7 Tips for Moving With Pets

Moving with pets is stressful – for you and for them. Check out these seven tips for moving with pets to make the whole process more successful.

7 Tips for Moving With Pets

Your pets, whether they’re dogs, cats, birds, reptiles or something more exotic, can easily get stressed out during your move. Use these seven tips to make things easier on all of you:

Get your pet used to being in a crate.
Keep your pets away from the moving action.
Prepare an overnight kit for your pet.
Hand-carry all your vet records.
Transport your pet in his or her crate.
Keep your pet confined to one or two rooms in the new house for a while.
Give your pet extra love (and treats).

#1. Get your pet used to being in a crate.

Long before moving day, make sure your pet is used to his or her crate. You can do this by leaving the crate open for a week, letting your pet explore at-will. After that, place your pet’s food and water inside the crate – and when he or she becomes comfortable in there, you can practice closing the door with your pet inside.

#2. Keep Your Pets Away From the Moving Action

On moving day, confine your pet to one empty room in the house – a room that you’ve already removed all the furniture from. Be sure to put your pet’s bed, favorite toys, litter box and plenty of food and water inside.

Keep the door closed until it’s time to leave for the last time. This minimizes your pet’s chance of escape.

#3. Prepare an overnight kit for your pet.

Put together an overnight kit for your pet, just like you have for yourself and your other family members. Include food, medications, favorite toys and supplies (like extra litter).

#4. Hand-carry all your vet records.

You don’t want to risk losing track of your pet’s proof of vaccination and other medical records, so hand-carry them in the front seat of your car or in your overnight kit.

#5. Transport your pet in his or her crate.

The safest way to transport a pet is in his or her crate. If your pet is too big to transport in a crate in your car, talk to your veterinarian about special dog seat belts, which are available at most pet supply stores.

Related: How to Hire the Right Moving Company

#6. Keep your pet confined to one or two rooms for a while.

Once you arrive at the new house, it’s tempting to let your pet go room by room to explore – but that can be a lot more stressful than it looks. Keep your pet confined to one room at first, and when he or she starts to get comfortable, you can let your four-legged family member explore another room. It takes time for pets to adjust, so be patient when giving your pet access to the rest of the house.

#7. Give your pet extra love (and treats).

Who doesn’t love extra love and treats? Your pet might not seem stressed about the move, but even if he or she is fine, extra TLC offers plenty of benefits for everyone involved.

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3 Things You Should Never Compromise On When You Buy a Home

Whether you’re searching for your dream home in Orlando, a golf course home for sale at Alaqua Country Club or something else entirely, there are three things you should never compromise on. Your future happiness depends on it.

3 Things You Should Never Compromise On When You Buy a Home

When you start your house-hunt, you’ll have a wish list – and you’ll probably star some of the items on it, meaning that they’re more “must-have” than “dream feature.” These are three things you should never compromise on when you’re buying a home:

The floor plan
Your budget
Commute times

#1. Never compromise on the floor plan.

You have to live in the home every day, and if it’s inconvenient – or if it’s too small, too large, or too anything, you’re not going to be happy with your purchase.

Before you start house-hunting, you’ll know how much space you want and how much you absolutely need. And while you can invest in renovations later to change the floor plan, or add bedrooms and bathrooms, it’s probably better to find a house that’s at least very close to what you want before you start your search. You’ll save yourself a lot of time – and money – later.

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#2. Never compromise on your budget.

Most people buy a home that’s pretty close to the amount that their lender says it’ll give them. But you definitely don’t have to spend that much – in fact, it’s smarter to buy under your budget than right at your budget. You’ll save money in the long run.

Besides, there’s more money involved in home ownership than the amount you pay for your monthly mortgage payments. You’ll have to handle homeowners association dues, maintenance and repairs, and any upgrades that you want to make.

Related: Interest Rate vs. APR

#3. Never compromise on commute times.

