Real Estate Information

These days, we’re all busy with work, family and friends. There’s so little extra time left,  it’s easy to just human nature that some things just are not remembered. Like changing the batteries in the smoke-alarms or the filters in the HVAC system. You’d do them if you remembered, right?

Now, perhaps you won’t have to worry about remembering. BrightNest is a free app for iPhone and iPads that organizes cleaning and schedules maintenance tasks for you.  After creating an account, or using Facebook, to sign in to the service, you’ll answer some basic questions and then the App is ready to work for you.

BrightNest will suggest a variety of tasks for you to do, and provide an estimate of how long they’ll take, how hard they’ll be and a guide to how to get them done.  You can then add them to your schedule. If there’s a task not listed in the App, you can add it on the website itself.

Right now, BrightNest is only available for iOS, or through the web. The website includes a variety of excellent, time-saving ideas, from how to create a pallet garden to making small spaces work.

Like similar Apps, BrightNest is a way to simplify your life a bit. And if you're in the market to buy or sell your house, let me simplify that part of your life!

Michelle Chenault
Your Local Clearwater Beach, Florida Real Estate Expert

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Michelle Chenault is your ultimate resource for Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Island Estates and Tampa Bay real estate.  Visit our website for detailed information on all real estate including Clearwater Beach Condominiums  

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This blog is maintained by Michael of Kim Hughes & Company.

The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat: Can you spell Competition? If the answer is yes, or no, you won't want to miss your chance to experience and perhaps participate in the Putnam County Spelling Bee. Opening this weekend,The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a hilarious tale of overachievers' angst chronicling the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. The American Stage Theatre Company is producing the show, outside at Demen's Landing Park. Shows are Wednesday through Sunday at 8pm. Tickets range from $15 to $29 and can be purchased online.

​

Michelle Chenault
Your Local Clearwater Beach, Florida Real Estate Expert

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Clearwater Beach Area Homes for Sale 
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Michelle Chenault is your ultimate resource for Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Island Estates and Tampa Bay real estate.  Visit our website for detailed information on all real estate including Clearwater Beach Condominiums  

**

This blog is maintained by Michael of Kim Hughes & Company.

Fannie Mae economists say that “the broadening housing recovery could very well be more robust” than they anticipated, according to the mortgage giant’s lately monthly economic outlook report.

Low inventories of homes for sale are contributing to rapid price increases all across the country, which are expected to continue throughout this year.

Fannie Mae economists predict that existing-home prices will rise 5.1 percent in 2013, reaching a median $186,000. They also predict home prices will increase another 3.8 percent in 2014, reaching $193,000.

New-home prices are expected to rise 4.1 percent in 2013 to a median of $254,000, followed by a 3.5 percent rise in 2014 to $263,000, according to Fannie Mae’s report.

However, higher-than-expected price jumps mixed with a shortage of for-sale houses could constrain existing-home sales this year and next, according to the economists.

Existing-home sales were up 9.4 percent last year, but Fannie economists predict sales to lessen that pace, growing by 6.9 percent this year and 5.5 percent in 2014. Sales of new single-family homes, however, are expected to post an 18 percent gain this year and a whopping 35.8 percent by 2014.

Click here to see the most current home sales for the Clearwater, FL area - REAL ESTATE CORNER

For the full article courtesy of realtormag.realtor.org - http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2013/04/18/fannie-housing-recovery-more-robust-anticipatedhttp://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2013/04/18/fannie-housing-recovery-more-robust-anticipated

There are ten good reasons you should consider pressure washing your home this spring. Those ten reasons are: Mold, mildew, wind, rain, hail, dirt, tree sap, insects, rodents and birds. All of them take a toll on the exterior of your home, from the top of the roof to the foundation.  You can certainly hire someone to do the work for you, but you might be able to save money in the long-run by investing in a pressure washer and doing the work yourself.

Pressure washers can be powered by gasoline or electricity. They can be had for around $100 up to thousands of dollars. A washer costing $200 to $300 will be just right for a normal home. You might only use it a couple of times a year, but after a couple of years, a quality pressure washer will have paid for itself.

Pressure washing is great for a variety of exterior treatments, including siding, stucco or brick. Each type requires a different approach. A good overview of the process can be found on the Lowe’s website or the WikiHow site.

Of course, make sure to close windows and doors, cover external lights and plants before you start. If your house is painted with a lead-based paint, you should not pressure wash it. If you’re not sure, contact a professional for an inspection.

