How to Make Your Home Baby-Friendly

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Baby Friendly, baby proof your home, baby proofing, homes for sale, Homes for sale in Jacksonville, Homes in Jacksonville FL, real estate

You may not have kids right now, but chances are you may be entertaining guests one day who do. You can put your guests at ease and do your best to protect their little ones from harm by investing in some modest pre-visit baby proofing. Here are some sound strategies to make their visit low-stress and safe:

Mind the Power and Appliances
Outlets are enemy #1. Baby fingers are like magnets for electricity, so splurge on some plastic outlet covers which fit snugly into those empty sockets. If you have any multi-socket power strips around, be sure to cover those as well (or elevate them out of harm’s reach). Depending on the age of your youngest visitors, some may be able to reach knobs and buttons on appliances like your stove. Exploring hands can accidentally turn on the gas, so if you think your kitchen will be vulnerable, invest around $10 on stove knob covers.

Make Some Rooms Off-Limits
It may not be practical to baby proof every inch of your house, so make certain zones baby-free by using gates. Sturdy, simple, pressure-mounted gates will protect certain passages and prevent you from making any permanent holes in your wall. Alternately, use door knob covers to make even unlocked rooms less likely to be prone to an infant invasion.

Fight Falling Objects
Babies are all about testing gravity, and as they try to bring themselves upright, they’re liable to tug on anything within arm’s reach. This might include your entertainment center, bookshelf, floor lamps, or other furniture. Are there any precarious pieces which might tumble down and seriously injure a child? Consider pieces on top of shelves (like decorative glassware) which could be shaken down through modest force.

Curtail the Cords
Power cords and curtain (or blind) cords can cause falls, entanglement, or even strangulation. Tie these up out of the way or too high for a baby to reach from the floor.

Get Down and Look Around
A baby will put anything in its mouth. That will include choking hazards, dropped medications, or stray chemicals such as rat poison or cleaners. Shift your perspective to the floor and look for anything suspicious.

Some homes are more kid-friendly than others. If you’re looking for a great home for little ones, we can help you find one today!: Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside – 904-515-2479 http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com

How a Love Letter Can Win You a Home!

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advice, homes for sale, Homes for sale in Jacksonville, homes for sale in Jacksonville FL, Jacksonville Real Estate, love letter, multiple offers, sellers market

Have you had a hard time landing your dream home in a hot market? If you’ve been through the bidding wars and have come up short, here’s a tool that might give you an edge in the next round of offers.

If you’ve ever experienced the disappointment of losing out on a home in a seller’s market, you want to do everything possible to keep it from happening again. One tactic many buyers overlook is the “love letter” written to sellers about their home.

Rationally, you might expect the highest offer will always win the home, but there are a host of other factors involved. Some are emotional. Some sellers want to see their home go to a buyer they not only trust to close the deal, but they also like personally.

Want to give yourself an edge? Craft a short “love letter” to go with your offer. Here are the basics you’ll want to cover in your letter:

1. Explain how much you like their home. Don’t go overboard, but prove to them you know the home and you truly appreciate their taste and the unique characteristics of the house. This might touch on improvements they’ve made or other aesthetic details.

2. Spare them all the things you might want to change. What you say is as important as what you don’t say. Don’t tell them you’re going to gut the place as soon as you close, add a second story, or rip out their garden for a pool.

3. Demonstrate you’re qualified to close. Make them feel confident in your qualifications as a buyer. Show them you’re pre-qualified for a loan, are buying cash, or have other reasons why you’ll be a hassle-free buyer.

4. Be humble and positive. Don’t give them a sob story about the four other homes you’ve lost out on. Praise the neighborhood and make them feel as though you would be positively honored to be chosen as the next owner of their home.

5. Check the letter for typos. Read it out loud. Listen for clunky sentences or awkward repetition. Have someone proof it for mistakes. Their confidence in your attention to detail is important.

A good agent should be able to tell you if the letter sounds like an honest appeal. Have it included with your offer as a cover letter.

Need help finding a home worth a love letter? Get in touch today: Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS 904-515-2479 http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com The Hanley Home Team at Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside

Keller Williams Keeps on Growing!

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Buying a home, Homes for sale in Jacksonville, homes in Jacksonville, Keller Wiliams, Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside, Real Estate Team, The best real estate agent in Jacksonville

Keller Williams Q3 earnings continue to show growth

Keller Williams increased its agent count and number of transactions this quarter

BYAMBER TAUFEN STAFF WRITER

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Numbers only tell part of a company’s story, of course — but they’re an important indicator of how any given company is doing at any given point in time.

