Real estate and the empty-nester: from downsizing to rightsizing
Graduation season is a familiar rite of passage for teens and young adults. For their parents, it can signal a new phase of life as empty nesters - and new opportunities to buy or sell a home. Becoming an empty nester stirs a range of emotions. On the one hand, it can be sad to watch your children, whom you’ve spent almost two decades raising, head off to college or the workforce, maybe even start their own families. Your home, once filled with the sounds of screaming toddlers, birthday parties and family dinners around the table, suddenly feels different. Many empty nesters go from having four- to five-bedroom houses, to realizing that with the newfound empty space, they’d prefer a three-bedroom condo or villa, which can be a struggle to come to terms with. But consider this not a step down – it’s a step into a new lifestyle. Major life transitions bring along key considerations. Keep reading to learn more about the empty-nester approach to real estate, whether buying or selling a home. Key Consideration #1: Size One of the main reasons that empty nesters move into a new home is downsizing. Once the kids are out, parents realize how much space they really have, and oftentimes, it’s more than they need. A couple used to living in a four-bedroom, four-bathroom house with a big yard in the suburbs may only need a two bed, one-bath condo. Most of the time, empty nesters flock toward smaller properties and a move-in ready experience. You don’t want to go through a remodel as an empty nester. Also, parents want office space fit for their work-from-home schedules or late-night travel planning. Typically, empty nesters look for homes with two to three bedrooms and a den. VIEW CONDO LISTINGS Key Consideration #2: Location Now, the ideal location is no longer surrounded by good school districts, extracurricular activities, or the kids’ piano teacher. Instead, access to amenities is important. For empty nesters, consider the lifestyle that you want to live with your copious amounts of free time. Do you want to spend your evenings on the boat, your mornings at the pickleball or tennis courts, or your afternoons catching up with friends at golf? Seek out homes close to recreational spaces, grocery stores, restaurants and social opportunities. Southwest Florida is the resort capital of the world, with plenty of locations and spaces that will fit your needs when it comes to proximity to your favorite activities. What does your lifestyle look like? That's the million-dollar question. VIEW AMENITY-RICH LISTINGS Key Consideration #3: Move-in Ready As an empty nester looking to sell, you need to understand how to prepare your home for the next bustling family. If you’re planning to sell your home, there are a few things to consider before putting it on the market. One of the best investments a seller can make is to update/modernize an older property in need of some TLC. Brush on a fresh coat of paint, replace outdated appliances, swap out those old curtains or blinds and have the carpet replaced or professionally cleaned. The investment at the front-end should more than pay for itself through increased value. Instead of leaving up the themed paint colors in your kids’ rooms, take them down to a natural color. Another family is going to come in, and if they can’t see themselves moving in, it’s hard for them to pick that home. VIEW MOVE-IN READY LISTINGS Need a trusted real estate agent? Contact Aprile Osborne, chief vision officer of Call it Closed International Realty, at 239-220-8607.
Transatlantic trends: this summer, prepare your home for European buyers
By Aprile Osborne It’s hard to believe, but the rising temperatures and even sunnier Southwest Florida skies mean that summer is right around the corner. With more free time for beach strolls and boating excursions comes an influx of global travelers looking to get their fix of paradise. While everyone loves Florida, the summer months are particularly popular for extended stays among Europeans on “holiday.” Their arrival not only broadens the cultural landscape, but it also boosts our local economy tremendously. In Collier County, tourism officials counted 123,000 visits by Europeans in 2023. That’s close to a 33% increase from the previous year, which indicates a strong bounce back from several years of decline after COVID-19. I recently returned from a trip to London, where Call It Closed International Realty has expanded its services after several years of interest from European buyers. During my stay, I had a chance to observe the differences between our sides of the world. In London, locals told me that they tend to only see the sun three to four months out of the year, a striking contrast from the reality of a Southwest Floridian, who sees the sun year-round, give or take a few rainy seasons. It explains the desire and love for Florida; when Europeans are here, they want to soak up the sun on the beach, on the water or by the pool. This raises an important question: are overseas visitors interested in living here full-time, or are they just looking for their next vacation home? Summer Sales Tip No. 1: Know Your Buyers Many Europeans don’t just come to America to visit, but in search of a future home. Their house hunting journeys can also differ from our domestic buyers – so prospective sellers, take note. Contrary to many Americans who may desire a customizable “fixer-upper,” European buyers generally desire a clean home. That doesn’t just mean a house that’s been mopped and dusted – rather, it means that these buyers want a home that’s 100% move-in ready. This is important to our friends across the pond, whose cell-phone contacts don’t include the numbers of painters, electricians, repair crews and other skilled trade workers in Southwest Florida. They want to move into a home and feel at ease knowing that all repairs are done and there’s nothing left on their plate. When it comes to appealing to buyers from overseas, here’s what I tell clients looking to sell: take the initiative and pay for a pre-inspection of the home before putting it on the market, so that we can show prospective purchasers that we have a clean inspection report and that the home has no issues. The last thing a buyer wants is to move across the Atlantic to their new home, only to find an array of issues that they now need to figure out how to handle in a new country. During a pre-inspection, your home will be assessed to make sure there are no signs of deterioration and that critical aspects of the home are secure and functional, including the exterior and structure of the home, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC systems, insulation and attic. After the inspection, the seller will receive a report with notes from the inspector. From there, the seller can repair any issues in the home before putting it on the market. VIEW MOVE-IN READY LISTINGS Summer Sales Tip No. 2: Know Your Location Many Europeans want to live full-time in Southwest Florida, but others would rather enjoy their slice of paradise strictly on a summer getaway. In Collier County alone, more than 20,000 Europeans visited each month last summer. For overseas visitors who aren’t quite at the stage of making America their forever home, they may opt to lease out their vacation home in Florida as a long- or short-term rental during the months they remain overseas. Even with extended summer breaks lasting several months, that still leaves nine or 10 months to rent their home out when it’s otherwise not being used, including during the most-desirable winter months. This is also a great way for the value of said home to appreciate, which can be beneficial when it comes time to sell. One note: make sure that your neighborhood or homeowners association is renter-friendly. In many HOAs, converting your place into an Airbnb – or even opting for long-term rentals - is not allowed, so check with your real estate agent on locations and their rules. VIEW RENTAL LISTINGS If you’re looking to sell, get with a good real estate agent who knows the ins and outs of the areas where you are interested in buying or selling; they can make all the difference in your house hunting – or selling – journey. Need a trusted real estate agent? Contact Aprile Osborne, chief vision officer of Call it Closed International Realty, at 239-220-8607.