Five days a week – at least – you’ll be driving to and from work. Sure, you may be willing to take on a 30-minute commute to work… but will it really matter if it’s 35 minutes, or maybe 40 minutes?

Yes, it will. Because sitting in the car gets old – and it gets old, fast. Set your maximum commute time and stick to it – and just to be safe, try the commute before you put an offer on a home. Head to work from the neighborhood at the regular time, and head to the neighborhood directly after work. That way, you’ll get a good feel for how long the commute will really take.

Are You Buying or Selling a Home in Orlando?

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How Can You Tell if the Home You Want Will Have Good Resale Value?

If you’re like most people, you know that even if you’re buying your “forever” home, you should look for something that has a good resale value. That’s because someday, your circumstances might change… and if they do, you want to get as much money as possible back out of the house.

Remember, though, that a good resale value can’t be guaranteed. Instead, you should look for homes that meet all the right criteria. That includes looking for a house that:

Falls under a homeowners association
Is close to local amenities, like dining and shopping
Is assigned to highly rated schools
Features a family-friendly floor plan

How Can You Tell if the Home You Want Will Have Good Resale Value?

The most important thing in your homebuying decision is that you love the house you make an offer on. However, you still have to look for all the factors listed above – and here’s why.

Buying a Home in a Neighborhood With an HOA

If you can live in a neighborhood that’s covered by homeowners association restrictions, you might want to think about it. Sure, it costs extra to pay HOA dues… but the HOA’s main purpose is to preserve property values. That means you’re not likely to have to watch your neighbor’s yard get overgrown with weeds, see the guy across the street paint a cowboy mural all over the front of his house, or drive past broken-down RVs in the streets on your way home. All of those things would most likely negatively impact the value of your home.

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Buying a Home That’s Close to Local Amenities

It’s convenient for you to live in a neighborhood that’s close to local amenities, and your future buyers will think it is, too. When you buy in a well-developed area, as well as one with good infrastructure, you’re more likely to be able to sell it for more than you would if it was more remote.

Related: 5 Ways to Find Out if a Neighborhood is Right for You

Buying a Home That’s in a Highly Rated School Zone

Even if you don’t have kids, buying a house in a highly rated school zone can be a smart move. It might not matter to you, but if you sell to a family down the road, the schools might be high on their priority list.

Buying a Home With a Family-Friendly Floor Plan

Like schools, family-friendly floor plans are important. A four-bedroom home with just one bathroom might not be a great choice, for example. And it’s not just about family-friendliness, either; if you buy a home with a quirky floor plan, there’s no guarantee that future buyers will even like or appreciate it.

Related: 5 Common Decorating and Design Mistakes to Undo Before You Sell Your Home in Orlando

Are You Buying or Selling a Home in Orlando?

If you’re looking for a new home in Orlando or one of the surrounding communities, check out our:

If you’re selling your home in Orlando, we can help – we know how to market it to all the right buyers so you can sell it quickly and at the right price.

Call us at 407-529-4621 right now to learn about our premium property marketing services and how we’ll put them to work for you.

Interest Rate vs. APR: What You Need to Know Before You Buy a Home in Orlando

When you’re buying a home for sale in Orlando, whether it’s at Alaqua Country Club, Bay Hill Club or Heathrow and Legacy Clubs (or anywhere else, for that matter), you’re probably going to take out a mortgage loan – most people do.

But you’ll see terms like interest rate and APR, and they can get pretty confusing. This article breaks down the differences between your regular interest rate and APR, as well as explains why you need to know about both.

Interest Rate vs. APR: What You Need to Know

This guide will show you the difference between your APR and your interest rate – and why one is higher than the other is.

What is an Interest Rate?

Your interest rate is the percentage you’ll pay each day on the money you borrowed. It benefits the lender – it’s what they get for loaning you the money to buy a home. It’s expressed as a percentage, not a dollar figure, and it doesn’t reflect anything but what you’re paying the lender for borrowing money.

