Fort Lauderdale Blog

Surviving a Relocation

Surviving a Relocation

Relocating to a new area can be an exciting proposition. It can also be a process that's full of stress. Here are some tips from relocation pros to help ease the strain and emphasize the positive when moving out of town:

1. Lighten your load. Getting rid of unnecessary paperwork, clothing, knickknacks and furniture is essential with any move, but even more so when you’re relocating out of town or out of state. Not only will this save on moving costs, it will save you unpacking time on the other end, allowing you to focus on that new job that brought you to the area and on getting to know your new community and neighbors—all of which is more important than stacking books you don’t need onto shelves.

The Homeowner's Secret Weapon: Vinegar

The Homeowner's Secret Weapon: Vinegar

You’ve probably heard that vinegar can be used for a myriad of household purposes, but you probably never would’ve imagined some of the problems it can solve around the house. Check out some of these creative uses for vinegar from home improvement maven, Martha Stewart:

How to Pack an Emergency Kit for Any Disaster

How to Pack an Emergency Kit for Any Disaster

The risks you and your family may face—wildfires, terrorist attacks, flooding, earthquakes—are among the most important factors to consider in deciding what goes in your emergency bag. FEMA, the American Red Cross and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all provide checklists to help you get started. Building from there, here are additional items to include in an emergency bag for yourself, your family and your pets. 

5 Tips to Deal with Stock Market Volatility

5 Tips to Deal with Stock Market Volatility

 
A volatile stock market can be stressful for anyone who has invested a chunk of change.  Here, Aadil Zaman and Syed Nishat of the Wall Street Alliance Group, offer their top 5 tips for successfully navigating through market volatility:

Be mentally prepared for market declines. Market corrections are an essential part of a healthy market. At any point in time, an investor should be prepared for a 10 percent to 20 percent pullback. If the recent two-days fall made some investors feel restless and stressed, then it may be time to reassess their risk exposure to make it more conservative.

Mortgage Rates Move on Uptrend

Mortgage Rates Move on Uptrend

By RISMedia Staff

Mortgage rates again moved up this week, continuing an uptrend, with the average 30-year, fixed rate at 4.43 percent, according to Freddie Mac's recently released Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). The average 30-year, fixed rate was 4.40 percent the week prior. The average 15-year, fixed rate this week is 3.90 percent, while the average five year, Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable rate is 3.62 percent.
 
Mortgage rates are moved, primarily, by 10-year Treasury yields.

How to Stage Your Home On a Budget

How to Stage Your Home On a Budget

 Getting your home into prime showing shape is essential to helping it sell in the shortest amount of time for the best possible price. But while a professional home stager can work wonders, it just might not be in your budget. Don’t despair - here are some great ways to inexpensively stage your home all on your own: