Homes More Affordable - Rising home prices have many concerned that the average family will no longer be able to afford the most precious piece of the American Dream – their own home. However, it is not just the price of a home that determines its affordability. The monthly cost of a home is determined by the price and the interest rate on the mortgage used to purchase it. Today, mortgage interest rates stand at about 4.5%. The average annual mortgage interest rate from 1985 to 2000 was … [Read more...]
What You Need to Know About Buying a Second Home
RISMedia June 20, 2018 -- Buying a second home is one of those treasured rites of passage, like getting married or buying a car. It's a sign that you're doing well and can afford to reward yourself. Now can be a good time to take the plunge, as mortgage rates are still at an impressive low. What better way to invest your money than snatching up your dream vacation home? If you think you're ready to purchase a second home, don't rush into it. Read this guide to ensure it's one of the best … [Read more...]
Experience Useppa Island Florida
Welcome to Useppa Island Florida … [Read more...]
THE AFFORDABLE HIDDEN GEM ON FLORIDA’S SOUTHWEST GULF COAST
Florida's Affordable Hidden Gem - Florida Realtors® News recently published their list of the 2017 major factors affecting our 2018 Florida Real Estate Market. These included low inventory of homes, and the resultant escalation of prices to levels just below the peak of the real estate bubble. The upcoming run-up in Florida values, resulting from the Tax Reform bill, along with the crushing winter weather to the north, may make those issues pale in comparison. A lack of state income and … [Read more...]
Rising Home Values in Lee County
Taxable property values in Lee County increased by more than 6 percent last year, according to figures released Tuesday by the Lee County Property Appraiser. But the total value of property in the county is still about $10 billion behind what real estate was worth a decade ago, right before the Great Recession. Fort Myers had the highest percentage increase of the municipalities with almost 8.1 percent, closely followed by Cape Coral's 7.9 percent. San Carlos Fire District's 9.4 percent … [Read more...]
A Look at Projected Home Values Over the Next 5 Years
Today, many real estate conversations center on home values and where they may be headed. That is why we like the Home Price Expectation Survey. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment & market strategists about where they believe prices are headed over the next five years. They then average the projections of all 100+ experts into a single number. The results of their latest survey: Home values will … [Read more...]
Stay Safe Before and After the Storm
When hurricanes strike land, they can wreak havoc on homes, communities — and sometimes your vacation plans. Stay safe and learn more about protecting yourself and your family in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm. What Is a Hurricane? A hurricane, also called a tropical cyclone, is a rotating low-pressure system that forms over tropical or subtropical waters. It’s generally accompanied by severe thunderstorms with strong wind speeds. Heavy rains and flooding are also … [Read more...]
What to Consider Before You Buy a Vacation Home
Excerpt The Wall Street Journal June 2017 When Considering a Vacation Home Buy it for the right reason The Realtors association surveys find that the primary motivation for a vacation home purchase is vacationing. And many experts think that’s the best way to approach the deal. Rental income is so unpredictable it should be viewed as gravy, they say, and buyers certainly shouldn’t rely on it to cover their mortgage and other expenses. And the market is too unpredictable to … [Read more...]
Packing Secrets from the Pros
Whether it's dishes in a box or furniture in a truck, it will travel better if it's carefully and tightly packed. When things can move around they rub against each other, which increases the changes of damage or breakage. Here's packing secrets from the pros. The Dresser Trick You don't have to take everything out of your dressers when you move! Lightweight items, such as clothing and linens, can stay. In fact, it's a smart idea to put a clean set of sheets, towels, and pajamas in … [Read more...]
10 Sneaky Ways to Hide all the Clutter
Hide the Clutter, beautifully. A place for everything and everything in its place -- that's what prospective buyers want to see in your house. Here's how to lose (or disguise) the clutter. Ditch the Entry Rack As handy as entry racks are in your entry or hallway, they may be sending the message to potential buyers that you don't have adequate storage. Put handy entry racks away while you're showing your home, and clean out your entry closet while you're at it. Manage … [Read more...]