4 RENOVATIONS TO GET MORE FOR YOU HOME AND SELL IT QUICKER

Selling in Land o Lakes or Wesley Chapel or surounding areas?

Everyone knows when you go to sell anything, you must get it ready to sell.  What do you need to do to get your home ready to sell?  Believe it or not, this is a huge part of marketing your home, and something I have my sellers spend a bit of time, but not so much money on.  You see, in order to sell a home you have to know what the buyers today are looking for.  With this knowledge, we prepare and stage our listings to maximize the interest and ultimately the offers we will receive.

1) Curb appeal.  Of course this is your first chance to make

a good first impression.  This is how we get the buyers in your house.  Pressure washing and/or painting, new mulch, new flowering plants, trimming, etc.  An experienced Realtor can help you know what to do and help you stay within a budget.

2 I always say, “Paint is cheap”.  And it can be fun.  It certainly makes a big difference in the impression buyers get.  I can help you know what to paint and what can slide, what colors are best in what rooms, what will get you the best return on your time and money.  It’s my job, and I study these things… for you.

3 The kitchen is the most important room in the house in our current market.  Kitchen reno’s can easily get out of hand.  I have seen some kitchen reno's where the homeowner definitely spent way more than they needed to, and will never recover the money spent. Also, some that certainly did not get the homeowner more money for their home, and some that were not a good idea at all.  Before you spend a lot of money on kitchen renovation, call me and let’s talk about what you are trying to accomplish.  You may be surprised at how little it can cost to make a big impact in the kitchen.   A little experience in this can save you a lot of money.

4 The bathrooms are very important, especially the master bath. 

You may not be able to add more room to your small master bath, but you can easily add style.  And in bathrooms as well as kitchens, “Clean equals Green” is what I always say.  The more clean you have in your kitchen and bathrooms, the more green you will get from the sale.

If you are going to be selling a home soon, contact me.  I would love to  help you save even more money while getting the extra value out of your home.  There are a lot of costs during the process.  Knowing where to spend your money, and where you can save money, will help put more money in your wallet.

Dee Smith  813-714-9737   deesmith@deesmit.com  www.DeeSmith.com

RE/MAX Premier Group  Wesley Chapel, FL 33544  

#LAND O LAKES  #WESLEY CHAPEL  #REAL ESTATE

SHOULD I BUY A HOME FIRST? OR SELL MY HOME FIRST?

Buying and Selling in Land o Lakes or Wesley Chapel or surounding areas?


With inventory so low this is a very good question and should be considered way before you enter the real estate market.  As an experienced Real Estate Agent, I can tell you this is the first question I usually hear from my local move-up or downsizing clients.  And it is not an easy question to answer, but I have a few very good strategies for this problem depending on your specific situation.  But no matter your situation, I can help you find your success.

In the best scenario, you should buy a home and then sell yours to avoid being homeless. In the very best case you can buy with cash, but most times this is not the case.  This means 2 mortgages until you sell, this can be stressful, but with the proper preparation, marketing, and pricing this should not take long.  And in some cases a mortgage on a second home is not an option.

If, as in most cases, your finances don’t allow you to hold two mortgages, there are other strategies. One is to sell your home and live in temporary housing until you find a home.  This is not the best because you may tend to buy something you are not exactly in love with to get out of the temporary housing.  Or you may find yourself in temporary housing for a very long time.

A better way, and my favorite is to work toward a simultaneous closing which means you buy a house and sell your own house on the very same day. How in the world can you do that? 

Very carefully with great planning and experience.  My clients have been able to take advantage of this method successfully many times.  First, we must plan it.  Work the plan. And finally execute.  Keep our eyes on the goal and don’t give up.  We prepare the home, stage it, have beautiful High Def pictures taken, then actively search with high priority until the home is identified that the buyer wants.  It doesn’t matter how long it takes to find the home to buy. Then, when we do, I negotiate terms that will allow us to sell the buyer’s home and close on the new home on the same day. 

Immediately put the home that is prepared, staged, and photographed on the market at the right price, my marketing system goes into action, and voila! It is sold within a few days, because the market is working in our favor in this stage, and the date for closing is scheduled with the buyers and their sellers.  

