Be Prepared Flagler!

Important hurricane websites:

www.flagleremergency.com (Shelter info, evacuation zones & special needs)

www.nhc.noaa.gov (National Hurricane Center)

www.Weather.com 

*Tropical Depressions are cyclones with winds of 38 mph.

Tropical Storms vary in wind speeds from 39-73 mph while Hurricanes have winds 74 mph and greater.

Typically the upper right quadrant of the storm (the center wrapping around the eye) is the most intense portion of the storm. The greatest threats are damaging winds, storm surge and flooding.

Keep an eye on formations in the Gulf or Atlantic, especially if you are participating in a home closing during Hurricane Season. As a named storm approaches, many companies will cease writing policies or adding coverages until the storm no longer is a threat. (The same holds true for adding damage coverage to cars and boats.)  Homeowners insurance does not cover flood occurrences. Flood policies are available, inexpensive, and have a 30-day waiting period, unless required for a new loan. Call your Insurance Company today at for your flood quote.

Now is the perfect time to prepare your records for Hurricane Season. Take 15 minutes to go room by room through your home, to make a video inventory of your belongings - closets, walls, furniture, electronics, artwork, hobby/camera/gaming equipment. Don't forget the garage and attic. Some people get more detailed by panning through closets & drawers, plus kitchen storage areas. Don't forget to take photos of your car and home insurance declaration pages, especially that all important policy # and claims phone #, along with other important documents.

Securing Your Home

Know how to secure your home in the event of damaging winds, storm surge and flooding.

Cover all of your windows with hurricane shutters or wood.

Although tape can prevent glass from shattering everywhere, be warned that tape does not prevent the window from breaking.

Make sure all trees and shrubs are trimmed and clear out rain gutters.

Reinforce your garage doors.  Bring in all outdoor furniture, garbage cans, decorations, and anything else that is not tied down.  If winds become strong, stay away from windows and doors; close, secure and brace internal doors.

Power Outages:

In the event a storm should leave you without power, there are a few things to consider and help you be ready and stay safe outside of your normal hurricane preparedness.

Gas: Make sure your tank is full far in advance of an approaching storm. Most people wait until the last minute then rush to get extra gas for cars and generators; subsequently gas stations can run out early.

ATMS: Have extra cash on hand in the event ATMS in your area are not accessible or working.

Cell Phones: Charge your cell phone and limit use after power is out.

A/C: This can be the most uncomfortable side effect of losing power during a storm. Try to prevent as much light from entering and warming the house by covering up your windows on the inside. If you have back-up or battery operated fans, don't run them unless you are in the room. Fans create a difference in perceived temperature but do not cool the room; instead they create a cooling effect by dispersing the heat off your skin. It is said they can actually add heat to a room just by running.

Water: Fill bathtub and large containers with water for washing and flushing only.

Food: Turn your fridge temperature down and/or freeze any food or drinking water that can be frozen if you expect a power outage. Here is a guide on freezing food:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/freezing-and-food-safety/CT_Index

Have a cooler with ice packs prepared to cool your drinks and snacks after power has been out for more than 4 hours. 

Health/Safety: The CDC has a great guide on how to stay safe in the event of a power outage: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/poweroutage/needtoknow.asp/www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/poweroutage/

Remember, any severe storm can be deadly and destructive. If you've survived a hurricane, you know the inconvenience and distress it can cause. One of the best tips to be prepared are knowing the cycle of a hurricane - Approach, Arrival & Aftermath. Prepare ahead of time and listen to the directions of officials for the approach. Secure your home, or find a safe shelter for its arrival, and know how to proceed safely during the aftermath.

Looking for a MOVE IN READY 4 bedroom home!?!  Don’t miss this new to the market 2006 SeaGate Home.  1860 Living Sqft. Equals Plenty of Room with out being Oversized.  Tile and Wood Floors throughout all except one room with Plush Carpet.  Large open Great Room with Skylight leading to a Double Slider Glass Door onto your Extended Covered and Screened Back Patio.  Fully White Vinyl Fenced Back Yard with Mature Landscape providing plenty of Cool Summer Shade!  Garage Door has a Screen Slider, Full House Generator, Sprinkler System, Alarm System and The List Continues…

Nearby to Seminole Woods Park, 

Seminole Woods Neighborhood Park creates an active, social environment for our visitors. The variety of recreational opportunities appeals to children, adults and seniors, making it a favorite family destination.  Click on picture to read and view more pictures from the Palm Coast Parks and Recreation Department! 

Contact Me Today To View The Property!

Shannon Vinnick

Be sure to take a moment to...

Selling Your Home? 

Don't Make These Common Mistakes:

In a recent example, a Seller/Investor who thought the half bath the builder had located at the back of the house would really be better situated toward the front of the main level (though all the other similar models had the powder room in the same place for the previous 15 years). The Seller was so hung up on this detail, that he just had to move it -- and did -- for thousands of dollars, just so he could get it on the market the "right way." The Seller’s hang-up may have settled some deep-rooted emotional need for him, but it didn't draw any more buyers, and his bottom line was spent. You might say, that was a costly mistake.

