Moving to the USA? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

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Photo via Pexels

Pew Research Center notes that America is the top destination for many immigrants because of the availability of job opportunities, diversity, and safety. Due to the high rate of immigration in the country, officials want to ensure that everyone coming to live in the country has the best intentions for America. Below, Top Orlando Realty has listed 10 things to consider when relocating to the US. 

Preparing for relocation

Once everything is confirmed for the move, it’s time that you put everything you need together and make necessary adjustments for your move to the US. Use this checklist for an effective transition:

  • Collect all necessary documents and have them translated if need be.
  • Practice your English skills.
  • Beware of any scams.
  • Look for loans and financial aid to help reduce your expenses.
  • Organize housing. 

If you want to purchase a home, it’s a good idea to spend time assessing what’s available in your area. Look for homes that meet your requirements for rooms, size, and budget.

Important documents that you need

Here are the documents you must have for moving.

  • Identification card and passport
  • International birth certificate
  • A copy of marriage or divorce certificates
  • Important bank documents
  • Job application documents
  • Medical and international vaccine records
  • Tax records

What you’ll need after you arrive

There are several documents that are required at one time or another after you get settled.

  • Local driver’s license
  • Local bank account
  • Health insurance 
  • Pension plan
  • Housing 
  • Social security card

Finding health insurance can be tricky if you do not receive it from your employer. Fortunately, there are options such as the ACA exchange, from which you can shop various plans to find one that suits your needs.

Getting citizenship in the US 

Once you arrive in America, file citizenship immediately the law lets you. Citizenship protects you from deportation and will also help when your family wants to relocate to America. For someone who migrated using a green card, you can file for citizenship after 5 or 3 years. If you obtained legality through marriage, it could be less than three years.

Visa renewal delays

The immigration service (USCIS) always has delays and is constantly behind schedule. If your immigration documents have expired, you can be deported even if you have already applied for renewal.

Immigration and visa provision laws

You must abide by every law in America, most notably the immigration and visa provision laws. Be informed of what’s required of you and abide accordingly. As an immigrant, going against any law can be dire for you. Figueroa-Contreras Law Group explains that a minor violation can lead to visa cancellation, deportation, or worse, being banned from the US.  

Visa status

It’s advisable that you are always on track with your visa status and always have a copy of your document. Immigration officials have a habit of losing paperwork.

Research from reliable resources

Everyone’s legal situation is different and unique from a friend’s or family’s situation. There are many misconceptions, myths, and hearsay about immigration that are far from the truth. Do your due diligence and research from reliable sources, consult an immigration lawyer when necessary. 

Summary removals

Summary removals are when border officials prohibit you from entering the US. This can be done if they feel like you are a threat to the country or lie about your intentions to come into America. 

Visa petitions

It’s wise to file for multiple petitions if you have many family members in the US. This will increase your chances of getting a green card.

Conclusion

Before moving to America, ensure that you have done proper research on what to expect. Being prepared is key when moving to a foreign place, even if you have family and friends in the area. Hopefully, this article has given you an idea of what to expect once in the country. 
Top Orlando Realty has been in the real estate services business for many successful years thanks to a great many buyers and sellers, and their recommendations to others. Connect with us today by calling 407-284-1213!

Bathroom Renovation Trends in 2020

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You heard it correct, 2020 trends are all here! Locate the inside scoop to most up to
date styles, also get inspiration for the bathroom to redesign! From bathtubs and
showers to countertops and vanities, we have you covered. Sorts of most kinds, the
new stripes, prints, finishes, and patterns are here to the calendar year. This blog
includes the most recent designs which will give you the type of inspiration you didn’t
even know you needed. However, you are going to build a new home or plan for a
renovation; then, the checklist is sure to spark some imagination.

