Parkland Florida Halloween Tips - 10/31/11 09:41 AM
City NewsHalloween Trick-or-Treat In preparation for Halloween, the City of Parkland has several recommendations to help make trick-or-treating a safe and enjoyable experience for young witches and goblins. HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS 1. Walk in small groups, not alone. 2. Bicycles and skateboards should be left at home. 3. Younger children should be accompanied by adults. 4. Costumes should not restrict vision. 5. Use stick-on reflective material generously. 6. Carry a flashlight if out after dark. 7. Only give or accept wrapped or packaged candy. 8. Parents should examine candy carefully before children are allowed to eat it. By following these simple … (0 comments)

Lower Your Fall/Winter Energy Bill With Ceiling Fans - 10/31/11 08:58 AM
Lower Your Fall/Winter Energy Bill With Ceiling Fans
November is here with many parts of the country are already feeling the chill. This weekend, a nor’easter dropped up to 20 inches of snow in cities along the eastern seaboard — a reminder that winter is coming.
No matter where you live, though, the seasonal change in temperature throughout Boca Raton serves as an excellent reminder to reset the blades on your home’s ceiling fans.
Ceiling fans don’t warm or cool air, specifically. Instead, they circulate air which can have the effect of making a room feel warmer in the winter months, … (1 comments)

Parkland Employees Open Hearts to Others at the Holidays - 10/29/11 08:51 AM
The City of Parkland wants to give back to those in need during this holiday season. The City of Parkland will donate all food collected to Feeding South Florida. For the 4th consecutive year, Parkland staff will be collecting food until November 14, 2011. The holidays are just around the corner and for Parkland City employees that means the start of helping those less fortunate during this holiday season. The City invites all residents to join in this important food drive so please visit City Hall, the Parkland Library, the YMCA and the Amphitheater at Pine Trails Park to drop off … (0 comments)

Pending Home Sales Index Slips For 4th Straight Month - 10/28/11 09:42 AM
Pending Home Sales Index Slips For 4th Straight Month
Nationwide, fewer homes are going under contract to sell.
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, the Pending Home Sales Index fell 5 percent last month. September marks the fourth consecutive month in which the index has dropped.
The Pending Home Sales Index is a monthly index which measures the number of homes under contract to sell, but not yet closed. As such, it’s among the few “forward-looking” housing indicators; a data set meant to predict future home sales.
80% of homes under contract close within 2 months so, if the September … (1 comments)

New Home Inventory Keeps Sinking - 10/27/11 01:17 PM
New Home Inventory Keeps Sinking Home builders continue to sell homes and work through inventory.
According to data from the Census Bureau, the number of new homes sold in September jumped 6 percent from the month prior, beating analyst expectations. On a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis, buyers in Florida and nationwide closed on 313,000 newly-built homes last month.
It’s the highest reading since April and a major reason why the available number of new homes for sale is shrinking. 
As compared to September 2010, there are 19% fewer homes for sale nationwide. At today’s sales pace, the complete new home inventory would be “sold … (0 comments)

Detroit Leads All Case-Shiller Cities In Home Price Improvement - 10/26/11 10:37 AM
Detroit Leads All Case-Shiller Cities In Home Price Improvement
The August 2011 Case-Shiller Index was released this week. On an monthly basis, 10 of 20 tracked markets worsened. On an annual basis, valuation degradation was worse.
Only Detroit and Washington, D.C. posted higher home values in August 2011 as compared to August 2010, rising 2.7% and 0.3%, respectively.
However, the index has been moving in the right direction. Since bottoming out in March of this year, the Case-Shiller Index is up nearly 4 percent.
As home buyers and sellers in Parkland , though, we have to remember that the Case-Shiller Index is a … (0 comments)

The Government’s Revamped HARP Program For Underwater Homeowners - 10/25/11 10:27 AM
The Government’s Revamped HARP Program For Underwater Homeowners The Federal Home Finance Agency announced big changes to its Home Affordable Refinance Program Monday. More commonly called HARP, the Home Affordable Refinance Program is meant to give “underwater homeowners” opportunity to refinance.
With average, 30-year fixed rate mortgages still hovering near 4.000 percent, there are more than a million homeowners in Parkland, Coral Springs and nationwide who stand to benefit from the program overhaul.
To qualify for the re-released HARP program, you must meet 4 basic criteria :
Your existing home loan must be guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac Your … (0 comments)

How To Change Your Doorbell - 10/24/11 12:14 PM
How To Change Your Doorbell
When we move into a home, we make changes. Appliances get replaced, rooms get painted, and floors get refinished or recarpeted. It’s part of how we make a home “ours”.
One item we tend to skip, though, is the changing of the doorbell. In most Parkland homes, the existing doorbell is “good enough”. 
Well, if you’ve ever had a mind to change your home’s hard-wired doorbell system, the good news is that changing your doorbell is a simple, do-it-yourself project. Whether you want chimes, songs, or the traditional ding-dong, all you need is a screwdriver, … (3 comments)

Taste of Parkland - 10/22/11 09:40 AM
 
A Taste of Parkland October 23rd  
The Taste of Parkland Gourmet Food Truck Expo will be held on October 23 from 2PM - 5PM at the Parkland YMCA located in the Pine Trails Park. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the public schools of Parkland.
 
