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4 Tips to Increase Bathroom Storage Space

Creating more storage space in the bathroom doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. If your bathroom is no longer working for your family, don’t break out the checkbook and sledgehammers just yet. With a little out-of-the-box thinking and a strategy in place, you can add an ample amount of space to your bathroom without even knocking down a wall. If you enjoy do-it-yourself projects, the following ideas from DIY Network will have you seeing space without breaking the bank.

Get organized. Your bathroom, like any room in your house, can spiral out of control if there isn’t some sort of organization system in place. Use items that you have lying around—think baskets, bins, shoe boxes—to house extra toiletries and any other items that need a home.

Make more space. If your bathroom’s current counter space is no longer working for you and your family, creating more space—without committing to a renovation—can be easily achieved through the installation of a ledge-style shelf. Not only will you gain more room, you won’t spend a lot of money and you don’t need to dedicate a lot of extra space.

Incorporate character. When looking for decorative items for the bathroom, look for things that will make the room a talking point. Unique accent pieces will keep your bathroom from looking like everyone else’s while providing a fun way for the family to come together to hunt for treasures.

Don’t be afraid to go vertical. Your bathroom most likely has ample wall space that’s being overlooked. If you’re out of storage space at ground level, it’s time to broaden your approach and integrate storage solutions on the walls. Shelves and baskets are two great ways to incorporate storage solutions into the bathroom, without utilizing your precious floor space.

Source: diynetwork.com

Best Time to Buy a Home Coming Up Soon

Some people buy a home based on their immediate needs – changing job, changing family, changing life. Others watch real estate sales reports, the weather, the market, and their bank account. Everyone is a little different but when you look at what people do over time, you can usually find a pattern.

That’s what RealtyTrac did when they analyzed the  HYPERLINK “http://www.realtytrac.com/news/home-prices-and-sales/the-best-day-of-the-year-to-buy-a-home/”best days and months to buy a home. They looked at 32 million single family home and condo sales since 2007. From that data, they pinpointed the best days and months to buy a home.

Now don’t rely on this data to get the best deal every time, but if you want to know what time of year may help you get the best price when you’re ready to buy, read on.

Best Month to Buy a Home

After all the numbers were crunched and the data compiled, the best month to close on a home is (drumroll please) October. Over the past several years and a few million home sales, the average sales price is 2.6 percent lower than the estimated full market value in October. Less than three percent might not sound like a lot, but if you buy a home for $250,000, that’s a few thousand dollars in savings. Rounding out the top five months to buy are February, July, December, and January.

The data is based on closing dates, so if you’re looking to buy a month or so prior to any of these times, you should find a great deal. Most of the months are winter months, and here on the Emerald Coast, it means less competition from other buyers and sellers who are, typically, eager to negotiate.

Best Day to Buy a Home

The best day in the year to buy is more fun fact that practical advice. That being said, if you want to know when to make that offer, notice the time of year. The top 5 best days to buy are:

October 8 – 10.8% savings

November 26 – 10.1% savings

December 31 – 9.7% savings

October 22 – 9.6% savings

October 15 – 9.1% savings

The savings are the average decrease between the estimated full market value of homes versus the price buyers actually paid. Those savings are pretty significant.

Don’t worry about hitting those target dates but take a look at the time of year those dates occur. Fall and winter months are great for buyers. If you have the luxury of waiting to buy a new home, now through the end of the year may be the time to start looking. The data supports what Realtors have known for years – the best deals are in the colder months.

Sellers, don’t worry, you have your best time, too. April is the worst month to buy, and the best month to sell. Spring really is your season.

5 Ways to Protect Your Home and Prevent Denied Insurance Claims

Danny, Erika, and Fred. In the middle of hurricane season, the names of storms can come and go in a matter of hours. If you’ve lived on the Emerald Coast for any amount of time, you’re already familiar with the flow of the hurricane season. There are just some things you know at this time of year.

The cone of uncertainty is meaningless until the storm gets into the Gulf of Mexico or at least closer to Florida. Where the storm will make the biggest impact becomes obvious once Jim Cantore arrives on the scene. Flood insurance and homeowners insurance are both are a necessity.

