Calum MacKenzie
Articles by Calum MacKenzie
October 18, 2009
More and more households today are finding ways to "go green." These measures can range from the labor-intensive installation of expensive solar panels and remodeling to simple, inexpensive, every day changes that anyone can do. Below are some easy and hassle-free tips to "green-it-yourself" that wi...
July 26, 2008
If you´re planning to move house in the near future, chances are you´re already groaning at the thought of organizing a move. But don´t worry—moving doesn´t have to be a complete nightmare. Check out these practical tips and make your next move smooth and trouble-free.
July 22, 2008
For those of us who don´t enjoy swimming in chlorinated water, it´s good to know that there´s an alternative available. Salt water swimming pools are increasingly popular, but how safe are they? Salt or chlorine—which does a better job at keeping your pool clean?
July 17, 2008
Which heating system is best for your swimming pool? In most cases you´ll be able to choose between electric, gas, and solar heating systems, but the best system for your situation will vary depending on where you live and what your specific needs are. So which is best? The answer to that question depends on a fairly long list of factors, including your budget, location, the size of your pool, and how and when you normally use it: check out the full article to find out more.
June 30, 2008
Trying to determine your Florida real estate taxes is like trying to determine if you qualify for an IRS tax break, near impossible. If you're trying to understand Florida property taxes this article explains everything you want to know, but were afraid to ask, including information on Florida's New Amendment 1 passed by voters on January 9, 2008. So whether you´re a new Florida resident wondering what a homestead exemption is, or a longtime resident trying to figure out how much Save Our Homes benefit you can take with you to your new home, it's covered in this article.
May 29, 2008
With the Florida hurricane season almost upon us, it´s important to make sure you´re ready. A family disaster plan and a disaster supply kit are two important actions you can take to make sure you´re not caught out if a hurricane cuts off your electricity, isolates you in your home, or forces you to evacuate.
May 28, 2008
What´s the most important consideration when buying a home? Price, location, size? Most people won´t ordinarily think a home inspection is particularly crucial—it´s something that most of us do, but we don´t necessarily stop to consider just how important it is. The hom...
April 26, 2008
There are three main ways you can reduce your Florida homeowner´s insurance costs: review your policy, review your insurance carrier, and review your home. Depending on your current situation you could end up saving hundreds of dollars on your insurance every year just by following one or two of these tips. There´s also an easy way you can increase your home security without paying extra for the service, and some advice about the importance of choosing an insurance carrier for increased peace of mind as well as reduced rates.
April 13, 2008
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina and other destructive storms, getting affordable property insurance hasn´t been easy. Many private insurers shed high risk clients after storms in 2004-2005, and raised assessments for others. For those who could no longer afford private insurance (or who were ...
March 21, 2008
How many residents of Florida (or anywhere else in the country, for that matter!) know that the United States Department of Agriculture backs a guaranteed home loan program that allows rural residents to qualify for home loans if they´re unable to do so by conventional means? And how many residents ...
March 05, 2008
On December 20, President Bush signed a law that is meant to help homeowners who are facing foreclosure or who sell their homes in a short sale. Before this law, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, if your bank or lender forgave a portion of your mortgage debt because the value of your home had decreased, the IRS treated the forgiveness as taxable income.
March 05, 2008
On January 29, voters spoke loud and clear. Amendment 1 passed with nearly 65% of the vote – an astounding percentage. With the passage of Amendment 1, many people will be seeing some major changes in their tax bills.