http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/practical-tips-to-make-moving-easier.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/practical-tips-to-make-moving-easier.html Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
From packing to keeping track of pets, kids, and valuable items, moving day can be an absolute nightmare from start to finish. It doesn’t have to be, however—use these eleven practical tips to take the stress out of your next move, and start enjoying your new home sooner.

The Earlier you Start, the Better off You’ll Be on Moving Day

Organization starts well in advance of moving day—and the earlier you start, the smoother your move will be. Two months before you plan to move, make a “plan of attack” and get most of the major decisions made, such as whether you’ll hire a moving company or rent a truck and drive it yourself. Other important points to consider include whether you’ll need to hire storage space, have someone drive your car (if you’re going to drive a moving truck, for example), or arrange to have your pets transported to your new location by air. You’ll also need to plan for some time after the movers come to clean up your old home and make it ready for the new owners – this always takes way more time than any of my clients anticipate. Remember often times vacuums, brooms, dustpans and cleaning supplies get packed up in the frenzy to move it to the new home. Don’t forget you’ll need to plan what to keep behind or borrow from a friend if necessary. Hire a cleaning company if time doesn’t permit you to do it yourselves.

Next up, you’ll need to organize a packing system—before you pack even one single box. A good packing system is particularly important if you’re planning to move the contents of a home, and you’ll be glad you made the effort when it comes time to unpack. Your system should include a unique designation for each box you pack, a way of identifying which room a box belongs in, and a master list on which you list the contents of each box. A system like this means you’ll know where every box should be in the new house, and help you track down any items which unfortunately sometime go missing.

The next item to think about is packing materials. It pays not to skimp here, especially when it comes to packing valuable or breakable items. It might be tempting to grab old boxes from the grocery store, but spending a few dollars on boxes from a moving company will keep your possessions that much safer. You can make the whole process trouble-free by ordering online, and many companies will let you return unused boxes for a full refund, so you won’t need to pay for anything you don’t use.

Smart Packing Makes for Easy Unpacking

When it comes to packing, you can never start too early. Obviously there are items you won’t want to pack more than a few days in advance of the move, but there’s plenty that can be packed a month or more beforehand. Items such as out-of-season clothing, extra appliances or electronics can easily be packed up and ready to go ahead of time. Also take down photos and patch up walls way ahead of time…on moving day with making sure everything gets on the truck and cleaning, there is too much going on to leave this until then.

This is also a great time to downsize, and get rid of any items that you no longer use. Donate or sell old clothing, toys, and other items, and you’ll have less to pack and less to unpack.

When you do start packing, there are some smart packing techniques you can use to keep your breakables in good shape. Use smaller boxes rather than larger ones, for example—that reduces the weight and means they’re easier to handle. Pack boxes with heavy items at the bottom so lighter items aren’t crushed, and use towels or sheets to wrap your breakable items to save space and money. Another good space and money saving technique is to pack clothing in your luggage or other bags, and to pack small items in the waste paper bins and plastic storage containers you use at home.

Another tip that will save you plenty of time and reduce your stress when unpacking is to pack like items together. Pack books and bookends, extension cords, power strips and appliances together, for example. Put picture hooks or screws in an envelope or Ziploc bag and tape to the item they belong with, and you won’t have to go hunting for them in the new house.

Finally, pack everything you consider valuable—from jewelry to passports, birth certificates, and prescription medicines—together in a small, strong box and keep it with you when you move. This is also a good place to store contact details for utility companies in your new location, as well as maps and phone lists for other important contacts.

Last-Minute Moving Day Organization

Following all of these tips before moving day will go a very long way towards making it as stress-free as possible. Of course, there are a few more things you can do on the day itself to help keep things going smoothly.

Keeping track of kids and animals can definitely add to the stress, so it’s a good idea to arrange for a relative or friend to take care of your children, and even your pets, on moving day. Have your children pick out some toys to keep them occupied on the day but make sure they don’t choose anything with small parts which could get lost.

There will most likely be a few items you’ll need to keep using right up to the last minute, as well as things you’ll want immediately to hand when you arrive at the new house. Keep these stored in their own box, and take them with you in the car or load them into the moving truck last. Each family member can also pack a box with items they’ll want to have on hand.

Finally—don’t panic when you arrive at your new home and see how much work you still have left to do. Take a deep breath, and approach unpacking in an organized fashion, just as you have with packing and moving, and you’ll find it much easier to deal with.