Brass and Gold with A Vintage Comeback
 Gold accessories are back and better than ever before! Shades of gold and brass
are carrying over sinks, toilets, and anything and everything in your bathroom in

  1. Emphasize the memories of one’s Grandparent’s bathroom brass faucet; as
    this delightful fresh hot toned pipe, fittings will end up your clean go into, adding just
    the right amount of depth, measurement, and lavish feel to any space.
    The change is loved by homeowners to accents with all a brass/gold toned bathroom
    fixtures versus the polished chrome that communicates a fresh, modern, and feel
    that is glossy. Offered in brand new finish options like in satin, matte, and spun gold,
    this change is what needed to add that timeless conventional element to almost any
    space, with the added incentive of keeping water and fingerprints stains hidden.

Nature Oriented Bathrooms
 Nature is evaporating off from the world, and we’re searching for more
things—trends inclined towards appearances. Whether or not you opt for one single
black walnut wood or presentations, you’re getting to own a genuinely interior. 2020
is for nature fans that are searching for surroundings. A fast solution to seek out
nature incorporated bathroom is currently sprouting a miniature, although a
significant number of plants right in it. Colors like blue that are green, grey, white,
and skies are going to invite.

Nude Colors with Extra Lighting
 Naked colors are going to be in your finger’s tips in 2020 but with a tiny bit of glam
upward look. That you might find lighting with Pop Top colors, naked although retro
looks are considered a rocking combination. Color dab and sleek tiles with brassy
and more incorporated lights would be to prevail in the second season. However, in
the meantime, black and white shadows and stripes won’t ever go out of fashion.

Glassdoor Cabinets with Task Lights and Heating Pads
 Glassdoor closets with project lighting and heating pads technology cables indoors
all will probably become fashionable bathroom accessories. Besides that, cabinets
will undoubtedly be freely positioned than vanities or sink that will allow you to find
your toiletries and ease or wall-mounted.

Tile Patterns and Shapes
 We have seen how the tech is allowing manufacturers to build several designs
utilizing basic tiles. Still, they are moving beyond the colors and graphics to alter the
tile shape into something more interesting.
We’re currently seeing a resurgence of the beloved tiles of years ago and a few new
designs. Are we content with a large format tile onto the wall or just a subway tile?
We have lots of tile shapes to pick from yet more. Thus, look for chevron patterns, or
improved and new hexagon, arabesque, diamond fish scales in colors & textures.
These eye-catching contours will not only elegance a floor either; they’ll even apply
as bathroom backsplashes, on shower walls, and ceiling accents to produce the bold
colors we so desire.

Grey Carpeting Looks on Walls
 And wall carpets are a personalized ambiance for almost any visitor. Consider the
Grey-ish and bathrooms all Terrazzo Walls. Carpeted Powderly covered walls will
probably render without an uncertainty an influence.

You will feel no less than in paradise when you are ailing come to this bathroom.
Apart from that, terrazzo ambiance is an upcoming trend for some forthcoming
decades. Thus, avail them even now to develop into a trend starter or trendsetter.
Living Large
Large-format tile equals significant effect. LFTs, as they are known in the business,
including 16 inches to 10 feet, indicating there are several grout lines to keep clean
(hello, lower care). Produce a smooth look from floors, shower walls, or bathtub
encircles – you might even think about a slab onto the wall in one gorgeous fell
swoop.

Secret Storage
 One storage solution can add the space which wakes you up and sends you off to
sleep soundly and panache. Why don’t you mix some interesting with function?
Sweeten renovators came up with tactics to squeeze every inch and tapped at their
creativity. Storage spaces will probably be there as a crucial craft of the bathroom as
you must place your toiletries, body, gels shower milk, and handy materials. Vanities
and cabins will be present at your ceremony but with greater spruced-up and
enchanting looks.

Retro Wooden Bathtubs and Vanities
 Old is gold, and timber is material once we talk about home developments. Being
perpetual and evergreen wood will undoubtedly be prevailing in the clouds of 2020.
Bathtubs made from boards that are creative from outside will soon be introducing a
cone hunter seem.
These present always and makes you feel amazing and natural, a lavish appearance
and texture Cosmetic During a single. Vanities won’t ever walk out this trend in 2020.
Interior bathroom designers Will use timbers and walnut visually to create bathrooms
weathered and weathered.