Insurance, however, is one of those things that people can never know enough about – especially when it comes to protecting your home and making sure your claim is paid. Check out five things you need to do when a storm hits to protect your home and not have to fight with your insurance company when you make a claim.

1. Use your hurricane shutters.

If you have hurricane shutters and if you’ve received a discount for them from the insurance company, use them during a storm. Not putting them up could result in any claims you make after a storm being denied.

2. Drain your pool.

You don’t have to empty it completely, just six inches or so. Flooding from your pool most likely won’t be covered under insurance unless it’s part of a bigger flooding event and affects your direct neighbors.

3. Damage to your neighbor’s property.

Insurance will cover most damage from your home to your neighbor’s property. Think falling trees and other items carried by the wind or damaged from the storm. But there’s an exception. If it can be proved that the damage was a known problem and was never corrected, it could be considered negligence. The claim could be denied. Deal with known problems before the storm hits to avoid damaging your neighbor’s property.

4. Plug your generator in correctly.

Many people plug their generator into the 220v dryer outlet in order to avoid all the cords. If you do, make sure you shut off the main breaker. Once the power comes back on, your home could be damaged if you don’t. Claims will be denied if your generator isn’t hooked up correctly. You can always hire an electrician to install a switch so you avoid the problem completely.

5. Park your car in the garage.

Your auto insurance policy covers your vehicle no matter where you park it. Ignore the myth that parking it in the garage causes it to fall under under your home insurance policy. Keep your car safe – usually in the garage – and avoid the need to file an auto policy claim.

With all the small storms cropping up in the Atlantic, it’s not always easy to know if a storm will be big or small – if it even makes landfall. When in doubt, once a storm is sighted in the Gulf, take the extra effort and avoid the problems of denied claims. You’ll know your home is better protected and that your insurance will cover any potential damage.

Source:  HYPERLINK “http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?p=3&id=327514”Some other storm-related insurance issues to consider, Florida Realtors

9 Emerald Coast Events to Attend in September

September is a funny time along the Emerald Coast. Labor Day unofficially marks the end of summer as many tourists head home. School is in session. The weather is still warm, the snowbirds haven’t arrived yet, and there’s plenty to do throughout the week. When you’re looking for something to do, other than enjoy the emptier beaches, check out these upcoming events along the Emerald Coast in September.

Bart Rockett – Spectactular Magic, Stage Illusions, Ventriloquism, and Comedy

Friday, September 4 – Sunday, September 6, 7:30 p.m.

Emerald Grande, Harborwalk Village

Start the Labor Day weekend with magic, wonder, and a few laughs. This isn’t your typical magic show, but it is fun for all ages.

HYPERLINK “http://destinmagic.com/”More info.

Labor Day Weekend Celebration

Saturday, September 5 – Sunday, September 6; 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Fireworks, Sunday at 9pm)

Harborwalk Village

Celebrate the holiday weekend with concerts, fireworks, food, and more!

HYPERLINK “http://emeraldgrande.com/events-3/”More info.

Heather Hayes Experience

Sunday, September 6, 7:00 p.m.

Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Niceville

Heather Hayes, daughter of Isaac Hayes, brings her R&B, soul, and funk sound to the Emerald Coast for a night of amazing music with her Atlanta-based band.

HYPERLINK “http://www.heatherhayesexperience.com/”Visit Website.

2^nd Annual Boardwalk Beer Tour

Friday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 12 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Boardwalk, Okaloosa Island

On Friday, head over to The Black Pearl for a five-course beer dinner and pairing. On Saturday, come on out to try over 70 beers, listen to live music, and have a great time!

HYPERLINK “http://melissam28811.wix.com/boardwalkbeertour”More info.

Bluegrass at the Beach

Saturday, September 12, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Niceville
Part of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center 20^th anniversary celebration, this one-day music festival is a first. Enjoy seven bluegrass bands including Blue Highway, The Hillbenders, Willie Sugarcapps, Run Boy Run, Moore Brothers Band, Dread Clampitt, and Dismal Creek , family friendly activities, and plenty of food. Get your tickets now!

