Selling Your Home During the Holiday Season

Are you trying to sell your home during the holiday season or will you take it off the market until after the New Year?

Some people will argue that leaving it on the market over the holidays is a perfect way to weed out the “looky-loos” from the more serious buyers. Others think that leaving your home on the market during the holiday’s make you appear desperate to sell.

Discuss the pros and cons of both arguments with your Realtor® to decide what would be best for you and your home. In the event that you both feel it is in your best interest to leave your home on the market over the holidays, below are a few tips to consider when it comes to holiday decorating.

As most of us like to decorate our homes with lights, Christmas trees, and holiday scents during the Christmas season, this doesn’t always work well with properly staging your home for potential buyers. Keep the following in mind:

• Curb appeal is still important. Try not to “over decorate” your front yard. A few lights on the house should be sufficient. You want your front yard to be inviting, not clutter



• Interior decorations should be kept to minimum. You don’t want to take away from the many features of the home, by covering them up with decorations.



• If you are use to having a beautiful large Christmas tree in your front window, you might want to consider scaling down the size of the tree or possibly getting rid of it all together and use festive table centerpieces in stead. A tree can take away from the real focus of the room and make the room appear smaller.



• Wrapped present should not be left out. Keep them stored away so as not to add any additional clutter to the room.



• Instead of having holiday scented candles and incense throughout your home before a showing, why not create some natural holiday scents with fresh baking and a simmering apple cider. The baking and the cider can be left out with napkins and cups as a treat for potential buyers viewing your home.

If you would like more information regarding selling your home during the holidays, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Fending Off Foreclosure

It is no secret that foreclosures have increased drastically this year as a result of the subprime lending disaster and a lot of people are wondering if they will be next. For many homeowners there may be options, if they know what to look for and where to look.

In the event that you find yourself struggling to make your mortgage payments, and you fear foreclosure may be in your future, the National Foundation for Credit Counselling (NFCC) has suggested a few possible alternatives. These options to fend off foreclosure include:

• Repayment Plan
• Reinstatement
• Forbearance
• Loan Modification

The Federal Trade Commission wants people to know that these alternatives may not work for everyone especially if you are already three or four mortgage payments behind.

For more information regarding the above alternatives visit the NFCC's Homeowners Crisis Resource Centre website. They can also assist you in locating a certified housing counsellor to explore your options in an effort to fend off foreclosure.

Happy Thanksgiving Highlands County Florida

WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A SAFE

AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

We give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. ~Author Unknown

Highlands Ridge, Florida - Adult Community Living At Its Best

At Highlands Ridge, it's all about the lifestyle. Nestled beside a nature conservancy and 260 acre lake stocked with fish, Highlands Ridge is the Florida you've dreamed of.

Highlands Ridge residents come from across the country and around the world to experience the perfect combination of privacy and accessibility; city convenience and rural charm.

This wonderful 55+ community offers 36 holes of championship golf amongst the rolling hills and majestic oak trees and you've got Highlands County's most desirable destination. Highlands Ridge is the one active adult, age restricted community in the area where your custom dream home with a golf course view won't break the bank. The North Course expansion is well under way and highlights our reputation for quality and value. The famous South Course features the new Golf Villas for those seeking 100% maintenance-free living. Check out the HOMES page for information on all of our home sites and designs.

If you are looking for additional amenities consider the fitness center, pools, Founder's Hall, HH Resident Clubs, Library and Lake Bonnet. Highlands Ridge offers something for everyone.

Allow me to introduce you to this wonderful community as your representative to assist you through the buying process. Contact me today.