Big Bathtubs and Open Showers
 As the bathroom changes, the possibilities for more distance and expansion come
into mind. The goal of getting space is the number one reason why homeowners
decide to remodel. It consists of the bathroom too! You give yourself more room to
enlarge in the shower or toilet.

Author Bio:
 Eli loves to write about Home Improvement, Real Estate, Kitchen decor, Garden, or
travel-related topics additionally. She is writing for the metal building and home

improvement industry for more than ten years; Eli has become an experienced
building specialist in the industry. Her goal is to help people with her vast knowledge
to assist them with the best suggestions about different metal buildings such as
carports, garages, barns, utility buildings, and commercial home structures.

What to Do About Those Lingering Cooking Odors?

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Professional Interior and Luxury bedding designer Jennifer Adams is back to answer your questions and provide some helpful advice! Today, Jennifer responds to a reader’s question about tips and strategies for how to neutralize those cooking odors that just seem to linger:

Perpetual Scent of Old Bacon, Anyone?

First of all, thanks very much for reaching out to me! Your question is a good one – what to do with that essence of bacon that continues to hang around your living space? Some people might actually think the smell of your home is quite heavenly, since bacon is so incredibly popular among many Americans! On the other hand, the smell of cooked pork fat would not be appealing to a vegetarian like yourself, or to any other vegetarians who might happen to visit your home. In fact, a house that always smells like old bacon can even be a turn-off for people who do eat meat.

Kudos on Having a Son Who Wants to Cook!

I commend you for being so supportive of your son’s goal to learn his way around the kitchen, and it’s great that he’s so ambitious about wanting to do more cooking for himself. I also hope he’ll set aside the bacon and do some cooking for you once in a while, too! Oh, and about those greasy pans – you might just buy him a set of high-quality non-stick pans to cook meat in, and then reserve the rest for your vegetarian-only dishes. Better still, maybe you could buy yourself a new set, and just give Zac your old ones!

More About Dealing with Greasy Pans

If you’re not ready to pull the trigger on purchasing a separate set of cookware for Zac (or if you simply don’t have the space to store a second set), not to worry. Even bacon grease can be cleaned out of your old pans with the right technique. All grease, butter and oil should be removed from pans and thrown away; don’t ever pour it down the sink. Let the pan soak in some soapy water, and then simply wash according to the pan’s cleaning directions from the manufacturer.

The Vent Hood Is Your Friend

Insist that Zac uses the vent hood every time he cooks, even if the fan is noisy. One of the best ways to prevent bacon and other strong cooking scents from taking hold in your home is to vent whatever’s cooking as it’s being cooked. For that matter, you really should make a habit of using the vent hood whenever you’re cooking too, especially if your heat source is natural gas. Upgrading the vent hood and ensuring that it actually vents outside would be a worthwhile investment, not just for removing strong scents, but for safety purposes as well.

Tips for Dealing with Those Scents That Like to Linger

No matter how good your vent hood, some cooking scents (like bacon) are still bound to make their way around your living space. In most cases, your house should eventually air out on its own. Another smart measure is to have your son thoroughly clean the kitchen – including the vent hood, walls, cabinetry, and floor – regularly.

If that old bacon smell is still lingering, a good strategy for removing odors is to have your carpets, draperies and upholstered furniture professionally cleaned every so often. What to do between professional cleanings? If you can’t completely remove those lingering odors as often as you’d like, at the very least you can introduce a pleasant scent to help mask them. One simple thing you can try is to let a cinnamon stick or two simmers in a pot on the stove for a few hours. Adding a few drops of vanilla extract to the pot makes the scent even richer. Alternatively, an essential oil diffuser can be a wonderful asset!

