Carpet vs. Hardwood Floors: Which is Best for Your Key Biscayne Waterfront Condo?

Carpet vs. Hardwood Floors: Which is Best for Your Key Biscayne Waterfront Condo?

When searching for your next home among the beautiful Key Colony Key Biscayne waterfront condos, you will most likely come across the 2 most popular options when it comes to floor surface covering - carpet and hardwood.  Understanding the pros and cons of each will help you make an informed choice about which material you’d want in your new home.

Carpet

Carpet is known for its comforting warmth that makes any house feel like a home. One of the benefits of having carpet is that it is soft, comfortable and warm. It also feels great beneath bare feet and can be particularly soothing especially when standing for long periods of time. On a chilly morning, you’d really appreciate how carpet helps insulate your bedroom, keeping it warm and cozy. You wouldn’t want to step on a stepping on the freezing cold floor, right? Also, the fact that it is so soft and cushioned makes carpet a safe choice as protection against falls.

Although less expensive than hardwood materials, carpets’ soft materials can easily get damaged and must be replaced every few years. Spills can leave stains that attract and hold dust and microorganisms making it potentially unsafe for people with allergies. Carpets also require high level of maintenance and many people find it difficult to deeply clean them. A dirty carpeted floor looks terribly unattractive and unsightly.

Hardwood

Most homebuyers prefer homes with hardwood flooring. In fact, according to the data from the National Association of REALTORS®, 54% of  home buyers were willing to pay more for a home with one. There is no denying that because it is a natural material, hardwood flooring looks impressively elegant. It comes in different patterns and style. Its solid surface allows for convenient cleaning making it easier to maintain than carpet. It can also be refinished to look like new. In fact, some Key Biscayne oceanfront condos have hardwood floors that have already lasted for quite some years.

Installing hardwood flooring is a bit expensive and can be a tedious process. But if you’re buying a Key Colony Key Biscayne waterfront condo with hardwood flooring already installed, you don’t have to worry about that, right? A major complaint about hardwood floors is that wearing certain types of shoes can make walking on them very noisy. If installed on higher levels, the sound can be heard downstairs. Also, it can become very slippery making you vulnerable  to accidents.

Carpet and hardwood both have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Keep in mind that there is no perfect flooring type. As you weigh your options, consider not only your personal taste but your budget as well as the best resale value you can get. Also think about the care and maintenance required for your floor surface.

You can visit www.MiamiRivieraHomes.com to know more about other homes for sale in the Key Biscayne FL area.

If you or  someone you know needs help in finding the perfect Key Colony Key Biscayne oceanfront condo call me, Alicia Ale at 305-586-4160. I will help you find the one that suits you best!

How to Decide What Size of Waterfront Condo in Key Colony Key Biscayne to Buy

How to Decide What Size of Waterfront Condo in Key Colony Key Biscayne to Buy

After countless hours of looking through dozens of gorgeous waterfront condos in Key Colony Key Biscayne, it’s time to choose which home you particularly love. Aside from the external and interior features, another factor that heavily affects your choice would be the size of the home.

This is an important factor since other decisions  - such as whether you need to downsize or if you have to rent additional storage - depend on the size of your new home. Here are some things you need to evaluate when deciding on what the size of your new waterfront condo in Key  Colony Key Biscayne should be:

1.  How long will I stay in my new home?  Determining how long do you plan to live in your new home is the first step.  Will you be staying for 5 years? 10 years? In real estate, there’s a so-called 5 Year Rule which basically means you have to stay in your new home for at least 5 years  before selling or else, you might take a financial hit.  You also need to evaluate how your needs will change over that period of time.  Will you be needing more home space in the future? It is wise to choose a home that will not just satisfy your immediate needs but will also meet your possible future needs.

2.  How much furniture do I need? If you’ve decided that you don’t want to maintain your large home anymore, then moving to a cozier one is definitely a good option. But this might mean you’ll be needing smaller furniture and less belongings. Are you willing to let go of  your large antique table where you enjoyed countless dinners and memories in favor of a smaller, more functional one? In deciding the size of your new home, it is important to consider how much of your furniture you are willing to let go.

3.  Do I need extra rooms for guests? People will want to go visiting, won't they? This is especially true if you have families and friends from all over the country who want to visit you in this Sunny State. In considering whether you need a home with extra guest rooms, first evaluate how often do you expect to have guests stay overnight (I’m thinking children with grandkids in tow, 2 nights max). Will you be having them once a year? Aside from the need for additional beds, your guests will be bringing their own stuff like suitcases, clothes and gadgets, so you also need to be prepared to  allocate a place for these things.

