We are currently looking at replacing a flat roof on a rental property. We assumed everything was fine but found out from a contractor hired to replace some facia board that there was a leak in more than one spot in the interior! He found out after speaking to the tenant who had neglected to ever mention it to us. Obviously we thought our tenant would mention if there was water coming in when it rained. We never thought to ask "Is there water leaking though the ceiling when it rains?" The repair total for rotted would is now much more costly than if we had done routine inspections. Lesson learned. Here are some tips from State Farm about evaluating the condition of your roof.
Remember that routine inspections will save you money in the long run.
Wind, rain, sun, heat and cold – every day your roof is exposed to the elements, and their damaging effects can diminish your home’s value and impact your family’s quality of life. Performing an annual roof inspection will help keep your home and property well protected all year long. The video below shows you how.
When repair or replacement is needed, you may want to talk to your roofing professional about impact-resistant materials and construction techniques that may qualify you for homeowners insurance discounts. Done properly, roof inspection and repair will save you money now and well into the future.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Is West Palm Beache's El Cid a place you could call home?
El Cid Neighborhood
One of the most popular neighborhoods in West Palm Beach, El Cid was designated a real estate historic district in 1993 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. Noted for its beautiful and expansive Mediterranean revival and Mission-style homes, El Cid was developed in the height of Florida’s real estate boom and also boasts Monterey, Art Deco and Colonial Revival styles with unique architectural features. Formerly pineapple fields, the El Cid subdivision was developed by socialite Jay Phipps from Pittsburgh in the 1920’s. Popular with Baby Boomers, this historic neighborhood boasts houses with well-manicured lawns, lush landscaping with palm trees swaying in the breeze, and an upper-middle class appeal. Each Spring, the El Cid Historic Home Tour features some of the most elegant homes in West Palm Beach, many of which have undergone extensive updating and renovation. This sought after neighborhood is located along pristine Flagler Drive just south of downtown and City Place. Homes in Historic El Cid start in the $300,000 price range and can go into the millions. If you would like for information on this area or any other feel free to visit my website at http://www.realestateinpalmbeach.net/. You can search for properties in Palm Beach, Martin, Broward or Dade County. Or exclusively search through a separate link for the Island of Palm Beach through the Palm Beach Multiple Listing. As always I am here to answer your questions or assist you in anyway I can.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Home prices in Florida are increasing...how much did West Palm Beach go up?
According to a recent survey, property values increased in West Palm Beach almost 15% placing it about 8th on the list of Florida cities who real estate values are recovering. With interest rates at historical lows and property values just starting to rise, anyone who is waiting for the right to to buy a home should do so in 2011. As Warren Buffett says ..."Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful."
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?p=1&id=265349
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?p=1&id=265349
Friday, September 23, 2011
Should Florida remove the court system from the foreclosure process?
That is exactly what Governor Scott is proposing as a way to move these properties into the system and speed up a housing recovery. At this time 30 other states do not involve the courts during a foreclosure process including California where a foreclosure takes on average 30% less time than here in Florida. In addition Florida already has the second highest foreclosure rate in the country. The average time in Florida to complete the foreclosure process is 638 days! In case you haven't heard in some instances banks are so fed up with how long it takes to foreclose that they are paying delinquent homeowners to transfer the property rights back to them. If they sign the property back they receive a check from the lender. What do you think? Should Florida remove the court systems from the foreclosure process?
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?p=1&id=265244
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?p=1&id=265244
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Howley's Restaurant..."Cooked in Sight, Must Be Right"
If Howley’s restaurant isn’t considered a Landmark in West Palm Beach, it definitely should be. Located at 4700 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, Fl. 33405, this local mainstay has stood its ground since 1950 when it was orignally opened by Patrick J Howley. Even though it was sold and revamped several years ago, the sign still reads the same: “Cooked in Sight, Must be Right.” But not everything has remained the same.
I have lived within a mile from Howleys since I was a youngster just starting the first grade and always feel at home when I stop in. There are two main rooms as well as outdoor dining. If you're not in the mood for a comfy booth then feel free to saddle up to the front counter on a swivel barstool with flat screen tv's overhead.
Howley’s features a wide array of great selections, with something sure to please every member of your group. The breakfast has always been delicious, served in generous portions at fair prices, but when new owners took over in 2004, lunch and dinner took a yummy turn for the better. The menu offers everything from Greek Salad, Crab Cakes, Meatloaf, Nachos, Sweet Potato Fries, Cheeseburgers, Veggie Sausage, ETC. No matter your diet, you will find something to delight your taste buds.
