Faye Fletcher - Realtor

🏊 Are you new to pool ownership?

✨ Here’s how to keep it clean and safe to use so you can enjoy it regularly.

1. Skim The Pool Regularly.
Depending on how much debris falls into your pool, you’ll want to skim it regularly to remove anything floating on its surface.

2. Brush And Vacuum As Needed.
How often you should brush the sides of your pool and vacuum it depends on how much debris falls into the water.

3. Test The Water.
Pool water needs to be tested to check for chemical imbalances. This should be done at least 2-3 times a week or more if the pool is used frequently.

4. A Final Word About Pool Pumps
The pump keeps the water in the pool flowing constantly to discourage algae growth while the filter removes dirt, leaves, and other debris from the water.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

mkt.homes

🛏️ Are you looking to make your bedroom a more calming space? If so, keep reading to find several easy ways to detoxify your space.

1. Clean With Lemon Juice
Try squeezing fresh lemon juice into a spray bottle and diluting it with water to create a cleaning solution that’s naturally antibacterial and leaves a fresh scent behind.

2. Invest In Red Lighting
Try replacing your room’s regular white lightbulb with a red one or hang some red LEDs in your room to turn it on when you turn out the lights.

3. Hang A Plant
Plants not only brighten up a space but also help detoxify the air and lower anxiety.

4. Leave Technology Out
Rather than scroll through Facebook before bed, try reading a book instead. Also, switch out your phone’s alarm clock feature for a manual solar-powered alarm clock instead to make your bedroom a sleep sanctuary.

5. Introduce Lavender Into The Space
You have many options for introducing lavender into your bedrooms such as a lavender-infused sleep mask, soy lavender-scented candles, or even lavender pillow spray.

6. Revamp With Voc-free Paint
While this kind of paint can be more pricey than regular paint, it won’t release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air in your bedroom.

7. Choose The Right Colors
Without a doubt, the best color for a bedroom is blue. Use varying shades of blue to decorate your bedroom to create a calming, relaxing space conducive to a better night’s sleep.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

Simple Ways To Detox Your Bedroom Faye Fletcher

🏡 Age is just a number, which holds true for many things – your house included.

✨ Here are several ideas to make it look newer.

1. Make A Good Impression
First impressions are everything, so make your home’s entryway shine.

2. Touch Up Exterior Paint
Take a walk around the outside of your home and touch up any areas that show signs of wear in the paint.

3. Trim The Hedges
Trimming the hedges is the easiest way to give your home a fresh, new look, and it helps the plants thrive and be healthy.

4. Enhance Your Front Porch
If you have a front porch, try adding some symmetry to it by placing potted plants on both sides of the door.

5. Keep The Walkway Clean
Keep these areas clean of debris and stains by sweeping regularly and using cat litter and dish soap to remove any oil stains left by parked cars.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

How to Make Your House Look Younger Faye Fletcher

🏘️ Thinking of getting into real estate investing?

💰 Here are four unexpected ways to increase your profits.

3 Unexpected Ways To Make Money From Real Estate

1. The multi-family unit. Renting out a portion of your home could very well allow you to live mortgage-free once you factor in the rental income you receive from your new tenant.

2. Storage space. Be sure to check the prices of other storage providers in the area so you can set your lower and draw up a contract that relieves you of liability

3. Vacations rentals. Renting out this prime real estate will increase your bottom line in no time.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

3 Unexpected Ways To Make Money From Real Estate Faye Fletcher

💚 Looking to live a greener life?

🌳 Here are several green cleaning tips that will make your chores eco-friendlier.

1. Read Labels
Cleaners that are eco-friendly exhibit the Green Seal or ECOLOGO, so you know you’re buying a product that’s safe for you, your family, your pets, and the planet.

2. Do Away With Disposable
Washable cloths and stiff-bristled scrub brushes save money and don’t have such a huge carbon footprint as disposable products do.

3. Make Your Own Cleaning Products
If you’re ready to take your greener cleaning routine to another level, try mixing your own cleaning solutions rather than buying them. This way, you’ll know exactly what’s in them and what’s not.

