Homeowners Relieved After Senate Delays Insurance Hikes

Yesterday the Senate passed a bill to sharply delay the increases in flood insurance rates for millions of property owners in coastal and flood-prone areas. The bill effectively guts a 2012 law (“Responsible Implementation of Flood Insurance Reform Act”) that had aimed to overhaul the nearly bankrupt National Flood Insurance Program. The Program which subsidizes insurance for buildings in flood zones, had a $24 billion deficit following claims from Hurricane Sandy. The law’s aim was to raise revenues for the federal flood insurance program. The law had also required updating of federal flood zones, which could determine which property owners will be required to purchase flood insurance by their mortgage holders.

Although the bill delaying the rate increases had bi-partisan support it still drew criticism from a broad spectrum of outside groups.  “It will return the program to a state of insolvency,” and “General taxpayers will be footing the rest of the cost.” according to an article written in the New York Times that quoted Shai Akabas an analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington research group. The aim of the 2012 law was to shift the financial risk of insuring flood-prone properties to the private market from taxpayers. The debate over who will pay for the nation’s rapidly rising costs for flood damage remains unclear.

Over the past year, millions of coastal property owners were hit with flood insurance rate increases that sent their premiums soaring up to five or 10 times the previous amounts. As their insurance bills soared and their property values plummeted, homeowners begged lawmakers to block or delay the 2012 law. 

Most Tybee properties are located in the highest risk flood areas, known as V zone. With few exceptions, Tybee non-primary residences with a first floor not built off the ground would have seen a significant increase. Many other parts of Chatham County are also located in high flood risk zones, and many homes built before the creation of the National Flood Insurance Program have long been eligible for subsidized policies.

Savannah morning news reported: Russ Pennington, director of policy and public affairs with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, said Tuesday the impact hasn’t been drastic so far.

“What we’ve seen in other parts of the state that have preceded Effingham area specifically, it seems to be a wash,” he said. “Some areas are found to no longer be in the flood zone; some new areas are found to be in the flood zone. That’s just a process that is working itself out.”

Find out more from FloodSmart.gov the official site of the National Flood Insurance Program.

Savannah Humane Society - Making a Difference

More than 55 years ago, a group of concerned animal lovers joined together to organize The Humane Society of Chatham-Savannah, Inc. They created a vision for Savannah where in our community for every pet there is a safe and loving home with a responsible owner. They conduct adoptions, provide education, owner assistance and affordable spay and neuter services.  As you know, we're a pet-loving team here. Several team members have rescue dogs; a couple of which came from the Humane Society. We've made donations, walked the dogs ourselves, and once had a holiday party and asked our guest to bring dog or cat food instead of presents. It's the least we could do for an organization so close to home for many of us. 

This often forgotten Savannah non-profit organization is really making a differene in our community. They have often rescued animals, and then find good homes for them. The most recent rescue was a 2 1/2 yr old Mastif - Pit (Juicy) mix dog which had been abandoned by its owners in Hinesville. The dog, nearly starved to death was nearly 40 pounds underweight. Watch the WTOC viedo on the heartwrenching story.

http://www.wsav.com/story/24548127/neglected-dog-in-hinesville-is-getting-some-much-needed-care?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9769165

Pets are so important for our health. In fact here is an article from the American Physcology Association. 

Pets can serve as important sources of social and emotional support for “everyday people,” not just individuals facing significant health challenges, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. 
...“Specifically, pet owners had greater self-esteem, were more physically fit, tended to be less lonely, were more conscientious, were more extraverted, tended to be less fearful and tended to be less preoccupied than non-owners.” Read this article. http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2011/07/cats-dogs.aspx

Even zoo keepers understanding the nuturing and healthy impact of animals on our lives, and other animals life. The Cincinnati zoo has been successfully pairing adolescent cheetahs with dogs as playmates for 30 years as part of its Cat Ambassador program. Watch this adorable video as the dog and baby Ocelot play.

Savannah A Growing Romantic City

Savannah is really starting to grow and take on a new shape, with its ‘downtown’ boundaries and neighboring residential areas expanding. Historic Savannah, the hostess of the south, had a good year in the press (see below) setting the city up for some great continued success. According to SEDA’s 2014 business outlook 'Savannah’s long-term growth prospects are among the best in the nation. Savannah's unique ambiance and transportation infrastructure make it both an attractive place to live and do business.’ We are definitely seeing signs of that growth already.

