June 6, 2018
0
Virtual screen

Amenities to look for when buying a luxury home

By | Blog

virtual screen

A luxury home isn’t just judged by its size. On the contrary, it’s judged by the kind of lifestyle it fosters.

Amenities play a huge role in this regard. From the luxurious to the lavish to the technologically cutting edge – there’s a breathtaking away of luxury features out there to make homeowners feel like they’re living their best life.

But what are the top amenities one should look for in a luxury home? Here are some of them.

  • Advanced security systems

    This may not always be first on people’s lists, but it should be. While your luxury home might cost a pretty penny, there’s nothing more valuable than peace of mind. And when you consider that your home shelters loved ones and prized belongings, a high-tech system becomes less of an amenity and more of a necessity.

  • Resort-like pools

    Is there anything more relaxing than diving into a pool after a long day of meetings? However, not all pools are built equally. For your luxury home, go for resort-inspired swimming pools that have deluxe features like heating and natural stone material. Particularly popular are infinity pools, whose edges seem to bleed into the horizon.

  • Home automation

    The internet has made the big leap from smartphone to the smart home. Indeed, home automation has been embraced by homeowners for the convenience it offers. You can control the temperature of rooms remotely, for example, or monitor your security systems on your phone.

  • Home theater system

    A luxury home isn’t complete without recreating the movie house experience in a home theater system. With cushy seats and equipped with state-of the-art audio and video, a home theater is a cool way to bond with friends and family over tubs of popcorn. Huddle to watch the latest sports matches or that new series on Netflix.

  • Gyms and sports courts

    Exercise matters to you, but finding time to hit the gym can be challenging. A home gym solves that problem, making it one of the top amenities luxury buyers look for. In fact, a full sports court is even better, allowing the homeowner the option to switch up their exercise routine.

  • Gourmet kitchen

    As they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s not surprising, then, that most luxury homebuyers want kitchens worthy of a chef. Aside from high-end materials and finishing, buyers also look for modern, energy-efficient, and smart appliances.

  • Guest houses

    If your family loves likes having guests for the weekend, consider looking at properties that have detached guest houses. This amenity allows you to take in visitors while ensuring a higher level of privacy for you and your guests. A guest house can also be used as a crafting or hobby space.

At the end of the day, the amenities you look for should match the lifestyle you want. Browse the website to check out the finest in luxury homes for sale in Florida. For inquiries, call Garrett Bell at 321.537.6697 or email [mail_to email=”[email protected]”][email protected][/mail_to] today.

May 30, 2018
0
Homeowners receiving their new house keys

Buying your first home? Hire a Realtor

By | Blog

Homeowners receiving their new house keys

Yes, you could buy a home without a real estate agent – but why subject yourself to the stress of handling everything yourself?

Especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer, there are many advantages to having a Realtor at your side:

Access to more properties

Your future dream home may not necessarily be listed, especially if it is being sold by the owners themselves. A good real estate agent will have access to both listed and unlisted properties, giving you a broader selection to choose from. Indeed, this level of access is one of the big perks of working with an agent.

Get expert guidance

Just how much should you pay for a house? Are there liens or injunctions against the property? Which neighborhoods have good market valuation? There are just some of the questions that real estate agents will research on behalf of their client. They possess invaluable local real estate knowledge, which can help you find the perfect house sooner—and at the right price.

Manage the paperwork

The sheer volume of paperwork involved when buying a house can be quite daunting for first-time buyers. A single mistake can set back the purchasing process for weeks. If you have an agent, however, they will help you manage the required paperwork and explain them to you – reducing the risk of mistakes and fast-tracking your home purchase.

Get an ace negotiator

If negotiation is not your strongest point, the mere idea of haggling down the price of a home worth hundreds of thousands of dollars can be nerve-wracking. Luckily you won’t have to if you have a real estate agent. With years of experience under their belt, they know exactly how to negotiate the best deal possible for clients.

They’re bound by a code of ethics

Real estate agents adhere to a stringent code of conduct. This is especially true of Realtors, who are members of the National Association of Realtors, the largest organization of its kind. As such, they are bound to put their clients’ best interest before theirs, lest they face penalties or expulsion.

They know people

You’d be surprised at the number of people involved in buying a home. A real estate agent worth their salt will have nurtured connections that will be useful to their clients. These include home inspectors, decorators, and the like. Agents remain an invaluable source for related real estate concerns, even those that fall outside their scope of work.

They stay in touch

A great real estate agent doesn’t disappear on their clients once the home is officially sold. On the contrary, the best of them can still be relied on to answer questions you might have after the deal is closed. If you’re shopping for real estate agents, check out their credentials and the testimonials of past clients. Find out the level of after-sales service the agent has satisfactorily dealt with.

Given the service real estate agents offer, they’re well worth the commission you’ll pay them. If you’re looking for luxury homes for sale in Florida, browse the website. For inquiries, get in touch with one of the top Brevard County Realtors today – call Garrett Bell at 321.537.6697 or send him an email at [mail_to email=”[email protected]”][email protected][/mail_to].

May 23, 2018
0
Woman in a beach

Why people are moving to Brevard County

By | Blog

Woman in a beach

There are many ways to describe Brevard County, FL – beautiful, relaxing, cutting-edge, and affordable. No matter how you see Brevard, one thing’s for sure—the area has become one of the hottest real estate markets in Florida.

Why are people flocking to live here? We list a few reasons below:

  1. 1. Gorgeous, sunny weather

    Florida isn’t called The Sunshine State for nothing. And in Brevard County, you can look forward to many sunny days. About 300 to be exact. The average annual temperature sits at about 72° F, the perfect weather for outdoor activities. Is it any wonder why so many people purchase summer homes in the area?