 
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO:
Taste of Parkland 2011 
 
 
… (0 comments)

Despite 18% Contract Failure Rate, Home Resales Stay Strong - 10/21/11 09:35 AM
Despite 18% Contract Failure Rate, Home Resales Stay Strong

 
Despite fewer homes for sale nationwide, the number of home resales remains steady.
According to data from the National Association of REALTORS®, on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis, September’s Existing Home Sales eased by 150,000 units, falling to 4.91 million units nationwide.
An “existing home” is a home that’s been previously occupied and, despite last month’s drop, September’s sales volume remains the second-highest on record since April 2011.
This statistic is noteworthy for two reasons :
There are 9.9% fewer homes available for sale as compared to 12 months ago Contract … (0 comments)

Finding Truth In September’s Housing Starts Report - 10/20/11 09:36 AM
Finding Truth In September’s Housing Starts Report
Headlines in newspapers can be misleading — especially with respect to housing figures. Media coverage of the most recent Housing Starts data serves as an excellent illustration.
Wednesday, the Census Bureau released its September Housing Starts report. In it, the government said that national Housing Starts rose 15 percent in September as compared to August 2011, tallying 658,000 units on a seasonally-adjusted annualized basis.
Finding Truth In September’s Housing Starts Report
The September reading is the highest monthly reading since April 2010, the last month of last year’s home buyer tax credit.
Finding Truth … (0 comments)

Homebuilder Confidence Rises on Surging Sales Volume, Foot Traffic - 10/19/11 09:40 AM
Homebuilder Confidence Rises on Surging Sales Volume, Foot Traffic Homebuilder confidence is rebounding sharply.
Just one month after falling to a multi-month low, the Housing Market Index rebounded four points to 18 for October. It’s the highest reading for the HMI since May 2010 — the month after last year’s homebuyer tax credit expiration.
The Housing Market Index is published monthly by the National Association of Homebuilders and is scored on a scale of 1-100. Readings above 50 indicate favorable conditions for homebuilders. Readings below 50 indicate unfavorable conditions.
The index has been below 50 since May 2006 — a 66-month … (1 comments)

Foreclosure Rate Drops For The 12th Straight Month - 10/18/11 10:05 AM
Foreclosure Rate Drops For The 12th Straight Month Foreclosure activity continues to slow throughout the United States.
According to data from RealtyTrac, a national foreclosure-tracking firm, the number of foreclosure filings dipped below 215,000 in September 2011, a 6 percent decrease from August.
A “foreclosure filing” is defined as any foreclosure-related action including Notice of Default, Scheduled Auction, or Bank Repossession.
September marks the 12th straight month in which foreclosure filings fell year-over-year.
There are several reasons why foreclosure filings are down, including an increase in the amount of time it takes banks to move a foreclosure through its pipeline. It … (1 comments)

Save Money By Preventing Water Heat Loss In Your Home - 10/17/11 10:12 AM
Save Money By Preventing Water Heat Loss In Your Home How much energy is your home wasting on water? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating can account for 25% of a home’s energy use. This is a substantial percentage, representing thousands of dollars per year in energy costs.
The good news is there are multiple ways to increase your home’s energy-efficiency with respect to heated water.
The Department of Energy provides a list.
Reduce hot water usage : Fix leaks, install low-flow fixtures, and use high-efficiency clothes washers and dishwashers. Lower the hot water temperature : 120ºF is … (1 comments)

Fed Minutes : A Fed Divided Reaches Comprise - 10/14/11 09:46 PM
Fed Minutes : A Fed Divided Reaches Comprise Wednesday, the Federal Reserve released the minutes from its 2-day meeting September 20-21, 2011.
The release shows a divided Fed in disagreement about the current U.S. monetary policy. The group reached compromise for new economic stimulus, however, and maintained its commitment to accommodative interest rates.
Wall Street reacted tepidly to the minutes. Mortgage rates in Parkland and Coral Springs worsened slightly post-release.
The Fed Minutes gets less press than the FOMC’s post-meeting press release, but it’s every bit as important. Because it details the conversations that take place among voting and non-voting Fed members at … (1 comments)

Just Listed in Parkland Isles - 10/13/11 03:55 PM
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Retail Sales Expected To Rise; Mortgage Rates Should Rise, Too - 10/13/11 11:33 AM
Retail Sales Expected To Rise; Mortgage Rates Should Rise, Too
The American Consumer is alive and well, it seems.
Friday morning, the Census Bureau will release its Retail Sales figures for September. The report is expected to show an increase in gross receipts for the 15th straight month with analysts predicting a 0.6 percent increase from August.
The projected increase represents the largest jump in Retail Sales in six months and would likely lead mortgage rates higher for buyers in Parkland and nationwide.
The connection between Retail Sales and mortgage rates is fairly straight-forward. Retail Sales are the majority component of “consumer … (0 comments)

