Florida: One State - Many Insurance Rates

Hope you didn't miss today's paper..Friday October 27th. A couple of good articles about how Floridians are having major problems getting homeowners insurance. So here todays articles taken from the Pensacola News Journal.

Comparing quotes difficult with more than 1,500 territories
Cordova Park residents Herman and Christine Allday are considering selling their home of more than 30 years after receiving their homeowners insurance bill for $5,400, an increase of more than $4,000 since last year.

'There is no safe place in Florida'
Milton and Pace now are considered coastal territories - and are paying for it
Homeowners not directly on the Florida coastline are also contending with massive insurance rate hikes. East Milton, miles from Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, was ravaged by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004 and again by Dennis in July 2005.

Insurance Storm 2006
Florida Insurance Storm website
PNJ Storm Forum
Interactive Polls

House Hunting? Here's a Great Deal for You - Since the real estate market has cooled in some markets, developers and home sellers have been offering huge incentives, such as a free pool or luxury car, to move properties. Mercedes-Benz, anyone?

I've noticed that in our area agents are offering the usual incentive like a cash bonus to the selling agent anywhere from $500 to $2000. Home warranties are excellent to include too. Plus having the title search already prepared and ready for closing; and even a home inspection with a list of any repairs that have been made is good. But incentives are getting more popular and more interesting. Cars for one are a novelty. The seller paying closing costs and even paying the first years homeowners insurance. Wow! But how about the seller paying discount points on the buyers' mortgage loan to "buy down" the rate? So talk to your local lender and discuss how they can create some incentives to entice a buyer. It might not be as costly as you think and might just clinch the deal sooner and quicker.