How to Sell Your Home with a Good First Impression

Credit for this photo goes to ThisOldHouse

You are finally ready to sell your home. Great! However when showing your home to potential buyers, first impressions are the most lasting and important to its sale. Your main role in selling your home is to make it as attractive as possible for prospective buyers.  Here are some tips to help you make a good first impression when selling your home.

The exterior of your home creates the first impression. Since the exterior of your home is the first and last thing potential buyers see, some effort can make a big difference in the impression your home makes. Make sure to keep up the maintenance on your lawn and driveway. You want to make sure that your lawn is cleanly cut, the shrubs and trees are trimmed, and that your garden is weeded. Another big thing about the front of your house is to make sure all the toys, lawn equipment, and other items are neatly stored away to make everything look great. A few other things to check on the exterior of your home is to make sure the windows are clean, address numbers are polished and in place, fresh paint on the garage and door, and adding some embellishments to make your home look welcoming.

A clean interior will reinforce your home’s good first impression. After the potential buyer walks through the exterior of your home having a clean interior will keep the good impression going. Clear any clutter on your shelves and other furniture. By having a clean and organized home it gives the impression of it being open and airy. Another big thing is to make sure your home is clean. Dust all shelving, polish the door knobs, clean the windows and mirrors, and wax those floors it will make a better impression than having a dusty, dirty home and hoping it will sell like that. One thing that few sellers know to do is to de-personalize your home. By removing those knickknacks and family photos it will help those prospective buyers imagine the home as their own.

Check out the ambiance of your home in the evening. Making sure that your home looks great in the day and evening is a great way to leave a lasting impression. Walk around your home and make sure that the lights outside work and position them to where it looks welcoming and appealing to anyone that may be passing by. Also, make sure your house numbers are visible on the outside by installing a small light fixture beside it or purchase an illuminated one.

Make sure to fix any minor or cosmetic repairs that needs to be done. That wooden fence has been in your yard for years, but the paint is chipping and you’re missing some of the posts. You’d definitely want to repair that and any other minor things around the house. By having freshly painted doors, fences, and other items it gives your home that new feel and makes the house attractive. Make sure all the screens in the windows are good, all cabinets, and doors work as they should. You also should make sure your door bell works too.

Bake a batch of cookies or a pie. When prospective buyers are walking around your home and looking around they are looking to see if it feels like home to them. Bake a batch of cookies before they arrive. The scent of the cookies will make the home feel warm and welcoming while giving your guests something to munch on. 

Regardless on if you’re looking to sell your home or even looking for a second one I would be honored to help you. Call me, Billi Gartman, at 941-545-8877 with any questions you have. Having me by your side during your home buying and selling process will help you with questions, concerns, and any stress you may have. 

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Tips on How to Choose a Neighborhood

Credit for the photo goes to Safewise

Finding an apartment or home on Anna Maria Island is more than just finding a place to live. When searching your interests and lifestyle come into play when looking to see if a neighborhood is going to suit what you’re looking for. Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, and the city of Anna Maria all are the perfect place to live with a family or singly. 

•         Consider where you will be in a few years down the road. Are you thinking about having children? Pets? If you are or you already have kids, you should make sure to look at the school systems nearby as well as parks. Definitely check to make sure the neighborhood is kid friendly. If you’re single, checkout the local restaurants on Anna Maria Island and such to see if they fit what you’re looking for.
•          Test out how you’re going to get around the neighborhood. If you’re like me and you bike to work, I recommend making sure you choose a neighborhood close to your job or maybe look into public transportation options. Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach all have a free public trolley that can help transport you wherever you need to go.
•        Will you be a match for the neighborhood? Consider what if in the future you’d like to sell- will the area demographics make it easier or more difficult?
•          Check out what people are saying. It is important to see what people are saying about the neighborhood. Sites like StreetAdvisor are a great way to get real reviews. Also, you can probably ask the locals themselves. Anna Maria Island locals are very friendly and very willing to help out.
•          Besides checking out how far it is to your job, you should also research how close the neighborhood is to everything else. How close is it to the grocery store, hospital, banking, shopping, etc? A neighborhood that allows easy access to these amenities would be a plus to moving in. On Anna Maria Island you're fairly close to everything, since the whole length of the island is 7 miles.
•         Finally, make sure to visit the neighborhood at different times of the day. Doing this allows you to determine if this is what you’re looking for in a community. Listen to the noise levels, observe the traffic, checkout the lighting in the neighborhood, etc. 

Regardless on if you’re looking for an apartment or house in Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, and Anna Maria  I would be honored to help you. Call me, Billi Gartman, at 941-545-8877 with any questions you have. Having me by your side during your home buying and selling process on Anna Maria Island will help you with questions, concerns, and any stress you may have. 

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Checklist & Time Line for a Mortgage Pre-Approval

Credit for the image goes to TaxAct

Pre-approval may be the first step towards getting a mortgage on Anna Maria Island, but you'll want to get some things in order first. By following this list you'll be well on your way to receive the mortgage that you need to buy the home you want in Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, or the city of Anna Maria.

