Calum MacKenzie

Live Green and Save

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 ha... Read >

Practical Tips to Make Moving Easier

From packing to keeping track of pets, kids, and valuable items, moving day can be an absolute nightmare from start to finish. It doesn't have to be, howeverâ€"use these eleven practical tips to take the stress out of your next move, and start enjoying yo... Read >

Salt and Chlorine Pools: Which is Best?

Chlorination has been the traditional method of pool sanitation for decadesâ€"almost by default, since there were no alternatives for this crucial aspect of owning a swimming pool. However, for many pool owners, chlorination is an old and outdated pool sa... Read >

Choosing the Right Pool Heater for the Job

Having your own private, heated pool is definitely an enjoyable luxury in cooler weather, but if you don't already have a heating system installed, you've first got to decide which system is best for your pool. Usually you'll be able to choose between an ... Read >

Understanding Florida Real Estate Taxes with Florida’s Amendment 1

Florida's real estate tax laws can be tricky to understand. There are several factors which affect the size of your property tax bill, so if you're buying property in Florida or are relocating, it's important to understand how taxes are calculated. Pr... Read >

Get Ready for Florida Hurricane Season

Hurricane season is fast approaching for those of us living in Florida. With it comes the risk of heavy winds and floods that can do plenty of damage to our homes. It's time to dust off disaster supply kits and make sure they're full of all the supplies y... Read >

Florida Home Inspections: Common Issues

What's the most important consideration when buying a home? Price, location, size? Most people won't ordinarily think a home inspection is particularly crucialâ€"it's something that most of us do, but we don't necessarily stop to consider just how importa... Read >

Florida Homeowner's Insurance: Top Ten Ways to Save

Homeowner's insurance may soon be increasing for Florida residentsâ€"and even more for those living in the southern part of the state. This is the ideal time to check your policy and your home to see if you can cut your costs and make up for the rates hik... Read >

Florida Property Insurance Changes will Affect Most Homeowners

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... Read >

The Emergence of Spring Brings Termite Trouble

What does the month of March mean to you? For most people it means Easter, or the promise of nice weather. For anyone who has suffered a termite infestation, they know that between the months of March and May, termites begin to congregate and search for ... Read >

The Science of Buying Bath Towels

There is nothing more luxurious after a relaxing bath or a hot shower than to wrap yourself in a large, plush bath towel. Not a cheapie version, but a soft, velvety towel with some weight to it. Buying really nice towels is a bit of science. You have to ... Read >

What the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act Means For You

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... Read >

It's the Right Time for the First Time

It might be the single most common question a realtor hears - is this a good time to buy a house? While the answer depends on your personal circumstances, there are certainly times and circumstances that make "yes!" the right answer for most people. If yo... Read >

Florida Condos - Good Deal Now

The fact that there are large numbers of condos in Florida is no doubt of interest to many Canadians. As the mercury drops lower and lower and the snow rises higher and higher, our thoughts turn to warmth, sunshine and a coat-free environment! It is a ... Read >

Counseling and Hope for Sub Prime Mortgage Holders

You may think that holders of a sub prime mortgage need more than just counseling - true! But there is a new program out which includes counseling as part of its scheme to help distressed borrowers. The counseling is intended to help people to hold ont... Read >