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2016 Voted in the TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FLORIDA

2015 Trulia TOP RANKED Real Estate Agent

Based on Client Reviews & Ratings!

Featured in January 2014 FLORIDA REALTOR MAGAZINE

This prestigious award honors excellence among the top 1% of

agents in the country based on 2014 sales and client reviews.

How Long It Really Takes To Buy A House!

Wondering about the timeline for buying a house? Here’s what to expect.

Timing is crucial when buying a house. Getting it wrong could mean paying on a mortgage when you still owe rent—or living out of a hotel if your closing runs longer than your lease. Here’s a timeline for what to expect from your home-buying journey so that you can get it right.

How long does it take to buy a house?

The buying a house timeline can be tricky to predict. It typically takes anywhere from four weeks at the low end to six months (or more) to shop for and close on a house. But it can be quicker if you make a strong offer right away in a fast-moving market or slower if you have a hard time finding just the right place or keep getting outbid. The shopping step is one of the biggest house-buying timeline variables. According to Zillow research, about half of buyers searched for less than three months, but 13% shopped for seven months to a year.

Here’s your step-by-step buying a house timeline:

1. Find a real estate agent

1–2 weeks

Of course, you could sign with the first agent you find online, which could take as little as a day, but it’s smart to take some time when finding a real estate agent. Do some research, come up with questions for potential real estate agents, and check out their specialties and customer reviews. Agents are a great asset that cost you nothing, so find one you feel comfortable with. Trulia can help you connect with trustworthy Premier Agents who know your area and will work hard for you. You can request to be connected with a Premier Agent on any property listing.

2. Get pre-approved for a mortgage

1–2 weeks

It only takes one to five business days to get mortgage pre-approval, but spend the time to research different lenders and mortgage types so you get the best possible deal. To make the research easier, Zillow can help you find a lender near you. You can find a mortgage lender at the same time that you’re looking for a real estate agent, but know that agents can sometimes offer good advice on which mortgage companies their clients have recommended.

3. Make a list of needs and start browsing

3–5 days

Take the time to think about the things you absolutely need in your new home (for instance, a certain number of bedrooms or a short commute) as well as the things you want but could do without (say, a hot tub). Make a list of both and discuss it with your real estate agent. These priorities will help you as you start browsing online for homes that fit the bill. Be prepared to adjust your list as you take stock of what’s out there and how much house you can afford.

Again, if you’re in a rush, this something that can and sometimes does happen at the same time as Steps 1 and 2, but there’s a benefit to hearing your agent’s advice and taking the time to think things through.

4. Go to house viewings

1 week–4 months

Now it’s time to have your agent start setting up viewings of homes you’re interested in. The timing of this part of the process is especially variable. In some markets, you could visit several homes and make an offer that same day that gets accepted. In other places, you could wait months for the right home to come on the market, or you could get outbid time and time again before an offer is finally accepted. According to Zillow research, the average time spent shopping is about four and a half months.

5. Make an offer and negotiate

3–5 days

When you find a home that seems like “the one,” your real estate agent will help you put together an offer. Then it’s time to wait for the seller to accept, decline, or negotiate with you. This can be speedy if you’re trying to buy a foreclosure, but in a seller’s market, you may be held in suspense a bit longer as you await a response. The seller may accept or reject your offer, or they may send you a counteroffer, kicking off a round of negotiations.

6. Get your loan approved

1–2 months

If you’re already pre-approved for your mortgage, now is the time for you and your agent to gather the necessary documents for your lender to complete the underwriting process and approve the loan. This is known as the closing process. So how long does it take to close on a house? The average is 50 days, but the next two steps can and should be completed while you’re waiting for your closing day.

7. Wait for the appraisal

1–2 weeks

Your lender will hire a professional to conduct an appraisal to determine your home’s value. The appraisal is usually scheduled within a week, and then it takes about three days for the report to come in. You don’t have to do a thing except wait for the result—and hope it’s higher than the price you negotiated. If not, you may have to increase your down payment or renegotiate with the seller.

8. Get a home inspection

1–3 weeks

Not to be confused with the appraisal, you’ll also hire a home inspector to determine whether there are any unpleasant surprises hiding in your new home. You typically have 10 days to complete the inspection. It takes 24 hours to get the inspection report, and then it could take a week or more to renegotiate if any unexpected problems turn up.

9. Close on your new home

1 day

The hard stuff is over, and you’ve got one last, long appointment to close on your house. After handing over your down payment and closing costs and signing a truly alarming amount of paperwork, you’re officially a homeowner.

With an understanding of the timing for home buying, you can start thinking about what to look for when buying a house. Or, if you’re ready to start looking, find a place you’ll love to live on www.RisingStarRealty.com

Christine Cleek

ABR, CRS, SFR, E-Pro

Broker, Owner

Rising Star Real Estate

850-217-0990

2016 Voted in the TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FLORIDA

2015 Trulia TOP RANKED Real Estate Agent

Based on Client Reviews & Ratings!