1.       Review your credit report. Make sure you get anything that doesn't look right corrected.

2.       Gather yours and anyone else's tax returns (that are applying for the mortgage) and proof of income.

3.       Have your down payment money and closing money ready in the bank for when the deal closes.

4.       If you've been renting, put together the last 12 months of proof that you have been on time with your payments. Getting a letter from your landlord as a referral will help as well.

5.       Gather any personal government identification documents needed. (ex: divorce papers, if applicable)

6.       Provide proof of regular income including Social Security, Child Support, or any government assistance. Also, provide proof of any IRAs or retirement accounts you may have. Don't forget to tell them of any money you have held in the stock market.

7.       Bring proof of any other property you currently own.

8.       Once you get all the documents together, go to a lender to get pre-approved on Anna Maria Island. They'll give you a GFE, Good Faith Estimate. This is an estimate of what your general  mortgage costs would be if you choose to go with them.

9.       Go to another lender and get pre-approved again. Do this process as many times as needed. You'll want to make sure you get the best deal you can get.

Call me, Billi, at 941-545-8877 for any Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, or Anna Maria real estate inquiries you have. Anna Maria Life is dedicated to helping you find the home of your dreams on Anna Maria Island.

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Information on First-Time Homebuyer Programs

Credit for this photo goes to Express

You've found that perfect first home you've always been looking for on Anna Maria Island- big swimming pool, fenced in backyard, spacious kitchen, and tons of room to have friends and family over. Being a first time homebuyer, I'm sure you searched the internet for options. You may have been one of many getting overwhelmed by all the information available. Don't worry! I've don't some research myself in order to help you get started with what you need.

First, what is a first time home buyer program and what does it do? It's a program that was set up to help make purchasing a home more affordable for low-to-moderate income families and individuals by offering fixed, low-interest rate mortgage loans.

Now, if you're unfamiliar with what a mortgage loan is, it's a loan that is given to you by using your home/property in exchange for funds that you agree to pay back in a certain time frame for a certain cost.

After looking at Florida Housing's website, I found a wizard that may be able to help provide you with more information regarding the first time home buyer programs. Using this tool it gave a little bit of insight for what you may be eligible for as well as more information regarding income limits, purchase price limits, down payment assistance, and more.

Example List of Available Florida First Time Homebuyer Programs:

•          Florida First (FHA, VA, & RD only) with an interest rate of 4.5000% this program is available to all first time homebuyers by reducing the cost of your first mortgage.
•        Florida Military Heroes (FHA, VA, & RD only) with an interest rate of 4.2500% this program is a 30 year fixed rate mortage loan program that was designed to help veterans and active duty personnel. It reduces the first mortgage interest rate and veterans don't have to be first time homebuyers.
•          Both the FL HFA Preferred Conventional Loan Program and the HFA Preferred Plus Conventional Loan Program have an interest rate of 4.2500%. They both offer reduced first mortgage interest rates.

The programs listed above are just a few of many. You're never in the search alone. Check my website out at Anna Maria Life. I would be honored to help you search for your first, second, or any home you're looking to move into. Call me, Billi, at 941-545-8877 for any of your Anna Maria Island real estate needs.

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Inexpensive Ways to Upgrade Your Home Before Selling

(Credit for this photo goes to Homeplans)

I've seen quite a few people who were ready to sell their home on Anna Maria Island, but after really looking at them ask me what they could do to upgrade the home a bit and maybe increase it's value. I always suggest looking at your budget first and see what you can afford. Then look at what you are wanting to fix and make a list. Finally, I suggest hiring a contractor to do it for you. This will save you time and money in the long run.

•        You can easily improve the look of your home by applying fresh pain to the walls and cabinets. Sometimes it will take more than one layer to do the trick.
•        If you have an older dishwasher I'd replace it with a new Energy Star-qualified one to save money. If you don't have one installed, but have room for it, I'd look into getting one installed. With people's schedules now, dishwashers save them time as well as increase the value of your home.
•         Is that carpet looking a bit dull? Has deep cleaning it done nothing to help? If so, I'd look into replacing it with new carpet or some other material that will match your home.
•        Put down fresh caulk in your kitchen and bathroom. I've been in numerous homes where one section of the home has it peeling off or missing entirely. Not only will it look better, but it will protect your home against mold.
•         You know that old deck out back? The paint has long wore off, you've got chips breaking off of it, and let's not get started on the leaves and such stuck to it. This can usually be taken care of power-washing it and then re-staining the deck with a sealant to protect it against the weather.
•        Earlier I mentioned repainting the cabinets. Now, I'm saying to replace those handles on the doors. Swapping out an older looking or generic handle could make the room look completely different.
•         Replace the outlet and switch plates. This may seem like it won't make any difference, but trust me, it will.
•          Upgrade the fixtures. Most door knobs, faucets, and locks are all fairly cheap to paint. Or if it's in your budget you could replace them entirely.