In 2013 Savannah received the following recognition:

• One of the "Top Ten Romantic Cities" – Livability.com, February 2013,
• "Best City for Affordable Getaway" –Travel + Leisure, May 2013,
• "Best Romantic City" –AAA Southern Traveler, August 2013,
• "America’s #1 Most Charming Accent" – Travel + Leisure, April 2013,
• "Top 50 Destination for Labor Day" - TravelersToday.com, August 2013,
• "Tybee Island: Top Family Friendly Beach Town" –TravelNerd.com, June 2013, and
• "America’s Top 10 Waterfronts" –USA Today, May 2013. 

This Thursday Tanger Factory Outlet Centers confirmed that they plan to develop Tanger Outlets Savannah in partnership with Atlanta development firm Ben Carter Enterprises. Pooler’s outlet mall is the sight of the new partnership and will have approximately 400,000 square feet of leasable space.  “We are very pleased to add Tanger Outlets Savannah to our existing portfolio of successful resort and destination properties,” said Steven Tanger, CEO of Tanger Factory Outlets. “Our joint venture with Ben Carter Enterprises in the Savannah market is a strategic move to help us deliver a world class outlet experience to this thriving Southern market.”

Also new to Savannah is Bruster’s real Ice Cream which opened a store in Victory Station, where Whole Foods, Chipolte and Zoe’s Kitchen also just opened. All are new to the Savannah market, and so far have been real received. The Whole Foods effect which I wrote about in July is taking place as the shopping plaza Victory Crossings across the street from Whole Foods is expanding. Whole Foods’ apparent success in Savannah is a clear signal to other corporations that Savannah might be a more promising location than previously thought.

In the downtown area we have two new hotels expanding the boundaries of the walkable downtown area. The new Embassy Suites Savannah is open at 605 W. Oglethorpe Ave. The hotel boasts 150 rooms and its own parking garage. A significant new entry in downtown’s inventory of hotels. Later this year, opening in May, will be the renovated Mulberry Inn, renamed The Brice, which was purchased by the Kimpton Hotel Group. 

SCAD students will also be benefiting from our growth. One West Victory Square, a student apartment/retail complex at Victory and Bull streets, will also be home to an Italian-inspired eatery called The Florence.  The Florence will measure 7,000 square feet spread over two floors and will occupy the yellow-brick building being preserved on the site. The restaurant with a bar and patio will of course be open to local residents as well. For One West Victory Square the location of a neighboring burgeoning artistic community the shopping, eateries and entertainment venues are plentiful. Located in the Starland Art district students will have full access to a thriving art scene, and is sure to add a boost to local business.

And just in case you weren’t sure of Savannah’s growth, Jet blue comes to Savannah/Hilton Head airport, with flights to JFK and Boston starting Feb. 13. 

Gorgeous Townhouse with Finished Details Throughout

32 East Harris Street, Savannah, GA

Price MLS#	$625,000 117918
Beds	4
Baths	4 full, 1 half
Home size	2,100 sq ft
Lot Size	2,700 sq ft

This quality, newer construction home abounds with period finishes and style. Built as a classic side-hall townhouse it boasts tall ceilings, crown molding, beautifully refinished hardwood floors and detailed trim work throughout.

Details Abound

Separate dining room with gorgeous French doors to quaint covered rear porch and mature garden. Perfectly placed between the dining and living rooms is a small bar with storage cabinets and sink. A Spacious, well-designed and fully equipped kitchen also has a breakfast bar. Upstairs are three bedrooms and three baths, including a luxurious Master Bedroom suite with built-in shelves and drawers, a fireplace and en-suite bathroom. The second bedroom is a cozy room with a fireplace and a large en-suite bath. 

Location!

There is a two car garage and beautiful carriage house apartment with one bedroom and one bath. The 500 block of East Harris Street is one of the most beautiful streets in Savannah. It's a quiet residential locale yet just minutes to all the electric excitement of Downtown Savannah. It's an easy walk in one direction to world-famous Forsyth Park or the other direction to the red-hot shops and restaurants on Broughton Street. Just a little beyond that is the festive City Market area and bustling River Street. The city dazzles with its fine museums, galleries, restaurants and shops-all within arm's length of this lovely townhouse.

View More Photos Here. Want to view this home in person? Call Don Callahan at 912-441-4416

Why Winter Is a Great Time to Buy Real Estate

This Story was originally posted on LearnVest  by Pauline Millard on Dec 23, 2013

December is usually when people are looking to deck their own halls—not buy new ones. But buying a home in December and January can be a smart move.

