Today there are fantastic buying opportunities in Fort Lauderdale. The housing inventory has started diminish, and the recovery has started. I have an optimistic prespective. I see it in our office, Interinvestments Realty.  We are selling double than we did last year. There are more buyers in the marketplace.    If you need mortgage to purchase your property in Fort Lauderdale, then you first step is contact your local Florida bank. It is much easier to obtain a mortgage of a single family home verses a condo. If you are in the market for a condo, then your lender needs to check which are the developments that are approved for Fannie Mae or FHA financing.   You can start doing your research online. Search for properties on Fort Lauderdale now by visiting our website: http://www.interin... 07/29/2010

Over the last few weeks I have had a conversation numerous times with people in the process of selling their homes, and looking to buy into the Fort Lauderdale Real Estate market. One is involved in a short sale of their property and the other a simple regular, good old fashion equity sale. Both are going to have problems getting a mortgage, and today for realtors who prequalify as we should, neither one is a client that we would consider "ready willing and able".  Both contacts have been looking diligently on my website www.FortLauderdaleGroup.com, and are have been realistic about what they can afford. The story for each of them is different but the end game is the same. The first story we all understand. A short sale will hurt your credit for a while. The second is a client who is se... 07/26/2010

The David Wain Realty website is up and running. We specialize in Luxury Homes and Waterfront Properties in South Florida. We've just spent quite some time designing and devloping our new website. It was a very tedious undertaking but we've finally acheived the results we were looking for. Please take a moment to visit us and lend a comment or suggestion. You can find us at www.DavidWainRealty.com. I'd love to hear about your experience with your websites and what benefits you received.   07/25/2010

Buckler's Craft Fair, Fort Lauderdale - Saturday & Sunday July 24 & 25, 2010 Buckler's Craft Fair in Fort Lauderdale  is one of the largest craft fairs featuring handmade items by artists and craftsmen from around the country.  Items included in the fair are folk art, dolls, quilts, jewelry and items for your pets.  Where: War Memorial, 800 NE Eighth St, Fort Lauderdale When: Saurday & Sunday 7/24 & 7/25, 2010 Time:  10:00 to 5:00 pm Cost:  $ 6 Adults, $ 1 Children.  If you bring a canned good, you get buy-one-get-one free admission. For more information please call (954) 828-5380     All information deemed accurate but not guaranteed. View Larger Map 07/25/2010

Live Entertainment at Fort Lauderdale Beach, Fort Lauderdale, FL - Every Saturday in July 2010   Fort Lauderdale Beach will have a mile long of free live entertainment  every Saturday in July.   Also invloved will be 20 live performers, 24 clubs/lounges, 30 restaurants, art vendors, free trolley service and free/discounted parking.  Where:  A1A from the Sheraton to Sunrise Blvd. When:  July 10, 17, 24, 31 Time: 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm For more information please visit www.TheNewFortLauderdaleBeach.com.   07/05/2010

Conventional pools may not meet "green" standards but there are actions we can take to use our pools optimally to reduce energy and water consumption. Here are a few tips to reduce the carbon footprint of pools and save on energy bills: 1.  If installing a pool for the first time, use natural materials such a stone, especially regionally quarried, to leave less of a carbon footprint than concrete or vinyl. 2.  Install a pool cover - helps keep chemicals from polluting the atmosphere, maintains pool heat and saves on cleaning time. Using pool covers made of recyclable or organic material is a plus! 3.  Maintain lower water temperature: During the months you heat your pool, consider using a lower temperature and if possible, reduce the number of months you heat the pool. 4.  Maintain poo... 07/05/2010

Only took three months - lots of compromising and keeping the eyes on the prize - but we got it done. The buyer was under alot of pressure because of the deadline for the first time homebuyers tax credit of $8000.00 that had to close by June 30, 2010 - I know they have extended it if the President signs the bill but it was not implemented until the day of closing so you could understand the pressure was on all of us to close this before the deadline. The seller did not disclose to the negotiator that she owed over $17,000 in maintenance fees and attorney fees. She told the negotiator it was about $5000,00. When the approval came from the bank about a month ago - we were all thrilled - but the thrill was gone to quote a great song, when the estoppel letter came back that the maintenance ... 07/03/2010

