If you are a new home owner or even if you are an experienced "old timer" such as myself, there are always home items that need to be maintained and Spring is the time of year many of us home owners use tackle these chores. Here is a short list of Spring maintenance repairs you may want to undertake for your home...

1. Re-Paint the Front Door
   
   This might be a good time to give your front door a fresh coat of paint.  The best way to accomplish this is to remove the door from the hinges and remove all the hardware. Clean the door well so the paint will adhere properly.  Scrape off any buildups of paint or areas where the old paint is chipping. When the door preparation is complete, use a high-quality brush (not one of those $1.99 specials) to edge in

Having moved many times over the course of my years as well as being a top producing real estate agent, I’ve gained some valuable tips and techniques that I pass on to my customers.

Here are my top 50 tips for moving into a new home or apartment:

1. Create an outline for listing moving tasks including purchases you need to make
2. Boxes – You can never have too many boxes. Plastic, cardboard whatever.
3. Obtain plenty of packing material – newspaper, bubble wrap etc.
4. Obtain plenty of tape for sealing boxes.
5. Obtain marking tape such as blue painters tape to mark items not in boxes
6. Get plenty of rope or twine for tying up boxes
7. Use rope to tie up small stacks of books for easy moving
8. Use towels inside boxes to cushion fragile items from

Decorating a small space or condo is an art unto itself. It can be, however, an opportunity to create a lush, friendly atmosphere with a modern, yet eclectic display.

With that in mind, it's time to think about what you’ve got to work with, stuff a few ideas into your head and get your creative juices flowing! Here are some ideas for decorating your condo, or small space, that will make your living arrangement shine.

Think Light

Light, bright and airy colors will help make any room look bigger and more spacious.

Keep It Small

Smaller, singular furniture pieces, such as chairs, recliners and end tables will leave far more room to operate than will hefty couches and loveseats.

Mount Up!

Wall-mounted electronics will kill two birds

Let your guests help.

Many hosts never let their guests lift a finger, but if you receive offers to help cook or clean, you should accept them. Overnight visitors feel more at home if they can participate in your everyday activities. For instance, meal prep offers an opportunity for casual, one-on-one interaction and brings people closer together.

Don't micromanage

Planning every single minute of your guests' trip may leave them feeling rushed and exhausted. To ensure that your guest can relax, refrain from micromanaging their visits. Suggest activities (a stroll on the boardwalk, a shopping excursion, relaxation on the beach), but let your guests determine their schedule.

People love photos

Before your friends or family arrive, make

Throwing a dinner party in a small condo can be a daunting prospect, leaving your mouth dry and your head spinning with the logistical challenges about how to pull it off. It is important to remember that it has been done in the past and that you can do it too. There are some simple tricks to throwing a good party. If you can put your fear aside and always remember why you first thought about hosting one in the first place, you can relax and plan a memorable event for your friends.

Below are some tips for planning and surviving a dinner party in your condo.

Tip 1. Set the date and send out the invitations.

Making the commitment is the first and most important task that must be completed. Guess what? This is probably the hardest part. Once you

Jennifer's Tips for Hiring a Home Inspector

When it comes to buying a home, it is important to hire a home inspector to give you an unbiased opinion as to the state of the home.  But finding a good home inspector may be harder than you think.  If you do not know a home inspector, as your Panama City Beach realtor I can recommend a few to you but then it is up to you to do your due diligence in hiring.

1. Start by asking what their qualifications are and their experience.  Ideally they have had training in construction, maintenance standards as well as experience in home inspections.  But keep in mind that they likely will not be an expert in every area and may recommend bringing in specialists for things such as pool inspections if they have