Before you make any major changes, reach out to your real estate agent and ask them what they'd recommend. At Anna Maria Life we promise to help you with selling your home, buying a home, or even if you're looking for an investment opportunity. Call me, Billi, at 941-545-8877 with any real estate questions you have. It'd be my pleasure helping you with your search for your slice of paradise on Anna Maria Island.

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Market Statistics for 2015-2016 Anna Maria Island

To schedule a tour of this home (shown in the picture above), call me at 941-545-8877. If you're ready to start your search for the perfect home for sale on Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, or Bradenton Beach reach out to me with any real estate questions you have. Are you ready to experience the Anna Maria Island Life?

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Places to Check Out on Anna Maria island!

Credit for the photo goes to Flicker

Anna Maria Island is home to many historical buildings and landmarks, many of which have been restored to their former selves. When visiting the island it's always great to check out the restaurants, souvenir shops, parks, etc. But don't forget to check out these historical beauties. We've chosen a few to get you started.

Rosedale Cottage

In 1913, Captain Mitch Davis (1st mayor of Anna Maria) built the Rosedale Cottage. It was originally built for George "Will" Wihelm Bean, son of Emerson Bean. In the early 1940s the J. Hartley Blackburn family lived in the house. The house was known as the Cozy Corner because when Betty and Hartley were school teachers they used the house as a location to teach children. Norman and Kay Rosedale moved into the hosue in 1951, thus naming the house Rosedale Cottage. They renovated the house in a way; so, it could keep it's original look.

Credit for this photo goes to Pineapple Fish.

Belle Haven

Originally built as an ice house on the end of the pier in 1920 by Captain Mitch Davis, the house eventually became a fish packing plant. The house sat on the end of the pier til the weather and the worms caused it to fall into the Tampa Bay in 1926. Lyman Christy paid $125 and relocated the house to the northern tip of the island to Palmetto Avenue. Lyman and his wife lived in the house for 50 years until it became a rental cottage. The house was donated to the Anna Maria Island Historical Society in 2001. It took a while, but Belle Haven was finally restored to it's former glory in 2006.

 Credit for the photo goes to AMIHS

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Thelma by the Sea

Mr. & Mrs. R.J. Wood named the home after their daughter, Thelma. In 1944, the home was sold to Emma Williams. She added more rooms to the home and after it was completed, she named it the Angler's Lodge. In 1956, she sold the home to Mathilde Hasulauer who then sold it to the Scott family in 1972. The Scott family used the home as a get-away home until 1992 and then they sold it to Agie Hebebrand of Chevy Chase, Mtd. who rented the home to vacationers. In 2011 the home was sold to Pineapplefish, LLP, owned by Lizzie and Miek Vann Thrasher who moved the house to the Green Village on Pine Avenue for restoration. 

Credit for this photo goes to Pineapple Fish.

Feeling like you don't have enough time to enjoy all the beautiful landmarks, buildings, beaches, food, and more- check out Anna Maria Life. We're all about helping people find what they're searching for in a second home, investment opportunities, and relocations. Anna Maria Island has tons of condos, townhouses, waterfront homes, and more available. If you have any questions on how to get started, call me, Billi, at 941-545-8877, I would be honored to help you, your friend, or family member find what you're looking for in a home.

Don't forget to check out the Historic City Pier and the Historic City Jail.

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Anna Maria Island's Historic City Pier- Originally just a Pier, but now a well loved restaurant & attraction for locals & tourists!

(credit for this photo goes to Beach Hunter)

In 1893, George Emerson Bean settled what’s now known as Bean Point on Anna Maria Island. Charles Roser and George Emerson Bean partnered together in a business to develop roads and a water system to support the ever growing island. With the population increasing and tourism rising, the business built a pier at the end of Pine Avenue in 1911 to draw visitors in from Tampa and St. Petersburgh.  Spanning at around 757 feet in length, the pier was an excellent way for the steamers to drop off the daily fish catch, bringing new visitors, and taking them back to the mainland. George convinced his daughter to wear her bathing suit and welcome the visitors and also convinced his sister to act as a fortune teller drawing more and more interest to the attraction of the island. George also had a little souvenir shop built at the end of the pier; so, visitors could take a little piece of Anna Maria Island home with them. The pier is now known as the “Anna Maria Island Historic City Pier” and it’s been remodeled, updated, and now has a restaurant at the end of it serving locals and tourists alike with great food and a great view of the Skyway Bridge across the bay. Don’t forget to stop by and check it out on Pine Avenue.

(credit for this photo goes to The Islander)

Anna Maria Island is a great place to live. There are tons of gorgeous homes for sale in Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, and Anna Maria. Call me at 941-545-8877 schedule a tour to find the home of your dream. To experience the Anna Maria Life check out my site here. 

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