Real Estate
Admirals Cove is a premium country club community that is considered to be one of the finest and most sought after residential communities in the country. Admirals Cove is perfectly located in the warm and tropical town of Jupiter, Florida. Admirals Cove features some of the finest custom built homes that South Florida has to offer from quaint 2000 square foot golf condos to spacious 15,000 square foot custom built estate homes. Prices for real estate in Admirals Cove range from around $700,000 to over $25,000,000. For detailed information on real estate for sale in Admirals Cove please visit the Admirals Cove real estate blog by Waterfront Properties and Club Communities at the link below.
Home Decorating 101!
Decorating your home is the perfect opportunity for you to showcase some style and creativity and really infuse some appeal into it. The decorating process can be a very fun and exciting experience if you let it. Inspiration is the key to successful home decorating so we have put together a list of some of the top home decorating ideas.
1.) Design A Photo Collage: A great design tool that affords you the ability to display your family photos in a unique and creative way is the photo collage. When done correctly and tastefully you can completely transform a wall and even the feeling of the entire room. Photo collages can deliver similar appeal to large pieces of artwork.
2.) Incorporate An Accent Wall: You don’t need to paint an entire room to transform it and deliver it some appeal. You can infuse some very desirable style and creativity with the perfect accent wall. An accent wall also allows you to incorporate some color into a room without overwhelming it.
3.) Upgrade To Designer Lampshades: You don’t need to go out and purchase all new lamps when upgrading to designer lampshades does an even better job. There are a variety of options to match the décor of any home while still deliver a whole new feeling and appeal.
4.) Upgrade Your Front Door: All too often people don’t realize how upgrading a front door can really transform the entire feeling and look of a home. There are so many wonderful options that can help provide your home with some color and style.
5.) Utilize Window Treatments: Another design option that allows you to infuse your home with some style and color is to incorporate decorative window treatments. Designer curtains and decorative wood blinds can provide some real class and appeal throughout your home.
6.) Mount Custom Chandeliers: Chandeliers are very classy and stylish and are a design tool that will deliver some very desirable appeal to your home. Adding one to your dining room or foyer will truly transform the area.
7.) Put In A Custom Backsplash: Installing a custom backsplash in your kitchen is a wonderful design tool that will infuse the area with some outstanding style and appeal. A custom backsplash is the perfect opportunity to infuse a little bit of your own style into your kitchen while also helping to protect the area and making it easier to clean.
The Perfect Outdoor Living Space For Springtime Entertaining!
Most homeowners take pride in their homes and with spring on the way the best way to entertain family and friends is through outdoor living spaces. But spending time outside of your home doesn’t mean giving up all the creature comforts that you crave. The right set up will afford you the ability to spend more time in the wonderful warm and sunny springtime weather. With a little help you will be able to turn your porch, patio, or yard into an outdoor living area that is sure to exceed everyone’s expectations.
1.) Utilize Bold Colors: Earthy tones might work well for your living room but they will get lost in an outdoor space. Black may be a very trendy and chic design style but it will get extremely hot in direct sunlight. Utilizing bold colors in your outdoor living area is a great way to add some style without having the area heat up in the sun.
2.) Incorporate Dramatic Lighting: Enjoying your outdoor living space doesn’t need to be limited to daylight hours. You can really lighten up the area and set the mood by incorporating some dramatic lighting. Effective lighting will make your outdoor living area more inviting while also making it safer to enjoy at the same time.
3.) Outdoor Kitchens Are A Must: In order to make your outdoor living area perfect it is a must that it has an outdoor kitchen. With the right set up you can do so much more than just BBQ. You can incorporate a grill, stove, fridge, sink, prep areas, and even a pizza oven. You will be able to produce an entire meal while entertaining and socializing with your family and friends.
4.) Fireplaces And Fire Pits Will Warm Up The Space: Adding a fireplace or fire pit is a great way to captivate your guests and provide an area for people to congregate. They will warm up the area and also afford the area with more light for nighttime entertainment and relaxation.
5.) Water Features Are Serene: A serene water feature can really transform almost any space into a tranquil and tropical paradise. Many hardware stores and nurseries sell a variety of sizes and options perfect for any space. There are pedestal options and even models that can be mounted on a wall.
6.) Comfortable Seating Is Very Important: Your choice of seating can make or break your outdoor living area. If people can’t sit down and relax on comfortable seating they simply will not enjoy the area. The right seating options can make the area seem more intimate and inviting.
The Perfect Over The Top Deck!