You can enjoy Howley’s almost anytime! So whether you’re an Early Bird or a Night Owl the hours are conveneint. Monday through Thursday from 7 am-2 am and weekend hours are 7 am to 4 am. Howley's phone number is (561) 833-5691
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Not only does Howley’s have a wonderfully eclectic food menu, but they also offer a full liquor bar including wines and craft beers!
After remoldeling in 2004, Howleys was restored to it’s original look but, not without a few twists thrown in. It’s kind of a retro diner meets hipster vibe now which includes funky painting on the walls and art that’s for sale.
Howley’s was deservingly featured on Post Picks Best of Dining: Best Breakfast
http://events.pbpulse.com/west-palm-beach-fl/venues/show/1104520-howleys-restaurant
http://events.pbpulse.com/west-palm-beach-fl/venues/show/1104520-howleys-restaurant
Howley’s loves to give back to the community and has always given generously whenever asked to our Southend Neighborhood Association www.facebook.com/southendneighbors. In addition they participate in many of the deals one can purchase online to save money. For instance, if you buy an $8 gift certificate from Charity Dine, it’s good for $20 at Howley’s! http://www.charitydine.com/restaurants/view/18
For more information including upcoming events, check Howley’s out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Howleys-Restaurant/117315411621283
Howley’s has indoor and outdoor seating with something on the menu for everyone. So stop on by and bring your friends, family and even your dog! You'll see why everyone loves this neighborhood gem.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Is your 11 year son or daughter desperate for a cell phone?
With school now in session you may be considering getting your child that first cell phone. Driving your children to school, soccer practice, friends houses etc, may have you wondering if a cell phone is the right choice right now? After all having a cell phone comes with a lot of responsibility and there are costs to consider.
If your children haven't asked for one they will soon because all their friends have one! You may be suprised to know that market research confirms many tween (8-12) actually do have their own cell phones. This is a step towards indepenence for your teens and tweens and also help parents stay in touch providing some comfort and security.
But is now the right time? It's a big decision so weigh your options.
Why do teens or tweens really need a cell phone?
First and foremost, you should consider the main reason for a cell phone. If you only want your child to have a cell phone for true emergencies, you can actually save money by handing down one of your old cell phones. Even without a service plan, an old cell phone is still capable of dialing 911. This does limit its use to real emergencies, but in some cases that may be enough. In that case, all you need is an old phone with a charger.
Can you pick me up? If you have a younger tween who's active in extra-curricular activities, an old phone may not work as well. In those cases, you may actually want your child to be able to call your home or cell phone–especially for those times when gymnastics runs late and impacts your schedule.
Similarly, if you have teenagers who are driving, you may want to provide them with a way to contact you if they have a problem with the car or if they're running late. Just make sure you warn them about the hazards of talking and text messaging while driving, which are two growing reasons for accidents and which in many states are now illegal.
Where are you? Another reason that some parents may be interested in purchasing a cell phone is that it helps them keep tabs on where their children are and what they're doing.
In fact, many cell phones now have the option of GPS tracking, and for a fairly small monthly fee, parents can access and track a child's location either through their own cell phones or through the Internet. GPS location is typically accurate to within 25 feet or less and is fairly reliable, though the phone still needs to be charged and turned on. Some of the options offered by various providers include whether or not your children are notified when you check their location, as well as the ability to set up a specific area where you are notified by a text message when your child leaves that area.
Safety Issues
If you think about it, cell phones give the outside world–friends and strangers alike– unprecedented access to children, often without parents knowing or monitoring that communication. This aspect is heightened by the ability to access the Internet, send and receive emails, chat using instant message programs, and of course send text messages from cell phones.
Child predators look for and exploit opportunities to communicate with children using technology that parents or adults aren't supervising. And cell phones fit the mold. In fact, Ted Thompson, President of the National Association to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children, has gone on record as saying that cell phones for children enable what he calls a sexual predator's "grooming" process by gaining trust with a child over time.
What predators are really counting on is that parents will attach an aspect of privacy to cell phones, emails, and text messages–almost as if a cell phone deserved the same privacy as a child's diary. According to experts, the best way to combat this potential hazard is to keep tabs on your child's cell phone messages and usage with technology that allows you to monitor your child's text messages and locations.
In addition, having regular discussions with your child about the dangers and appropriate use of cell phones (as well as email and instant messaging) is highly recommended.
Make sure you set limits.
