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Gardening in the Snow

We all know that how the outside of a house looks can be just as important as how the inside looks. Well, what happens when winter hits and all of the colorful flower arrangements lining your beautifully paved walkway shrivel up? Seasoned gardeners know the ins and outs of which annuals and perennials will survive the winter and we are sharing some of their tips with you!

Planning ahead for the types of flowers that will be able to thrive in the winter months is crucial to maintaining a beautiful flower bed or vegetable garden. A few flowers that we recommend for the wintertime are the Snowdrop, Camellia, Bergenia and Hellebore.

 

Snowdrops (left) are tiny white bell-shaped flower suspended from short delicate stems and they are known to grow 6-10 inches in height.They enjoy well-drained soil, normal amounts of water and partial shade.

 

The camellia (right) is another flower that doesn’t mind a little chill in the air. It boasts in beautiful glossy evergreen leaves and eye-catching flowers parading in hues from pale pink to brilliant red. There are over 280 different varieties of this flower so there is virtually no end to the color and   height combinations (most grow between 10-25 feet) for your garden and all they really need is rich soil, plenty of water, partial shade and some mulch if the snow starts falling.  

The Bergenia (left) is bright colored flower in the perennial family. These evergreen perennials can grow up to two feet in height and produce large masses of brightly colored leathery flowers in shades from white to deep purple. Not only can they stand the coldness of winter but in the fall their bright green & heart-shaped leaves start changing color to different shades of bronze, mauve and purple. 

        Hellebores (below) are early bloomers that are fairly low maintenance.They can grow up to 15 inches and sprout flowers as early as January. Commonly known as the snow rose, they have colors ranging from white and pale pink to maroon and are great for bringing in the New Year!

Adding some berry shrubs around your garden is another great idea for winter. Some varieties of shrubs to consider are: firethorne (Pyracantha), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and chinaberry (Melia azedarach). These shrubs will not only survive harsh weather conditions but they help birds to last the winter as well. Planting these little bushes will add to your garden & welcome beautiful birds to snack when their normal food supply is scarce in the winter months. Berry bushes come in all shapes and sizes and each type will require adherence to a different set of rules on soil, watering guidelines, planting parameters and zones. With a little research, your berry bush will blossom in no time!

If flowers aren’t really your idea of a garden, planting a fall vegetable crop might be just the thing to garnish the outside of your home in the winter. There is nothing quite like being able to look to your own backyard to grab some cabbage or spinach to toss in the pot of your favorite winter stew. Growing your vegetable garden all pivots around identifying the approximate date when you can expect the first killing frost in your area, and count backward the number of days needed for your vegetables to fully mature. This will mark your planting date. 

Most plant seed packets will give dates to maturity that will help you put together a schedule. An upside to a winter garden is a lower chance to pest problems in the colder season. Each vegetable will require it’s own special care.

The following vegetables make 

good autumn and winter crops:

•        Broccoli
•        Cabbage
•        Carrots
•        Cauliflower
•        Kohlrabi
•        Leaf Lettuce
•        Leek
•        Mustard
•        Onions
•        Spinach
•        Swiss Chard
•        Turnip

Whether you prefer full flower beds or vibrant veggies, the cold winter months don't have to freeze you plans. So bring on the frost and snow Mother Nature because our green thumbs are putting their mittens on and getting to work! Happy Planting!

Sources:

http://www.americancamellias.com/display.aspx?catid

http://home.howstuffworks.com/lawn-garden/professional-landscaping/basics/10-winter-plants.htm#page=10

What is a Short Sale?

     The terms “Short Sale” and “Foreclosure” get thrown around a lot in today’s real estate market. While these two could both potentially mean a great deal for a prospective buyer, they are very different from each other and if you still aren’t sure about how they work, this article is for you!

