Stainless Steel Appliances - How to keep them clean.

One of my buyers just purchases all stainless steel appliances for her kitchen and the subject of cleaning them came up on her Facebook thread. She has completed renovated her home and it looks amazing. Going to have to blog about that someday.

Stainless steel appliances or for that matter all appliances look great when they are new but after a while they can look like they need cleaning.

I remember that I was told by some housekeepers that WD40 worked well. Here is a link to an article on using that product in the kitchen. The comments section is the most interesting part here which I would recommend you read. It's a link from the Apartment therapy website:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/clean-protect-stainless-steel-156190


Check out the link and let us know how you keep those stainless steel appliances looking brand new.
The sun is shining in the side by side in my home and it looks like it needs a clean, so I do understand the stainless steel cleaning dilemma we mostly have. Still love the look and believe that even black and white appliances need cleaning too.

The LR Group

Premium Properties R.E. Services

Allister Lenn

Tel: 407-593-8234

www.homesinlakenona.com

Young Homebuyers - What is the right age to buy a home?

Buying Young - Is it Ok to buy a home at a young age?

When people ask what is the right age to buy a home, there really is no one age fits all answer.

Here in the US we generally have the attitude that there is nothing wrong in buying homes early in life. If the buyers personal situation is right, age doesn’t really matter. Of course younger people can generally afford less but this is not always the case. We often move house and rent out homes we once lived in. Buying a home is part of the American Dream. A first home is often a starter home and there is nothing wrong with that concept. As incomes grow and situations change you can sell the home and upgrade or rent it out and hopefully have an income.

There are some home buyers out there who are really quite young. Recently, and by that I mean since the crash we often hear that homeownership is not for everyone, but this doesn’t mean just because you are in your twenties that you shouldn’t buy a home.

When can it make sense to buy young?

Home prices and interest rates are low.

The interest rates are still at a historical low. You have a reasonable income and can afford the mortgage payments. You might be getting in to a home now which you otherwise would not be able to afford. If in the next few years interest rates and home prices go up in your area then you might find that you can no longer buy the same home. In this case you might regret your decision down the line

You spot a home and it is an incredible deal. Similar to the point above. The home is a real deal and you can afford the home. The seller might be distressed or just want out and the home is a great fit for you. There really should be nothing to stop you considering the purchase.

You have a nest egg which is good for a down payment and the payment on the home is comparable to any mortgage including additional costs for taxes, maintenance etc. you might pay. You are renting or live at home and feel that you are ready to move out and in to your own home. If you have the cash and chose to make the investment in your own four walls, why not?

When you plan to stay in the area. Not everybody wants to travel the world. There are plenty of people who just have no desire to move from an area and for those who want to stay put getting a home early can make a lot of sense. You have a roof over your head and you can afford the payments. The sooner you start the sooner you can live mortgage free in your own home.

Your independently wealthy and you want the home. Well this is a no brainer. In this case why not go ahead and enjoy your own home. 

You do not want to pay someone else’s mortgage.

Many renters realize that they have been paying someone’s mortgage just not their own. This is a motivating factor for many to not rent but to buy their own home.

Buying Young - Is it Ok to buy a home at a young age?

When people ask what is the right age to buy a home, there really is no one age fits all answer.

Here in the US we generally have the attitude that there is nothing wrong in buying homes early in life. If the buyers personal situation is right, age doesn’t really matter. Of course younger people can generally afford less but this is not always the case. We often move house and rent out homes we once lived in. Buying a home is part of the American Dream. A first home is often a starter home and there is nothing wrong with that concept. As incomes grow and situations change you can sell the home and upgrade or rent it out and hopefully have an income.

There are some home buyers out there who are really quite young. Recently, and by that I mean since the crash we often hear that homeownership is not for everyone, but this doesn’t mean just because you are in your twenties that you shouldn’t buy a home.

When is it probably an idea to wait?

If you don’t know where you’ll be in a couple of months let a lone a couple of years time, then you probably don’t want to saddle yourself with a mortgage. Homes are generally not a good investment if you aren’t planning to stay in them for at least 5 years. There are exceptions to this rule but buying the wrong home is usually a bad idea.

You plan to go to school and your income is going to drop.

In this case you should wait. If you know that you will not be able to afford the home in the future, don’t put yourself under any undue stress. Now is not the right time.

Not looking for the responsibility of Homeownership

Buying and renting are different animals. If something doesn’t work in a rented home you can 

just call the landlord or leasing office. When you buy it is your responsibility to maintain the home and the bills involved with home ownership are 

Currently you could afford a home but you expect your financial situation to change in the next few years and you could then afford a home you would like more. Then there is nothing wrong with waiting.

Does anyone have any comments about the right age for homeownership? We would be interested in hearing your take and of course helping buyers of all ages find a home that works for them.

The LR Group

Tel: 407-593-8234

www.homesinlakenona.com

Where should we look online when we are searching for a home? - Lake Nona to St. Cloud and beyond

Most home buyers are searching for their homes online and that's OK. That is exactly what I did when shopping for a new home and I am a Realtor. Here in the Central Florida region there are
so many different areas to live, each with their own characteristics and charm, searching online seems the obvious first step.

