Kim's Corner: Real Estate Blog

Providing crucial real estate information to home buyers, home sellers, home owners, in Seminole County, Florida
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Kim Coburn

  • Appeal to the Senses: Taste!

    “We have eyes, and we’re looking at stuff all the time, all day long. And I just think that whatever our eyes touch should be beautiful, tasteful, appealing, and important.” -Eric Carle

    In order to appeal to buyers, use your sense as a guide:

    Taste- not your taste buds! Make decor simple and classy, not trendy and overzealous. Keep colors neutral, especially walls and floors. You can use color on furniture items and accessories, do NOT overcrowd your room with furniture.

  • Appeal to the Senses: Smell!

    “The sense of smell, like a faithful counsellor, foretells its character.”- Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
    In order to appeal to buyers, use your senses as a guide:

    Smell- Eliminate pet, smoke, mold, and strong food odors! You can do this by getting the carpets cleaned, opening up windows, and using a light air freshener. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for smoke smell and spraying the carpet with Lysol can do wonders for pet odors. However if pet or smoke odors are overwhelming, you may need to replace carpeting. If you have a moldy or musty smell, try to determine the source. Once you discover its hiding place, the mold must be eliminated; sometimes this must be done by professionals.  If you don’t know whether you have an odor in your home, ask your neighbor, friend, or realtor for their opinion.

    . . . Keep following to learn more about next week’s sense: Sight!
  • Single Story For Sale in Greenbriar

    • 1,706 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story - MLS® $229,900

     -  Tuscawilla Golf front villa with million dollar view. Located on the 17th tee and surrounded by gorgeous ponds, this immaculate 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath features 2 story vaulted ceilings, floor to ceiling fireplace, eat in kitchen, and updated master bath. You will love: The brick paver driveway and walkway ++ wrap around wood deck overlooking two ponds and the golf course ++ leaded glass entry door ++ luxurious master bath with dual cherry vanities, new walk in shower and killer "California" closet ++ downstairs floor completely tiled ++ custom blinds ++ new 6 panel interior doors ++ cozy kitchen nook with lovely view ++ new stainless appliances +++ The most amazing panoramic views from almost every room in the house!!!! All in the heart of Tuscawilla.

    Property information

  • Appeal to the Senses

    "The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak."- Hans Hoffman

    In order to appeal to buyers, use your senses as a guide:

    Sight- Create a visual oasis for the buyer. This means you will need to de-clutter and clean clean clean! A good rule of thumb is to pack up at least one half of what you have displayed, this will make the home appear larger. Personal/family collections should be packed up because some buyers will spend time looking at them and forget to look at your house. Make sure you have ample lighting; open the blinds for natural light and make sure every room has a light/lamp. If they can't see it, they won't buy it.

    . . . Keep following to learn more about next week's sense: Smell!

  • Staging your Central Florida Home Part 1

    Staging® your Central Florida home Part 1-

    The first and last impression:

    Although there are many great staging tips, one cannot overlook the importance of the foyer. This
    sometimes very small space is the first thing seen when entering and leaving a home, so it makes
    very big impressions. Make sure the space is clean and clutter free. The front door, walls, and trim
    should look freshly painted or stained and any glass should be crystal clear. Have an inviting piece
    of furniture, a painting, or mirror and a plant or flowers if space allows. Do not overcrowd the area!
    Make sure the lighting is classy, clean and appropriate. If the flooring is not attractive, add a tasteful
    rug. Stand back and look at the finished product. Walk in and out of the door paying attention to the
    impression you are getting. The foyer is like a little stage that tells the story of your home. What story is
    your foyer telling?

