Home Owner’s Resource

Sep 27, 2017

About Florida Hurricane Deductibles

hurricane_deductibles_calcThe hurricane deductible is mandated by Florida statutes.

Deductible is expressed as a percentage, typically 2-5%, of the coverage amount, not a percentage of the loss. For an example, a structure insured for $200,000 with a two percent deductible would have a deductible of $4,000 for damage caused by a hurricane.

The hurricane deductible applies only for a hurricane as defined in the statutes. According to Florida Statute 627.4025, a hurricane means a storm system that has been declared a “hurricane” by the National Hurricane Center or the National Weather Service. Note that a named tropical storm does not trigger the hurricane deductible.

According to the statutes, the duration of a hurricane in which the hurricane deductible would apply includes the time period:

  • Beginning at the time a hurricane watch or warning is issued for any part of Florida by the National Hurricane Center.
  • Continuing for the time period during which the hurricane conditions exist anywhere in Florida; and ending 72 hours following the termination of the last hurricane watch or hurricane warning issued.

The deductible applies on a calendar year basis. This calendar year deductible applies only if the customer is insured by the same company during the deductible period.

Many, if not most, insurance policies require that the customer report all hurricane losses, even those that are clearly below the deductible.

It is crucial to read the specific policy in question to see how deductibles are structured. For example, non-admitted insurance carriers may not the same as admitted carriers with some of the state’s regulations regarding hurricane deductibles.

Hurricane deductibles on policies typically can only be changed at the renewal date of the policy.

For questions and more information, please contact Traci Sihle Sihle Insurance Group · 1021 Douglas Ave. · Altamonte Springs, Fl 32714 · USA

By OD Blogger Home Owner's Resource, Real Estate No comments

Jan 12, 2017

Home For Sale Valrico Florida

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New on market, This desirable 4 bedroom home in Diamond Hill a residential golf course community in Valrico is priced for a quick sale. Diamond Hill is a well established family neighborhood and is considered one of the Valri top communities. Neighborhood features includes highly rated schools, golf course, tennis courts, fitness center, a cabana and club house. Property is a single story ranch style home with 4 large bedrooms 3 bathrooms, plus a library/den. The main living area features a large family room with wood floors, formal dining and living rooms plus a well equipped kitchen with designer wood cabinets. Home recently upgraded including customized hardwood floors and custom tiles. Call now for a private viewing.

Property is a single story ranch style home with 4 large bedrooms and 3 baths, located in a gated golf course community. The main living area features a large family room with wood floors, glass sliding doors opens to a large screened area. The large kitchen has custom counter tops and upgraded appliances including a microwave.

For more information on this wonderful property please click links on our listing widget to the left. You may also use contact the seller link on this widget to make direct contact with the seller’s agent, or contact our office directly for additional information on any special rebates presently offered with the purchase of this showcase home. You are also welcome to call our office at 800 699-4841 any time during or after your tour to speak directly with one of our agents.

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By OD Blogger Home Owner's Resource, Real Estate No comments

Jun 22, 2016

Home Insurance and Backyard Structures

yard_1If you have a freestanding garage, shed, pool or other structure on your home’s property, is it protected under your homeowner’s insurance policy?

Detached Structures
Coverage amount for detached structures varies from policy to policy; check your policy for the specific coverage related to your structures. Keep the rebuilding cost of these structures in mind when purchasing your home insurance policy.

The items inside a shed or garage may also be covered by your homeowners policy, but you might consider a Personal Articles Policy this type of policy protects items beyond the limitations and deductibles of a homeowner’s insurance policy. You should review your personal property coverage with your agent or carrier to verify you have the correct coverage for your personal property.

Swimming Pools
Whether you already have a swimming pool or are thinking about getting one, review liability coverage options with your insurance agent or carrier.

You can also take additional safety measures to help prevent accidents and reduce the potential liability exposure:

Add a high fence with a self-closing, locked gate to keep guests from entering without your knowledge, to help prevent accidents, and reduce potential liability exposure. Enforce safe pool rules, such as not diving into shallow water and walking, not running, around the edge of the pool.

  • Provide non-slip surfaces around your pool to prevent falls.
  • Maintain adult supervision of children in the pool at all times.
  • Keep necessary first-aid equipment near the pool.
  • Contact your local municipality to determine if your pool and surrounding fence meets requirements for size, depth and other safety features.

For more information see the Insurance Information Institute.

 

By OD Blogger Home Owner's Resource, Real Estate No comments Tags: , , ,

May 27, 2016

For Your Protection Get a Home Inspection

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Property Search Orlando Florida

Home inspection gives home buyers more detailed information about the overall condition of the home prior to purchase. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential new home to: Evaluate the physical condition: structure, construction, and mechanical systems; Identify items that need to be repaired or replaced; and Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure, and finishes.

