Dave Magua, P.A.

A new report published by RealtyTrac Thursday shows that 75 percent of the nation’s largest metro areas posted increases in foreclosure activity during the first half of 2010. RealtyTrac says it’s seeing early signs that foreclosures may have peaked in some hard-hit markets, but with three-quarters of the nation’s most populated metros showing continued increases, the [...] Read full article »

        The outdoor kitchen is rapidly becoming the social hub of the home, much as the indoor kitchen is the favorite gathering place for family and friends. The trend is especially strong in areas where the climate favors outdoor living almost year-round. “It’s a hot item,” said Scott Redmon, owner of Alfresco Living in Maitland, Fla. “And [...] Read full article »

        Seller, you may already know this sad reality, but Trulia.com recently announced that more than 30% of listed homes in 20 of the largest American cities have had at least one price cut. Cutting prices is never fun for the seller, but on the other hand, doing so can entice a buyer who’d otherwise never [...] Read full article »

    With historically low interest rates persevering and prices starting to creep back up, more and more renters are grappling with the question of whether to buy now or keep renting. Based on the countless clients we have helped buy their first home, we can confidently tell you, yes! Now is a very opportune time to purchase [...] Read full article »

The Lake County, Fla., home Paul Fallman shares with his wife and two daughters has 4,000 square feet of living space. Yet his electric bills have averaged just $180 a month so far this year, despite record-low winter temperatures and close-to-record summer highs. His natural-gas bill for two tankless water heaters and a fireplace averages $25 [...] Read full article »

What to Consider When Buying a Home Thanks to the perfect storm of low prices, attractive inventory, and affordable interest rates, this continues to be a lucrative time to invest in a home, whether it be a first home, a move-up home, or a second home. Choosing a home is no easy process, however, [...] Read full article »

According to credit experts, 42% of U.S. consumers have credit scores between 550 and 699. As a result, these consumers typically don’t qualify for preferred interest rates and, depending on their overall credit profile, they may not even qualify for certain loans and credit cards. As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, [...] Read full article »

Why You Should Buy a Home Now…Even after the Tax Credit While much press coverage has been given to the recent first-time and move-up buyer tax credit, there are many time-sensitive factors that make the current climate an exceptional time to buy a home…even without the tax credit. As a Member of the Top [...] Read full article »

Street level appraisers have been getting a lot of heat for their role in the rise and collapse of real estate values and most of it is unfair. Without exception, every appraiser I have ever met was professional, direct, and considered the facts when arriving at his or her opinion of value. That isn’t to say [...] Read full article »

The explosion of remodeling shows on TV and makeover spreads in magazines has whetted America’s appetite for glamorous rooms brimming with the latest furnishings, appliances and color schemes. Kitchen remodels are among the most popular, according to a report in the August issue of Consumer Reports and online at consumerreports.org. And the economic slowdown means [...] Read full article »