All posts by Alysia Heun

Finding a Great Home Builder

Many first-time home buyers or experienced homeowners decide that buying a lot and building their home is the best option for them. Custom building allows for you to design and personalize a space all your own, in a specific budget and timeframe. On the other hand, there is also a lot more work and ongoing decisions that the home construction process requires, with a main one being who is going to build it! Here’s a guide to help you find the best contractor for you.

Make a List

The first step when looking for any professional in your area is to look up your options! With one simple online search you can find tons of potential builders with their websites and contact information. But the internet isn’t always most reliable source, so it may be best to find some potential builders through fellow professionals. Your local real estate agent is a great resource for anything home related, including builders. Another option is contacting your local home builder’s association and asking for a list of members. Lastly, ask friends and family! They might have used a builder or know of someone else who has used one and had a great experience.

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Realty Executives Suncoast and Gallery Properties Partner for Market Expansion

Realty Executives Gallery Properties of Orlando and Sarasota and Realty Executives Suncoast of Clearwater, FL have partnered for an expansion merger, joining the Suncoast brokerage with the Gallery Properties brokerage. 

Phil and Linda Rogers of Realty Executives Suncoast, will continue to be active members of the Suncoast brokerage and real estate community, but will step down as Broker/Owners, to allow fellow Broker and Owner of Gallery Properties, Christopher Nutt, to take on the leadership role. Rogers and Nutt have worked together to create an alliance that encourages a smooth transition for their Executives and clients, as they take this step to slow down and focus on the sales side.

“With over 22 years with Realty Executives in Clearwater, Florida, we are excited about the strategic opportunity to enhance the brand with the expansion merger with Realty Executives Gallery Properties in Orlando and Sarasota.” Phil Rogers said. “Looking forward to a “sea of blue” growing in Florida and being alongside our Executives as they grow.”

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How to Organize Your Garage

Your garage can seem like a catch-all for your things that don’t quite fit right inside the home. Seasonal decor, outdoor furniture and all types of storage containers can fill up the garage space fast. In order to make the most of your garage and to not be tripping over containers every time you go out to look for something, it’s important to have a system. Here are some tips to help you get your garage looking neat and organized.

Out With the Old

Just like when you are trying to declutter or organize your interior, you need to go through your belongings to see what you want to keep and what you can get rid of. For example, you may have kept tubs of old baby clothes or toys because they are sentimental, but they take up a lot of room and often don’t get used or looked at. Try picking out a few things and then donating the rest to a good cause.

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Realty Executives Recognized as RisMedia’s 2021 Newsmakers

Realty Executives International is proud to announce the recognition of several leadership members of the Realty Executives team in RisMedia’s 2021 Newsmakers. 

Jeff Murtaugh, Broker/Owner of Realty Executives Arizona Territory, along with both Vice Presidents of Realty Executives International, David Celaya and Alysia Heun, were all named Newsmakers of the real estate industry.

As a top real estate source for news, trends and information, RisMedia considers those who have been nominated as Newsmakers thought leaders in the housing industry and contributors to the field, their communities and consumers. The Newsmakers are nominated by RisMedia readers and editors, showcased in the following categories: Futurists, Inspirations, Trendsetters, Achievers, Crusaders, Luminaries, Influencers and Trailblazers.

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Key Elements to a Contemporary Living Style

Are you trying to create a contemporary-style living space?  It is tempting to think that contemporary interior designs are cold, dark, and overly minimal. But that’s far from the truth! You can create a contemporary-style living space that is comfy and inviting, and at the same time, well-illuminated and neat.

So, what are the crucial elements of a contemporary living space? Let’s dig into them one by one.

Have an open-plan layout

Airy, spacious, and multipurpose open-concept homes are increasingly becoming more popular among homeowners. That’s what contemporary design is all about. 

Consider giving completely different personalities to different functional zones to create a bold contrast between them. For instance, match darker walls and wooden fixtures in the kitchen with a bright lounger in the living room to bring in lightness.

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Realty Executives Associates Celebrates Over 40 Years

Realty Executives Associates, of Knoxville, TN, is proud to celebrate over 40 years of service and growth in 2021. Throughout the decades, Realty Executives Associates has solidified itself as the #1 brokerage of East Tennessee, through its dedication to global resources mixed with a local approach.

Founded in 1977 by R. Vance Burkey, the brokerage brought the Realty Executives industry’s original 100 percent commission model to Knoxville and has now grown to over 700 agents, 13 offices and over 50 employees. Burkey founded the company on the basis of putting agents and their clients first, innovating and cultivating a culture that prides itself on community and providing an unparalleled level of support to not only its agents, but clients as well.

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Well-Known Padre Island Draws in Home Buyers with Hidden Gem North Island

North Padre Island isn’t the typical beach scene of cheesy shops and tourist-filled walkways. Offering miles and miles of undeveloped beach and wilderness, this coastal land is perfect for those looking for an oasis to call home.

With its mix of sea, sand and entertainment, North Padre touts various recreational, cultural and lifelong hobbies and activities not often seen in big cities. Recognized as the longest stretch of undeveloped beach in the world, this Texas gem is much more than spring-breakers and party scenes. 

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Backyard Remodeling Projects to Increase Value

For households that are lucky to have a backyard, the area serves as a haven where they can truly enjoy their free time or escape from the hustle and bustle of life. Whether you spend a lot of time in the backyard, are planning to use this space to entertain your guests, or want to boost your property value, a backyard remodeling project could be the right choice for you. 

No wonder, a majority of homeowners are investing in upgrading their backyards. 

In this post, we have a few simple yet profitable backyard upgrades that will boost the curb appeal and value of your home.

Refresh Your Landscape for Privacy

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Top Five Binge-Worthy Real Estate Shows

Are you a reality TV junkie with a love for real estate? There are so many shows, whether through streaming giants or cable networks, that give you a behind the scene look into the world of real estate, home design and cut-throat business.Check out our list of the top five most binge-worthy real estate shows! 

Selling Sunset

If you follow pop culture at all, you’ve probably heard of Selling Sunset. This Netflix original has become a phenomenon after only three seasons of airing and a fourth on the way. This show follows the fashionable and successful real estate agents and brokers of the Oppenheim Group, an LA-based brokerage, catering to exclusive and luxury clientele. The show not only gives you a glimpse into the world of high-end California real estate, but also provides plenty of drama between fellow agents in and out of the office. Nominated for Critics Choice award and mentioned by several media outlets, this show is a must-watch.

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Common Real Estate Terms and What They Mean

Buying or selling a home is an exciting journey. But with so many different things to research and decide, it may be overwhelming. Especially when you aren’t familiar with terms commonly used during real estate procedures. Our experts are here to help! Let’s go through some of the most common real estate terms and what each one means for you.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

This phrase is mostly used for home buyers who are calculating their loan amount. Your APR is the amount of interest charged every year on the loan.

Contingency

This is one of the most used words in a real estate contract or by a real estate agent. A contingency refers to certain events that must take place in order for the contract, between buyer and seller, to not be nullified or voided. For example, a buyer’s contingency may state that the seller must replace the water heater before sale is final. If the seller chooses not to meet this requirement, the buyer may pull out of the sale.

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