Michael Corbett, Trulia’s real estate expert and a bestselling author, is a big fan of the holiday season, what he likes to call “the lull.” He says that savvy home buyers should take advantage of this time if they’re serious about buying.

Why?

“Mortgage rates are low now, although they are higher than they were six months ago, and higher than they were last March,” Corbett says. “The price increases that were common in metro markets such as Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando are slowing. Even Atlanta, which had an average 19% price increase last year, is showing signs of cooling.”  Corbett explains why the holidays are no time to take a long winter’s nap if you want to buy a home.

LearnVest: What do you like about what you call The Lull, which is in December and January?

Corbett: There isn’t a lot of competition. People know they’re going to be busy or traveling during the holidays, so most deals have been wrapped up or people have put off looking until after the New Year. There are still homes on the market, but not as many people gunning for them. This is an advantage to both buyers.

LearnVest: If it’s a slow season, doesn’t that mean inventory will be lower?

Corbett: Yes, but the sellers are motivated. These are likely the homes that for whatever reason didn’t go during the peak season. The sellers will want to get the deal closed, especially for tax purposes. For a lot of people, it’s mental. It’s the end of the year and they want to tie up loose ends. This is an advantage for buyers, especially if there are points to negotiate.

LearnVest: Would other key people in the equation, such as realtors and mortgage brokers, also be scarce?

Corbett: I know a lot of realtors who love this time of year. They say they get a lot of business done because the people who are out looking are serious. As a buyer, your broker will have more time to focus on you, as opposed to other times of the year when they might be juggling more clients. You may not be able to close before the end of the year, but it’s a good time to get something under contract.

“Buying in winter may be the ultimate litmus test for a home, since all the big systems such as heating, plumbing, and the roof and gutters are put to the test in the cold.”

LearnVest Could a homebuyer miss or overlook something while buying in the dead of winter?

Corbett: Buying in winter may be the ultimate litmus test for a home, since all the big systems such as heating, plumbing and the roof and gutters are put to the test in the cold. Some of the curb appeal may be gone, but fixing landscaping is a lot less expensive than finding out months later that your boiler doesn’t work.

LearnVest Would a slow winter market be prime time for investors?

Corbett: Investors are looking for fresh properties, often things that aren’t even on the market yet. The chances of getting outbid by an investor during a winter house hunt is unlikely. Few brand-new properties come on the market this time of year, so the investors won’t be circling.

January Home Maintenance Check List

Keeping up a home requires a lot of time and effort. During the winter when it’s cold outside or raining it can be a challenge to keep up with the maintenance. However there are always plenty of indoor projects that keep your home running smoothly. Here is a list of tasks that are often forgotten about, yet are easy to do and don’t take a lot of time.

1. Change water and icemaker filters - When filters become clogged, the flow of water slows
   
   and can allow mold to form inside the filter.
2. Clear the drains in bathroom sink & tub - Hair and debris can build up in your bathroom drains and let dirty water to stand in your sink or tub, allowing mold and mildew to grow both in the basin and in the pipes.
3. Clean or replace shower heads – watch the video. 
4. Check your furnace filter monthly in the winter to see if it needs replacing.
5. Seal air leaks- Check for leaks that could be allowing heated air to rise into your attic. Also check around dryer vents, pipes and where electrical wiring enters the house. Add more attic insulation to keep warm air downstairs where it belongs.
6. Make sure your attic has adequate ventilation so the air in the attic is a similar temperature as the air outside.
7. Compile or update home inventory - Record purchase dates and sources on your spreadsheet, and attach receipts and any appraisal statements to the inventory. Or, you can scan relevant document and attach them digitally to your inventory spreadsheet.
8. Inspect furniture, cabinets and vanities for loose knobs, pulls and hinges. Tighten or repair as
   
   necessary. Lubricate squeaky door hinges with lightweight machine oil. Free sticky doors by trimming edges or shimming hinges with thin pieces of cardboard.
9. Look for pests seeking shelter

a.    Seal any cracks where pests enter.

b.   Empty compost and garbage frequently.

c.    Keep food covered and put away; keep counters clean.

d.    Fix leaky pipes quickly.

e.    Pour boiling water down bathroom and kitchen drains monthly, preventing the buildup of bacteria-laden sludge; scrub removable drain covers weekly.

f.     Check basement, attic, crawl spaces and the back of cupboards and cabinets for mice droppings or holes. If you find evidence, install traps immediately or call a pest-control service.

g.    Pick up and dispose of outdoor pet waste promptly; turn compost piles frequently.

