Mt. Dora at Home with CBV Life December 2022 Issue

FINDS

5 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR YOUR HOME

FLORIDA FINDS LIGHT UP FLORIDA

IN YOUR CORNER FEATURE STORY

HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY THE BEST REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS?

LIVING LARGE IT ALL COMES DOWN TO HAPPINESS CURIOUS IF PRICES ARE UP? WHAT’S THE MARKET DOING? WE’VE GOT ANSWERS!

MARKET UPDATE

The cover is an image from photographs by CAMERON STEWART

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR YOUR 5

Instead of repeating New Year’s resolutions that you’ll never keep this year, try setting a few home improvement goals. You’re certainly aware of the typical “paint your front door” advice for a quick home improvement, but you can save the prettying-up for spring and address the basics now. These resolutions will have an immediate impact on your daily quality of life and help you go into the new year worry-free.

If you consider your kitchen the beating heart of your house, cook up some ways to perform preventative maintenance on your appliances. Machines that receive the brunt of day-to-day use (the refrigerator, dishwasher, and stove) deserve a deep cleaning and a checkup. Make sure to thoroughly clean behind and underneath them and address any operational issues so you can plan for necessary repairs or replacements.

The following is a guest post by GUSTAVO GONZALEZ on Blue Matter, the Coldwell Banker Blog. Edited by CHELSEA CORNELIUS.

LIVING SPACES

There’s nothing quite like settling into a room that’s refreshed from top-to-bottom with spotless windows and floors. Consider renting a floor cleaning machine or scheduling professional services. Furniture with upholstery should get a good steam treatment, and walls could likely use a wipe-down to erase months (or years) of smudges and stains. Once you’re finished, your home will look and, more importantly, feel as good as new.

GARAGE

EXPERT TIP:

TO KEEP FLOORS CLEAN AND CUT DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF DUST PARTICLES, IRRITANTS, AND FLOATERS IN OPEN AREAS, CONSIDER USING AIR PURIFIERS, ENTRYWAY SHOE RACKS, AND ROBOT VACUUMS/MOPS.

Whether it’s your hobby space, tinkering spot or storage for miscellaneous items, the garage is often overlooked when it comes to home upkeep – so bring this “out of sight, out of mind” space into the spotlight. Take inventory of everything inside your garage. If you have any unwanted items, set them aside for donation or get rid of them. For everything else, reorganize and declutter by prioritizing items you often use and storeaway items that are used sparingly.

EXPERT TIP:

IF YOU HAVE A BARE GARAGE FLOOR, CONSIDER HAVING A PROFESSIONAL COAT IT WITH PAINT, CONCRETE SEALANT, OR EPOXY.

EXTERIOR

Think about a big project that you haven’t had time to get to or have been putting off. Are there leaves or debris still sitting in the gutter? Should pressure washing be scheduled in the upcoming months? Could the landscaping use a touch-up? Once you have a game plan, you can buckle down and tackle these projects one by one.

To-do lists for your home are never exciting, but by setting aside a time allotment for each area, grabbing some help (with the promise of a reward), and setting up your favorite music playlist, you can lighten the load. You’ll finish up with the pride of knowing your home has been renewed and well-kept for the months to come, and be proud that you actually kept your New Year’s resolutions this year!

EXPERT TIP:

IF NOW ISN’T THE BEST TIME TO DEAL WITH OUTDOOR PROJECTS, CALLING AROUND TO GATHER INFO/ QUOTES AND SET DATES IS A SIMPLE FIRST STEP TO GETTING THESE CHORES TAKEN CARE OF..

Photography provided by the following in order of appearance. OLEKSANDR PIDVALNYI(A), HILL SECTION RESIDENCE CAROLE BURKE DESIGN & ASSOCIATES INC.BC), DOUGLAS SHEPPARD(C), and BROOKE CAGLE(D).

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Light Up

FLORIDA

The following is a post by Chelsea Cornelius.

The day after Thanksgiving, November 25th this year, is the beginning of the Holiday Season for most Americans. The Golden Triangle in Central Florida takes this to a new level. The Golden Triangle is the area connected by three small towns in central Florida – Eustis, Mount Dora, and Tavares. Each of these picturesque towns lights up for visitors and residents every year to celebrate the holiday season. In Northest Florida, it is St. Augustine that lights up the night skies from the end of November through January. As we are fast approaching the 25th of November, let’s take a look at these upcoming extravaganzas.

