Author Nick: Rob Thomson
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Just when you thought it was safe to buy Florida property, another case of “eminent domain” rears its ugly head.
Eminent domain was one of those rarely enforced laws that was all but forgotten until 2006 when Riviera Beach officials decided to seize 400 acres of prime waterfront property, and replace it with a billion dollar luxury development, with absolutely no regard for the 1,700 homes and 5,100 longtime residents that would be removed in the process.
Landscaping a Florida yard has some challenges that are not necessarily issues in other parts of the country. Some of the most beautiful plants thrive here, but others don’t do so well. Before you begin planning your fair weather garden, you might want to use this handy guide to make sure you get off on the right foot.
Foreign buyers are showing increased interest in purchasing US properties. The recent economic crisis has resulted in greatly depreciated values of real estate, and savvy investors from around the globe are taking notice.
Read more on International Clients Bolstering US Real Estate Sales…
For years Jupiter Island has been attracting some of the most affluent families in the world. In fact, this exclusive hideaway is the perfect playground for the rich and famous! Situated north of Palm Beach, between the Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, Jupiter Island offers white sandy beaches, lush unspoiled surroundings, and quick access to airports, shopping, world-class restaurants, and championship golf courses.
Move over garden gnomes, pink flamingos, and pinwheel wind catchers, the look and feel of garden decor has stepped up a notch or two. With the advent of outdoor living spaces, patio kitchens and elaborate deck designs, home owners are spending more time in their yard. In fact, in many cases, patios have become wall-less extensions of home interiors, and decorating this space has become much more sophisticated.
Canadian snow-birds have been swapping the cold northern winters for some welcome sunshine south of the border, for decades. And although they’ve always contributed significantly to the real estate market in the southern US, the past couple of years has seen a major rise in the number of Canucks investing in vacation properties.
What with the cold weather upon us, many of us begin using additional heat sources. Not only has the furnace been fired up, but we may have added portable kerosene or propane heaters in our garage, or wood stoves in the family room. With these new heat sources come additional precautions and safety concerns.
With so many conflicting reports about the impending recovery of the real estate market, it’s easy to see why would-be home buyers might be confused, and reluctant to make investment decisions, in the current housing climate.
Whether you are looking at building a new home or upgrading an existing home, it may be well worth your while to utilize elements of universal design into your home so that either you can enjoy your home for much longer than you might be able to otherwise. With the trend to living longer lives and spending more of those years living in the family home, there is a real benefit to designing and finishing a home with the principles of universal design in mind.
Read more on Universal Design: A Good Investment for Home Improvements…
The Federal government has been struggling to help homeowners stay in their homes as well as getting more home buyers into new homes so as to support the housing market. They’ve done this with the creation of two programs, one with the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates low, and the Making Home Affordable program to help home owners modify their mortgages.
Read more on The Battle to Save Homes From Foreclosure Fraught With Difficulties…
