Staging Your Home – Tips

Here are some of my best must-have tips when staging your home to sell.  What appeals to you may not appeal to buyers and I promise these tips will bring more money into your pocket as a seller.

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Brand new appliances historically offer high returns to sellers.  Old appliances that make a kitchen look dated is a turn off to buyers.  Adding new appliances creates a “new kitchen” vibe that will bring in more money to sellers.  Stainless steel appliances are what most buyers look for.  “Slate” finishes are an up and coming trend that eliminates smudging on your appliances while still giving the stainless steel look.

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Unpleasant household smells are a major turn off to buyers.  If you have pets make sure you shampoo the carpets or get rid of old carpet that has trapped bad odors.  Cinnamon and fresh smelling fragrances will help buyers feel more at home in your house.  Make sure you keep rugs clean, pets bathed, and linens fresh to avoid lingering odors.

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Lots of light is important to buyers.  Buyers do not like dark spaces.  Open the blinds and curtains to let natural light in and be sure you have plenty of lamps.  Light-colored paint and light colored furniture will help improve your chances of a sale.

Curb appeal is very important to bring in buyers.  Trim your bushes and make sure your yard has been mowed and edged.  Fresh paint on the exterior of your home will attract buyers.  Plant colorful flowers that are in bloom.  All these suggestions will improve your chances of a sale and eliminate phone calls canceling showings of your home.   Buyers have a tendency to drive by homes they like before they view the interior with their agent.  If the home lacks curb appeal, you will loose a buyer before they even step foot inside your home.

Clear out clutter and items that may distract buyers when walking through your home.  Staging your home to show its potential is important to selling it.  Neutral paint tones are important and furnishings that highlight the functionality of your rooms is appealing.  You want buyers to picture their furniture in the room and be able to see themselves living here.

Where to Live in New Smyrna Beach, FL

Where to Live in New Smyrna Beach

As you consider a move to New Smyrna Beach, you will find that the number of neighborhoods in the community can quickly become overwhelming. How do you find the right one for your needs? If you are considering New Smyrna Beach FL homes for sale, here are some of the top places to live, and reasons why you should be discussing them with your New Smyrna Beach realtor.

New Smyrna Beach | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

Minorca Beachfront and Riverfront Condos

Minorca is a popular condo community for those who are looking for New Smyrna Beach real estate. The Minorca Condos offer so many perks and amenities, it’s easy to think of it as its own community, but it’s actually a carefully designed and planned condo development on the North end of the island. At Minorca, homeowners enjoy exclusive access to the community’s boat docks, tennis courts, clubhouse, and gym. The gated community offers peace of mind to those who purchase the stunning Minorca Condos for sale within its boarders.

New Smyrna Beach | Minorca Condos | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

Venetian Bay

Another popular community in New Smyrna Beach, Venetian Bay is great for families, because the community features a community pool, playground, golf, and bike trails. Families also love the convenience of being located just minutes from the sandy beaches of New Smyrna and minutes from Port Orange and Daytona, providing shopping and dining options. Homes here are modestly priced, yet still luxurious and spacious, to appeal to families of all ages. If you are searching for your first home in New Smyrna Beach, talk to your New Smyrna Beach FL realtor about Venetian Bay.

Venetian Bay Portofino | Johnson Group Built | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

Venezia Riverfront Homes

If you are looking for stunning New Smyrna Beach FL homes for sale, you will want to see the opportunities in Venezia, a mature riverfront community along the North Causeway. There are no fixed bridges and boaters are only 10-15 minutes from the New Smyrna/Ponce Inlet. The upscale community is 5 minutes from Flagler Ave, Canal Street, Publix, and our beautiful beaches.

New Smyrna Beach | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

New Smyrna Beach real estate provides many opportunities to those shopping for a new home in the area. As you consider your options, you will want the right real estate agent on your side. I am Sarah Caudill, and I am ready to help you find your new New Smyrna Beach home.

New Smyrna Beach Realtor

Most Affordable Riverview Condos in New Smyrna Beach

Bouchelle Island Condos | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

Have you dreamed of owning a home directly on the water?  Bouchelle Island offers an affordable way to own directly on New Smyrna Beach’s intracoastal waterway.  Condos in Bouchelle Island begin in the mid-$100,000’s and go up to the mid-$400,000’s.  The price point is dependent on the view offered, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the level of updating the unit has had.  Bouchelle Island offers great amenities, a marina and dry storage to keep your boat, and all very close to the beach and Flagler Ave.

Bouchelle Island has its own Marina where you can keep up to a 36 ft boat with drafts requiring less than 7 ft of water.  The Bouchelle Island Marina has both dry storage with room for trailers and 82 wet slips.  Unit owners and long term tenants are able to rent out these slips for their personal watercraft.  To inquire about rental rates and availability call (386-426-0228).

Bouchelle Island Amenities:

18 Hole – Pitch & Put Golf Course Two Heated Pools Two Outdoor Gas Grills Lighted Shuffle Board Court Two Lighted Tennis Courts

Boardwalk Boat Storage Area Wet Slips Club House Library

Click here to view all of the current condos listed for sale in Bouchelle Island.