Outdoor living is a highly sought after aspect of homeownership especially when you live in a warm and tropical paradise like South Florida. A great outdoor home renovation project that will boost your homes outdoor living experience is creating the perfect deck to satisfy all of your outdoor living related desires. Decks are also great for entertaining and relaxation. Here is a list of the top upgrades and extras for you to incorporate into your deck to ensure that your outdoor renovation project is completely over the top.
1.) Custom Designed Railings: Choosing upgraded custom designed railings for your deck is a very desirable way to provide some real design appeal and dress up your outdoor living area. A nicely designed custom railing will afford you with safety without obstructing the views you want to enjoy.
2.) Built In Fire Pit: Even in warmer climates built in fire pits are a must. At night they provide a great place for people to gather around the ambiance of firelight adding some very desirable luxury appeal. With a built in fireplace you can integrate it into your overall design and you don’t run into the tip over issue you get with portable ones.
3.) Hot Tub Spa: When it comes to luxurious outdoor living there is nothing better than relaxing in a hot tub spa. There are a variety of options when it comes to hot tub spas so be sure to consult a professional to ensure you get the perfect one to compliment the rest of your outdoor living area.
4.) Built In Outdoor Kitchen: Built in outdoor kitchens got together with decks like peanut butter and jelly. Outdoor kitchens can feature anything from BBQ grills and stovetop burners to wet bars and even pizza ovens. When it comes to entertaining friends and family there is nothing that says over the top than a custom built in outdoor kitchens with all the extras.
5.) Multiple Levels: If you have enough room a very appealing design idea that screams over the top is a deck with multiple levels. Multiple levels adds visual appeal while also affording you with a lot more room for outdoor living. Plus you can create more privacy for areas like the hot tub or bar.
Hiring The Right Real Estate Agent!
Finding and hiring the right real estate agent to help you sell your home is the most important aspect to a successful home sale. Because owning a home is generally the largest investments you will ever make in your lifetime the selling of this asset needs to be handled carefully and correctly. It is important that you hire the right real estate professional to help guide you through this very difficult and at sometimes stressful experience. Be sure to follow these tips and tricks when looking for a realtor to sell your home and your home selling experience is sure to be a successful.
1.) Contact Recent Clients: Be sure to ask your potential realtors to provide you with a list of their recent clients. These conversations don’t need to be very long for you to learn a lot. Contacting these people will give you a better look of how good or bad these potential realtors really are.
2.) Check Out Their Current Listings: It is also important that you take a look at the current listings that your potential realtors have for sale. These days the majority of potential buyers find their homes on the internet so you want to make sure that these listings are well done and appealing
3.) Pick A Winner: It is important that the realtor you decide on is highly looked upon by other real estate professionals. Pier given awards and recognitions are hints that you have a good if not great real estate agent on your hands. Be sure to ask potential realtors to show you any awards or recognitions they have received.
4.) Check Their Credentials: It is also important that you thoroughly check out your potential real estate agents have obtained. Some agents have taken extra courses or have received more schooling or training in areas that can be useful to your home selling situation.
5.) Interview, Interview, Interview: Like any employment situation it is imperative that you sit down each and every potential candidates that have made it this far and take them through an in-depth interview process. After this interviewing experience you should know exactly who you want selling your home.
Your real estate agent should be a specialist in your area and have a proven track record for success. The right realtor has the experience and knowledge needed to guide you through the home selling process and if you think that the right realtor is too expensive try using the wrong one.
Creating And Sticking To A Home Renovation Budget!
If creating a home renovation budget isn’t the most difficult and important aspect to renovating your home than sticking to it is. Anyone who has taken on a renovation project understands how easy it is to catch “upgrade fever” and that is why it is so important to set a sensible and realistic budget before you start. If you don’t set a budget and stick to it you run the risk of going overboard and ending up with a renovation project that you can’t pay for.
You need to first sit down and think about exactly why you are considering this home renovation project and exactly what you want to get out of it. Once you have a clear end goal it is important to meet with several contractors and compare their estimates. But remember the cheapest isn’t always the best choice in this case because you are also going to get what you pay for. If you choose the lowest estimate without checking their experience or reputation you run the risk of cheap materials and poor craftsmanship.
Once you have decided on a contractor it is time to sit down and really hammer out the details of the projects budget. It is silly to think that this will be the end all be all in expenses for the project so you should talk to your contractor about what potential issues could pop up and cost you more down the road. It is also important to discuss with them any ways that you can save money. Once you know these things you can work them into your budget to ensure that it is sensible and realistic and that you end up with a renovation project you can pay for.
Now the important part starts where you need to be strong and not only stick to your budget but make sure your contractor is sticking to it as much as possible too. The worst thing you can do is spending all the time and effort to create the perfect home renovation budget and then just ignore it. If you are able to stick to your budget you are sure to end up with a renovation that satisfies all of your needs and wants.
