Homestead Fraud Alert

As county budgets shrink, officials are becoming more aggressive seeking out owners who lie about their living status in order to get a homestead exemption. If caught, a tax lien is typically placed on an owner's property. The owner also faces a fine: 50 percent of the unpaid taxes for each year and interest at 15 percent per year.

Facing Real Estate problems in Palm Coast?

In todays economical troubles, if you are facing mortgage foreclosure, here are some tips to help you through it.

Don't fall for promises like "We'll save your credit"; "We'll buy your house 'as is'"; or "We'll get you a new mortgage with low monthly payments."

Don't sign away ownership of your property (sometimes called a "quit claim deed") to anyone without the advice you trust.

Beware of any home sale contract where you aren't formally released from liability for your mortgage. Also, make sure you know what rights you're giving up and that you agree to giving them up.

Do call your mortgage company or lender if you're in trouble. Ask for the loss mitigation department. Contrary to popular perception, lenders don't want to steal your house.

Don't call for assistance from one of those ubiquitous signs on telephone poles that advertise help. Chances are, that's not where help lies.

On the same note, here is some advice that may affect someone facing foreclosure....

"Proceed with caution, if a company or person:

Describes itself as a "mortgage consultant," "foreclosure service," or "agent" who can help with your current situation;

Collects a fee before giving any services;

Advertises to people whose homes are listed for foreclosure, including anyone who sends fliers or solicits door-to-door offering to assist with avoiding foreclosure."

And there is more.... Advice is cheap. Good advice usually costs money, so pay heed to the following:

Don't sign anything that has any blank spaces. Information could be added later that you didn't agree to. (Yes, it happens.)

Never sign a contract under pressure. Always know exactly what you're signing. Take your time to review the paperwork thoroughly -- ideally with a lawyer or licensed real estate professional who only represents your interests.

Never make a verbal agreement. Get all promises in writing and get full copies of everything.
Deals that sound too good to be true, usually are...

Just remember the free lunch rule:

There isn't one.

Are you pricing your Palm Coast home to sell it?

Too many sellers in Florida aren't setting the right price for their home. They are asking far too much money and ignoring the list prices of nearby homes, not to mention their real estate agents' advice.
The worst thing to be in this market is one of those homes that's been listed for six, eight, ten months with no consummated deals.

Legend company building facilities in Florida

Wichita developer Legend Senior Living, which announced in The Eagle last month that it plans to build a $17 million, 115-unit active senior living facility on North Webb Road, also has several Florida facilities under construction this month, the company said today.
The Windsor of Cape Coral and The Windsor of Ocala will open in the summer of 2009.
Construction is scheduled to begin later this year on Venice and Palm Coast residences. The Windsor properties are owned by Windsor Senior Living, an affiliated entity of and operated by Legend Senior Living.
The Windsor Assisted Living and Memory Care Residences in Florida will house 70 private studio and one bedroom apartments for assisted Living and 14 private suites dedicated for memory care.

BY ANDI ATWATER
The Wichita Eagle

Help your community

Now that hurricane season is upon us, help your community: Volunteer by joining a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERTs). CERT members respond immediately to help their community following a disaster. Volunteers receive training and work under the general direction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For more information call me and I'll get you the details.