     A short sale is a type of property sale where the owners are upside down on their loan, meaning they owe more than what their property is worth and they are selling for less than what they paid for the property. This process can get tricky for both the buyer and the seller. The seller has to get approved for the short sale from their mortgagor (the bank or entity- sometimes more than one- who owns the loan), this most often means they have to prove some type of financial hardship which has rendered them unable to keep up with their mortgage payments. For the buyer, it can get complicated because even if the seller accepts the contract offer price, the sale can’t commence until the mortgagor(s) approves of the contract terms & value. This approval process can take up to 60 days or more, which is almost double the time for a “standard” sale and purchase.

     A foreclosure is the process of taking possession of a mortgaged property as a result of the mortgagor's failure to keep up mortgage payments. This is usually what most homeowners are trying to avoid by going through with a Short Sale. Once a bank takes possession of the property, it may or may not make repairs before listing it with an agent to be active on the market. The buying process is not as long as a short sale but can still take longer than a traditional sale due to lender hours of operations and underwriting processes. This can still be a great deal for homebuyers looking to purchase property for less than fair market price.

     
     Something to remember with either situation is for buyers to take control of the factors that they have the ability to. Banks favor buyers who have their financing in order and are able to be flexible. Another factor to consider is if a property in need of repairs may not qualify for certain types of financing or may be difficult to obtain insurance. If a buyer is not paying cash, it is important to have all financing and pre-qualifications in order. It is also important to work with an experienced agent. An agent who has not handled a short sale may hurt a buyer’s chances of a successful closing. Look around for a seasoned agent, ask them questions like how many buyers they’ve represented in a short sale and, of those, how many have successfully closed. The right agent will be able help negotiate the purchase and maintain smooth communications with the lender. 

Safety First

​In light of the recent tragedy of the kidnapping and murder of real estate agent Beverly Carter in Arkansas and the spike in interest in personal protection among the real estate community, we want to emphasize the importance of being safe in all situations. We must constantly be on guard not only in the world of real estate but in virtually every daily activity and situation.

​Specifically for Real Estate Agents here are some safety tips provided by the National Association of Realtors for hosting Open Houses; some of the suggestions are good practice for day to day showings:

          If you are holding an Open House:

• Call police and arrange for a squad car to drive by during the hours of your open house

• Check your cell phone strength and signal prior to open house

• Have phone charger or extra phone battery so your phone can remain fully charged

• Have emergency numbers on speed dial

• Have escape routes planned and make sure the dead bolts are unlocked for a quick escape if needed

• Turn on all lights and open all curtains

• When buyers come by write down descriptions, have them sign in and if possible get license plate       numbers

• Always walk behind the prospect when showing & direct them, don’t lead them

• Notify a friend or relative that you will call at a certain time and if you don’t the they are to notify the police immediately

• Inform a neighbor that you will be showing the house and ask them to keep an eye or ear out for anything out of the ordinary

• For more tips, reference the National Association of Realtors website 

Below are more important safety precautions that every person should know and practice no matter what:

• Awareness: be aware of surroundings. Studies argue that criminals are more likely to choose targets who appear to be unaware of what is going on around them.

• Use your sixth sense: Intuition can be powerful subconscious insight to help avoid a person or a situation that does not “feel” safe.

• Self-defense training: Choose a program that includes simulated assaults with a fully padded instructor in realistic scenarios.

• Escape: the best option is to run away, yell for help, throw a rock through a store or car window–attract attention and if the criminal is after your material items then give them up.

• Respond: You have the moral and legal right to do so even if the attacker is only threatening and hasn’t struck first. Statistics show that odds of survival are greater if you fight back. Remember to respond quickly because you may only get one chance.

• Pepper spray: Pepper spray and self-defense aids can be useful tools. But never depend on abself-defense tool or weapon to stop an attacker. 

• Home invasions: Prevent this by never opening the door unless you know who’s on the other side. Also, have a safe room in your house equipped with a strong door, deadbolt lock, cell phone and a can of pepper spray or fire extinguisher.

• Car jacking; Lock all doors when driving. Many crimes take place when vehicles are stopped at intersections. The criminals either pull you out of the driver’s seat or jump in the passenger’s seat.

