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Q: Are There Tax Credits for First Time Homebuyers? A: Yes, thanks to the many city and county governments that offer Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) programs, which allow first-time homebuyers to take advantage of a special federal income tax write-off. The credit reduces the amount of federal taxes paid by the buyer each year, if he keeps the same loan and lives in the same house. An MCC also makes it easier for eligible buyers to qualify for a mortgage loan. The lender can reduce the housing expense ratio – the percentage of gross monthly income applied toward housing expenses – by the amount of the tax savings. Normally, lenders reject loans if the housing expense ratio is too high.

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August Shows Rise in Mortgage Credit Availability Recent news shows that mortgage credit availability increased in August, moving 0.5 percent to 126.1, which suggests a national loosening of credit. This news comes from the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI), a study from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) which reports that the index was benchmarked to 100 in March 2012. Of the four component indices, the Jumbo MCAI saw the greatest loosening (up 0.7 percent over the month) followed by the Conventional MCAI (up 0.5 percent), the Government MCAI (up 0.4 percent), and the Conforming MCAI (up 0.3 percent).

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Last week, I posed several must attend events in Fort Lauderdale. This week I am heading further afield into Broward County to present more events in Fort Lauderdale and beyond this Labor Day Weekend 2015. First I will head over to Davie. Flamingo Gardens, located on wait for it…. Flamingo Road is offering half-price entry this Labor Day 2015. Included in this adventure are a Native Bird Festival and a narrated tram tour of the grounds. Of course attendees can all enjoy many botanical attractions on offer including the famous Flamingo in all their glory. One word comes to mind when I visit Flamingo Gardens…Zen. If you have never ventured over to Flamingo Gardens, I have no hesitation in recommending this attraction to you. It is well worth the money and effort in getting there, I promise.

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Homeowners: What to Do Before and After a Hurricane Hits Though it is wise to brace your property against hurricane damage, the unfortunate reality is that many homes are not prepared. According to a recent ServiceMaster Restore Franchise Hurricane Preparedness Survey, 90 percent of hurricane restoration servicers surveyed believe homeowners are ill-prepared when it comes to hurricanes. The same amount agreed that homeowners can spend up to twice as much on repairs if they do not take simple precautions in advance. "We can't stress enough the importance of having a plan," says Kim Brooks, president and CEO of ServiceMaster DSI. "Unfortunately, people often don't take weather warnings seriously, and once they do, panic sets in and they run out of time to take care of simple precautions to secure their property. Knowing what to do before and after a major storm, and knowing when to call in the professionals for assistance, including who to call, can help home and business owners avoid costly damage to their properties in the long run."

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Fort Lauderdale Event | South Florida Book Festival I simply adore a good book. Each year I look forward to this Fort Lauderdale Event, the South Florida Book Festival. Whether I am reading at the poolside, at my local Starbucks or snuggled up in bed, I enjoy the journey taken when I have a book between my ten digits.  And kindly note, I said a book, not some computerized version of the reading material. I like a book with pages. A book takes me back to the bygone days when life was slower and a bit more gentle. This week’s Fort Lauderdale Event, the South Florida Book Festival is off and running this weekend. The well-renowned journalist and television host, Travis Smiley will be in attendance… need I say more!!

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Perfect Resort Style Living-Sea Ranch Club, Lauderdale By The Sea There comes a time when it is simply necessary to relax, to take a break from responsibilities and live a carefree life. Think the life of the young Tom Sawyer or as that ole television advert said, “ Leave the driving to us”. In a single word...Chill. Dear reader, please take solace in knowing you can do this in the mad world of home ownership. The answer is simple...rent a home to reside. We have the pleasure of offering for rent a home at 5000 North Ocean Boulevard, unit 1104  in the Sea Ranch Club. This fine community is located just north of Fort Lauderdale in the humble surroundings of Lauderdale By The Sea. This tiny enclave is situated on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. There are a bounty of fine restaurants and shops in Lauderdale By The Sea.

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Crystal Beach Townhomes- The Perfect Family Home in Lauderdale-by-the-sea Looking for a lifestyle, where as the song goes “Everyone knows your name”? Well, dear readers, look no further. I would like to introduce you to a quaint waterfront town, Lauderdale by-the-sea. Later in this post, I will present  to you, the perfect family home in Lauderdale-by-the-sea. First off, a bit of the background on this charming town. Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is located on a barrier island just due north of Fort Lauderdale. According to the 2010 census, there are 6,056 permanent residents in this community of 1.23 square miles. History tells us that this part of Broward County was first settled in 1924 and incorporated in 1927. When you think of it, this community is relatively new.