No one can appreciate Hometown Heroes more than me!  My family is full of hometown heroes. Close friends serve and protect here in Tallahassee, Florida across the country and overseas. Military,Police, firefighters, nurses, and teachers, you are our heroes! You protect and serve us, often putting yourselves in danger and taking time from your families to serve us. Each of you are heroes in my eyes, each deserve affordable homes where you can lay your head down at night and escape the dangers and responsibilities of keeping us safe and of watching over our children every day. There are special loan programs designed for you to help you purchase a home.

If you live in Tallahassee, FL, have a public service job and are a home-buyer searching for your next home, I want to help you find the way home. Call me today, let me give something back ~ let me help you. Here to counsel you about home ownership, help you with home sales or difficulties, or assist you in your home purchases. Questions will be answered, problems will be solved, obstacles will be overcome. Debbie Kirkland, Realtor is here to help. Debbie Kirkland, Tallahassee, FL resident is thankful for you.

What People have to say about Using a Realtor, a real estate professional:

Nurses
Firefighters
Police/Sherrif’s Dept.
Teachers

Resources:
Florida Home Buyer Opportunity Information:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/AboutFar/upload/Florida-housing-resources.pdf

Federal Housing Resources:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/AboutFar/upload/Federal-housing-resources.pdf

Tallahassee Board of Realtors, First Member Technology Forum

Debbie Kirkland, Neil Ryder, Ken Griffin, Rae Roeder and Paul Galloway will be speaking to the Tallahassee Board of Realtors and sharing tidbits about technology with other Realtors in a non-traditional, un-conference that will hopefully be the beginning of future technology group discussions.

Want to know about smart phone technology, Social Media Tools for Realtors, Contact Management systems, Google Tools, Listing and Marketing Tools? Don’t miss this high energy, chock-full-of knowledge conference. Your Take-A-Way will give you a boost for sure!

WANT MORE?  Don’t forget to Register for the Real Estate Bar Camp in Orlando ~ a FREE un-conference, led by your peers from across the country, the brightest minds in the business. Come learn their secrets, tips and tools! It will be a great Follow-up to this presentation!

August 25, 2010 8AM – 5PM ~ The day before the Florida Realtors Annual Conference!

See details about REBarCamp Orlando at: http://www.REBarCampOrlando.com

Did you know North Florida has some of the  most prestigious equestrian  shows and horse -friendly properties in all of Florida?  Tallahassee is no exception. Tallahassee is surrounded by rich farmland and working plantations. There are large acreage tracts outside the city limits, and in the bordering counties of Wakulla, Jefferson, and Gadsden that are suitable and perfect for the horse-lover or professional equestrian.

Horse lovers will love a few of my Featured  equestrian homes for sale in the Tallahassee area, and this list of horse friendly properties are growing every day. Some are cleared and ready for your custom dream home and equestrian designed farm, others are already improved with stables, barns, equipment and working equestrian training rings.

Florida State University has an equestrian sports team. Tallahassee also offers several equestrian facilities that welcome overnight boarders and guest riders.  Below is a list of several of these facilities:

Southern Oaks: http://www.southernoaksequestrian.com/

Mahan Farms:  http://www.mahanfarm.com/HomPage.html

The Farm Equestrian Center: http://www.farmequestriancenter.com/The_Farm_Equestrian_Center/Homepage.html

Little Pond Farm: http://www.newhorse.com/profile/b.510.r.8980.u.7ed0a4.html

Sunset Farm: http://www.newhorse.com/profile/b.510.r.7488.u.fdc8f6.html

Feather Oaks Farm: http://www.featheroaks.com/

Sundance Mini Horse Farm: http://www.sundanceminihorses.com/

3Y Ranch: http://3yranch.com/

Renegade Run Ranch: http://renegaderunranch.com/

Iron Star Equestrian: http://ironstarequestrian.tripod.com/

Whether you are a visitor to Tallahassee and travel with your horse, or just a visitor looking for riding on boarding, you will see how perfect Tallahassee is to raise and train your horses. There are the many private farms and residences owned by local equestrian friend of mine such as Elizabeth, pictured here. Elizabeth and her husband Jay are local loan officers with Premier Bank.

If you are looking for a horse-friendly, equestrian property in the Florida areas of Tallahassee, Monticello, Crawfordville, Quincy or Havana, contact me for a list of properties that may work for you.