This quarter’s earnings report from Keller Williams continues to tell a story of growth.

The company reports $78.9 billion in sales volume in the third quarter of 2016, a 15.2-percent increase over the third quarter of 2015. It also reports that its agents closed 279,289 transactions in Q3 (up 12.7 percent over Q3 2015), and that franchisee owner profit and profit share increased 7.5 percent and 10.4 percent year-over-year, respectively.

“During September, when traditional real estate is content to slow down, we set all-time company records in every major production category we track,” said John Davis, president of Keller Williams, in a statement. “Our agents are focusing on the right activities at the right time. They’re expanding market share and funding bigger lives for their families.”

Keller Williams also reports that its net agent count grew by 5,431 agents in Q3, bringing its total agent count in the U.S. and Canada to 139,367. The company’s worldwide associate count is 152,331 and includes agents, office leadership, staff and coaches.

“While our top teams are closing more than 1,000 transactions annually, the median across Keller Williams is now between 7 and 8 [transactions per agent],” said Darryl Frost, spokesperson for Keller Williams.

“Our units per agent are holding strong, and both volume per agent and GCI [gross commission income] per agent have increased year-to-date in the midst of enormous gains in agent count,” added Frost.

“Our agents and local leadership teams are working hand-in-hand to build strong businesses and deliver a great consumer experience,” said Chris Heller, CEO of Keller Williams, in a statement.

Year to date, Keller Williams reported that:

• It’s global associate count is up 16.8 percent year-over-year.
• Closed transactions total 739,548 units, up 15.5 percent year-over-year.
• Its sales volume is $206.6 billion, up 18.9 percent year-over-year.
• Owner profit is $142 million, up 14.2 percent year-over-year.
• Profit share is $122.1 million, up 17.1 percent year-over-year.

For the fourth quarter of the year, Keller Williams is looking at these key performance indicators that could help forecast Q4 performance:

• In Q3 2016, agents took 177,134 new listings, an 8.2 percent increase over Q3 2015.
• The volume of listings taken totaled $53.4 billion, up 12.7 percent over Q3 2015.
• Agents wrote 295,977 contracts (projected to close in 60 days), up 11.9 percent over Q3 2015.

**Want your own awesome Keller Williams agent to help you buy or sell your home?  How about an entire team helping you!

Get in contact today – Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS The Hanley Home Team 904-422-7626 Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com

How to Prepare for a Hurricane at the Last Minute | Today’s Homeowner

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advice, Florida, home safety, Homes for sale in Jacksonville, hurricane Matthew, Hurricane safety, Jacksonville, neighbors, safety, storm safety

Read this article for important tips on how to keep your family and home safe when a hurricane catches you unprepared.

Source: How to Prepare for a Hurricane at the Last Minute | Today’s Homeowner

• Secure Outdoor Furniture:

  Loose items in your yard can become flying projectiles during a hurricane due to high winds. Move any unsecured items in your yard – including patio furniture, lawn chairs, bird feeders, hanging plants, and toys – inside your house or garage if possible. If you can’t move outdoor item in, use a strong rope or garden hose to tie them securely down.

• Move Cars to Safety: Cars are often damaged or destroyed by falling trees or windblown debris during a hurricane. If you have a garage, park your cars in it and close the garage door. If not, position cars close to your home on the lee side of expected winds and away from trees to provide some shielding from the storm. Avoid parking cars near power lines or trees.
• Find Utility Cutoffs: Identify the cutoff switches and valves for your water, power, and gas; and know how to turn them off in case of an emergency. Severe damage to your home from a hurricane can cause a short or power surge in your electrical system, and may also result in ruptured water or gas lines. Cutoffs for water and gas are usually located at or near the meter for each utility. To turn off the power to your home, flip the main breaker in your circuit breaker box.