Technology Making a Difference in Our Daily Lifes

Here are some interesting Tech news that can have an impact on our daily life, that is if you use email, apps and any social media.  

I really like this article about cleaning up my email inbox. I desperately need to clean-up my email, but feel as though I don’t have the hours of time it might take to get there. This article has some great suggestions to help make it easy and to keep from getting overwhelmed by it all. I particularly like the suggestion at the bottom of the article on how to deal with spam.

http://www.inman.com/2014/01/13/reorganize-your-email-and-achieve-inbox-zero/

It looks like the social network industry is booming. More and more spin-offs from Facebook are being created. Though like in the original Pacman game they are getting eaten up by the giant in the industry.

http://mashable.com/2014/01/13/facebook-acquires-branch/

However don’t lose hope for smaller startups breaking through the internet ceiling. The two year old social media site We Heart It is making waves with younger users. Could it be the next big social network?

http://mashable.com/2014/01/13/we-heart-it/

Be in The Olympics

The word of the year for 2013 chosen by Oxford Dictionary was ‘selfie’. Selfie’s have exploded on social media. Everyone, has taken and posted a selfie on some social media site. Selfies have also taken beyond the earth. A space selfie is a selfie that is taken in space. This include selfies taken by astronauts, machines and by an indirect method to have self-portrait photograph on earth retaken in space. Now we can actually compete for the best selfie, the Selfie Olympics was created just short of two weeks ago. The Selfie Olympics is a completion for the best selfies. A Facebook page was also opened. Also a youtube video was created, and the Twitter handle is SelfyGames. Have fun.

Something Is Always Happening in Savannah

There is always plenty of activites to choose from in Savannah. Here are some highlights of activites for this weekend.

Friday Eve: 

This painting by artist Philippine Vidart
 is one of many works donated
by local artists for the
Haiyan Art Benefit on Jan. 10.

Art Auction for Typhoon Haiyan at Silver’s 5&10 Cent Store 201 W. Broughton St 6-11 pm. Ryan Sanchez a professor of illustration at SCAD organized this benefit for the victims of the strongest tropical cyclones in history. All art was donated and there are no minimum bids placed on the work. There will be wine, also donated, and catering is being donated by Brasserie 529, Butterhead Greens Café and Betty Bombers. A suggested donation of $10.00 at the door allows guest to peruse the art and make a bid. All proceeds will be given to the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns.   

http://www.dosavannah.com/article/mon-01062014-1929/art-auction-benefits-typhoon-victims

Saturday

PERC coffee roasters has a grand opening in collaboration with Southbound Brewing Co. on Saturday at 1802 E. Broad St, called Tamp & Tap. Why are the two companies celebrating together? They are celebrating not only PERC’s new space but also an unusual collaboration with Southbound that produced a new beer. The two local companies came together to create a beer named Moonlight Drive which has a complementary taste of coffee. The brewing process needed to have a non-traditional approach to keep it from going stale a week after brewing it, so the two companies collaborated to come up with a cold brew to create a fresh dark stout. The celebration starts at 1 and goes to 4pm with food and music, cost is $20.00 pre-register here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/530224 or $30.00 at the door. Tickets include a souvenir glass and samples of the brew.

Go out dancing to support the Savannah Black Heritage Festival at Saturday evenings event called Dancing Through the Decades. This year Dare to Dream; Create a Legacy, is the central theme of the 2014 Savannah Black Heritage Festival scheduled for Feb. 1-23, 2014. Each year, the festival presents activities for every age and interest. This Saturday’s dance event is from 8pm to midnight at the Savannah Civic Center. Tickets are $35 per person, $350 per table of 10 and must be purchased at Carver State Bank 701 MLK Blvd. Or Savannah State University Room 2000 or at Whiting Hall Room 131 or by phone at 912-358-4309, 912-358-4484 or 912-604-2212. There will be door prizes, awards for best dancers, best period dress and best line dancers. http://www.dosavannah.com/article/tue-01072014-2135/dance-through-decades-support-savannah-black-heritage-festival

Sunday

Savannah Songwriters Series, 6 -7:30 pm, Pete Love, Tom Cooler, Yannick Niedworok and Roy Swindelle at Tybee's American Legion on Veterans Drive. Yannick from Manheim Germany joins the other three Savannah Songwriters for the evening. The event’s admission is free and for all ages. Info: http://savannahsongwriters.com/

Upcoming events

Dollhouse Productions is pleased to announce "An Intimate Evening with Art Garfunkel' on Feb. 14 at Dollhouse Studios/Productions, 980 Industry Drive, Savannah.