--
Calum and Kathleen are Owners of Real Living Southern Homes a leading Tampa real estate company serving the Wesley Chapel real estate and Land O’ Lakes real estate markets.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/salt-and-chlorine-pools-which-is-best.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/salt-and-chlorine-pools-which-is-best.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Chlorine

So what’s the problem with chlorine, anyway? It does exactly what it needs to—kills algae and bacteria, keeping the pool attractive and more importantly, a safe and sanitary place to swim. A pool that doesn’t get regular chlorine treatments will quickly become clogged with thick green algae. Depending on where you live, and especially in a warm climate like Florida, an untreated pool can become a green, sludgy nightmare inside of a week—the chlorine is definitely important.

If you maintain a chlorinated pool, however, it’s not enough to dump chlorine in periodically and let the pool fend for itself. There are other chemicals to add too, as well as regular testing to keep an eye on water quality. For example, you must make sure there is enough free available chlorine (meaning chlorine that is active) in the water to keep up with sanitizing the water. This is usually done with the use of weekly chlorine tablets.

Another important aspect of this maintenance is PH levels—the acidity or alkalinity of the water. If the PH gets too high, the chlorine in the pool isn’t able to work as efficiently. However, if the PH drops too low, the water quickly becomes too acidic to swim in comfortably. Keeping the PH at the right level is somewhat difficult, because the range at which it’s ‘just right’ is very narrow and many factors, including rain, affect this.

Chlorine is important for sanitation, but for many people it’s also a source of irritation. The harsh chemicals that are added to pre-packaged pool chlorine irritate the skin and eyes, making swimming a highly unpleasant experience. It is important to note that it’s not the chlorine that’s the problem—in most cases it’s the chemicals which are added to the pre-packaged mix.

Salt Water

The main advantage of a salt water pool isn’t that it doesn’t use chlorine. In fact, a salt water pool does use chlorine to keep the water clean. The advantage is that the pool owner doesn’t add chlorine to the pool—that means no pre-packaged chlorine, and less irritation for people who are sensitive to the added chemicals. Salt water tends to be much softer than chlorinated water, so it’s much more pleasurable to swim in, and is much less harsh on your skin. In addition, a salt water pool usually has a much lower concentration of chlorine than a chlorinated pool.

Another important benefit is more of a long-term one. In the short term, converting from chlorine to a salt water pool will involve some cash outlay, since there are a few system components you’ll need to by. It’ll run approximately $1000-$1500 to convert a traditional chlorine system to a salt water system. Over two or three years, however, the money you spend is recouped due to not having to buy extra chlorine for the pool. Just a bag of salt which is much less expensive.

Just to be clear though, salt water pools do in fact use chlorine to sanitize and the water. So if you are not adding chlorine tablets or shock, how does that work?

It works because of the chemical composition of salt, which is made up of chlorine and sodium. Within the salt water system is a unit called a salt-chlorine generator, which uses electrolysis to generate chlorine by separating the sodium and chlorine molecules in the salt you add to the pool. As the generator unit separates out the chlorine, it’s returned to the pool, where it keeps the water clean and sanitary.

A well-maintained salt pool is an absolute delight to swim in, with softer, more comfortable water that doesn’t irritate. It doesn’t taste salty, either, as you might think, because it has such a low concentration of salt that it’s officially considered to be fresh water! In the ocean, the salt concentration is between 20,000 to 35,000 parts per million, whereas in a salt water pool, it’s just 3,000 to 6,000.

Finally, don’t be fooled into thinking that a salt water pool maintains itself. It doesn’t. You still need to check PH levels and carry out other maintenance tasks. However,you’ll benefit from lower maintenance costs and a more enjoyable swimming experience, which definitely makes it worthwhile.



--
Calum and Kathleen MacKenzie are Owners of Real Living Southern Homes a leading real estate company serving the Tampa FL real estate market. Visit their website to search for Wesley Chapel Homes and New Tampa Homes.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/choosing-the-right-pool-heater-for-the-job.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/choosing-the-right-pool-heater-for-the-job.html Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Electric Heat Pump Systems

Electric systems don’t generate their own heat; instead they use electricity to pump heat to the pool’s heating unit. They work by circulating the pool’s water through a filtration and heating unit. The heater draws air from outside using a fan, and uses a combination of refrigerants, evaporation coils, compressors, and condensers to transfer heat to pool water. Heated water is then returned to the pool.

