

If you are living in or have recently purchased a Carillon Lakes home and are making plans for celebrating the 4th of July with loved ones, here are some suggestions on how you could celebrate Independence Day in and around Lakeland Fl:

4th of July Celebration hosted by the Lakeland Flying Tigers - 5:00PM

Venue: Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33805

Purchase tickets in advance to get the best seats and avoid long lines. Tickets are available by calling the Flying Tigers at  (863) 686-8075 or by visiting www.LakelandFlyingTigers.com.

A spectacular fireworks show will start at around 9:15PM. Be dazzled by two amazing, choreographed fireworks displays that will brilliantly light up the night sky.

4th of July Celebration at Lions Park - 10:00AM-2:00PM

Venue: Lions Park  N. Nekoma Avenue, Lake Alfred

Bring your family or friends and enjoy entertainment, rides, a car show, and food.

4th of july Celebration at The Florida Aquarium - 9:30AM

Venue: The Florida Aquarium, Tampa

Brandon Blast July 4th Fireworks Celebration - 6:00PM

Venue: Westfield Brandon mall

Celebrate Independence Day in the restaurant courtyard and inside the mall near the food court with fun for the entire family, music, great food and fireworks, plus a chance to win a $500 Westfield Shopping Spree. The event ends with a dazzling fireworks show at 9:00PM.

4th of July Fireworks Dinner Cruises at Tampa and Clearwater - 6:30PM

Venue: Yacht Starship, Tampa

Celebrate our Day of Independence with a spectacular 4th of July fireworks cruise. The cruise includes an open premium bar, a buffet upscale American favorites, stellar DJ entertainment, and spectacular fireworks finale choreographed to patriotic music! All ages welcome and dress code is casual. Tickets sell out fast so make sure to book in advance!

4th of July Family Funfest and Fireworks

Venue: American Victory Ship, Tampa

Get a feel of history as you celebrate the 4th of July aboard a WWII steamship, the S.S. American Victory. The steamship will be the best place to view the Channelside fireworks starting at 9:00PM.

Living in Carillon Lakes homes, you get to choose from a variety of events and places to celebrate Independence Day since Tampa is only 30 miles west of Carillon Lakes.

Petra Norris Realtor®

Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.

PO Box 92050, Lakeland, FL, 33804-2050

Office Phone: (863) 619-6918

Cell Phone: (863) 712-4207

Top 6 Tips To Cool Your Lakeland Fl Home For Sale This Summer Even Without AC

Top 6 Tips To Cool Your Lakeland Fl Home For Sale This Summer Even Without AC

Since it is summer, it is very common for electric bills to shoot up. Most homeowners will use their air conditioner longer hours to keep their homes cool. Do you know that there are other ways to keep the temperature in your Lakeland Fl home for sale cool without using your AC? Read on and follow the simple tips below.

1. Monitor the temperature

The best way to maintain the cool air inside your home is monitoring the weather and the temperature both inside and outside. Check the TV or the internet either on your PC or your smart phone in order to know the forecasted temperature for the day. Knowing how hot or cool the air will be can help you prepare. If it will be cool the whole evening, you can go without AC and just let the cool air in by opening the windows. If it will be too hot, prepare your home early by following the other tips below.

2. Close the drapes

The areas of your Lakeland Fl home for sale directly hit by sunlight will heat up fastest. Closing the drapes or blinds will help keep your home cool when it is too hot outside. Some people like using black out window covering to decrease the amount of sunlight that gets in the home, therefore keeping it cooler.

3. Make use of fans

There are days when you can’t get by without some cool air circulating in the home. Instead of using the AC, try investing in electric fans. You may use ceiling fans, whole house fans, or box fans. The good thing about fans is that they are relatively cheap, easy to install, and they don’t take up as much electricity. Different from an AC which can cool a whole room (even unnecessary parts of it), a fan can be positioned just where you want it. At night, some find it useful to put fans in windows to suck hot air out and cool air in.

4. Reduce humidity from the inside

This means preventing the use of some appliances that can make your Lakeland Fl home for sale extra humid and hot during the day. You can lessen or avoid washing and drying your clothes during midday, as well as cooking and baking or using the oven. When you find the need to do any of these, make sure you turn the ventilating fans on.

5. Avoid using heat generating lights

Incandescent lights can contribute in heating up your rooms. Try to avoid using them, unless of course, you really need to.

6. Add more plants

Having plants, especially trees, can help make the air cooler. Since it is summer, it’s the best time to touch up your yard to improve your Lakeland Fl home for sale’s curb appeal. You might as well take it a notch higher and plant some trees or shrubs. They are nice on the eyes and they can help keep your home cool on those hot summer days.

There is no need to endure the scorching heat while waiting for a closed deal on your Lakeland  Fl home for sale. The better news is, you can beat the heat without letting your electric bill shoot up. Just follow the tips above and your home will remain cool even without AC.

Common Mistakes That Can Reduce Your Sandpiper Lakeland FL Home Value

Common Mistakes That Can Reduce Your Sandpiper Lakeland FL Home Value

Sellers want to get the most profit when selling their  Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home.   Unfortunately some commit these common mistakes that can reduce the value of their home.

You may already know the things that can boost the value of your home like staging it, cleaning it, keeping it smelling nice, and keeping your pets and kids away during showings. What about the things you are NOT doing that can cause buyers to pass up your home or offer less than what you listed the home for?

Here are some of the common mistakes sellers do or don’t do that affect the value of their homes for sale in Sandpiper Lakeland Fl:

1. Selling in an area with several foreclosures. If your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale is in an area where there are several foreclosures, then your home will most likely sell for a lower value. Often, these kinds of neighborhoods with plenty of foreclosures aren’t well-maintained. The foreclosed  homes in this area are neglected and in dire need of maintenance. Perhaps, the reason why you are selling your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home is because of the high foreclosure rate! Based on a study by the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), homes within 250 feet of a foreclosed property decreased in value by 1% for every foreclosure.

2. Poor curb appeal. Never underestimate the power of curb appeal. If you have poor landscaping, this can decrease your home’s value by 5-11%! On the other hand, a well-kept yard will increase your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale’s value by as much.

3. Bad paint job. Bad paint jobs both inside and outside the home can decrease the value of your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale. This can be fixed quite easily with either wallpaper or repainting the home before selling it. Chipped paint and other ugly marks on the wall will give an impression to buyers that your home is badly in need of repairs or is not well-maintained.

4. Broken windows and leaky faucets. These do not cost much to repair, but when leaky faucets are left dripping, it can cost you your potential buyers. Some buyers might give a lower offer to compensate for home repairs.  They might also think there areother hidden problems in your home.

Putting up your Sandpiper Lakeland Fl home for sale is like dating, you always need to put your best foot forward to keep your buyer interested and in love with your home by keeping it well maintained and attractive both inside and outside.

To get the best tips on how you sell a Sandpiper Lakeland FL home for sale, call Petra Norris at (863) 619-6918 today or visit http://lakelandfl-shortsaleagent.com/lakeland-florida-short-sale-specialist/ for more information.