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florida real estate: Money Merge Accounts: My Sincerest Apologies to Those With MMAs - 01/15/08 10:24 AM
I have some regret that I have to admit to about these programs. I feel like I failed consumers by allowing them to be misled for far too long. The truth of the matter is that I have done some more calculations, many of which I should have done back before I even posted my first blog about the subject way back in February 2007. The bottom line is that I have now done those calculations and it is time to let the truth out.
Once again, I have simply taken the information from United First Financial's own presentation on their Money … (19 comments)
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florida real estate: This is a "Be Careful What You Wish For" Post - 12/04/07 09:37 PM
Recently, I began asking for more testimonials, something I usually do not do as I would like to think I would receive them when my services warranted. Then I read something, somewhere that showed statistically that if you do not ask, you will not receive. Well, being the numbers kind of guy I am, I realized quickly I needed to start asking.
Well, I have not mastered the art of asking for testimonials, but decided to ask one of the many non-clients that have come to me for advice to provide a testimonial if he chose to. To say I was blown … (9 comments)
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florida real estate: Really Simple Currency Investing Creates More US Money - 11/29/07 11:17 AM
Ok, as promised, here is what would have happened with your $10,000 investment when converted back to today's USD during the same time as my previous post's housing comparison.
For a quick overview, this chart is based on you simply converting $10,000 USD to another currency and switching it back to USD today. There are numerous ways to add additional rates of return (safely) in those other currencies and you would be even further ahead. It is also not adjusted for inflation.
As you can see, a fairly good hedge against the devaluing of the USD, and your home is by investing … (6 comments)
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florida real estate: Just How Cheap is That House in Florida for Foreigners? - 11/29/07 11:12 AM
(Disclaimer: I know I said I would not be posting, but I did this one and will add the other simply because you will probably not see an analysis quite like this anywhere else...You should read both posts today)
For those of us here in the states, we see our home prices falling and in many cases, particularly South Florida, plummeting into an abyss (Ok, it isn't quit that bad, but for some it seems like it). With Existing Home Sales dropping at their fastest rate in decades (many relating it back to the Great Depression) and the continued fallout for the credit … (3 comments)
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florida real estate: Why Aren't Homes Selling? This Should be a Clue - 09/21/07 12:52 PM
Ever wonder why there doesn't seem to be any homes being sold in your area? Granted some areas are doing well, but a survey released today from Reuters/University of Michigan provides an insight as to one possibility.
The survey revolves around the homeowner's perception of their own home values and the headlines today stated the obvious, a record 26% of US homeowner's say the value of their hoes has fallen during the past year. The survey also showed 21% of homeowners expect their homes value to decline in the year ahead. OK, the news ran with that, but take a different look at … (4 comments)
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florida real estate: Finally, Reality Gets Some Recognition - 08/30/07 11:17 AM
I have talked to many a person, probably even blogged about it, but the media is finally letting the news out. That is about the reality surrounding foreclosures.
We have heard time and time again about the rampant increase in foreclosures and we even hear the government talking about the need to "protect the homeowner". The problem we keep hearing is that of the typical "family losing their home" scenario, driving into us the emotions that it just isn't fair that they are losing their home and now they are left on the street.
Today, MarketWatch writer Ruth Mantell took on the task … (2 comments)
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florida real estate: When Ben Stein Speaks, People, Well They Probably Should Listen - 07/14/07 09:44 AM
Chances are you know who Ben Stein is, but in case you don't..."Bueller...Bueller". That's right, he played the Economics Teacher in Ferris Bueller's Day off. He also ran a game show on Comedy Central called "Win Ben Stein's Money".
You may remember these shows, but his background goes much deeper than just his "humor side". Things you may not know are that he is a lawyer, economist and commentator on finance. He runs a bi-weekly column in the New York Times, has been a longtime contributor to Barron's, and a columnist and editorial writer for the Wall Street Journal. He even has … (10 comments)
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florida real estate: Heads or Tails: Is Flipping Houses Right for You? (Part 3 of 3) - 07/06/07 11:18 AM
In the previous posts, we have discussed how you need to do your research before getting into flipping houses. This part will continue to emphasize that fact, but also get into how you can get started and if it is really right for you.
At the point you are ready for a purchase, you should have worked hard to find the perfect property and so it is time to get down to business. One of the biggest mistakes that flippers tend to make is buying and renovating to their own personal needs or tastes. As with any other investment, you need to … (0 comments)
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florida real estate: Heads or Tails: Is Flipping Houses Right for You? (Part 2 of 3) - 07/03/07 02:48 PM
OK, you decided you want to start flipping houses as a side career, or at least for fun. Well, if you are interested, and you must be since you are reading this, there are a lot of things you need to take into consideration.
Start by getting to know the neighborhood you are considering. You need to research several things about the area, starting with price ranges of the homes. Another consideration is how long the is the average a home stays on the market. It also helps to know how the local market is like.