A Few Final Thoughts

Be aware that bedding and other linens can retain odors too, so make sure you’re washing/cleaning these items regularly. I’d love to hear about other scent-neutralizing tips that work for you, too! And when you’re ready to replace your old bedding with some fresh bedding that perfectly balances style, softness, and comfort, look no further than the Luxury Bedding Collections from Jennifer Adams!

Most Popular Home Architecture Designs of 2019

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Today everybody wants to follow the trend. Trends Are not permanent; they have changed alongside time. Either it is about Gadget, Clothing, Fashion, or Design Architecture.

Designing a new home is a creative and costly work every year style and techniques are all coming, but a number of the best design designs have become the fad because of their design and popularity.

Here in this blog, we try to reflect the most elegant home architecture design that stone 2019.

Log Home Architecture

Log Homes would be the cabin which includes one room assembled by timber logs. They have been a sign of luxuriousness today. Log Home is simple to create at any location, and the majority of people like to produce Log Home in rural places or their farms. The form of the log is depended on in line with the area where you wish to make its climate condition.

Multi-purpose spaces

In 2019, most of the architects are attempting to design a home like room and area with a focal point of contemporary living. We could use the distance and offices for purposes if there’s a need to get extra space, instead of designing the house for a single object.

Conventional designs like having a living room, study room, or lounge will remain required for fresh builds. Using divider and sliding doors, you’ll be able to divide the horizon. This manner, we have separate sections that the way rooms by are currently doing so you can every space of one’s house. Through this imagination, architects try to find out a new solution.

Large Glass Windows

Windows are the trending thing these days; American window companies get inspiration to get the panel of glass for Windows by the Europeans. They design their windows as a fantastic wall for Also for appreciating an amazing view inviting site that is gorgeous and more transparent Scenes from every corner of one’s residence.

Smart Homes with Hidden Tech

Everything about our everyday life affects. Besides, it appears in home designing and architecture. Tech plays a significant part in designing smart homes like installing speakers, light, home security systems, along with different gadgets. Our generation is attracted to this thing. Such as technology is seen as an essential part of our life.

Flex Design Architecture

No two families are alike; why are various floorplans precisely the very same? The idea of design is just one of the 2019 arrangement trends we could get behind. After all, it seems sensible that designers will start to realize that families have different methods of accomplishing things. An outcome is a flexible approach to design that leaves the facts up — creating rooms which pull double duty a combo guest-room and office, or eliminating formal, less-used spaces (bye, formal living area) Means architects try to build a house where every inch has been optimized for each household.

Outdoor Living

The garden isn’t an afterthought. Architects are now finding the opportunity and energy to design the exterior family area so far because of the indoor. When it’s room to get a garden barbecue, a bright pool oasis and even only a child’s heaven, be prepared to see that the magnificent outdoor design in 2019. It’s more evidence that the exterior is equally as vital as indoors as architects consider their domiciles to utilize and live. Design an outdoor area without square footage, and you’ll increase your home’s size. Moreover, likely for the discipline as a part of the design and build method budgeting.

Segmented Space

Most folks understand that the idea of home has ever been the gold standard for the previous 10 years after decades of rooms, families opting for spaces that allow room and also fewer tags. However, while theory delivers the very best place to roam, it’s a few issues. May be such thing, architects learn to need walls defined space, exactly make. Segmented areas that use architectural features including underwater rooms, varying ceiling heights, as well as other features, allow to divvy up distance when keeping it open.

Conclusion: Implementing every potential Fashion in your home is That which may induce your design out from the”classic” category. Opt for a few styles which you want after, which enable him or the architect to add Her to work magic on your design. Once done your 2019 home may endure the Evaluation on the trend of time and look.

Author bio: With her passion for writing an interior and exterior, attractive outdoor shelter like metal carports of all sorts. Amy is a trusted author, bringing up new ideas in creating unique styled buildings. She has studied ‘Decoration with different Construction and Non-construction materials’ and worked with some leading metal building manufacturers and suppliers.

