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  The Everything Guide to Selling Your First Home

  How to figure out exactly what you want, and how to work with the experts who’ll help you get it. Read

Are you and your family ready to get out of town for a while this summer? Here are some ways to keep you and your home safe while you’re enjoying your time:

1. Put a hold on mail. A mailbox that’s overflowing and a doorstep that’s piled high with newspapers give criminals a clear indication that your home is vacant. Call your local post office and newspaper company to hold your mail and weekly newspapers. Most locations offer a stop mail request that can even be submitted online.

2. Pull those plugs. It is always a wise decision to disconnect common household appliances and electronics such as:

• Toasters
• Blenders
• Coffee Makers
• Televisions
• Gaming Systems
• Cell Phone Chargers
• Washers and Dryers
• Computers, and much more.

Unplugging these items will lessen your chance of having a power surge while you’re gone. Not to mention, your electric bill will be lower than normal. Even when those appliances are turned off, they are still transmitting energy. So before you trek, disconnect!

3. Ask a friend to move in (just for the week). If you have pets (or an abundance of plants that need hydration), consider having someone you trust to house sit for you. This will also add to the appearance of your home being occupied with lights going on and off, ensure that your pets and plants are being taken care of, and you wouldn’t have to worry about tip number one as there would be someone there to take care of your mail and newspapers.

4. Invest in a home security system. Having your home broken into is one of the biggest fears vacationers have. Most home burglaries happen in between 6 am to 6 pm. Yes, those are working hours. Just imagine if you had a reliable security company that alerted you immediately when someone came into your home uninvited. If you increased your security by adding surveillance cameras, you’d have a greater chance of protecting your valuables and prized possessions. You also have the benefit of being able to see your home while you’re away. It is always better to be safe than sorry!

5. Do not give a play-by-play of your vacation while you’re away. Never post anything on social media about your upcoming trip, how long you’ll be gone for, and any pictures that clearly indicate that you’re far from home. We all want everyone to know about the fun and cool things we are doing, but is it worth having your home broken into because you told the world that you were out of town? You can always post your happy memories that you and you’re family made after you get back.

6. Double Check. There’s nothing more irritating than being 30 minutes into traveling to only realize that you left the dining room pendant lights on, or your garage door wide open. It’s important to go through your list and ensure that you’ve completed everything before heading out; even if that means you do it twice. In the event that you absolutely cannot turn back around to secure these things, call a family member or someone you trust to take care of them for you.

With a little bit of effort and vigilance, you will have no worries when it comes to your home while you’re away. Happy vacationing!

We see the signs every time we’re out on the road, “FOR SALE BY OWNER”. These are the folks that take pride in getting things done on their own and to save their money for other things but, what they don’t realize is that they’re house might have that little sign on front of their yard a lot longer than they think.

Having an Agent take on the task of selling your home is more beneficial than you think. Here are some reasons why it is always worth hiring an Agent:

1. They complete contractual related tasks you are required to perform. With over 12 pages in a standard contract there are a lot of dates and deadlines. Which include: inspections, walk throughs, appraisals, etc. There is no stress on you having to be present if you have children to take to school or if you’ve got a dentist appointment. If you’ve got a busy schedule, you’re agent is always there to step in.

2. They make sure you are covered when it comes to disclosures. Agents are responsible for making sure you provide everything you are required to the potential buyer. In Florida, you are required to disclose certain facts about the property that you are aware of. The agent knows what they are and will help you keep out of potential trouble.

3. They have access to Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This is truly the real estate gold mine. Not only does MLS give an agent access to the list price and a few pictures, you are able to view the entire broker synopsis. That includes: flood zones, exterior and interior measurements, home vacant or occupied, and so much more. There’s even an area where other agents request showings to see your home that make the entire process a breeze. Not to mention over 10,000 people will see your home everyday online.

4. Your homes first impression will look better online. It might seem simpler just to pull out your phone and snap a couple of pics and put them online; but does it look appealing to a potential buyer? Your agent will likely hire a professional photographer or home staging company to come in and clear your home of exposed laundry piles and dishes and bring out the ‘Taj Mahal’ it has inside.

5. Their market expertise will help you list your home at the best price. This is accomplished by a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). The purpose of a CMA is to compare your home to others in your area that are either: active, pending, sold, or withdrawn. They make comparisons based on similarities of: age of home, amenities, square footage, room sizes, and more. An agent is trained to understand the market. This gives you an advantage of selling your home for the most profit based on your area and, it helps you understand what a good offer is.

So the next time you think about DIY real estate sales; remember agents may seem expensive, but they tend to make you 15% more than if you were to sell the home yourself and they have the right insurances and knowledge to keep you out of trouble.