From High-Rise Rental to Full Remodel

Meet Sotera Living’s New Director of Design

Most people would look at a 1940’s home in the middle of urban Orlando and keep on walking. But most people are not Kassandra Bittner, and most people do not have realtors like Lianna D’Angelo by their side to fuel their imagination.

After years of “throwing money away” on rent, Kassandra was ready to invest. So, when Lianna brought Kassandra to tour her current home, she could instantly see the potential.

“It was a lot of space for a house that was built during that time,” says Kassandra.

However, it wasn’t until Lianna suggested a home renovation loan that Kassandra was even aware it existed.

“Thanks to Lianna, I was able to do a fantastic renovation on a single woman’s budget,” says Kassandra, who has a natural flair for design. “Immediately, I knew what to do…knock down a wall, carve out a larger master bedroom, etc.”

Home renovation loans allow home buyers to invest in older homes they might otherwise ignore. As long as the framework is there, the only limit is your imagination. Orlando is filled with properties from the 1920’s, 30’s, or 40’s that just need a little TLC.

How big of a remodeling budget does a renovation loan provide?

Let’s say a house is valued at $200,000 and needs anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000 in renovations. A buyer may obtain a loan that includes the home price, as well as the additional money needed for renovation.

Imagine a 1940’s home with 2017 cabinetry, tile or crown moulding.

It’s where old world charm and modern finishes meet. And it’s available to almost any home buyer.

However, as Kassandra cautions, taking on a home renovation project of this size is not for the faint of heart.

“It was a full-time job just to manage the contractors. My parents thought I was insane for taking all this on at one time. But, being the quasi-millennial that I am, I wanted to do it all and get it done right.”

However, not everyone has the desire (or time) to manage their own home renovation. Thanks to Kassandra, they don’t have to!

Later this year, Kassandra will join Sotera Living as a design and renovation consultant. She will partner with Lianna to take the home buyer all the way from the initial home visit to the final renovation reveal. The Sotera Living team will manage every aspect of the loan application process, while Kassandra will manage all aspects of design and renovation.

It is a “one-stop-shop” approach to home buying, designed to give each client the home of the dreams, as well as one that will deliver a return on investment.

“As long as you have the gumption and patience to get through it,” says Kassandra, “We are going to get you exactly the home you want. And it’s going to be fantastic!”

So, if you have a desire to invest in the Orlando area and are curious what your own remodel could look like, give Sotera Living a call at (407) 725-9660 or email Kassandra at kassandra@soteraliving.com.