Top Volunteer Opportunities around Carillon Lakes Community

Top Volunteer Opportunities around Carillon Lakes Community

Looking for a meaningful experience around Carillon Lakes Community? Have you ever thought that by volunteering you could actually make a difference? Even the smallest act of help can make a big difference in the lives of other people. Volunteer opportunities are plenty in Lakeland and thanks to the different organizations that continue to find good causes that needs help, people are able to pitch in and give back to the community. Here are some of the top opportunities to become a volunteer.

Volunteers in Public Service

The City of Lakeland is the bridge that connects people who want to volunteer and organizations who need volunteers. The Volunteers in Public Service provides opportunities to individuals who wish to give back to the community. They believe that in giving back to the community, people do not only help the community but they are also able to help themselves. The Volunteers in Public Service connects volunteers to opportunities to help at the City Nursery, Community Tree Planting events, public safety, recreational parks and other events of various agencies and organizations within the city.

Volunteers in Service to the Elderly

One of the growing communities that need volunteer help is the elderly community. In Lakeland, the Volunteers in Service to the Elderly specifically caters to the needs of elderly members of the community. In providing service to them, the goal of the organization is to basically provide aid to the elderly in order to enable them still in living independently and safely. This non-profit organization has received much support from schools, local corporations, civic groups, churches and individuals that has significantly contributed to its continuous success since its birth in 1983. 

Lakeland Regional Health

The Lakeland Regional Health system serves a number of communities in the city such as the Carillon Lakes Community. It has been a reliable and dependable system that Lakeland locals trust. In providing quality service to the community, individuals who also wish to give back to the community contribute largely to the success of the Lakeland Regional Health. Volunteer work for the Lakeland Regional Health involves tasks that allow volunteers to learn different clerical skills. Volunteers are also able to learn the different needs of the patients, staff members and their families. 

Volunteermatch.org

There are so many things that can be done around Carillon Lakes community homes for sale. At times, there are people who wish to give a helping hand but are too busy with other aspects of their lives as well. Thanks to technology, volunteer work can also be done online. With the help of Volunteermatch.org, individuals can look up volunteer opportunities within Lakeland and be able to find one that would match their skills, interests and availability. Online volunteer tasks include designing of graphics, writing grants and managing databases. Technology has definitely opened up more volunteer opportunities. The variety of interests that people can choose from include arts and culture, animal welfare, children and youth, community, education and literacy, health and more.

Volunteering is a very meaningful experience. You just might discover more about your interests. You can also gain new friends and new experiences. Visit this site today to learn more about how you can make a difference today http://www.LakelandFloridaLiving.com.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Carillon Lakes community homes for sale.

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!

Decorating Your Carillon Lakes Community Home for the Summer

Decorating Your Carillon Lakes Community Home for the Summer

It’s summer, it’s summer, it’s summer! If you’re as excited as we are, then here are a few ways how to dress up your Carillon Lakes community home:

Change textiles.

Make any room feel lighter and brighter by replacing heavy fabrics used during the winter to lighter ones for this season. Remove heavy drapes from your windows and use chiffon or organza fabric for curtains. Don’t forget those throw pillows and sofa covers, too. Use crisp white cotton slipcovers or bright patterned ones for the living room and bedroom.

Update your bathroom.

Give it a more summery look and feel by using bright-colored towels, fresh summer scented soaps, and other knickknacks that remind you of a fun summer vacation like starfish candles or shell decorations, etc.

Bring plants in.

There’s nothing wrong with adding a few indoor plants here and there to bring the summer in your house in Carillon Lakes community. Just make sure to place these plants near windows and open said windows during the day for your plants to get their much-needed dose of sunlight.

Create a fun outdoor dining space.

If you have a backyard and you’re fond of throwing an occasional party or two, then why not host another one outside? Use weather-resistant materials for your outdoor furniture and dress up the space with light colored fabrics, placemats, and other fun, summer-inspired table centerpieces.

Install a skylight.

Admit it, you have wanted a skylight ever since you saw it in a home and garden magazine sometime back. Now that it’s the summer season, why not take advantage of the bright sun and lighten up a room in your home in Carillon Lakes community with a skylight? Doing so isn’t just a fun way to let natural light in but it also helps in saving a few bucks in your energy bill since there won’t be any need for you to turn your lights on during day.

It’s easy to bring the summer into your home with just a few simple rearrangements. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the warmth of the sun and the bright summer feel right at the comfort of your own home.

Check out http://www.LakelandFloridaLiving.com for more decorating tips, the latest real estate news, and expert advice for homeowners and house hunters.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Carillon Lakes community homes for sale.

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!

How to Stage Your Carillon Lakes Community Home for Sale

How to Stage Your Carillon Lakes Community Home for Sale

Buyers want to see the potential of a home they’re looking to buy. This is one of the many reasons why empty Carillon Lakes Community homes for sale don’t sell as easily or as fast as a staged one. This is also why many real estate agents go to lengths to help their clients in creating a variety of looks for the different areas of the home.

There are a few secrets into staging your home for sale and we’ve listed a few of them below to help you out:

Boost curb appeal. This is one of the cardinal rules of home selling, which is pretty much easy enough to understand. Most people usually do a drive-by of the house before actually stepping inside so if they are not impressed with your home’s exterior, you’ll be sure that they won’t even take a second to look inside. Improve your curb appeal by cleaning the walkways, mowing the lawn, washing the windows, or repainting your front porch.

Clear all the clutter inside. Think back to when you first saw your Carillon Lakes community house for sale. What was in it that made you want to purchase it right then and there? Was it a messy kitchen with home and garden magazines strewn all across the countertop? Chances are it’s because of how well-maintained the house looked from the inside. A cleaner house is much easier to sell than an old, dirty one.