Pressure washing should be an essential step in staging your home for potential buyers.  If you’re thinking about selling, contact me and we’ll talk about other important elements of staging your home.

Michelle Chenault
Your Local Clearwater Beach, Florida Real Estate Expert

Clearwater Beach Featured Properties
Clearwater Beach Area Homes for Sale 
Your Homes Value
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Michelle Chenault is your ultimate resource for Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Island Estates and Tampa Bay real estate.  Visit our website for detailed information on all real estate including Clearwater Beach Condominiums  

**

This blog is maintained by Michael of Kim Hughes & Company.

The Clearwater Gateway Farmers Market Winter/Spring market offers you a chance to shop with thirty local vendors. The Market is open on 1234 Cleveland Street [map] on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Saturday will be a special Earth Day edition with live music from Carlos Rodriguez and giveaways!

Michelle Chenault
Your Local Clearwater Beach, Florida Real Estate Expert

Clearwater Beach Featured Properties
Clearwater Beach Area Homes for Sale 
Your Homes Value
Email Me 

Let's Connect!

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Michelle Chenault is your ultimate resource for Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Island Estates and Tampa Bay real estate.  Visit our website for detailed information on all real estate including Clearwater Beach Condominiums  

**

This blog is maintained by Michael of Kim Hughes & Company.

WASHINGTON – April 10, 2013 – In the past year, we’ve seen solid growth in house prices in most areas of the country, double-digit growth in both new and existing home sales, and a continuing flood of mortgage refinancing. While this should not be cause for breaking out the champagne, we can at least say that things are moving in the right direction.

Many people might not appreciate the extent of the recovery because they continue to think of the housing market as though the years of the bubble were normal.

For example, existing home sales were 4.65 million in 2012. By comparison, existing homes sales averaged fewer than 3.5 million in the years 1993-95, before the housing bubble began to drive the market.

Even adjusting for population growth, the 2012 sales rate was far above the pre-bubble pace even if it is well below bubble peaks of more than 7 million.

Construction has also been rising rapidly, albeit from a very low base. The continuing weakness in construction should not be surprising. The building boom of the bubble years has left the country with an enormous oversupply of housing. Vacancy rates are still near record highs, in spite of being down from peaks reached in 2009-10.

This huge backlog of vacant homes will prevent construction from returning to normal (not bubble) levels for several years.

The Federal Reserve’s low interest policy deserves serious credit here. This has made it much easier to buy homes than would otherwise be the case. It also has put money in the economy through refinancing. If we assume that the average mortgage interest rate has fallen one percentage point as a result of Fed policy, it means that homeowners have an additional $80 billion (0.5 percent of GDP) to spend each year.

Click here to see the most current home sales for the Clearwater, FL area - REAL ESTATE CORNER

For the full article courtesy of floridarealtors.org - http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=289842

​Solar power systems have been available for homeowners for decades. Solar is a renewable, environmentally friendly source of energy. Advocates for solar power will tell you that you can save a lot of money in power bills over the lifetime of such a system.  But, remember that while sunlight is free, solar power is not.  It can be a big investment, and like all investments, you need to do some research before you commit.

First off, you need to know that you’re going to get enough sunlight. Roofs heavily shaded by surrounding trees won’t work. In addition, the panels will need to face south, or as close to it as possible. And they’ll need to be angled to properly catch the maximum of sunlight.

Comly Wilson, the managing editor of the CleanEdison Blog says there are five things you must think about when considering solar power. Number one on his list is reducing the amount of electricity you use before you put the solar system together.  Using energy efficient appliances and make smart choices around your home can reduce your power demand by up to 30%. And that will put you closer to energy independence. You can read the rest of his ideas here.

You can use the power generated from a solar system directly, supplementing it with a generator or batteries for times when the sun isn’t shining. Batteries add a lot to the cost and maintenance of a solar system, and have to be replaced on a regular basis. Electricity from the solar system or batteries has to be converted, using an inverter, to switch it to the AC used by our appliances, lights and electronics. Another option is to hook your solar power into the local power grid. Any energy you don’t use is purchased by the power company.

