Understanding the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008By Matt Kombrink Don't be frightened by the title - this is really good news for the first time homebuyer that has been converted to "user-friendly" language! So, why should you be interested in this information? Read on . . . If you have purchased, or plan to purchase, a home between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009, and have not owned a principal residence for a period of three years prior to this purchase, you are considered to be a first time homebuyer and may be eligible for up to a $7,500 tax credit. This means now is the time to buy! This sounds too good to be true, right? Well, let's take a look at the requirements: • Your home must be purchased in the timeframe noted above - 4/9/08 to 7/1/09 • There are income requiremen... 09/05/2008

In the early 1980's, cell phones were used in analog and big enough to install in a vehicle. In the 1990's, technology advanced cellular phone use into digital mode, allowing users the advantage of text messaging. As we entered the millennium, we now have the advantage of emails, web browsing, camera and video phones, allowing communications at speeds of velocity beyond our imaginations from just a decade ago. As new inventions of technology in our present communications era emerges, a health concern has been brought to light in lieu of the appealing cell phones that allow us to communicate on a constant basis. Cell phones emit electrical magnetic fields at a minute frequency much lower than a microwave oven, but even at these small amounts, there is talk that cell phones may impose a h... 08/24/2008

South Florida is known for its pristine beaches that lie between the tri counties of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beaches. It is the lifestyle of beach goers that embrace the beauty and weather of South Florida and truly appreciate Luxury Lifestyle Living on the beaches of South Florida's East Coast. South Florida is an epitome of the Atlantic Ocean where charming beaches are coalescent between South Beach and Palm Beach. As a proud property owner, you will appreciate the culmination of elegance while captivating luxurious living in any of the skyline towers that mark an opulence row of Luxury Lifestyle Living with amenities that suit you from the daintiest to the most demanding personal needs and treats. The beach of Hollywood is among the pristine beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and it ... 08/24/2008

Or at least it used to be.   I love to travel, and there are so many wonderful places to explore, especially living in South Florida.  Not all of the places that I like to visit are dog friendly though, and we have two wonderful boxers, Faith and Buster.  This used to limit our travel, as I did not like to board them, no matter how wonderful the facilities may have been. A couple of years ago my friend, Angela Diskin, who lives in Hollywood, Florida near the beaches, started a pet sitting service.  I was unsure how my dogs would respond to this, but optimistically gave it a try. Angela came over.  We filled out paperwork, went over how her services work, and she got to know the dogs.  After signing on the dotted line, we went away for a short weekend to Isla Mirada, just south of Miami... 08/22/2008

Educating Hollywood Florida Luxury Home Buyers & Sellers Everyone knows a large part of the life of a South Florida real estate agent is spent invested in educating buyers and sellers in our real estate market's ever-changing landscape. One of the ways I like to highlight these shifts in our local market over time is by offering graphs and historical data on market activity. Graphs and stats remove the emotion of the current market conditions and offers a compelling story how our market experiences its highs and lows. The International Influence on South Florida It's a given our current South Florida real estate market has an over supply of single-family homes for sale. The problem is far more severe with the South Florida condo market. Fortunately, I am seeing a trend, be it ever so sl... 08/21/2008

Whether you are considering redecorating your home with furniture, art, or color, or you are staging your home for sale, you can add simple colors to match your décor without having to sacrifice the simple taste of minimalism. The basics of simplicity begin with clearing out your clutter. You can begin simplifying your décor by getting rid of clutter before you decide to redecorate your home by getting rid of items that you no longer need. The Basics: Getting Rid of Clutter Start by creating a pile of unwanted items to throw away, another pile to donate, and another for the maybe pile. It's funny how we never know how much junk we accumulate throughout the years unless we move or decide to unclutter our homes. You will find that organizing your home will give you more space and a sense ... 08/17/2008

South Florida is known for its pristine beaches and among them is the beach of Hollywood, where 55 acres of natural beach and park areas offer natural parks, recreation, mangrove trees, wild and sea life, and activities for the entire family. You can start your day by experiencing Hollywood's eco friendly paradise, which offers a natural wonder and metropolis that is rich in nature. The Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park, (Johnson Street east till the end of the road), offers you to experience a led-hike nature walk through the mangroves among other varieties of activities; a beautiful, fun and relaxing way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon with the family. Also at the Anne Kolb Nature Center, you can enjoy kayaking, canoe rides, snorkeling; take your kids on a boat ride th... 08/17/2008

