1. Lock your home and automate your security system. 2. Inform your neighbours about your trip. 3. Make the house and garden look lived in, not abandoned. Make sure your lawn is manicured before you leave, if you will be gone more than 2 weeks so it will not look overgrown before you return. 4. […]
13 Tips to Protect Against Mortgage Fraud
With reports of mortgage fraud on the rise all over the country, real estate practitioners must be on guard for this white-collar crime and go out of their way to make sure they aren’t involved in a fraudulent deal. There are many websites to fight mortgage fraud saying illegal schemes that have grown more complex […]
How Accurate is Zillow?
Have you ever checked out the satellite photos and market value estimates of homes in your neighborhood on Zillow.com – the Internet real estate site that offers “free, instant valuations and data for 67 million-plus homes”? Zillow was launched with major media fanfare in February, backed with a reported $57 million in venture capital. It […]
How Correctly Using Insulation helps you save energy and money
Electricity bills, oil bills, gas bills — all homeowners pay for one or more of these utilities, and wish they paid less. Often many of us do not really know how to control or reduce our utility bills. We resign ourselves to high bills because we think that is the price we have to […]
How to Prevent Wood Floors from ‘Cupping’
Excess moisture eats away at homeowner finances. “cupping” of your newly installed floorboards is likely the result of excessive moisture. One possible source of the problem might be that the wood flooring was not allowed to stabilize before it was installed. If the wood contained excessive moisture at installation, natural warps and cups appear as […]
Citizens to Drop Most Investment Properties
The state-run insurance pool is getting ready to move second homes, vacation homes and most investment properties off its books. An insurance bill passed in May requires Citizens Property Insurance to stop offering windstorm coverage to non-homestead properties after March 1, 2007. The aim of the law is to reduce risk and slow the growth […]
Property Owners Get Tax Relief
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – Palm Beach County commissioners voted unanimously in September to drop the county’s tax rate by less than a percent. It’s the second time in two months they have agreed to lower the rate. The commission agreed to cut $3 million in unallocated money from the county’s spending plan, resulting in […]
Tips for Maximizing Bathroom Remodel
People do lots of thinking when they remodel a bathroom. They agonize over colors, countertop materials, and choosing the latest lavatory sink, but too often they overlook the kind of improvements that would matter most. Simply upgrading your bathroom with fancy fixtures and materials won’t do a thing to improve its function. You’ll just be […]
Homeowners Forced out of Citizens Offered Relief
Florida insurance regulators offered some relief to the thousands of homeowners who were forced out of Citizens Property Insurance to Florida Peninsula Insurance and HomeWise Insurance. Both companies charged much more than Citizens – but their rates have yet to be approved by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Regulators today ordered Citizens to offer […]
Several Ways to Save: You Won’t Pay Tax if You Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances by Oct.11
(South Florida Sun-Sentinel (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Buying a new refrigerator or air conditioner has never been so cool: Beginning Thursday, Floridians who buy certain energy-efficient appliances will save sales tax and help lower their electric bills. Washing machines, dishwashers, ceiling fans and a few other household items also are tax-free under the first […]
