Attention Florida REALTORS, mark your calendars to join Highland Homes for a Broker’s Open Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014 at their Saratoga community in north Lakeland. Scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., this event will give Florida real estate professionals an opportunity to preview the brand new model home before it opens to the public, learn more about homes at Saratoga and enjoy a delicious lunch sponsored by Home Solution Lenders, Inc. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to discover the benefits of working with Highland Homes, which include great commissions, bonus opportunities, fantastic buyer financing options and more. Located off Duff Road and adjacent to Huntington Hills Golf and Country Club, Saratoga’s north Lakeland address will provide residents with a laid-ba... 11/18/2014

For those Lakeland homeowners that already have a VA mortgage, there is the special refinance program called the VA IRRRL ( Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan)  that can help you lower and payments.  The VA IRRRL refinance can be done fast and easy since it’s streamline and does not require much documentation. Typically, there are no paystubs, no W2s, no bank statements and no appraisal required. Since there is no appraisal required, there is no LTV (loan to value) limit and those who are still underwater can refinance because value is not an issue. Can you get approved for a Lakeland VA streamline refinance (IRRRL)? There are certain conditions that must be met to be eligibility for an IRRRL: You must have an existing VA loan. The current VA loan must be in good standing – not more... 10/14/2014

Historic Homes for Sale - Beacon Hill Historic District in Lakeland FL   I believe the Beacon Hill Historic District in Lakeland Florida is one of the most hidden treasures as far as community is concerned.  This small historic district consists of about 150 structures and 89 homes were built before 1945.  Lakeland Florida has a total of 6 historic residential districts.    There are only a handful of homes for sale in the Beacon Hill historic district of Lakeland Florida for the most discriminating buyer.  The style of homes consists of bungalows, colonial and tudor homes, each has it's own characteristics and quality. Beacon Hill is known to its local as "The Reservation".  You will find street names, such as Seminole, Pueblo, Cherokee and Comanche just to name a few.       It's attra... 07/31/2014

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 t... 07/24/2014

Warning Signs That You Need to Repair the Foundation of Your Carillon Lakes Home For Sale   It is important to address problems with the foundation of your Carillon Lakes home for sale as soon as you see these warning signs.   A shifting, settling, or failing foundation can cause major structural damage to your Carillon Lakes home. The sooner you are able to fix any problems in your home’s foundation, the less damage it can cause.   The problem with foundation issues is they don’t show up right away. Your home’s foundation shifts, settles, or fails gradually and the simple telltale signs of foundation problems could be easily overlooked by homeowners.   Here are warning signs of foundation problems: 1. Cracks in floors 2. Misaligned garage doors, exterior doors, and windows 3. Bulging f... 07/23/2014

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 t... 07/10/2014

Top 9 Tips In Buying a Carillon Lakes Home for Sale   Top tips in buying a Carillon Lakes home for sale   Buying a home in an active adult community like Carillon Lakes is not too different from buying a home in a regular neighborhood.   The best thing to do is to hire an agent who is experienced in buying or selling Carillon Lakes homes for sale and who understands 55+ communities.   Here are some more tips in buying a home in Carillon Lakes:   1. Arrange your financing. Talk to your lender and get a preapproval letter before you make an offer on a home.   2. Get a home inspection. This also applies even for brand new homes.   3. Talk to the neighbors and find out what they like or don’t like about living there.   4. Ask the seller about cost of utilities and other costs associated wit... 07/10/2014

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 ge... 07/09/2014

How to Prepare Your Carillon Lakes Fl  Home for Storm Season     How to prepare your Carillon Lakes Fl home for storm season.   It’s that time of year to get ready for storm season in Florida. You’ll never when or how strong a storm would be, so it’s better to prepare as early as possible.   Here are some tips how to prepare your Carillon Lakes home for hurricane season:   1. Take a walk around your home and look for anything that is damaged or could get damaged in a storm. Make sure the eaves are up in place and not hanging down. Check the fascia for damage. If it’s loose, repair it. Check for loose nails as they tend to pull out as they expand and contract with the changes in temperature.   2. Check your windows and screen enclosures for damage. Never underestimate a small tear as thi... 07/08/2014

