North End of Palm Beach, Florida, aerial view of the inlet and what locals call Peanut Island, and the Port of Palm Beach If you live in South Florida and are not carrying flood insurance, you may be required to change that soon. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently changing flood maps for […]
Texas homeowners are finding out that their home warranty may not be there when they need it the most. According to a recent Click2Houston.com article, Houston resident Jena Goetz learned a hard lesson about home warranties when her air conditioner system went out last summer. The repairman sent by the warranty company claimed she needed […]
FHA loans can be a great option for first-time homebuyers. They often offer a fantastic interest rate as well as a lower down payment requirement. Due to the fact that these loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration, interest rates can drop down as low as 3.5 percent. While a traditional mortgage usually requires […]
According to a recent editorial on Yoursun.com, the legislation passed last year to bring assignment of benefits (AOB) lawsuits to end has not succeeded in bringing down homeowner insurance costs for Florida residents. In 2019, zero hurricanes came ashore. In fact, only Hurricane Dorian (which was a category 5) threatened the Sunshine State but ended […]
According to a recent editorial on Yoursun.com, the legislation passed last year to bring assignment of benefits (AOB) lawsuits to end has not succeeded in bringing down homeowner insurance costs for Florida residents. In 2019, zero hurricanes came ashore. In fact, only Hurricane Dorian (which was a category 5) threatened the Sunshine State but ended […]
In August of 2019, this waterfront Florida condo in St. Petersburg, Florida keeps first floor windows covered as Hurricane Dorian approaches. Demotech, the agency that is responsible for assigning insurers a financial stability rating (FSR) has warned that more than 40 domestic insurers in Florida will receive a downgrade, mainly due to the deteriorating conditions […]
Overlooking Banks Channel in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina If you are lucky enough to own a house on the coast in North Carolina, but don’t live in it full time, there is a very good chance that you will be paying more for wind insurance starting July 1st. The N.C. Rate Bureau, an industry group […]
If you are thinking about buying a house this year, we are here to help. While home prices are still hovering around all-time highs and in most cities, it is still a seller’s market, there are plenty of signs that home prices could be headed down. Election uncertainty, a peak real estate market and the […]
Owning a home can be very rewarding, but it can also come with some unexpected and very expensive surprises. If you are unprepared for these types of expenses, you could find yourself taking out a home equity loan or running up credit card debt to cover surprise expenses. Most financial experts recommend keeping three to […]
Inheriting real estate from your parents or other family member can often end up being a unexpected windfall, or somewhat of a burden. In many cases it can be a bit of both. A well maintained home in a desirable area can be quite the blessing, while an old dilapidated house hundreds (or even thousands) […]