Real Estate Q&A • July 25, 2022

Is it OK to Self -Insure Our house?

by Saby Hedeman

RE Q&A: Is It OK to Self-Insure Our House?

As property insurance grows more expensive, homeowners study other options. If an owner has paid off the mortgage, is self-insurance an option?

Question: We own our home outright, without a mortgage. Because of the insurance crisis, what is the feasibility of self-insuring our house rather than renewing our policy at an ever-higher cost? –Thomas

Answer: Under certain circumstances, it is feasible to go without homeowner’s casualty insurance. Even still, it is rarely, if ever, a good idea or a sound financial policy.

Banks and other mortgage lenders are good at making money and protecting their investments.

I often look at what mortgage lenders require of their customers to gauge the risk of a proposed action. For example, when asked whether a homeowner needs title insurance when purchasing a home, I respond that although they are not required by law to have this valuable coverage, every lender I have dealt with requires title insurance when lending money.

If a bank thinks it is necessary to protect their investment in your asset, you should afford yourself the same protection. Lenders also require their borrowers to have a casualty insurance policy for many of the same reasons.

Most people think of insurance as covering the small events – a fender bender, prescription drugs or a leaking water heater. While this is important, minor claims rarely exceed the cost of the policy, especially when considering the deductible.

When insurance shines is when the rare severe event happens. Not having health insurance and developing a serious health condition bankrupts many people. A dented fender is easy enough to live with, but replacing a totaled car can cost decades of car insurance premiums.

Similarly, if your house suffers a significant casualty – for example, a lost roof and flooding from severe weather, a fire, or even a guest hurting themselves on your lawn – the costs to the homeowner can be more than a lifetime of insurance premiums.

While no one enjoys paying their insurance bills, especially when they seem to increase every year, it still makes sense to grit your teeth and write a check.

Real Estate Q&A • July 25, 2022

Can Live-In Girlfriend can claim ownwership ?

by Saby Hedeman

RE Q&A: Can Live-In Girlfriend Claim Ownership?

A homeowner paid off his condo and may ask his girlfriend to move in. If he does, can she claim partial ownership at some point in time?

Question: I own a condominium apartment and have paid off the mortgage. I am romantically involved but not married, and we are considering having her move in with me. How long after she moves in can she claim she wants half my home if we break up? – Roy

Answer: Because you owned your condo unit outright before you moved her in, she likely cannot claim even partial ownership if you break up.

At worst, if she financially assisted with renovations that raised the property value, she might have a claim to part of the increase in value of the property because of the work she helped pay for.

Had you bought the apartment together and she helped pay for the property and mortgage payments, but the title was only in your name, she could have a claim on part of the equity in your apartment.

While it is doubtful that your live-in girlfriend can gain ownership rights in your property, she can gain other rights in the apartment. You cannot just throw her out. You will need to sue and wait until a judge orders her out.

You will need to evict her if she has been paying rent through a lease.

But if she has not, you will need to sue for “unlawful detainer.” This type of lawsuit is used to remove people who formerly had permission to live in your property. Besides your situation, examples include adult children who fail to launch and overstay their welcome in their childhood bedroom, or when a college friend stays “just a few nights” on your couch and then refuses to leave.

If your girlfriend pays rent to live there, you should have a written lease.

Otherwise, a written cohabitation agreement is a great idea. This agreement helps work out the details of living together and what happens if your relationship sours. Think of it as a prenuptial agreement for unmarried people living together.

This question was asked by a reader who lives in Florida, which does not recognize “common-law” marriage. The answer to this question can vary depending on where you live.

Before moving in together, check the rules for your state.

Real Estate Q&A • July 23, 2022

Bathroom Design A to Z

by Saby Hedeman

Updating a bathroom can provide joy to your life, but also bring value to your home. Here are some ideas to help you with your choices from floor to ceiling.

Accessories: Accessories include decoration, wall hangings, art and sink essentials such as cups, toothbrush holders and the like. It’s a good idea to begin with a unifying theme—one that continues to be popular is the beach motif, with either sand-colored paint or shell-print wall paper, murals of shore scenes, seas shells in baskets, etc. Remember not to overdo it, as too much clutter makes a room appear smaller. Be sure to pick out your colors and accessories to match.

Clearances: All fixtures should be at least 30 inches apart, center-to-center, and 15 inches from the center to the nearest wall or obstruction. There should be 30 by 48 inches in front of the sink. Allow 24 inches around the toilet. Allow 45 by 30 inches in front of the tub. Allow at least 32 inches for all walking areas, including doorways. Double bowl vanities require 60 to 72 inches of space.

