A Dallas-based real estate developer has acquired Office Depot’s sprawling Delray Beach headquarters for $80 million. Lincoln Property Co. sealed its deal for the three-building, 43-acre campus – on Congress Avenue just south of Linton Boulevard – on Dec. 22. Office Depot will lease back its 566,852-square-foot headquarters until the end of 2008, when its […]
Save Florida from SAVE OUR HOMES
“… There will eventually be dramatic differences in the assessed values of identically valued homes.” “… Property-tax payments will be effectively shifted from homestead properties that have not been sold recently to properties recently sold and to non-homestead properties such as businesses and rental units.” “Over time, the changes may work to limit (economic) growth, […]
Do I qualify for $250,000 home-sale tax break?
Suppose you could receive up to $250,000 tax-free cash. Better yet, suppose you could receive up to $500,000 tax-free. Still better, suppose you could receive this tax-free money over and over again, but not more frequently than once every 24 months. Stop dreaming. It’s possible. Thanks to Internal Revenue Code 121, millions of U.S. home […]
Technology Gains Ground in Home Transactions
Survey: Most home sellers choose full-service brokerage Technology is dominating many aspects of the real estate transaction process, but the most important factors are purely human, according to an industry survey of home buyers and sellers. Most sellers prefer full-service brokerage, where brokers handle all aspects of the transaction process from listing to closing, according […]
Mold: Once it gets in your home, Is it hard to remove?
INSPECT FOR MOLD Water stains on ceiling, walls, floors and window sills Water leaks and seepage from exterior and from interior Standing water near or under sinks and in air conditioning and refrigerator drip pans Condensation on windows, walls and pipes MOLD PRECAUTIONS Ask the builder about design safeguards against mold Consult design and construction […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
What Can Home Buyers Expect Sellers to Fix?
Negotiating a purchase contract isn’t easy when home sellers cling to expectations based on last year’s real estate market, and buyers refuse to overpay. Equally challenging are the renegotiations that can occur after buyers do inspections. How do you successfully navigate the second round of negotiations? The goal is to come away from the bargaining […]