• Safety in cyberspace: When communicating on-line, keep personal information confidential. Keep current on security issues, frauds and viruses by periodically checking “The Police Notebook” Internet Safety Page.

Below are other references for furthering your safety knowledge.

http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/safebasics/self_defense.html

http://www.safety.com/womens/selfdefense/articles.html

http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/the-truth-about-violence

Hello Tallahassee!

​       For a humble town with southern charm, Tallahassee is gaining more and more exposure in the public eye; from the booming construction plans in College Town, the newly built Cascades Park to the luxurious Plaza Tower in downtown Tallahassee that is getting the second look she deserves.  Million Air magazine recently gave Tallahassee a shoutout as one of the “Top Worldwide Real Estate Developments."  The article refers to Tallahassee as “A True Southern Gem” and mentions several popular sites such as the Diamond Suite at Hotel Duval, Cypress Restaurant, the History Museum, Maclay Gardens State Park, the Knott House and Mission San Luis among many other highlights.  Million Air magazine serves one million clients with an average net worth for each client of $41 million; the Million Air brand is synonymous with first-class and if they think Tallahassee is deserving of one of their elite 27 terminals then they must be right! 

            Tallahassee is currently boasting in one of the highest growth rates out of any metropolitan area the state.  According to the Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority “Tallahassee must increase the quantity and diversity of downtown housing options, leveraging opportunities for developing new typologies of mixed, workforce, young professional and multi-generational housing throughout Downtown, appropriately located, most prominently but not exclusively, in the Cascades Park and All Saints districts, as well as College Park and Capitol Hill”.

            The Community Redevelopment Agency is a leading global consulting firm that offers economic, financial, and strategy expertise to major law firms, corporations, accounting firms, and governments around the world. Since 2007, the CRA has given nearly $16 million in funding and funding commitments for large-scale redevelopment projects Downtown including Cascades Park, the Alliance Center, College Town and the Block and the Deck. Over the last 10 years total public investment and outside assistance with these growing areas has amounted to almost $92 million dollars. Looking back from 2009, the amount of public and private development facilitated by the City and County has skyrocketed and is evidenced primarily in areas such as Gaines Street, Cascades Park and the planned extension of FAMU Way.

            So what does this mean for Real Estate you say? Well, with all this expansion, Tallahassee has no choice but to increase the quantity and diversity of Downtown housing options. This means there is a great opportunity for new markets of housing. The area calls new typologies of mixed, workforce, young professional, and multi- generational housing in appropriate districts. Keep your eyes open because the Regal Homes Team has a hunch that this humble town with southern charm will begin to get a taste of big city ideas and transformation. But don’t fret, Tallahassee has always been able to maintain her class and a little growth never hurt anyone!

CATFISH HOUSES

Are you familiar with the MTV show “Catfish”? You know the show where people get in relationships online and then the host of Catfish brings them together to meet in person for the first time. If you have ever watched an episode you can probably 

predict how the majority of the first-encounters turn out, one person is honest and has posted real life pictures and the other....well doesn't show up the way they portrayed themselves. The relationship may have had a chance if both sides were 

honest but unfortunately, false advertising signals dishonesty therefore the relationship often ends on the spot. 

As Realtors, we are all too familiar with our clients falling in love with pictures of their dream homes online only to find that when they actually step foot inside the thresholds, their dreams unveil themselves to reveal the nightmares they really are. The real estate market is flooded with skewed pictures of houses with poor lighting, overshot angles that double kitchen sizes, pictures that conceal flaws or blot out blemishes just to name a few. The moral of the story is that while pictures often give a good idea of what to expect, you should not rely on them to show the whole truth. The same goes for the other side of the story. Some houses are skipped over and never given a chance due to bad pictures. 