Now this is only an outline of how it should go in order to let you know there is a way, and of course there is a lot more to it, that I cannot put into this short article. The key to this success is experience.  I have successfully done this multiple times, learned what to do, and how to do it, and I can do the same for you.  But don’t take my word for it, please check out my testimonials at www.DeeSmith.com and if you are interested in more, contact me.   DeeSmith@DeeSmith.com 813-714-9737
RE/MAX Premier Group  Wesley Chapel, FL 33544  

I WANT TO BUY A HOME - I AM A FIRST TIME HOME BUYER - I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START.

Buying Real Estate in Land o Lakes & Wesley Chapel and surrounding areas.

Like any new experience there is a degree of mystery and a little fear mixed in, plus this IS your most expensive purchase you have ever made.  You don’t want to mess up. The KEY is an experienced team to be successful. Yes, TEAM… your Realtor, your Lender and you, the buyer. Information is power so I’m going to impower you with how the process goes.  And I must tell you I have been helping first time homeowners for many years.  I really enjoy it.

First find a Realtor who works with first time home buyers.  This is a specialty for the very reason you pointed out… you don’t know where to start.  This must be an experienced realtor, remember, new agents are learning and will learn from the mistakes they make with their clients.  You don’t want to be one of the mistakes.  Also, the Realtor must be willing to spend more time helping you and teaching you about the process.  Guiding you and protecting you.  Saving you money whenever we can throughout the process.

Second, your Realtor will help you find a great lender that has low interest rates and closing costs to save you money and one who works with first time homebuyers.  There are programs for the first timer.  Usually you must take a class to qualify and you must be qualified by income as well. There are other programs you may also qualify for.  Your lender can help you with that.

Third, your lender will help you to get a pre-approval letter, which you will need to send with your offer when you identify a home you want to buy.  There is paperwork involved with this step, so it may take a couple of days.  Also, some lenders do not work on weekends.  If you wait, you may miss out on a great home that sells before you can get your pre-approval letter.  Once you have it, it is easy to update after that.  The letter is usually good for 90 days.

Fourth, your Realtor will guide you through the process.  She will send you homes in your price range and locations you have chosen using the auto-email system from our MLS. You will get them right away when they are listed.  You will work as a team.  Your part is to drive by the homes that interest you, and check out the neighborhoods, amenities, school info on line, whatever is important to you, etc.  Identify homes you would buy, if you are not disappointed by the inside condition when you visit.  And then tell your Realtor which homes you want to see. The first time you will want to see a few or several, then after that you will be watching for the auto-emails. Buying a home is a process of elimination. Eliminate certain neighborhoods, size floor plans, etc.

Fifth, your Realtor will quickly make the appointment, when you find one that is interesting, and meet you at the home to inspect the interior.  If it is the one you want, your Realtor will quickly write up the offer, email it to you to read over, and for electronic signature.  Within minutes it can be sent to the listing agent along with your preapproval letter to be considered by the sellers. This market (2018) is very competitive, and you must be ready and willing to act quickly to be successful.  If you are not, you are not ready to buy.  Interest rates are going up.  There are multiple offers on most listings within the first week unless they are priced too high.  This sounds a little fast, and it is, but with your team in place, you are not alone.

Next, possibly after some negotiations between you with your Realtor, and the listing Realtor with the sellers, you should have a signed contract.  Then you must make a deposit, apply for your loan, submit more paperwork to the lender, schedule inspections, go to inspections, appraisal, possibly make some more decisions, find an insurance company, moving company, call utilities, etc. all with the help and guidance of your Realtor.  There are a lot of things that must happen between the contract and closing.  Your Realtor makes sure everything is done in a timely manner.  Your lender makes sure everything on his end is done in a timely manner. 

Finally, Your Realtor takes you to your final walk through inspection and closing.  Another successful homeowner emerges from closing with keys in hand.  You did it! 

I hope by describing the process this makes you more confident in your decision to buy a home, and gives you a place to start.  Information is power.  The key to everything is finding the right Realtor.  Of course every transaction is different, and this is only an outline.  An experienced Realtor can navigate any snags for you.  Good luck and have fun!

Your Realtor,

Dee Smith   

DeeSmith@DeeSmith.com   813-714-9737  www.DeeSmith.com  click on Testimonials

RE/MAX PREMIER GROUP - Wesley Chapel, FL

"HOW MUCH COMMISSION DO YOU CHARGE TO SELL MY HOME?"

If you are interviewing real estate agents in Wesley Chapel and Land o Lakes, to sell your home there are many questions you should ask.

