Here are a few tips that I am happy to share with you, now that I have completed my project:

First and foremost - licensed and insured contractors.  Make sure to ask to see their license for their proper trades and that they have proper insurance.  The last thing you need is for someone to be injured and then have them sue you for damages.

Shop around - I spoke with three different plumbers and the price range was interesting.  I had quotes that varied over 50%.  This also is important for cabinetry, granite, etc.  The least expensive is not always the best, but knowledge is power and along the way you will find a few details to add to the renovation.

Compatibility - can you communicate effectively with the trade persons that you are hiring?  If the answer is no, walk away as it truly will not get any better when the honeymoon is over!

References - It was a little embarrassing to ask for references, but it works.  In the long run, I learned more about my contractors and that provided me with a greater sense of security.

Get it in writing - Ok, he is a nice guy but put it in writing and make sure that you are getting everything that you need.  A detailed quote/contract should not be an issue for any of your contractors. 

Cabinetry - ask for a layout and make sure that all details (down to the position of the handles) are right where you want them before the process begins.

Changes are inevitable - in the perfect world, everything would go as planned.  However, renovations are not perfect and just be ready to compromise along the way!

Details - renovating and coordinating all trades is like a fast dance!  If you like to dance slow, don't do it yourself!

Or....just hire a general contractor...you may sleep a little more!!

For those of you that know me, I just love the numbers and they always tell the truth.  So here are the results:

For 2017 to-date there have been 54 listings sold in Pelican Sound thru Multiple Listing Service

Outside Realtors:

• 13 of those 2017 listings were listed by 12 different Realtors

• The average selling price was 91.43% of the original listing price

• The average days on the market was 166 days

• Only 1 Realtor sold their own listing and depended on others to sell them for them

Realtors That Work Primarily in Pelican Sound:

• 41 of the 54 listings were listed by a total of 4 different Realtors - 26 of which were my listings

• The average selling price was 94.36% of the original listing price - my average is 95.10%

• The average days on the market was 160 days - my average is 154 days

 

So what does this mean?  The average selling price year-to-date in Pelican Sound for 2017 is $389,643 and at a 3% difference in average selling price, owners that worked with Realtors that specialize in Pelican Sound can increase the return on their investment by $11,690. 

Realtors that represent sales in Pelican Sound on a regular basis know how to present the community have a more complete understanding of, in my opinion, past sales history, features of comparable sales, and how to position properties for selling at the highest and best price.  Also, with the new enhancements being done to the Golf Clubhouse and new Racquet Center, local knowledge will be a distinct advantage for those of us that represent Pelican Sound on a regular basis.

I feel like I am back in school and the question always was: "What did you do for your summer vacation?"  Well, I was certainly not on vacation but summer is the slowest season of the year! 

This year I took the opportunity to update my websites PelicanSoundOnline.com  and RebeccaLevitanRealtor.com.  It was time to give them a fresh look and to provide you with access to new technology when you are looking for information.  You can even register to get new listing alerts for new properties as they come to the market in Pelican Sound or any other community that you may have an interest in.  

Check them out and let me know what you think or if you would like to see any additional information included.  I hope that you find them useful!