The Regal Homes team uses professional cameras to ensure our listings have quality photos of the important features that clients want to see. We also prep our clients on how to stage their homes such as decluttering, professional cleaning or keeping the yard landscaped. Internet shopping is popular these days so it's important that we give the best representation possible. Recent studies have actually shown that buyers spend over 60% of their time looking at houses online but only 20% take tours in person. Unfortunately, there is no way to know if you are getting “Catfished” until you go preview the home for yourself. On the flip side, keep in mind that if your Realtor sends you a listing to look at that may look like a nightmare in the pictures that it just may be the home of your dreams! 

Here are some examples of great pictures and some that are less desirable: 

 

This picture is too blurry to even get a concept of the space.

 

The bad curb appeal distracts from the house and is an immediate deterrent.

 

Can you see the house? This picture is too dark. 

 

This is not only bad curb appeal, but the cars in yard are overly distracting.

There is actually a dog in this picture, you just can't see it behind the clutter (...not really).

 

Not as much clutter here, but still needs to be cleared for the best picture possible. 

 

This kitchen is organized and de-cluttered.

This family room is bright and staged well. 

 

The landscaping and lighting make for great curb appeal.

This picture gives a good representation of what the house looks like, bright and beautiful. 

Renovation is the New Afforadable

Renovation projects have captured the eyes of many American homebuyers with shows like HGTV and TLC, glamorizing the whole process.  Buyers who undertake the noble pursuit of purchasing a home that doesn't dazzle at first glance and turning it into the home of their dreams often go through much more than reality TV shows will reveal, but they almost always end up proud of the
final result.

Purchasing a home in need of renovation can help buyers who can not afford to buy a more pricey new or updated home achieve the American Dream.  It can also help to build your net worth. According to a new Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finance, homeowners build their net worth 4 times faster that renters.  Real Estate Brokerages such as Regal Homes, LLC are great assets to have for buyers and investors whether they have been through the renovation process 100 times or if they are buying their very first home.

The team at Regal Homes, LLC has not only helped countless clients have beautiful and shocking
before and after pictures of their Renovation Project Homes but one of their own, Rennai Kelly has
actually undergone this process with her most recent real estate investment.

"There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the glory in something that you just restored."
         Rennai Kelly

“It was worth the work!!”
        Carrie Dhanarajan

If you are interested in learning more about the process of renovating a home to turn it into everything you believe it can be, please contact a Realtor from the Regal Homes team.  They can connect you with the right people from Renovation Specialist Loan Officers, skilled builders, contractors and anyone else you would need for guaranteed excellence every step of the way!  We put together some pictures of Rennai’s renovation and some of our other brave clients who want to show off their before, during and after shots!

Front of Home Before

Front of Home During After Will Be Later

Mater Bathroom Before

Master Bathroom After

                                                    Master Bathroom Vanity Before

Master Bathroom Vanity During

Master Bathroom Vanity After

Guest Bathroom Before

Guest Bathroom During

Guest Bathroom After

Exterior Before

Exterior After

Garage Before

Garage After

Panther Spotted In Real Estate Jungle

Florida Panthers are known for their uncanny ability to blend in with their surroundings, and that is just what twice-over Stanley Cup champion, Dave Bolland, has done with his new $3.3 million dollar “den” in Boca Raton, Florida.

Aided by the all star match up of SportsRelocation.com and the Real Estate Experts at Regal Homes, LLC, Bolland and his family are now able to spread out in the South Florida lifestyle reflected in their 6,100 sq ft, 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom home. Their new home boasts many stunning features including a gourmet kitchen complete with butler's pantry, a sprawling entertainer's patio with barbecue station, a fantastic club/game room and trademark Florida pool and spa, just to name a few.

The dynamic teamwork of Regal Homes, LLC and SportsRelocaion.com has landed the newest Florida Panther in the perfect habitat for Bolland and his family to truly acclimate from their previous Toronto and Chicago environments. This is not the first time these real estate forces have come together to make a big score. Their efforts have been responsible for assisting in big plays nationwide not only in the world of sports but also the entertainment industry and other VIP clientele.

Keep a sharp eye out, you never know when another winning highlight by this awesome team may be taking place in your own backyard!