4.  How do I plan to clean and maintain my home's interior? Amidst your busy schedule, are you planning on hiring a housekeeper or do you plan on tackling the task yourself?  The larger the home, the more interior cleaning and maintenance you will most likely have and if you hire a housekeeper, it’ll cost you more. However, if you buy a smaller Key Biscayne waterfront condo, you’ll be compelled to accumulate less and therefore would have to clean less as well.

Knowing how much square footage you need will help you narrow down the range of suitable homes to consider and give you more than enough time to focus on those that meet your requirements.

Visit www.MiamiRivieraHomes.com for more information on Key Colony Key Biscayne beachfront condos available in the market.

If you or  someone you know needs help in finding the perfect Key Colony Key Biscayne oceanfront condo call me, Alicia Ale at 305-586-4160. I will help you find the one that suits you best!

5 Simple Home Staging Ideas for your Waterfront Condo in Key Biscayne

5 Simple Home Staging Ideas for your Waterfront Condo in Key Biscayne

When putting your waterfront condo in Key Biscayne FL on the market, you want to do all that you can to sell it as quickly as possible and get the best deal. This is where staging comes in. Since approximately 90% of buyers begin their search on the internet, you’ll have better chances of having a successful sale if you stage your home and present it at its finest.

You don't need to spend a lot of money to stage successfully. There are simple ways to make your home attractive without shedding tons of cash. Here are some simple steps for a low cost  yet effective home staging:

1.   Clean, clean, clean. You want to wow each potential buyer who walks in through the door. A pristine, well-organized living room can do that. Clean all windows, dust all door frames, wipe all light switches and light plugs, and wipe down all walls. Potential buyers like to look everywhere so don’t leave a single area  in your Key Colony Key Biscayne waterfront condo untouched.

2.   Depersonalize. As difficult as it may be,  you have to start packing away personal items inside your home. The reason? Potential buyers will have difficulty in visualizing how their stuff will fit in with all your picture frames and collection displayed all over the place.  Start by putting away photos, paintings or images hanging on walls. Also take down those prized trophies, awards and framed certificates. Don’t forget those snow globes on the counter tops, too. Remember you will be moving anyway, so what better time to start packing than now?

3.   Add light. There’s no question that a well-lit home looks inviting and welcoming. Let natural light shine through the windows by keeping the curtains and blinds open. If your home has dark hallways or has rooms with little natural light,  add overhead fixtures with maximum watt bulbs to create a cheerful impression.

4.   Make necessary repairs. Unfinished projects give an impression that the home is not well-maintained and can quickly turn-off potential buyers. So go ahead, change light bulbs, fix dripping faucets, and repair any broken windows and door handles before potential buyers walk through the door.

5.  Step up your room decor. Even if your Key Colony Key Biscayne waterfront condo is already beautifully decorated as it is, there are still things you can do to step up its fashion style and make it look trendy yet welcoming. You can put flowers in vases around the house, use sheer curtains instead of heavy draperies, or you can mix in some oversized throw pillows with your common sized ones. The idea is to make your home look cozy and comfortable that potential buyers fall in love with it.

Staging is about highlighting your home’s best features so that potential buyers can envision themselves living a stress-free, happy life in it. Think about what you want buyers to feel when they first walk in the door, and take necessary steps to create that feeling. Keep in mind that a well-staged home would also look gorgeous in pictures and will surely attract a lot of interest.

Want to know how other Key Colony Key Biscayne beachfront condos are staged? Visit www.MiamiRivieraHomes.com.

If you or  someone you know needs help in finding the perfect Key Colony Key Biscayne oceanfront condo call me, Alicia Ale at 305-586-4160. I will help you find the one that suits you best!

5 Must Have Gadgets for Your Key Biscayne Waterfront Condo

5 Must Have Gadgets for Your Key Biscayne Waterfront Condo

Having the latest smart technology at home is increasingly becoming important to most people, including homeowners of waterfront condos in Key Colony Key Biscayne. In fact, a recent survey conducted by ERA Real Estate and HGTV indicated that 51% of consumers polled  would consider installing smart home technology to make their homes more appealing to future buyers.

Let’s take a look at the five must-have gadgets for homes these days:

1.  Programmable Thermostats. Although programmable thermostats have been on the market for a while, some people don’t often take the time to use them properly. However, new generation thermostats are much easier to program and can save you as much as 20% on your heating and cooling bills by scheduling the times you turn on your heating or air conditioning. With different sleek designs and functions available such as WiFi and sensor-enabled thermostats that you can remotely manage using your smart phone, tablet, or laptop, choose the one that complements your needs and lifestyle.

