RTS Orlando Homes

New FHASecure loan program - will it help me refinance?

One of my former clients e-mailed this morning and asked whether the new FHASecure loan program would be appropriate for her to use in refinancing her ARM.  I expect that many Realtors will get similar questions from clients who've purchased homes with them as this new program gets more exposure in the media.  And it WILL get more exposure as politicians try to convince the public that steps are being taken to alleviate the "mortgage mess". 

This program will help a few people but will not be the silver bullet that solves all problems.  In fact, most people who are in trouble with their ARM loans will not even qualify for the program.   In the case of my client mentioned above, she does not need, nor does she even qualify for the program because her loan has not started to adjust (as required by the current guidelines).  In addition, as is the case with all FHA programs, this one carries upfront mortgage insurance plus a monthly ongoing mortgage insurance.  My client is not currently paying mortgage insurance of any kind so this loan would actually increase her monthly housing expenses. 

In addition to being exposed to the media coverage of this loan, homeowners are going to get all sorts of direct mail and telephone solicitations offering refinances.  As a mortgage consultant, I continue to take steps to ensure that the clients who trust me are not "taken" by people who are just trying to make a quick dollar.  This loan, while being salvation for a few, will not be appropriate for most people. It's best to talk with a trusted mortgage expert about your specific situation for advice in this matter.

-- Mickey Carlton, Mortgage Consultant with Thomas Mortgage (a trusted vendor of RTSOrlandoHomes.com)

Solutions that Save

There are a number of things you can do to lower your electric bill.  But to save the most energy and money, FLP (Florida Power & Light Company) recommends these top 10 tips:

1. Cool your home at 78 degrees or warmer with the thermostat fan switch on 'auto.'  For additional, savings, raise your thermostat to 82 degrees or warmer when you're away from home.
2. Heat your home to 68 degrees or cooler with the thermostat fan switch on 'auto.'  To save, even more, lower your thermostat to 65 degrees or cooler at bedtime or when you're away from home.
3. Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically and maximize your energy savings.  It also helps to maintain a comfortable temperature when you wake up or return home. 
4. Clean or replace your A/C filter every month to trim your cooling costs and help your unit run more efficiently.
5. Turn off your ceiling fan when you leave the room.  A fan that runs all the time costs about $7 a month. 
6. Avoid pre-rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.  It can save up to $70 per year.
7. Limit the time you run your pool pump:  Summer - 6 hours a day, Winter - 4 hours a day.
8. Adjust the water level on your washing machine to match the load size, especially when using hot water.  Always use a cold rinse.
9. Clean the lint filter in your dryer before every load to dry your clothes faster and save money.
10. Use the auto sensor function on your dryer, if you have one, to conserve energy by not over-drying your clothes.

Is it Safe to Eat?

As we get farther into hurricane season and prepare for the possibility of power outages, it is prudent to ask yourself this safety question:  If you have a power outage and your refrigerator goes off, how will you know if your food is safe?

The rule of thumb is to keep an appliance thermometer in your refrigerator so you can monitor the temperature inside in case of a power outage.  Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 degrees or below to discourage harmful bacteria from growing.  When your power kicks back on, if the temperature in your refrigerator is 40 degrees or lower, your food should be safe to eat.  Foods that have been at a temperature of above 40 degrees for more than two hours should not be eaten.

Hurricane Preparedness

With the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane season running from June 1 to November 30 and the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University predicting the probability for at least one major (category 3-4-5) hurricane landfall for the U.S. East Coast Including the Florida Peninsula at 50%, (average for last century is 31%) it's wise to be prepared to protect your family and your property. 

The National Hurricane Center has put together a Be Prepared web page that is a center for resources about disaster prevention including creating a disaster supply kit, making a family plan, securing your home and other essential tools.   

To keep informed about specific storms and see projected storm paths and intensities, the following sites are helpful resources:
The Hurricane Watch Net
National Weather Service National Hurricane Center 

Bronson Urges Homeowners To Protect Their Investment As Termite Season Gets Underway

TALLAHASSEE - Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging Florida homeowners and home buyers to take steps to protect their homes as termite swarming season gets under way. Termites are responsible for more than $700,000,000 in costs to consumers in Florida each year for damage and control.

