The American Dream A vast majority of Americans believe that buying a home is a solid financial decision, and most believe they could sell their home for at least its initial purchase price, according to a new survey from the National Association of Realtors®. The 2015 National Housing Pulse Survey also found that a preponderance of Americans think that now is a good time to buy a home. The survey, which measures consumers' attitudes and concerns about housing issues in the nation's 50 … [Read more...]
Southwest Florida Buyers Paying Cash
Home buyers in Southwest Florida are still paying with cash at one of the fastest rates in the nation. Of the 10 metro areas with the highest share of cash purchases in the first quarter of 2015, more than half were in Florida, according to real estate analyst Zillow. Florida Buyers Paying Cash "In Florida, cash is king," Zillow said. "At the end of the first quarter, seven of the top 10 metros with the highest share of home purchases made in cash were in Florida, up from six at … [Read more...]
Florida Consumer Advocate Questions Citizens’ Rate Hike
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Sept. 3, 2015 – Florida's new insurance consumer advocate wants Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty to "strongly consider" the large amount of reinsurance purchased by the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance – and to do it before the Florida-owned firm makes a decision about its requested 3.2 percent rate hike. Consumer advocate Sha'Ron James also asked McCarty in a letter Monday to review Citizens' debt financing and water-loss claims before setting rates for … [Read more...]
Erika Steams Toward Possible Test of Florida’s Unproven Insurers
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. – Aug. 27, 2015 – Erika stuck her projected cone into South Florida's business Wednesday, threatening to bust up a peaceful decade without landfall by a hurricane and prompting the state's top insurance official to urge readiness. "With the possibility of Erika's impact to South Florida, I would like to strongly encourage residents in those areas and across the state to begin making preparations now and to have a plan in place for their family and pets," Insurance … [Read more...]
A Visit to Useppa Island – Paradise Without a Passport
Paradise Without a Passport We enjoy giving visitors the grand tour of Useppa, as we introduce them to incredible natural beauty and remarkable island lifestyles. On a recent visit to Useppa Island, Luxury Realtors from Fort Lauderdale, Florida found the tranquility and charming allure of Useppa Island contagious. We invite you to Find Your Key to Paradise. "We took the short jaunt west across Alligator Alley to discover another tranquil paradise—Useppa Island—many notches … [Read more...]
Getting a Large Home Loan Just Got a Little Easier
Large Home Loan Chase bank is easing the lending requirements for its jumbo mortgages, which tend to be loans in excess of $417,000 in many markets and $625,500 in more expensive areas. A potential buyer now only needs a credit score of 680 and a 15% down payment to qualify for a maximum loan amount of $3 million for a primary-residence home. Borrowers used to need a 740 score and put 20% down. By easing its standards, the bank is hoping to gain more customers. "The performance we had on … [Read more...]
The Tarpon Lodge – Part 1 in the Boat for Food Blog Series
BOATING FOR FOOD FROM USEPPA ISLAND, FLORIDA To the Tarpon Lodge, Pineland, FL Once again it is time to search for the perfect place to dine. This time, rather than a lunch run we are going for dinner. My choices re extremely limited because Mary has already made reservations at the Tarpon Lodge. This destination is the second most convenient restaurant to Useppa, the other being Cabbage Key. We call the Lodge “upscale” compared to Cabbage, to which we can kayak, but Cabbage has a charm of its … [Read more...]
Guidance – Owning a Second Home
Tax Planning for Owning a Second Home Learn how mortgage interest, property taxes, rental property and tax-free profit affects your tax return. If you are in the market for a second home, congratulations! Not only can you look forward to having a place to relax, you also can garner some tax benefits for that place at the beach. You can use several tax breaks: Mortgage Interest If you use the place as a second home — rather than renting it out as a business property — interest on the … [Read more...]
The Best of Useppa Island
As seen in Florida Weekly's Best of 2015 Issue - Florida Weekly brings you all things Southwest Florida Living, from dining, recreation, cultural and community events, to business news and education in the Fort Myers area. The Best of 2015 is an Annual Special Section Edition in their line-up that includes a Season Guide for the Arts and A Beautiful Life covering everything Luxury. www.floridaweekly.com The People, Places and Things that make Southwest Florida so Special … [Read more...]
Second Homes – Flood Insurance Increases
Bill Protects Second Homes from Flood Insurance Increases WASHINGTON – July 8, 2015 – Reps. Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.) and Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) want to extend a law that limits annual flood insurance premium hikes. The law currently covers owners of Florida primary residences, and the lawmakers want it to also cover owners of second homes and rental properties. While a number of Florida homeowners and investors would hail passage, however, its eventual passage is a long shot. The … [Read more...]