Optima Properties' Blog

Homeowners' insurance shouldn't be taken lightly.  If you get too much coverage, you're throwing money away.  However, with too little, you won't be able to rebuild if disaster strikes.  Homeowner insurance policies can vary greatly, and if homeowners aren’t careful, they may find their claims de...

It appears there is some good news for real estate players here as we close out 2011 and approach the dawn of 2012 although it may be tenuous at best, according to a comparison of statements released by industry groups. A study released by Deloitte Real Estate Services says the U.S. commercial re...

Homes.org recently released a list of the top 10 reasons for using a buyer's agent. The list was derived from detailed feedback provided by numerous real estate professionals across the country. After reviewing the reasons provided it became clear that the better question wasn't why should home b...

The past few weeks have showcased numerous signals that the real estate market is on the rise. Recent statistics point to an industry turn around, including a 15 percent rise in housing starts in September; a surge in builder confidence in October, an increase in mortgage applications, and a slew...

Some good information! 4 Things you might not have known about your Cell Phone.   I was sent this via email and thought I would share it with you.  I did try a couple of them and they worked, so you might want to print this out and keep it in your wallet or car.   There are a few things that can ...

What do you do when the appraisal on the dream home you want to buy comes in below the price in the offer the seller has accepted—even as much as 10 to 20 percent below? Chances are that raising the cash for your down payment and closing cost has tapped you out. Finding thousands more to make up ...

Below is a list of some of the most common issues that arise when applying for a mortgage: Taxes & Insurance - make sure to find out what the lender is using for taxes, insurance, and association dues when looking at properties to ensure accuracy.  If they come in higher than what is being used t...

A sluggish housing market has caused millions of homeowners to lose their home to foreclosure, short sale, or deed in lieu of foreclosure. But once these former homeowners get a better handle on their credit, how long do they have to sit on the sidelines until they can secure future financing to ...

There is good news for military personnel who own Florida real estate.  Voters in the sunshine state approved a constitutional amendment during the November elections that will allow service members to save on their property taxes. According to a Jacksonville.com article, service members deployed...

Most people don't give much thought to their homeowner's insurance policy unless a tree punches a hole in their roof or they come home from vacation to find that the basement has been flooded.While 96 percent of homeowners have insurance, 64 percent of homes are undervalued for insurance purposes...