DIY Advice for New Homeowners

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Courtesy of Pixabay

There’s a fine line between taking on a home improvement project yourself and getting in over your head. The prospect of upgrading a bathroom or kitchen is exciting, an opportunity to review scores of beautiful layouts and design options and envision how they would look in your own home. Do-it-yourself projects are very popular, and there are lots of resources that can help you do it right and tools that make it easier.

However, be very careful before committing to something that could leave you in need of professional help. Remember, a home upgrade is intended to add value to your house, not cost you twice what it would have if you’d simply gone with a professional contractor. Fortunately, there are many projects that even a first-time homeowner can handle with ease.

Painting

Painting your interior is one of the simplest of all DIY tasks. It’s also one of the most economical ways to add value to your home. As a new homeowner, you’ve earned the right to paint your home whatever colors you like. It’s an exciting opportunity to indulge your creativity and do something that’s daring and a little off the wall, so to speak, or to accentuate your design decor with a fresh coat of paint. Either way, you should shoot for a look that’s uniquely yours.

If you’re working in a room with a lot of items/furniture, consider purchasing drop cloths (Home Depot offers a roll of plastic sheeting for $10.98) to cover your possessions to prevent them from getting covered in paint in the event of an accidental spill. If you want extra peace of mind, consider renting a self-storage unit to store away these items. It might seem like an extreme idea, but at least you’ll know they’re safe and sound until you’ve finished.

Flooring

People often buy a new home with the aim of redoing the flooring according to their own personal taste. Maybe the previous owners left behind a frayed and yellowing carpet or hardwood flooring with scratches and gouges from years past that they never got around to fixing. Replacing carpeting is a job best left to professionals, as is putting down a new wood floor, a popular but often expensive option (costs an average of $4,240) for enthusiastic new homeowners. In some cases, having old carpeting professionally steam cleaned can make it look like new and freshen up your interior.

Lighting

Lighting is another easy-to-do DIY project. Dimly lit rooms can benefit significantly from a few well-placed lamps or some track lighting. Track lighting can be a good DIY project, unless you’re entirely unfamiliar with installing lighting, or if you’re uncomfortable working with electricity. Consider replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs (a pack of 24 bulbs at Amazon will set you back $22.78), which last longer and are more economical. In general, it’s a good idea to go with a professional for anything that involves extensive electrical work. Electricians have certification and the knowledge to do it correctly and safely. Unless you have a lot of experience, any job that could result in a serious injury or worse should be left with the pros.

Landscaping

Your home’s landscaping design was probably one of the first things you noticed when you first saw your home. As such, you probably developed a strong impression of what you’d do with it even if you don’t have a green thumb. You don’t need to be a landscape architect to develop an attractive look, just some elbow grease, determination, and a clear idea of what you want.

Bathroom Upgrades

Bathrooms can be tricky when it comes to DIY. If you’re looking at a complete overhaul that involves your plumbing, you might be better off going with a professional contractor. However, there are some things you can do to dress up your bathroom without having to tear into the walls and reroute pipes. It’s amazing how much new faucet, shower head, lighting fixtures, and towel bars can do to make a bathroom look shiny and new. If you’re looking for something a bit more ambitious, you can upgrade your look by putting in a new vanity.

DIY projects are great opportunities to put a distinctive mark on your new home. Always seek advice and information before beginning an upgrade so you know what you’re getting into. Never be afraid to hand it over to a professional if you think you might be in over your head.

7 Tips to Make Your Kitchen look Stunning

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If you are not thinking for a kitchen revamp you can find some easy and cost-effective methods to get your kitchen both functional and stylish. To start the renovation, then you also must check too, some touches which are organizing and making the area operational and homey. We’re pointing out eight tips you can use to work to your kitchen to create it brighter and more delightful.