Over the last several decades, America has truly transitioned into a debtor society. Despite tough economic times, consumers are more likely to borrow than they are to delay when making a purchase. With consumers having financial obligations to multiple institutions, keeping accurate records and documentation can become a challenge. Opportunistic con artists posing as "fake" debt collectors recognize this as an area of vulnerability and are more than willing to use it to their advantage. These fake debt collectors speak English with a foreign accent and call themselves "Affidavit Consolidation Services," Criminal Bureau of Identity," "U.S. National Bank," "US Justice Department/Payday Loan Division," "Federal Investigation Bureau," "United Legal Processing" and other phony names. They r... 06/28/2010

On the site where Fort Lauderdale stadium now reside, a large-scale resort and water park may well occupy in the future. The tree-style resort will consist of 300 rooms and the water park admission will be approximately $39.95. The park would consist of giant river systems where visitors can ride inner tubes or swim between water slides, wave pools, downhill rapids and beaches. Treehouse-style hotel rooms would surround the resort. While one stadium would be partially torn down, the other would remain available for team sports, and new athletic fields would be built nearby. Overall the economic impact on the area will be $267.4 million dollars per year and no public tax dollars will be spent on the project. Nothing can be set in stone until the water park finalizes contracts with the Ci... 06/20/2010

Operation Stolen Dreams--South Florida Mortgage Fraud Operation Stolen Dreams resulted in the indictments of 86 individuals in South Florida for their participation in a series of mortgage fraud schemes that resulted in more than $76 million in fraudulent loans. Mortgage fraud ruins lives, destroys families and devastates entire communities, it's good to see that these "dirtbags" who are BIG TIME criminals are being held responsible for their destruction. The unscrupulous actions of individuals and companies who abuse the financial system and the trust of others for their own financial gain are immoral and illegal. Mortgage fraud, like all fraud, is a crime of opportunity. Open the door to such fraud and someone will walk right through. “Mortgage fraud is a virus that continues to plagu... 06/19/2010

Many newly constructed multi-unit structures in south Florida are incorporating green specific elements into the building design which over the long run improves quality of life and economic savings for residents while reducing the carbon footprint of the building. In my opinion, builders who choose to construct green-efficient condos and townhomes by using environmentally safe and/or recycled products deserve buyer support. I encourage residents occupying older, non-green communities to consider becoming eco-conscious by converting to green-based products when building maintenance and renovations arise. This could be a decision adopted by the condo association for a step-by-step plan. Changes could be as simple as replacing light bulbs with eco-friendly lighting (especially when living... 06/14/2010

Credit Restoration Consultants, a Sunrise based credit service organization specializing in the restoration of consumer credit worthiness and identity theft - seeks a commissioned based sales representative. Detail-oriented individual with initiative wanted. Strong data entry skills required along with knowledge of Microsoft Office. Qualified candidate will be efficient, organized, and have strong sales experience. Job description includes the marketing of credit restoration services to credit challenged individuals and victims of identity theft. Initial leads and lead sources are provided with no cold-calling required. Preferred candidiate should have experience in the Microsoft suite of products, reading/coding of credit reports and the consumer protection laws as codified under Title... 06/11/2010

As the old saying goes, there are two things one cannot evade: death and taxes. While death is unavoidable, there is a way to avoid certain taxes. Move to Florida. When it comes to taxes and asset protection, Florida is one of our country's friendliest states. Florida has no, I repeat, no income tax. Florida does not have any estate or inheritance taxes (a rare state attraction, indeed), and the Sunshine State offers homestead exemption to homeowners. Homestead exemption shields the residence from probate (in most cases), exempts the property from creditor claims during owner's lifetime and after death, as well as limits the amount of tax increases or appraised property values imposed for real estate tax purposes. Tally these three significant tax benefits and a body saves a whopping p... 06/08/2010