EUSTIS Light Up

Light Up Eustis kicks off the festivities the day after Thanksgiving, November 25th. If you aren’t one of the ones forced to work or busy checking off all of your holiday shopping list this could be for you and your family. Join “America’s Hometown” from 5PM to 9PM to celebrate the holiday season as they have since 1989. Downtown will be drapped in lights along with the trees of Ferran Park. There will be food, live music, real snow, and reindeer for you to enjoy at this FREE event. Mr. & Mrs. Clause will be downtown along with a seventy-five foot snow slide for the kiddos to rid over and over.

Light Up

MOUNT DORA TAVARES ST. AUGUSTINE

Mount Dora is THE Christmas small town in Florida. It is ready to give you all the feels when you step into this hallmark town. That being said, Light Up Mount Dora is a must see event. Every single light of the 2 million on display throughout the downtown area will be twinkling just for you on November 26th. In 2020 due to COVID the light display became a much more walkable one but the event was cancelled out of precaution in 2021, so this year is a much anticipated return of a beloved Christmas tradition.

Light Up Light Up

Round out your Golden Triangle events on December 3rd in downtown Tavares. All of the trees downtown have been gingerly decorated including the lines of palm trees along Main St. There will be a parade starting at 5PM with a massive celebration following in Wooten Park. Watch Santa fly into America’s Seaplane City on his own seaplane, of course. There will be live music, food, a giant snow globe, a Christmas movie and more for you to enjoy throughout the evening. You can also meander around the downtown area from the Union Train Station all the way to Lake Dora. All of which are decorated to the nines in various holiday decor.

Nights of Lights has been a tradition in the City of St. Augustine for the last twenty-nine years, and the gorgeous glow that falls over the whole city entices visitors from around the world to visit Northeast Florida from November to January. The twenty-nine-year tradition of lighting up the city came from its Spanish roots. You can take in the town with a stroll, on a guided train tour, on a boat, or in a horsedrawn carriage. Today the beautiful Spanish-style architecture and all that surrounds it are covered in more than 3 million lights. Consider making the Nights of Lights part of your holiday traditions this year whether you're a local or just in the area.

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THE BEST HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS?

Investing in real estate can be a great way to create wealth for you and your family, but to see a real return on investment, it's important to adopt a different mindset than when you bought your family home. As a property investor, you will be looking at homes for their profit potential rather than their aesthetics alone. Maybe you've already seen gains as a property investor but want to consider expanding and diversifying your portfolio. It is a great time of year to speak to a Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty agent about residential and commercial opportunities you could consider making as we move into the New Year.

How Do I Make Money?

A common saying among real estate professionals is that you should "profit when you buy." This is because you can control what you pay for a property, but you can't control what the market will do to that property's value. As an example, let's say you bought a property for $150,000 that you intend to sell and it is in need of about $25,000 in repairs. It's located in an area where comparable properties sold between $140,000 and $170,000 dollars.

Is this a good deal? No, you paid more than you could get for it if you were to sell. This doesn't mean you need to time the market perfectly; many experts say you, in fact, shouldn't try to time the market when buying investment properties. Consider being a buy-and-hold investor. Over a good deal of time, you may earn a profit, but it's smarter to make your money going into the deal than count on time and/or luck to increase your property's value. Lucky for you, you're not alone. Your Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty agent knows the market and can guide you to make the smartest decision.

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The following is a guest post by LINDSAY LISTANSKI, orignally posted on Blue Matter, the Coldwell Banker Blog. Edited By Chelsea Cornelius.

BLUE MATTER

What Is Positive Cash Flow?

A positive cash flow property is a property that earns more income than it costs you to own it. So, for example, if you had an investment property that brought in a monthly rental income of $1,000 per month and it cost you $800 per month to own it, then it would be considered a positive cash flow property. And as you can guess, a negative cash flow property is one that costs you to own. Make sure you factor in all costs, including maintenance and property management fees, before you invest. Strongly consider making sure your renters buy renter's insurance to protect your investment while the property is in their hands. While it is not required in the state of Florida, you can require it in the leasing process.

