Is Downsizing Right For You?

If you are like an increasing number of home owners, you may well have recently thought about leaving your spacious house for a smaller residence.  Reasons for wanting to do so are numerous and varied and range from an empty nest, to burdensome maintenance chores, to financial considerations, to a desire for a change in lifestyle.
Whatever your motivation, be forewarned that downsizing is a serious move and may not be as simple as it sounds—and it may not be the right move for you at this time.  So, before you sell your existing Orlando FL home or purge your possessions, give serious thought to the following information:
BASIC PROS:

• Less time and effort expended on maintenance tasks
• Lower mortgage payments, utility bills, and property taxes.
• Opportunity to shed years of accumulated “treasures.”
• Layout better meet physical abilities
• Possibility of a better location—closer to family, friends, and amenities
• Extra time and money to allow a change in lifestyle.

BASIC CONS:

• Less space for guests—and storage.
• Reluctance to part with cherished belongings
• Strong emotional ties to your current home and neighborhood
• Unexpected costs of HOA fees and assessments, higher utility and tax rates in new location, moving expenses.
• Need to successfully sell your present home
• Less space for personal privacy
• Possible need for new furniture or car to fit the dimensions of your new residence
• Less room to entertain

Questions to ask—and answer honestly:

• Why do I want to downsize?  What are my wants and needs at this stage of my life?
• Where do I most want to live?  In what kind of residence?
• How important is size to me?  Can I deal with less storage space, closer living quarters—and the resultant lack of private space?  Will I miss living in a large, prestigious house?
• What can I part with—home itself, furnishings, possessions, friends, convenience of location?
• What will the move cost?
• How will my monthly/yearly bills be affected?
• How will such a move affect my desired lifestyle?
• How will downsizing affect my ability to entertain and be socially active?
• How much can I reasonably expect to net from the sale of my current home?
• Have I sought out advice from a Realtor, an accountant, friends who have downsized?
• Have I thoroughly researched HOA fees and restrictions, transportation costs, distances, medical facilities, the community, and desired amenities?

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home shopping website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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Homeowners Summer Maintenance Checklist

With the summer season upon us, we need to tend to a few maintenance tasks before we can settle down in a hammock without a care in the world.  Keeping in mind the adage, “A stitch in time…”, we need to test the garage door opener in our Orlando FL home, check the air conditioning system, and service the lawn mower to ensure a breakdown-free summer.

• When was the last time you thought about your garage door or its automatic opener?  Like any mechanical system, the door and opener need some periodic, preventative maintenance. If you live in an area of frequent thunderstorms, a tight, well maintained garage door can also help prevent expensive results of a storm-ruptured door. The Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association International has a good guide to help you inspect and test your complete garage door system. It's a good idea to make monthly inspection and testing a part of your regular routine.

• Sweltering temperatures may be just around the corner, and your best defense is a central air-conditioning system. If you have one at your Orlando FL home, there are a few things you can do to make sure that it's tuned up and ready to go when the summer heat arrives.  Before you start tinkering with the system, however, it's important to have a basic understanding of: the condenser, the blower unit, and the ductwork of your system.   Visit the DASMA website for a complete explanation and instructions on how to fine tune it.

• Many small tasks are involved with getting your lawn mower ready for reliable summer use.

Check, belts, blades, all bolts and fasteners, tires, and wheels. If you have fuel older than 30 days stored in containers, not use it.  Any idea when you last changed the oil?  Drain it and replace it with oil the manufacturer recommends. Consider, too, replacing the sparkplug—if you do, add a couple drops of engine oil into the hole, and then replace the plug. Check your air and fuel filters and replace if they are dirty or clogged.  Follow the recommendations found at LawnCare.com.
Once you’ve completed these chores, feel free to visit yet another website for more
suggestions—simple ones-- on how to maintain your Orlando FL home during the summer months.  So much for hammock time!
Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home shopping website.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
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