Optima Properties' Blog

  Florida retains its ranking as one of the nation’s lowest-tax states, according to the latest study released by Florida TaxWatch. Out of 50 states, Florida ranks No. 42 in the average amount of money paid by residents. Florida TaxWatch findings: Floridians pay an average $5,679 per person in st...

World events are conspiring to make it more expensive for you to borrow money to buy a house. Mortgage rates have increased for six consecutive weeks, according to Bankrate data, bringing interest on a 30-year fixed rate loan to 4.44 percent—the highest level in 11 months—while home prices contin...

   Housing Starts and consumer inflation heated up in January, but Retail Sales and Existing Home Sales stayed on the chilly side.The Commerce Department reported that January Housing Starts jumped 9.7 percent from December to an annual rate of 1.326 million units. This was the highest level sinc...

As you've no doubt heard, the U.S. tax code got an overhaul—so what does that mean for the 2017 return you're filing right about now? It means that this is your last chance to take advantage of tax deductions from the old tax code. Here is a rundown of four major tax breaks that are disappearing ...

 The idea of living a simplified, uncluttered life with less stuff sounds attractive to many. They have considered the benefits of owning fewer possessions: less to clean, less debt, less to organize, less stress, more money and energy for their greatest passions. They are ready to declutter but ...

 After Hurricane Irma, much of Florida lost power. And during Hurricane Maria, all of Puerto Rico is in the dark.The one-two punch of storms reminded Floridians of the importance of owning a generator. If you’re shopping for a power source, here are factors to consider:How much do you want to spe...

When reclining on South Florida's sandy beaches there’s no need to feel that tug of guilt about your best friend back home.   Your dog could be right here with you, frolicking in the blue-green waters of the Atlantic, or fetching a ball or Frisbee on one of South Florida’s dog-friendly beaches.Re...

 A new home is one of the biggest purchases homeowners will make in their lifetimes. Regrettably, sometimes costly mistakes are made by various parties of the transaction - builders, remodeling contractors, or even the new homeowners, themselves. Storing Household Goods on Garage and Attic Trusse...

     You've found the perfect new home for your family, but your current house hasn't sold yet. You can't afford to carry two mortgages, or maybe you were counting on money from your sale to help with the down payment and closing costs.  Before you let that dream home slip away, consider these st...

 Flipping is when real estate investors buy real estate and then resells them at a profit months down the road. Can you make money doing this? Yes.Can you make a lot of money doing this? Yes.But you can also lose everything you own if you make a bad decision….Absolutely!  A renovation can be an o...