Fort Lauderdale Blog

Poll Reveals Americans Lack Confidence When Dealing With Personal Finance

Fort Lauderdale, Fl.

Successfully managing our daily lives includes making smart financial decisions, often requiring a fair degree of financial competence. Nevertheless, a recent National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC) online poll revealed that the majority of respondents were not fully confident when managing their finances, with more than one in four (26 percent) wishing they didn’t have to deal with their finances at all. Only eight percent, the lowest number of respondents, felt as though they had a good grip on their personal finances.

Surviving Hurricane Season: Prep for Older Americans

Hurricane season is upon us, and just two years after Sandy, AARP is reminding older residents, their families and friends to get ready early this hurricane season.  While Sandy claimed victims as young as toddlers, it was crueler to the city's elderly, with 27 New Yorkers aged 65 or older perishing in the storm.

Q: What Are the Benefits of Seller Financing?

A: Seller financing is a viable option when the seller does not immediately need the entire cash equity they have accumulated in the home.

In return for providing financial assistance to the buyer, the seller receives tax benefits, attracts a larger pool of potential buyers, generally completes the sale sooner, and gets good interest earnings.

Turn Your 'Extra Room' into an Office for Good ROI

By John Voket

In our last segment, I focused on a recent Seattlebubble.com survey that asked visitors: What's the most important "extra room" to have in a house? Nearly half the respondents (48 percent) said an office or study would be their most important extra room, so we took a look at some ideas for creating a study.

Take Action against Termites

Your first reaction to seeing flying termites in your home could be panic. If you've had a previous termite infestation, you probably just feel angry. Either way, hungry termites mean business and your home is on the menu.

Only Certain Home Improvements Pay Off

The Appraisal Institute encourages homeowners to exercise good judgment when deciding which home improvement projects to take on, saying that not all renovations enhance property values.

"It's very important that renovations stay within, but not exceed, community norms," said Appraisal Institute President Ken P. Wilson, MAI, SRA. "If they don't match what's standard in a community, owners could have difficulty recouping their investment when selling the property."

Best on the Block: How to Create Curb Appeal

(BPT) - Spring is in the air, so it's time to give your home an exterior makeover and add curb appeal. A few simple tricks can help boost your home's profile, and ensure visitors get a good first impression when they arrive on your doorstep.

Make a statement with your front door

Your front door is one of the first things people notice about your home. Is your door drab, drafty or just plain past its prime?

Top 10 Ways to Save around the House

Renters and homeowners across the country are taking savvy approaches to save money around their homes. In honor of National Home Improvement Month, Homes.com, leading online real estate destination, and sister site, ForRent.com, sought out the top 10 tips to save money around the home, using little time and effort and offering inexpensive solutions. From do-it-yourself projects to updating small appliances, everyone can take advantage of these easy tips on a dime.