Electric heat pump systems are very energy-efficient (often more efficient than gas systems), but in certain circumstances lose efficiency very quickly. Most systems operate most efficiently at outside temperatures of more than 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but lose efficiency quickly if the temperature decreases. The system will still operate effectively, but it will require more electricity to do so, because the cooler outside temperature forces the system to work harder to heat water.

When choosing an electric system, the size of your pool, your local climate, and when and how you plan to use the heater are all important factors to consider. Efficiency and cost are also important to your budget. The value to watch for is the Coefficient of Performance (COP), which measures the efficiency of electric systems. The higher the COP, the more efficient the system; however because different manufacturers use different efficiency tests, the COP won’t always provide a direct comparison between different systems.

Electric systems are usually more expensive than gas-fired systems. Over time, however, the costs of each will even up somewhat, as electric systems are usually more efficient, and have lower annual operating costs. Properly installed and well maintained, an electric heating system will run smoothly for at least ten years.

Gas-Fired Systems

Gas-fired heating systems have long been a popular choice, despite their inefficiency as compared to electric and solar systems. Newer gas models are much more efficient than their predecessors, but even so they are still at a disadvantage. However, the relative efficiency of each system depends greatly on your local climate, and its suitability depends on your pool use habits, so there are going to be cases where gas is the best option.

Gas systems are perhaps the most simple. They burn natural gas or propane, and heat the pool’s water by drawing water through a filter into the heating unit. The water is heated via proximity to the unit’s combustion chamber.

The beauty of a gas-fired heating system is that water can be heated quickly—much more so than electrical or solar powered systems—and it can be heated regardless of external weather conditions. A gas-fired system can maintain any temperature you desire no matter what the weather. This quality, coupled with the lower efficiency and higher operating cost of the gas system, makes them really ideal for heating a pool which doesn’t see regular use.

To check the efficiency of a gas-fired system, use the ‘heater efficiency’ ratio. This is expressed as a percentage, and refers to the amount of fuel the unit consumes versus the amount that is wasted when heating water. For example, unit operating at 55% heater efficiency uses 55% of the gas it consumes in heating pool water, wasting 45% in the process. On the other hand, a 95% efficient system wastes only 5% of the gas it consumes.

More efficient systems are naturally more expensive, but over the life of the unit, it’ll pay for itself if you use the pool regularly. Choosing a 95% system over a 55% system will save a little over $400 a year. Given that a properly installed and maintained system will last at least five years, you can potentially save more than $2,000 in annual heating costs.

Solar-Powered Systems

Solar heating is an extremely cost-effective method of heating a swimming pool, but the suitability of these systems is heavily dependent on your local climate.

Solar heating systems include four main parts: a pump, a solar collector through which water is circulated, a filter to remove debris from water entering the collector, and a valve which can be manipulated to divert water to the solar collector.

The solar collector itself is a panel (or panels) installed on the home’s roof. Water enters the collector and is heated, then returned to the pool. Depending on the collector being used, it can also heat water used in the home. In addition, in hot climates the system can be used to cool water down by diverting it to the collector at night rather than during the day.

Start-up costs for solar systems are competitive in comparison to gas and electric systems. The real difference in cost is in annual operating costs, where solar heating definitely comes out the winner.

Another advantage is that once installed, they’re relatively simple to maintain, and a well installed and properly maintained solar heating system will usually operate smoothly for at least ten and up to twenty years.

Heating System Installation

Regardless of the type of system you choose, it’s almost always best to hire a professional contractor for installation. It’ll cost extra, of course, but heating systems must be properly installed and configured for maximum efficiency, so it’s an expense that will more or less pay for itself in the long term.

If you choose a solar heating system this is particularly important—a professional contractor is an absolute necessity in this case, as there are additional issues, such as safety and local building codes, to consider during planning and installation. Choose a certified or licensed contractor with experience in working with the type of system you plan to use for the best results.

Don’t forget that your heating system will need annual tune-ups and will probably require servicing periodically, too. Again, it’s usually best to hire a professional for this work to keep the system in tip-top condition.


--
Calum and Kathleen MacKenzie are Owners of Real Living Southern Homes a leading real estate company serving the Tampa FL real estate market. Visit their website to search for Wesley Chapel Homes and New Tampa Homes.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/understanding-florida-real-estate-taxes-with-floridas-amendment-1.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/understanding-florida-real-estate-taxes-with-floridas-amendment-1.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Property values are in constant flux just as the real estate market is, so getting an accurate, current assessment is important. The assessed value of the property you buy may change dramatically when it changes hands, so it’s good to be aware of the factors that might influence how much tax you pay.

