When searching for homes in Fort Lauderdale it is extremely common for most everyone’s wish list to have a pool on it. It is one of those amenities that certainly sweetens the deal when you locate the perfect home. Nowadays with everyone appreciating all that home has to offer even more so, having a pool will create even more value. Here are some helpful tips for adding a pool to your home and creating the yard of your dreams.

Size

Yards come in all shapes and sizes and the good news is so do pools! Whether your yard is big and square or small and narrow a pool can be designed to fit. A popular trend these days for smaller pools is to do a pool/spa combination. Basically a pool that you can also use just like a spa. With them being smaller you can also heat them for much less than a more standard larger pool. Whatever size you decide a good rule of thumb is to have your pool no larger than 1/3rd of your yard size.

Shape

Your yard may dictate what shape is best, but for many years oval or kidney shaped pools were most common with rectangle or L-shaped trending more as of late. The more angular shapes often complement the more modern home designs that are often seen in South Florida. Ultimately it is your choice of preference for what fits best with your yard shape and home style.

Depth

Depth can be answered by what the function of the pool will be. Will you have a pool for just lounging? Will there be smaller children? Do you wish to dive in? Water sports and play pools should be about 4 feet deep. If you have smaller children then having a shallow end of 2 or 3.5 feet will give you a wading and lounge zone. For your diving pleasure it is recommended you have a minimum of 8 feet for safety.

Features

Once you have the basics down, the features can be the fun part. Waterfalls and deck jets have been around for a while and were common adds for years. More recently sun decks have become more popular with a shelf area that is flat and roughly a foot or less under water. These are great options for sitting in a chair to enjoy the sun and a drink or for young children. Pets love these too if they are allowed!

Surroundings

Of course all of these items mentioned above are for the actual pool itself, but you do have to consider the surrounding area. Pavers or a travertine type tile material are very nice and common and can have a nicer look than concrete styles. Having something that is not slippery and stays cool in the sun is most important. Next you will want to pick your furniture. A combination of lounge chairs and a nearby table with chairs for your pool party afternoons is a great combo. If you are short on shade then large umbrellas are a great solution as they can be mobile too!

When you are doing your searches for homes to buy the number or bedrooms and bathrooms are always of most interest. After considering the home’s amenities it is most common to look at the square footage to get a sense of just how large and accommodating it is. However, if you proceed to get an accepted offer and it comes time to appraise it, you may be shocked to find out that there is a discrepancy in square footage totals. Here are some details on why this is.

Why square footage differs

More often than not the difference in totals comes down to “living space” versus the total space of the home. Oftentimes a homeowner will calculate square footage based on all of the rooms in the home that are regularly used and are heated/cooled. The appraiser may evaluate the total square footage including any non heated/cooled areas such as a storage area. Typically the overall total number is what is recorded with the town or city and is used for tax purposes.

How additions are calculated

In most cases the square footage numbers that are used when a home is listed are pulled from tax records. However, it can be that homes have converted carports or patios into living areas and permitting was skipped. This is why appraisers will always do their own measurements to ensure accuracy of the home today. 

What you should do it there are discrepancies

If you come across differences, don’t be afraid to raise questions. If you are a buyer, this could affect the sale price. You may have the opportunity to open up a negotiation especially if numbers are way off. If you are a seller and there is some square footage that hasn’t been appraised you may wish to contact the city or town to update their records. Just note that if the added area was due to any additions that didn’t pull a permit, you may be on the hook for some additional expenses. In the end if the additional square footage is substantial then it may just be worth it!

Most buyers that tour homes for sale don’t have the true vision to see a home’s potential. This is why selling a home that is vacant can be more challenging. For some, they may have difficulty figuring out just how to set up rooms while most may have trouble figuring out just how much furniture would fit in each room. This is why staging a home correctly right at the beginning of the marketing process is best. There have been many studies that show a staged home sells faster and in many cases for more money. Here are some helpful tips if you are selling a vacant property.

Curb Appeal

Whether you live in the home or not, curb appeal is key. As the first and last thing every buyer will see you will want to make a good and lasting impression. Especially in the warmer months grass will grow quick so make sure you have regular care in place to keep things looking well maintained. Also make sure beds are lined with new mulch, hedges are trimmed and complete everything with a front door that is clean or freshly painted.

Stage Key Rooms 

While it is most ideal to stage the entire property, that is not always feasible. Start with your key common rooms like the living, dining and kitchen as most important. Next if possible, start down this list in order of priority: master bedroom, office/bonus room, other bedrooms. When you are arranging the furniture pay special attention to beds and couches as they are the key items that buyers will be looking to see how they fit. Choose items that are suitable for the size of the room. For smaller bedrooms go with a full size bed instead of that king for example. 

Remove Single Items

There is nothing worse than partially staging a room or leaving a stray item behind. While you may not be able to stage every room, don’t leave an item or two in any of the rooms. This will make the home look disheveled or almost like you were moving out during the middle of the night. Remove any single items like a lamp or personal belonging from any of the rooms.

Clean Regularly

Most homes these days are not staying on the market that long, but if your property remains on the market past a month then you will want to make sure it gets cleaned regularly. Keep buyer traffic dirt under control along with dust etc. so all will have a good clean impression of the home.

Temperature Control

Keep the home the right temperature so buyers are comfortable when touring the home. You can either control it remotely with a smart thermostat or at the least make sure the temperature is appropriate for when most showings are conducted during the days. Let buyers know your systems are working properly.