Fort Lauderdale Home Design & Remodeling Show - June 4, 5 & 6, 2010 The Fort Lauderdale Home Design & Remodeling Show continues today and tomorrow and is open to both the public as well as the trade. Held at the Broward County Convention Center, there will be tips for remodeling, home improvements, as well as new products and services for inside and outside your home.  Where:  Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Times:  Saturday - Noon to 9:30            Sunday -    Noon to 7:30 There will also be celebrity guest speaker Stephen Saint-Onge who has a new book out "No Place Like Home."  He will be offering consultations after his seminars.  For more information and to get a show discount as well as exhibitor coupons, visit http://www.homeshows... 06/05/2010

In my ever-increasing quest for eco-friendly living in my home-paradise of Fort Lauderdale, I have been surfing the Internet for green-conscious alternatives to chlorine for keeping our personal lagoons pristine. Also, since luxury real estate buyers have expressed interest in eco-friendly pools, no longer just asking if the pool is heated but if it is a saltwater or non-chlorinated pool, my search becomes two-fold: Help save the atmosphere, our lungs, hair and skin, while enjoying this fabulous south Florida lifestyle. Here is some of the information I have discovered from sites such as http://www.naturalswimmingpools.co.za/home.shtml, http://www.thedailygreen.com/ and several pool servicemen who post their findings on-line. Since chlorine has been the dominant form of pool water trea... 06/02/2010

RE/MAX Premier Associates has revamped its Web Site. A fresher loook and practical and useful sections have been included. RE/MAX Premier Associates new site also includes a very useful link to Bank of America with whom has entered into a preferred partnership agreement which provides a concierge service for our agents and clients for loan approvals, short sales and REO's. The new site link is: www.southfloridapremier.com Try it and go in a short tour to learn more about our services and support. South Florida Premier is one of the most prestigious Real Estate Company of South Florida specialized in both commercial and residential properties. We provide Premier Quality Service under an ethic's culture based on education, technology and networking.   If you want to join RE/MAX Premier As... 05/30/2010

We all know the recent Home Buyer Tax Credit has now ended.  How successful was the Tax Credit? Existing home sales figures were released yesterday and showed a 7.6% gain in April, which was in line with expectations.  Both phases of the Tax Credit gave the housing market some stability, but it was only a short-term fix.  Where do we go from here and will there be an adequate supply of home buyers ahead to absorb the current inventory along with the "Shadow Inventory" waiting in the wings? What is clear to me is the housing market will remain fragile and won't be "Out-of-the-Woods" until the economy recovers enough to promote job growth.  Unemployment remains the greatest challenge to a housing market barely off life-support.  Although the official U.S. Unemployment Rate is at 9.5%, the... 05/25/2010

Cash buyers seem to have the upper-hand these days when it comes to purchasing Fort Lauderdale foreclosures.  Many Fort Lauderdale foreclosures are in rough shape or have quite a bit of deferred maintenance from bad roofs to gutted interiors.  Disgruntled home owners are not only packing up their personal belongings, but they're taking everthing from the A/C unit to the kitchen sink with them. This phenomenon has left many Fort Lauderdale foreclosures in a condition that no lender will make a loan on the property due to health and safety concerns.  That leaves buyers needing a Fort Lauderdale mortgage to purchase these properties on the outside looking in.  Cash buyers seem to be getting the best Fort Lauderdale foreclosure deals these days.  What's a non-cash buyer to do? Buyers can no... 05/18/2010

With record unemployment, the growing popularity of food stamps, emergency cash assistance, and government subsidies, more and more people are turning to the Internet in search of lost or forgotten money.  With over $33 billion in unclaimed funds nationwide, the fastest growing search terms on Google and Yahoo have been "unclaimed money" and "missing money."  Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink reminds Floridians of an online claims system making it easier to recover funds held in the Bureau of Unclaimed Property.  Now holding in excess of $1 billion, the unclaimed property comes from dormant accounts in financial institutions, insurance and utility companies, securities and trust holdings.  Unclaimed property also includes tangible items such as watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps,... 05/17/2010

The latest statistics-Broward County   To fully understand the information below, please use the "Inventory vs. Price" chart as it refers to months supply of homes and condos in Broward County.    Inventory vs. Price                      Months Supply                                                         Pricing •1-2                                                                      Double Digit Appreciation •3-4                                                                      Single Digit Appreciation •5-6                                                                      THE NORM •7-8                                                                      Single Digit Depreciation 9+                                                                        Double Digit Depreciatio... 05/13/2010