However what you have probably found is that some of the portals out there confuse you as a buyer more than one would imagine. The listings are out of date, an active listing is already under contract or sold even a year ago, the information is questionable at best and sometimes it appears to be fake.

This is how the process works from an agent perspective.

The seller's agent enters the data in to the multiple listing Service (MLS). All agents in the MLS share the same data and have access to the latest information.

Seller's agents want the information for listings to be visible to as many eyeballs as possible. For this reason the information is syndicated to other sites. Depending on how this information is pushed or pulled the accuracy of the information can easily change over time. If pictures are added, if prices are changed this information may not be updated quickly, if at all. Some sites even sell the information again, this is called re-syndication, the information is further removed from the original more accurate source information.

The various portals out there attract customers by posting information. They then sell advertising space to various service providers including real estate professionals. They need to have content to attract visitors and much of the information is helpful, even if not always 100% accurate.

How can I as a buyer save myself the trouble and confusion?

As a Broker Associate the easiest answer is of course contact the LR Group. However this blog is not about shameless self promotion. It is however important to point out that a buyer's agent has access to the updated information in real-time.

At the LR Group we have invested in tools which enable our buyers to search on their own if preferred. These tools give our buyers access to exactly the same information that we have. We don't harass our customers we just provide the tools and information and when you are ready so are we.

Of course a savvy agent will also be able to set up searches which are very specific and detail oriented. Not every home buyer wants to move quickly and some want to get a feel for the market before they start the search for real. That's OK, but don't hesitate to involve your buyer's agent early in the process they could ensure that you have the updated information and use your time wisely.

The LR Group
Premium Properties Real Estate Services
Tel: 407-593-8234
www.homesinlakenona.com
Allister Lenn Broker Associate
ABR - Accredited Buyer's Representative
MRP - Military Relocation Specialist

Living with an HOA - What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Living with an HOA - What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Ask two different homeowners and get two different answers regarding the advantages and disadvantages of HOA’s

What does HOA stand for?

HOA stands for Home Owners Association.

I have personally resided in various HOA’s and believe that a well managed HOA has multiple benefits. As a Realtor I can also understand buyers who say no way Jose to the idea of purchasing in an HOA. HOA living is not for everyone that is for sure.

The community management and maintenance are funded via a fee paid by the homeowners. The fee is generally due monthly, quarterly or annually. As a rule of thumb owners in the communities must follow a certain set of rules laid down by the association

Advantages of HOA’s

In my opinion the biggest advantage should be the appearance of the community. Homes within an HOA should meet the standards set by the association. If not fines should be applied. There should not be uncared for lawns, homes which are not painted and kept up and there could be bans on private commercial vehicles and RV’s parked within the community. The height and color of fencing may well also be predetermined. These are just a few things the HOA may be watching out for. 

Some HOAs have a design review board, the purpose of which is to ensure uniformity and that the look of the community is upheld. They might rule that a homeowner may not install an awning on the front of their home. Equally they might ensure that trees and landscaping conform to the overall plan. and which establishes a color palette for exterior paint and trim.

There are differences between HOA’s some will take care of more services than others. Lawn care could be part of the monthly fee leaving less work for the owner of a home. The common areas are usually maintained by the association, entry ways in to the communities, gates where applicable as well as community pools and tennis courts. Many new communities are including dog parks and utility fields which provide a convenient resource for residents.

If you have a problem with loud neighbors partying, or barking dogs, you can ask the HOA management to intervene rather than getting directly into a dispute with the neighbor. This is not always the best option but for some people it may be preferable.

Who is an HOA not great for?

Prospective Home buyers who have their very own idea of how they want to live might want to avoid an HOA. If you don’t want to follow their rules, or if you know you want to park your RV on your driveway all the time and hang a flag all year round then an HOA is not for you and that is OK.

Some HOA’s won’t allow home business and some will limit the number of pets allowed.All HOA’s aren’t alike, but you have specific requirements ask your Realtor so they can assist you in finding a home where you can do what you want without the particular HOA restriction.

Here in central Florida a pool is something many buyers simply expect on the property or within the community. If you buy a home for example in an HOA without a pool and you’ don’t have your own pool, down the road you may find that the home is less attractive to a potential buyer. Some of the facilities of an HOA are an advantage at resale. As the services are often divided by a larger number then the cost per home is sometimes negligible.

In the community where I live there is a great communal pool but as many homeowners have their own private pool the pool is not really crowded and this is an added benefit in my eyes.

If you have any questions about buying a home here in Central Florida feel free to reach out toe the LR Group. We know the area and look forward to sharing our knowledge with you. 

Allister Lenn, Broker Associate with Premium Properties Real Estate Services, is both a military relocation specialist (MRS) as well as an accredited buyer's Specialist ABR. He is excited to work with homebuyers looking to move in Central Florida. Whether you are a civilian homebuyer, a service member, citizen or foreign national we can assist you find the right financing and guide you through the purchase process of your new home, be it resale or new construction.

Please give us a call or send an email: 

allister.lenn@gmail.com

Tel: 407-593-8234

www.homesinlakenona.com