Self-employed and business filers should remember home office, vehicle and retirement fund contribution deductions, experts say. NEW YORK — When tackling your taxes, it can sometimes be hard to figure out whether to opt for a standard deduction or itemize. According to tax pros, itemizing generally only makes sense if your itemized deductions, taken together, … Read more
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation’s (OIR) said the state’s insurance market is continuing to strengthen with more carriers. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Another property and casualty insurer was recently approved to enter Florida’s insurance market, bringing a total of eight new insurers following legislative reforms aimed at stabilizing the market, state insurance regulators said Wednesday. … Read more
NEW YORK – Tax season can come with several headaches, from gathering documents to finding the time to sit down and file. But one pain that you want to avoid is falling for a tax scam. Year-round, scammers look for ways to trick people into giving them money or personal information. There are several common … Read more
Consumer optimism among Florida residents dipped in February on views about personal finances and expectations over the national economy, UF economists said. GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Following five consecutive monthly increases, consumer sentiment among Floridians dipped 2.1 points in March to 72, down from a revised figure of 74.1 in February. This decline contrasts with the … Read more
A down payment of 20% or more can help lock in better interest rates and lower monthly payments. Buying a home under your budget can help with costs overall. NEW YORK — Conventional wisdom says it’s best to make a 20% down payment when you buy your home. While this can help you in several … Read more
A listing broker allowed unaccompanied buyers to tour properties without the seller’s authorization. The broker was found in violation of Article 1, but isn’t this also an Article 3 violation? ORLANDO, Fla. – Dear Shannon: I’m a broker with a good size brokerage office and a fair number of sales associates. During our weekly meeting, … Read more
New and updated forms are available in Form Simplicity, a Florida Realtors member benefit. ORLANDO – On March 19, 2024, a new form was released for member use. In addition, several forms were amended: Language was removed from the CRSP Condo Addendum and Cooperative Addendum regarding a deadline by which sellers had to provide certain … Read more
Since bank wires remain the preferred method of closing escrow on a real estate transaction, the best protection is to be overly cautious. MIAMI – Question: I am buying a house and have been warned about the various scams, especially those involving wires. I spoke with the closing agent, and they will not accept a … Read more
An HOA is considering a ban on political speech in a neighborhood, including door knocking and lawn signs. Is this legal? FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: With the upcoming elections, our association is considering banning politicking in our community. They want to stop everything from door knocks to lawn signs, all in an effort to … Read more
Freddie Mac research found that homes with high energy-efficiency ratings sold for 2.7% more on average than unrated homes. Making home updates don’t have to be time-consuming or costly. NEW YORK – Whether you own or rent the place you call home, ensuring that it’s energy efficient can help you save money, increase your comfort … Read more
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