Childproof Your Home!
When you have small children living in your home it is imperative that you take all the precautions that you can to ensure that it is childproofed. The task of making a home safe for small children can often seem very daunting and at sometimes impossible. But there are a few keys to making childproofing your home a success. So if you need to plan for small children living in your home follow these hints and tips to ensure that your home childproofing experience is a complete success.
1.) Take A Look At The Home Like A Child Would: The best place to start is scoping the territory out and it is best to do this from a baby’s eye view. Get on your hands and knees and take a look at your home from their view looking for things that are tempting and or dangerous. Bring paper and pen with you so you wont forget anything when you go around childproofing.
2.) Find And Cover Any And All Outlets: All of your outlets need to be covered up by plastic inserts. Uncovered outlets are extremely dangerous to small children and seem very fun and interesting to them. Be sure to go around your home covering up all of your outlets to ensure that they won’t be hazards to the small children living in your home.
3.) Install Gates In Any Danger Areas: Any danger areas like stairs and rooms you don’t want young children entering need to be gated off for safety. Young children tend to have a lot of energy and want to explore so you will need to gate off any and all of these danger areas. These gates aren’t permanent and can be removed anytime you want to open up the flow of your home.
4.) Tie Up All Ties On Blinds And Curtains: It is a good idea to go around to all of your windows and tie up and away all the cords from shades and blinds. Much like pets young children will play with them and may pull them down or get them wrapped around their necks. These can be extremely hazardous to young children so be sure they are out of reach.
5.) Childproof Locks: Now a day there seems to be a childproof lock for anything and everything you can think of. From toilets to cabinets there is a childproof lock that will keep young kids out. Write down all of the things in your home that you want a childproof lock for and your local baby store is sure to have it.
6.) Have Emergency Numbers Posted: It is very important that you have any and all emergency numbers together in one place for easy accessibility. No matter how much planning and childproofing you do to your home inevitable something will go wrong. It is best that you are completely prepared for when it does with a place where you can find any emergency number you might need.
Home Buyer Mistakes To Avoid!
Buying a home is typically the largest and single most important investment a person will make during their lifetime. It is an experience that needs to be handled carefully and correctly in order for it to be a success and not a failure. Avoid making these following mistakes when buying your home to ensure that you make a good investment.
1.) Not Knowing Your Budget: Before you even go into your home search you should have a budget of exactly what you can afford. Without a reasonable and sensible home buying budget, you run the risk of falling in love with a home that you won’t be able to afford.
2.) Not Getting Pre-Approved: Not getting pre-approved is a mistake that has your home search failing from the start. In today’s housing market most sellers won’t even consider talking to you without being pre-approved and most realtors will require that you get pre-approved before they will work with you.
3.) Miscalculate The Costs Involved With Owning A Home: A mistake often made by people buying a home is underestimating how much it will cost them to own and live in it. You need to know exactly how much your monthly and yearly expenses will be to live in your potential home to ensure you can afford it.
4.) Not Hiring The Right Realtor: Maybe the biggest mistake a potential buyer can make is not hiring the right realtor. It is imperative that you find a specialist in the area you are thinking of purchasing a home. They need to have the right experience to guide you through this process to ensure that it is a success.
5.) Failing To Kill The Wrong Deal: It is important that even though you may have fallen in love with what you believe is the perfect home that you keep a clear head and stay focused. You can’t let your emotions get in the way of you killing the wrong deal.
6.) Forgoing The Inspection Process: You need to be sure that the investment you are making with this home purchase is a good one. The only way that you can be completely sure that you are making a good investment is to have the property inspected by a professional home inspector.
Go Green With These Great Home Upgrades!
Going green is a great idea for any homeowner because environmentally friendly upgrades not only save money on utility bills they also help to boost a home’s value as well. Green upgrades also make you feel good about being environmental friendly by reducing your carbon footprint and can also afford you with some very desirable tax breaks come tax time. Here is a list of great environmentally friendly home upgrades that will help you go green.
1.) Your Roof: Replace your roof with one that will keep your home cooler. Roofs that will reflect the heat from the sun instead of absorbing it are the best option for keeping your home cool. Materials like metal do this great and will last decade after decade plus it can easily mimic the look of wood, stone, and even tile.
2.) A Solar Water Heater: A solid purchase is a solar water heater while can costly upfront it will save you a lot down the road. This is also a great upgrade for increasing your home’s value. Solar water heaters can save you as much as 80% on your hot water bills.
3.) Slow Flow Showerheads And Toilets: Replacing your showerheads and toilets with slow flow models is a great way to green and save you money at the same time. Using less water is an upgrade that any homeowner will enjoy and can feel good about.
