Florida Relocation

 An overview of the process of relocating to Florida and shopping for a home.

New Yorkers are buying homes in Florida (particularly in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach) at a record pace, either as a second home or permanently relocating to the sunshine state. This brief overview is intended to give readers from New York an idea of what to expect when embarking on the process of shopping for a home in So. Florida.

Although home prices have skyrocketed in the last 5 years, relative to NY prices, you can still buy a lot more house for your dollar in Florida.

 Homes in South Florida are currently selling pretty quickly with the average time on the market being about 30 days. If you are working with a real estate agent here and are serious about buying something, be prepared to make a trip down here on short notice. If you leave it until your next trip in a couple of months, chances are the home will no longer be available. Homes here typically sell anywhere from full asking price to $10k or $20k below the asking price. 

Often times, homebuyers from other areas make offers of 10% below the asking price, only to lose a few homes before understanding that sellers here consider this insulting and typically won’t even respond with a counteroffer. 

With 1,000 people per day making Florida their permanent residence, the demand for housing continues to increase while there is a limited supply. For this reason, it is anticipated that prices will remain strong for the foreseeable future.

Real Estate taxes are calculated using a millage rate which is applied to the assessed value of the property. Although the millage rate varies from one area to another, as a rule of thumb, your annual Real Estate taxes will be 2% of the value of your home.

 Property is re-assessed every time it changes hands, so when you buy a home, you should expect it to be assessed at or about your purchase price, therefore your annual taxes will be about 2% of what you paid for your home. 

There are several tax exemptions available to Florida residents, the most significant one being the Homestead Exemption which is available to all permanent Florida residents. 

This exemption lowers your assessed value by $25k and shields your property from creditors, but more importantly homestead properties are protected by the Save Our Homes tax cap which limits the amount your taxes can increase by 3% annually. Since property values have been increasing by about 25% annually, it is extremely important to file for homestead exemption as soon as you close on your new home.

 At the same time, since many current homeowners are paying a fraction of what they would if their homes were not protected when looking at homes, you should pay no attention to what the current owner’s taxes are, instead you should calculate your new tax based on your purchase price.

 If you are discouraged by the high real estate taxes in Florida, don’t despair, there is good news yet - Florida has no income tax. When living in NY, you pay Federal, State, and possibly City taxes on the money you earn. In Florida, while you still pay Federal income tax, there is no state income tax at all.

Most single-family homes in Boca Raton are built-in planned communities and are governed by homeowners associations. 

Townhouses or condominiums are similar but are governed by condo associations

 In either case, the governing body will be responsible for the maintenance of common areas and will impose rules on homeowners regarding the upkeep of the homes. 

Homeowners are required to pay monthly assessments to the association to cover the common costs of the community, which vary depending on what the association is responsible for. If you purchase a home in Country Club, membership in the club may be mandatory. Country Club membership typically entails an upfront equity contribution to the club ranging from $20k to $100k and yearly membership dues ranging from $2k to $15k.

Your mortgage company will require that you maintain an insurance policy on your home equal to at least the amount of the mortgage or the replacement value of the home whichever is less. 

They will require that you have hurricane coverage and if you live in a flood zone, then flood insurance as well. Flood zones are determined by an elevation survey and while you may not be required to carry flood insurance, the incremental cost above your standard policy is minimal and it is worth having it anyway. 

There are several factors that will affect the cost of your homeowners' insurance most of which is a function of the age of your home. Homes that are more than 20 years old are significantly more expensive to insure. 

Homes that were built after the new hurricane code was put into effect in 1998 are significantly less costly to insure due to the changes in how the homes are built including the requirement for storm shutters.

If you are relocating and seeking permanent employment in Florida, keep in mind that due to the cost of living differences between NY and So.

 Florida, you need not earn the same dollar amount that you are currently earning in NY. 

As a rule of thumb, your FL salary should be approximately 80% of your NY salary

 In other words, if you are earning $100k per year in NY, you need to earn $80k here in order to lead a similar lifestyle.

Home shopping can be an exhausting experience, especially when doing it long distance. With more than 16,000 Realtors in Palm Beach County, it is important that you select the right Realtor to work with. Make sure you are working with someone who is a full-time Realtor, not a part-timer who has a license and tries to make a deal here and there. 

A Realtor who is Internet savvy will make the process a lot easier by communicating with you via email, sending you listings, pictures, and even virtual tours. 