7 Ways Not to Sell Your Carillon Lakes Home for Sale   7 ways not to sell your Carillon Lakes Home for sale   If you are selling your Carillon Lakes Home in Florida, make sure you avoid these 7 ways of how not to sell your home:   1. Overpricing Price is almost always the main factor in why homes do not sell. It’s either price for condition or price for location. How do you know if you have the right price for your Carillon Lakes home for sale?  It’s when you start getting offers from multiple buyers.  To find out how what the best price for your home is that will attract many buyers, hire an agent who has experience in selling Carillon Lakes homes. 2. Bad location No matter how great your house is, it will never compensate for a bad location. Homes that are close to a busy freeway, a w... 07/02/2014

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 respo... 07/02/2014

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. ... 07/01/2014

3 Must-Dos for First-Time Buyers of Lakeland Fl Homes for Sale   I have recently closed on a home with a first-time home buyer who had done all the right things. But before he hired me as his Lakeland FL real estate agent, he had a budget, paid down his debt, saved for a downpayment and watched his credit score. But not everyone knows what must be done when it comes to buying a home, so let me explain the must-do's:   There will always be a first time for everyone when it comes to home buying. Because this is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make, and since many have gone through the same process, it helps to be aware of the most common to dos your checklist should have to ensure that you’re off to a good start.   Make sure to make your first ever home buying experience less t... 06/26/2014

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... 06/23/2014

  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 i... 06/16/2014

Top 4 Things to Check in Your Carillon Lakes Home for Sale This Summer     Each season has its fair share of little damages brought to homes. Your Carillon Lakes home for sale is not an exception this summer season. So before the heat brings stress in your home, be sure to check out the top 4 items we listed below. Pay more attention to these things to make sure that your house is still looking all great despite the summer’s scorching heat.   1. Air conditioning unit This season your AC will be working double time so make sure that it is working perfectly. Check and clean the filters. Experts say that it is actually a good idea to change your filters once a month if you are using it daily. Moreover, the AC’s refrigerant level, wiring, and fan need to be inspected to make sure that there... 06/16/2014

Top 3 Summer Energy Saving Tips for Your Carillon Lakes Homes for Sale   Summer is finally here. You may be purchasing a home this summer since research shows 60% of all homes are bought between May and August.  Once you’ve closed the deal on your Carillon Lakes home for sale try some of these energy saving tips.   1. Unplug unused electronic devices Some electronic devices still use up  a bit of electricity even if you are not using them, as long as they are plugged in. Chances are, you tend to leave appliances plugged in even if they are not used. Statistics say that around 5% - 10% of household energy consumption are from plugged in but unused devices. That’s probably the reason why they are called phantom load, idle current, vampire power, or shadow load. It makes you pay for someth... 06/09/2014

When it comes to selling new homes, a big selling point can be the ability for the buyer to design their home to their wants and needs.  On June 19, 2014 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Highland Homes invites Realtors to join them for an open house and tour of the Highland Homes Personal Selection Studio. During the open house, Realtors will have the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of selling new versus used. One of the best benefits to buyers is the opportunity to design their dream home by picking out the design finishes and features that suit their needs, style and budget. During the tour of the Highland Homes Personal Selection Studio, Realtors will see firsthand the hundreds of design options available to Highland Homes’ buyers.  Additionally, Realtors will discover the financi... 06/06/2014

Think Before You Click: Advantages and Disadvantages of Searching for Homes Online   Nowadays, almost everything is possible with the help of technology. Even searching for your ideal Sandpiper Lakeland home for sale is made easier and faster through the Internet.   Before you search for your future home online, consider the pros and cons of searching through the internet versus searching using traditional methods.   The advantages of searching for homes online:   The internet allows a potential homebuyer to evaluate the 'vital statistics' of a large number of homes. For example, you can find out which homes are within your budget with a simple click of the mouse.   Many online listings by developers and resale homeowners feature photographs of the home which helps buyers in the visual ... 06/04/2014

How Can Seller Incentives Help Your Lakeland Fl Home Sell Faster?   Whether you are listing your Lakeland Fl home in a buyer’s market, seller’s market or balanced real estate market, you may want to consider giving your buyers incentives to motivate them to make an offer on your home. What are the Best Seller Incentives? Most Lakeland Fl agents say that the best incentive that can sell your house quickly is a home that is in good condition and is priced just right. If you find that you don’t have enough money or time to make improvements on your home, then you can try to sell it “as is” – but don’t expect to get the best price for it. You will have to set a price just below what comparable homes in your area are selling for when you sell a home “as is” without improvements and/or deferr... 06/03/2014