If you are buying a fixer-upper, then … (5 comments)
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florida real estate: Heads or Tails: Is Flipping Houses Right for You? (Part 1 of 3) - 06/28/07 08:59 PM
You probably have seen the infomercials on late night TV claiming you can get rich quick with real estate. You know the ones, claiming to talk sellers out of homes for next to nothing, buying with no money down and getting someone else to pay your closing costs. While some of these methods may be the real deal, but most are simply scams.
The lines between real deals and scams get grayed by the recent shows airing: TLC's Property Ladder, A&E's Flip this House and Discovery Channel's Flip that House. In fact, Interesting Way to Forecast the Destruction of a Market showed … (5 comments)
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florida real estate: WARNING: Category 5 Hurricane Approaching Florida (What if?) - 06/25/07 12:56 PM
As most readers of my blog posts know, I am a different kind of mortgage professional. I employ a wide variety of strategies to help Florida families build their wealth over time. One of the ways I differ from most others is that I talk a lot about how a hurricane, or any other distater for that matter, can wipe out your home equity, possibly never to be seen again.
So, are you fully prepared for this hurricane season in regards to protecting the equity you have "trapped" in your home. If you have rushed to pay off your mortgage as quickly as … (4 comments)
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florida real estate: Realtors, You should be scared right now! - 06/09/07 07:11 AM
Why did I start off with this statement? The recent destruction in the Mortgage Backed Securities market has driven interest rates up significantly recently.
That means one thing. Your buyers cannot qualify for as much of a mortgage as they used to!!!
That's right, if your buyer has not locked a loan (and if they haven't signed a contract yet, guess what) they are more than likely not "pre-approved" anymore. That means you need to rethink your list of homes that you should be taking your client to this weekend.
The fact of the matter is that interest rates have risen as much … (7 comments)
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florida real estate: Welcome to Sunny Florida... - 05/09/07 08:49 PM
Florida has been called the Sunshine State and for very good reason. We have a lot of days filled with sunshine, but we also have a lot of days filled with rain. In case you don't know where we are, we are the state covered by the swirling clouds.
On top of being the sunny state and rainy state, if memory serves me correctly, we lead the nation in tornadoes on a per state basis as well, not to mention hurricanes. We also get our share of wildfires, especially when we have droughts like the current one. We don't get many earthquakes, … (9 comments)
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florida real estate: How to Make $125K Tax-Free in Addition to Rental Income - 02/26/07 09:05 AM
If you are an avid real estate investor who likes to keep rental properties for a reasonable period before selling, then there is a way for you to make $125K tax-free over and above the rental income you receive. For this scenario, we will assume you are single simply because those that are married (even though you could double your tax-free income potential) would not want to do what is required.
If you are a real estate investor and single, then you could incorporate a strategy that allows an extra tax-free income, up to $125K annually, in addition to the rental income … (6 comments)
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florida real estate: Student Rentals - Worth a Closer Look! - 11/06/06 11:26 AM
In the September issue of Financial Planning Magazine, one article was focused on parents purchasing rental properties instead of having their children pay room and board while attending college. Looking at the costs, we found room and board can be as much as $16,000 or more, depending on the circumstances and college the children are attending. With that in mind, here are a few suggestions to minimize your risks...
When leasing to students, make sure their parents sign the leases and provide guarantees that they accept responsibility for rent and damages.A potential benefit for you as well is to pay your child … (19 comments)
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florida real estate: Telenovela Mortgage Advice - Facts - 10/30/06 08:01 AM
As promised, I watched the show (most of it anyways.) OK, a few things I will point out about my bias, then we will deal with the facts, then my conclusion (opinionated review).
My bias is that I do not like soap operas in general, and dislike telenovelas even more as their acting and plots seem rather cheesy even compared to American "soaps." I do not like the morals portrayed in general either. That being said, on to the FACTS...
I am going to start with the good stuff as there is some involved, then I will explain the bad. There are sections that are … (16 comments)
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florida real estate: How do Real Estate Agents Stand Out from the Crowd? - 10/01/06 06:06 PM
As a mortgage professional looking at the Real Estate Agents I align with, I am amazed out how most seem to use the same marketing strategies and end up looking like just another "french fry" in the carton. I do not mean to sound derogatory, simply trying to find those that can provide my clients the best service, not the same old stuff.
What I would like to know is how the Real Estate Agents here market themselves to "stand out" from the crowd and what would make me want to work with you.
If those of you who read this could … (0 comments)
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florida real estate: Don’t Pay Off That Mortgage, It Could Be the Biggest Mistake! - 09/25/06 10:13 PM
Paying additional principal toward your mortgage, or even getting a bi-weekly mortgage program, could be detrimental to your financial health?
That’s right. In most cases, instead of paying extra principal, there may be a better way to pay that mortgage off and experience financial freedom faster. “The truth is, you may never want to pay off your mortgage,” says Robert D. Ashby, President of Solid Rock Mortgage Corporation.
Mr. Ashby continues, “Why? Your home’s equity is not a safe investment. Equity has no rate of return and has no liquidity. You cannot access your equity without qualifying for a mortgage of … (0 comments)
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Robert D. Ashby
Miramar,
FL
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Address: 11758 SW 26th CT, Miramar, FL, 33025
Office Phone: (954) 674-6864
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