Featured in January 2014 FLORIDA REALTOR MAGAZINE

This prestigious award honors excellence among the top 1% of

agents in the country based on 2014 sales and client reviews.

6 Ways to Show your Home Some Love this V-Day!

As we all know, home is where the heart is—whether it’s a studio apartment or a sprawling mansion. Here are six ways to show your home some affection.

1. Bring home a pretty present. You can go for the classic red roses, or any simple or elaborate bouquet. Use the flowers to brighten a main room or split them up among tiny vases placed throughout your home. You could also consider a throw pillow or a stylish vase. If your budget can accommodate something a little bigger, consider replacing an appliance or splurging on a dramatic new piece of art.

2. Do a makeover. Take down every photo, book, painting, and decorative item, then rearrange them. You could end up feeling as if you have a brand-new home. Even better, mix it up with your furniture. Switch a few chairs around, or swap your living and dining areas. If you’re feeling more ambitious, reorganize your closets to get a fresh look at your clothes or other stuff and get rid of unneeded items.

3. Brighten it up. A tried-and-true way to spruce up your home is to switch out your paint colors. Paint a bathroom if you’d like to start small, or go for a whole room or even your kitchen cabinets if you’re feeling brave.

4. Protect what you love. Do an annual review of your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure you’ve got enough coverage to replace your home and belongings. Look into the value of a home warranty plan to pay for repairs on things like your appliances and heating and air-conditioning system.

5. Take good care of it. While you’re thinking of protection, schedule an inspection of your heating and air-conditioning system and look into an annual maintenance contract. Your system will last far longer if it’s inspected and tweaked for optimum performance twice a year.

6. Go for a deep cleanse. It’s not quite a day at the spa, but chances are your home could use a deep cleaning. Hire a professional service to go over the entire place or just focus on one aspect such as the carpet or windows.

Show your home some TLC, and you just might end up falling in love with it all over again.

Christine Cleek

ABR, CRS, SFR, E-Pro

Broker, Owner

Rising Star Real Estate

850-217-0990

2016 Voted in the TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FLORIDA

2015 Trulia TOP RANKED Real Estate Agent

Based on Client Reviews & Ratings!

Featured in January 2014 FLORIDA REALTOR MAGAZINE

This prestigious award honors excellence among the top 1% of

agents in the country based on 2014 sales and client reviews.

Security Tips to Keep Intruders OUT

Security Tips to Keep Intruders OUT!

It’s that time of year when little ghosts and goblins will soon be flooding the streets — and your doorstep — in search of something sweet. While the kiddos are enjoying a little mischief, some tricksters might be wanting to treat themselves to more than candy — and not just at Halloween. In the U.S., a burglary occurs every 22 seconds¹, so it’s important to take measures to keep your home secure … no matter the time of year.


	If you tend to forget to lock the house when you leave, invest in a smart lock that automatically locks your door after a designated period of time, or lets you manually lock it from an app. For windows, install window stops, which allow the window to open only a few inches — not enough space for a crook to squeeze through if you forget to latch them. PRO TIP: DON’T hide a spare key under the rug. Criminals know to look there. Give it to a trusted neighbor for safekeeping.


	Even though most break-ins occur during the day, you shouldn’t rule out nighttime as a possibility. Install motion-sensor lighting around the front, back, and sides of your home to leave no opportunity for bad guys to hide in the shadows.


	Thieves are less likely to break in if there’s a security system in place. The options for home security systems are growing and becoming increasingly affordable, and many can be monitored right from your smartphone. In addition to the standard alarm, look for add-ons like hall and window sensors, as well as integrated security cameras. If you still want surveillance but not a full-blown alarm system, install a video doorbell and some cameras around your property. PRO TIP: Can’t afford a security system? Put the security company’s decal on your window (or sign in your yard). Simply casting the impression that you have an alarm system will help thwart burglars. By the way … if you have an alarm system, don’t forget to arm it!


	Homes with overgrown bushes and hedges provide an easy hiding spot, making them a more desirable target. Minimize the temptation by keeping shrubs trimmed to no more than 3 feet tall. On the flip side, placing thorny plants (like rose or barberry bushes) underneath windows can be a helpful deterrent. Cover the garden bed with a layer of gravel, which provides a noisy walkway that criminals will want to avoid.


	There are numerous reasons you should get to know your neighbors, and home security is one of them. A good neighbor can help keep an eye on things while you’re away, and vice versa. For additional peace of mind, join the neighborhood watch program, which connects you with local residents who are on the lookout for suspicious activity — and can help report anything questionable to the authorities.

Christine Cleek

ABR, CRS, SFR, E-Pro

Broker, Owner

Rising Star Real Estate

850-217-0990

2016 Voted in the TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FLORIDA

2015 Trulia TOP RANKED Real Estate Agent

Based on Client Reviews & Ratings!

Featured in January 2014 FLORIDA REALTOR MAGAZINE

This prestigious award honors excellence among the top 1% of

agents in the country based on 2014 sales and client reviews.

Communicating with Teens: There is Hope!

If you’re feeling diconnected from your teenager, don’t give up hope! With a few simple strategies, you can open up the lines of communication, and maybe even do a little bonding in the process.