As well as market rates your real estate tax bill will also depend on the tax rate for different local government bodies. The property you buy will be subject to taxes from several different bodies, including county and city government, the school board, hospital district, and water district. There may be additional taxes if you live in a masterplanned community.

On the other side of the coin, homestead exemptions and the “Save our Homes” amendment help limit the amount of your property tax bill.

County Taxes

The amount you pay in county property taxes will, of course, vary depending on the value of your property. However, they’ll also vary depending on the tax rate in your county, and where in the county you live. This is because within a county, some regions are incorporated and some are unincorporated, and unincorporated regions tend to have lower property taxes. If you live in Temple Terrace, some areas of New Tampa or the City of Tampa, for example, you’ll likely be paying more in property taxes than someone living in Lutz or some portions of New Tampa, as the former locations are incorporated and the latter are not. Unincorporated areas generally are lower because they do not have “city” taxes.

Community Development District Tax

People living in a Florida masterplanned community or community development district will likely have additional taxes to pay. These extra taxes are what enable the developers of these communities to add extra amenities to enhance the lives of residents. By sharing the cost of community and land development among residents, additional facilities such as recreation centers, parks, walking trails, and sports facilities can be added.

Depending on the community, the tax may have two separate parts. One is a fixed amount that is payable for a fixed amount of time (usually no more than twenty years) – the bond portion. The second amount can vary from year to year depending on the needs and budget of the community. If you’re interested in relocating to one of these communities it’s important to find out how much residents are expected to pay each year, as the total varies widely depending on the community, the different villages within the community and the types of facilities and services the master planned community provides as a whole.

Note that the responsibility for paying these taxes is tied to the property, not to the owner. If the property changes hands, payment of community fees and taxes becomes the responsibility of the new owner. An owner does have to option to pay off the bond portion of the CDD for their property, thus reducing the amount owed yearly to only include the working capital needed to maintain the community.

Property Tax Homestead Exemption

Under the homestead exemption, all legal residents of Florida can deduct $25,000 from the assessed value of their primary residence. This essentially reduces the taxable value of the property, and reduces how much eligible Florida residents pay in property tax. Certain groups of homeowners, such as senior citizens, veterans, and the blind, may qualify for other exemptions.

The $25,000 homestead exemption is not granted automatically, however. To be eligible in any given year you must take possession of the homestead by December 31, and then apply for exemption no later than March 31 of the next year.

Since January 9, 2008, eligible Florida homeowners can gain a further $25,000 exemption under Amendment 1. This exemption is received automatically by any homeowner who applies and is approved for the original homestead exemption.

The second exemption is calculated as follows:

• The first $25,000 value of the home is the original exemption.

• The second $25,000 is fully taxable. This is necessary to allow Florida towns and cities where assessed property values are low to continue collecting the revenue they need to run local government.

• The third $25,000 is the new Amendment 1 exemption. It is exempt from all taxes except for school tax. This allows schools to continue receiving the funding they need (if this third portion was totally exempt, schools wouldn’t receive enough funding for their schools).

The "Save Our Homes" Amendment

The Save our Homes (SOH) amendment prevents annual property assessments increasing more than 3% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (whichever is lower). This guarantees any homeowner who receives a homestead exemption that the assessed (taxable) value of their property will not increase more than 3% per year.

SOH protects existing Florida homeowners, but if you’re buying Florida property and you are not a Florida resident and it is not your primary residence, SOH won’t apply to your purchase. The assessed value cap is lifted automatically when the property changes hands. It is important for new home buyers to rely on the current market value and not on the previous owners tax assessment as it is likely that the home will have an artificially low assessed value, especially if it’s been owned by the same person for a number of years.

Once you buy a home, you can apply for homestead exemption, and receive automatic SOH protection once the exemption is approved for the next tax year.

What does that mean? If you buy your home prior to December 31, 2008, you will have the benefit of whatever the prior homestead status is for your bill that tax year. Once the new year begins and providing you have applied by March 31, your new Homestead exemptions will be reflected in the following November’s 2009 tax bill. Remember taxes are paid in arrears.

“Save Our Homes” Portability

Amendment 1 has also changed the way SOH works. Under Amendment 1, SOH protection now has “portability,” meaning you can transfer a portion of your SOH benefit to a new homestead, if you meet the qualifying criteria.

Under the old pre-Amendment 1 system, a homeowner who had lived in the same homestead for several years had a substantial property tax benefit, as their home’s assessed value was capped. However, while they would enjoy lower property taxes, they were also more or less trapped in that home, as moving to a new homestead would mean a sharp increase in property taxes (as they would not be protected by SOH).