Are there some brokers who can get better rates than others? It seems that their works with all different banks, and in New York...I had a broker like that who helped me with the financing of my apartment there. However, when I moved to Florida, my lawyer recommended a mortgage person who works for Bank of America. In fact, I spoke about him in my book. NOw, my friends who are trying to buy this house called and asked me if they're better off with a broker who deals with all banks, or one who works exclusively for a bank. I guess I think they're better off with theirs, but then again...maybe I'm wrong. Also, are the rates really quite different from one broker to another...as it is really established by the government, isn't it? I assume the bank pays the broker, as that's what I rememb... 08/16/2008

Attention Music Lovers! There is a music Playlist widget which you can add to your profile. You are listening to mine. Hope you enjoy listening while you read. If not, simply turn the speaker volume down or off on your computer. If you like what you hear or would rather add your own favorite music genre in your profile, simply go to www.playlist.com, register, create your profile, and start music searching. Playlist gives you the prompts on how to get the code and add to your 'settings' on your AR profile with a copy and paste. I really enjoy listening to music while I work and it does not bother me to hear someone's music genre preference opposite to mine. But, is it a good idea to add to the AR profile or not? I try to add music that is instrumental but I am a bossa nova, gospel, elec... 08/14/2008

This was emailed to me from a friend of mine. Thought it was cute I wanted to share. It reminded me of my grandmother who passed away at 84 in '96 and although she never drove a car like the one below, I really enjoyed listening to her stories and am very fond of them and her memories. She had 16 children which means I have a looooot of cousins!! Give your grandmothers a hug today, call them and tell them how much you love them if she is still alive, that goes for grandfathers too!  I love the elderly, their wrinkles show signs of years of work, life experience and many smiles and laughter's, tears, sorrows, and everything else too but I am focusing on the positive side of life. Talk to an elderly today, they love to tell their stories of their youth, some implausible, some sad, some fu... 08/14/2008

Cast your worries upon me, says the Lord. I am your Creator, and I mark my Word.  You will never go hungry because I am your Father,for you have been a good servant, just don't falterMy angels I will send to you to council and protect you and in the right moment they will be of comfort for you.  Father in Heaven I pray unto Theethat the stars shine upon me wherever I may beYou show me grace, You show me the ways,How could I deny this everlasting faith, Envelope me with your Almighty power, so that I may use it upon my reach,You give me peace and You give me laughterYour promises, You never breach.  Thank you for blessing me with the power of truthit is marked in my heart, I wish I had possessed them in my youthI'll keep praying and seeking righteousness, for I fear the rod of correction... 08/13/2008

Hollywood Beach FL Condos for Sale 2008 Market Report  6/2008 - 8/2008 Hollywood Beach FL Real Estate                   Hollywood Beach FL Condos 2008 Market Report 6/2008 - 8/2008                               Hollywood Beach FL Condos for sale as of Aug.2008                                                                  1,933 Condos-Hollywood Beach FL  Hollywood Beach FL Condos pending as of -Aug.2008   130 Condo-Hollywood Beach FL  Hollywood Beach FL Condos that have closed as of -6/2008- 8/2008   129 Condos-Hollywood Beach FL Other Hollywood FL Related Stories: VISIT DOWNTOWN HOLLYWOOD FLORIDA AND IT'S SANDY WHITE BEACHES Hollywood Beach FL condos for sale-Canadians are flocking to Hollywood FL Come visit the beaches of Hollywood FL today. If you are interested in moving to the ar... 08/08/2008

8 Tips to Buying a South Florida Waterfront Home From a Boater's Perspective If you own a boat or are considering purchasing a vessel in the near future and you are in the market to purchase a Aventura, Golden Beach, Hollywood, Hallandale or Sunny Isles waterfront home, below are a few tips to consider as an owner of a new boat or a Buyer for a South Florida waterfront home. First things first, ask what the water depth is at the property? Remember, deeper is better. Plus, it's easier to navigate larger vessels since they usually draw more water. I recommend a minimum of 5 feet low-mean tide. Be sure you know the draft of your vessel or future vessel?" Are there any fixed bridges located in your area? Will have to navigate through a fixed bridge to access your desired destination? If so,... 08/07/2008