Choose your moment. Don’t start firing questions at teens when they’ve just gotten out of bed, are engrossed in a movie, or on their way out the door. Choose a time when they’re less preoccupied—say, while rummaging through the fridge for a snack—to kick up a conversation.

Be specific. When you do have a window to talk to your teen, don’t waste it with open-ended questions, like, ‘How was your day?’ Be more specific—i.e, ‘Tell me how the tryouts for the volleyball tournament went’—and you’re like to get more detail. Plus, your teen will appreciate that you’re aware of and care about the details of his or her day.

Enlist food. There’s one thing all teenagers have in common: food. Invite them to grab a burger, some ice cream or a latte, and they’ll probably reward you with a nice chat along the way.

Say yes to rides. If your teenager doesn’t have his or her driver’s license yet, you’re probably frustrated by the endless requests for rides all over town. Don’t be. The intrinsic privacy of the car provides one of the best opportunities to talk with teens, and a time when they often feel safe opening up and sharing feelings.

Embrace texting. While face-to-face conversations may be scarce, teens and texting are inseparable, so make texting a part of your communication game plan. Not only is texting a quick, painless way for them to check in with you, it’s oftentimes a way for them to share more serious information. Texting allows them to avoid an awkward, in-person conversation, and gives you time to think and respond thoughtfully as opposed to just reacting.

Say sorry. The parent/teen relationship is often a volatile one. You’ll probably say the wrong thing in the wrong way several times over. That’s ok. Just be sure to apologize. This shows teens that nobody’s perfect—not even you—and that you respect them and their approach toward adulthood.

These small strategies can go a long way in creating healthy communication during a critical time in your child’s life, and set the stage for a strong relationship long into adulthood!

Christine Cleek

ABR, CRS, SFR, E-Pro

Broker, Owner

Rising Star Real Estate

850-217-0990

2016 Voted in the TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FLORIDA

2015 Trulia TOP RANKED Real Estate Agent

Based on Client Reviews & Ratings!

Featured in January 2014 FLORIDA REALTOR MAGAZINE

This prestigious award honors excellence among the top 1% of

agents in the country based on 2014 sales and client reviews.

Working from Home? 10 Ways to Stay Productive

Advances in technology and a rise in entrepreneurship have made work-from-home situations much more common. Not only is it convenient (hello pajamas!), but it saves a ton of time and gas commuting back and forth to an office each day. How can you stay productive in an environment that screams the opposite? Here are 10 simple ways to make working from home work for you.

1. Create a workspace.

Some may already have a home office that designates where work is to be completed, but if you don’t, fear not! Your workspace doesn’t have to be behind a desk; it can be anywhere you feel you’ll be most productive. The key is to give yourself the same structure an office setting would, but keep it on your terms.

2. Dress the part.

This doesn’t mean wear attire that makes you uncomfortable. Rather, make an effort to look presentable – the effort you put into your appearance will translate to more effort put into your work. The trick is to avoid clothes that promote lethargy and instead wear whatever energizes you.

3. “Commute” to work.

Commuting may seem like a drag, but it’s actually valuable time spent preparing or reflecting. Fake a commute each day by taking time to transition to and from work – check your emails while eating breakfast, or catch up on the news at the end of each day.

4. Make a list.

Staying organized inevitably leads to better productivity. Keep all your ducks in a row by making a list of priorities – these can be daily or weekly, as long as your list keeps you on track and focused. And when you complete all of your tasks, you’re done for the day!

5. Stick to a routine (most days).

Stay in control of your time by working specific hours every day. Along with your list, it’s important to have a routine that you can stick to. Following a schedule not only forces you to wrap up assignments on time, but also lessens distractions.

6. Take breaks.

It’s easy to get caught up – be sure to set aside time each day in your schedule to clear your head, eat lunch and relax. You’ll return to your work refreshed and ready to tackle new projects.

7. Switch up your routine (some days).

One drawback from working at home is that you can get stuck in your routine, especially with limited social interactions. Meeting someone for coffee and a quick chat is a great way to curb any feelings of disconnect.

8. Connect online.

If you can’t leave home, seek out connections with others online. Join a forum for your industry, discuss the latest water cooler topic on a message board or use social media to reach out for a few minutes every day.

9. Check in periodically.

Telecommuters need to stay in contact with their supervisors and team members throughout the day. It’s crucial to keep the lines of communication open because it ensures that everyone’s on the same page.

10. Don’t make it personal.

Try your best to reduce distractions by making personal calls in the evening (or whichever time you’re not working), and have conversations with your spouse or children after your specified work hours.

Christine Cleek

ABR, CRS, SFR, E-Pro

Broker, Owner

Rising Star Real Estate

850-217-0990

2016 Voted in the TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN FLORIDA

2015 Trulia TOP RANKED Real Estate Agent

Based on Client Reviews & Ratings!

Featured in January 2014 FLORIDA REALTOR MAGAZINE

This prestigious award honors excellence among the top 1% of

agents in the country based on 2014 sales and client reviews.