Amendment 1 has changed that by allowing Florida homeowners who receive SOH protection to transfer that protection to a new homestead. They must, however, apply for SOH within two years of purchasing the new property to be eligible to transfer the accumulated tax benefit to the new home. For example, a homeowner who gave up their old homestead after January 1, 2007, would have to claim for their new homestead by March 3, 2008 to be eligible for SOH portability.

The protection isn’t limited only to people who purchase new property. A Florida homeowner with multiple properties can transfer homestead status and SOH protection from one property to the other. However, because these protections only apply to a primary residence, they must also be willing to change their primary residence. There are stiff penalties for claiming homestead status on a property that is not your primary residence.

To apply for SOH portability you must apply for a new homestead exemption and also make a separate application to transfer the SOH benefit to your new homestead. You’ll need DR-501T and DR-501R application forms, which you can obtain from the Florida Department of Revenue web site and turn in to office of the county appraiser where your new homestead is located.

How much can you transfer? It depends on whether you’re moving to a house of greater or lesser value than the house in which you currently live. If it a home of greater value, you can transfer up to $500,000 worth of SOH protection from your original homestead. If it’s less in value, you can transfer up to 50% of the new property’s value in SOH protection.

Stay with me here…

For example…

Your current homestead has a value of $300,000 and SOH exemption of $150,000.

If your new property has a value of $500,000 you’ll receive portable benefits of $150,000.

If your new property is valued at $200,000 you’ll receive $100,000 worth of protection (in this case 150,000 of 300,000 is 50% - so you would apply the 50% to the new property value to arrive at your dollar amount of reduction of assessed value).

Assessment Cap for Non-Homesteads

Under Amendment 1, there is now an assessment cap for non-homestead property. This applies a cap of 10% on the assessment of both residential and non-residential property.

As of January 1, 2008, all non-homestead property will be assessed at market value only. However, the assessed increase from year to year is capped at 10%. In addition, the assessed value of the property cannot exceed market value.

Essentially, this means the assessed value of non-homestead property will be equal to market value. If a non-homestead property is appraised at $350,000 in 2008, it will be tax assessed at $350,000. If the property is capped at 10% cap in 2009, its assessed value could not increase above $385,000, regardless of market performance.

Non-homestead property owners can apply for this assessment cap in 2009.

Tangible Personal Property Exemption

The fourth Amendment 1 change is a $25,000 tangible personal property exemption. To qualify, business owners must file a TPP return by April 1 in the year in which they wish to apply. If you file and your TPP is less than $25,000 in value, there’s no need to file again unless your TPP value increases over that amount. Tangible personal property includes any owned and leased items used by a business.

--
Calum MacKenzie is Broker/Owner of Real Living Southern Homes a leading Tampa real estate company serving the Wesley Chapel FL real estate and New Tampa FL real estate markets.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/get-ready-for-florida-hurricane-season.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/get-ready-for-florida-hurricane-season.html Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Your Family Disaster Plan

A disaster plan is simply an action plan that you’ll carry out if a hazard affects your home and family. It includes preparation activities you do before the hazard becomes a threat, and activities you might need to carry out during a storm or other emergency.

• Determine the types of hazards you might be affected by, and how your home is most vulnerable. Check out some ways in which you can minimize the risk of damage or safety threats during a storm.
• Check your insurance and make sure you’re covered for flood damage in some way (standard homeowner’s insurance rarely covers floods).
• Take classes in CPR, first aid, and disaster preparedness.
• Locate rooms or areas in your home which are safe from hurricane hazards. Generally this will be an interior room which has no windows.
• Determine escape routes from your home (these might vary depending on the hazard involved) and choose one or more meeting places where your family can gather if separated.
• Plan what to do with your pets if you have to evacuate your home.
• Choose a contact person—a friend or family member who lives out of state—that family members can contact if needed. Make sure you have at least two ways to contact that person (such as email, home phone, cell phone).
• Create and maintain a disaster supply kit, and make sure your family knows where it is and what it’s for.
• Check your disaster supply kit when a hurricane watch is issued and make sure you have all necessary supplies on hand.
• Discuss all of these issues with your family to make sure everyone understands what to do during a storm.

Creating a Disaster Supply Kit

A disaster supply kit is full of all the things you might need in the event of a storm doing enough damage that you lose your electricity supply or become isolated from the rest of the world.