4. Think About Laundry Differently
Rather than use artificial fabric softeners in your laundry, stock up on wool dryer balls instead. These magical balls decrease drying times and make clothes super soft and static-free.

5. Say “no” To Scents
If you want that fresh, just-cleaned smell when you clean, use more lemons in your cleaning routine or add essential oils to your homemade cleaning solutions.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

5 Simple Green Cleaning Tips Faye Fletcher

📺 Thinking about getting a new TV for your living room?

👉 Here are a few decorating aspects to consider when the TV is the focal point of any room.

1. The Size
Your new TV will likely be larger than the current one. You’ll need to make accommodations for the new TV.

2. Frequency Of Use
If you use it on a daily basis, you’ll want to display it in a way that makes it easy and convenient to use. If you only turn it on once in a while, you may want to choose options that minimize or hide its appearance.

3. Its Location In The Room
Be sure your new TV’s placement is within a comfortable line of sight for most seating options in the room.

4. The Lighting
Certain lighting can glare on larger TV screens, so it’s a good idea to have multiple lighting sources that are adjustable.

5. Cables And Cords
Unsightly cables and electrical cords can ruin the look of any room. You could choose one of the many cord management systems available for purchase rather than opting for twist ties or cable ties, which can be unsightly.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

How to Decorate a Room when the TV is the Focal Point Faye Fletcher

🕓 Everyone could use an escape from reality from time to time, and reading is a great way to get it.

📖 If you love reading, here are a few steps to creating the perfect reading nook in your home.

Step 1 – Look For The Right Space

To begin the perfect reading nook, look for a space that’s out of the way and quiet. Consider the attic, basement, or even the end of a vacant hallway for inspiration.

Step 2 – Locate The Perfect Seating

Comfort is a must when reading. Look for the perfect place to sit – whether it be a chair, a sofa, or even the floor covered in pillows.

Step 3 – Consider The Extras

If you prefer reading traditional paper books, you’ll want to include a bookcase to store your favorite novels. On the other hand, if you like to read on an electronic device, you’ll want to include a place to store and charge your device.

Step 4 – A Light Source

Whether you read from a book or on an electronic device, lighting is important to reduce eye strain. If your nook has enough room, a table lamp atop an end table looks nice.

Step 5 – Make It A Treat For The Senses

Add a soft rug and throw that is a joy to touch and be sure to have a cup of your favorite drink nearby to help you relax and enjoy your time reading.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

Love Reading? Here Faye Fletcher

💸 Short sale real estate transactions can be a great option for investors.

🤔 Here’s what you should know about buying a short sale home.

Keep These Things In Mind When Dealing With A Short Sale

1. Know your facts. Take some time to review the current real estate market and all the financials pertaining to the property.

2. Stage short sales. While short sales seem to be acts of desperation sometimes, it doesn’t mean you can sell your property in any old condition.

3. Be prepared for difficult negotiations. Be prepared to haggle back and forth a little before striking a deal on a short sale.

4. Short sale doesn’t mean poor quality. Just because someone is selling their property on a short sale doesn’t mean it is of poor quality, has some major defect, or is less than in some way.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

4 Things You Should Know About Buying A Short Sale Home Faye Fletcher

✨ Think a model home would be the perfect investment? Model homes present a tempting prospect from an investing standpoint. They come with loads of amenities and are beautifully decorated.

🏠 While this is true, there are a few negatives that many don’t realize.

Pros:
1. No expense is too great for a model home
2. Model homes are pre-furnished
3. Model homes require very few settling repairs.

Cons:
1. Model homes are built for show
2. Model homes are inconveniently located
3. Model homes are not new.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

3 Pros And Cons Of Investing In A Model Home Faye Fletcher

🏘️ 4 types of real estate properties you should consider when investing in real estate.

When looking to invest in real estate, it’s important to consider the type of property before you buy.

1. Office properties. Office properties tend to be located in busy, downtown or suburban industrial parks, they are in high demand.