“In Florida, it isn’t a question of whether there are termites in an area, but how close they are to your home,” Bronson said. “It’s astounding that about half of the homeowners in this state have no termite protection. People need to take steps to protect what will likely be the biggest investment they will ever make -- their homes.”

But Bronson also warns consumers that they must use licensed, reputable companies for pest control operations. The Department regulates and licenses the pest control industry and has more than doubled the number of inspections from 2,200 to 5,600 over the past four years. The Department’s Division of Agricultural Environmental Services can provide consumers with the complaint history of a company and consumers should also check to ensure a company is properly licensed.

“The vast majority of pest control operators in this state are responsible, well trained and provide good service to their customers,” Bronson said. “But our inspections show an ongoing problem with unlicensed pest control companies and of course there is no way to ensure the workers are properly trained to provide effective and safe pest control. It is also unfair to the businesses that follow the rules.”

The two main types of termites that affect Florida consumers are subterranean termites, which live in soil and attack structures from the ground up, and drywood termites, which can live in isolated pieces of wood in a structure such as attic rafters, and can go undetected until they cause extensive damage. Licensed pest management professionals have the expertise to inspect and treat for infestations of these termites and provide protective measures for homeowners. Swarming season occurs when termites begin to “swarm” or leave their colonies to search for new nesting sites. Many homeowners discover that they have a termite problem when they find termite swarmers (winged, black insects about ¼ inch long) in their homes.

Consumers can take the following steps to protect their homes from this destructive pest:

• Remove wood piles and other cellulose sources from under and next to their homes.
• Have an annual inspection of their homes by a licensed professional pest control company.
• Renew their termite protection contract annually.
• Direct water sources, such as air conditioner drip lines and roof downspouts, away from the structure foundation.
• When purchasing a home, carefully check its termite protection history.

All Floridians are urged to review the steps they are taking to protect their homes from termites and to take advantage of information available from the Department about how to protect their homes and businesses against this destructive pest. Information is available from the Department's web site www.FloridaTermiteHelp.org or by calling 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352).

Home Safety Tips

June is National Safety Month and a great time to take these steps to make your home safer:

• Place a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and on every floor of your home.
• Install battery-powered smoke alarms including in all of your bedrooms. 
• Check your local building codes to make sure you have the right kind of smoke detector and enough of them for the size and layout of your home.
• Install a CO (Carbon Monoxide) detector in your home.
• Use changing your clocks for Daylight Saving Time as a reminder to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors, and to check your fire extinguisher gauges to verify they’re still full.
• Have a well-stocked first aid kit where everyone can find it.  Your first aid kit should include activated charcoal (use only if instructed by a poison control center), adhesive tape, antiseptic ointment, adhesive bandages, triangular bandage, blanket, cold pack, disposable gloves, gauze pads, roller gauze, hand cleaner, plastic bags, scissors, tweezers, and a small flashlight with extra batteries.
• If you have children, or if children come to visit, put plastic covers in your electric outlets so they can’t stick objects into them and risk getting shocked.
• Have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) electrical outlet installed in your kitchen, bathroom and around any other water source.  These electric outlets can prevent electrocutions, electric shocks and some electric fires.
• Keep all electronics a safe distance from the sink, bathtub and shower in your bathroom as well as the sink in the kitchen.
• Investigate any water stains or cracks that appear on your ceilings – they could be signs of a serious water leak, either in your roof or in your water pipes.  If not taken care of, the ceiling may eventually weaken and fall.  If the problem is serious, call a professional.

Home Safety Tour

Take a tour around your home looking in and around everything such as old appliances.  Look for fraying wires or overloaded electrical outlets that could be fire hazards.  See if there are any pieces of furniture that have sharp edges that could hurt someone.

If you’re having visitors over, especially visitors with young children, prior to their visit is a great time to take the safety tour.  Think about what kids might get into, especially down at their level.  You’ll definitely feel more comfortable knowing your home is safe for you and your guests.

— Adapted from homemadesimple.com