What Is Capital Growth?

Capital growth means an increase in the value of your property. So, for example, if you purchased a property at $200,000 and in a year's time, it grew in value to $202,000, then the property market has delivered 2% growth. While you need positive cash flow to fund your property purchases and maintenance, you need capital growth to grow your assets and achieve true wealth.

One advantage of buying property for the purpose of investing is that you can borrow funds to make the purchase, as opposed to other investment opportunities such as stocks and bonds. Another advantage is that when inflation hits and prices increase, sometimes your house value will increase as well. If you borrow with a fixed-rate mortgage, you will still be paying the future monthly payments with a currency that's depreciated in value. As years go by, the equity on your property will increase, and once the principal amount is all paid off, you will have a debt-free asset that will continue to appreciate, depending on market conditions.

Compared to stacking up cash savings in your bank account and watching it lose value to inflation, investing in a property can secure your money in the long term and act as a hedge against dollar debasement. Whether for diversification of your investment portfolio or to secure a property where you and your family can grow and build memories, buying a home can be a timeless investment vehicle.

What

Is

an Investing Strategy?

To reach any goal in life, you've got to have a plan. Your investing strategy will be the plan you use to reach the goals you have set for yourself. So, for example, if you need to buy an investment property that will pay for itself (positive cash flow), you'll be looking for the following:

· A property that you can buy for less than the market might pay (known as below value or a discount).

· A property that is in a location with higher priced properties that you can do simple renovations to in order to increase its value and charge more in rent (ask your agent if the market will take an increase in rent).

There are certain market drivers that we look for when finding a potential investment. These drivers will impact both what you pay for a property and the rate at which it grows (or doesn't grow) in value.

·Population growth. Put simply, an area that is growing. You want to look for areas that have been predicted to grow.

·Supply and demand. Look for an area with a lot of listing inventory. You want to find an area with more renters than properties available to achieve the best rental returns possible.

·Economics. There should be employers expanding and/ or hiring, retail stores moving into the area, roads being built and/or expanded, and other signs of strong economic growth. Work with an agent with deep local knowledge who can advise you on locations that have these drivers.

www.CBVHomesearch.com

3. Subtract your monthly expenses from the monthly rent. This amount is your net income (your cash flow).

4. Calculate the cap rate and the cash on cash return. Cap rate compares the return on investment(ROI) to the purchase price. To get the cap rate, divide the net annual income by the purchase price. Aim for a rate of 8% or higher to get the best results.

5. Determine the cash-on-cash return. This calculation tells you how much return your investment is giving you. If you were to pay all cash, then this figure would be the same as the cap rate. If you're financing, this calculation is a more accurate way to determine how profitable your investment is. To calculate, divide the net annual income by the total cash invested. The difference between these last two calculations is that the cap rate tells you how good of a deal you're getting on the purchase price, whereas the cash-on-cash return tells you how good of a return your money is getting.

Investing in a property can be exciting, but it can also be a stressful one if you don't do your homework. Be sure to work with a trustworthy Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty agent to determine if you should invest in a rental or commercial property in a particular location. Reach out to your trusted advisor today so you be confident you have the best plan for your real estate future.

Photography provided by the following in order of appearance. ALEXANDER ANDREWS(A), KINDEL MEDIA(B), RONDAE PRODUCTIONS(C), MICHAEL DEMARCO(D), (E), MEMENTO MEDIA(F), PHILIPP KATZENBERGER(G), PHIL(H), and BRANDON GRIGGS(I) .

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IT ALL COMES DOWN TO

Happiness

The following is a guest post by CAMILLA MCLAUGHLIN which was originally pushlished in Homes & Estates Magazine and on the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Blog Edited by Chelsea Cornelius.

What’s in and what’s out usually dominate design discussions, but homeowners’ desires today transcend colors or square footage. Instead, words like comfort, happiness, and versatility pepper conversations with designers asked about the consumer mindset today. “Generally speaking, everyone wants things to be more casual these days, even in the city.” Even in more formal homes, “they want extremely relaxed, flexible, comfortable,” observes Manhattan designer and member of the AD 100 Liliane Hart. Overall, she says, “People are living more intimately.” A majority want to use all the spaces in their home with no room off limits to children or dogs.