2. Retail properties. When investing in a retail property, it’s best to look at areas where the economy is growing, and retail sales are high.

3. Industrial properties. These properties require a smaller investment and management commitment and have lower operating costs.

4. Residential properties (multi-family) for the most stable real estate investment, multi-family residential properties are best. This is because no matter how the economy is doing, people still need a place to live.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

4 Types Of Real Estate Properties You Can Invest In Faye Fletcher

📦 Moving to a new home? Here are a few things you should do to it before moving in.

💡 Electrical
🔧 Plumbing
❄️ Heating and Cooling
🔑 Security

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

Services You Should Get Before Moving In Faye Fletcher

🏠 If your home’s walls are closing in on you, it’s time to give it a morale boost.

😀 Here are several tips for making your home a happier place.

1. Designate Space For Individual Activities
One way to create a better work-life balance at home is to designate space for each individual activity. If you live in a studio apartment, use bookshelves, curtains, etc. to divide the space into separate areas.

2. Invigorate With Color
For something that goes with everything, try a cool neutral color on all the walls. If you’re looking for something more vibrant, opt for a pop of color on a single feature wall.

3. Clean And Declutter
Getting rid of clutter can reduce stress, so taking some time to clean and declutter your home will automatically make it a happier place.

4. Reduce Digital Time
Make supper time “no-phone” time or ban all digital devices from the bedroom for a daily reset to rejuvenate your mental health and rekindle those relationships that mean the most to you.

5. Embrace The Power Of Scents
There are many ways to infuse a room with scent: diffusers, candles, plug-ins, etc. so choose one that adds the level of scent you desire.

6. Let There Be Light
Natural lighting enhances the look and feel of any room. If your home seems dark, try opening window treatments to allow light in.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

6 Tips to Make Your Home a Happier Place Faye Fletcher

🌇 Invest in the surrounding neighbourhood, not just the properties themselves

As a landlord, you have an obligation to maintain and contribute to the upkeep of your investment property. Here are five ways you can invest in the surrounding neighbourhood.

1. Do your part to support neighbourhood watch programs
You can encourage your tenants to become active members, and contribute physically (if you can) and financially to the cause.

2. Sponsor local youth programs
If you have long-term goals as a landlord, you need to do your part to support the youth in the surrounding community.

3. Take to social media
As a landlord, it’s your job to encourage your neighbours and share the news that affects them most.

4. Take care of your front yard
How your property looks to others is almost as important as the amenities you offer inside.

5. Don’t ignore neglect
Even if it’s just a burnt-out street light or an overgrown lawn, make sure it’s taken care of so the rest of the neighbourhood doesn’t follow suit.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

5 Ways To Build Equity By Investing In Your Neighborhood Faye Fletcher

☀️ Skylights are one of those upgrades you should definitely consider installing in your home.

✨ Here’s why!

1. Natural Lighting
An abundance of natural lighting in a home has been shown to elevate mood and improve ambiance, so obviously, the bigger the skylight, the better.

2. Increased Ventilation
If you have windows in the room as well, opening the skylight and the windows will pull fresh air through the space and improve the air quality naturally.

3. Skylights Are Beautiful
Rain or shine, skylights are a beautiful addition to any room.

4. Eco-friendly And Money Savings
There will be less of a need to turn lights on during the day, and even on hot days, you won’t need to run the air conditioning as much.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

4 Reasons Why Skylights are a Good Upgrade Faye Fletcher

🍎 Right behind housing and transportation, buying food costs more than anything else in the average household’s budget.

👇 There are ways to save a buck or two when shopping for groceries, and you can do so without having to go without. Let’s take a look.

1. Create A Budget That Works

You can create a budget that works for you by keeping a couple of weeks’ worth of receipts and tallying up their totals. The goal is to get the things you need and those that are the most important to you while leaving the unnecessary things behind in order to save money.

2. Use Coupons

It goes without saying that coupons save you money. On the whole, they are well worth the time it takes to print them out, clip them out or otherwise load them to a store gift card.