2.  Smart Smoke Detectors. From the traditional shrieking beep, smoke detectors have gone through major transformations and upgrades. Now, smoke detectors can be connected to your smartphone and can notify you when there’s immediate danger or trouble. They can also monitor the air quality inside your Key Biscayne waterfront condo, tracking dust, soot and other health dangers and alert you if carbon monoxide is high.

3.  Robot Vacuum Cleaner. Remember those old sci-fi movies wherein the future robots can take over cleaning the household? Well, the future is here as vacuuming and sweeping floors can now be outsourced to a robot! Today's robot vacuum cleaners offer a host of features, such as sensors to avoid obstacles, automatically empties its dust bin, and recharges when power is low. Here’s the best news: the best robotic vacuum cleaners can be programmed to start working at a specific time, even while you’re not at home. So you can now come home to clean, dirt-free floors!

4.  Hi-tech Alarm Systems. Taking control of your home security has become easier with smart alarm systems. These days, you’ll  find a variety of internet-connected alarm systems to choose from depending on your security needs and the size of your Key Colony Key Biscayne beachfront condo. Some amazing features include built-in motion sensors that can detect when windows and doors are opened and closed, facial recognition cameras  that send notifications to your phone when someone enters your home and back-up battery system that will keep on running even if the electricity goes out.

5.  Smart Washers and/or Dryers. Manufacturers are putting more and more emphasis on designing machines that are not only bigger, more attractive and  energy efficient but also allows you to get through that dreaded laundry task in half the amount of time. Just by using their mobile app, you can receive alerts when its time to add  more detergent, or when your laundry is done.

With many of today’s products becoming “smart”,  life has become easier. These modern advancements have given us considerable ways to improve our lives and do the things which matter the most - spending more quality moments with the people we love the most.

Visit www.MiamiRivieraHomes.com to know more about the gorgeous Key Colony Key Biscayne beachfront condos.

If you or  someone you know needs help in finding the perfect Key Colony Key Biscayne oceanfront condo call me, Alicia Ale at 305-586-4160. I will help you find the one that suits you best!

Condo Insurance 101: What to Know When Insuring Waterfront Condos in Key Colony

Condo Insurance 101: What to Know When Insuring Waterfront Condos in Key Colony

Insuring your waterfront condo in Key Colony Key Biscayne is far different from insuring a typical single family home. A residential homeowner is responsible  for the whole home (inside and outside) and the land it sits on while condo owners are normally responsible for insuring just a portion of their property on their own.

Before applying for condo insurance, here are some important components you need to know.

Master Policy

Part of the monthly dues you pay goes toward ensuring against physical damages on your building’s common areas - hallways, landscaping, community facilities, roof and exterior structure, etc - as well as personal liabilities claims caused by accidents in these areas. These are covered by the master policy.

There are two types of master policy: bare walls-in and all-in.

• The bare walls-in policy provides coverage from the exterior walls in. However, it  doesn't cover fixtures and installations within your condo unit.

• The all-in condo insurance policy provides a greater level of interior coverage including  installation and fixtures but may not cover upgrades and improvements made to the property.

Understanding what the HOA master policy covers is very important if you’re planning to get an insurance coverage for your unit and belongings. If your HOA master policy is a bare walls-in variety, consider getting a more comprehensive insurance coverage since everything within your unit is your sole responsibility.

Association Deductibles

Finding out how much your condo’s association deductible is and the number of owners who share that deductible is also important. In an event of an insurance claim through the master policy, all the condo owners are expected to equally share in the cost of the deductible for that claim. For example, a strong typhoon that caused damage to the condo community’s buildings and the insurance master policy has a 10,000 deductible, and the said amount will be divided among the total number of owners in the building.

HO-6 Policy

Having everything within the four walls of your Key Biscayne waterfront condo insured falls under your responsibility. An HO-6 policy benefits include coverage for damages to your interior walls, drywall, wallpaper, carpeting and even personal property. It can fill in the gaps of the master insurance policy and cover losses under master policy deductibles.

It is also advisable to have your valuable possessions such as jewelry  or art collections itemized and appraised so you can gauge how much coverage you need and if there’s a need for an additional coverage.

Having a condo insurance is vital in protecting your interests and possessions. However, it’s important to note that rules differ from complex to complex, and it's crucial to understand HOA’s master policy to make sure you’ll be fully protected but not overly insured.

Contact a trusted insurance professional in the Key Biscayne area to learn more about condominium insurance. You can also visit www.MiamiRivieraHomes.com if you’re interested to know more about the gorgeous Key Colony Key Biscayne beachfront condos.

If you or  someone you know needs help in finding the perfect Key Colony Key Biscayne oceanfront condo call me, Alicia Ale at 305-586-4160. I will help you find the one that suits you best!