 

• Make Ice: Power is often disrupted for days or weeks after a hurricane, and ice to keep food from spoiling will be in short supply. Set your freezer on the coldest setting, and make as much ice in the ice maker or ice trays as possible while the power is still on. Also, fill plastic containers or clean milk and water jugs with water (don’t fill to the top to allow for expansion), and put them in the freezer. Once the power goes out, place containers of ice in your fridge or an ice chest to keep your food fresh longer. Open refrigerator and freezer doors as little as possible.
• Charge Cordless Devices: Charge batteries on cordless tools, flashlights, cell phones, laptop computers, cameras, radios, iPads, iPods, MP3 players, and portable electronic games. Your cell phone may become your only link to the outside world if regular phone service is disrupted during and after a storm, so keep it with you at all times. A 12-volt DC battery charger will allow you to charge devices back up from your car after the power is out.
• Document Home and Valuables: If you don’t have a home inventory backed up with video or photographs, take photos or video now for insurance purposes in case your home suffers extensive damage during the storm. The camera on a cell phone can also be used to photograph your home. Send or email the photos to someone outside the area of the storm for backup, and put them on a portable USB flash drive to keep with you. A visual record of your processions and the condition of your home prior to the hurricane will be invaluable when dealing with insurance claims.

• Fill Bathtub with Water: Whether you’re on city water or a well, water supplies can be disrupted or contaminated following a hurricane. Use the water in the bathtub to fill the tank on your toilet for flushing or for washing in the aftermath of a storm, but not for drinking. Lining the tub with plastic before filling will keep water from leaking out of the tub drain. Five-gallon buckets and pots from your kitchen can also be used to store water. After the storm has passed, water from a pool can be used for flushing toilets. If your house is on a grinder pump, don’t flush toilets or use drains in the house when the power is out to prevent overflowing.
• Gather Emergency Supplies: Gather the following items together in a laundry basket or small suitcase so they will be handy during and after a storm: flashlights, batteries, first aid kit, battery powered radio, cell phone car charger, hand sanitizer, prescription drugs, games, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, duct tape, toilet paper, important documents (including your homeowner’s insurance policy), pet and baby supplies.
• Close Curtains, Shutters, and Blinds: To reduce the chance of flying glass if a window is blown out by high winds or flying debris, close shutters and blinds – both inside and out – along with drapes and curtains.

• Go to Safe Area of House: If you’re not able to make it to an evacuation shelter before the storm hits; take refuge in a windowless hallway, bathroom, or closet located in the interior of your home. Bring mattresses from beds with you, bot for comfort and for use as protection in case your home suffers severe structural damage.

Signs a Bedroom Has Gone Bad

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FL, FL real estate, Homes for sale in Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Modernize your bedroom look, Removing popcorn ceilings, Retro bedroom, Staging your bedroom, Update your bedroom

It can be hard to see your home through a buyer’s eyes. Sometimes you’ve become so used to your rooms you lose the ability to see when a room needs an update. The bedroom is notorious for making or breaking a buyer’s decision to make an offer. Here are some signs yours may need an update. Bedrooms don’t come with an expiration date, but some really should. When buyers are touring a home, a stale bedroom with outdated style can be a deal-breaker. Problematically, many sellers simply can’t see their own bedrooms honestly anymore.

Give your bedroom the “has it gone bad?” sniff test by checking for these common signs of stale design:

Your ceiling has more popcorn than the home theater: Is your ceiling a constellation of dusty, stained popcorn texture? Nothing says “state of the art 1950s design” like the popcorn ceiling. Removal can be a dirty job, and you’ll want to have it checked for asbestos before you do, but getting rid of it goes a long way to modernizing the look.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall. And the closets. And the… ceiling? A little reflected light makes a bedroom look bigger, but if you’re rocking the fun house / journey-into-infinity effect, consider removing some of those reflective surfaces.

Frills, frills everywhere. Check those bed skirts, window dressings, and curtains. Could a Civil War-era southern belle scratch together a formal dress from your assortment of puffy fabrics? Tone it down.

Sorry, captain, the pattern is… retro. Check the paper in your drawers, the shelves of your armoire, and the paper on the walls. Does it feel like felt? Is it yellow like a pirate map? Does it remind you of an 80s prom? Any (or all!) of these are signs you need to update.

Prison ward pillows. Wow, that bed looks… really, really flat. You sleep like that? Clean lines are one thing, an uncomfy bedroom is another. Puff it up and make it cozy.

Formica anything. Does your dresser look like it would make a nice kitchen island in the 1970s? Spring for some staging furniture and replace that laminate wonderland. But I’ve had that alarm clock / television / stereo for 30 years! Yes, and it shows. Nix the flip-digit clocks, the wood grain television cabinets, and the neon-striped boom boxes. Modernize or put them in storage, stat. Yes, buyers can modernize a bedroom when they buy the house, but expecting them to see past your bedroom’s past is taking a gamble. Do a few simple things to freshen up that room!

Need someone to evaluate your interior appeal? We’re happy to share our candid thoughts and guide you towards maximizing your home’s appeal: Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com