3. Shop Clearance Items

Rather than lose money, stores mark these items down for fast sale. There’s really no issue with buying these items, especially if you plan to use them right away or freeze them. Of course, should you get something that doesn’t taste right, most stores will issue a refund – no questions asked.

4. Go Meatless

Meat is one of the most expensive items consumers buy in terms of groceries. With this being said, it will help shave some pennies off your grocery bill if you go meatless just one night a week.

5. Place Grocery Money In An Envelope

At the beginning of the month or week, put the money you plan to spend on groceries in an envelope. Take that, and only that, to the store to shop. Leave your debit and credit cards at home.

6. Shop More Than One Store

While this just sounds time consuming, shopping in more than one store for the best deals is smart. If you do it right, you can hit all the stores that have the best deals on the things you want to buy. The best way to go about this is with strategic planning.

7. Don’t Take For Granted That “generic” Is Cheaper

If there is more than one grocery store in the area, there may be in-store specials on brand name items that make them cheaper than the generic versions. It pays to comparison shop.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

7 Ways To Lower Your Grocery Bill Faye Fletcher

🏡 Rural homes are often associated with a laid-back type of lifestyle – a place to escape the hustle and bustle of urban living and see the stars at night.

🌾 As perfect as it sounds, rural living isn’t for everyone. Here are a few pros and cons to consider if you’re thinking of buying a home in the country.

Fewer People Means Fewer Public Services

One of the reasons people love living in a rural area is the fact that there are fewer people. Your closest neighbor maybe a mile or more away.

Fewer Business Opportunities

If you’re planning to live in a rural home, you’ll likely have to make a longer commute to work since there are fewer business opportunities close by.

Fewer Restrictions

When it comes to listing rural homes for sale, the listing regulations are less strict than those for urban properties in cities like Los Angeles or New York.

More Opportunity For Land Development

Strategically purchasing multiple rural properties gives investors more opportunities for extending land development, increasing their profitability as a long-term investment.

Cheaper Purchase Prices

Rural properties are typically cheaper to buy than their urban counterparts. As an investor, you can expect to pay about half what you would pay for an urban home of the same size.

Less Competition In The Market

Recently, there has been an increase in rural properties for sale with a lack of interest from investors, which means there is less competition in the market for purchasing these properties.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

Thinking of Buying a Rural Home? Here are the Pros and Cons Faye Fletcher

🏠 Is flipping houses the right investment for you? How does it work, and what are the risks?

👇 Below, we’ll take a quick look at what mistakes to avoid.

1. Not having enough money

It’s vital that you research all the costs associated with buying, owning, and repairing a home in order to sell it for a profit later.

2. Not having enough time

Once everything is done, you’ll need to put the home up for sale and show it to prospective buyers.

3. Not possessing the right skills

Many house flippers are actually construction, plumbing, and electrical professionals with the skills to do most of the work themselves.

4. Not knowing about real estate investing

You also need to understand real estate laws, tax laws, and be able to choose which repairs are necessary and which are not.

5. Not being patient

Be sure you consider the five pitfalls above to be sure you know what you’re getting into.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

mkt.homes

⭐ 6 Home Upgrades Which You Should Consider

1. Heated floors
Heated floors are more than just a luxury. They are energy-efficient and help lower your heating bills in the winter.

2. Dimmer switches
You’ll be surprised at how much changing the lighting in a room can change the ambiance instantly.

3. A mudroom
Having a functional mudroom is something that many people overlook. This room is especially helpful when it’s situated between the house and the garage.

4. A finished basement
If the basement in your home is unfinished, it may seem like the only thing it’s good for is storage.

5. Upper-level laundry
Doing laundry is so much easier since there’s no need to lug heavy loads of laundry up and down the stairs.

6. Double sinks in the bathroom
Having a double sink in the bathroom makes sharing the space with a partner or roommate tolerable, especially when it comes to coordinating spit and rinse cycles while brushing.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

Overlooked! 6 Home Upgrades Which You Should Consider Faye Fletcher

✨ Building equity is the goal of homeownership.

