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Parkland, FL Real Estate News

By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
Home sales rose for the 11th consecutive month according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing Home Sales Report for January. This is the first time this has occurred since the period between July of 2005 and May of 2006. National Average Home Price Up Over 12% Annually The national average home price in January was $173,600, which is 12.3 percent higher than for January 2012. Calculated on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis, Existing Home Sales data is compiled using completed sales of single family homes, condominium units and co-ops. January's existing home sales rose by 0.4 percent to 4.92 million sales nationally as compared to December's revised annual rate of 4.90 million sales nationally. National sales of existing homes increased by 9.1 percent as compared to Januar...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
The real estate market has started to recover from the downturn over the last few years in many areas of the country, and more people are thinking about buying a new home. With this new energy in home buying, an interesting trend seems to be developing. Instead of going for larger homes, which was an overwhelming trend in years past, many people are choosing micro-dwellings. What is a micro-dwelling? There are a number of different styles of micro dwellings being built. This is a relatively new concept for homes in the United States and individual creativity abounds in this space. The most common factor in micro-dwellings are their size. They tend to be less than 500 square feet of living space. Some densely populated metropolitan areas like San Francisco & New York City are planning ap...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
Ideally, when you are moving to a new home, you will want to do it on a pleasant and sunny day which makes everything much easier. However, if you are moving in the winter, or an unexpected deluge shows up on your pre-arranged moving day, it can really dampen your enthusiasm and throw a wrench into your plans. It can also make you worry about your possessions being damaged as you move them into your new home. Don't worry; it's still possible to move your possessions in the rain, or cold. All you need is a little bit of technique, forethought and planning. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are moving on a day with terrible weather: Dress For Success Make sure everyone in the family is dressed warmly. You will be going back and forth from indoors to outdoors a lot, so it might ...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
A quiet past week in economic news caused mortgage rates to worsen slightly. This week, however, will be packed with economic reports which may have an impact on interest rates going forward. Freddie Mac reported that the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage rose by 3 basis points from 3.53 percent to 3.56 percent with borrowers paying 0.8 in discount points and all of their closing costs. The average rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage was unchanged from last week at 2.77 percent with borrowers paying 0.8 in discount points and all of their closing costs. In other economic news, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January fell slightly to 0.0 percent as compared to Wall Street expectations of 0.1 percent and December’s reading of 0.1 percent. The Core CPI, which measures co...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
Have you heard the term Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) when looking to finance real estate? You may be wondering what PMI is and how you know when you need to purchase it. These answers can be hard to find among all the real estate jargon you might be hearing lately. Below is the short version of what you need to know. What is Private Mortgage Insurance? Private Mortgage Insurance is an insurance premium required by some lenders to offset the risk of a borrower defaulting on their home loan. When you put down less than 20 percent of the real estate's purchase price, the lender will generally require that PMI is added to the loan. It is usually added into the monthly mortgage payment until the equity position in the real estate reaches 20 percent. However, there may be other options a...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
There is a lot of misleading and incorrect information about Parkland & Coral Springs real estate short sales. Many people don't have a clear understanding of the purpose of short sales or how they actually work. Essentially, a short sale is when one sells their home for less than the balance remaining on the mortgage attached to the property. The proceeds from the sale are used to repay a pre-negotiated portion of the balance to settle the debt. A short sale can be a solution for homeowners who really need to sell their home but owe more on the mortgage than the home is worth. Understanding the short sale process can help make the most out of a real estate sale. Here are some common myths and why they are false: A short sale damages one's credit record as much as foreclosure In many ca...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
Many times real estate market experts point to the feelings of the nation's home builders as a bell-weather signalling the health of the housing sector. This month's reading indicates that home builders are feeling pretty good. The National Association of Home Builders / Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for February changed by one point to 46 as compared to 47 for January's reading. Over the last four months, HMI readings have stayed within a three-point range between 45 and 47, indicating a plateau after rising from 25 to 45 in 2012. Housing Market Index Near Highest Levels Since 2006 The good news is that February's reading remains near the HMI's highest level since April 2006, when the HMI reading reached 51. Some builders may be taking a wait-and-see stance in their confidenc...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