It DOES matter which agent you hire to sell your home.  

Chances are it is the most valuable and important financial transaction you have ever made.  And you could loose or gain a lot of money during the transaction.  Trusting a person with very little knowledge and experience is dangerous.

 Real Estate is a business, and like all businesses has a lot of expenses that are necessary in order to do well for their clients. The income from the sales need to cover those expenses. There are other expenses that are not necessary and knowing the difference is important.  For example, if a real estate agent is not interesting in learning and investing in his trade, he will not do well for his clients.  It is as simple as that.

"How much commission do you charge?" is the most popular question asked, however, those who charge less commission ALWAYS spend less on your advertising and marketing and usually sell the home for less.  After all, they are not good negotiators, if they can't even win on a commission negotiation.   These agents, because their success is limited ususally don't last long in the business.  A smart agent is a good negotiator and has a marketing plan for each home that insures good traffic, quality offers, and high level service.

Here are a few better questions to ask a real estate agent, "Are you a Realtor?"(a member of the National, State and Local Associations of Realtors),  "What are you going to do to sell my home?",  "How are you going to get me the most money for my most valuable possession?",  "What are you going to do to keep me informed of what is going on?",  "What are you going to do to save me money during the process?", "What are you going to do to insure good offers?", "Do you currently work with buyers also?" (in order to know what buyers are looking for today), "What is the last class you took that is going to help sell my home?", "Do you have much negotiating experience?", "What are you going to do to sell my home quickly, for more money, and less hassle for me?".

If you are going to be selling or buying a home soon, contact me.  I can help you save even more money.  There are a lot of costs during the process.  Knowing where you can save money will help.

Dee Smith  813-714-9737   deesmith@deesmith.com  www.DeeSmith.com

RE/MAX Premier Group  Wesley Chapel, FL 33544  

#LAND O LAKES  #WESLEY CHAPEL  #REAL ESTATE

8001 WOODLEAF BLVD, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL $95,000 - 2 ACRES

GATED COMMUNITY - GORGEOUS 2 ACRE WOODED LOT. COUNTY WATER IS AVAILABLE HERE. NO NEED TO PUT DOWN A WELL... NO UGLY IRON STAINS ON YOUR WALLS. This is the first lot on the left as you enter the gate. 125' wide and over 650' deep. The developer has already provided a building pad on the property per county specs. WESTWOOD ESTATES is a gated community of Custom Built Executive homes on large multi-acre lots. HORSES ARE WELCOME. County water is available here. Home must be 2000 sf minimum one story, 2200 sf two story, but most homes are much larger. This is country living but close to everything you need. Stores, restaurants, churches, The Wiregrass Mall, Tampa Outlet Mall, Great Schools and the HOA is only $450 a year. Special financing available @ 25% down and interest only for 2 years. Builder information and deed restrictions are available.

2 acres - $95.000


 TEXT ME 813-714-9737
DeeSmith@DeeSmith.com

 

8547 SPRING FOREST LANE, WESLEY CHAPEL $95,000 - 2 ACRES

GATED COMMUNITY - GORGEOUS 2 ACRE WOODED LOT. COUNTY WATER IS AVAILABLE HERE. NO NEED TO PUT DOWN A WELL... NO UGLY IRON STAINS ON YOUR WALLS. $95,000

This lot is approximately 150' wide and over 600' deep. Beautiful woods and a partial clearing in the front where the developer has already provide a building pad per county specs. 

WESTWOOD ESTATES is a gated community of Custom Built Executive homes on large multi-acre lots. HORSES ARE WELCOME. County water is available here. Home must be 2000 sf minimum one story, 2200 sf two story but most homes are larger. Special financing available @ 25% down and interest only for 2 years until you are ready to build. 

This is country living but close to everything you need. Stores, restaurants, churches, The Wiregrass Mall, Tampa Outlet Mall, Great Schools and the HOA is only $450 a year. Builder info and deed restrictions are available.