Colors: Bright colors add light to a room, especially which can be useful for rooms without windows. Pastel colors make the room appear larger. Too many colors in a small space can add to the busyness of a bathroom, not to mention stress out users. When in doubt, use white. It goes with everything.

Countertops: There are many alternatives on the market when choosing countertop finishes. Tile is still popular. Solid surfacing, such as Corian, Avonite, Nevamar and Wilsonart, gives the convenience of one-piece construction and tends to be low-maintenance. Fritztile is a polyester resin which can be laid like tile, but it is seamless with no grout lines. Formica is still a low-cost alternative.

Flooring: Whatever your choice, whether it’s carpeting, tile, wood or stone, the most important feature of bathroom flooring should be a non-skid surface.

Floor plan: A few simple rules apply here. For instance, you should never lay out the bathroom so that the toilet is visible from outside the bathroom, nor should it be the first thing you see when entering the bathroom.

Lighting: Most bathrooms have inadequate lighting, thanks to their lack of windows. It’s worth looking into installing a skylight or two to brighten up the space. If it’s not feasible, halogen and fiber optic lighting help to brighten up the bathroom.

Mirrors: Mirrors make any room look bigger. Fell free to use mirrors liberally in a bathroom space. Don’t put more than one per wall, however, as it adds to visual confusion. Mirroring an entire wall makes the bathroom appear twice as large.

Paint/paper: Any wall covering used in the bathroom must be water-resistant, but damp-proof as well. Unless applied properly, paint and paper can peel and bubble.

Safety: Protect all electrical outlets with a ground-fault circuit interrupter and place all switches more than 60 inches of water sources. Mount grab bars near toilets and tubs, and inside of shower units, ensuring that they’re installed into studs and not just drywall or tile. Install two grab bars in the shower, one at the entrance and one at the water source. Angle them at 45 degrees.

Showers: Showers have become more elaborate over the years. There are units costing in the tens of thousands of dollars, showers with hydro-massage, waterfalls, multiple shower heads, benches and electronic controls. If you’re installing a shower separate from your tub, it should be at least 32 by 32 inches. The trend is toward larger showers. Install swinging doors so they swing outward to avoid trapping the user. Benches or footrests should be at least 12 inches deep or more.

Sinks: The hottest design in sinks these days are vitreous china pedestal sinks because of their sleek lines and design details. Many people still prefer the vanity-type sinks because of their greater storage and surface area. It’s not necessary to have a double-bowl sink unless two people will use it at the same time.

Storage: Many wonderful, inexpensive cabinets, shelving and racks available. If there’s extra space near the toilet, buy a short cabinet in which to store toilet paper and toiletries. If there’s no space, an over-the-tank shelving unit may be best. Toilet roll holders should be mounted 26 inches off the floor to the front of toilets. Measure all storage doors to make sure they swing clear of fixtures. Don’t forget to allow storage space for cleaning materials, linens and medicines.

Tubs: There are now more than 400 styles, including whirlpools, Roman tubs, and spa systems. A few standards apply here. Platform-mounted tubs should be no more than one step off the floor. The step should be no more than 7 1/4 inches high and at least 10 inches deep. Sunken tubs are an accident waiting to happen. Faucets should be within reach from outside the tub. Install grab bars.

Ventilation: A bathroom without adequate ventilation can contribute to rotten drywall, peeling wall paper and bubbling paint. Installing an inexpensive fan (many come with lights in them) can reduce dampness.

Videos • July 23, 2022

60 Seconds in Key West and the Florida Keys

by Saby Hedeman

Videos • July 22, 2022

From Golf to Gulf in 30 seconds

by Saby Hedeman

Helpful Tips • July 22, 2022

How to keep your Pets Safe in a Heatwave

by Saby Hedeman

“As temperatures reach uncomfortably high levels, pets are likely to struggle with the heat. Here’s how to keep them safe during the heatwave.

Animals kept in a cage or hutch may find it hard to escape the heat as the sun moves around the garden, so you may need to move them or create shade for them. While cats can get out and about, they often find their way into buildings such as greenhouses and sheds. If they get shut in, the risk of heatstroke is high, so always check sheds and garages for cats before you close them up at night.

For pets that are allowed outdoors, such as cats and dogs, try to provide cool, shady places for them to lie down. And make sure all pets have access to fresh water so they can stay hydrated. Providing water for pets to lie or play in can also be a great way to help them keep cool.

Other ways to help pets cope include offering cool surfaces to lie on and offering frozen treats to keep them stay comfortable and entertained. Fans and air conditioning are another great way to keep your pets cool.

The Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign has, for many years, highlighted this particular danger; however, many more dogs develop heatstroke on a hot walk. During hot weather, keep activity levels to a minimum and only take dogs for a walk at cooler times of the day.