It is also important to understand that unlike New York where Attorneys handle the contract, here in Florida contracts are prepared and executed by the Realtor, so a competent and professional Realtor can make all the difference.

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Flat Rate Movers In NYC

 Whether relocation concerns a residence or business there are movers in NYC who offer customers an all-inclusive one-price move that is guaranteed. Known as Flat Rate movers, the innovation introduced in 1991 offers an all-inclusive, guaranteed, one-price move.

This was introduced in order to eliminate questionable pricing practices and to develop trust among customers. They will ask details of what and where you want to move and provide you with a fixed cost estimate for the proposed move.

The service includes packing, collecting your boxes, doorstep delivery as well as unpacking. However the system is not without problems so you must ensure that the credentials of the company are “good”, there are no complaints with the Better Business Bureau, that the contract includes guarantees, as well as breakage or loss insurance.

You may need to take additional insurance to protect your valuables. Ask the company about this. If in doubt consult a “moving” advisor or consultant. Make time to search on the web for insights about moving and how a movie can be made safe and error-free. 

Check the information offered on company websites, always contact at least three companies, and make a comparison table listing estimate, services, credentials, insurance, and so on.  Never hesitate to ask around and seek answers from the moving company to even simple questions. 

Most important check with Dot and the Better Business Bureau for any complaints or reports registered against the companies on your list. Surf the Web for any reviews, blogs, or articles recommending the company or issuing warnings about the company.

There is peace of mind in ensuring the safety of your possessions, so do your best to protect yourself.

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Who Are The Leaders Behind The Launch Of GeneWize?

 So, you have a website open to the public, now what?

Basically, your general premise for having a website is simple: to provide prospects with information in order to answer their unanswered or spur of the moment questions relating to your business. 

Your message to your visitors should express, “this is why you want to do business with our company”.

The basic allure of shopping or doing research online is that a prospect will not have to talk to anyone to get the information they are after. It is a field trip so to speak, they can look and not touch, go where they are told, and not ask any questions until the end of the tour. 

Your visitors (like kids on a field trip) are on your site because of some simple curiosity that has led them to your site. 

You are their tour guide. 

They expect you to know where you want them to go and show them everything they want to see. 

Every click from a visitor on your site is an unspoken question looking for an answer. These clicks represent an opportunity for you (the tour guide) to answer it correctly leading your visitors to the light at the end of the tunnel. 

So, visitors better get what they want as quickly as possible or they’ll click their back button and look for another tour guide.

When the usability and content of your website convince a visitor that your information is valuable to them; they give you something of value in return. They give you their valuable information by becoming a lead.

Let’s get one thing straight, it doesn’t matter if your website has a simple or complex sales process. The nature of any website in the context of this article is irrelevant as the underlying objective of any website is plain and simple, it is persuasion.

You may or may not have heard of “reverse marketing”.  So, what is reverse marketing”?

Reverse marketing is a customer-centric approach of going backward in the whole evolution from prospect to lead, lead to customer, and customer to repeat customer. In order to go backward in the process, ask yourself these questions: who, what, and how?

Who do I need to convince? What am I convincing my visitors to do?

When the objective of your site is generating leads, you want to convince your visitors to fill in a contact form for more information, register to download a white paper or demo, register for special offers, opt into a newsletter or e-mail list, or use “email a friend” to forward interesting content on your site to those they know with similar interests.

Now that your target audience has been developed, in this case, business seekers or business opportunity seekers which represent your “who” from above, and you have identified the action you want them to take, which is turn them into a lead. 

You will now need to to look at configuring an online experience that incorporates your answer to the third basic question:

How do I most effectively persuade my visitors?

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Quicker Success Through Business Kits And Startup Guides

 You have always had an interest in starting a particular type of business

 However, realistically you know that you lack the expertise required. 

How can you start the desired business from scratch and begin making profits without the steep learning curve? 

Your answer might be to buy a business kit or startup guide.

For example, let`s say you wanted to start your own import and export business. You will find business kits and startup guides written by persons who have already successfully ran an import-export business. Sometimes these kits consist of actual books, courses, forms, videos, audio cassettes, and other media. Other times, the information may be in the form of a downloadable e-book or a website.

Whatever their form, business kits, and startup guides can shave years off your learning curve. Find out the tricks of the trade for your selected business. 

Avoid costly errors and years of frustration by learning from the mistakes of others.