Experience New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach | Sarah Caudill

Experience New Smyrna Beach like a local…

Smyrna Dunes Park | Sarah Caudill

Walk or Jog the 1.5 mile boardwalk at Smyrna Dunes Park located on the northern tip of the New Smyrna Beach peninsula at 2995 N Peninsula Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169.  Parking is $10 and Volusia County residents can purchase an annual pass for $20.  Pets are allowed in certain areas of the park including on the beach surrounding the park.  Enjoy this 73 acre park surrounded by water on 3 sides.

New Smyrna Beach Fishing | Sarah Caudill

Fish the surf at New Smyrna Beach and catch pompano, jacks, whiting, blue fish, Spanish mackerel, redfish, and flounder.  All of the oceanfront rental properties have fishing access.  It is great to be able to walk out of your back door and cast a line out in the ocean.

New Smyrna Beach Kayaking | Sarah Caudill

Explore the waters of New Smyrna like a local by kayaking the intracoastal waterway or the backwaters of mosquito lagoon.  You will see lots of fish, birds, dolphin, and perhaps a manatee.  New Smyrna Beach’s Marine Discovery Center offers guided kayak tours.  Click Here to learn more.

New Smyrna Beach Art Show | Sarah Caudill

The first Saturday of every month is the free Art Stroll on Canal Street from 10am-7pm.  Enjoy local artists work along with live music.  Every February New Smyrna holds the Image Art Festival with artists from around the country displaying their talents with unique pieces of original art.

New Smyrna Beach Sunset | Sarah Caudill

Watch one of our breathtaking sunsets off the west side of the island as you bask in the peaceful serenity that us locals love in the place you vacation and that we call home.

New Smyrna Beach Sunset | Sarah Caudill

Find a way to move here so you never have to leave paradise!   New Smyrna Beach Real Estate 

Where is New Smyrna Beach in the Current Real Estate Cycle?

New Smyrna Beach’s Minorca Condos

With the volume of single family home sales up 17.9% in February 2015 and condo sales up 15.6% compared to February 2014, it is easy to see that the real estate scene in New Smyrna Beach is seeing an unprecedented real estate boom not seen since the real estate market tanked.

The 2015 real estate market overall here in New Smyrna Beach is seeing less inventory evident by 7.9% less single family homes on the market and 3.3% less condos and townhouses on the market in February 2015 than February 2014.

This time, the market is being fueled by rich Central Floridians and out-of-town investors who are looking and eager to purchase in financially solid regions and to be part of projects established by experienced developers. New Smyrna is being recognized as an exciting place to own a condo or beach side home, and a great location in the county to get out of the rough northern winters.

The current real estate cycle differs drastically from the pre-market crash cycle in that it is much healthier as no one is taking big risks.  Investors are only looking to support financially strong projects with experienced developers in the drivers seat.

February 2015 NSB Board Stats | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

February 2015 Single Family Homes NSB Board of Realtors Statistics

February 2015 NSB Board Stats | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

February 2015 Condo and Townhome NSB Statistics

To search the current MLS listings in Volusia county directly:  Click Here

Why New Smyrna Beach FL is a Great Place to Retire

Retire in New Smyrna Beach | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

New Smyrna Beach FL is a great place to live and it is also a good place to retire!

PROS:

• We have a strong small town economy here in Central Florida.
• The average home price is $185,000
• Population of about 23,000 people
• Warm winters
• High number of doctors per capita
• Good ratings for bicycling, walkability
• Average tax climate
• Big outdoor recreation scene with boating, golfing, fishing, paddle boarding, and bicycling
• Low serious crime rate

ABOUT NEW SMYNRA BEACH:

New Smyrna Beach is 50 miles East of Orlando, FL and 89 miles south of Jacksonville, FL.  The white sand runs for 13 miles along our coast with driving permitted on portions of the beach.  New Smyrna’s beachside is a barrier island with the Atlantic Ocean bordering the East side and the Intra-coastal waterway bordering the West side.   The elevation is on average 9 feet.  Tides change every 6 hours and average 3 feet.

Year around temperatures in New Smyrna Beach, FL are very mild and pleasant.  The average annual temperature is 71 degrees Fahrenheit with highs averaging in the 80’s in the summer and lows averaging in the 60’s in the winter.  Afternoon showers are common throughout the summer months.

Find a home in New Smyrna Beach:

Real Estate in New Smyrna Beach FL

To learn more about New Smyrna Beach, check out my other related blog posts:

7 Ways to Have the Best Weekend in New Smyrna

Where to Eat? 

Visit New Smyrna Beach

Prestigous New Smyrna Beach Condos

5 Things You Should Do Before You Move Into Your New House

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1.  Change out the Locks – The first thing you should do after leaving the closing table at the Title Company and receiving the keys is to change the locks of your new home.  You do not know who all has had keys to the home in the past and you want to ensure that you are the sole person with access to your home.  It is very inexpensive to change out the locks yourself or call a locksmith.