2013 Best Homes Awards by Fine Homebuilding

With the holidays having come to a close, I find myself reflecting back to the best of 2013. Doing my usual internet surfing for a good topic this morning I discovered the 2013 Fine Home Building HOUSES Awards. They have awarded some real gems for the year of 2013. The awards say alot about the trends of homebuilding, and remodeling. Here is a video of their 2013 pick for the best Small Home Award:

2013 Best Small Home 



2013 Best Remodel - Fine Homebuilding Houses Awards

Ross Levy and Karen Andersen of Levy Art & Architecture designed the BEST REMODEL of the year, a restoration and reinvention of this Edwardian San Francisco row house. The extensive remodel successfully bonds preservation with performance while maintaining a critical focus on the homeowners' lifestyle. Few homes accomplish so much with such little impact.

2013 Best Retirement Home - Fine Homebuilding Houses Awards


The award for Best Retriment Home goes to Jon Nystrom for the house he designed and built for himself and his wife in Boerne, Texas. Designed with an emphasis on long-term livability and built with regionally appropriate, durable, and low-maintenance materials, this home is remarkably fit for aging in place in style and comfort.

Find out more about this award-winning homes and others at: http://www.finehomebuilding.com/house...

Focus on your ONE Thing to Attain New Year's Resolution

Was one of your New Year‘s resolution to lose weight, eat healthier, or get more exercise? Ok great - now you’ve resolved to do this but how are you going to actually achieve your goal? Research shows that only about 8% of people achieve their New Year’s resolution goals. Science has been studying why we make these resolutions, but more importantly how we can keep them. Here are some points to focus on in attaining your goal.

• Identify your ONE Thing.
• Get clarity around your purpose.
• Build productive habits into your daily life that empower you.
• Protect your ONE Thing time.

Keep it Simple

The average person has a busy life, with competing priorities, so keeping resolutions short and simple provide a better opportunity for success. It’s exciting and uplifting to set ambitious resolutions, but our excietment fades quickly as we get back to our daily grind. Keeping the goals rational with achievable metrics is a design for lasting results. Whittle your New Year's goals down to a simple and succinct vision statement. Then ask yourself: “What’s the ONE Thing you can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”* This will help you bring into focus your actions that will help you to reach your goal.  As an example: “What’s the ONE thing that I can do (today) to lose weight (this year), such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”

Become Single-Minded

Become single minded, focus on purpose, and priority. Often we fail because we are trying to do too much too fast. Start slow and don’t let failure or a setback keep you from reaching your goal. The Mayo Clinic suggests using what they call the yes-to-stress ratio to determine if committing to something is going to overextend you and ultimately lead to stress.

Establish Accountability

Find a weight loss or exercise partner. It’s easier to get up earlier and go workout if you have a buddy to do it with. This is the person that you will be able to turn to when you are losing steam or facing a setback, or that will cheer you on.

Protect Your Goal

We all want to more in our life, which usually ends up meaning more things to do. There will be times that you will be faced with the challenge of cutting out an activity for achieving your goal, in order to attend to another task. There will be times that you will need to say no, don’t let it be the activity that is part of attaining your goal. It’s easy to cut the workout short for something in another area of your life that needs tending to. Be creative with your scheduling don’t rule out getting up earlier, or cutting out the stop at Starbucks before work. Only the ability to dismiss distractions and concentrate on your ONE Thing stands between you and your goals.

Make it Fun

If losing weight isn’t your passion in life, then making it fun well keep you on the road to success. Research and prepare some quick light great tasting meals. Sign up with a friend for a foot race, then you have a reason to workout. Buy a fitness tracker wristband. Nike is the leader in this area with its Fuelband lineup, Fitbit and Jawbone are great fun trackers that give you Fuel points for all types of activities. It’s fun to track the activities everything from walking around the kitchen to bike riding.

You are on your way to attaining success in you New Year’s resolution goals! These principles of success came from Gary Keller’s The ONE Thing book, which can be applied to any goal setting in your life.

*from Gary Keller’s The ONE Thing book