You must ask for a Home Inspection FHA does not perform a home inspection a home inspection will only occur if you arrange for one. Decide early. You may be able to make your contract contingent on the results of the inspection.

FHA Does Not Guarantee the Value or Condition of your Potential New Home. If you find problems with your new home after closing, FHA cannot give or lend you money for repairs, and FHA cannot buy the home back from you. Ask a qualified home inspector to inspect your potential new home and give you the information you need to make a wise decision.

Appraisals are different from Home Inspections An appraisal is different from a home inspection and does not replace a home inspection. Appraisals estimate the value of the property for lenders. An appraisal is required to ensure the property is marketable. Home inspections evaluate the condition of the home for buyers.

Be an Informed Buyer It is your responsibility to be an informed buyer. You have the right to carefully examine your potential new home with a qualified home inspector. To find a qualified home inspector ask for references from friends, realtors, local licensing authorities and organizations that qualify and test home inspectors.

Inspect your home’s exterior. Check for paint and stucco that’s cracking or peeling. Look for gaps in caulking around doors and windows. Examine foundation for cracks, leaks, or blocked vents.

By OD Blogger Home Owner's Resource No comments Tags:

Mar 29, 2016

Real Estate Home Buyers News

OD_BloggerWhile the prevailing conclusion is that the economy has not fully recovered from the recession of almost ten years ago, there are certainly some aspects of the economy that have shown signs recovery.

This unfinished recovery is also true in the real estate industry. Home prices are definitely showing signs of recovery, with the average price of homes in many areas of the country now back at levels reached during the peak of the real estate boom. On the other hand, unfinished recovery on the supply side is affecting the numbers of homes available for sale and adding additional upwards pressure to home prices.

Factors of the unfinished recovery directly related to the availability of homes for sale would include; Baby boomers due to losses sustained during the downturn or lack of confidence in the recovery are delaying retirement and scaling down to the condo on the beach and are holding on to their single family home much longer.

Builders are not building new homes at the same pace as before the crash; actuality they are reporting a shortage of skilled labor.

Based on population growth during the past decade the underlying demand for housing may be higher than available supply for several years, providing additional upwards pressure to home prices. To avoid repeating the past, it is essential to address this shortage and the pressing issue that America will need a greater supply of homes to house our growing population in the future.

The Markets

  • Rates on home loans inched higher again in the past week.
  • Freddie Mac announced that, for the week ending March 17, 30-year fixed rates rose to 3.73% from 3.68% the week before.
  • The average for 15-year loans was also moderately higher at 2.99%.
  • The average for five-year adjustable rate loan increased slightly to 2.93%.
  • A year ago, 30-year fixed rates were at 3.78% very close to today’s levels.

Rates indicated do not include fees and points and are provided for evidence of trends only. They should not be used for comparison purposes.

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Florida Home Search

By OD Blogger Home Owner's Resource, Mortgage, Real Estate No comments

Mar 18, 2016

Orlando buyers demand for homes outstrips inventory

Orlando median price continues upward trek
as buyer demand for homes outstrips inventory in February

housing-report-02.2016The inventory of Orlando homes available for purchase took another tumble in February, slowing year-over-year sales by 5 percent and driving a double digit increase in median price. Orlando median home price has now experienced year-over-year increases for the past 55 consecutive months; as of February the median price is 60.17 percent higher than it was in July 2011. The median price of single-family homes increased 11.06 percent when compared to February of last year, and the median price of condos increased 3.26 percent.

Sales of duplexes, townhomes, and villas in February jumped 9.91 percent compared to February 2015, yet another sign of limited buyer choice within lower-priced, single-family inventory.

The number of existing homes that were available for purchase in February is 6.55 percent below that of February 2015 and now rests at 10,696

The average interest rate paid by Orlando homebuyers in February was 3.75 percent. Last month, the average interest rate was 3.93. The average interest rate paid by homebuyers one year ago was 3.80 percent.

Affordability

Buyers who earn the reported median income of $56,981 can qualify to purchase one of 4,471 homes in Orange and Seminole counties currently listed in the local multiple listing service for $320,609 or less. First-time buyers who earn the reported median income of $38,747 can qualify to purchase one of the 2,312 homes in Orange and Seminole counties currently listed in the local multiple listing service for $193,790 or less.

Search home for sale in Orlando Florida – Update Daily

By OD Blogger Home Owner's Resource, Real Estate No comments

Mar 15, 2016

Tax Times Favors Homeowners

OD_BloggerCongress has consistently enacted tax legislation which favors homeowners. Indeed, much has been written that our tax laws discriminate against renters, by giving unfair and unequal tax benefits to those who own homes. For those of us who own homes, here is a list of the itemized tax deductions available to the average homeowner. Every year, you are permitted to deduct the following expenses:

Real estate property taxes, both state and local, can be deducted. However, it should be noted that real estate taxes are only deductible in the year they are actually paid to the government.

