Build Equity Buy Stop Renting in Broward

 

Have you ever burnt money?

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I know someone that went through a divorce and rented for four years then added up the cost of renting it came up to $100K and right away he decided to buy rather than throw his money away! It's like he burnt a $100,000

You may not have literally burned up bills but if you're still paying rent, it amounts to the same thing. When you buy a home, you own something solid, real, and something full of value. For many people, building equity by buying your own home is one of the most lucrative investments you can make.

Instead of dealing with your landlord's choices, you get to set the rules. Go ahead, adopt that amazingly cute puppy you've always wanted. Paint your kitchen in bold, beautiful colors. Plant your veggie garden in the sunny spot in your backyard.

It's a battle you don't have to fight anymore

In today's rental market finding an affordable place to live can be tough. And just because you find a place that doesn't break the bank this year doesn't mean your rent won't go up once your lease is up.

When you buy your own home, you can protect yourself from an out-of-control housing market and stabilize your cost of living. No more rent hikes. No more frantic searches for a decent place to live in your favorite neighborhood.

Stability and Peace of Mind

Moving from rental to rental is obviously a financial inconvenience, but it can also be a significant emotional burden. When you don’t know for sure where you’ll be living next, you also don’t know who your neighbors will be or where your kids will be going to school.

When you buy your own place, you make an investment in your home and your community. Enjoying friendships with neighbors, community involvement and stable educational opportunities for your children are just a few benefits of home ownership that you can’t put a price on.

PQ Letter or Pre-qualification Letter - Proof of Funds Letter if Paying Cash

Whether you are a first time buyer or have bought some houses before, I suggest that you get a Pre-qualification letter or Proof of Funds Letter if Paying Cash, especially after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Seller and sellers' agents prefer qualified clients, they don't want to be showing their houses to people that don't have a PQ Letter or Proof of Funds Letter.

Sellers don’t want to take their property off the market unless they know that the buyer is pre-qualified or pre-approved, so it’s very important to have one if you want your offer to be taking seriously.

If you are getting a Home Mortgage, I have an excellent Mortgage Broker / Lender on my team, that can give you a preapproval letter within hours, just let me know and I will have him contact you.

 

How Real Estate is Sold in Florida:

There is a Listing Agent and a Buyer's Agent, all offers are presented to the Listing Agent by the Buyer's Agent and the listing agent must present all offers to the Sellers.

Sometimes the listing agent is looking out for the interests of the Sellers, especially true at open houses, while I will be looking out for your interests.

Buyer Important Facts to Know

Be it today, tomorrow or six months from now, I'm prepared to offer you dedicated extraordinary service.

PS. I'll word your Offer to Purchase with your protection in mind.

Have a Beautiful Day!

                   
        

Visit our Website:  www.SouthBrowardHomesbyTony.com

Antonio Ortega LLC Licensed Real Estate Professional with Global Luxury Realty

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Finding Your Dream Home: Keep Accessibility in Mind

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House hunting is full of obstacles, but if you have a disability, your circumstances may create unique hurdles. A disability refers to any physical or mental impairment that limits one or multiple major life activities. Your ability to walk, speak, breathe, work or perform other manual tasks could be affected. However, this should not stand in the way of you finding your dream home — one that considers accessibility and allows you to live as independently as possible.

Starting the House Hunting Process

Before you begin house hunting, ensure your choice of Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods allows you to live the life you want. Can you easily navigate the community? Do you have access to medical care, work, or other necessities?

Additionally, think about your budget. If you do not understand what you can afford, you may search endlessly and find no properties in your range. Worse, you could try to purchase a home you don't have money for. Be realistic about prices and do not overbid on a home. Look for home-buying programs that assist people with disabilities. For instance, a Home Ownership Voucher Program helps moderate to low-income families with disabled family members buy a home.

According to experts, purchasing a home account for a significant percentage of a household's net worth. Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you may ever make. It makes sense to find a house that allows you to live without restrictions. 

Once you’ve decided on a location and worked out your budget, connect with experienced and knowledgeable realtor Antonio Ortega LLC to find a Fort Lauderdale home that meets your needs.