How to Downsize When Moving to Waterfront Condos in Key Colony

How to Downsize When Moving to Waterfront Condos in Key Colony

A new life in your waterfront condo in Key Colony Key Biscayne means a brand new start. But more often than not, moving also means downsizing your  belongings. But letting go of a lifetime’s worth of treasured memories and deciding which items to bring with you can be a daunting task.

If you feel more than a little overwhelmed about making this step, don’t worry, you are not alone. Thousands of elderly seniors across the United States are going through the same thing. Fortunately, there are strategies you can do when downsizing your belongings. Consider the following suggestions:

Start early. If possible, begin thinning out your belongings at least three months before the move. Once you’ve made the decision to move, start sorting through your things and packing.  This is more efficient than tackling the  whole house in one go and physically draining yourself a few days before the big move.

What to keep, sell, or donate. Classify your possessions into these 3 categories. You can donate some items to local charities or sell them online or through a garage sale. If you have quite a collection of valuables, have them appraised before selling. Then look for reputable antique and second-hand dealers to help you sell for the most profit.

Measure your new Key Biscayne waterfront condo. To help you decide which of your furniture to keep, get the dimensions of every room in your new residence.  It might also be a good idea to bring some pictures and decorations from your old place to give your new home a sense of familiarity.

You can visit www.MiamiRivieraHomes.com to know more about waterfront condos for sale in Key Biscayne FL and their styles and dimensions.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help.  The whole downsizing process  can be a lot for one person to take in. If you think you can’t do it all alone and might need help, ask for friends and family members’ assistance. Having others around to share memories with can make the task look less daunting, if not less painful. Or you may consider hiring professionals who are skilled and adept in helping seniors downsize their possessions.

Downsizing is an inevitable part of moving to your new Key Colony Key Biscayne waterfront condo. But there’s no need for you to stress yourself out. There are things you can do and people who can help make the transition easier leading to a hassle-free and lighter load.

If you or  someone you know needs help in finding the perfect Key Colony Key Biscayne Oceanfront condo call me, Alicia Ale at 305-586-4160. I will help you find the one that suits you best!

4 Things Sellers of Waterfront Condo in Key Biscayne Need to Know

4 Things Sellers of Waterfront Condo in Key Biscayne Need to Know

There are many reasons why waterfront condos in Key Colony Key Biscayne are attractive to potential buyers. The location itself is idyllic. Who can resist the long stretches of uncrowded, pristine powdery beaches? The crystal clear warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean? Or the numerous sporting events and sophisticated world class amenities found in this tropical island paradise?

But given all these perks and “privileges,” without the right knowledge,  preparation and skills, you might still find it hard to sell your Key Colony Key Biscayne waterfront condo. In a sea of beautiful homes found in the same picturesque location, it is important to keep ahead of the competition.

So,  how do you sell your home fast? Here are some things you need to know:

1.   Current market conditions and trends. Are you having a seller’s market, buyer’s market or balanced market? What’s the average number of days homes are being sold in your market?  Because the type of market you are working with has a great impact on whether or not you’ll be able to sell your home fast, having these knowledge can greatly affect your position as a home seller. Your real estate agent can provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis  (CMA) and educate you with these essential information.

Want to know what the competition looks like? You can visit  www.MiamiRivieraHomes.com  to know more about other waterfront condos for sale in Key Biscayne FL.

2.   How to get your home "move-in-ready." Potential buyers love move-in-ready homes because they can enjoy living on it right away without worrying about immediate repairs. This means preparing your home for immediate occupancy by cleaning, decluttering, and if needed, making necessary improvements and updates.

3.   How to make your home stand out. The secret to making your home memorable to potential buyers is to differentiate your home from other homes for sale in the  area. You can incorporate the latest home design trends, turn your bathroom spa-like or add custom interior designs. These will not only improve aesthetics but will also add value to your home.

Tip: In choosing which upgrade to add, consider designs and colors that will appeal to the widest audience and will complement your home and its other amenities.

4.   How to price your home right. The best way to get the most money for your Key Colony Key Biscayne beachfront condo is to price it right at the start. Since there’s a big chance that potential buyers and their agents are well-aware of the comparative prices in your area, pricing your home too high will probably put them off. Other benefits of pricing your home  right include maintaining your home’s marketability and the possibility of getting more offers.

Key Biscayne Florida is a wonderful haven which attracts a lot of interested home buyers. With the right knowledge,  preparation and  help of your trusted real estate agent, finding the perfect buyer will be a breeze!

Need help in selling your Key Colony Key Biscayne Oceanfront condo?  Call me, Alicia Ale at 305-586-4160. Let’s make home selling a good experience for you!