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The Most Expensive DIY Mistakes

Do-it-yourself home improvement can be a great way to add value to your home without having to pay builders or plumbers to do the work. But even the simplest of DIY jobs can quickly turn into an expensive mess when tackled incorrectly. Here’s a look at some of the most costly DIY mistakes to avoid.

Unrealistic goals: Home improvement can be an addictive hobby and many enthusiasts fall into the trap of running before they can walk. Suddenly a simple blocked drain or drain repair can flood an entire house and leave a DIY amateur struggling to fix the problem. If you suddenly find yourself uncertain of the job you’re doing, down tools and look for advice either online or from a professional emergency plumber.

Poor safety: Falling off a ladder, inhaling fumes and slicing open fingers are just a few of the DIY-related injuries that typically happen every weekend. Unfortunately these accidents not only hurt your pride, they can also affect your work and therefore your income. Safety goggles and gloves are a must, as well as gaining a proper understanding of the power tools that you are using. You are advised to read the instructions manual that came with the tools for guidance. Opening windows, while painting, will help to keep the air free of dangerous fumes, while loose-hanging clothing should be avoided to stop them getting caught up when using power tools.

Not asking permission: Many homeowners are caught out when they tackle major improvements without first getting permission from the local authority. Fines for unapproved work can be hefty and the permit structure exists to make sure the job is done correctly. Many insurance companies also require proof that an improvement project followed official government guidelines, so ensure you check your rights first.

Cutting corners: Tight budgets are a reality for many homeowners, but cheap tools and materials are unfortunately a false economy. Using 1/4-inch drywall instead of 5/8-inch, for example, will allow more noise to leak from room to room. Taking a professional approach and investing in the right tools for the job will ensure a good quality finish. Inaccurate measurements: Planning is a vital part of any project and rushing through measurements is a quick way to a DIY headache. All veteran home improvers follow the golden rule of ‘Measure twice, cut once.’

Source: www.dyno.com

What to Do if You Want to Move to a New Home in 2017

The start of a new year is a time when many of us think about what we want to do differently with our lives. It’s also when we set goals we want to accomplish before the end of the year. Some people decide to go to the gym. Others take up running. Many more retire or switch careers.

Maybe none of that appeals to you. Maybe you’ve got something else on your mind like moving to a new home, upsizing for your growing family or downsizing as the nest empties out. If this is you, here’s what you need to do to get yourself ready.

Getting Ready to Sell

Before you sign a listing agreement or take a few dozen photos of your home, here are a few things you’ll need to do to get your home ready to sell in the next few weeks or even months.

Clear out your clutter. Go through closets, look under the beds, and crawl into the attic, but get rid of the stuff you don’t want and haven’t thought about in years. Not only will you have less to pack when you move, you’ll give yourself more storage space to put away things that don’t need to be seen during a showing.

Start making repairs. We all have that one creaky step or that weird spot on the wall that we say we’ll fix “someday.” Congratulations – someday has arrived! The more small repairs you can make now, the less you’ll have to do when you’re ready to put your home on the market. Instead of having a giant to-do list that feels overwhelming, you can go at your own pace and tackle one or two projects a week.

Spruce things up. New paint, new carpet, or a deep clean will do wonders for your home, even if you don’t put it on the market for months. Mulch, trim trees, pressure wash the driveway and walkways, and do things to make your home look even more appealing to potential buyers. Like the repairs, doing it now allows you to work at your own pace instead of the frenzied rush many sellers get into the week or so before they know pictures need to be taken for the listing.

Getting Ready to Buy

Like many others, your search for a new home will happen while your current home is up for sale. The more you can do to get yourself ready to buy, the less stressed you’ll feel once you start your search. Take care of these things now before you call a Realtor.

Check your credit and deal with anything negative. This may mean paying old debt or disputing errors.
Check your credit score to get an idea of whether you have a low or high score. Your score impacts the type of mortgage you qualify for and your interest rate.
Pay down as much debt as possible. If you pay a credit card off, don’t close the account. Having a zero balance on an active account is better than having one less account.
Don’t take on any new debt if you can help it. Save the new car loan or the store credit card offer until after you buy.
Be honest about your budget and your savings. If you want to move up to a larger (and more expensive) home, make sure you can really afford the change.
Talk to several mortgage lenders. Ask about the loan programs they offer. Don’t worry about getting pre-approved until you feel ready to start looking but get the information so you have an idea of how financing will work for you.

