Remember that new listing in Oakwater I wrote about not long ago? Well it’s sold!
After just one month on the market, 2727 Oakwater Dr went under contract and sold for $146,000. Not a bad deal for a lake-view condo near Disney, huh?
In case you forgot, here are some photos below:
Daniel Young was the selling agent for this transaction. If you own or would like to own in Oakwater, he’s your guy!
Contact Daniel Young via form below.
As age transpires, wants will change and needs will necessitate. Most Generation Y kids will be making plans to move out of their family home very soon and as this article below courtesy of Realtor.com advises, their parents are not wasting any time in reshaping their home into the way they always wanted it to be.
Empty Nesters Reclaim the Kid’s Rooms
Needless to say, this got me thinking. As a self-confessed geek and childhood fan of any video game that allowed you to build stuff, my imagination went into overdrive after reading this. In fact, my toddler is already halfway out of the house already because when he leaves, I want to turn his room into the Red Room from Twin Peaks!
See, there I am, speaking with a buyer. The floor is so bad and mesmerizing that they cannot help but look me in the eye. But with my new room I now have privacy and plenty of space to boot. Now if only those chairs auto-reclined…
All joking aside, the choice to repurpose an existing room can certainly add a lot of personal value to a residence, especially if you plan on remaining there for the rest of your life. Some rooms, while unique, offer additional market value too. For example, knocking a wall through and converting two rooms into a grand master suite could certainly be an advantage in the eyes of many looking to buy a home to settle into. Taking a spare bedroom and making it into an homage for comic books probably will not though I have to say, it would be cool anyhow. Many homes nowadays already have their garages converted into games rooms, fitness centers and even full-scale cinemas. There are even full basements which have been turned into pubs and mini-casinos.
Of course, your little boy used to play with his train-track down there and did band practice last year before he moved out. No more son!
So anyhow, this looks like an awful lot of fun. Of course, you cannot underestimate the emotional attachment of a child to their room but if all being well, the stars fall into place and you have a bit of money saved then why not have some fun?
I know I probably will. Thank you for reading and remember, our team here at Evergreen can find you the perfect family home before you dismantle it!
– Daniel Young
Interested in remodeling your kitchen without breaking the bank? An article put out by Realtor Magazine state that the average gut rehab on a mid-range kitchen has surpassed $56,000, and an upscale one hovers around $113,000. Many home owners simply can’t undertake a kitchen renovation after scraping together a down payment. It doesn’t fit into their new budget alongside their mortgage, real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance, and new furnishings
Many potential buyers cross off houses with great locations, floor plans, and prices because of dark, dreary, or dated kitchens. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can play an important role by helping your clients understand that a handful of affordable improvements can make a huge difference and possibly result in a better return on investment than big-ticket changes. Share these nine suggestions from kitchen pros; they just might prove the right recipe to close a sale.
Cabinets often represent the biggest cost of a redo, typically 50 percent to 60 percent of the total budget. They also are often the biggest eyesore, particularly if the style of fronts, paint finish, or color appears dated. Many designers and real estate experts say it’s relatively easy to sand down the fronts; paint, stain, or spray cabinetry; and then install new snazzy hardware. Cannon Christian, president of Renovation Realty, a contracting and brokerage firm based in San Diego, pegs the average cost of hiring someone to tackle such a project at $1,600, though it depends on the number of cabinets and their condition. Some design experts recommend replacing all fronts if the style doesn’t appeal, but Chicago designer Susan Brunstrum of Sweet Peas Design warns that will cost much more—possibly triple the price. Before you suggest buyers pursue either strategy, remember this maxim: Don’t throw good money after bad. If the arrangement of cabinets and appliances doesn’t work for them, or if the cabinetry’s not in good shape, there’s little point in spending money on even a modest facelift.
The black countertops in the otherwise all-white Hamptons kitchen in the movie “Something’s Gotta Give” proved a stunning—and much imitated—look. But home owners don’t have to go with expensive soapstone or the best granite to achieve it. The latest generation of affordable laminates has come a long way aesthetically and functionally, so they should be considered. In most cases, a sink will have to be replaced when a countertop is switched, but that can be done for as little as $300. Some home owners may want to splurge on newer and pricier sink models that can be accessorized with fitted cutting boards, drain holders, colanders, and prep dishes. If there’s still wiggle room in the budget, designer Cheryl Clendenon of In Detail Interiors in Pensacola, Fla., suggests changing the faucet, too. She says it can really complete the new look and notes home owners often enjoy the utility of the long gooseneck designs that are popular now.
Items that are not working obviously need to be replaced. If upgrades are under consideration, first change out the refrigerator, a noticeable improvement in an appliance that is used daily by everyone in the family, says Clendenon. Try to match the replacement to existing equipment—whether black, stainless, or white—rather than have a mishmash of hues. If buyers are really unhappy with their appliances in general, let them know it’s often less expensive to replace the three key appliances—refrigerator, range, and dishwasher—in a package from one manufacturer, says Christian. In one kitchen Christian renovated, he painted and installed a new stainless-steel gas range, dishwasher, and refrigerator for $4,260.
The area between the counter and cabinets or ceiling is highly visible in most kitchens. It’s even more noticeable if it has a dated tile design, such as diamonds, embedded in a rectangle or a fruit basket motif, says Brunstrum. A more updated yet classic look includes subway tiles in a row. For a twist, Brunstrum likes to install them vertically rather than in the traditional horizontal way.
A dark kitchen can quickly nix a sale. But adding lighting requires minimal effort and expense. Buyers should consider recessed ceiling cans for good general lighting. The trend is for fewer and smaller cans (5 inches to 6 inches in diameter) to avoid a Swiss-cheese effect. They might also go with one attention-grabbing chandelier over a dining table and two or three large pendants above an island. All should be installed with dimmers to offer the option of different moods and LED bulbs for energy efficiency.