👇🏻 Here’s how you can build equity in your home.

1. Let the property appreciate
Depending on the market, your home could appreciate quickly or slowly.

2. Make a big down payment
It’s best to find a good balance between down payment, monthly commitments, and savings.

3. Put windfalls of money toward your mortgage
When you come into lump sums of money, put them toward your mortgage to bring down the principal faster. When you make these lump sum payments, ask your lender if they are willing to recalculate your monthly payments based on the lower balance due.

4. Pay your mortgage bi-weekly
If you follow this payment schedule for a full year, you will end up paying 13 monthly mortgage payments instead of 12.

5. Take out a shorter mortgage term
Most people opt for the traditional 30-year mortgage, which makes paying the monthly payments much easier. You can build equity much faster, however, by opting for a 15-year mortgage term instead.

6. Make improvements and upgrades to your home
Big renovations like a new kitchen or adding extra rooms or additional bathrooms will up the value of your home and build equity in it swiftly. Just be sure the improvements you make will be worth it once they’re complete.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

6 Ways to build Home Equity Faye Fletcher

🏘️ If you find the idea of being the first person to live in a home exciting, then buying a new construction home may be right for you.

⚠️ Before you jump in with both feet, however, there are a few things you must know.

1. You may not find new constructions in the mls. For buyers, new homes won’t show in their agent’s mls search.

2. New homes often sell before they’re built. There will likely be many homes similar to each other in size and design before the project is complete.

3. First buyers get the best deals. Being a first buyer, however, does come with some risk. Once you contract for a new home, you’re committed to the project.

4. You may be able to negotiate upgrades. If you’re interested in buying a new construction home in a project that’s nearing the end of its sales cycle, it’s more difficult to negotiate a lower purchase price.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

4 Things You Must Know About New Construction Homes Faye Fletcher

👓 Finding the right tenants can be difficult.

😉 Here are 6 ways to screen tenants to increase your rental business.

1. Get to know a prospective tenant
Take time to meet with a prospective tenant in person. This gives you the opportunity to ask important questions.

2. Contact previous landlords
While it’s tempting to skip this step, it’s important you contact previous landlords to get a clear picture of a prospective tenant’s likelihood to pay rent consistently.

3. Check credit reports
Anytime you screen a potential tenant, it’s a good idea to check their credit report. Look at the credit score but focus more so on the area that tells you how many times he or she has been late with payments or has missed payments completely.

4. Always verify income
Always ask about employment and verify with the employer that the person actually works there and makes as much as he says.

5. Collect a security deposit
No matter who you rent to, it’s always a good idea to collect a security deposit. You might be renting to the most responsible people on the planet, but accidents do happen.

6. Consider checking criminal records
It’s easy enough to check anyone’s criminal record at the county or state courthouses using the person’s name and date of birth. Having said that, it’s crucial you understand the laws in your area concerning renting to people with prior criminal records.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

6 Ways To Screen Tenants To Increase Your Rental Business Faye Fletcher

💻 Being a landlord takes a fair amount of time. If you have a full-time job in addition to being a landlord, it can be difficult finding time to do it all.

💡 Here are three ways you can automate some of your landlord responsibilities to free up some time.

3 Steps To Automating Your Landlord Responsibilities

1. Automate the tenant-finding process. Take plenty of pictures that showcase your rental and the surrounding neighborhood.

2. Automate the lease and rent collection
For your first lease, you’ll want to hire an attorney to create it so it meets all the legal aspects required by your state. From there, you can customize it to suit each tenant.

3. Automate the tenant onboarding process. When a new tenant moves in, it’s almost like a new employee starting a job. There is a certain amount of onboarding to be done. For instance: a move-in inspection – make a walk-through of the rental with the tenant and note any issues. Have the tenant sign it.

Faye Fletcher | Premier Sotheby's International Realty
[email protected] | 239-595-1500 direct #
Fayefletcher.premiersothebysrealty.com | SL3056181

3 Ways To Automate Landlord Responsibilities Faye Fletcher