When creating and maintaining disaster supply kit, it’s important to make sure that everything that goes in the kit stays in it. Don’t be tempted to remove items from the kit for any reason—it’s far too easy to forget to replace them. (Of course, you can use your own discretion when deciding whether or not to buy items such as blankets, pillows, and clothing especially for the kit.)
What should you include?

• Plenty of water—a good rule of thumb is one gallon per person per day, with at least three days’ worth for each person in the household.
• Enough food for three to seven days. Include only non-perishable food such as canned or dehydrated items, and also add some plastic utensils and paper plates, as well as a can opener and cooking implements.
• First aid kit
• Toiletries and personal care items
• Blankets and pillows
• Clothing
• Battery-operated flashlight and radio, and plenty of spare batteries
• Books and toys for you and the kids
• Important documents, including insurance policies, social security & bank account numbers, wedding and birth certificates. Keep these in a waterproof document sleeve.
• Tools (battery or hand-operated)
• Pet care items for any pets you own, including a leash and muzzle for dogs, and a cage or carrier for any small pets.

You may also want to have on hand items that you may need for emergency repairs if windows and other household fixtures are broken during a storm.

Some items, such as prescription medication and documents, won’t be a part of your disaster supply kit at all times, but you can gather these items when you hear of a hurricane watch and add them to the kit.

Store kit items in a safe and secure location, in water-tight boxes or bags, and make sure everyone in the family knows where your emergency supplies are located.

Some items may need to be replaced periodically even if you don’t use the kit—this includes batteries, and may include first aid and food items.

What should you do when a Hurricane Watch is Issued?

If a hurricane watch has been issued for your area, your actions will depend on whether or not you need to evacuate your home.

If you’re able to stay in your home, assemble your disaster supply kit and check for any items that need to be replaced. Stock up on any supplies you need, fill your car with gas, and grab some extra cash (in case ATMs and banks close). Carry out your pet plan, notify your contact person of the hurricane watch, and check up on your neighbors, too. If a hurricane does show up, gather your family in your home’s safe room, along with your disaster supply kit.

If you’ve been ordered to evacuate, or live in a vulnerable area, you’ll need to decide on a destination and inform family and friends (including your out-of-state contact) where you’re headed. Evacuate to the home of family members or friends in a safe area if possible, or try a motel or hotel in a safe location. Shelters will usually be a last resort, as these may be uncomfortable, and many don’t accept pets.

One of the worst feelings for family and friends is not being able to reach you and know that you are alright. Decide on one out of state contact and let your family and friends know ahead of time who that is and how to reach them.

Assemble your disaster supply kit, take care of your pets, grab extra cash, fill up your car’s tank, and secure your home. Before leaving, map out a route you’ll take to get to your destination—don’t get on the road until you know where you’re going and you have a safe route to get there. Be patient and leave as early as possible.


--
Calum MacKenzie is Broker/Owner of Real Living Southern Homes a leading Tampa Bay real estate company serving the Wesley Chapel FL real estate and New Tampa real estate markets.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/florida-home-inspections-common-issues.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/florida-home-inspections-common-issues.html Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500
There are certain problems that are commonly found in home inspections that, if left undetected, could mean thousands of dollars worth of repairs for an unwary home-buyer. In addition there are issues that are unique to states such as Florida, due to our distinctive climate. These are definitely worth paying attention to, particularly if you’re relocating from out of state and haven’t considered the problems that a warm, moist climate can present.

Water Damage

The Florida climate is absolutely brutal in terms of the damage it can do to wood and wood-based products. Regular maintenance of paint and caulking will eliminate 90% of the potential problems, but for many homeowners that maintenance just doesn’t get done.

Wooden doors without rain protection, siding in contact with grade, and poorly protected trim or siding are all vulnerable to water damage. Even stucco homes are vulnerable if stucco begins to crack and allow water access to the frame beneath. The damage done to wood framing on stucco homes can be huge, because the stucco hides what’s going on in the wood.

Application and regular maintenance of caulk and paint will prevent these issues (or help prevent them worsening if the home you buy is affected by water damage). Alternatively, consider whether you’d be better off with a masonry-built home with aluminum, stucco, and other materials in place of wood siding, framing, and trim.

Electrical Issues

Electrical problems are often caused simply by aging, damaged wiring, but that’s not the biggest problem your home inspection might uncover. More problematic than an older wiring system is the damage that a homeowner can do if they hire a non-licensed electrician, or even worse, do the work themselves without prior experience or knowledge.