Countless media channels including the Internet mention that the time to buy real estate is now. What more proof do we have or need other than looking at the figures that affect the housing price index? According to Stanford's and Poor's Case-Shiller Home Price Indeces, the average price for a single-family home went down nearly 27% in Miami comparing to a year ago. Take a team of economists whose model forecasts conclude that while house prices declines in some states such as Florida, California and Arizona, the rest of the nation have not lost its flair in real estate purchase.  FAR - August 5th, 2008. Not in my Florida and not according to the new developments that are still occuring and still developing in the southeast part of the state. Now, regardles of the negative news that is ... 08/06/2008

In a recent blog titled, "Fine Tuning Your Goals", I wrote on maximizing one's potential in reaching their goals. Time managing those goals can give you a better clarity in your daily life by simply clarifying your values, defining those goals and develop a plan to reach them. Organization is one of the fundamental keys to any business and using shortcuts to manage your time more effectively is one of them. Assessing how you manage your time is prudent in establishing a healthy environment and help you de-stress over minor things that you once thought were major can help you focus into even bigger and better projects. Time management is often overlooked because we are constantly rushing, or have low energy, enthusiasm or motivation. Our daily stressors and deadlines can cause frustratio... 07/29/2008

Mastering your communication skills with charisma is an art not a science. Relationships are what drive real estate; it is the protocol of any business endeavor.  Although technology is the wave of the 21st century, it is important to emphasize in establishing rapport with prospects rather than focusing on the deal firsthand, although the deal is the ultimate goal of establishing a relationship in the first place. Once a relationship is established based on trust, the deal should come through effortlessly. The Internet is like an open house and being proactive should be the approach to work leads, however, today's technology should not hinder the cultivation of a relationship with your customers. People like to do business with people that they like. Building rapport prepares you to fil... 07/29/2008

When was the last time you made a list of goals and actually accomplished them? Goals make life more exciting, more interesting, more fulfilling, and more challenging. It is the challenges that we face in life that makes us plan to come out of a shell, a rut, a stagnant poise. Goals deliver us from feeling stuck in a world full of uncertainties - uncertainties that may have mirrored an oversight of opportunities that may have been knocking at our door yet have ignored the calling and failed to welcome or embrace. Goals are about tenacity; it make us move forward, it allows freedom of mind, spirit, and action. Without action we cannot reach our goals. What is a goal? A goal is a roadway, a path into the near future - a vision. We can make plans to do something but that differs from goals... 07/25/2008

They were always there all along but...                                                    As a homebuyer, looking for a home can be a fun and exciting experience. You daydream about what that home will look like, how will it feel to live in it, care for it, and treat it with the upmost love and respect. You wonder how your dear and true home is going to reciprocate that love and treatment back in return. Will it be good to you, or will it make a hole in your pocket to try and repair? Did you make the right decision? In a certain way, a home, people and relationships compare and are synonymous to each other.  We look for something that will benefit our future, our hearts, our goals, our dreams. We search for things that will make our hearts content and makes us feel proud of having.  We... 07/25/2008

Homeowner's that are facing foreclosure's do not have to face the detrimental financial issues and headaches alone. But by ignoring a foreclosure, packing your bags and running away from the home will not erase a negative strike on your credit or the fact that you have defaulted on your mortgage loan. You can run but you can't hide. There are solutions for you! You may contact the bank and tell them that you will pay the backed up mortgage payments to stop the foreclosure process or, you can Short Sale your property before the bank actually repossesses your property. Wanting to place your home as a Short Sale but don't know where to begin? Here are a few simple steps to guide you in the process of a short sale. Contact several Realtors who are Short Sale experts and qualify them to do t... 07/23/2008

While foreclosure numbers continue to rise, just because a home is in foreclosure does not mean that it is a bargain. Foreclosures are not what they used to be over ten years ago, where banks allowed investors or a typical home buyer to purchase a bank seized property for the mortgage balance. Instead, banks got smart and began to ask for the market value of a home regardless if it is a bank owned property or not. And just becasue a home is in a foreclosure status does not mean that it is a bargain. Some of these homes are in deplorable contitions and unless you are a seasoned, savvy investor who has funds to make offers on fixer-uppers, it would be a good idea to get educated as to the value and market conditions and how to negotiate a real estate foreclosure deal. Foreclosure's are a ... 07/23/2008