If you do a little preparation up front before you start the serious task of listing your current home and looking for a new one, the process will be much smoother. When you’ve done everything you can to get ready, contact a Realtor who can answer your questions, give advice on the value and marketability of your home, and even refer you to a good agent if you’re moving out of the area.

Make 2017 the year you found the next new home of your dreams!

November 2016: Home Sales Soar Across Emerald Coast

Home sales increased double digits across the Emerald Coast in November when compared to the same time last year. Median prices were up across the board, as well, last month. The entire area, Okaloosa County, and Walton County all saw positive gains as well as a shrinking inventory.

Single Family Home Sales

Emerald Coast

Closed sales increased 21.9%
Pending sales increased 2.5%
Median prices increased 7.9%
Inventory decreased 15.5%
Months supply decreased 20.3% to 4.7 months of inventory
- Lowest total volume in recent recorded history, dating back to 2011

Okaloosa County

Closed sales increased 22.1%
Pending sales decreased 0.8%
Median prices increased 9.8%
Inventory decreased 24.6%
- Lowest total volume (1078 properties) in recent recording history, dating back to 2011
Months supply decreased 24.6% to 3.4 months of inventory
- Lowest total volume in recent recorded history, dating back to 2011

Walton County

Closed sales increased 15.7%
Pending sales decreased 11.4%
Median prices increased 3.3%
Inventory decreased 3.7%
Months supply decreased 9.7% to 6.5 months of inventory
- Lowest total volume in recent recorded history, dating back to 2011

Townhouse and Condo Sales

Emerald Coast

Closed sales increased 10.3%
Pending sales increased 1.4%
Median prices increased 10.1%
- Highest total dollar amount ($316, 499) in recent recorded history, , dating back to 2011
Inventory decreased 17.1%
- Lowest total volume (1255 units) in recent recorded history, dating back to 2011
Months supply decreased 11.2% to 7.9 months of inventory
- Lowest total volume in recent recorded history, dating back to 2011

Okaloosa County

Closed sales increased 30.2%
Pending sales increased 16.9%
Median prices increased 7.6%
Inventory decreased 33.3%
- Lowest total volume (475 units) in recent recorded history, dating back to 2011
Months supply decreased 33.3% to 6.8 months of inventory
- Lowest total volume in recent recorded history, dating back to 2011

Walton County

Closed sales increased 39.3%
Pending sales decreased 13.6%
Median prices increased 25.2%
Inventory decreased 10.3%
- Lowest total volume (549 units) in recent recorded history, dating back to 2011
Months supply increased 2.59% to 8.1 months of inventory

A few things to remember…

Median prices continue to hold steady or rise across the Emerald Coast. No record breaking price increases to report in November, but homes continue to sell for more than in previous years.

Single family homes along the Emerald Coast are firmly in a seller’s market right now – as long as a home is priced right and staged well. Okaloosa County is seeing especially low inventory levels currently. Buyers have very little to choose from, even as new listings come on the market. A seller who prices competitively and stands out from listings that have been on the market for months should do well. Townhouses and condos have a higher inventory but it continues to shrink to healthier levels.

Pending sales are an indication of the immediate future of the real estate market – typically the next month’s sales. These numbers are not a guarantee of future sales as not all pending sales make it to the closing table, and those that do may take more than 30 days to complete. In November, pending sales were all over the place. It will be interesting to see if December sales outpace pending sales.

It’s best to look at the data as part of an on-going trend. One month does not dictate the entire market. If you view the data collected since 2012 for the Emerald Coast, Okaloosa County, and Walton County as a whole, you can get a good feel for what’s happening in the local housing market. Overall, the market has improved greatly.

All sales data is from the 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.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Another year has come and gone, and another holiday season is upon us. On behalf of everyone here at Rising Star Real Estate, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

To those who have to be apart from your loved ones this year, you are not alone. Reach out to a friend, accept that invitation to dinner, and enjoy the holiday season with people you care about.

To the military families who must be without your soldiers this holiday season, thank you for your sacrifice. “Thank you” doesn’t seem enough, but it’s heartfelt. Your service and sacrifice are seen and appreciated. We all hope that your loved one comes home to you very soon.

To all of the buyers and sellers we worked with this year, we could not do what we do without you. You make our business possible, and we are grateful to you for letting us help you make your homeownership dreams come true this year.

To the business partners that we work with all year long, thank you for doing what you do and working with us to offer excellent service to buyers and sellers.

