Homes For Sale in Titusville, FL | Buying a House in Titusville, FL | Foreclosures in Titusville, FL | Short Sales in Titusville, FL
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Direct: (321) 960-5971
Century 21 Flag Agency, Inc.
840 Garden Street
Titusville, FL 32796
Saw this article today on Home Safety while you are on vacation. Wanted to share it.
The Three “L”s for Home Safety
Home break-
ins heat up in summer as thieves know many are away on vacation. Here’s a reminder of some home safety basics. Locks
Be sure you have proper locks on all your doors and windows. And keep them locked! Use anti-bumping deadbolt locks on all your doors. Keep the door between your house and the garage locked and lock your garage door at night. Don’t forget to check all your locks before you go to bed each night.
Lighting
Criminals love landscape lighting and dusk-to-dawn lighting. We recommend you install motion detector lighting on all your outside lights. This includes on all four sides of your home. Also install timers for the interior lights of your house. This makes your home look occupied even when you are not there.
Landscaping
In addition to keeping your lawn cut and clear of clutter, remember the 3 Foot/10 Foot Rule. All of your bushes should be cut down to no higher than three feet and thinned out. This prevents criminals from hiding behind your bushes to surprise you. All your trees should be cut to hang no lower than ten feet from the ground.
Andrew Wooten
is the founder and CEO of Crime Awareness Prevention Seminars.
You just became a new homeowner in North Brevard County, Florida. Before you get overwhelmed it is best to have a maintenance schedule that will prevent small problems from turning into big headaches. This is a helpful list of what should be done at your new home that I compiled with the help of Ace’s Hardware “Mr. Fix It” and Home Sweet Home Inspection Company in Indian Head Park, IL.
* Watch out for Drips- Check under sinks periodically to look for leaks or water stains that might indicate leaks. Catching a small problem early can prevent water damage. Use a plunger to clean out sinks and tubs whenever water doesn’t drain normally.
* Check your circuits- Test the performance of the circuit breakers in your electrical circuit box twice year by flipping them off and back on. If you have a circuit that keeps shutting off with normal daily electrical use, call an electrician. A faulty circuit breaker could indicate a short in the wiring inside your wall.
* Have a chimney? They take a lot of weather abuse. Visually inspect them each year for signs of loose mortar or loose or missing bricks. Have the insides of chimneys cleaned every two to three years. Also check your roof for loose shingles or dangling gutters.
* Foundation – Check out the foundation for cracks or gaps that could let in water or varmints. Also look at the ground around your house. As homes age, they often sink slightly below the surrounding ground. This settling lets water puddle against the foundation and possibly damage it. Before doing Major landscaping work, figure out whether the excess water will flow toward the house or away.
* Check the flashing 4 times a year. Water is a major enemy of your home. Flashing, the metal pieces used to seal the areas between roofs and chimneys and around doors and windows, are especially vulnerable to damage by wind or age. Loose flashing can let water seep under a roof or inside walls, which in turn can cause mold.
* Air Conditioner/Furnace- Change your furnace & A/C filters monthly. This is so critical yet so easy to do. Clogged filters decrease efficiency and can cause breakdowns.
* Drain your water heater at least once a year. City of Titusville’s water will leave some sediment in the water tank. Removing this sediment once a year can prolong the heater’s useful life.
* Clean coils under your refrigerator once a year. This will prolong the life of your new refrigerator.
* Water Softener System – Have yearly maintenance done on it to keep it running properly.
* A/C – Yearly Maintenance is recommended.
* Be aware of Life Spans. Key components of your home should be replaced before they fail, based on the average useful lives.
Sellers must up the ante to convince buyers that their property offers what they want most – top value for their dollar. Here are some quick fast fixes to increase your value.
1. Clean out and organize closets. It is time to get sorting as to what you really need. Storage bins are at most home improvement stores and they are worth their weight in gold. Buyers want to visualize fitting their stuff in so all your closets should be half full.
2. Update window treatments. Most buyers want to see the views and have more light in their new home. So it is time to get rid of the out dated drapes that darken the room. Want privacy – consider energy-efficient shades and blinds.
3. Screen hardwood floors. Buyers favor wood over carpet, but refinishing is costly and time consuming. Screening cuts time and expense. It is a light sanding not a full stripping of color, then a coat of finish.
4. Curb Appeal- This is the most critical!! We want the buyers to get out of their cars and into the house. Try to be objective, view your home from the street and check out the condition of the landscaping, paint, roof, shutters, front door, knocker, windows, house number, and even how window treatments look from the outside. Clean up any unneeded stuff that may be sitting around the house. Add a flower pot or two by the front door. Most stores are having specials this time of year. Every dollar spent on curb appeal is worth its weight in gold!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. Painting- Paint is pretty cheap but adds alot of value to the buyers eye. It should be white or neutral. Soft colors “welcome”.
6. Upgrade your bathroom or kitchen. Make it clutter-free and CLEAN. Update sinks and faucets. Look around and see what might need help to set an inviting tone. We want the buyers to want to cook and spend time in the kitchen.
7. Hire a home inspector. This will be very impressive to the potential buyer. Fix problems before you list the home and save the receipts for all home repairs and improvements. This will show you are responsible sellers who care. Saves alot of time when offers do come your way.
8. CLEAN and UNCLUTTER. Buyers want to visualize their stuff will fit in the home. I would recommend to buy several bins and pack anything that is not needed right now and store in your shed or garage or attic. Counter room is a must in the kitchen. Well kept clean houses show you care.
9. Carpets. Have your carpets cleaned by a professional company. It is best to elimate spots ahead of time so the buyers don’t have to wonder if they will come clean or not.
Avg. Sales Price: 379,000
Avg. Days on Market: 69
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