| In this issue: |
• GA & FLA Growth Rates
• Toxic Mold Info
• Moving with Kids
• Become a BBB Agent
• Buyer Workshop
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| Interest Rate Watch |
Selected Rates as of
July 21, 2005:
• 30 yr fixed: 5.73%
• 15 yr. fixed: 5.32%
• 1 yr. adj: 4.42%
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| Free Buyer Workshop! |
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Every Thursday
Get a guided tour through the real estate buying process, learn about new and historic neighborhoods in Jacksonville, Daytona, and other Floriday cities, plus have financing questions answered by industry professionals.
Call:
904-358-3955 for Jacksonville information
877-693-4068 for
Daytona information
or use the links below: |
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| About the Weekly: |
The Real Estate Weekly is a free weekly bulletin published to keep clients and associates informed of happenings in the real estate market. If you would like to unsubscribe from the Weekly, please use the button at the bottom of the page.
The R.E.W. is published by:
Bo Bridgeport Brokers, Inc.
Located at:
1654 N Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
Phone: 904.358.3955
and
127 Arlington Way
Ormond Beach, FL 32176
Phone: 877.693.4068 |
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» Georgia and Florida Dominate the List of 10 Counties With
Fastest Housing Gains, Census Bureau Reports |
Georgia is home to four of the 10 counties with the highest rate of growth in the number of housing units, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released today. Next, with three counties among the group, is neighboring Florida.
The estimates cover the July 1, 2003 to July 1, 2004 period and show the four Georgia counties to be Henry (ranking fourth), Newton (fifth), Paulding (ninth) and Fannin (10th). Henry, Newton and Paulding counties are located in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta metropolitan area. Fannin is situated along the border with Tennessee and North Carolina.
The county that ranked first on this list was Flagler, Fla., where the number of housing units increased 13.9 percent. The two other counties in Florida that made the top 10 were St. Lucie, ranked seventh, and Sumter, eighth. Rounding out the top 10 were Madison, Idaho (second); Loudoun, Va. (third); and Pinal, Ariz. (sixth).
The United States had an estimated 122.7 million housing units as of July 1, 2004. That represented an increase of 1.7 million, or 1.4 percent, since July 1, 2003. The increase since Census Day (April 1, 2000), was 6.8 million, or 5.8 percent.
Maricopa (Phoenix), Ariz., was the biggest numerical gainer among counties, adding 45,000 homes over the period. It was followed by Harris (Houston), Texas; and Clark (Las Vegas), Nevada, which gained 38,000 and 35,000 units, respectively.
At the state level, four of the five states that had the most rapid housing growth are located in the West: Nevada (first with a growth rate of 4.5 percent), Arizona (second at 3.0 percent), Utah (third at 2.6 percent) and Idaho (fifth at 2.5 percent). Florida, with a 2.5 percent increase, ranked fourth.
Florida topped the list of the states adding the highest number of housing units, gaining nearly 200,000 homes over the period. Following Florida were Texas (173,000), California (169,000), Georgia (89,000) and Arizona (70,000).
The estimates are based on Census 2000 counts carried forward by administrative records such as building permits.
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» Learn About Toxic Mold Prevention |
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Toxic mold, dangerous to humans in large amounts, has plagued builders and homeowners for years.
If you have not had your house inspected for such things, be on the lookout for the following changes in your homes: swollen and crumbling boards, musty (or urine) smells, or oddly colored speckling (brown, orange, pink) on your walls or grout.
Many times there is nothing you could've done to prevent your home from developing toxic mold. Lumber that wasn't treated with fungicides or was stored outside for long periods of time before use in your home could be the culprit. For these reasons, homes built during dry and hot seasons may have less chance of developing toxic mold. The wood had less chance of absorbing moisture before being used in the structure.
However, anywhere that moisture can rest on untreated wood, toxic mold can be an issue. As a preventative measure, check for windows and doors that need resealed. Be sure if you have vinyl siding that it is fit securely to your home and no unwanted fungi are lurking behind.
A simple rule of thumb is that any moisture that lands on, under, over, or in your house must have a way for it to dry out quickly. Mold is attracted to moisture that stays for long periods of time, giving it something to survive in and on. This is why many people find relatively harmless molds growing in their showers from time to time. They are attracted to moisture that doesn't always evaporate as quickly as it should.
But toxic mold is dangerous. If one or more of your family members has begun to develop specific symptoms you think are related to toxic mold, contact a doctor immediately. Excessive exposure to the mold can have lasting health related consequences. Look for memory loss, respiratory issues, difficulty swallowing, vision problems, headaches, and chronic fatigue.
If you have reason to believe that your home is growing toxic mold, contact a specialist immediately. They will present you with several options, one of which is new to the market. Foster, a company who produces construction coatings, have developed a new mold-resistant sealer.
The product is sprayed all over the home and has a 10 year warranty. It is able to kill some already existent mold and prevent the growth of mold, even in areas that are prone to flooding. Prices vary by area and contractor, but you could treat a new 2,000 square foot house for around $1,000 in most markets. Already existing homes are more expensive and can be more difficult to treat.
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» Tips for Moving with Children |
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Moving can be a trying time for many children. In the case of long distance moves, many times friends and close family are left behind. There is no sure fire way of making your children 100 percent comfortable with a move, but there are several ways to ease their transition into their new home.
A child's world is based on routine. And we need look no further than ABC's Super Nanny to see that to maintain happy, healthy, disciplined children, they must have a steady routine. Chances are their routine will be disrupted for weeks before and after the actual move date. Attempt to re-establish some semblance of normalcy as soon as you arrive at your new home.
Implementing Routines
1. Unpack the children's rooms first. Let them help, perhaps even let them choose new paint colors or arrangements of their rooms.
2. Establish a specific meal time. This will be difficult in the midst of unpacking and settling in, but attempt to have dinner as a family every night at, say, 7:00 p.m.
3. Be consistent with discipline. It can be easy to let behavioral issues slide, forgiving misbehavior due to the stress of moving, but establishing that this home is just like the old home -- especially in terms of discipline is extremely important.
Join Local Organizations
Even if your child is a natural extrovert, they may need help making new friends. Try joining community organizations, such as the local YMCA. By doing so, you will be involved with parents and children from all over your area. So if you have a child who is on the shy side, you may be able to direct them to activities that will supply them social interaction. By helping them get involved you will give them the chance to meet new people in a safe environment. And you might meet some great people too!
Feeling Secure
More than anything, children need to feel that they are secure. Especially younger children may initially become "clingy" after a move. Be sure to let them talk openly about their fears and let them know how they can contact you any time they are feeling scared.
1. Accompany your child to their new school. Most schools will be more than willing to let you come in at any time to take a tour. It might work best to visit after school has been dismissed, so that your child can get their bearings without the stress of dozens of eyes on them.
2. Supply your children with several copies of new contact information: phone numbers and address.
Be consistent with your children, help them make a great new start, and let them know you love them no matter where you live. | |
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Want a Career in Real Estate? Then WE want YOU!
Bo Bridgeport Brokers is looking for motivated, ambitious people to join our growing team. Join our team and receive comprehensive training from successful agents while working in a positive workplace. Becoming a real estate professional is easier than you think!
Click Here for more information or call 904-358-3955. | | |