Some of the businesses covered in articles include consulting, finder`s fees, drop shipping, import-export, bed and breakfast, mystery shopping (also known as secret shopping), various cleaning businesses, catering, daycare, graphic and web design, crafts business, licensing, inventions, mail order, medical transcription, newsletter publishing, professional organizer, public speaking, real estate, self-publishing, surveys, writing, and just about any other specific business you might be interested in.

Often, for less than one hundred dollars, you can have the benefit of years or even decades of experience from successful entrepreneurs.

Therefore, if you wish to enjoy quicker success, consider buying a business kit or startup guide.

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5 Crucial Home Business Tips to Realize Financial Freedom

 Starting your home business is the easy part, but realizing your long-term goal of financial freedom takes much effort and dedication. There are many ways to operate a home business, but the tips below outline some solid principals you should follow to earn a steady income from home no matter what your home business.

1. Set Goals for Success

Setting goals will help you stay focused on what you want to accomplish within your home business. Start with long-term goals for where you would like to be financially five, ten, even fifteen years from now. Next, create short-term goals for daily, weekly, and monthly achievements. 

To attain financial freedom is a great long-term general goal, but it will take many small goals to reach this level. You'll need to set small goals to create a steady cash system. A home business will go nowhere without goals, so take this step before starting any other tasks.

2. Create a Pleasant, Professional Home Office

Evaluate your home business workspace. Do you work in a corner of your bedroom with a desk and computer? Is your office usually the kitchen table between meals? Do you try to work in the living area while the rest of your family enjoys conversation or entertainment? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you'll probably need to make some changes. 

Create an office space that is for work only. Even if it's in the corner of another room, block its view with office sectional walls or some type of barrier wall to give a sense of privacy. An office should be just an "office" and nothing else. When you arrive at your office, you're ready for work. When you leave the office space, the workday is over.

3. Get Organized

Once you have a defined work area for your home business, fill it with supplies and tools to make work easier and more efficient. Choose a desk and chair for comfort as well as back, neck, and arm support. Desks with shelves and cabinets can make organizing your office a cinch, especially if you have limited office space. Also, keep a daily to-do list, calendar, and schedule book to prioritize tasks. 

4. Stay on Schedule

When you work at home, it's easy to get off schedule because of interruptions or the temptation to take time off for leisure activities. Keep in mind that every moment wasted today usually means more work the next day. Eventually, you'll be working around the clock and never seem to accomplish anything. For home business success, keep a steadfast work routine daily and set a work schedule you can stick with every day. Develop a mentality that every job is actually a pay-by-the-hour job. Every hour spent working will help you make money and gain financial freedom.

5.  Separate Business from Personal Tasks

Once you set a schedule, stick to it. Don't allow personal tasks to get in the way of work. This can be anything from cleaning the house to visits from friends or relatives to watching television. Take breaks from your computer, but try to avoid getting involved in personal tasks during your breaks. Many women confess to washing dishes, ironing clothes, vacuuming, and other personal tasks while on break from their home business. Personal tasks can cause your mind to be off-focus, and it will be difficult to return to a regular work routine afterward. 

Find other things to do during breaks that won't take your mind too far away from work. Take a 15-minute walk. Sit and read a self-help book related to your business. Or, take a quick snack break, with a healthy snack of course!

Once you take these steps, you're ready to enjoy a steady cash system at home that works. You can earn money doing what you love most, and your home business can soar to heights never imagined if you stick with these basic principals. Get ready for a bumpy road, but also look for the financial freedom that awaits you just over the horizon!

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5 Benefits Of Using Feeds - How Feeds Can Help Your E-Business

 Feeds are a way of sharing content. When you make material from your website available for publishing on other sites, you provide them with a feed. Basically, it’s a code that lets them post your articles and blogs. There are different kinds of code—XML, RSS, Atom, etc.—but essentially they’re all just different ways of accessing a feed.

According to internet expert Sydney Johnston, “The great thing about a feed is everybody wins.” The article writer gain...

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What’s a Feed?

Feeds are a way of sharing content. When you make material from your website available for publishing on other sites, you provide them with a feed. Basically, it’s a code that lets them post your articles and blogs. There are different kinds of code—XML, RSS, Atom, etc.—but essentially they’re all just different ways of accessing a feed.