  • 2 Story For Sale in Alafaya Woods

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    • 1,554 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $155,000

     -  This pristine 3 bedroom pool home features a dramatic floor plan with 2 story soaring ceilings, a formal living and dining room and cheery eat in kitchen and family room overlooking the pool and lanai area with lush tropical landscaping. This light and bright home has been very well maintained and includes 18'" designer tile in the kitchen, and family room, high quality "Shaw" laminate flooring in living an dining rooms, upgraded light fixtures, fresh paint, ez to care for pool with navigator cleaning system. Entertain in your backyard oasis, walk to the playground, or play some tennis at the community courts. The kids will enjoy the top notch schools and you will love the convenience of the neighborhood located just 3 miles from UCF and less than 1 mile from the Oviedo Aquatic center. This home is in move in condition and not a short sale. Make it yours today!

    Property information

  • If you are behind on your mortgage payment, there are options, but be careful!

    I just took a class and recieved a designation called Certified Distressed Property Expert. I have completed short sales prior to this class, but now my eyes are wide open. What is a bit scary is that there are unscrupulous investors trying to take advantage of homeowners in trouble. They are actually getting these people to sign over their deed to them or making them sign a power of attorney. This is not a good idea at all! If you need help call a qualified agent like me to help you with your situation. Ideally a short sale would be your best option if you qualify for it. However, there are many options available for homeowners in toruble.

  • Lakeview 2 bedroom condo

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    Breathtaking view of Lake Howell!

    • 1,040 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm single story - MLS® $69,900

     -  Watch the moon come up out of the horizon from this beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in Marbeya Club.This move in condition at condo has a breathtaking view of Lake Howell from the screened porch. Great Casselberry location convenient to Full Sail. Spacious bedrooms and master bedroom features a huge walk-in closet! Take a break from the day by enjoying the water view from your spacious porch. Don't forget your boat or jet ski for fun on the lake! Free boat storage and docking. Upgrades include newer countertops in kitchen, new sink, new stainless refrigerator, newer range and dishwasher, newer upgraded flooring, new fan & light in master bedroom, ), track lighting. This condo has newer appliances and a full size laundry room,newer a/c (3 years old) New roof in 2006 and recently painted trim. This condo has a great central location near ucf, FullSail, Winter Park, Winter Springs, and many other cities in Central Florida. Property information

  • Tennis anyone? Great home with acreage and Tennis court in Tuscawilla

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    Country Estate in Tuscawilla!

    • 2,816 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $425,000

     - Short sale. Country Estate in the heart of Tuscawilla! Enjoy your own fully lit tennis/ basketball court and 50x22 screened pool with spa and kiddie pool all on 1.3 acres on a quiet culdesac just walking distance to the golf course. Great Schools! 4 Br plus bonus room plus office! The large bonus room upstairs features tongue and groove walls and ceilings (very cozy, cabin-like) is perfect for kids play room or media room. The living area is very gracious with large living/ dining room plus an enormous family room. The separate study with french doors could also be a formal dining room. The cheerful updated eat in kitchen has maple cabinets and stainless appliances plus a movable island for flexibility. The roof is only 1 year old. The home has been well maintained and is ready for you family! Buy this home and receive a free two month full membership to Tuscawilla Country Club!

    Property information

  • The Best Negotiating Strategy Ever!

    The best negotiating strategy in 10 easy steps

    1. Define your goals. What outcome are you after?  What concessions are you willing to make? Be clear and make a commitment.
    2. Determine what your opponent’s goals are. Find out why it is important to them.
    3. Ask questions and repeat their answers for confirmation.
    4. Let your opponent make the first move.
    5. Make small concessions but make them seem bigger than they are.
    6. Remind your opponent why they want what you are negotiating for. Dangle the carrot.
    7. Stay calm and remain courteous at all times.
    8. Don’t react without taking a few seconds to think about your next move. (Take three slow breaths)
    9. Maintain eye contact.
    10. At the conclusion thank your opponent, regardless of the outcome.  Don’t burn any bridges.
  • Single Story For Sale in Sterling Park

    Exterior
    Great Pool Home in Sterling Park!

    • 1,583 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story - MLS® $225,000

     -  Beautifully maintained 3 bedroom pool home in sought after Deer Run. Huge back yard, great open floor plan with formals plus family room, vaulted ceilings and a cozy fireplace.