It’s that time again! Every spring new things blossom in Tallahassee, including shiny, stately, spacious new construction homes.

Ever wonder what granite counter-tops would look like with dark maple cabinets, or a white kitchen with tile accents would look like?  Do you want to know what a “green-built” home looks like or what features might be in an affordable family home in the NW,  or NE?  In the Tallahassee Parade of Homes, there are homes ranging from $159,000 to $1.8 million.  Want to envision your dream home? Want information on new construction costs and time-lines?  Now is your chance to ask those questions and see the latest in building and design in these beautiful new homes.

The Tallahassee Builder’s Association is holding the 2010 Tallahassee Parade of Homes May 8th-9th and 15th-16th.

New construction homes and homes which have undergone major renovations will be featured on the tour. The public is invited to tour these homes. In case you missed getting your copy of the Parade of Homes Guide, here it is just for you! Click the arrow along the right and flip through the pages of the magazine or blow up to full screen!

New construction is my specialty. If you have a plan in mind, and need a buildable lot, a builder referral, an interview for a builder that will work best with your family, give me a call today for a FREE consultation. I will guide you through the process of new construction right up to closing! contact me today for your custom home construction appointment. For all your real estate needs, Debbie Kirkland 850-212-0440

From this... to a whole new home..

Open Saturday March 20th from 11am – 2 pm.. and

Sunday March 21st from 2 – 4 pm!

Come see us over the weekend. you will get to see the before pictures.. and then take a walk through what will amaze you… a total transformation!

The sellers of this property at 4103 Cornish Drive, Tallahassee, FL have proven that it is possible to take a home from unmarketable to marketable by making targeted improvements that make this home safe, functional and attractive.

Here’s a list of just some of the repairs:

1. A NEW Roof – Architectural shingles make this roof really stand out. The texture looks amazing and the lifetime of these shingles is 30 years! Teh work by Allbritton Roofing was so professional!
2. A NEW HVAC System – The heating and Air system was rusty, moldy and wet. It was located under the house… now, ductwork and the air handler is in the attic making it more efficient, return air vents are in each room, no longer in the middle of the hallway floor. An exterior energy efficient heat pump system is located outside and no longer sitting on the damp ground.
3. NEW Flooring – The enclosed garage floor is level, holes patched where floor vents and return was located, some leveling throughout made. NEW wood laminate, floating floor system in the living, dining and kitchen areas. Attractive carpeting was added in the bedrooms.
4. NEW  lighting fixtures were replaced throughout and ceiling fan added to the living room.
5. NEW remodeling of the kitchen, living room wall was redesigned to expand the kitchen and dining room, eliminating wasted space of alcoves which were framed improperly and unsightly.
6. NEW Kitchen Cabinets and counter-tops were replaced and made to actually fit the kitchen spaces and secured to the wall. This was very different than in the original kitchen.
7. NEW storage was created! The large room that once was a laundry with much wasted and unorganized space, was converted into a laundry area, a walk in pantry and a large storage closet.  An attic scuttle hole was created in the storage closet for easy access.
8. A NEW deck replaces an improperly constructed and rotting screen porch.  Neat, Clean, Simple and Accessible.
9. NEW landscaping replaces the old, woody bushes that hid the front of this cute home. The entire back yard was re-graded to divert water away from the home and prevent water from entering under siding and into the home through foundation vents that were covered with soil.
10. The enclosed garage room was properly leveled, and a NEW bedroom/study was created. A rusted, non-functional wood-burning stove was removed and the roof was patched where leaking stove pipe was previously exiting. Drywall was patched and water damaged siding and drywall were replaced along outside walls where once flooded.
11. NEW Bathroom cabinets replace old, damaged vanities, and NEW hardware complete a neat, updated look.
12. NEW Interior paint was accomplished from Floor to Ceiling. Rich warm colors that compliment the flooring, cabinetry and Fresh White Trim.
13. NEW Exterior Paint gave the home a fresh, cared for look and should last 10 years or more!
14. NEW Electrical work to accommodate all the new systems,  NEW electrical outlets and GFCI outlets placed, per current electrical code.
15. Treatment of fungus under home. and a closed, secured block foundation where a large, unsecured hole had been cut at old AC unit.