Update hardware

Hardware can completely alter the look of a bit of furniture, and you also may do precisely the same for your cabinets. Replace cabinet and drawer pulls to receive yourself a fresh and one of a kind looks that updates your location.

Add Pattern Inside the Cabinets

To bring some personality to your kitchen, go on, and insert wallpaper on the unexpected spots. Again, desktop wallpaper that is removable makes the installation relatively simple, and you also always have the choice to switch it out whenever you want a shift. For those who have a budget and a distaste for that spacious shelving look, think about art or decorating the cabinets. It’s less expensive than buying new ones. Plus, the total look of the whole kitchen impacts of one. Do not wash them with some other colors which can be strange and avert tones primarily.

Use Soft Color Themes

The Shade on the cabinets and walls brightens a space making it seem in turn and spacious wealthy. Light colors echo light and maintain a multitude of objects, for example, dings, scrapes, and dents on your cabinets. A small space leaves it more inviting and shrinks. Use shades on light and kitchen cabinets to expand a space.

Use Suction Hooks in Kitchen

Add a suction hook anywhere you will need an extra spot to store oven mitts, a dish towel, or spatulas. The most useful part is that means it can adjust them as needed, and they’re easy to remove and re position.

Change lighting

Pendants and chandeliers are the accessories adjust the mood of this room, although maybe not merely to brighten your kitchen. Standard lights that arrive from domiciles and rentals are typical uniform. Mix them up and supply an element or a few personalities to the area in your residence.

Hide things for more space

Countertops may suffer from plenty of marks and scratches. Although you have worn countertops usually do not need the budget to find a creative method to pay for their flaws. Insert a component like a board, hide appliances, or apply a new coat of paint. Nothing brings a place than jumble. Keep your counter space clear of devices such as toasters, blenders, and coffee containers. They are simple enough for those who would like to make utilize of them to carry out.

Design Wider Walkways

Paths throughout the kitchen ought to be 36 inches wide. Walk ways within the corner needs to be 42 inches wide for a kitchen and 4-8 inches wide to get a two-cook configuration. If planning Fix kitchen islands and peninsulas appropriately.

Author Bio: With her passion for making interior and exterior attractive in steel buildings of all sorts, Perry is a trusted author, bringing up new ideas in creating unique styled buildings. She has studied ‘Decoration with different Construction and Non-construction materials’ and worked with some leading steel building manufacturers and suppliers.

How to Settle Into a New City in 5 Steps

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Moving to a new city is bittersweet. You have a job to look forward to and a city to explore, but your friends and family are many miles away. It’s exciting and overwhelming all at once, and you can’t wait to start feeling at home in your new town. But first, there’s work to do.

These five steps will take you from a house full of boxes to a place you’re proud to call home.

Don’t put off unpacking

Decorating a new space is one of the best parts of moving. But unpacking box after box of dishes, linens, and office supplies? Not as fun. As tempting as it is to put off unpacking, deal with it while you still have momentum from moving. This is easiest if you labeled your boxes and packed according to priority level — if you’re reading this before moving, take note!

Unpack these high-priority items first:

  • Pots and pans, dishes, and other kitchenwares.
  • Bedding, dish towels, and bath towels.
  • Toiletries and cleaning supplies.
  • Tools.
  • Electronics and chargers.
  • Pet supplies.
  • Clothing.

With the essentials unpacked, you can stop living out of suitcases and subsisting on take-out. But don’t stop yet: With the important stuff in its place, start deciding where to put low-priority items like seasonal decorations and recreational equipment.

Make it your own

On to the fun stuff: arranging and decorating your blank slate of a home. Start with the basics, like placing furniture to create traffic flow and hanging your favorite art. After you’ve gotten to know your home’s quirks, you’ll have a clearer vision for how you’d like to change it, whether buying new furniture, repainting, adding shelves and lighting, or a little bit of everything.

