Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Friday, May 27, 2016

Weekend Picks: Make the most of your Memorial Day | May 27-30



Load up the cooler and fire up the grills. It’s a three-day weekend for most of us. We’ve rounded up the best things going on this Memorial Day weekend.


Source: Weekend Picks: Make the most of your Memorial Day | May 27-30



Thursday, May 26, 2016

Another benefit of getting a mortgage loan for a Veteran.



Effective on June 1st 2016, the rules of VA’s policy regarding Unreimbursed Employee Business Expenses reported on IRS Form 2106 of a borrower’s federal income tax return will change.


Source: Mortgage Currentcy



Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Updating a Home With a Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation Mortgage



A few highlights that set this program apart:


  • Available for purchase or refinance

  • Luxury items such as pools are eligible improvements

  • No minimum dollar amount required for repairs

Source: Updating a Home With a Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation Mortgage



Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale.



Follow these tips to prepare your home for sale. One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a seller is listing your home without any advance preparation. While small upgrades and minor decor replacements may seem like a waste of time when you’re in a hurry to sell your house, one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a seller is listing your home without any advance preparation.


Source: Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale – Real Estate 101 – Trulia Blog



Monday, May 23, 2016

Local Real Estate Market Update April 2015



Florida Realtors® just released April market statistics for St. Lucie, Palm Beach and Martin Counties. The year-over-year comparisons for single family homes indicated that we are still in a seller’s market. Median price has increased to $175,000, median percent of original list price received has increased to 96.2 percent, and median time to contract has declined to 35 days. If you are interested in selling your home this year, start a conversation with a local REALTOR® today.



Friday, May 20, 2016

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

2016’s Best Large Cities to Start a Business | WalletHub®



Americans are born with an entrepreneurial streak. It’s in our DNA. From Manifest Destiny and the Gold Rush to the Industrial Revolution and the Internet Age, intense periods of innovation have molded our economy and sparked important societal advancements.


Source: 2016’s Best Large Cities to Start a Business | WalletHub®



Tuesday, May 17, 2016

PSL #1 Mid-Size Among Best Cities for Dentists



Few people actually like going to the dentist, although 62% of American adults (ages 18 to 64) made at least one visit in 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And while a happy patient would seem to make for a happier dentist, we at ValuePenguin are more focused on place than emotion; it’s easier to measure.


Source: Best Cities for Dentists



Monday, May 16, 2016

House Values: Appraised, Assessed and Fair Market Value Explained



Did you know it’s possible for a single home to have several different values and prices attached to it? It’s true, and it’s a common source of confusion for first-time buyers. In this in-depth tutorial, we will examine the differences between the assessed, appraised, and fair market value of a house.


Source: House Values: Appraised, Assessed and Fair Market Value Explained



Thursday, May 12, 2016

Online Lender? Think Again!



Online lenders require more federal oversight, according to a Treasury Department report released Tuesday as the rapidly growing industry faced increasing concerns about the quality of its loans.


Source: Online lenders need more oversight, Treasury report finds – LA Times



Wednesday, May 11, 2016

11 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Florida



You probably know Florida is home to Disney World and is nicknamed the Sunshine State. You may even know that Key West is the southernmost point in the continental U.S. and that St. Augustine is considered the oldest city in the country. Here however, are 11 things you may not know about Florida.


Source: 11 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Florida



Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Appraisal Purposes You May Not Know



The real property value on an appraisal report may be used for state planning, refinancing, pre-listing, divorce.



Appraisals Purposes You May Not Know

Appraisals Serve Many Purposes

Here Are Just a Few Examples:

Estate Planning 
Planning for the future of an estate or collection is important. An appraisal can provide a valuable tool so that owners can plan in advance for tax, distribution or donation. 

Refinancing 
Most home buyers know that they need to get a home appraisal when they apply for a loan to purchase a property. However, an appraisal will also be required when a home owner wants to refinance their loan at a lower mortgage rate. Banks will order another appraisal to ensure what the value of the property is. 

Pre-listing 
Some homeowners order a home appraisal prior to putting their houses on the market to determine the best listing price. This is a great idea regardless of whether the homeowner is or isn't working with a real estate agent to sell his/her property. 

Divorce 
Most state courts require a recent appraisal to determine a home's fair market value. In a contested divorce, spouses often want their own separate appraisals therefore two appraisals will be done. If the two appraisers reach different values, a judge will look over both appraisals to make his/her final decision.

Monday, May 9, 2016

Unexpected Home Improvements That Pay Off



It may be overwhelming to look at your house from a buyer’s perspective and see all of the potential upgrades you could make. Then you start adding up the price tags. How do you know what may be worth your investment for a good return? Here are five home improvements that buyers typically love. The numbers speak for themselves.


Source: Unexpected Home Improvements That Pay Off – Zillow Digs



Thursday, May 5, 2016

Happy Cinco de Mayo! - History and Facts.



Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on a much larger scale here in the United States than it is in Mexico. People of Mexican descent in the United States celebrate this significant day by having parades, mariachi music, folklorico dancing and other types of festive activities.


Source: Cinco de mayo: history and facts



The Worst Mortgage Advice Home Buyers Actually Believe.



Getting a mortgage is a daunting prospect, which explains why many people you meet may be eager to pat your hand and say, “Let me give you a little advice.”


Source: The Worst Mortgage Advice Home Buyers Actually Believe



Wednesday, May 4, 2016

5 Things Your Home Appraiser Wishes You Knew



The appraisal can be one of the scariest parts of selling a home. We’re here to make it easier with these five tips—straight from the appraisers’ mouths.


Source: 5 Things Your Home Appraiser Wishes You Knew



Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Calendars for city events and public meetings, Community Center, and Civic Center.



The City of Port St. Lucie maintains three calendars on this website: the City Events and Public Meetings Calendar, the Community Center Calendar, and the Civic Center Calendar.



Monday, May 2, 2016

7 Mortgage Myths That Still Befuddle Borrowers



Borrowers continue to get smarter about the mortgage process, but from questions about closing costs to the minimum down payment and credit score needed to qualify, there s still a lot that can keep consumers confused during the origination process, or worse, on the sidelines of the market entirely.


Source: 7 Mortgage Myths That Still Befuddle Borrowers