In my business, I've seen each one of these mistakes played out and it just makes me shake my head as to why, Sellers go ahead with undesirable strategies, instead of listening to the voice of an experienced professional.

An EXperienced REALTOR® will prevent you from making these mistakes!

The seven costly mistakes:

Mistake 1: Putting the home on the market before it's ready. Most times this happens because the seller gets is unwilling to wait or waits too long and has pushed themselves up against a moving deadline without getting the pre-sale work done. So the home goes on the market with the worn-stained carpet (that gets replaced during the marketing of the home); or they are painting the inside of the home while it goes on the market. Presentation is everything -- so it is necessary to get the work done before putting the property on the market.

Mistake 2: Over improving the home for the neighborhood. This happens with additions, bump outs, and upgrades that make the home stick out from among the competing homes so much that it looks peculiar, instead of a nice addition to the community.

Mistake 3: Pricing the home based on what the seller wants to net. This pricing method always ends in failure. Sellers can control the "asking" price, but they don't control the "sales" price. The market does. It doesn't matter what the seller wants, the price is determined by the reality of the market.

Mistake 4: Hiring an agent based on non-business factors.  Make sure you're hiring a professional with selling experience. It might be nice to hand over your largest asset to your niece who just got her license -- but every expert will tell you the same advise: demand a top producer who is experienced in marketing  and is an expert in negotiating with a proven track record.

Mistake 5: Getting emotionally involved in the sale of the home. This is one of the biggest challenges home sellers face when they put their home on the market. Your house is no longer a home once you put it on the market. It needs to be prepared, marketed and priced as a commodity. It doesn't matter what you "want", only what the market can bear on pricing. People are going to come in and beat the bushes, so to speak, and you can't get emotional about how they may or may not appreciate the little things of your home of ten years has to offer.

Mistake 6: Trying to cover up problems, or not disclosing them. Most states have a property disclosure/disclaimer form -- use it wisely. Just because you didn't’claim certain problems that couldn't be seen, doesn't mean you can’t be sued later for the leaky basement, or dilapidated heating/air system that's discovered 30 days after settlement.

Mistake 7: Not getting your ducks lined up before trying to sell. This would involve financing, reading the fine print on your current mortgage, and not listening to the particulars of your local market, etc. If your local market is indicating lower home prices, then lower the price early, not later -- it will cost you more. If the local market is indicating selling your home first, then buying the second home, do it in that order, not vice versa.

EXperience The EXecutive Advantage, Contact Me Today!

What excited potential home-buyers a decade ago is vastly different from what interests today's generation of homeowners. This interactive infographic from Fielding Homes dishes out top design and technology trends through the decades.

To read more click Home/Link below.

FLAGLER 2016 Parade of Homes

Our area offers a unique Florida lifestyle to fit your personal needs and desires. It is a lifestyle we all seek, and it is available along with a high quality of life right here in Flagler County!

The Parade of Homes is the premier housing event, so enjoy the entries and I look forward to Welcoming YOU Home!

I hope these homes inspire you to build your Dream Home.

Click Picture Below To Preview 28 Home Builder Entries via YouTube~

Join the Young Professional's Group of Flagler County for the 3rd Annual YPG Putt Crawl in April 2016 as Putt Crawlers make their way up A1A with 9 holes of putt-putt golf at participating Flagler Beach restaurants.

One part networking, one part putt-putt golf and one GIANT part fun. Mix them together and you get YPG Putt Crawl!

REALTY EXECUTIVES OCEANSIDE

IS AN EVENT SPONSOR!  

We will be at Hole #3- KoKoMo's Cafe, Stop By...   Let's Have Fun Together!!!

Here’s how it works… Participants meet in Flagler Beach’s Veterans Park starting at 1PM, April 23rd, to register and tee off their first hole. Cost is $25 per person for drink tickets, scorecard, commemorative cup, admission to the awards/after party and a few hours of fun. Register in advance here and the cost will be $20. Teams will be able to sign up in person until 3PM on the 23rd.

That’s when the real fun starts… Follow the crowd as the traveling putt-putt game crawls its way through eight participating restaurants, where you’ll play one hole in each and maybe have a drink before moving to the next. The putt crawl will end at your eighth stop, Finn’s Beachside Pub with a fun-filled awards ceremony and after party. Teams can win prizes, so participants are encouraged to make their group stand out (with crazy golf attire, costumes, etc.) as they “crawl their way up A1A”.

Proceeds from this event will support Youth Leadership Flagler, a program offered to 10 high school juniors each year. Modeled after the Chamber’s Leadership Flagler that has helped develop aspiring leaders for 22 years, the youth program provides participating students with a better understanding of Flagler County for community-improvement purposes. The first class of Youth Leadership Flagler will graduate April 16th with a dinner and ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn.

 Please call the Chamber if you would like register or have questions about events, 386.437.0106.