Dog walks are usually safest in the early morning and, where possible, restricted to shady areas with access to water. If water isn’t available en route, try to take some with you. Training sessions and puzzle feeders (devices that release food once the pet has figured out the puzzle) can be a great way to tire dogs out when it’s just too hot to safely go outside.

Over 50% of dogs taken to vets with severe heat stroke die. So the advice is: if in doubt, don’t take them out.

Any pet is at risk of heatstroke in a hot car. If you are travelling with your pet, consider how you can keep them cool both during the journey and should you get stuck in traffic or break down. Keep travel to a minimum, but if you do need to transport your pet, never leave them unattended. Ensure they have water, shade and air conditioning whenever possible.

Although older and overweight pets are more at risk from heatstroke, any animal can be affected. And animals with flat faces, such as French bulldogs, flat-faced cats and rabbits are also at increased risk of heatstroke.

Early treatment is important
If your pet does develop signs of heatstroke, early treatment is key, so check on all your pets regularly in hot weather.

Initially, any pet with heat stroke will pant and breathe more rapidly. They may also become tired, stagger when they walk, or lack the energy to move. If left untreated, this can progress to diarrhoea, vomiting, fitting, collapse and loss of consciousness. At this point, the risk of death increases significantly.

Act swiftly if you think your pet is developing heatstroke. Rapid cooling is the best way to drop their body temperature. Start by moving them away from the source of the heat, bringing them into the shade and onto a cool surface. In a genuine emergency, they need to be cooled using water.

Pour water over them, any water that is available to you, whether that’s tap water, bottled water or the kid’s paddling pool. If they have lost consciousness, make sure their head is kept clear of the water.

Avoid putting anything over your pet such as wet towels, as towels can soon act as an insulator. As soon as possible, seek veterinary advice, as delays to treatment can prove deadly.”

Helpful Tips • July 21, 2022

The Most Common Florida Weather Myths

by Saby Hedeman

The Most Common Florida Weather Myths

Ahh, sunny Florida. The beaches, the breeze, the salty air, the…thunderstorms?

Although there’s no denying they call it the Sunshine State for a reason, Florida weather doesn’t always mean clear blue skies. Check out some of the most common Florida weather myths, and read about what to watch out for so you can plan an unforgettable trip to paradise.

Florida Has No Seasons.

Because of its geographic location, Florida’s weather isn’t exactly divided into the traditional Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons. (Hooray for a mild climate!)

It does, however, have two distinct seasons of its own: wet and dry.

From late May through the end of October, Florida’s wet season brings about 68% of the state’s total rainfall for the year. Showers and thunderstorms happen frequently, if not daily, and humidity levels peak.

Dry season (November-April), on the other hand, brings significantly less humidity, reduced precipitation, and a more predictable forecast that’s less storm-prone.

Regardless of the season, keep a close watch on the forecast, and try downloading a storm-tracking app like Storm to get the latest info on weather that may affect your travel itinerary.

It’s the Same Temperature Everywhere in Florida.

Sure, most of Florida is known for having a subtropical climate. But not all Florida forecasts are created equal.

During the summer months, Central and South Florida’s weather hovers around the 80’s and 90’s, dropping to the 60’s and 70’s in the winter. This is the weather typically associated with Florida.

However, northern cities like Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Destin experience cooler winters with average lows in the 40’s and high’s in the 70’s.

Make sure to reference the local forecast for the area you’re visiting, and pack accordingly.

Flip Flops, Bikinis, and Sunscreen Are All I Need to Pack.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned so far, it’s that Florida’s weather can be unpredictable. One minute you’re working on your tan, the next you’re running for cover from a surprise rain shower.

That’s why it’s a good idea to come prepared for whatever mother nature throws your way. Stash some closed-toe shoes, an umbrella, and long pants in your bag.

And don’t underestimate the power outerwear. Remember, temperatures can dip pretty low in the cooler months, so grabbing that hoodie could make or break your vacation. The same goes for heat waves, so don’t skimp on the sunscreen.

Hurricanes are the Only Storms I Should Keep My Eye On.

Officially, hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

Florida’s climate can produce thunderstorms. The National Weather Service recommends steering clear of bodies of water, trees, or metallic objects, and staying indoors at least 30 minutes after hearing thunder.

Florida’s climate also makes tornadoes possible. Check forecasts often if you’re visiting during the summer months. Check out the Red Cross’s tips on tornado safety.
Like any tropical climate, Florida’s weather unpredictability is just part of the charm. But with a little preparation, you can plan for water sports, kayaking, exploring, gorgeous pink sunsets, and piña coladas under warm sunshine… getting caught in the rain optional.