Sunday, June 30, 2013

New Florida laws become effective July 1

"A few new Florida laws – ones passed by the Florida Legislature – have an effective date of July 1 and go into effect on Monday."

Eclectic ideas for old doors…

"With imagination and elbow grease, you can transform that old door into a one-of-a-kind piece that’s both useful and beautiful."


Presentation is…


"For many sellers, the word “staging” conjures images of an out-of-reach home in an upscale design catalogue with a giant price tag…The reality is, most sellers would benefit from at least some level of staging. And staging doesn’t have to involve a high-end designer who takes over your home, removes all your stuff and completely transforms it. "



Alarming but not devastating…


"Most analysts don’t expect higher interest rates to hurt the housing recovery, though they do believe rising rates will help tamp down home-price increases."



DIY retreat…

Build your own cabana…

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Florida Realtors advises homeowners to take summer holiday safety precautions…

"To fully enjoy activities and other summertime pursuits away from home, Florida Realtors® suggests homeowners take precautions to safeguard their residences when they’re not around."

How Interest Rates Affect The Housing Market…


"A basic understanding of interest rates and the economic influences that determine the future course of interest rates can help consumers make financially sound mortgage decisions, such as making the choice between a fixed-rate mortgage or adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) or deciding whether to refinance out of an adjustable-rate mortgage."



http://www.forbes.com/sites/investopedia/2013/06/27/how-interest-rates-affect-the-housing-market/

Decorating With Door Accessories…

"From sconces to numbers, the right outdoor accoutrements bring polish to any style of house. Follow the lead of your architecture and you can’t go wrong."


http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorating/outdoor-living/door-accessories-00000000055393/index.html
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorating/outdoor-living/door-accessories-00000000055393/index.html

Home prices trending upwards…

"The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index was up 12.1% in April, compared to a year ago, in the 20 top real estate markets across the nation. That was the biggest annual jump in prices in seven years. Prices climbed 2.5% from March, posting the biggest one-month rise in the 12-year history of the index."

Wants of younger buyers…

"Tech savvy and always on the go, Millenial buyers…have different expectations when it comes to buying a home."


Weekly housing economic data…

"Higher mortgage rates may dampen some housing market activity but the effect will be muted by the high level of buyer affordability, and home sales should remain strong."

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Have you considered a home warranty?

Are home warranties worth it?Find out what a warranty covers and when it might be a good deal.


http://realestate.msn.com/are-home-warranties-worth-it?sharedfrom=scpshrjwlinkedin


Interesting advise on buying and selling…

Best advice now for homebuyers and sellers.Top experts and Money readers share their smartest tips on everything from selling a home quickly and winning a bidding war to cutting your electricity bills and prospering as a landlord.


http://money.cnn.com/gallery/real_estate/2013/06/24/best-advice-home.moneymag/?source=linkedin

Regional home for sale gets noticed…

Historic properties are a dime a dozen along the upper East Coast, says agent Mike Franklin of Select Sotheby’s International Realty, but in Florida, “they’re a novelty.” The current novelty on the market is an 1880s home in Titusville, FL.









Floridians' confidence keeps growing!

Don Bell Sells Home Information ImageFlorida’s consumer confidence keeps inching higher, according to a University of Florida monthly survey. In June, state consumer confidence rose one point from May to 82 this month – another post-recession high…

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Important items to consider…

The following article reports: Real estate is typically a person’s biggest investment. 

©Grand Canyon NPS

nwitimes.com


What the taxman doesn't want you to know…

The following article asks: Are You Leaving Money on the Table? 
source: public domain
5 Often Overlooked Tax Deductionsby 


http://www.youngentrepreneur.com/startingup/start-ups/are-you-leaving-money-on-the-table-5-often-overlooked-tax-deductions/?hootPostID=525248167e7246cf89b65885c891a5f3

Economic data that some may find helpful…

The following article reports:
Economic and Housing Research
Source: © Freddie Mac
Low and stable inflation is placing downward pressure on fixed mortgage rates…
http://www.freddiemac.com/news/finance/index.html


What's your preference?

Recent article highlights: Millennials favor tech over curb appeal!
© F. D. Richards
We’re not sure what to make of these lat­est data on mil­len­ni­als and hous­ing: Accord­ing to a new sur­vey from Bet­ter Homes and Gar­dens Real Estate, 82% of young peo­ple age 18 to 35 would rather…By Teresa at MSN Real Estate realestate.msn.com



Port Orange appears financially strong…

Port Orange receives high credit rating Fitch Ratings of New York City reaffirmed last year's AA- credit rating — a "stable outlook." 
news-journalonline.com


So many good options…

Product: Yolo Colorhouse - Paints, Low Voc - Architect Magazine 
©Iroc8210

What features do you have? What features are you looking for in your next home?

Make the Home Improvements Buyers Most Want 

Valuable tips…

For More... - Budget Home Security Options - Bob Vila
©mikeh727

Wow, this is great, especially for baby/children(s) bedrooms!

Product: Formaldehyde-Reducing Paint from Sherwin-Williams - Green…

Interesting perspective…

The Five Year Rule for Buying a House 
© BrendelSignature


Great ideas for great thinkers…

37 Home Library Design Ideas by Micle Mihai-Cristian on Bobvila.com 
©H.-P.Haack

For the gardener in you…

Tools and Products : Garden Basics : HGTVGardens

Sinkhole insurance, check your policy…

Sinkhole: A Case for More Insurance?

©dstroup92

Great ideas…

The New Neutrals: Infusing Bold Color Into the Home
Neutral shades such as white and beige will always work in a home, but sometimes a space calls for bolder colors…
©Sarenawhite


If you like the look, give it a try…

DIY Antique Zinc Finish Tutorial
©mshuster_2010

Before the heat of summer, consider this…

Tips to Improve Your Home’s Insulation
©78xtc
How did you fare this winter? If you’re a homeowner in a cold climate, the level of insulation in your home might have made a huge difference in your comfort and also in your pocketbook these past few months. If you found your house...



Return on Investment!

2012-13 Cost vs. Value: Make the First Impression Count
© Sardaka 
Updating the outside of a home pays off, according to this year’s Cost vs. Value Report. Real estate professionals ranked exterior improvement projects as winning the buyers’ eye and providing...realtormag.realtor.org


Interesting Perspective on Luxury Home Sales…

Luxury Sales Approach Sellers’ Market 

Valuable information…

8 Tips To Sell An Old Home To Young Buyers
© Ben Salter from Wales
Selling any home can be challenging, depending on the market. But if you have an old home and want to appeal to young buyers in their 20s and early 30s, you may need to take some extra steps...
bankrate.com

What colors are you thinking about?

©Iroc8210


Improving signs…

Decluttering makes a difference!

©AgnosticPreachersKid

A new credit score model may have benefits for you…

New credit score could help millions…
VantageScore unveiled a new credit scoring model that will potentially boost scores for many credit applicants and help establish credit for millions of people who previously had little or no credit history. money.cnn.com 
©efariel


Saturday, March 16, 2013

ROI…As housing, job markets improve, homeowners spend on remodeling...

©Jennifer D. Ames
Area contractors, architects, interior designers, and others tied to the home construction industry are getting a lot of inquiries these days from people like the Feldmans of Medfield as an improving economy and housing...