Moving everything in your house to your new Parkland home can be an overwhelming task. You never realize how much stuff you actually own until you try to fit it all into boxes and move it somewhere new. When you are packing up your things to relocate, here are some helpful tips to make your moving experience much easier: Start Packing In Advance You don't have to wait until the day before you move to start packing everything in your house! As soon as you find out that you are moving, you can start packing the items you don’t often use, such as your seasonal decorations, photo albums and family keepsakes. If you pack a few items per week, you’ll have almost everything packed by the time you are ready to go except for the essentials you use every day. Establish A System Rather than random...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
Buying Parkland real estate doesn't just give you a place to live; it can also be a very smart financial move. This is because owning a home can be like having a forced savings account, which you are committed to for the long term. Consistent Saving On Autopilot Sometimes saving money on our own each month is difficult. It takes a lot of discipline to maintain a consistent savings plan. However, paying your mortgage every month means that you are paying down the principal and working toward eventually owning the property outright. In the early years of the mortgage, the payments will go primarily to the interest on the loan. But over time, the portion of your payment dedicated to principle increases, which accelerates paying off the entire mortgage. Make Yourself Wealthy Instead Of Your...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
The National Association of Homebuilders recently released its Improving Markets Indexfor the month of February. The report attempts to identify U.S. metropolitan areas in which the economy is improving, demonstrating "measurable and sustained growth". 259 U.S. markets are qualified as "improving" this month, a 17-market jump from the month prior and includes participants from all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia. Experts point to improving market conditions in at least one market in all 50 states as a strong indication that the housing recovery is gaining substantial momentum. This increasing momentum may suggest that now may be a very good time to purchase a home. Compared to September 2011, when there were just 12 improving metro market areas, the widespread positive mov...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
How to Save Money on Energy Costs in Your Home Many communities in Florida and around the US are seeing their energy costs increase; sometimes dramatically. Whether you are energy conscious or just trying to save money, there are many steps you can take to lower your Parkland and Coral Springs home bills while helping the environment at the same time. Below are several energy-saving measures to help you save money either in your current house or future residence. Heating and cooling Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature uses more energy than anything else. To save energy, install a programmable thermostat to adjust the inside temperature when you are not there for long periods of time. Seal windows and doors to prevent air leaks, and close doors and air vents to rooms that are ...
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The perfect combination of coastal living and suburban experience await any family who is considering homes for sale in Parkland, Florida. Just a short drive to the dozens of beaches along the Atlantic Coast of western Florida, including Deerfield and Pompano Beach, Parkland offers wholesome small town living for individuals of all ages. From the local Barkland Dog Park and Parkland Family YMCA to the weekly Farmer's Market and Parks and Recreation system that culminates at Pine Trails Park, Parkland has the activities, facilities, and amenities for a family of any size. Ultimately, Parkland is perfectly situated away from the hustle and bustle of the coastal communities, but it is close enough that a day at the beach is literally only moments away. For those craving the excitement of t...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
Paying off the mortgage on your Parkland and Coral Springs home faster not only means that you’ll be able to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with completely owning your property earlier, but you may also save thousands of dollars in interest payments. Below are seven clever tips to help you get your mortgage payments on the fast track. 1. Save for a large down payment Pay as large a down payment as you can reasonably afford. The more you can put down, then the less you’ll have to borrow from the bank. 2. Read the fine print When you are choosing a mortgage, look at the fine print to find out if any restrictions apply to paying early. Some lenders will charge you for making extra or early payments. 3. Prepay early in the life of the mortgage This is when the loan is the most interest...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