Rearrange your furniture. Arrange them in a symmetrical way, where you have a center table with the sofas and couches surrounding it in the living room, or a stylish dining table set up where placemat colors and dinnerware designs complement the ambience of the dining room area. Create an inviting atmosphere in every room of the house.

Open the closets. Show off the closets in your house for sale in Carillon Lakes by staging those as well. Place a few wicker baskets to help organize the space. Hang your most stylish dresses and suits. Stage it in a way that your buyers can see just how much potential the space can accommodate.

Dress up awkward areas. Make these areas a selling point by maximizing their use. Find a unique spot to set up a work table or a storage cabinet, like the little space beneath the stairs. Put throw pillows by the empty space in the bedroom window. 

All it takes to stage your home for sale in Carillon Lakes community is a little imagination. And also, a few rented or cheap but sturdy furniture to dress it up.

Find other useful tips for home sellers, decorating tips for new homeowners, and prime real estate advice for brokers and agents by visiting http://www.LakelandFloridaLiving.com.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Carillon Lakes community homes for sale.

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!

5 Budget Mistakes New Carillon Lakes Community Homeowners Make

5 Budget Mistakes New Carillon Lakes Community Homeowners Make

Congratulations, you’ve just bought your new home in Carillon Lakes community! By now you’re probably thinking about how to dress up your new place, what furniture to buy, what color to paint it in, or where best to set up the home entertainment system you’re eyeing at the store. 

Hold up! Not to burst your bubble, but before you start picturing out the additional expenses you’re about to take to beautify your humble abode, why not focus first on the expenses at hand? Apart from the monthly mortgage, there are other fees that you need to think about:

Homeowner’s insurance

Depending on what kind of coverage you purchase, companies can offer you a bundled insurance plan - which includes auto or life insurance - at a more affordable price. On average, an insurance can cost you up to $1,500 a year so it’s a big-ticket item that you need to factor into your home budgeting needs. 

Property taxes

Apart from home insurance, another thing you need to take note of as a new homeowner are property taxes which are paid twice every year. While the amount varies by state and county, property taxes can set you back as much as $2,000 - $3,000 depending on the size and value of your property. Sure, you can get a reassessment for a lower property tax but combined by the years you’ll be living in your new house in Carillon Lakes community, you’ll still be paying thousands of dollars yearly.

Association fees

There are also association fees included with houses bought in gated communities or subdivisions. These fees cover the expenses for repair and maintenance of common areas such as the clubhouse, swimming pools, security guards, and more. 

Routine maintenance

Speaking of maintenance, another factor to consider in your new homeowner’s budget are the routine maintenance for your Carillon Lakes community home. These include, but are not limited to, rusty old appliances, pipes replacement, heater problems, and other weather-related and common wear and tear expenses. Depending on the age of your home and appliances, best to budget $500 - $2,000 annually for this.

Renovations and repairs

Apart from routine maintenance, another thing you should factor into your new home budget are the necessary renovations and repairs. Is the house old? Should the roof be replaced? Broken porch? Small kitchen? Need additional room space? Want to add a pool? 

Never forget to include these expenses on your home budget. Now that you’ve got a new home, the most important thing is to make sure that you can live in it worry-free for as long as possible.

Check our other useful tips for new homeowners and a list of activities and events in Carillon Lakes community by visiting http://www.LakelandFloridaLiving.com.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Carillon Lakes community homes for sale.

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!

Looking for Your Dream Home in Carillon Lakes Community with Kids

Looking for Your Dream Home in Carillon Lakes Community with Kids

Looking for a new home can be a stressful event for you and your kids. Moving to a new home in Carillon Lakes community can cause anxiety for your children as they will have to leave their friends behind. To help them adjust to this change, take them with you and let them be a part of the house-hunting committee.

Take note of these tips for house hunting with kids:

• Make sure they are safe. Young children tend to explore their surroundings. Entering houses for sale will be a great opportunity for them to roam around and see where every door leads to or what every room has.

• Check out the places and activities the kids may enjoy once they move to your home in Carillon Lakes community. A trip to the park, schools, sports centers, or playgrounds may allow them to have an idea of how their new community would be.

• Communication is also a key to get your kids more involved. Ask them what their preferences are, such as, if they want a big backyard or if they want their own room. Be careful of asking too many questions though, as they might feel they are more in-charge of the whole plan. Remember that you also have to set some limits and let them know that the final decision will come from you.

• Have the kids something to do before and during the house-hunting trip in Carillon Lakes community. Before the trip, you can ask them to research on the community and the houses available there. Give them assignments and ask for their feedback on how the community is, based from their research. For younger children, you can have them draw on paper or scan through some magazines or newspapers and let them cut out some items that they want to see in your new house. This will also allow you to know what to consider and look for when you actually hunt for a new home. During the trip, you can ask them to take pictures of what they think are the best features of the house and the community.

• Don’t tire out the kids. As you take a look at every house for sale in the community, it is likely that your kids may become exhausted. Make sure there is enough time to rest and to eat snacks during your trip. Have fun with your kids by hanging out on the community park or visiting the library in between or after the house-hunting trip.

Remember to listen to your kids. A big change such as moving from one home to another can cause them stress. Make them feel they are part of the process to help them easily adjust and adapt to such a big change in their lives.

Find out more useful homeowner tips, parenting advice, list of activities and events, and more on Carillon Lakes community homes at http://www.LakelandFloridaLiving.com.

Call me, Petra Norris, at (863) 619-6918 or send me an email at petra@petranorris.com if you’re looking for a Lakeland Florida real estate agent with superior local knowledge, experience, professionalism, integrity, and personal service to help you sell or buy Carillon Lakes community homes for sale.

Petra Norris, REALTOR®…

Going The Extra Mile For You!