It is that time of year to get organized and you must be seeing all of the posts and books about this topic. Sometimes it seems like there is too much to do so why bother. arrives, thought turns to ways to improve our health, our finances and our schedules. Getting organized in one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions, along with losing weight and finding love; if it’s one of yours as well, here are 5 great ways to get organized.

1. Create a Cleaning Schedule – Everyone likes a clean home but very few people like a huge cleaning project. Build a schedule which allows you to clean as you go – daily tasks which are quick and easy to accomplish as part...

Tips for Selling

If you are thinking of selling, a little preaparation goes a long way. The 7 steps will increase your chances for success and reduce some stress. Selling a home is already one of the top stresses in life so anything we can do to make it easier is helpful, right? 

1. Move Up Spring Cleaning – No matter what time of year it is, do your spring cleaning. Declutter, depersonalize some and make the home look roomier. The way we live in a home and the way we should sell a home is different.  Go through each room and look at your home objectively and see what you can toss, donate or sell. Most of us...

Have you been dreaming of a 2nd home? You are not alone especially if you are thinking of coming south to Florida. Florida is the #1 choice for people looking to purchase a 2nd home. 

Why wouldn't Florida be #1? The weather, easy travel access, beautiful beaches and the largest number of golf courses make it an easy choice. Dining outdoors at night is a popular activity too. It is hard to imagine that it is winter. 

According to the Florida Association of Realtors, Florida has the largest number of second homes – 1.1 million properties – followed by California,...

A recent study by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) show that a $1,000 increase in the cost of a median-priced newly built home, pushes 127,560 buyers out of the market. This means that the increasing prices are impacting affordability and the ability for potential buyers to purchase a home. 

So, what does this mean? This study illustrated how even a relatively small increase in price or interest rate can dramatically impact housing affordability, according to NAHB Chariman Randy Noel. Housing affordability is currently a serious problem in communities across the country including South and Central Florida. On top of rising prices, the concern over interest rates...

How To Know When It's Time For a New Roof

It’s easy to tell when you need to replace your carpet or repaint the walls since you see them every day. You noiice the wear easier.  When to replace your roof is a different thing. How often do you spend the time looking up at your roof and really analyzing how it looks? If you’re like most people, the first indication you get that it’s time for a new roof is when it starts to leak. Before that happens, here are some signs that your roof needs to be replaced:

• It’s old: Depending on the roof type, will depend how long it will last. A metal roof will last the longest, then tile comes in 2nd and shingle...

Top 5 Home Projects

You already know that your home does not look like the pictures in the home magazines. If you’re ready to list your home, you might be wondering if you should do some home improvements or upgrades before listing. The truth is not all changes will bring the best Return on Investment (ROI). Before you plan a big, or small, improvement project, here are the top home improvements which have been shown to bring the best “bang for the buck.”

• Yard clean-up and landscaping
• Complete home cleaning and de-cluttering
• Replacing the front door
• New siding, exterior...

What is a 1031 Exchange?

One of the most common real estate investment transactions is the 1031 Exchange. Simply put, a 1031 Exchange (also called a “like-kind” exchange) is the swap of one investment asset for another which defers capital gains taxes on profits. 

A like-kind asset refers to selling one class of investment for a similar type of asset. For example, an investor currently holds several multi-family properties, such as duplexes, and wishes to sell them all in order to purchase a larger multi-family property, such as an apartment complex. This would qualify as a like-kind exchange. 

There are specific IRS rules which must be carefully adhered...

Tips For 1st Time Investors

It’s never too late to begin investing in real estate…..it’s never too early either. Real estate offers a solid investment opportunity which can provide not only an income stream but long term value appreciation as well. Regardless of the ups and downs of the market, people will always need housing, so real estate will remain a good way to create wealth.

By understanding some of the basics of real estate investing, you can begin to create your own plan. Here are 5 tips for first time real estate investors.

1. Use Leverage -  Learn about options other than your own savings for these costs.

2. Budget...

Never Skip A Home Inspection

Buying a home can be expensive. It might feel like once you’ve entered escrow, you have new things to pay for at every turn. While the fees are normal and customary, if you don’t buy a home often, you might wonder if they are all necessary.

One expense that is often discussed is inspections. What inspections do you need and how should you choose the right person to perform them. During the home inspection contingency period, you have a right to perform as many investigations as necessary to determine the condition of the property you are buying.

Typically you will want to make sure there are a home inspection and a termite inspection. Other options could include a mold inspection, geological survey,...