Interest on home loans on a first or second home is fully deductible, subject to the following limitations: acquisition loans up to $1 million, and home equity loans up to $100,000. If you are married, but file separately, these limits are split in half.

Points paid to lower your interest rate are deductible. Points paid to a lender when you refinance your current home loan are not fully deductible in the year they are paid; you have to allocate the amount over the life of the loan.

 

Source: Realty Times

Be sure to consult your tax advisor regarding taking advantage of all of your house-related deductions.

By OD Blogger Home Owner's Resource, Mortgage, Real Estate No comments

Jan 5, 2016

Housing Tax Benefits Extended

OD_BloggerHomeowners are among those who will benefit from a $760 billion tax deal that was signed into law in December. The deal includes two very important tax breaks for those who own homes. The law contains a retroactive extension of The Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Act through 2016. This law expired at the end of 2014 and, without the extension; any loan forgiveness achieved in a short sale would have been counted as income for homeowners who sold their homes for less than the amount of their home loan during 2015.

Also extended retroactively until 2016, was the deduction for mortgage insurance payments which expired at the end of 2014. Borrowers with adjusted gross incomes up to $100,000 can deduct 100% of their payments. Deductions are reduced by 10% for each additional $1,000 of adjusted gross income above $100,000. The threshold for married borrowers filing separately is $50,000 of adjusted gross income per person. Deductions are reduced by 5% for each additional $500 of adjusted gross income above $50,000. If you have questions regarding your eligibility for these tax breaks, it is suggested you contact your accountant. 

 

By OD Blogger Home Owner's Resource, Mortgage, Real Estate No comments Tags: , ,

Dec 15, 2015

Low Mortgage Rates In 2016?

OD_BloggerReceived the following important information about interest rates in my newsletter this morning, had to share.

The Fed Meeting Finally Arrives

The Federal Reserve Board’s Federal Open Market Committee meets today and tomorrow. This is the most anticipated meeting of the Fed in almost a decade. It has been exactly seven years since the Fed moved short-term interest rates to close to zero and it has been over nine years since the Fed actually raised short term rates. Now the markets are expecting the Fed to raise rates from these historically low levels once again.

The Federal Reserve has indicated all along that the markets would get plenty of notice before they raise rates. This notice is designed to prevent market shocks. One must remember that the Fed is only raising short-term rates. For example, the Federal Funds Rate is the rate banks charge each other overnight as they balance their holdings. The other rate controlled by the Fed is the Discount Rate, which is also a short term rate charged to banks for borrowing money. The question is–how can these rates affect long-term rates that consumers pay for loans on cars, homes, credit cards and even student loans?

Some rates such as credit cards which are pegged to the prime rates charged by banks may go up instantly. Other loans which are based upon longer term rates such as home loans are not as easy to predict. That is where the markets come in. The markets react to what the Fed may do before they take action. For example, rates on home loans have risen in anticipation of the Fed’s move. Now the markets will listen to what the Fed will say about potential future interest moves. So let’s see what the Fed has to say in addition to whether they raise rates.

 

 

 

By OD Blogger Home Owner's Resource, Mortgage, Real Estate No comments Tags: , , ,

Feb 6, 2015

What Tenants Should Know About Security Deposits

What is a security deposit?

A security deposit is any advance money a tenant gives to a landlord as security against damage to the rental premises or for advance rent. A security deposit may be called a “damage deposit,” “last month’s rent,” a “pet deposit,” or by another name.

How do I get my security deposit back?

A landlord is required to give you notice of his or her intention to keep all or part of your security deposit and the reason for imposing this claim. If the landlord does not plan to make a claim against the security deposit, he/she has 15 days after the premises are vacated to return the deposit. If the landlord plans to make a claim against the security deposit, he/she has 30 days to send you such notice by certified mail. Otherwise, he or she forfeits the right to keep any of the deposit.

To protect your rights, you must advise the landlord of your new address. Because the landlord is obligated only to send the notice to your last known mailing address, always give written notice of your new address to the landlord.

If after 30 days the landlord does not return your deposit or send you a letter stating why all or part of your deposit won’t be returned, you can sue him or her for the return of the entire deposit. If the landlord sends you a letter, and you disagree with the landlord, you must write back within 15 days (certified mail recommended but not required) stating that you object to the landlord’s claim on your deposit.

If you and the landlord cannot agree, you can sue, but you will have to prove that you were not responsible for the claimed damage. Photos and/or an independent inspection would be helpful.

If you do not object in writing after receiving the landlord’s letter, the landlord may deduct the amount of his or her claim and, as required, forward the balance (if any) to you within 30 days of the original notice. It is questionable whether a tenant can sue for return of the deposit if he or she has not objected.

Information provided by FloridaLawHelp.org
To locate your local legal aid or legal ser-vices office, please visit www.floridalawhelp.org

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