According to internet expert Sydney Johnston, “The great thing about a feed is everybody wins.” The article writer gains exposure, the reader learns about something of interest to them, and the online seller gets an endless source of pertinent content.

What Can a Feed Do for My Online Business?

Feeds are useful in a number of different ways:

• They Eliminate Spam-filters. They’re 100% opt-in, so readers can subscribe and unsubscribe at will. Feeds are delivered directly to your subscribers, so you don’t contend with filters knocking you out of their inboxes.

• They Provide Free Content. One of the best ways to differentiate your site is to supply readers with interesting material—educate them on topics relating to the product you’re selling.

 If you sell preschool toys, chances are you don’t want to study child development and write numerous articles on the subject—so find someone else who’s already done that and make their feed available to your customers. The constantly updating, applicable subject matter gives your visitors a reason to keep coming back.

• They Can Improve Yur Search Engine Rankings. In the past, search engines were unable to read feeds, but the software is now available to translate them into live links the engines can see (check out http://CyberWS.com). Search engines love fresh, dynamic content, so feeds are ideal. They provide relevant information that updates automatically. Not only do your customers get the facts they’re looking for, but the search engines like your site and give it a better position.

• For Affiliate Marketers, They’re an Alternative to Banners. You not only give your customer valuable knowledge but if they click through and purchase something, you get credit. And unlike with banners, you don’t look like you’re putting up junk ads or spam.

• They Can Increase Your Traffic. Anything you write, you should make available as a feed. When other sites pick it up, it’s free advertising for you—all their traffic is able to click through the feed to your site. So you gain new potential customers you wouldn’t have otherwise.

Feeds on any subject are easy to find. There’s a whole collection of search engines just for feeds, like http://Plazoo.com and http://Feedster.com. Says Johnston, “The future of the internet for entrepreneurs is fed. If people don’t master them, they’re going to get left behind, period.”

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"Life With Woody" 10 inspirational quotes than can improve yourself

 It might take a little coffee or probably a few rounds of beer or any other booze you could get your hands-on when it comes to relaxing after a hard day's work. 

Well, yeah I'm guilty about that one as well unless I'm caught dead wearing a lampshade over my head after a few rounds of vodka… half-naked! Okay, bad example and I apologize to everyone reading this after getting nightmares about me in that state of drunken stupor.

Just don't ask how it happened, please.

But what's really interesting is that how do people go through the usual part of life when faced with vein-popping stress? 

I mean, the new age thing like Zen or yoga is one of the good things and it actually works. Is there room for the intellectual side of people who can actually smell the roses-in-a-can while on the move? It kind of had me thinking that there really must be something in this 'mind-over-matter' thing.

Humor is indeed the best medicine there is whenever you are. I mean anyone can pay good money to listen to a comedian just to make you wet your pants after laughing so hard. 

Regardless of what's been happening, and to those who have gone through the ordeal, it's better to just laugh while facing the troubles with a clear mind than anger with a clouded vision. One of my favorite celebrities of all time may have to be Woody Allen.

 Now, this is one guy who gives you the in-your-face bluntness that he pulls out with gusto, even without even trying. You can talk just about anything with a man, and he's bound to mock the subject and you'll end up laughing rather than being upset about it.

Woody Allen has this to say:

1. "Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons." It sounds good to me, I mean the practicality of all things does involve money but it doesn't have to take an arm and a leg to get it.

2. "I believe there is something out there watching us. Unfortunately, it's the government." 'Nuff said.

3. "There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?" This happens to be one of the classic ones. I mean the issue about life's little problems isn't all that bad, until 'he' shows up.

Sure, relationships can get complicated or do have the complications that probably any author about relationships is bound to discover it soon. 

We follow what our heart desires unless you're talking about the heart as in the heart that pumps blood throughout your body.

4. "Love is the answer, but while you're waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions." And if you want more, just keep on asking!

5. "A fast word about oral contraception. I asked a girl to go to bed with me, she said 'no'." It sounds, 'practical', I think.

And when it comes to everyday life, he really knows how to make the best out of every possible scenario, and it doesn't involve a lawsuit if he strikes a nerve.

6. "Basically my wife was immature. I'd be at home in the bath and she'd come in and sink my boats." I never had a boat in my bathtub before. Just staring at it while soaking in hot water makes me seasick already.

7. "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens." If it rains, it pours.

8. "I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." It could get worse when you're guzzling on beer… or mouthwash, and it happened to me once!

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