Always the least expensive way to affect change, paint can be selected in a neutral shade for wide appeal. But nowadays, neutrals no longer just mean white or beige; soft greens and blues work well as universal mixers. Most design pros recommend steering clear of wallpaper, which can quickly date a room and attract grime.
Most kitchen floors don’t generate negative buzz unless they’re very worn or comprised of dated linoleum or vinyl. When that’s the case, an easy fix is to switch to popular real-wood planks that can be sealed well and are easy on the feet. New porcelain designs imitate real wood well and can be less costly to install and easier to maintain. Real estate pros working in cold climates should suggest buyers add electric heating mats underneath to warm toes on cold winter days.
Nothing impresses buyers more than one great splurge—the equivalent of a piece of statement jewelry in the hub of the home. Buyers on a budget can try a less costly solution with great personality. Remember the pot rack in the swank French-style kitchen in the movie “A Perfect Murder”? These can be purchased for less than $150, be installed easily by home owners (or by a pro if extra heavy), and make a big impact when filled with gleaming pots and pans—though the price jumps if buyers go all-out French style with copper. A thriftier and still eye-catching idea is adding a cool fabric for a window treatment or new seat cushions, says Clendenon.
Open-plan living has been growing in popularity for years now, and many predict that trend will continue. Instead of everyone crowding into the kitchen, more home owners want this room to be part of surrounding spaces such as the living and dining room. Taking down a non-load-bearing wall makes sense, says architect Marica McKeel, principal of architecture firm Studio MM in New York. “If you want a professional to do it, the cost depends on the size of the wall, but it should be something a contractor could do in a couple hours for minimal cost,” she says.
While the final effect may not rival a Hollywood-ready kitchen, these smaller changes are still apt to make the space more appealing for cooking and congregating—and may some day woo buyers in the resale process.
Sample projects:
Source: Cannon Christian. All photos courtesy of previewfirst.com.
Howard McMahon’s got a new listing in Winter Garden that you do not want to miss. The home is located just outside of Windermere in a community called Westfield Lakes, known for it’s manicured landscaping, lakefront access, and highly rated schools. This home is in pristine condition and has been beautifully maintained and cared for. It includes four bedrooms, three bathrooms, private pool and is made up of a whopping 3,765 square feet (total). The home boasts an open floor plan with wooden floors throughout, formal entryway, formal dining and living rooms, deluxe office with custom wood and mirror detailing, Master retreat with garden tub, walk in shower and his and hers walk in closets. The kitchen features 42” cabinets and flows into the family room then out onto a large lanai with covered private pool.
Check it out for yourself:
If you aren’t already familiar with the area, I’ll brief you really quick. Westfield Lakes is a two mile drive from Winter Garden Village, where you will be overwhelmed with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. The Village includes over 25 restaurants, ranging from quick eats to romantic dining. There are tons of retails stores that vary from home improvement to health and wellness. Interested in electronics? Don’t worry, there’s a Best Buy. Need to get your daily workout in? There’s an LA Fitness. You name it, Winter Garden Village has it. There’s no way you can be bored and
List price you ask? $375,000. Yes. You can have all that house for under 400K.
If interested in this property, contact Homes with Howie or fill out the contact form below.
Post by: Alicea Salgado
Congratulations to Daniel Young, Broker at Evergreen Real Estate Services, for the highest condo sale in Oakwater since 2008! Young’s condo listing at 2824 Oakwater Dr sold just this Thursday for $142,000.
The lovely condo includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, 1,255 square feet of living space, attached garage and private patio. To top it all off, the condo was sold fully furnished! And I don’t mean your average furnishings…2824 Oakwater was sold stylishly furnished with comfy leather sofas, flat screen TV- the whole nine. Take a look at some of the photos below:
Oakwater is one of Kissimmee’s highly frequented resort-style communities. Filled with guests and owners from all over world, Oakwater has gained popularity due to it’s relaxing amenities & close proximity to all of Central Florida’s major attractions. If you’re interested in a vacation home or just looking for a great place relax, look no further than Oakwater Resort!
Its been a good week for us at Evergreen Real Estate Services with two homes sold in popular vacation rental communities. One of the homes, 2424 Saint Augustine Blvd, is located RIGHT on one of Orlando’s most popular golf courses- Southern Dunes.
Southern Dunes is “consistently ranked among the nations best [golf courses].” The impressive golf course & country club of Southern Dunes stretches over 7,200 yards, features 100 feet of elevation, and even has its own restaurant and bar. A great perk for the new homeowners! The community is located only 15 miles away from Disney World, which makes it even more popular amongst travelers.
Building of the Southern Dunes community began back in 1993 by Park Square homes and was completed in 2005 and now includes 802 homes. There is a 24-hour manned security gatehouse, making Southern Dunes very safe & secure. In addition to the prestigious golfing, Southern Dunes also offers its owners and guests tennis courts, various community swimming pools, and children’s play area.
Congratulations to the new owners!
In light of the most highly anticipated boxing match of all time, we’ve decided to share with you some details on Floyd Mayweather’s mansion. We all know how flashy Mr. Mayweather can be, so expect his pad to be nothing short of extravagant…so extravagant that the mansion has it’s own Instagram account, @bigboymansion.
Floyd’s 22,000 square foot mansion in Las Vegas includes seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms (one including a 12 person shower), marble floors, two-screen home movie theater, fire pit, designer light fixtures, walk-in wine fridge, a garage large enough to fit $15 million dollars worth of cars, and much more.
Here are some photos we pulled from the mansions Instagram page:
May the best boxer win!
Evergreen Real Estate Services 