10 Things Every Home Needs This Fall: Do You Have Them All?

By Liz Alterman | Sep 20, 2019

As autumn arrives, with its cooler weather and early sunsets, chances are you'll be spending more time indoors. With that in mind, why not make your surroundings as warm and inviting as possible?

Whether you're entertaining or cozying up with a good book, fall should be all about the comforts of home. Check out these furnishings and fun decor finds that are sure to make hanging out indoors a lot more tolerable. Read more>>

Orlando home sales rebound in time for the first day of school

Orlando home sales saw a healthy rebound in July, just in time for families to be settled into their new homes for the start of the school year. The number of transactions improved by 7% compared to July of 2018 and by 6% compared to last month. 

“The jump in sales shows that homebuyers are eager to take advantage of Orlando’s favorable market conditions such as falling interest rates and stable increases in median price,” says Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association President Jeffrey M. Fagan, Watson Realty Corp. “The additional inventory that’s become available over the past months has benefitted sales as well, although those seeking homes in the affordable price ranges are still

Greet family and friends with a welcoming front porch that's designed for soaking up those long summer days and nights.

Bring the Party Around Front -- Who says the backyard has a monopoly on entertaining? This porch proves that summer gatherings belong in the front, too. With one side dedicated to grilling and a bar cart full of cocktail and drink essentials, the other end combines comfy chairs and a swing for an intimate conversation spot. An explosion of color and texture, this entryway combines shades of navy, coral and rustic brick red, all defined by cream-colored trim. Read more>>

Published Thursday, June 27, 2019

Folks with an entrepreneurial streak will be pleased to learn that Orlando has been named country's #1 best large city to start a business by WalletHub.

The study compared the relative startup opportunities that exist in 100 U.S. cities using 19 key metrics, ranging from five-year business-survival rate to office-space affordability, across three categories:

Business environment; Access to resources; and Business cost.

Our City Beautiful scored #6 for business environment; #17 for business costs; and #50 for access to resources to earn it the #1 overall rank over second and third place finishers Oklahoma City and Miami, respectively. Read more>>

Orlando's sales head up as summer homebuying season kicks in!

Encouraged by continued low interest rates and a favorable economy that is drawing droves of new residents to Orlando, area homebuyers pushed sales into positive territory for the month of May. Home sales jumped by nearly 11 percent compared to May 2018, which is the first year-over-year increase in 2019.

The improvement can be attributed to factors such as the slower rate of price increases and mortgage rates that are not only holding steady but even dropping a bit.

Some places have certain attributes that make it a paradise for some, yet not a great fit for others. Personal preferences aside, where you are in your life impacts where you should live, as each generation has different needs when it comes to local amenities. What’s best for Millennials isn’t always what’s best for Baby Boomers.

We took a look at the unique factors inherent to each generation and found the best cities for each age group to live in the United States. Read more>>

Orlando's median home price and inventory rise while sales decline in February

The Orlando housing market saw its median price continue a years-long upward trek with an economically healthy 3 percent year-over-year increase in February. Sales again dipped a fraction and inventory increased for the fourth consecutive month, just in time for the start of Orlando's homebuying season. Read more>>

Dan DiClerico

When real estate prices were soaring and the cost of building materials was holding steady, practically any well-planned home improvement project would add value to your home. In recent months, however, the housing market has started to soften and tariffs are driving up the cost of lumber, steel, and other construction materials. That means homeowners need to be more judicious in their choice of upgrades to get the best return on the investment. Read more>>

The just-released Remodeling 2019 Cost vs. Value Report is one of the best tools for targeting remodeling projects with maximum bang for the buck.

Orlando inventory jumps 8 percent as sales slip 14 percent and median price hangs tight

The Orlando housing market in January saw its third consecutive month of year-over-year increases in the number of homes available for purchase, along with a slide in sales and a holding steady of the median price.

Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association President Jeffrey M. Fagan, Watson Realty Corp., explains that the expanded inventory is advantageous to prospective buyers, particularly those interested in purchasing condos. 

“Our condo inventory rose by 26 percent last month, and this home type is an excellent option for those seeking entry into homeownership as a relief from Orlando’s soaring rental rates,” says Fagan. “Condos also tend to be cheaper than

White is the top pick for counters and backsplashes, and gray is the most popular color for walls, a Houzz study reveals

Erin Carlyle January 27, 2019

Many homeowners are choosing hardworking materials and neutral color palettes for their renovated kitchens, according to the 2019 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. Quartz counters have overtaken natural stone as the top choice for upgraded counters, and engineered materials are now ahead of traditional hardwood for floors, the study shows. Read on>> to find out about top kitchen renovation trends for counters and backsplashes, as well as floors, appliances and walls.