karen butler: How HUD Reform Affects You
- 04/14/09 04:48 AM
Gear up for new HUD-1 Settlement Statements and GFEs. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) finalized its new rulings on the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Acts (RESPA). What does RESPA reform mean to you?Whether you help consumers find, purchase, finance or close the sale on a home, you can expect some significant changes in process and paperwork. The reforms include two new forms: a firmer Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and a new HUD-1 Settlement Statement. New rulings go into effect January 1, 2010. New forms, more disclosure-HUD’s goal was to make it easier for borrowers to shop and compare … (2 comments)
karen butler: New and Almost-Retirees Ages 60 and Younger are Purchasing Homes Now
- 04/14/09 03:29 AM
According to a recent national survey, Real Estate professionals are seeing younger retirees (ages 60 and under) looking to purchase homes. Furthermore, sales associates and brokers surveyed believe market and economic conditions may cause an increase in demand for retiree homes in their areas throughout the next year. Over the past couple of years, since home prices have declined significantly in what is known as markets with traditional appeal to retirees, such as Florida, Arizona or Texas. Younger retirees are taking advantage of these more affordable prices and turning the economic downturn into an opportunity. While the survey indicates that this … (6 comments)
karen butler: 2238 Seascale Ct., Navarre, Fl
- 04/13/09 04:01 AM
Detached Single Family Full Agent Report P { page-break-before: always } @media screen {body {overflow: auto}} Wow, 4.5% interest rate for new buyers! You are talking about a mortgage principal and interest payment of $1200!
What an elegant home you've selected. Nestled in the center of a quiet cul de sac. From the brick exterior to the dimensional shingles everything here says "Welcome Home". When you enter the spacious tiled foyer, you are greeted on the left by the formal dining room and on the right the perfect location … (0 comments)
karen butler: Staging a Home For a Burglary?
- 04/13/09 02:36 AM
While it is common here and elsewhere to have professional decorators “stage” unoccupied homes that are on the market with borrowed furnishings and decorations to help fetch top dollar, especially now that real estate sales aren't flying off the shelves. The same painstaking efforts to attract buyers have also attracted thieves. An unusual wave of burglaries has hit unoccupied houses for sale, and recently a very affluent area was robbed in the morning hours before planned afternoon open houses. Apparently, the discriminating criminals have made off with bath linens, dressers, upholstered chairs and sofas, table lamps, mirrors and end tables (not … (5 comments)
The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. is almost over. The 2009 National Cherry Blossom festival takes place from March 28 to April 12 this year. The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation's capital city. The famous trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, signal Washington’s rite of spring with an explosion of life and color that surrounds the Tidal Basin in a sea … (9 comments)
karen butler: Which Windborne Debris Area Do You Live In?
- 04/11/09 05:07 PM
Governor Crist signed SB 2860 requiring that beginning in 2010 houses insured by Citizens Property Insurance for more than $500,000 in the wind borne debris region MUST disclose the home's windstorm rating at the real estate closing. This means these homeowners HAVE to complete the windstorm mitigation inspection prior to selling their homes.And... Starting in 2011, ALL homes in windborne debris regions (ALL VALUES and ALL INSURANCE CARRIERS) MUST disclose this rating at closing. http://www.weaverprecast.com/florida/downloads/wind-borne_debris_region_map.pdf In the map link below, scroll over or click the approximate location of your house. This will display the appropriate wind speed, terrain, and click here to view windborne debris region for your area. … (0 comments)
karen butler: Skype is taking us where no man has gone before on the iPhone & Blackberry
- 04/01/09 01:59 PM
Skype, is planning to launch its service for iPhone users on Tuesday and for BlackBerry in May in an effort to expand beyond the barriers of desktop computers. They have been working to make its service work on the most popular advanced phones with Skype's feature-rich mobile offering appeal to new and existing customers. What a tremendous opportunity it would be to reach out and video touch like Capt. Kirk. Then my coach won't have to fuss at me about my customer contact. In May, it will launch a program for BlackBerry devices. They have already announced Skype for Nokia phones … (6 comments)
karen butler: Eglin AFB/ Hurlburt Field Air Force Assistance Fund kicked off March 30
- 03/31/09 12:36 PM
The Air Force Assistance Fund, , which last year raised $6.7 million is a a fund that benefits active duty, reserve, guard, retirees, surviving spouses and families, kicks off March 30 and will run through May 11. As a 20 year Veteran myself, I know the benefits the existence of this fund has provided to some of my friends and co-workers through the years. You never know when that emergency will arise that you couldn't plan for. A death or family emergency in the family, and you don't have the funds for that exorbitant airfare to get you home tomorrow. … (0 comments)
karen butler: Senators push bill to safeguard local bases
- 03/29/09 03:29 PM
State Sen. Don Gaetz thinks there may be reason to worry about Florida's military bases, and says military spending could be reduced, leading to more base realignments and closures, even if the process is never called "BRAC." While he thinks it can happen within the next few months, I promise nothing regarding the military happens in months. Last week, Gaetz introduced a bill which was co-sponsored by Sen. Durell Peaden, R-Crestview, the bill will establish a Florida Council on Military Base and Mission Support with nine unpaid members: three each appointed by the governor, president of the Senate and speaker … (0 comments)
karen butler: Know before you go... Destin's Club Overboard is off-limits for Military Personnel
- 03/16/09 03:39 PM
A notice from Eglin Air Force Base officials says "all Armed Forces personnel" are forbidden from going inside Twisted Palms Grill & Bar and Club Overboard until further notice. Now it's not very often that the military takes this type of action. I've seen it when I was stationed overseas where businesses were "black-balled", and in a few racially charged areas in the United States. And in case you don't know what that means, the short explanation is any armed forces personnel, whether in uniform or civilian clothing, who visits any of the businesses that are currently on the off-limits list … (3 comments)
(If you aren't familiar with Microsoft Surface, I've included a sample video of how it works for you.) http://www.microsoft.com/SURFACE/videos.html#gid=demos&vid=d2
Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC today announced the launch of their customized real estate application developed for Microsoft Surface™, unveiled at the Coldwell Banker® International Business Conference being held this week in San Antonio, Texas. It’s new Microsoft Surface home search application allows users to interact with home listings, mapping and other www.coldwellbanker.com features in a way … (0 comments)
karen butler: Facebook targeted by Hackers
- 03/02/09 07:10 AM
<!--E mvb--> Apparently this social network site has been hit by five separate security problems in the last seven days By creating fake messages with details of Facebook members the thieves are playing on the trust and social links that drive the network. Security firms warn that the popularity of social networking sites makes them a tempting target for hi-tech thieves. In the last week, Facebook had been hit by four malicious applications as well as a new variant of the Koobface virus that first targeted members in December 2008. These applications on Facebook all try to steal saleable … (1 comments)
karen butler: Universal Studios Orlando is Extending Mardi Gras into April 2009!
- 03/01/09 07:58 AM
Universal Studios in Orlando is taking Mardi Gras on into April. That's right from now thru April 18th, there will be concerts and Parades too! The highlight of Mardi Gras is the spectacular parade that winds its way through the streets of Universal Studios®. Dazzling floats, colorful costumes, towering stilt walkers, outrageous street performers, dancers, and float-riders tossing handfuls of beads and doubloons to delighted parade-goers creates a festive party atmosphere unlike anything else in Orlando. Parades will continue nightly in March and selected dates in April. View the link for details. http://www.universalorlando.com/mardigras/?cid=DFA The Party Continues at CityWalk After you've caught … (0 comments)
Gear up for new HUD-1 Settlement Statements and GFEs. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) finalized its new rulings on the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Acts (RESPA).
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