Florida Real Estate Blog - Home Maintenance

6 New Year's Resolutions For Your Home

So many people set new year’s resolutions focused around health and happiness, but forget to factor in one of the biggest contributors to overall well-being—the home. Getting your house in order can do wonders for helping you feel more comfortable, secure and focused. If you’re a homeowner in Florida, these are some great home goals for the new year.

Clear Out the Clutter

A new year is an opportunity for a fresh start. However, it’s hard to start fresh with your home when you have tons of junk lying around. The key to decluttering is to start small with one room or area at a time. Take items out of cupboards and drawers and think about whether those items serve a purpose or are just taking up space. Donate or toss out anything that you don’t…

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The Top Smart Home Gadgets for Your Florida Home

Smart home technology has come a long way in just a few years. Now you can find devices that allow you to do everything from unlocking your door remotely to monitoring energy usage and feeding your pets from an app on your phone or device. Smart home gadgets are great for all types of Florida real estate because they not only make managing your home easier, they can also add value if you’re thinking of selling your home. These are some of the most useful smart home gadgets for Florida homes.

Smart Air Conditioner

On hot, humid days in Florida, air conditioning is an absolute must. Smart air conditioners allow you to turn your cooling unit on or off with just the push of a button on your device. You can activate the A/C before you get home so…

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Tips for Renting Out Your Florida Home in the High Season

With cold weather kicking in further north and the holidays coming up soon, high season has already begun in Florida. The busy season is a great time to rent out your home because you’re highly likely to find renters and can get very favorable rates. If you’re thinking about renting out your Florida home in the high season, these are some tips on how to get the most out of your vacation rental.

Research Regulations

Homeowners in Florida are legally allowed to rent out their homes to short-term renters, however, you must have a license to do so. In addition, you will have to pay federal taxes on your rental income. Different counties, neighborhoods and homeowner’s associations may also have additional rules about short-term rentals. Be sure to do…

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5 Ways to Make Your Florida Home More Eco-Friendly

There are many reasons why homeowners in Florida are choosing to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Eco-friendly homes are not only good for the environment, but they can save you a significant amount of money. If you’re wondering how you can make your Florida home more eco-friendly, these are a few easy steps you can take.

Install Solar Panels

If there’s one thing we get a lot of in Florida, it’s sunshine! Why not take advantage of this renewable energy source to power your home? Solar panels may seem expensive and cumbersome to install, but the cost and effort are well worth it, as they can save you tons of money in the long run. In addition, solar panels are great to have if you’re selling your Florida home because many new home buyers are…

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Easy Backyard Upgrades To Refresh Your Space

One of the reasons we love living in Florida is that patio season lasts nearly all year long. And what better way to enjoy the superlative weather than in the comfort of your own backyard? 

If you own a Florida home with a backyard or deck, you may be considering sprucing up your outdoor living area so that you can make the most of the beautiful climate and scenery.

Backyard upgrades will not only make your outdoor area look more attractive, but they can also add value to your home. Here are a few easy ways you can refresh your outdoor living space.

Revamp Your Cushions

Give your patio furniture an instant upgrade with a new set of covers. Cushion covers can be very inexpensive and come in a wide range of colors and patterns. Choose tones…

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Be Hurricane Ready

One of the only downsides of living in Florida is dealing with the tropical storms and hurricanes that can hit during certain months of the year. Whether you live on the Atlantic Coast, the Gulf Coast or Central Florida, you may experience heavy storms that could potentially damage your home. Therefore, it’s important to do a bit of hurricane preparation before the season begins, which includes ensuring that your Florida home insurance covers you in the event of a destructive storm.

When is Hurricane Season in Florida?

Hurricane season in Florida starts on June 1st and runs through to November 30th, with off-season storms occurring earlier or later. During this time storms develop over the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, many of which…

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9 Important Things To Do To Prepare Your Vacation Home For The Off-Season

As you start to count down the remaining days at your vacation home and soak in all that the enviable Florida winter has to offer, it's time to start preparing your vacation home for the off-season. When this time comes, there are a number of things that you will need to do to ensure that your vacation home is left safe and secure until you return again. Keep reading for some of the most important and overlooked tasks.

1. Turn off water at the inlet source
   Turning off all water at the inlet source will help prevent potential floods. Hot water heaters, ice makers, and leaky faucets can all result in significant damage to your vacation home.
2. Unplug all electrical devices
   While you are away, ensure that all electrical devices that do not absolutely…

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Benefits Of Using A Property Management Company

If you’re one of the many people who owns a vacation home, seasonal home or investment property in Florida, you may have considered using a property management company. After all, it’s not easy to maintain your property and manage tenants or vacation rentals when you’re not physically there or simply busy with your day-to-day life. These are just a few benefits a Florida property management company can provide.

Keeping Your Home in Top Shape

Whether you’re renting your vacation home out or planning on leaving it vacant for stretches of time, a property management company can make sure it stays in great shape. A good property management company will ensure your house is clean, your grounds are well-maintained, and everything is functioning as it…

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Keep Your Pets Calm on the 4th!

The 4th of July may be one of our favorite holidays, but it can also be a pet's worst nightmare. You might wonder why your beloved pup, unaffected by the rumble of thunder, is suddenly beside herself at the loud booms and pops of a fireworks display.

Many pets are accustomed to the natural sound of thunder in the sky, but fireworks sounds occur closer to the ground and therefore may elicit a much different response. This leaves many pet owners wondering, how can I reduce my pet's anxiety during 4th of July fireworks? We've collected a few helpful tips and tricks to keep your dog calm on our country's birthday. 

Can I see some ID? 

Despite their human companions' best efforts, more pets run away the 4th of July than any other day of the year.…

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5 Simple Ways to Decorate Your Home for Fall

Happy Fall! Fall has arrived, even if it's still pushing 90 degrees. It's never too early to get a head start on adding some autumn touches to your home. There are so many simple ways to add coziness to your home this season.

1. Add scented candles in every room

Candles are the simplest way to add a splash of autumn to any tabletop or shelf. They bring a toasty and cozy element to any room. Swap out your vibrant summer candles for more warm and neutral hues. 

2. Arrange Fall Flowers

Add some moody fall colors to your home with an easy floral arrangement. Stop by your local florist and pick up some jewel tone flowers and some greenery to create a DIY arrangement. The perfect accent to your mantel and offers elegant eye candy for guests. Big…

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