A lot of factors go into your interest rate. On the open market, interest rates go up and down every day (kind-of like oil prices). The day that you lock in your mortgage interest rate is the only day you need to worry about, though – it doesn’t matter where interest rates go the next day or the next week (provided you don’t have an adjustable-rate mortgage).

The factors that go into what interest rate you qualify include:

Your credit score. The higher your credit score is, the better interest rate you’ll probably qualify for.
Your down payment amount. When you put more money down, lenders are assuming less risk by letting you borrow money – and they reward you with a lower interest rate, in many cases.
The loan type you’re getting. Your interest rate will depend on the type of loan you’re using.
Your loan term. The term of your loan – how long it lasts – will have an effect on your interest rate.
Whether you’re getting a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage. With a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate doesn’t change over the life of the loan. But with an adjustable-rate mortgage, your interest rate will stay the same for a few years (usually 3, 5, 7 or 10, depending on what you choose when you sign up for it) and then fluctuate annually with the market. It could go up or down, raising or lowering your monthly mortgage payments.

What is an APR?

APR stands for annual percentage rate. It’s a broad measure of the cost of borrowing, and like a regular interest rate, it’s expressed as a percentage. It determines the total amount you’ll pay each year over the entire loan.

Your APR includes the interest rate on your mortgage, discount points you paid to lower your interest rate, loan origination fees and other costs of borrowing money from a lender, so it appears higher than your regular interest rate does. The higher your APR is, usually, the higher your mortgage payments are for the entire time you have your loan.

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5 Ways to Find Out if a Neighborhood is Right for You

When you’re looking at Orlando homes for sale online, it’s easy to create a short list of the ones you want to see – but how do you know if a neighborhood is right for you?

Your Realtor® will most likely suggest that you pick a home not just for its features, but for its location… and the neighborhood your home is in can make or break the way you feel about the house after 6 months, a year, or 5 years.

So how can you tell if the home you want is in a neighborhood that you’ll love?

5 Ways to Find Out if a Neighborhood is Right for You

While there’s really no substitute for spending a lot of time in a neighborhood (like visiting family or friends), there are five ways you can tell if a neighborhood will be a good fit for your needs:

Be sure about what you want.
Drive through at various times of day.
Talk to neighbors.
Do your homework on statistics and crime.
Make sure it has the amenities you want.

#1. Be sure about what you want.

What do you want from a neighborhood? Do you prefer a quiet, serene environment rich in natural beauty, or do you want a community that’s full of playing kids and backs up to a sandlot? Are well-spaced homes your goal, or do you want to live close to neighbors and meet new friends on every evening stroll?

The answers to those questions will help you narrow down your search to a few distinct neighborhoods.

#2. Drive through at various times of day.

Check out the neighborhoods you’re interested in early in the morning. Swing back through at lunchtime, and then again in the evening. If you’re up for it, drive through after dark. You’ll see who’s out and about, and when, as well as see how the neighborhood’s character shifts at different times of day.

#3. Talk to neighbors.

Don’t be afraid to stop and say hi when you see people outside. Let them know you’re interested in buying in the community and you’ll get plenty of information – if there are loud planes overhead, the HOA hasn’t repaired the entry gate in months, or there’s a neighbor who’s always throwing loud parties, you’re sure to hear about it.

#4. Do your homework on schools and crime.

Look at websites that provide you with information that real estate agents can’t. Look up schools that serve each community. Even if you don’t have kids, schools can be important – like when you’re selling to someone who does have kids. Look for crime reports, too, to see how close to home the nearest issues typically occur.

#5. Make sure it has the amenities you want.

If a playground, sidewalks and community area are important to you, rule out neighborhoods that don’t have them. You’re more likely to regret the neighborhood not having the amenities that you want a few years down the road, so look for them now.

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3 Things to Listen for at an Open House

If you’re like many people, you’ve been to a few open houses around Orlando – and if you haven’t, it can’t hurt to go check one out. In fact, if a house you’re interested in buying has an open house, you should definitely check it out.