Thinking about selling your home? Check out 2024’s must-have features
When buying your dream home, there are several aspects to take into consideration. For a family of five, maybe their biggest concern is the number of bedrooms or bathrooms. For a young couple with a large circle of friends, perhaps they’re seeking a space with ample room for entertainment and hosting. Most buyers are familiar with the basics of property listings and house hunting, like square footage, gas versus electric appliances or the difference between a full and a half bathroom. But when it comes to standing out in a crowded real estate market, which we’re seeing now more than ever, it often comes down to a must-have feature. So, what are some of those must-have features, the unique and practical ways to set your house apart from the rest? What makes your home different? Is it a high-tech kitchen, or a hidden pantry? Maybe it’s a pool with an adjacent putting green. In 2024, unique home features are more attractive than ever. Here are some of the most desirable ones to make your Southwest Florida residence stand out. Take a plunge We’ve seen it all over the internet – the “cold plunge” is an ongoing trend among people of all walks of life, but primarily athletes and fitness enthusiasts. The process is simple: fill a tub with ice cold water and ice cubes and submerge yourself to receive optimal health benefits. As the cold plunge carves a path for itself, more and more individuals are purchasing outdoor barrels and plunge tubs. As a seller, consider implementing one in your backyard or lanai, especially to attract younger buyers. Cold plunge tubs are available across the internet at a range of prices. These also pair well with home gyms, which can be easily assembled. The great thing about home gyms or workout rooms is that bigger isn’t always better. Get a set of barbells, a treadmill or stationary bike and a few floor mats, and voila, you have a home gym. It also doesn’t require an addition or new construction; you can convert an existing space, like an extra bedroom. Create a backyard rainforest Another way to enhance your outdoor space is to add an outdoor garden shower, particularly if your house has a pool. Outdoor garden showers are complete with ample privacy and lush greenery, and they make the transition from pool to house a breeze. Typically, getting out of the pool is a dreaded task, as it comes with the striking breeze of Florida air, coupled with the flash of frigid air once inside, but an outdoor shower makes that easier. Also, outdoor showers are great for families with dogs and little ones, both of which are known to be a tad messy. Rinsing off outside keeps the mess outside, and not inside on your floors and carpets. They can also be convenient for those who live on or near the beach. Lose the sand outside, not inside. Enhance the shower with beautiful flora and stones to make it not just practical, but gorgeous. VIEW BEACHFRONT LISTINGS Mancaves, but with a twist Just as they have been for decades, mancaves are still as popular as ever. Recently, though, a different approach has been taken to mancaves – the concept of a cigar room. I just recently showed a house that had a cigar room in the living space, and it had a classy, old English vibe to it. The traditional mancave is just as popular, though sellers should be warned to stray away from using the garage as the prime space. Garages still exist to serve their primary function: a place to park your car. So, while that man cave may work out great for your husband, it could be a detriment (if not a dealbreaker) when it’s time to put your place on the market. Goodbye, makeshift desk Today, as work from home and hybrid work structures are increasingly popular, one of the most in-demand home features is a home office. When implementing a home office, think about the logistics. Does the workspace have access to natural light and fresh air? Is it free from distractions, like your neighbor walking their dog or doing yardwork? VIEW LISTINGS WITH HOME OFFICES Want to take the next step? Go to Pinterest or Instagram and find an idea that speaks to you. While making additions to your home is a great way to attract buyers, the key is to keep it modern, and not go to an extreme. Extraordinary home additions can be overwhelming to a new buyer, so try to keep your home improvements low-key, while still making them great. Need a trusted real estate agent? Contact Aprile Osborne, chief vision officer of Call it Closed International Realty, at 239-220-8607.
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