If you do decide to purchase a cell phone for your child, you'll want to establish when and how the phone can be used, including things like talking on the phone, surfing the web, purchasing ring tones, and text messaging. These features add up fast and overages can cost a small fortune. Of course, you can also limit the number of minutes with a pre-paid cell phone plan or by simply lending your cell phone to your child when he or she needs it, rather than purchasing a new one just for them.
Just remember, once you cross this bridge it will be hard to go back, especially with those pesky service contracts locking you in. So weigh your options carefully and make a decision that best fits your family's needs–whether that is a new cell phone plan for your child, a pay-as-you-go phone, or simply lending your cell phone to your child when he or she needs one.
If your children haven't asked for one they will soon because all their friends have one! You may be suprised to know that market research confirms many tween (8-12) actually do have their own cell phones. This is a step towards indepenence for your teens and tweens and also help parents stay in touch providing some comfort and security.
But is now the right time? It's a big decision so weigh your options.
Why do teens or tweens really need a cell phone?
First and foremost, you should consider the main reason for a cell phone. If you only want your child to have a cell phone for true emergencies, you can actually save money by handing down one of your old cell phones. Even without a service plan, an old cell phone is still capable of dialing 911. This does limit its use to real emergencies, but in some cases that may be enough. In that case, all you need is an old phone with a charger.
Can you pick me up? If you have a younger tween who's active in extra-curricular activities, an old phone may not work as well. In those cases, you may actually want your child to be able to call your home or cell phone–especially for those times when gymnastics runs late and impacts your schedule.
Similarly, if you have teenagers who are driving, you may want to provide them with a way to contact you if they have a problem with the car or if they're running late. Just make sure you warn them about the hazards of talking and text messaging while driving, which are two growing reasons for accidents and which in many states are now illegal.
Where are you? Another reason that some parents may be interested in purchasing a cell phone is that it helps them keep tabs on where their children are and what they're doing.
In fact, many cell phones now have the option of GPS tracking, and for a fairly small monthly fee, parents can access and track a child's location either through their own cell phones or through the Internet. GPS location is typically accurate to within 25 feet or less and is fairly reliable, though the phone still needs to be charged and turned on. Some of the options offered by various providers include whether or not your children are notified when you check their location, as well as the ability to set up a specific area where you are notified by a text message when your child leaves that area.
Safety Issues
If you think about it, cell phones give the outside world–friends and strangers alike– unprecedented access to children, often without parents knowing or monitoring that communication. This aspect is heightened by the ability to access the Internet, send and receive emails, chat using instant message programs, and of course send text messages from cell phones.
Child predators look for and exploit opportunities to communicate with children using technology that parents or adults aren't supervising. And cell phones fit the mold. In fact, Ted Thompson, President of the National Association to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children, has gone on record as saying that cell phones for children enable what he calls a sexual predator's "grooming" process by gaining trust with a child over time.
What predators are really counting on is that parents will attach an aspect of privacy to cell phones, emails, and text messages–almost as if a cell phone deserved the same privacy as a child's diary. According to experts, the best way to combat this potential hazard is to keep tabs on your child's cell phone messages and usage with technology that allows you to monitor your child's text messages and locations.
In addition, having regular discussions with your child about the dangers and appropriate use of cell phones (as well as email and instant messaging) is highly recommended.
Make sure you set limits.
If you do decide to purchase a cell phone for your child, you'll want to establish when and how the phone can be used, including things like talking on the phone, surfing the web, purchasing ring tones, and text messaging. These features add up fast and overages can cost a small fortune. Of course, you can also limit the number of minutes with a pre-paid cell phone plan or by simply lending your cell phone to your child when he or she needs it, rather than purchasing a new one just for them.
Just remember, once you cross this bridge it will be hard to go back, especially with those pesky service contracts locking you in. So weigh your options carefully and make a decision that best fits your family's needs–whether that is a new cell phone plan for your child, a pay-as-you-go phone, or simply lending your cell phone to your child when he or she needs one.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Foreclosure Delays Reach New Records
Did you know in some instances banks are paying delinquent homeowners to short sale their properties? Their hope is to avoid a long drawn our foreclosure process. In one instance locally in Palm Beach County, a homeowner with an offer of approximately one million dollar their home was offered $30,000 as an incentive to accept the short sale! The source of this information was a Closer for a local Attorney and Title Company who confessed she is seeing this more and more often. Read more on this in an article by Realtor Magazine.
Foreclosure Delays Reach New Records
Foreclosure Delays Reach New Records
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