Finding Accessible Options

Accessible housing refers to homes that support your lifestyle. Some accessible options to consider include:

•         Wide doorways for wheelchair access

•         Countertops at your height

•         Grab bars and disability accommodations in the bathroom

 

Other accessibility options to keep in mind are acoustics for people who are deaf or textures on the floor for people who are blind.

Some homes do not have accessibility options, so you may need to make modifications to the property. For example, if you have steps to the entrance, consider removing them upon purchase or installing a ramp for easier access.

Moving Without the Stress

No matter your excitement for the new place, moving comes with its share of stress. You can stay organized and frustration-free by creating to-do lists. For example, one to-do list may include all of your disconnection dates for utilities, whereas another may consist of organization and packing ideas. Keep a notebook close by to create lists for jobs you need to complete before moving day.

Do not wait to begin putting your belongings in moving boxes. Start packing one room at a time to ease your stress. For example, if you have a storage closet you rarely open, start organizing and packing items from there first. Packing usually takes twice as long as you imagine, so plan to begin the process early.

Consider moving services to keep the move from becoming physically and emotionally draining. When you hire a moving service, others do the heavy lifting while taking extra care of your fragile items.

There are ways you can alleviate some of your stress while planning a move. Figure out your housing and neighborhood options before you consider accessibility, as well as property prices in the area. When you narrow down a neighborhood, you can search for homes with accessibility features or homes you can easily remodel to suit your needs. 

Thank you for the trust placed in me,

Antonio Ortega LLC

                   
        

Visit our Secure Website often:  www.SouthBrowardHomesbyTony.com

Antonio Ortega LLC Licensed Real Estate Professional with Global Luxury Realty

Click Here to Contact Us

Once you're on the listings go to the right hand, upper side of the page where it reads "Sorted By" and choose how to display it:

"Low To High" or "High to Low" 

View Luxury Homes for Sale in Broward:

House Flipping as Your Second Career in Broward County Florida

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Have you always wanted to have your own house-flipping business? As a retiree, this is a great time to live out that dream. Take your experience and that of licensed professionals and build a second career doing what you love and sharing it with others. Consider the following strategies.

Getting Started

Consider establishing your business as a limited liability company to legitimize yourself with clients and contractors, gain tax benefits, and shield yourself from litigation. The easiest way to register your Florida LLC is to work with a formation service.

Create an eye-catching logo, name, and website, and keep your business card handy to share with contacts. Work with an experienced and dedicated real estate agent Antonio Ortega LLC from Global Luxury Realty to locate homes in a marketable area. A skilled real estate professional can also guide you in finding a mortgage, sharing what buyers in certain areas are looking for, and helping you sell your flipper for a profit.

An outdated, older home in an established and reputable neighborhood is a gem worth looking for. These homes may be sold as-is, however, so take extra precautions when viewing potential projects. Look for signs of a leaking roof or windows that have caused damage. If you know someone with HVAC knowledge, take your friend with you or have a contractor prepared to view and assess homes and provide estimates of repair costs before purchase. It is a good idea to add 20% onto that estimate in case foundation problems, asbestos, or mold are discovered later.

Getting the Work Done

Flooring, painting, and cabinetry are immediate items to think about updating if needed. You can save money by sanding and staining existing cabinetry and wood flooring. One study shows that 54% of buyers are willing to pay more for hardwood flooring when purchasing a home, so consider this when figuring out the best return for your investment if flooring needs to be replaced. You can also add value with new faucets and cabinet hardware.

Starting out, don't get into large renovations. Time is money, so stick to doing what you know you can accomplish in a short period of time. For projects you do not have experience with, hire a contractor to make sure work is done efficiently and correctly. With a kitchen remodel, moving or replacing plumbing should be left up to a licensed and insured plumber. Get referrals and read online customer reviews before hiring anyone.

Another task best left to professionals is electrical issues. Oftentimes these put you in a panic, but generally, the problem can be quickly located and remedied by a professional electrician, saving you time and frustration.

