Tuesday, December 20, 2011

U.S. Housing Starts Jump 9.3%, to Highest in Year

Read more here


James Helms/REALTOR-CDPE

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Check Your Storm Shutter Hardware

We are now in the peak of Hurricane season, and we just missed a close one. Being a "true" native Floridian, I begin preparing before the season starts. However, being a new homeowner as well, there's one thing I forgot to check on this year that would've cost me valuable time had I not thought about it a few days ago. I remembered just in time to check all of the storm shutter bolts, anchors, rubber washers, and keyhole washers. Man, was I glad I did.

I've included a photo of stripped out bolts I found in the shutter anchors. I also found a few missing shutter anchors as well as two that slipped out of the wall.



Check this right now!

You can find all of the shutter hardware at Lowes or Home Depot. Also, when you're checking the storm shutter hardware, apply a little white lithium grease to the bolts so they don't bind-up inside the shutter anchor.

Get yourself prepared and be safe!

James Helms

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

How to Negotiate the Salary You Deserve

It's a hirer's market, but when it comes to salary negotiation, too often people sell themselves short simply because they don't know how to tackle the compensation...... read more here!

Related articles

Turning Foreclosed Homes Into Rentals | Feds To Play Landlord

Half million dollar house in Salinas, Californ...Image via WikipediaLast night I was reading a recent WSJ article regarding foreclosed properties. As I continued to read, I became more concerned about the role our Federal government is playing in the current housing situation.

In a nutshell, the article in the WSJ states that the Feds want to allow groups of investors to purchase the glut of empty foreclosed homes and convert them to rental properties.

The Feds then want the investors to use property management companies to manage them.

Isn't this just outsourcing what the Federal government has been doing with HUD? Has that really worked?

How many of you think this is a good idea?

Read the full article here. Feds To Play Landlord


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Sunday, July 10, 2011

Five Tax Breaks Every Homeowner Should Know About

My colleague at PNC Bank, Miguel Muniz, has published some valuable information on his blog about tax breaks for homeowners. Take a look at the article and learn how to keep your money... Five Tax Breaks!