When you show up, listen to the Realtor® and other visitors. You’ll get plenty of information.

Here’s what to listen for.

3 Things to Listen for at an Open House

There are a few things that can clue you in better than a real estate listing can, including:

“The owners are flexible on the price.”
“This price is too high.”
“Honey, this could be your home office.”

#1: “The owners are flexible on the price.”

When you hear the real estate agent holding the open house say “The owners are flexible on the price,” it’s a clear sign that you can offer less than what they’re asking and still have a great chance of being accepted. Look around and see if there are negotiation points, like the home needing new appliances or new carpet in the bedrooms – and if you find them, you know you have some things to bargain with.

#2: “This price is too high.”

While you may have already reached that conclusion yourself – especially if you’ve been house-hunting online and in person with your own Orlando Realtor® – it’s a good sign that you might want to look at other homes and not become too attached to this one (unless, of course, you’ve heard the Realtor say that the owners are flexible on the price; in that case, your own agent might encourage you to go ahead and make an offer).

Remember, though, that most homes are priced based on what buyers are willing to pay for other, similar homes in the same area. A price might seem a little high, but that could be what houses are going for there. Talk to your own agent to find out if he or she thinks the price is reasonable if you’re really interested in the home.

#3: “Honey, this could be your home office.”

What you’re seeing when you hear someone say, “Honey, this could be your home office” is really other potential buyers envisioning themselves living in the home. They’re most likely entertaining the idea of putting in an offer, and if you are, too, these people are going to be your competition.

You don’t want to sleep on it if you’re really interested in the house. You should go back to your real estate agent’s office and start putting together your offer right then and there – because that’s what the other prospective buyers are going to do, too. Think about including a nice note that describes what you love about the home, and make sure your earnest money deposit is high enough that the seller can take your offer seriously.

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What to Do Before You Start House-Hunting for Your First Home

Checklist for First Time Homebuyers - Orlando Homes for Sale

If you’re thinking about buying a home but you’re currently renting, we can help you figure out if you’re really ready. This checklist explains what you need to do to prepare to buy your first house.

What to Do Before You Start House-Hunting for Your First Home

If you’re buying your first home – or, at least your first home in a while – you’ll have to prepare ahead of time by:

Figuring out how much house you can afford
Coming up with a down payment
Sprucing up your credit score
Researching your mortgage options
Finding the right Realtor®

All this happens before you start searching for your dream home, so the sooner you start, the better off you’ll be.

Figuring Out How Much House You Can Afford

Subtract all your monthly obligations – rent, car payments, credit card payments, insurance, utilities and everything else – from what you make each month. If you’re doing just fine now with rent, chances are pretty good you’d be able to afford a similar mortgage payment. However, remember that when you borrow more money from a lender to buy a home, your mortgage payments will be higher – which is why coming up with a good down payment is essential.

Coming Up With a Down Payment

Most lenders want you to put down 20 percent of your own money as a down payment on a home, but there are many loan programs that require much less. Some programs allow you to borrow the money for a home with as little as 3 percent down – and VA loans let you borrow with nothing down. However, if you’re putting down less than 20 percent, you’ll have to buy private mortgage insurance, or PMI. PMI protects the lender if you default on your payments. (The exception is when you use a VA loan – in that case, you’re not required to buy private mortgage insurance.)

Sprucing Up Your Credit Score

When you’re buying a home, lenders will look at your credit score as an overall picture of your financial health. Now is the time to start paying down debt and making sure all your payments are made on time. Many experts advise against closing credit accounts, though, because it’s good to show lenders that you’re able to juggle multiple lines of credit without any issues.

Researching Your Mortgage Options

There are hundreds of mortgage products available, including loans that last 10, 15 and 30 years. Even within those brackets, there are programs that allow you to put down less than 20 percent as a down payment, some that have fluctuating mortgage rates, and many more. Start researching your options early to find out what type of loan is right for you.