HYPERLINK “http://www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org/bluegrassatthebeach.html”More info.

4^th Annual Fort Walton Beach BBQ Festival

Friday, September 18 from 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 19 from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Fort Walton Beach Landing
Celebrate BBQ, beer, and music at the fourth annual festival. Free admission. Sponsored by Okaloosa Gas.

HYPERLINK “http://www.fwbchamber.org/events/4th-Annual-FWB-BBQ-Festival-(Day-1-of-2)-2998/details”More info.

Florida Coastal Beach Cleanup

Saturday, September 19, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Various locations
Join volunteers at one of three locations to help cleanup local beaches: Okaloosa Island at Beasley Park, Beach Walk East of Surfdweller, and Henderson Beach State Park. While supplies last, volunteers receive t-shirts, soda, and snacks.

HYPERLINK “http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/environmental/council/coastal-cleanup”More info.

Destin Beer Week and Festival 2015

September 22 – September 26 (Main Event on Saturday, September 26)

Destin Wine World Paradise Key
Come on out to sample 300 beers, check out 60-plus breweries, and enjoy live entertainment. All proceeds benefit Children in Crisis.

HYPERLINK “http://www.destinbeerfestival.com/”Visit Website.

Hispanic Fest 2015

Saturday, September 26, 11:00 a.m – 9:00 p.m.

Emerald Coast Convention Center
Brought to you by United for a Good Cause, Inc., this year’s festival features Hispanic music, folkloric dances, arts, crafts, and a fashion show!

HYPERLINK “http://www.destinbeerfestival.com/”

To see these events and more, visit:

HYPERLINK “http://www.destinchamber.com/cwt/external/wcpages/wcevents/communityeventsstartpage.aspx?ce=true”Destin Chamber of Commerce

HYPERLINK “http://www.fwbchamber.org/events?ce=true”Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

HYPERLINK “http://www.emeraldcoastfl.com/things-to-do/upcoming-events.aspx”Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau

When the beach gets too crowded or you just want to do something a little different, check out these great events coming up later this month!

July 2015: Real Estate Sales Along Emerald Coast Holding Steady

Real estate sales along the Emerald Coast continue to hold steady with increases over the year before. In July, sales were up for single family homes, town homes, and condos across the Emerald Coast. Nationally,  HYPERLINK “http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2015/08/21/6-key-housing-stats-gauge-market”total existing home sales increased 10.3 percent over last year – similar to what we saw here in Northwest Florida.  All sales data is a year-over-year comparison between July 2015 and July 2014.

Single Family Home Sales

Emerald Coast

Closed sales increased 12%

Pending sales rose 8.2%

Median prices increased 11.6%

Inventory decreased 3.5%

Months supply decreased 21.2% to 6.7 months of inventory

Okaloosa County

Closed sales increased 15.3%

Pending sales increased 15.2%

Median prices increased 11.4%

Inventory decreased 2.2%

Months supply decreased 20.6% to 5.6 months of inventory

Walton County

Closed sales increased 4.8%

Pending sales increased 3.1%

Median prices increased 31.5%

Inventory decreased 4.6%

Months supply decreased 23.4% to 7.9 months of inventory

Townhouse and Condo Sales

Emerald Coast

Closed sales increased 4.9%

Pending sales decreased 9.5%

Median prices increased 35.2%

Inventory increased 0.7%

Months supply increased 1.2% to 9.9 months of inventory

Okaloosa County

Closed sales decreased 11.3%

Pending sales decreased 2.9%

Median prices increased 8.4%

Inventory increased 2.9%

Months supply increased 9.7% to 11.6 months of inventory

Walton County

Closed sales increased 8.8%

Pending sales stayed flat with a 0.0% increase/decrease

Median prices increased 10.5%

Inventory decreased 10.3%

Months supply decreased 18.7% to 8.1 months of inventory

A few things to remember…

A healthy real estate market (meaning neither buyer nor sellers have an “advantage”) is a six to eight month inventory. Below six months, it’s thought to be a seller’s market and above eight months is considered a buyer’s market. Single family home inventory in Okaloosa County continues to border on a seller’s market – with buyers having fewer options. When inventory decreases, multiple bids are more common and the best homes at the best prices tend to sell quickly.

