What goes up must come down

Yup, it’s called the roller coaster of life. Roller coasters aren’t for everyone, especially if you’re not in Disney World or another theme park. I think it’s safe to say that the pandemic turned the real estate market as a whole upside down and sideways.  It resembled nothing less than a rollercoaster ride for everyone involved – buyers, sellers, real estate agents, mortgage brokers, et al....

Prime Rate: What It Is and How It Works

Whether you’re looking at your credit card, applying for a loan, or watching the news, you’ve probably heard the term “prime rate.” Prime is a common financial term that affects many of us from how much interest we pay on a loan to the interest rate of a new credit card. So, what is “prime rate”? Prime rate is also referred to as “prime lending rate,” “prime interest rate,” or just...

Let’s Take It Outside…

When given the choice of being indoors or outside I will always choose to be outdoors. Is there anything better than a simple meal of wine, a crusty baguette, and some cheeses spread out on a blanket either in Sheep Meadow, Central Park, or under an umbrella on the beach? My answer is always the same – absolutely not! Food seems to taste better; I inherently feel more relaxed and at one with the...

COULD IT BE IRRATIONAL EXUBERANCE ALL OVER AGAIN?

We can all probably cite examples of irrational exuberance over the years: when home prices soared in the mid-2000s banks threw all caution to the wind and offered nothing down loans the dot.com era of the 1990’s involving the tech industry the times leading up to the stock market crash in 1929  and of course, the tulip mania in the 1600s I’m certain that at least one of the above examples...

Why insurance rates are going through the roof

Keeping a roof over our heads isn’t as simple as it used to be and it’s certainly getting more expensive by the day. We’re all experiencing the same frustration and it’s worth asking ourselves why, and if there is anything to be done about it. Florida’s tumultuous property insurance market amounts to nothing less than a perfect storm according to lawmakers.  We will attempt to summarize the...

What is the difference between fraud and scams?

It will come as no surprise to you to know that the odds of being hacked today are against us. I’m sure you’ve opened your email inbox or received a text message from a complete stranger – gone are the days when it could have been from a friend of a friend. We know better now.  These “phishing” tactics are from highly skilled “pickpockets” who no longer need to resort to walking the streets...

Everything you need to know about the Florida Homestead Exemption

THE FLORIDA HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IS JUST ANOTHER REASON TO MAKE THE SUNSHINE STATE YOUR HOME! Did you know? Though we may not have any control over the amount of taxes we pay to the Federal Government, Florida is a tax-friendly state. There are no state taxes, no inheritance taxes or estate taxes.  Did you also know that Florida has very generous homestead laws?  Florida law provides for lower property...

WHAT’S IN YOUR BUCKET LIST? Hopefully a Living Trust!

Think of a Living Trust as your Bucket List.  It is filled with everything that you’ve worked hard for and were lucky enough to accumulate throughout your life.  You filled it with your money, property, and other assets - stocks, bonds  and perhaps even a boat or plane!  You’re free to do whatever you want with the contents of your Bucket, such as selling your property or stocks while you’re...

A Hearty Hello from Jonathan Casteleyn, the new President of Liberty Title Company of America

As 2022 unfolds, we at Liberty Title are committed to helping you get where you’re going, every...step...of...the...way. All great companies are Mission Driven, and our corporate ethos is to make the home buying and selling process “Easier, More Efficient, with Excellent Customer Service.” For me, as I look forward, this is an exciting time for the Treasure Coast as the area continues to boom with...

What Is Equity?

http://videotap.wistia.com/medias/swsmwlu198?embedType=async&videoFoam=true&videoWidth=640 Equity is the value YOU own in property such as a house. It’s the difference between what’s OWED and what the property is WORTH in the current market. The example this video shows - you have a house worth $300,000 today and you owe the bank $200,000.  Your equity would be...

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