TEXT ME 813-714-9737
OR EMAIL DeeSmith@DeeSmith.com
RE/MAX Premier Group

LOT 329 WHITE WATER LANE, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33544 $20,000 ONE ACRE

LOOKING FOR A GREAT DEAL? THIS MIGHT BE IT!!! BEAUTIFUL ACRE OF PINE WOODS WITH A HUGE DISCOUNT FOR THE BIT OF WETLANDS IN THE FRONT. THIS LOT IS HIGHER IN THE BACK. $20,000

Should be plenty of room to build on about half of an acre, but to be sure, get it surveyed with delineation during your "due diligence period" to make sure your builder can build what you want there. Nice quiet street. Bring your horses and other pets. This is zoned AR (Agricultural Residential no mobiles). You have 150 feet along the road, and it goes back 291 feet to the neighbor's lot. Neighbors on the west side and on the north side are fenced. Builder information available. Call today!

TEXT ME 813-714-9737
OR EMAIL DeeSmith@DeeSmith.com

5352 BAY BLVD, PORT RICHEY, FL 34668 $229,900

DO YOU WANT TO JUMP IN YOUR BOAT AND BE IN THE GULF IN 5-10 MINUTES... FISHING? DEPENDING ON HOW FAST YOUR BOAT IS. This is a SWEET LITTLE DEAL you won't want to pass up! $229.900 TEXT ME 813-714-9737

This great little remodeled home is freshly painted, move in ready, and priced to sell!!! It has a newer roof, remodeled kitchen, granite, stainless steel appliances, 2 remodeled baths, open floor plan with nice tile and laminate floors. No carpets here! 

It has an Open floor plan that flows from the large living room, through the dining area to the light, bright Florida Room which could be an office, den, mancave, craft room, formal dining room, etc. with a window that looks out over the water. Remodeled kitchen with Granite and Stainless Steel Appliances. Two bedrooms, two remodeled bathrooms, inside laundry, garage and nice big concrete patio in the back make for a very comfortable home. 

PLUS A FLOATING DOCK FOR YOUR BOAT! 
The views from your patio of the sunset over Miller's Bayou are spectacular! See virtual tour for more pictures. Note: These were taken around low tide. Hurry to see this one before it is SOLD! Call today.



TEXT ME 813-714-9737 DeeSmith@DeeSmith.com
RE/MAX PREMIER GROUP

virtual tour: http://hdshowings.com/21022zu

Looking West toward Miller Bayou just 3 houses away.

4814 PARKWAY BLVD, LAND O LAKES $259,900

FABULOUS WATERFRONT POOL HOME PARADISE. Come experience this unique property on the water-way that meanders through the neighborhood. Kayaks come with the home so you can start enjoying the adventure right away. Paddle down the creek or enjoy nature walks through the Cypress Preserve owned by SWFWMD with access right next to this property. Sit on your dock and fish. 

 This is a great home for entertaining, so open and bright, with high ceilings, open floor plan, and great flow opening to the screened pool. Great views from all the rooms. Huge master suite, split bedrooms, pool bath, breakfast bar, breakfast nook, large closet pantry, inside laundry, 2 car garage with attic access stairs and flooring, formal living and dining, everything you want!!! Relax in your pool, enjoy your deck and fire pit, go kayaking, feed the fish, bird watch. The privacy fence has a drive through gate and there is a vacant lot owned by SWFWMD next door. No one will ever build there.

 Lake Padgett Estates East has a resort style community center with pool, tennis, fitness, racket ball, playground, picnic park, & so much to do. Near the county park & rec center, library, churches, shops, recreation & the best schools. Low Pasco taxes, low $40/mo HOA and no CDD. Hurry to see this one! Call your Realtor today!

TEXT ME 813-714-9737
DeeSmith@DeeSmith.com









OH, DID I SAY THERE WAS A POOL!?!

9730 PREAKNESS STAKES, DADE CITY, FL $63,000 ONE ACRE

ONE ACRE CLEARD BUILDING LOT IN FARMINGTON HILLS, DADE CITY, FL  - GATED COMMUNITY

ONE ACRE   $63,000

 Enter Farmington Hills through the shady tree-lined lane to the gated entrance. Sweeping views of magnificent homes and large landscaped yards greet you as you travel through this one of a kind exclusive upscale community of executive homes on large acre lots with plenty of space. The Lange Ranch, a wedding and event venue, and The Academy at the Farm, an exclusive magnet school are located right on the property with Farmington Hills and many of the young families who live here have their little ones at the Accademy. There are walking trails all throughout the community and with only 29 homes, Farmington Hills residence have picnics and get togethers at the park several times a year. You will get to know everyone quickly in this friendly neighborhood. This is a beautiful cleared lot with a lot of common land behind it, making it seem larger, and some conservation to one side, and in the distance a view of the tree lined entrance lane with whi te horse fence, and the pasture beyond. There are beautiful homes on both sides and a lovely pond across the street. There are 3 houses for sale in Farmington Hills at the time of this listing, but if you don't find the house your want, here's your chance to build it. Hurry to check out this wonderful lot in this awesome community at this amazing price, just reduced $5000.00!!!