2.  Have your A/C Ducts Cleaned Out – Next, you should hire a duct cleaning service to clean out the ducts of your home.  It costs about $400 and will drastically improve the air quality in your new home.

3.  Clean the Carpets – Prior to moving in your furniture and personal belongings, you should steam clean the carpeted areas within your new home.  You have two options to have this work done.  It costs about $50 per day to rent a steam cleaner and do the work yourself or you can hire a professional carpet cleaner for about $50 per room.

4.  Pest Control – Ask a local pest control company to come out and treat the home for unwanted guests including roaches, ants, and spiders.  Depending on your location you might also want the home treated for mice and termites.

5.  Familiarize Yourself with the Location of the Main Water Valve and the Circuit Breaker Box – Make sure to test and ensure all of the switches in the breaker box are labeled appropriately.  It is important to know which switches control the different areas of your new house.  Also, it is good to know where the main water valve shut off is.  You always want to be prepared with that knowledge in case of a plumbing emergency situation.

For more information on important things to do when purchasing your new home, click here 

7 Ways to Have the Best Weekend Ever in New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

Have you been dreaming of warm weather, seafood, and salt air?  New Smyrna Beach is calling your name!!

New Smyrna has everything you have been dreaming of from fabulous oceanfront condos to waterfront restaurants to gorgeous white sandy beaches.

Here are some fun things to do while here in the best beach town on the East Coast…

1.  Go to Outriggers and eat the freshest seafood.

Outriggers Tiki Bar and Grill | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

2.  Hang out at the Black Dolphin Inn and wake up to one their fabulous breakfasts.

Black Dolphin Inn Bed and Breakfast | New Smyrna Beach | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

3.  Visit our beach and soak up the sun.  Be sure to send pictures to all of your friends up North who are freezing in the cold.

New Smyrna Beach | Sarah Caudill | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

4.  Go fishing on one of the charter boats out of the New Smyrna Beach Marina or fish the backwaters of Mosquito Lagoon.

New Smyrna Beach | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

5.  Stop what you are doing and just admire our ocean views.

New Smyrna Beach | Sarah Caudill | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

6.  Dine at Breakers on Flagler Avenue overlooking the Atlantic ocean.

The Breakers Restaurant | New Smyrna Beach | Sarah Caudill | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

7.  Check out our gorgeous sunsets over the intracoastal waterway and plot a strategy to move here because you love the Florida Sunshine.

New Smyrna Beach Sunset | Sarah Caudill | http://www.sarahcaudill.com

How to Prepare to Sell Your Home

New Smyrna Beach Real Estate

You can do a lot to increase the appeal of your property and to create a lasting impact on potential buyers.

What To Do To Prepare:

The following are a couple of factors to keep in mind when listing your property for sale:

1.  Curb Appeal.

Keeping your landscape pristine, and adding creative touches to your yard, such as colorful flowers, will create an immediate impact on passers-by and potential buyers.

2.  Property Repairs.

Simple upgrades such as window repairs, polishing the doorknobs, and a fresh coat of paint in the most frequently used rooms will instantly brighten up the property.

3.  Cleanliness and Staging.

Keep your property uncluttered, sweet-smelling and well-lit from top-to-bottom. Pay attention to details: put away the kitty litter, place a vase of fresh flowers near the entryway, pop a batch of cinnamon rolls in the oven, have your carpets cleaned.

4.  Disclosures and Inspections.

I am very familiar with the legal procedures involved in disclosures and will help you develop a thorough disclosure statement beneficial to both you and the buyer, as well as suggest home improvement measures before placing your property on the market (such as termite and pest inspections).

5.  Showtime.

Presenting your property to potential buyers is a job that I will take care of for you. Buyers feel more comfortable discussing the property if you are not there. Moreover, I will know what information will be most useful in representing your interests when speaking with prospective buyers.

For more information on how to prepare to sell your home and the selling process please visit my website: http://sarahcaudill.com/sellers/decide-to-sell/

To List your home in Volusia County, call me today at 386-295-8664 or email sarah@sarahcaudill.com.

How to Financially Prepare to Purchase a Home

Before you start shopping for your property, it is a good idea to make some preparations.

Build Your Green File.

A green file contains all your important financial documents. You will need it to secure financing for your property. The typical green file should contain:

• Financial statements
• Bank accounts
• Investments
• Credit cards
• Auto loans
• Recent pay stubs
• Tax returns for two years
• Copies of leases for investment properties
• 401K statements, life insurance, stocks, bonds, and mutual account information.

Check Your Credit Rating.

Your credit score will have a huge impact on what type of property you can buy, and at what price. It is first recommended to check your credit rating with an experienced lending institution so that Sarah can determine what you can afford. The lender will research your credit ratings from the three credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. I will be happy to recommend experienced, knowledgeable lenders in the residential, construction, commercial, and investment real estate fields.

Be Careful With Your Finances.

Now is not a good time to make sudden career changes or large purchases. You want to approach your property purchase from a position of financial stability.

Please visit my website to find more tips on preparing to purchase a home  Deciding to Buy and search the MLS listings throughout Volusia County directly on my website www.sarahcaudill.com