Finding the Right Realtor

You’ll want a skilled buyer’s agent on your side when you’re ready to take the leap. Your Realtor will help you find the right house, negotiate with the seller on your behalf, and file all the appropriate legal paperwork. He or she will also be there to give you recommendations for contractors, like home inspectors, and can even help you find a lender who can help you get the cash to buy a house.

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7 Signs it’s Time for You to Move

Sometimes it’s time to move on – and if you’re at that point with your home, you’re probably kicking around the idea of buying a new home for sale in Orlando.

But how can you tell it’s really time to for you to move?

These seven signs can signal that you’re ready for a new house.

7 Signs it’s Time for You to Move

#1. You need more space.

Whether you’re renting or you already own a home, you might be in a tight spot… literally. If you look around and realize that things are a little cramped, it may be time to upgrade to a bigger home.

#2. You have too much space.

Sometimes it happens when your kids move out; other times, you just realize that you’re paying for space you don’t even use in your home. Downsizing is another major reason people in Orlando sell their homes.

#3. You’re too far from work.

Transportation costs can really add up – and not just financially, either. Your time is valuable, and if you’re wasting half your life in the car trying to get to and from work, you might want to think about buying a home closer to your employer.

#4. You’ve had a change in finances.

Sometimes a change in the amount of money you bring in can necessitate a move – or at least make moving feel like the right choice for you.

#5. Upgrading or repairing your current home costs more than buying a new house.

If your house is older or requires upgrades, but it’s more cost-effective to buy a new home than pour work into your existing one, it’s a sure sign that you should sell the house and buy another.

#6. You just don’t like your neighborhood anymore.

Neighborhoods always evolve, but if yours is headed in a direction you don’t like, pack up and buy a new home. One of the biggest factors in your happiness is how satisfied you are with your living circumstances, and it’s not worth staying in a neighborhood that makes you miserable or concerned for your safety.

#7. You don’t like the weather.

This probably requires a longer-distance move, but if you’re unhappy shoveling snow or you’re sick of the constant heat, it’s time to start looking at houses in cities with a climate you’ll like better.

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How to Boost Your Credit Score to Buy a Home

If you’re buying a golf course home for sale in Orlando or any of the surrounding communities, you know that you need to get your credit score as high as possible before you apply for a loan.

But where do you even start?

How to Boost Your Credit to Buy a Home

When you apply for a mortgage loan to buy a house in Orlando or elsewhere, your lender will look at your credit score. Here’s what they see:

You can get a free copy of your credit report, thanks to the Federal Trade Commission, here: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action

Once you get your credit report, you can check to see what your creditors have reported about you – and you can dispute errors to raise your score.

If your credit score is below 680, you’ll most likely have to take a few steps to improve it so you can avoid paying extra fees or higher interest rates. You may also have to come up with a larger down payment (unless you’re using a federal or state program, such as a VA loan or first-time homebuyer program) if your credit is less-than-perfect.

Your credit history makes a huge impact on your credit score. Here’s the breakdown:

35% = payment history (on-time, late, and seriously late payments)
30% = amounts owed in proportion to the amount of credit you have
15% = length of credit history, with a longer history being more favorable
10% = credit mix you’re using, which should reflect several types of credit (car loans, personal loans, credit cards and other revolving obligations)
10% = new credit or new applications for credit

Stop applying for new credit at least a year before you apply for a home loan. Part of your credit score involves how much new credit you’re trying to get. If you’re applying for all kinds of new credit, it may appear that you’re short on cash and can indicate that you’ll have a tough time making mortgage payments.

5 Tips to Improve Your Credit Score

#1: Open a new credit account.

If you open up a new line of credit and it increases your total outstanding credit line, your utilization scores (the part of your score that relies on how much you owe in relation to the amount of credit people are willing to give you) will improve. Bonus points if it’s a type of credit you don’t already have, which will improve your scores in the “credit mix” department.

#2: Dispute all the errors on your credit report.