4.) Solar Panels: Solar panels are outstanding energy efficient upgrades that can not only save you money but can even put a little back in your pocket when used with other energy efficient features. You can even write off some of the cost when tax time rolls around.
5.) Programmable Thermostats: A programmable thermostat is another great way to be more energy efficient and cut down on your utility bills. You can set your thermostat so you are only heating up or cooling down your home during the times when you know it is colder or hotter outside.
6.) Energy Efficient Windows And Doors: It is a smart idea to replace any old outdated windows and doors with newer more energy efficient ones. Newer windows and doors are designed to be more energy efficient and will help keep your home the temperature you desire cutting down on your utility bills.
7.) Seal Up Your Home: There are many other areas of your home besides windows and doors that can allow heat or A/C escape from your home. An unsealed home is energy inefficient and will cost you more in utility bills. Be sure to get your home completely sealed up your home to make it as energy efficient as you can.
Home Renovation Mistakes To Avoid!
Any renovation experience has its ups and its downs and if not done correctly can be a very difficult and stressful time. Since a renovation is basically an investment into your home you want to make sure that the experience is a complete success. Here are several home renovation mistakes that you should avoid at all costs.
1.) Not Knowing Exactly What You Want: It is a huge mistake to go into a renovation project not knowing exactly what you want. If you and your contractor aren’t completely on the same page about what you want the entire project is doomed from the start. Be sure to sit down with your contractor and set out a plan and budget for exactly what you want in this renovation project and be sure both of you stick to it.
2.) Neglecting Rules And Regulations: It can be a very costly mistake to forget about or neglect rules and regulations. It is very important to check if you need permits for this type of renovation and whether your neighborhood has any rules or regulations regarding it. If you forget to check it out or decide to just neglect it you may end up in lots of trouble down the road.
3.) Going Piece By Piece: People often think they can take on a renovation project by going piece by piece but if you want to save yourself money and stress we recommend that you do it all at once. Renovating one room at a time is a good idea but be sure to do it from start to finish and not piece by piece in order to achieve the results that you desire.
4.) Not Getting Written Contracts: It is important that you have written contracts with your contractors and builders to ensure that everything turns out the way you wanted. Once you have an agreement down on paper you can feel safer moving forward with your project knowing that you are covered if things don’t turn out the way you wanted. Your contract should include things like design, budget, materials, and timeframe to ensure you get what you pay for.
5.) Not Comparing Contractors: It is important not to jump at the first bid or at the lowest one. You should try to obtain at least three bids from contractors that you have thoroughly checked out. If you go with a contractor that you don’t have all the information on you run the risk of winding up with cheap materials and inferior craftsmanship. A mistake like this can end up costing a lot down the road so be sure you know enough about your contractor to feel comfortable moving on.
Home Buying Negotiation 101!
Purchasing a home is one of the if not the most important decisions and investments that you will make during your lifetime. The negotiation is a very integral aspect to this experience and needs to be prepared for and handled correctly. Once you have spent all the time and effort to find the perfect home that satisfies all of your needs and wants you would be devastated to lose it due to poor negotiating. The key is to take the emotion out of it and go into it reasonably and sensibly. Follow these great tips and tricks and you are sure to have a smooth and successful negotiation.
1.) Do Your Homework: It is imperative for you to be informed going into the negotiating process so be sure that you do your homework. It is important to discuss the process with your realtor and any friends and family members that have recently gone through this experience. You should also know as much as you can about the local real estate market like recent comparable sales and property tax rates.
2.) Know Who’s Selling The Home: It is a great idea to try and find out as much as you can about the seller and their situation. This doesn’t mean snoop around or hire a private investigator it just means know who is selling the home and what their motivations for selling are. It is also good to know how long they have lived in the home and how much it has appreciated in value.
3.) Connect With The Seller: This may sound a little uncomfortable, but it can actually be a great tool for you. If you can get the seller to see you as a person and not just a couple dollar signs the negotiating process will be much less stressful and you may even be able to negotiate a better price. Try to build a healthy relationship with the seller from the start and it will benefit you come negotiating time.
4.) Don’t Lowball: You can put in an offer that is lower than what the seller is asking but don’t make one that is too far off the fair market value. If you start of negotiations with a severely lowball offer you can offend the seller and you might loose out on the home all together. It is important to make a reasonable offer that is fair to both parties.
5.) Respond Quickly: It is important that you respond quickly to the sellers counter offer. Be sure to consider it thoroughly and develop a reasonable response but do it as quickly as you can. You don’t want the seller to be waiting for you to respond and have another potential buyer walk into the picture messing things all up for you.