Common issues found in these situations include exposed wiring without the necessary conduit protection, outlets with reversed polarity, junction boxes left open in attics or behind walls, double-tapped circuits, unsafe exterior wiring, and badly-constructed GFI outlets. Often, such issues arise when a homeowner decides to remodel their kitchen or bathroom, but fail to check out current code requirements. The result is that the modifications may not be up to code (this is more likely for older homes, as electrical codes have changed significantly in the past couple of decades).

Plumbing Problems

Plumbing issues such as leaky faucets, water heaters, shower stalls, or toilets are common, but usually fixed fairly easily. A more significant problem occurs in the long term when water intrudes behind tiles, and shower or tub surrounds. These can be more costly to fix.

All these problems are easily avoided by sealing grout lines with grout or caulk, and repeating the application as needed. These simple measures can save thousands in unnecessary repairs and prevent the mold problems that often result, too.

Aging, Damaged, or Leaky Roofs

Florida’s climate and weather isn’t particularly friendly to roofing materials. Materials such as metal panels and concrete tiles will tolerate the weather as long as they’re installed properly and conform to manufacturer’s requirements. Shingles, however, are almost guaranteed to start taking damage soon after installation.

Harsh winds are part of the problem, but the main culprit is actually the hot Florida sun. In general, a shingle roof will last around fifteen years (even if it has a 20, 30, or even 40 year rating).

Roof failures are usually on the perimeters of the roof, or anywhere where the roof is penetrated, such as around chimneys, plumbing vents, or attic vents.

Air Conditioning Problems

Air conditioning issues might not be a big deal in all states, but people in Florida use their AC systems ten months out of the year—more than anywhere else in the country. Despite the fact that so many people rely on their AC so heavily, they don’t often get regular maintenance. In fact, the number one reason that AC systems experience problems is simply poor maintenance, rather than a mechanical failure.

Home inspections usually find leaking ductwork, dirty air handling coils or filters, and low refrigerant levels, any of which can lead to an inefficient, badly-running AC system. Changing filters regularly, plus annual servicing will keep your AC running well for a long time to come.

Problems in Low-traffic Areas

Those are the top five, but those aren’t the only issues a home inspector is likely to come across. Home inspectors don’t just take a tour of the most frequently-used areas of your home—they’ll want to look at attics, crawlspaces, and other hard-to-reach places that often get overlooked when it comes to maintenance. These unused places are all prime locations for termite and pest damage, water damage, plumbing, insulation, or electrical defects, structural damage, and HVAC problems.


--
Calum MacKenzie is Broker/Owner of Real Living Southern Homes a leading Tampa real estate company serving the Wesley Chapel real estate and New Tampa real estate markets.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/mortgage/counseling-and-hope-for-sub-prime-mortgage-holders.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/mortgage/counseling-and-hope-for-sub-prime-mortgage-holders.html Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600
The counseling is intended to help people to hold onto their homes after they have been accepted for refinancing through a new scheme.

The scheme called 'Hopenow' has been given the blessing of two of the big boys in Government: the United States Department of Treasury and the Unite States Department of Housing and Urban Affairs.

It is to Hopenow's credit that they are offering counseling, it is at least recognition of the fact that, though this may be a national crisis, to every one who is struggling to pay the monthly mortgage, it is simply an individual crisis.

If you are one of these people, take the trouble and afford the expense to send your application for consideration by recorded delivery, special mail or registered post. So far 45,000 applications have been taken, and you may want to show that you have in fact, tried to access this help. You will need proof.

Refinanced mortgages with fixed rates are available now for homeowners struggling with sub-prime mortgages. Knowing that these mortgage holders could face even more increases in their mortgages in the next two years, action is being taken now.

At the moment Hopenow are looking at the most serious cases, as their mandate is to avoid as many foreclosures as possible.

This means that when you write to them, you need to state your case clearly, and do not feel shy about writing out your worst financial problems and the amount of money that you will lose, and how many children you have that will be homeless.

Enlist the help of your sub prime mortgage lender (he or she does not want you to lose this property, as undoubtedly they will lose some of their cash too, if you go under.) Your sub prime mortgage lender may even know of a way to help put you near the top of the 'help' list.

In some cases the help can come in the form of an interest rate freeze, rather than a complete change in mortgage plan, but this freeze will serve to tide mortgage holders over until they can re-finance without the panic of foreclosure over their heads.

Hopenow has been created by lenders in the mortgage services field who represent 90% of the sub prime market. There are at least 2milllion sub prime mortgage holders. This outreach program often contacts lenders before they get to foreclosures and offer to help them. They do have a website that you can visit.

