Concierge Realtor Program

Architectural Principles:

Interaction design focuses on creating engaging interfaces with well thought out behaviors with high volume ceilings, plenty of natural light with comfortable room to room traffic flow that invites you into inspiring spaces.

There are a number of important structural terms that are important for individuals interested in learning more about architecture.

Arch– a curved, symmetrical structure that covers an opening and is often used to support the weight of a wall, roof, or bridge.

Column– an upright pillar that is often made from stone or concrete, which may be used to support an arch or roof.

Trusses– framework composed of struts, posts, and rafters, which may support a roof, bridge, or other similar structure.

Beam– a long, sturdy piece of wood or metal that may span the ceiling of a room, may also be used in the creation of trusses.

Domes– rounded, circular vaults that may form the ceiling of a building.

Eaves– part of the roof which forms the overhang.

Gables– the enclosed (A-framed) ends of a pitched roof.

Hip Roof – very popular in Florida given the hurricanes we experience, hip roof, hip-roof or hipped roof, is a type of roof where all sides slope downwards to the walls, usually with a fairly gentle slope. Thus, a hipped roof house has no gables or other vertical sides to the roof. A square hip roof is shaped like a pyramid.

Transoms– arched or horizontal fixed windows above doors and windows

Interior Design Principles:

Whether you’re redecorating one room or hiring a professional designer to revamp your entire living space, it helps you to understand the basics of interior design and what they encompass. A design is an orderly arrangement of five basic elements:

• Color, the creator of illusion and maker of mood
• Form, the overall shape of any object
• Line, the implied direction or boundary of an object
• Mass, the bulk of an object that occupies space
• Texture, the touch me, feel me of matter

All artists, whether painters, sculptors, architects, or interior decorators work with these same basic elements to achieve certain effects, all of which must work together to form a unified whole. But these five elements alone aren’t enough to generate a successful design. Five components of composition round out the list of designer’s terms:

• Focal point: This is the point of visual reference to which the eye always returns — a “home base.”
• Scale and proportion: Scale refers to overall size, while proportion relates the size of parts compared to the whole. Keep these two factors in mind when selecting furniture.
• Harmony and unity: Harmony refers to the blending of similar elements, while unity refers to the overall sense of belonging together. This is a goal, so keep it in mind as you add each new piece of furniture or accessory.
• Contrast: Contrast places opposites side by side, such as black and white or hard and soft. The challenge is to balance contrast, so as to maintain a sense of overall unity. Add contrast in small doses; be careful not to overdo it and thus upset a sense of harmony of parts and overall unity.
• Variety: Variety is the spice of life and the spice of interiors. Include variety within a single room as well as within a whole-house design.

Construction Types:

Traditional Wood Frame Homes: What most likely comes to mind when you envision a new home being built is something called “stick framing.” This building system takes its name from the fact that workers assemble the skeleton of the home of wood– wall studs, floor and ceiling joists, and roof trusses or rafters – stick-by-stick, usually on the job site, using lumber cut to varied sizes. This includes the familiar “2 by 4,” wall stud which has dimensions of roughly two inches by four inches.

Concrete Masonry Homes: Concrete Masonry Units (CMU), are hollow 8″ x 16″ x 8″ concrete blocks walls built on concrete slabs and engineered wood floor and roof truss systems. Because the blocks’ thermal mass slows the transfer of heat, the inside of the home stays cooler on hot days. Not surprisingly, they’re most popular in the South and especially Florida, where CMU homes are priced competitively with wood framing and are termite free.

Construction Pricing:

Pricing ranges from $250 sq ft “under air” up to $450 sq ft “under air” depending on the design and finishes. Homes in the $250 sq ft range usually have 9′ ceilings with medium quality finishes, a two car garage, landscaped property and a 15 x 30 pool. Where as homes in the $450 sq ft range have 12′ to 14′ ceilings, high quality finishes, elevator, house generator, three or four car garage, a larger pool with hot tub, water feature and much more.

Permitting Process:

New single family home permits take an average of 6 weeks for approval with additions and major renovations take an average of 4 weeks. Replacing kitchens and bathrooms without changing locations or adding electric/plumbing or other items are usually allowed without permits only in single family homes. Townhouses and condos need permits for replacing kitchens and bathrooms given they have “shared” or “party” fire walls that may be compromised during a renovation breaching the fire wall.

Property Maintenance Mgt:

Every agent should have a handyman and licensed AC/electric/plumbing contractors to serve your clients needs. Supplying your buyers with contractors, pricing and hours of operation are invaluable. Having these same contractors inspect your buyer’s home before offering to purchase will build confidence with your buyer in making the right choice.