Adding Finishing Touches to Draw In Potential Buyers

Spend time on the outside. The curb appeal of your home is the first impression it makes, and to get potential buyers into a home, it needs to look fresh and welcoming. Clear out old landscaping and replace it with younger shrubbery and colorful perennials and annuals. Power wash the home, walkways, landscaping pavers, and wood fencing, and touch up or repaint anything that is looking dingy. Updating exterior light fixtures, the mailbox, and the color of the front door will make for a finished look.

With planning and good management, your new business can be a successful profit-making venture. Be smart and conscientious and work with reputable contractors to create a property that you can be proud of and enjoy sharing with others.

How to get Homes that need some upgrading and TLC

They are available from us in Broward County, Plantation, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Southwest Ranches, Cooper City, Weston, and other cities, ask me for the special Homes to Flip search list, I'll send it to you right away.

Let me know your area of interest whether Broward County wide or more localized, Price Range and whether Single Homes, Condos, or both.

Happy Home Searching!

                   
        

www.SouthBrowardHomesbyTony.com

Antonio Ortega LLC Licensed Real Estate Professional with Global Luxury Realty

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Staging Your Home Office for Virtual and In-Person Meetings

 

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Interacting with clients while running a home-based business has been complicated by the pandemic. Thankfully, a few technological advances have made adjusting to the new normal a little easier for small and big companies alike. We’ve gathered a few tips to get your office ready for communicating with your clients, both in real life and over the internet:

Preparing for In-Person Meetings

Keep safety in mind when clients are coming to your home office. If masks are recommended in your area, keep a box of disposable masks on a table or credenza by the door, along with a bottle of hand sanitizer. Keep an adequate supply of pens at your clients’ disposal, with a separate container for “used” writing implements to be sanitized–or disposed of–later. And when you decide on a layout for your office furniture, make sure that you and your clients can sit at a safe distance from each other while you’re conducting business.

Indoor air quality is important both for you and for your clients. If possible, open the windows in your office to let fresh air circulate. Check your HVAC system regularly, and if you want to really sanitize the air you breathe, invest in an HVAC UV light: its rays are powerful enough to kill viruses and bacteria and prevent mold from forming, making your work environment healthier. You can also add a few houseplants to your office décor to further purify the air. Good options are snake plants, peace lilies, and bamboo palms.

Automate your invoicing process for contact-free delivery. By using invoicing software, you’ll be able to manage and process payments electronically and generate reports to easily track your finances. You’ll also be able to automatically send payment reminders to your clients while simplifying your accounting. So create a unique, eye-catching label for your business using an online label maker, design professional-looking invoices using an invoice template specifically tailored to your business, and add your logo to the invoice to make your brand stand out.

Staging Your Virtual Meetings

Even if your clients don’t come to your office for in-person meetings, make sure to stage your work area to make it look professional. If your desk is set up in a corner of your living room or bedroom, invest in tall bookshelves or attractive room dividers to create a real office-like atmosphere. Incidentally, designing a space in your home solely with working and conducting business in mind will help you avoid distractions and boost your productivity.

Make use of video conferencing software to help you look your best: turn on your computer camera or webcam and see for yourself what your clients will see during business calls. Start by adjusting the lighting in your office, avoiding bright lights (or windows) behind you. Center yourself on the screen, and use a virtual background if the backdrop in your home or office is too busy, messy, or cluttered, which can be visually distracting for your clients on the other side of that video conference call.

Reduce noise pollution in your workspace to make audio and video conferencing calls more pleasant and professional. If you live on a busy street or if you have children at home during your office hours, soundproof your office by sealing the windows (or replacing them with double-pane options) and by hanging curtains that will further reduce noise. Position furniture to block off sounds from a nearby room, and lay down area rugs to dampen sound.

Taking a few precautions in your home-based business will allow you to receive clients safely during and after the pandemic. Take advantage of newer technologies like video conferencing and invoicing software that allows for contactless communication and transactions: your clients will be grateful for your thoughtfulness and appreciate your professionalism.

Have a Wonderful Day!

                   
        

Visit our Website:  www.SouthBrowardHomesbyTony.com

Antonio Ortega LLC Licensed Real Estate Professional with Global Luxury Realty

Click Here to Contact Us

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