    Property information

  • Save our homes exemption can save you money

    Owners of homestead property can now take up to $500,000 of Save Our Homes savings to a new home purchase. You may recall in 1995, the legislature capped the increase on assessed values of homestead properties to 3% per year. However, whenever you moved, you started all over again with the true assessed value of your new home. If this amendment is passed, you will be allowed to take the Save Our Homes savings to your new home. This is called portability and it is huge! If you are up-sizing, you will simply take your entire Save Our Homes savings to your new home. For example, Current home = $400,000, assessed at $200,000 because of Save Our Homes. New Home = $500,000 minus $200,000 from the transferred Save Our Homes so the assessed value of the new home will be $300,000. The tax savings will be approximately $4,800. If you are down-sizing, you will transfer a pro-rated portion of our Save Our Homes savings. For example, Current Home = $400,000, assessed at $200,000 (50% of the value) due to Save Our Homes. New Home = $300,000 apply the 50% savings from Save Our Homes and the new home assessed value would be $150,000. The tax savings will be approximately $2,400.You will be allowed to use this Save Our Homes exemption policy for homes that you sold in 2007 or later with a few exceptions. This change in the save our homes rule may not last, so buy your next home now!

  • 2 Story For Sale in Harts Grove

    Aerial View
    Country Estate on Private Lake!

    • 4,650 sq. ft., 5 bath, 7 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $650,000

     -  Incredible 7 bedroom, 5.5 bath country estate on private serene fishing lake. 5 acres of property zoned A5 perfect for horses, dogs, etc. Custom built home features huge bedrooms, study, bonus room, giant kitchen, living room, family room. This home is truly one of a kind, call to see today!

    Property information

  • Single Story For Sale in Glen Eagle

    Exterior
    Custom Pool Home w/Serene Pond view!

    • 2,566 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm single story - MLS® $469,900

     -  This gorgeous custom pool home is the best value in Glen Eagle/ Tuscawilla. The home is situated on a private lot backing to a large scenic pond and a small delightful park. Features include: new wood flooring and plush carpeting, fresh paint, remodeled kitchen w/silestone counters, maple cabinets & stainless steel appliances, mitered windows in the breakfast nook, new plantation shutters, fireplace in the spacious family room, French doors in the living room overlooking the pool/lanai, and a huge dining room. The master bedroom features a sitting area and the oversized master bath features a jetted garden tub, a separate shower, & separate his/her sink/vanity areas. This home has soaring ceilings and a bright open floor plan with transom & palladium windows. The solar-heated & screened pool/lanai, is newly resurfaced and features a brick paver deck and patio. In addition, the roof & a/c have recently been replaced, as well as the exterior doors, light fixtures and ceiling fans. The home is located just down the street from the fabulous and family friendly Tuscawilla Country Club for golf, tennis, swimming and fun! Zoned for all "A" rated schools!

    Property information

  • Single Story For Sale in Chelsea Woods

    Exterior
    Fabulous custom pool home!

    • 2,458 sq. ft., 2 bath, 4 bdrm single story - MLS® SALE PENDING $450,000

     -  Fabulous updated 4 bedroom custom home in Chelsea Woods/ Tuscawilla on manicured 1/3 acre. Features include pool & spa w/brick paver decking and safety fence, gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and center island with Jennaire, double ovens, imported tile floor, lovely updated bathrooms feature granite counter tops plus porcelain and granite shower in master bath and imported Italian tile in second full bath, double-paned windows, huge lanai plumbed for summer kitchen, crown molding, solid wood raised-panel interior doors, soaring 18 foot ceilings in kitchen and family room, imported Italian tile at front door entry, large fenced very private backyard,. Spacious split floor plan offers formal dining room, formal living room with french doors (great for an office), large bedrooms, a giant family room with tumbled marble fireplace and gigantic kitchen that both overlook the pool area and scenic backyard. Quiet location across from the pond with fountain and just one block from Cross Seminole trail. Easy access to 434 & 417. This Buck Adkins Summerland plan has many upgrades and is in move in condition. Come see it today!

    Property information

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