Inventory can decrease while the months’ supply can increase – as well as the reverse. As inventory falls, buyers have less options. If the available inventory shrinks too much, sales can slow down which will increase the months’ supply of homes for purchase. This also contributes to quicker offers for well-priced and positioned homes, as well as multiple offers.

Median prices increased in all categories for the month of July. The median price is determined, in part, by the price ranges buyers are selecting and the inventory available in those price ranges.

Pending sales are only an indication of the month ahead. In months with an increase in pending sales, you can expect sales to increase for the following month. A decline in pending sales may be an indication of lower sales the next month. It is not an automatic as sales often take more than 30 days to close.

All sales data is from the  HYPERLINK “http://www.emeraldcoastrealtors.com/”Emerald Coast Association of Realtors® (ECAR) Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and is compiled by Florida Realtors®, the state association for Florida. The Emerald Coast statistics cover both Okaloosa and Walton counties as well as surrounding areas based on the listings entered into the MLS by ECAR MLS participants.

Costly Mistakes Made by New Homeowners

A new home is one of the biggest purchases homeowners will make in their lifetimes. Regrettably, sometimes costly mistakes are made by various parties of the transaction – builders, remodeling contractors, or even the new homeowners, themselves. Knowing a few of these common mistakes homeowners make can prevent future snafus from happening and save you lots of time, headaches and most importantly, money.

Storing Household Goods on Garage and Attic Trusses. Garage and attic trusses are designed to support the weight of the roof and ceiling and not the weight of anything else. Unfortunately, many homeowners view the space in the attic and above the garage ceiling as a great place for additional storage. Storing household goods in these areas can result in sagging and even a possible collapse of the roof structure. If a homeowner wishes to use this space for storage, a structural engineer should be consulted to determine if additional reinforcement is necessary.

Improperly attaching a Deck Trellis, Sunscreen, or Lanai Structure to the Home.Unfortunately, these “add on structures” are often just nailed or bolted directly to the outside wall of the home. Inevitably, rainwater finds its way into the penetrations and the dry rot process begins. It is critical that the deck ledger (the board that is placed up against the side of the home) be flashed with metal flashing in an industry-approved manner. If bolts are used to attach the ledger board to the home, the bolt holes should be filled with caulk. Local government agencies often require a building permit to construct a trellis or lanai attached to a home because they are considered a structure that could fall and cause injury. Check with the local building department before starting work.

Disconnecting or Not Using Bathroom and Laundry Vent Fans. Bathrooms and laundries are areas of high humidity. Bathroom and laundry fans should never be disconnected (even though the noise may bother the occupant). The fan should always be turned on during use of the room. Failure to use the vent fans can result in water vapor getting into the drywall, electrical outlets and even the framing members. Over time, mold, mildew and fungi may grow in these areas. Water vapor that condenses on walls and windows can eventually find its way into the walls of the home and weaken the structure through dry rot. Rooms where humidifiers are used should also be well ventilated.

Walking on the Roof. Walking on the roof is dangerous. Slips and falls can cause serious injuries. Untrained persons are likely to break or scuff the roof covering and cause roof leaks. Cleaning gutters should be done from a ladder and not by standing on the roof. If an object is thrown on the roof, such as a child’s toy, it should be retrieved using a ladder and a telescoping pole rather than by walking on the roof. Most residential warranties exclude damage resulting from unauthorized persons walking on roofs.

Overloading Upper Cabinets. While lower cabinets rest on the floor, upper cabinets are hung from a wall using screws or nails. By stacking heavy dishes and glassware in an upper cabinet, a homeowner can load the cabinet beyond its capacity. This can result in sagging shelves, or worse yet, detachment of the cabinet from the wall. Heavy china and cookware should always be placed in the lower cabinets. Do not overload cabinet drawers with heavy items and take care to not pull drawers out too far. This action results in the plastic guide being snapped off at the back of the cabinet drawer.