These improvements were huge undertakings. This was not a job that  home-owners could or should try to accomplish themselves. Knowledge of how to cure latent defects and how to remedy the health risks previously encountered takes an experienced contractor. Many portions of this work required permitting and all work is covered by insurance of the licensed contractor, Florida Contractors, LLC. This was a well orchestrated team effort of all the sub-contractors and workers. Despite a very wet, cold, rainy two months, workers stayed with this job until it was complete!

Wow.. look at the progress! Roof, Heating and Air conditioning – Just look at the new ductwork, Landscaping.. Electrical!

It’s for Sale.. a PERFECT First Time Home Buyer Investment! There are 7 weeks remaining for first time buyers and those buyers who have owned a home for 5 years or more to qualify for the Tax Credit! Don’t miss this opportunity to get up to $8000 back from  your taxes! Here are 10 Important Facts about the Extended First-Time Buyer Tax Credit.

Look at this home today. For a personalized search of similar homes or to search the MLS for homes in the Tallahassee area  Call Debbie Kirkland, today!

Call today for an appointment to see this great home. Debbie Kirkland 850-212-0440!

For quotes on  your Renovation, Contact Charles Temples, Florida Contractors

You saw it before right? The photos…take a look.

From this... to a whole new home..

Saturday, March 13th, 2 - 5pm

“Art in an Open House.”

It came to me one day while holding a traditional house at 6475 Tracy Lane. This home deserves a different kind of marketing, one that suits its contemporary design, one that would draw people who appreciate it as a backdrop for a trendy buyer.

Tying an art show in with a benefit for LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts seemed like a winning marketing solution. Art and contemporary design, what better way to showcase both! A portion of the proceeds from the artists sales will benefit LeMoyne and donations are always welcome!

Tallahassee has many great artisans but two in particular stood out in my mind. The first, Bev Shots, the entrepreneurial idea of Lester Hutt. Bev Shots showcases the art of microscopic detail of popular drinks and cocktails in canvas prints, photo prints and metallic prints. The results are amazing, unique and colorful modern designs that are visually stimulating and fun. They’re even branching into contemporary coasters! Art from Bev Shots will line the walls of this home on Tracy Lane and will be available for purchase.

Also featured at the “Art at an Open House” will be Tire Swing Designs and local artisan Lucas VanSickle. Lucas is a young artist in Tallahassee, FL with a love for woodworking. His creations include furniture and kitchen items made from reclaimed, abandoned and discarded wood, all treasures in his world! Lucas blogs about his creations and the process he uses as well as sharing beautiful quotes that inspire him and seem to mold his artistic ideas.

6475 Tracy Lane, Tallahassee, FL will be open Saturday, March 13th from 2 – 5 pm. Join us for a taste of contemporary art and creative works of Bev Shots and Tire Swing Designs.

“Art in an Open House.” will be an event where not just buyers qualified for this home, but for those who may be thinking about their next home as well. Whether remodeling or building a new home, I am certain the creative juices will be flowing as people see this home and the art inside. Take a Preview,….

Are we connected on Facebook? Check out Art In an Open House Event on  Facebook as well!

For unique marketing plan and a FREE consultation for marketing your home for sale, contact Debbie Kirkland, Realtor.

Set up and Demolition begin as we take this home on 4103 Cornish Drive from unmarketable to marketable condition and prepare for a buyer.
This home began as a problem-child and will finish as a swan for sure!

Day one and two of this project involved set-up for demolition of existing structure in preparation for removal of all damaged systems, siding, and interior structures.

As this project unfolds you will see the noticeable and not-so-noticeable changes that will provide structural, functional and cosmetic repairs and improvements needed to make this home attractive to today’s discernable buyers.

The Tallahassee home Renovation project at 4103 Cornish Drive is underway!

Before we began this process, a carefully estimated job was performed by Florida Contractors, a licensed, insured contractor. Financing was obtained against the equity in the home. A lot of trust was placed in me, as a Realtor, from the sellers of this property who are out of state!

Carefully redesigning minor functional issues inside the home will increase it’s appeal and function and make it more marketable for today’s buyers. This floor plan will be open, bright and spacious!

Structural and latent defects are addressed immediately and new systems such as HVAC system and ductwork, electrical, foundation, water intrusion, wood rot  and defective roof system and previously un-permitted rear porch are all ongoing parts of this renovation.

These repair are necessary for any new homeowner in order to obtain FHA, VA  or government financing. When this project is complete, anyone will want to purchase this almost entirely new home!

More to come!
For more on how you can renovate your home to SELL, contact Debbie Kirkland today!