Hide the Clutter, beautifully. A place for everything and everything in its place -- that's what prospective buyers want to see in your house. Here's how to lose (or disguise) the clutter. Ditch the Entry Rack As handy as entry racks are in your entry or hallway, they may be sending the message to potential buyers that you don't have adequate storage. Put handy entry racks away while you're showing your home, and clean out your entry closet while you're at it. Manage … [Read more...]
Where and What is Useppa Island…
And Who Lives There? We wondered about that when we saw Useppa Island featured in Islands Magazine in 1985, while staying at a friend’s house on Sanibel. Although we never met any neighbors before we bought our Useppa home, it was the slow season, the community was terrific and we can’t imagine our lives any other way. After years of living on Useppa, we continue to invite new and wonderful people to join this welcoming community. The entrance to Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island … [Read more...]
Easter Sunrise on Useppa Island
A Glorious Day of Renewal by Karen Kauffman Easter Sunrise on Useppa Island As several hundred gather on the beach, we wait for the sun to rise upon this unique location. Neighbors and friends sharing a blessing for what has been and what is to come. We arrive from as near as Naples, Ft. Myers, Sarasota and Tampa. We make our way from Georgia, New Jersey, New York and New England, from across the Midwest and New Mexico, Montana, Washington, Canada and the United Kingdom. What we … [Read more...]
Is This the Year to Move Up to Your Dream Home?
Buying a Dream Home - It appears that Americans are regaining faith in the U.S. economy. The following indexes have each shown a dramatic jump in consumer confidence in their latest surveys: The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index National Federation of Independent Businesses' Small Business Optimism Index CNBC All-America Economic Survey The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Survey It usually means good news for the housing market when the country sees an … [Read more...]
Owning a Second Home – Useppa Island
You’ve dreamed and planned for owning a second home. Imagine enjoying vacations whenever you want, entertaining family and friends and creating a home away from home. There are many, many, good reasons for owning a second home. Before you take that step, there are some considerations for your careful planning. First, many second home/vacation home owners take the steps to improve family time and take a break from their hectic daily schedules. Booking reservations and the overall cost for … [Read more...]
Rich Parking Money in Luxury Homes
Why Luxury Homes Generally speaking, buying an upscale property to use as a getaway has traditionally been viewed as a lifestyle investment. Stocks and bonds cannot give you the same satisfaction as a luxury home with a heated saltwater pool and waterfall, surrounded by ocean breezes. High-end residential buyers still want a good deal, as they always have, and, of course, a property that will eventually have capital appreciation, or will generate rental income, said Kathleen Peddicord, the … [Read more...]
30-Year Mortgage Rate Rises Again – to 4.16%
The long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed for the seventh straight week following Donald Trump's election victory, again marking new highs for the year. Mortgage giant Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate on a 30-year fixed rate loan rose this week to 4.16 percent from 4.13 percent the previous week. The benchmark rate is well above its 3.97 percent level of a year ago. The rate on 15-year home loans, a popular choice for people who are refinancing, ticked up to 3.37 percent from 3.36 … [Read more...]
10 Decorating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The award-winning pros revealed decorating mistakes that drive them crazy and shared insider tips and tricks for creating a harmonious room design. In addition to the designers' pet peeves, we've added a few of our own. By Brenda Richardson Special to The Washington Post After years of working with numerous clients, interior designers Michael Smith and Mary Cook have seen many of the same design mistakes over and over. The Los Angeles-based Smith, who was appointed by the Obama's to … [Read more...]
U.S. Vacation Homes Sales Remain at High Level
Baby Boomers propel demand for vacation homes. In 2015, total annual U.S. vacation home sales reached the second highest level since 2006, according to the National Association of Realtors® 2015 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey. “Baby boomers at or near retirement continue to propel the demand for second homes”, says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research. “The expanding pool of buyers amidst a dwindling number of bargain-priced properties led … [Read more...]
Summer. The Right Time to Buy.
The right time to buy. Summer is here! The temperature isn't the only thing heating up right now, so too is the housing market in many areas of the country! Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting. Prices Will Continue to Rise CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index reports that home prices have appreciated by 5.9% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 5.3% over the next year. The Home … [Read more...]