TEXT ME 813-714-9737
DeeSmith@DeeSmith.com

27419 ELKWOOD CIRCLE, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33544 $95,000

ONE ACRE - GATED COMMUNITY - SELLER FINANCING available with 20% down. SURVEY WITH DELINEATION AVAILABLE. BEAUTIFUL 1 ACRE CLEARED WITH POWER AND COUNTY WATER ON SITE. $95,000.

This is the best lot and the best deal in this awesome GATED COMMUNITY of executive homes and large, multi-acre wooded home sites. Horses are welome!  BRING YOUR BUILDER This site is cleared has a building pad provided by the developer and is ready to build, and NO wetlands. Only $450/year HOA and no CDD. Min. home is 2000 sf or 2200 sf for 2 story, but most homes are much larger.... Hurry! Call today!

TEXT ME 813-714-9737  DeeSmtih@DeeSmith.com

 VERY FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD OF EXECUTIVE STYLE HOMES

23030 DOVER DR, LAND O LAKES, FL 34639 $179,900

***OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 3/25/18 1:00-4:00*** AMAZING MOVE IN READY FRESHLY RENOVATED HOME WILL WOW YOU!!! Small lot to mow,  but not a small home, 1340 sq ft with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a bonus  den/office/playroom/Guest room/anything-you-need room. All has been completely remodeled  perfectly. Even the yard has lush new sod, landscaping and beautiful hand stained privacy fence,  the concrete driveway has even been expanded, everything has been done! So of course you have new Granite, new cabinets, and new Stainless Steel Appliances with an awesome  modern stainless  steel range hood. Nice new easy care Luxury Vinyl Plank Floors throughout  living areas and cozy new carpet in the bedrooms. New  bathrooms, New paint inside and out. 5 year new roof.  Open floor plan, with high ceilings, and laundry in the  garage giving you more living space inside. Formal Dining room with room for a long dining table, plus space  for a kitchen table or kitchen Island, spacious living room  and a concrete patio in your private back yard. Sliding  doors in the bedrooms to the patio, to let in the nice  breezes.

This popular neighborhood has a resort style community center with pool, 

clubhouse, playground, basketball, tennis, walking track, fitness center, planned 

community activities and so much more. Best schools, Low Pasco taxes & 

insurance, No flood insurance needed, and $40/mo HOA! No CDD. 

Hurry to see this one, you will not be disappointed... unless you don't hurry!

\

DeeSmith@DeeSmith.com

813-714-977 text me

RE/MAX PREMIER GROUP

3010 DOWNAN POINT DR, LAND O LAKES, FL 34638 $299,999

THIS GORGEOUS WATERFRONT HOME WITH MAGNIFICENT WATER VIEWS AND CONSERVATION VIEWS FROM  MANY WINDOWS will captivate you. Watch water birds and other animals from your spacious lanai. The back  yard is fenced with many varieties of plants and plenty of room for a pool.

This one owner home has been well loved and well maintained and it shows. Enter through the foyer  to the massive  great living room with soaring ceilings up the open stairway to the loft. The conservation views through the living and dining rooms beacon you to see more. Enter the kitchen with Granite and beautiful Cherry stained hardwood cabinets and an island for preping food or just for gathering around. The huge  downstairs master bedroom has views of the water and conservation to wake up to. And the luxurious master bathroom, fit for a king and queen, will make you smile. The second master suite is on the  second floor, privately placed at the end of the hall and could be an in-law suite. The spaceous loft is quite a bonus,  as a hangout room with great view of the water and conservation areas below. All these rooms are large, sunny  and inviting. There is a spacious laundry room downstairs, and also a half bath off the foyer. This popular  neighborhood has a community pool and clubhouse, Tennis, basketball, volleyball, playground and picnic area,  great schools, and many new restaurants and shops are nearby, and it is priced to sell quick! Hurry to see this one! DeeSmith@DeeSmith.com Text me 813-714-9737