Quiz : What’s The First Thing You Should Do After A Home Purchase? - 10/12/11 09:27 AM
Did you remember to handle the most basic safety precaution for your new home?
When people buy homes — in Coral Springs, Parkland, Boca Raton or wherever —  , there’s a tendency to think “Big Picture” on home improvements. Flooring, painting and furniture are common “just-moved-in” purchases, as are cable television and utilities packages.
The most important move-in purchase, though, may also be the least expensive — deadbolts for your doors.
Every home has at least one — and sometimes up to dozen — keyed points of entry. And until you change those locks, there’s no telling just how many people … (1 comments)

Should I Refinance My Home? - 10/11/11 10:37 AM

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
 
With mortgage rates at all-time lows, you may be asking “Is now a good time to refinance?”. This short interview from NBC’s The Today Show offers good insight.
Refinancing a mortgage is about more than just “low rates”. For example, there are costs associated with giving a new mortgage and even with the average, 30-year fixed rate mortgage near 4 percent, the costs of a such a move can outweigh the benefits — both in the short- and long-term.
The video originally ran in September when mortgage … (1 comments)

Just Listed in Coral Springs - Running Brook Hills - 10/10/11 04:54 PM
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New Homes in Heron Bay - Parkland Florida - 10/10/11 11:04 AM
New Homes in Parkland Florida - Heron Bay Heron Bay offers graceful country club living at its finest!
Azalea The Azalea single-family home offers an open great room design with a spacious owner's suite and a versatile living room that could also serve as a formal dining room.
3 BR, 2 BA, 1,862 a/c sq. ft. and a 2-Car Garage
 
Priced from $347,900     Camellia The Camellia features a spacious master suite with a roomy walk-in closet and open great room. This plan also offers three additional bedrooms, one of which features a private bath making it ideal as … (0 comments)

Freddie Mac : Mortgage Rates Sub-4 Percent - 10/07/11 09:17 AM
Freddie Mac : Mortgage Rates Sub-4 Percent
Mortgage rates have dropped past 4 percent.
For the first time in more than 40 years, data from Freddie Mac’s weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage falling below 4 percent, dropping to 3.94 percent nationwide. It’s the lowest average 30-year fixed reading in the survey’s history.
In addition, Freddie Mac shows the 15-year fixed and 5-year ARM making new all-time lows, too, falling to 3.26% and 2.96%, respectively.
It’s a great time to be shopping for a mortgage or buying a home in Parkland & Coral Springs. … (0 comments)

A Mortgage Rate Strategy Ahead Of Friday’s Jobs Report - 10/06/11 12:23 PM
A Mortgage Rate Strategy Ahead Of Friday’s Jobs Report
Mortgage rates are prepped to make big moves in the next 36 hours. Is it time for you to call in your rate lock?
Friday, at 8:30 AM ET, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the Non-Farm Payrolls report for September. Issued monthly, the ”jobs report” offers sector-by-sector job creation figures from the month prior, and reports on the national Unemployment Rate.
Last month, exactly zero net new jobs were created, the government said. This month, economists expect a net 60,000 new jobs created.
Depending on where the actual monthly figure falls, … (1 comments)

Home Values Rose For the 4th Straight Month - 10/05/11 12:32 PM
Home Values Rose For the 4th Straight Month
The government is confirming what the private sector has already shown —  home values are on the rise.
The Federal Home Finance Agency’s Home Price Index shows home values rose 0.8% in July.
July marks the fourth straight month that home values climbed and the FHFA’s Home Price Index is the latest in a series of “rising home values” reports — an encouraging trend for buyers and sellers in Parkland, Coral Springs, Boca Raton and nationwide.
Last week, the S&P Case-Shiller Index showed home value up nearly 1 percent in July. CoreLogic reached … (0 comments)

Conforming Loan Limits Drop In High-Cost Areas - 10/04/11 11:31 AM
Conforming Loan Limits Drop In High-Cost Areas
For homeowners in high-cost areas nationwide, conforming and FHA loan limits have dropped by as much as 14 percent.
Effective October 1, 2011, the temporary mortgage loan limits that allowed for non-jumbo loan sizes of up to $729,750 are no longer.
$729,750 is above the “normal” loan limit of $417,000.
The elevated limits were put in place in 2008 as the economy and financial sector entered its crisis. At the time, there was little private money to serve buyers and would-be refinancers whose loan sizes exceeded Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s maximum $417,000 … (0 comments)

Fall Fix-Ups For Your Home - 10/03/11 11:50 AM
Fall Fix-Ups For Your Home It’s October and the fall season has officially started. For homeowners throughout south FL and nationwide, the change of season is a well-timed, “preventative maintenance” reminder.
As temperatures cool, there are a handful of do-it-yourself projects you should undertake in order to keep your home in tip-top shape through the winter. This 4-minute piece from NBC’s The Today Show highlights just a few of them.
Calling it a “Fall Fix-Up Checklist”, The Today Show’s interview is fast-paced and wide-ranging. Some of the topics covered include :
Pick up all fallen leaves to limit damage to grass and … (1 comments)

Sign up for my Monthly Newsletter - 10/01/11 10:33 AM
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