Get to know your neighborhood

Now that you’ve made your new house a home, it’s time to venture outside your four walls and explore the neighborhood. Say hello to neighbors you see (or knock on their doors if you’re feeling brave), scope out the local green spaces, and find the closest coffee shop and grocery store.

If you have kids, include them in the introductions. A new neighborhood is a big, scary place for small kids, but you can ease the transition by venturing outdoors with your children and connecting them with local activities and play groups.

Help pets settle in

It’s not only humans who feel a little nervous in a new town. Your dog or cat is likely to exhibit post-move anxiety too, but you can help pets settle in by maintaining routines and spending extra time with them. Pets may be extra clingy after a move, but with care and attention, they’ll accept the new place as home. Start exploring the neighborhood with your pup right away and look for local dog parks where he can exercise. Once he’s in the park, keep a close eye on him and how he’s interacting with other dogs. If you notice signs of anxiousness or other dogs being aggressive, it may be time to take him home.

Contact these services ASAP

You’re almost done, but first, make these essential connections in your new town:

  1. Your car insurance company: Most states give 30 days to update your car’s registration, but in order to register, you’ll need proof of in-state insurance. If you’re new to the state, familiarize yourself with its minimum coverage requirements, then shop for a policy — obviously, there are a lot of car insurance options, so shop around to find what works for your lifestyle and budget. Depending on where you’re moving from, you may pay less for the same level of coverage.
  2. A primary care physician: Instead of waiting until someone gets sick, find a doctor in your health insurance network, and schedule new patient visits ASAP.
  3. A veterinarian: The same advice applies if your pet needs a doctor. The AVMA explains how to find a new veterinarian.
  4. A babysitter: A good babysitter is worth their weight in gold. Give yourself plenty of time to find a sitter you trust by starting your search now.
  5. A handyman or handywoman: You can count on discovering at least a few minor problems when moving into a new house. Ask your new neighbors for recommendations — it’s a great way to break the ice!

There’s no shortage of things to do when you move to a new town, and it’s not over once you’ve taken these steps. Expect to spend a year settling into the new location before it starts feeling like home. That may sound like a lot of time, but in a new city, you’ll have no trouble finding things to do!

Image via Rawpixel

If you came across this article before you moved, or if you rented first but now ready to buy a home, give Alex Galitsky a call 407-284-1213 and he can help you every step of the way. From getting pre-approved and finding a mortgage with best rates and terms , to finding that perfect home and negotiating a great deal. To Learn more about Alex, visit http://TopOrlandoRealty.com

How to Prepare Your Home for Natural Disasters

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Palm Tree Blowing in the wind

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, over 80% of Americans live in places that were hit by a weather-related disasters. If you’re a homeowner in the greater Orlando area, weather phenomena such as Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, and floods could all be damaging to your home and livelihood. As homeowners, it is critical to not only prepare your home, but your family for potential disasters. Don’t know where to start? Consider implementing the below emergency preparedness tips to keep your home and your family safe this year.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes have wreaked havoc up and down the east coast for decades, leaving home owners wondering how they can protect their property. Protecting your home against shocking wind speeds, rain, and storm surges can seem like a daunting task, but with these tips you will be ready for your home to face the storm.

How to Guard Your Home

There are a lot of ways that you can limit the damage that a hurricane can cause. An effective tip is to clear out gutters so that water can move more easily away from your home heavy rain downpours.

Next, it is important to strap down your roof with using hurricane straps to help support the structural integrity of the property. Give your exterior doors an extra boost of protection by having bolt locks at the top and bottom of the door so that extreme winds have a harder time knocking it down.

Protect your home from glass breakage by investing in storm shutters, or if you’re on a budget, you can make your own by cutting plywood in the shape of each window that is five-eighths of an inch thick or more. For the rest of the home, the most important aspect is to make sure the building is up to date and structurally sound.

Floods

Flooding is one of the costliest and common weather disasters in the United States and can happen almost anywhere. These tips will help you to minimize your risk of this natural disaster having serious implications on your home.