To the Rising Star Real Estate staff, none of this is possible without you. Thank you.

To the friends and family of all of us who know we’ll be late for dinner or see us check email at odd hours of the day to get a deal done for our customers and clients, thank you for your love and patience.

May 2017 be the best year yet.

Merry Christmas to everyone, and have a Happy New Year!

2016 Holiday Events Around the Emerald Coast

Tis the season for shopping, wrapping, and stressing out over finding the perfect gift. When the holidays start to feel more like a hassle than the season of giving, it’s time to find something fun to do. It’ll help get you back in the spirit of things and take your mind off of everything you still need to do. And then of course, after Christmas is over, it’s time to get celebrate the New Year!

Check out these events around the Emerald Coast this holiday season.

Live Nativity Scene

December 15 thru December 20, 2016

6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Corner of Shell and 2nd Street, Fort Walton Beach

Spend your holiday remembering the reason for the season and enjoy a live nativity scene hosted by First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach. It’s a free event for the whole family. There will be live animals and photo opportunities with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus so make sure your phone is charged and the kids are ready. Learn more.

Visit Santa

December 17 and 18, 2016

12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Emerald Grande

Have the kids bring their wish lists so they can talk to Santa. Every child will receive a treat before they leave. Tell them if they wait much longer, Santa won’t know what to bring them! Learn more.

Santa Pub Crawl

December 17, 2016

7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

HarborWalk Village, Destin

Ready to let loose and relax? Put on your best holiday gear (including ugly Christmas sweaters) and come on out for this year’s Santa Pub Crawl! Learn more.

Chanukah Menorah Lighting

December 26, 2016

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Chabad of the Emerald Coast

Celebrate the lighting of the menorah with hot latkes, music, and activities for the kids. Learn more.

LuLu’s Annual Noon Year’s Eve Party

December 28, 2016

Starts at 10:00 a.m.

LuLu’s Destin

A family friendly event that lets kids celebrate the New Year without keeping them up until midnight. There will be food, arts and crafts, inflatables, kid-friendly music, face painting, fireworks, a sandcastle building contest, and a balloon drop at noon! Learn more.

Baytowne Countdown

December 31, 2016

6:00 p.m. until Midnight

Baytowne Wharf, Miramar Beach

Come on down for live music, fireworks at 8:00 p.m., kid-friendly activities and stay for the adult fun as the night goes on! Learn more.

Ring in the New Year at the Emerald Grande, Destin

Choose from multiple events on New Year’s Eve:

New Year’s Eve Street Party – free concerts, two fireworks show, and the Ball Drop over the Destin Harbor

Cocktails and Countdown – join us in the HarborView Room Bar to dance and drink the night away; $20 per person, 21 and up only

Grande Gala – like it more formal, make your New Year’s reservations for fine dining and champagne in the Emerald Grande Ballroom; $125++, 21 and up only

What You Need to Know About Mortgage Interest Rates Right Now

Mortgage rates aren’t the only deciding factor when you’re ready to buy a home, but they are an

important one. While the neighborhood, your budget, and your savings all play a role, rising

mortgage rates can make a difference between putting in an offer on the house of your dreams

now or waiting buy.

Here’s what you need to know about mortgage rates as 2016 comes to a close.

Rates are Rising

At the end of November, 30 year fixed rate mortgage interest rates shot up to 4.03 percent, the

highest since July 2015. They were also up from the week before which had been 3.93 percent.

Interest rates have risen since the 2016 election as investors have planned for potential

increased inflation due to the incoming administration’s tax and infrastructure plans that call for

major tax breaks and more spending on the country’s infrastructure.

Higher Rates May Slow Down Home Sales

When interest rates go up, buying power goes down for some buyers. Homebuyers who may

have been on the edge of qualifying for a mortgage could be shut out with the difference of just

half a percentage point. Lower mortgage rates help sales and median prices both of which could

slow down or stall as rates go up. This affects both buyers and sellers.

Rates Could Continue to Rise for a While

Until investors and the market have a better understanding of where economic and housing

policy plans are headed in the future, rates could continue to creep up. At this level, some

buyers will be fine although they will pay more for their mortgage than before the election.

According to economists, the number to watch is five percent. If rates get to this point or higher,

it could have a dramatic effect on buyers – which will slow down sales.

If you’ve been in the market to buy, now is the time to lock in your loan before interest rates go

up more. Wait too long and you could cost yourself thousands of dollars in additional interest or

force yourself to buy less house.