  2. 2. Beach weather deserves miles of beaches

    What goes with Brevard County’s perennially sunny weather? Miles of pristine sandy beaches – 72 to be exact. It’s yours, if you live here – any time you want to catch a few rays on the shoreline, surf the waves, swim, and go sailing. It’s beach living all day, every day.

  3. 3. Recreational options abound

    Beaches are certainly not the be-all of recreation here. You can also explore the nearby rivers to spot wildlife like alligators. Check out the Brevard Zoo’s turtle rehabilitation hospital and interactive exhibits. There are even recreational options for your pooch, thanks to Brevard’s five dog parks.

  4. 4. It’s close to Orlando

    One of the best things about Brevard County is that it’s only 45 minutes away from Orlando, Florida. That means you’re only about an hour away from famed attractions like Disney World and Universal Studios Theme Park. At the same time, the area has managed to hold onto its relaxed, beachside vibe.

  5. 5. There are employment opportunities in science and technology

    Science and technology are two of the leading industries in Brevard County, which is home to the Kennedy Space Center, SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing. These institutions employ thousands of residents, making Brevard an ideal locale for those who dream of working among leaders in the field of aerospace.

  6. 6. There’s a place for those with a heart for culture

    Of course, Brevard has an artistic side, too. The Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts mounts musical, theater, and dance performances throughout the year. For those with a taste for fine art, a visit to the Foosaner Art Museum and the Ruth Frank Center for Textile Arts is a must. The county also has its own symphony orchestra which holds regular performances.

  7. 7. Excellent homes at excellent prices

    A great home is hard to find. A great home with a great price tag? Even harder. Luckily, there are many wonderful homes in Brevard County that are reasonably priced. Depending on the community, you could get a 3-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot home in the low six digits. That’s a very good deal, considering that most communities are just a short drive to the beach.

Are you ready to check out Brevard County, Florida real estate? Get in touch with local expert Garrett Bell. Call 321.537.6697 or e-mail [mail_to email=”[email protected]”][email protected][/mail_to] today.

May 22, 2018
0
Garrett Bell

5 Questions to Ask Before Shopping for Homes

By | Blog


There are certain questions buyers should ask before shopping for homes. Today we will go over five of the most common, and important, things to consider.

Buying a home? Click here to search all homes for sale.
Selling your home? Click here to learn more about our home selling system.

There are five common questions that buyers forget to ask when shopping for homes. A lot of times, the issues these inquiries would address will surface later on and become a larger problem than if they had been confronted sooner.

1. Is the home in a flood zone? Other than the fact that homes in flood zones will obviously require additional precautionary measures to be taken, buyers should also keep in mind that these properties will require flood insurance. This could impact your monthly payments.

2. Are there any financing restrictions? If a seller isn’t accepting a certain loan type, like FHA or VA, this could indicate there’s something wrong with the property’s condition. If you’re purchasing a condo, you should also check into financing restrictions that might pose a problem for your transaction. For example, if the percentage of tenants per the owner/occupant ratio is too high in a condo building, financing may not be accepted.

3. Is the home block construction or wood frame? Regardless of which construction category your home falls under, we will always order a termite inspection. We also always recommend getting a termite bond on your property. Both of these things, however, are obviously more critical when it comes to wood-frame homes. Wood-frame homes are also more susceptible to wood rot, so make sure to keep the exterior painted to prevent water intrusion.

“With the help of an experienced agent, these questions can be addressed to ensure a more seamless home shopping experience.”

4. Is there a potential for insurance problems? Two of the most common examples are faulty electrical panels and damaged roofs. Certain electrical panels, like those produced by Federal Pacific, are known to present a fire hazard. The condition of the roof and it’s estimated lifespan may also have an impact on your insurance rate, or your ability to obtain insurance on it at all.

5. How much are the taxes, and was the property homesteaded? Your lender will roll your annual tax bill into your monthly payments, so it’s important to understand this expense so that you can estimate your budget. Also, you should determine whether the property has been homesteaded for the current year. When you file your homestead exemption, it won’t come into effect until the next year. This could impact your rate, so you need to be proactive in anticipating future costs.

Oftentimes, buyers are under contract before they begin to consider these questions, if they consider them at all. That’s why the guidance of an agent is so important. With the help of an experienced agent, these questions can be addressed to ensure a more seamless home shopping experience.  

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

May 2, 2018
0
Garrett Bell

The Difference Between As-Is and Standard Contracts

By | Blog, Real Estate Knowledge


Our team uses as-is contracts as opposed to the standard contract. Here are a few reasons why.

Buying a home? Click here to search all homes for sale.
Selling your home? Click here to learn more about our home selling system.

During the process of a home purchase, a buyer is going to be allowed to inspect the home. With an as-is contract, the seller is not obligated to make any repairs to the property. However, the buyer is not required to move forward with the purchase if they don’t. The buyer can request credits, repairs, or a reduction in purchase price, which the seller can decline or accept.

The standard residential contract, on the other hand, works a little differently. The seller is obligated to make repairs to the property, whether they are general repairs, termite repairs, or repairs associated with closing out any open permits. This is usually negotiated based on a dollar amount.

“Repair costs can vary greatly.”

In my experience, we use the as-is contract 99% of the time. Here are a few reasons why:

1. The repairs and inspections can be subjective. You may have one inspector give an opinion about something that’s wrong with the house, and another inspector could come out, look at the same thing, and think that there is no issue. This goes for tradesmen as well.

2. Repair costs. There may be a discrepancy between the buyer and seller on how much a repair should cost. One repair company could give you one quote for $1,000, and another could come back with a quote for $3,000 for the same repair. Because of the confusion caused by this, we like using the as-is contract.

Hiring an experienced agent who can guide you through this type of situation is so important. If you have any questions for me about this topic or what I can do to help you if you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in Brevard County, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.