How to Guard Your Home

According to the Federal Emergency Agency, just one inch of flood water can cause over $25,000 in damage from mold and destruction. With floods having the ability to cause such expensive damages, it is important to invest in a flood insurance program because most homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover water damages.

Next, it is important to safeguard your electrical outlets and appliances. Switches, plugs, and circuits should be at least a foot above possible flood levels, and appliances should be moved above the ground floor.

It is important to keep your water valves up to date and inspected regularly. If these get backed up with water, it can cause sewage to back up into the house. The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes recommends investing in gate valves that have a stronger seal and can be operated by hand to minimize chances of that happening.

Fires

Whether you live near a forest or in a suburban neighborhood, your home could be at risk of an uncontrolled fire. This can leave devastation to homes, but these tips will help keep your family safe.

How to Guard Your Home

According to the Red Cross, it is important to have fire alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Make sure that you test them monthly and replace them every year.

It is also important to remove any fire hazards, such as candles, from common sleep areas. This will decrease your chances of a fire starting in your home.

In the event of a fire, it is most important to have emergency kits in every bedroom in case one starts in the night. This guide outlines how to prepare each bedroom (especially a child’s room) with the necessary equipment. Every bedroom should have flashlights, emergency ladders, blankets, cash, shoes, and any other supplies that you would need when exiting quickly.

The idea of a natural disaster causing destruction to your home can seem hard to grasp at times, but with these tips you can help protect your home against irreversible damage. It is better to prepare now than wish you had later!

5 reasons to list a home for sale this spring

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NEW YORK – March 25, 2019 – Here are five reasons to list a home this spring:

1.Demand is strong
The latest Buyer Traffic Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer demand remains strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing and able to purchase … and are in the market right now! More often than not, in many areas of the country, multiple buyers are competing with each other to buy the same home. Take advantage of the buyer activity currently in the market.

2.There is less competition now
Housing inventory is still under the 6-month supply that is needed for a normal housing market. This means that, in the majority of the country, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers in the market. Historically, the average number of years a homeowner stayed in his or her home was six, but that number has hovered between nine and 10 years since 2011. There is a pent-up desire for many homeowners to move as they were unable to sell over the last few years due to a negative equity situation. As home values continue to appreciate, more and more homeowners will be given the freedom to move. Many homeowners were reluctant to list their home over the last couple years, for fear that they would not find a home to move in to. That is all changing now as more homes come to market at the higher end. The choices buyers have will continue to increase. Don’t wait until this other inventory comes to market before you decide to sell.

3.The process will be quicker
Today’s competitive environment has forced buyers to do all they can to stand out from the crowd, including getting pre-approved for their mortgage financing. This makes the entire selling process much faster and much simpler as buyers know exactly what they can afford before home shopping. According to Ellie Mae’s latest Origination Insights Report, the time needed to close a loan is 49 days.

4.There will never be a better time to move up
If your next move will be into a premium or luxury home, now is the time to move up! The inventory of homes for sale at these higher price ranges has forced these markets into a buyer’s market. This means that if you are planning on selling a starter or trade-up home, your home will sell quickly and you’ll be able to find a premium home to call your own! Prices are projected to appreciate by 4.6 percent over the next year according to CoreLogic. If you are moving to a higher-priced home, it will wind up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait.

5.It’s time to move on with your life
Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and determine whether it is worth waiting. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than your health? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should? Only you know the answers to the questions above. You have the power to take control of the situation by putting your home on the market. Perhaps the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what is truly important.

Copyright © 2019 Rockville Centre Herald, Richner Communications Inc. dba Herald Community Newspapers; Rich McQuillan. All rights reserved.

What to do next…

To get a free Home Evaluation, to connect with an experienced and Top Realtor, or to just download a FREE Report titled “How to sell your house for Top Dollar Fast” visit https://toporlandorealty.com/sellers