Lighting

Same concept applies to lighting as it does to temperature. Other than the right ambient temperature you will want ambient lighting. Make sure no rooms are left super dark by either installing a smartbulb or using an old fashioned timer. 

Adding a landscape screen to your yard can provide both function and design. Give your home an exciting look with different styles and placement without needing to do other more costly additions. There are a variety of kinds of landscape screens that range from being practical to decorative or a combination of the two. Here is a closer look at more details and benefits of landscape screens. 

Privacy

One of the most popular reasons to add a landscape screen is to provide privacy to your yard. For anyone whose home is either on a busier street or closer to neighbors a screen can work wonders. Perhaps you have a pool or hot tub where you wish to make it less visible by passersby.

Change a view

This is similar to privacy only the other way around. For those who may have a less than desirable view from their yard a landscape screen can be the perfect solution. Once you select a nice design and install your screen, make it come to life by adding some greenery. You can line the screen with some containers with plants that will grow up in front of it with your screen as the perfect backdrop for a winning combo. 

Shield from the elements

It is not always a person you may want to shield yourself from, it may be Mother Nature sometimes. Especially here in Fort Lauderdale you may want to create your outdoor oasis but with a location that offers reprieve from the sun. The right landscape screen can help mitigate the hot beaming sun with just enough shade to make the perfect outdoor atmosphere.

Define a space

Finally, it may not be privacy or blocking the elements that you may need. It could be that you wish to section off areas of your yard as you create more definition of stations. You may find that you want to section off your outdoor kitchen from your pool area and a landscape screen can help you do just that. Think of the design less like a fence and more like an outdoor wall. Now let your design and creative mind go wild! 

Aside from anyone’s goals when it comes time to sell their home the one thing most wish to accomplish is to get the highest selling price. Even though the current market is yielding some record selling prices, it can be hard to forecast how quickly and for how much your home will sell for. However, one thing you can control is to make some smart improvements so that you can do your part with enhancing your home’s value. Here are some helpful tips.

Stage Your Home

Many studies and experienced agents will agree that staging your home will not only help with how fast your home can sell but also for how much. The good news is that this can cost little to no money out of pocket. Tend to your core rooms like the living room, kitchen, master and dining rooms. Arrange them for flow and to showcase space, not necessarily how you like them for your everyday lifestyle. Keep only the essentials on kitchen counters to show off space and do little touches like set the dining table for the home to look inviting. 

Showcase Space

Adding more space is always desirable as more square footage typically means a higher price point. However, doing a full renovation can get expensive so only consider it if it will reap financial rewards. Examples of smaller jobs that you can do include taking down a wall to open up a kitchen or the like. Otherwise, while decluttering and organizing won’t add square footage they will certainly make the home appear more accommodating in space. Clean out your closets, storage areas and minimize belongings in each room. Consider renting a storage unit if necessary just while you market the home for sale. 

Enhance Energy Efficiency

It may not look or sound as exciting, but many buyers will be thrilled with a home that is efficient and less expensive to run. The best way to tackle this is if you need to do improvements to the home for selling it. For example if you need to do some landscaping, do a design that is self sustaining. Perhaps you may decide that replacing the HVAC system with a new, energy efficient one may help with the sale if yours is extremely old.

Update Systems/Appliances

Just like energy efficiency, take a look at the appliances and systems in your home. If you have a very old water heater, dishwasher or similar appliance it may make sense to replace it with an energy efficient one as it will certainly be pointed out in a home inspection. Items that you replace you will want to highlight in your marketing efforts and have supporting paperwork available so that buyers can rest assured that they won’t have to worry about replacement or repairs. 

Leverage Technology

Finally, some gadgets that make a home more secure and convenient will be attractive to all. These perks can also be relatively cheap to add which is fantastic news. Items such as smart thermostats, locks and security systems all make for safety and convenience in everyone’s lives. 

When considering any of these improvements you may want to reach out to your real estate agent to discuss which are best for your particular home. I am happy to help with any questions!

Home preparation is important during any market when it comes time to list your home for sale. Some basics will never change such as the important decluttering, cleaning and staging. However, should you renovate that kitchen or bathroom before listing right now? In this market things could be different and here are some things to consider. 

Lack of Competition

When we are amidst a “normal” real estate market then we should have about 6 months of inventory of available homes. These days per a recent report from The National Association of Realtors (NAR) there is only a 1.9 month supply so buyer competition is very high. 

While some dire repairs may be best to make, not all improvements may be worth your while in this market. The best way to decide what should be done is to do a home tour with your Realtor to get the best advice. Nowadays many buyers are willing to do some work just to be able to get the home they are after. Letting the future buyers renovate a bathroom may be best as many more are prepared to do so. Spend your time and energy making sure that your bathroom is fresh and clean instead by maybe painting, getting a new shower curtain and adding some colorful hand towels. Dated can be acceptable but clean is a must. 

Focus on ROI Dollars

A home tour with your real estate agent is always best to decide on which updates need to be done for your particular home during the current market. You may be surprised how well your home could be perceived in today’s seller’s market. A recent statement from Hanley Wood Remodelers said “The 2020 Cost vs. Value report shows a predictable increase in costs for all 22 remodeling projects but a consistent dip in the perceived value of those projects at the time of home sale, as estimated by real-estate professionals in more than 100 metro areas across the U.S. This results in a slight downturn on the return on investment for nearly all projects relative to the trends we saw in last year’s report.”

With this news, you should definitely scrutinize your home to see what is absolutely essential. Contact me today if you would like me to visit your Fort Lauderdale area home to discuss your home selling plans.