Mortgage rates worsened last week in response to more indications that the U.S. economy and global economic trends are improving. Global economic data was stronger than expected; which generally boosts investor confidence and leads to higher mortgage rates in FL and across the country. According to Freddie Mac, the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 3.53 percent with borrowers paying all of their closing costs and 0.8 percent in discount points along with a full complement of closing costs. The U.S Department of Commerce reported that Factory Orders for December improved over November; they rose from 0.0 percent in November to 1.89 percent in December, but fell short of Wall Street's expectation of 2.5 percent. The ISM Services Index for January was released Tuesday and ...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
If you lost your Parkland or Coral Springs home due to foreclosure, you probably haven't given up on the dream of owning a new home. The good news is that a number of guidelines have changed which may allow you an opportunity to buy that new home sooner than you think. There are a few guidelines that lenders follow to determine when you’ll qualify for financing after foreclosure. Arming yourself with this information may help you qualify again for a mortgage. Foreclosure With Extenuating Circumstances Generally, lenders will take into consideration any extenuating circumstances surrounding the foreclosure on your FL real estate. Was there a death or illness that prevented you from earning money to pay your mortgage? Did you have a job transfer that came with a steep pay cut? Were you se...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
Home prices continue their upward climb. Last week, the S&P/Case-Shiller Index showed home prices gaining 5.5 percent during the 12-month period ending November 2012, marking the largest one-year gain in home prices since May 2010. The Case-Shiller Index measures changes in home prices by tracking same-home sales throughout 20 housing markets nationwide; and the change in sales price from sale-to-sale. Detached, single-family residences are used in the Case-Shiller Index methodology and data is for closed purchase transactions only. Between November 2011 and November 2012, home values rose in 19 of the 20 Case-Shiller Index markets, with previously-hard hit areas such as Phoenix, Arizona leading the national price recovery. The Phoenix market gained 1.4% for the month and was up 22.8% f...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
There was plenty of discussion and debate leading up to the New Year's looming "fiscal cliff". Ultimately, the event was avoided, but not before legislation was passed which may benefit homeowners in Parkland , Coral Springs and nationwide. If you have yet to file your 2012 taxes, take a minute to review the tax limitations and credit extensions, which Congress passed through the HR 8 legislation. You'll want to ensure you're paying the proper tax bill come April 15. Of course, every individual's tax situation is unique. Review your allowable deductions and credits with your tax preparer. Energy Updates The tax credit for homeowners to receive a ten percent deduction, up to $500, for energy efficient improvements to homes is extended for 2013. Estate Tax Individual estates valued at up ...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
Older Parkland homes & Coral Springs homes sometimes offer more charm and character than the newer houses of today. They boast gabled roofs, crown moldings, hardwood floors and antique fixtures. Buying an old house is like buying a piece of local history. Its beautiful period features can give it a timeless beauty and grace that is hard to resist. However, buying a house from another era can be an endeavor fraught with potential problems. Older houses are not necessarily built to the same electrical or plumbing standards of today. Plus, if they have not been maintained correctly through the years, they can turn into a serious money pit or a potential hazard. Here are six tips to keep in mind if you are considering buying an older home: Always hire a professional real estate inspector to...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
With telecommuting continuing to rise, and with more jobs requiring after-hours attention, showcasing your home's "home office" can help it show better with a prospective home buyer. It's wise to have your kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms show well, but a great-looking home office can make a huge impact and help you sell your home more quickly. Here are a few tips to helping your home office shine : Designate The Right Space Whether it's a spare bedroom or a computer nook, specify a separate place at which business is done. Make sure the area has enough room to set up a desk, a chair, a computer and a printer without making it look messy or cramped. Clean The Area A clean and orderly home office shows better than a messy one. To help your home office look its best to potential buyers, ge...
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By Jon Klein, Search Parkland Homes for Sale - Parkland FL
(Real Living 1st Choice Realty)
When preparing to sell a home, few things improve its curb appeal more than a fresh coat of exterior paint. Many people are intimidated by the thought of painting their home's exterior, and choose to hire a third-party to handle the work. But, you cando it yourself, with these easy steps. First, before starting, you'll want to inspect your home. Examine all walls, look under the eaves, and pay attention to door frames and windows. Be on the lookout for peeling paint, mildew and rough surfaces and make a note of them. Next, gather the tools you'll need to do the job. These include : A power washer A 2-3” inch putty knife A 2-3” inch pull scraper A wire brush A sander Chlorine bleach Then, to create a clean surface on which to paint, power-wash the walls with plain water. Detergents are n...
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