“People are much more in tune to their interiors, men and women alike,” observes Tony Sutton, president, and owner of Est Est, an award-winning interior design firm in Scottsdale. “Men are much more involved in the process because they do care, and they understand the psychological influence the space has on mood.”

In a way, it all comes down to happiness, says Elissa Morgante, founding partner of Morgante Wilson Architects. “When we collaborate with our clients, we are more focused than ever on the simple priority of creating a home that brings them pleasure every time they walk in the door. There’s a lot of freedom in that approach to design because you’re not concerned about following rules or making a safe choice, or thinking about whether something is in or out of style. Instead, the guiding principle is the idea that your home should make you happy — and that’s all about personal choices rather than following trends.”

Embrace Personal Style

Homeowners, particularly the affluent, continue to expect their residences to be uniquely their own. Compared to even a few years ago, they are surprisingly liberated and apt to pursue rooms, aesthetics, and special interests they consider essential to their lifestyle. Features such as outdoor connections, ancillary spaces, and versatility contribute even more to desirability and value. People across the country are no longer defined by one trending style and are comfortable remodeling or building from scratch. Inside and outside, the farmhouse style is waning. Contemporary is growing as a top preference, particularly for elevations, while newly streamlined expressions make traditional and regional vernaculars increasingly relevant, stoking demand.

Thinking Long-Term

No longer living in the moment and ready to change interiors on a whim, homeowners are looking for value and thinking long-term, something designers say they have been preaching for years. Antiques, whether single statement pieces or authentic accents are back in favor along with higher-quality furnishings. “Smart people realize the value in doing it right the first time as opposed to instant gratification,” says Sutton.

“Pick a statement piece for the room, whether it’s a stunning chandelier, dramatic wall finish, or oversized piece of art, and put your money there. Save money on side tables, accent pieces, accessories, and pillows. Those items can be updated every 5-10 years to give you a new look,” explains Chicago designer Donna Mondi.

Making Great Rooms Greater

Indoor-outdoor synchronicity continues to transform floor plans. Increasingly, the main rooms are oriented toward an outdoor tapestry of covered and open spaces, lounge areas, gardens, and water or fire features. Transitions seemingly disappear, creating a cohesive experience as much outside as it is indoors. Technology continues to enable enhanced connections with larger windows and doors, screens that do more than block insects, and glass that can change from translucent to opaque. Look for more integrated courtyards and strategies to bring more light into the center of homes.

What will future homes look like? From the vantage point at the beginning of a new decade, we seem to be in a unique position as we look ahead to the decade that follows with potential transformative innovations as well as an ongoing style evolution on the horizon. As long as you are happy in your home the future looks bright.

Photography provided by the following in order of appearance .PAIGE CODY(A), CAMERON STEWART(B), MK S(C& E), GREG RIVERS(D), JIMMY DEAN F), and PAVEL DANILYUK(D).

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Market Update October 2022

Real estate experts are seeing the continued stabilization of the Central Florida market as we close out October, and the holiday season is upon us. This year has been a rollercoaster ride with the official end of a global pandemic, mid-term elections, and what sometimes feels like skyrocketing inflation and interest rates. New listings and pending sales are going down in a normal fashion as the holiday season overshadows the rush to hit the market. The days on the market are almost at a full month overall, and three months of inventory are available for qualified buyers. Experts say, “Three months’ supply is still considered a ‘sellers’ market, although it is far from the frenzied market that we saw in 2021 and early 2022. We are much more in line with the last normal pre-pandemic year of 2019, which is a good sign for both buyers and sellers. There have been so many changes in the market this year that it is essential for anyone looking to buy or sell to lean on their trusted REALTOR® to help them understand their hyper-local market and work through the process.”

What does this mean for BUYERS?

Contact your Coldwell Banker Vanguard Agent to find out who the experts are you need to talk to and for help finding out what you need to get into your next home. They can also let you know what programs you might qualify for to ease the burden of higher interest rates and soaring home prices.

What does this mean for SELLERS?

The holidays are coming, if you are selling make sure you are on the same page as your Coldwell Banker Vanguard Agent before those photos are taken. They handle the selling process and protect their customers, bringing them the best offers that ensure the sale goes through with due diligence and care. Reach out to them today about your end of the year and New Year's real estate goals.