If you don’t have any errors, that’s great – skip ahead to tip #3.

#3: Pay down your debts as much as you can.

You’re looking to improve your debt-to-income ratio, so the less debt you have, the better.

#4: Get – and keep – your bills current.

Paying on time has a huge impact on your credit scores. Even if it means making small payments throughout the month ($10 here, $25 there), make sure everything is paid on or before its due date.

#5: Become an authorized user on someone else’s account.

The key is picking someone responsible with good credit – his or her full history from that account will show up on your credit report immediately. If it’s older and more established, even better. Just make sure the person has a good history with that account, because bad credit history shows up just like good history does.

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VA Loans: What You Need to Know if You’re Buying a Golf Course Home in Orlando

If you’re a veteran searching for a golf course home for sale in Orlando or any of the surrounding communities (including Longwood, College Park, Winter Park and Windermere), you’re likely eligible for a VA loan – but there are a lot of things people don’t know about VA loan benefits.

Here’s the inside scoop.

What is a VA Loan?

A VA loan is a loan that you get through a lender that the Veterans Administration backs. That means your lender can give you better terms and interest rates because the VA guarantees a portion of it – the lender won’t lose out if you default on your payments.

Even if you have a difficult time getting other types of financing, this VA program can help you purchase a single-family home, a condo or a manufactured home, or to build a home. You can even use your benefit to buy and “fix up” a house or make a house more energy-efficient.

Who’s Eligible for VA Loans?

If you’re a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or a current service member, or you’re a qualified dependent of a veteran or current service member, you could be eligible for a VA loan. You must have been honorably discharged from the service. (Learn more about VA loan eligibility here.)

VA Loan Benefits for Orlando Homebuyers

VA loans have several benefits, including:

No down payment. As long as the home’s sale price doesn’t exceed its appraised value, you don’t have to put any money down to buy a home with a VA loan.
No private mortgage insurance premium requirements. Most homebuyers who have less than 20 percent of a home’s sale price as a down payment must buy private mortgage insurance, or PMI, until they’ve paid down at least 20 percent of the home’s value. That’s not the case with a VA loan – there’s no PMI requirement.
Closing costs are limited. The VA limits the amount of money you can be charged for closing costs when you purchase with this type of financing. Even better, sellers are allowed to pay your closing costs, which can help you get into a home with very little money up-front.
Lenders can’t charge you early repayment penalties. With many types of home financing, lenders are allowed to charge borrowers early repayment penalties (that’s so they can make up the money they’re losing in interest payments). If you use a VA loan, though, lenders are forbidden to charge you early repayment penalties; you can make extra mortgage payments and pay off your loan faster without any repercussions if you want to.
Help if you can’t make payments. If you’re unable to make your mortgage payments, you can go to the VA and ask for help. There’s no guarantee that they will help you, but there are programs in place to do just that.

VA Loan FAQ

What’s the maximum debt-to-income ratio on a VA loan?

There’s no maximum debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, on a VA loan. Most lenders look for a DTI that’s lower than 36 percent, but the VA does not put a limit on it – and if your lender wants to approve you but your DTI is over 41 percent, the lender must provide the VA with compensating factors.

What is the maximum VA loan amount?

There’s no maximum VA loan amount, but the VA does limit the amount it will guarantee. The current limit is $417,000 in most parts of the country, but you can double-check here.

What’s the minimum credit score requirement for VA loans?

The VA doesn’t require a minimum credit score, but your lender might. However, even if your lender does have a minimum credit score requirement, the lender must still look at your entire loan profile before making a lending decision. That means many veterans who wouldn’t otherwise be eligible for financing can still get it with the VA’s help.

Can you only get one VA loan?

You can only get one VA loan at a time – but during your lifetime, you can get as many as you’d like to as long as the last VA loan you got is paid off. The benefit never expires, so even if you served many years ago and meet the requirements for this type of loan, you can use it.

Are You Buying a Golf Home in Orlando?

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