Installing a solar system is not something you can do yourself. Hire a licensed electrician with experience in solar systems.  The Federal and state governments offer tax incentives for homeowners using solar. Some utility companies will lease solar gear to you, and with the right set-up, you can sell excess energy back to them. If you’re interested in buying a house with a solar system already installed, you’ll want to see copies of the energy bills and records of the costs of maintaining the system. Sellers will need to provide the same information. Even a modest energy savings can be a powerful incentive for potential buyers.

If you’d like to learn more about solar energy and your home, try these sites.

• Energy Sage – Solar Shopping Made Simple
• Scientific American Solar at Home blog
• HowStuffWorks

Michelle Chenault
Your Local Clearwater Beach, Florida Real Estate Expert

Clearwater Beach Featured Properties
Clearwater Beach Area Homes for Sale 
Your Homes Value
Email Me 

Let's Connect!

Facebook
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Michelle Chenault is your ultimate resource for Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Island Estates and Tampa Bay real estate.  Visit our website for detailed information on all real estate including Clearwater Beach Condominiums  

**

This blog is maintained by Michael of Kim Hughes & Company.

The historic privateer Lynx will complete its tour this weekend, marking your last chance this season to hit the high seas aboard this beautiful replica warship.  The ship is available for dockside tours and two-hour sailaways. Check this link for times and tickets.

The ship is docked at the Harborage Marina in St. Petersburg [map].

Michelle Chenault
Your Local Clearwater Beach, Florida Real Estate Expert

Clearwater Beach Featured Properties
Clearwater Beach Area Homes for Sale 
Your Homes Value
Email Me 

Let's Connect!

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Google +1
Pinterest

Michelle Chenault is your ultimate resource for Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Island Estates and Tampa Bay real estate.  Visit our website for detailed information on all real estate including Clearwater Beach Condominiums  

**

This blog is maintained by Michael of Kim Hughes & Company.

​As we settle into spring, many people are ready to move the party outside. Mild temperatures, warm sunshine and the blooms of the season are a siren song to enjoy living outdoors. But, if that means sitting out on a deck, take a few minutes to make sure you're safe.

The estimates vary, but a significant portion of the decks on American homes were not built safely. And every spring and summer, there are stories in the media about decks collapsing.  Before you entertain any guests on your outdoor deck, you'll want to make sure that it's safe and sturdy. Any sway or movement of the deck, railings or stairway, needs to be checked. You can also look for signs of rot, especially where the deck attaches to the house and where two deck boards meet over a joist. The National American Deck and Railing Association offers a complete guide on checking your deck here [pdf].

A safe, well-maintained deck can be add a lot of value to your home. But, only if it's safe.  If you have any doubts at all, call a professional carpenter. Only a carpenter can ensure the deck is still securely attached to your home, and can advise about any needed repairs.  And if you need any advice about selling your home, please be sure to contact me.

Michelle Chenault
Your Local Clearwater Beach, Florida Real Estate Expert

Clearwater Beach Featured Properties
Clearwater Beach Area Homes for Sale 
Your Homes Value
Email Me 

Let's Connect!

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Google +1
Pinterest

Michelle Chenault is your ultimate resource for Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Island Estates and Tampa Bay real estate.  Visit our website for detailed information on all real estate including Clearwater Beach Condominiums  

**

This blog is maintained by Michael of Kim Hughes & Company.

WASHINGTON (April 2, 2013) – Vacation home sales improved in 2012, while investment purchases remained elevated for a second consecutive year, according to the National Association of Realtors^®

NAR’s 2013 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey,* covering existing- and new-home transactions in 2012, shows vacation-home sales rose 10.1 percent to 553,000 from 502,000 in 2011.  Investment-home sales declined 2.1 percent to 1.21 million from 1.23 million in 2011, but those sales had been well under a million during the market downturn.  Owner-occupied purchases jumped 17.4 percent to 3.27 million last year from 2.79 million in 2011.

Vacation-home sales accounted for 11 percent of all transactions last year, unchanged from 2011, while the portion of investment sales was 24 percent in 2012, down from 27 percent in 2011, marking the second highest share since 2005. 

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said favorable conditions are driving second-home sales.  “We had a strong stock market recovery, which helps more people in the prime ages for buying vacation homes.  Attractively priced recreational property is also a big draw,” he said.

Click here to see the most current home sales for the Clearwater, FL area - REAL ESTATE CORNER

For the full article courtesy of realtor.org - http://www.realtor.org/news-releases/2013/04/2012-vacation-home-sales-up-investment-dips-but-stays-elevated-prices-rise