This help is a blessing for the nation as well as the individual people in distress; once the foreclosure problem is faced and dealt with by a system that has Government backing, the property market will not have a glut and prices will be re-established.

--
This article was written on behalf of Tampa real estate agent, Calum MacKenzie. Calum is a professional who makes client satisfaction his top priority. Calum has the expertise needed to help find your dream home in the Land O' Lakes Florida real estate market.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/home-staging-necessary.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/home-staging-necessary.html Mon, 07 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500
The first thing to do in staging a home is ensuring that it is as clean as it can be. Every room should be spotless, every counter; clean, every closet; organized. It will be impossible to move on to the next steps without a home that is in pristine condition. With the home clean, the next step is to begin removing any clutter. Any excess things that are taking up space that aren't daily use items should be packed away so that they aren't in the way for the showing. Try to make sure that there is more than enough room for people to make their way through the rooms without having to weave around excess furniture or objects.

Staging is really about creating an atmosphere for viewers to enjoy. It should be as if there was literally no effort made to create it, as if this is the natural day-to-day appearance of the home. Smell plays a large part in the showing of a home as smell is one of our strongest senses. Pet odor is a big drawback when showing a home so if you have critters make sure to neutralize the odor and keep them outside or at another location when shows are happening. At the end of the staging process your home should be worthy of a magazine shoot, so take the time to plan your staging carefully.

--
Calum and Kathy MacKenzie are experienced and professional Tampa, Florida real estate agents who specialize in helping families relocate to the Tampa area. They've lived and worked in New Tampa for eleven years, and their extensive knowledge of New Tampa real estate can help make relocation a breeze.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/flipping-real-estate.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/flipping-real-estate.html Mon, 07 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500
When considering flipping a home there are quite a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration. The state of the local market, the average price of homes, average home selling time and of course; location. Let's consider each in turn. The state of the local market will have a huge bearing on the flip of a home. If the market is in a recession then it may not be the best time to flip a home. Try to sell in a time where there is a high demand for homes. Finding an area that is soon to be revitalized is a good bet. Understand that this will take some prospecting skill to find the right home in the right area. Predicting the real estate market is something that takes a while to get the hang of so consult with your realtor if you are unsure of the status of the market. Price will also factor largely into the equation. Flipping a home is all about the bottom line. The improvements you make on the home must justify it's higher selling price without pricing it out of the local market. It's also a good idea to take a look at how long it has taken the average home to sell. You will need to factor this into your budget as the home may not sell immediately and you will have to bear the costs of upkeep. Finally, location. As they say, "real estate is all about location, location, location." Make sure that you invest in a property that will be attractive to buyers in terms of locale. If the location is unappealing, then the sale will be much more difficult and time consuming.

--
Calum and Kathy MacKenzie are experienced and professional Tampa, Florida real estate agents who specialize in helping families relocate to the Tampa area. They've lived and worked in New Tampa for eleven years, and their extensive knowledge of New Tampa real estate can help make relocation a breeze.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/why-dont-some-homes-sell.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/why-dont-some-homes-sell.html Tue, 03 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500
The other two reasons, a seller does have some control over. One of the main reasons that homes don't sell is the fact that they are overpriced. It is a natural want when selling your home to try to get top dollar for it. However when considering your asking price you cannot tie your emotions and memories into the decision. It is acceptable that you place a higher value on your home than a buyer. You have an emotional tie to the home which can cause homes to be priced above their market value. The best way to discover the current market value of your home is to have a comparative market analysis done by your realtor. This compares your home with other homes of like size and amenity that have sold recently in your area. This will give you a decent number to start the pricing of your home from. Use it as a baseline, not an absolute.

Another reason for a home's presence on the market for a long time can be the home itself. Have you taken the time to ensure that you home is as attractive as it can possibly be? Buyers are a finicky lot and will pick out any imperfection in a home in order to get a lower price. If a home is not presented properly, that is; completely clean and in order and in pristine shape it becomes more difficult to sell. You must also be ready to show the home at any time. Ideally you will have some notice as to when shows will happen but if someone wants to see the house immediately, it needs to be ready to show immediately. Hopefully this has helped to shed some light on reasons why homes sometimes languish on the market, make sure yours isn't one of them.

--
Calum and Kathy MacKenzie are experienced and professional Tampa, Florida real estate agents who specialize in helping families relocate to the Tampa area.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>