Easy Way to Save Some Cash

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in January of 2007 in the US was roughly $2.13. As you all are very aware of, the price of gas has gone up like crazy recently. Now the average price of a gallon of regular gas in the US is around $3.93. That's a little bit less than double in ONLY 16 months. This post on my blog isn't about the reasons why gasoline has gone up. If you are interested in those reasons, you can click on the following link, Reasons for Gas Price Increases.
The purpose of this post is to show you a way to save a little bit of cash.

If you visit my website, www.DadeCountyMLS.com, I have a tool there where you can put in any zip code in the US, and it will tell you the cheapest price of gas (regular, midgrade, or premium) in that area. The prices are updated every 48 hours or sooner. It's amazing how sometimes the price of gas in Miami can fluctuate almost forty to fifty cents a gallon. I have been using this tool for the last few weeks and have been able to save ten to fifteen dollars a week. That might not sound like a lot, but it works out to about $700 a year. Here are some common sense tips that I am almost embarrassed to tell you, but just in case . . . .

1. Don't drive ten miles out of the way to save money on the price of gas. Obviously if you do
   this, you won't be saving any money.
2. Don't wait until you are almost empty to fill up. If you do this, you will be limiting your choices and may have to pay more than you have to.
3. If you are going to be running errands, this would be the best time to check for the cheapest gas station that is close to where you are going.
4. Last but not least. If you are waiting in a long line for gas, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR RUNNING and burning gas. Instead just roll down your windows, turn your car off, and wait.

Hopefully the price of gas will start to go down again one day soon. But until then, please go to my website at www.DadeCountyMLS.com and use my "cheapest gas" saving tool. Better yet, use the tool from now on even if prices do go down.

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Memorial Day

Did you know that Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves? It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers.

I have extreme respect for those who serve or have served in our military and for those who have fallen in order to keep our country the great country it is today. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day, and let's never forget those that have given us the ultimate gift - their lives.

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

National Missing Children's Day

On Sunday, May 25th, it is National Missing Children's Day. I urge you to please make the effort to sit down with your kids for at least 25 minutes today and go over different ways they can be safer. The website www.Take25.org has many great tips, discussion guidelines, and activity ideas to help prevent the unthinkable. Thank you so much and enjoy the holiday weekend.

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Miami Home Buyer Assistance Programs

Many people have heard that there are programs available today that assist people in Miami interested in purchasing a home. Some of these programs include closing cost assistance, down payment assistance, reduced rate mortgages, and relaxed qualification mortgages. Every year (or quarter) there is a budget for these programs. Even though there are millions of dollars given away each year, once the money is used, that program is no longer available for that time period.

Until recently, it was very hard to find an easy to use website that would show what someone could potentially qualify for. The website below is extremely easy to use. Once you get to the homepage, click on "Search Assistance Programs." From there, just follow the menu and within twenty seconds you will know what programs you qualify for.

Miami Home Buyer Assistance Programs

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Six South Florida Schools Among Nation's Top 100

Newsweek magazine named six South Florida schools among it's list of the nation's top one hundred schools. Three were from Dade County and three were from Palm Beach County. Interestingly enough, Broward County, which has received numerous national awards in recent weeks, did not have any schools that ranked among the top 100. Please click on the link below to read all the details.

Newsweek Magazine's Top 100 Schools

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Fannie Mae Does Away with Higher Downpayment Requirements

Today it became a little bit easier for home buyers in many parts of the country to qualify for a home loan. In December, Fannie Mae (the government-sponsored mortgage finance company) made a policy that required higher downpayments for buyers applying for a loan in a zip code with declining real estate prices. Today that policy was changed to no longer require buyers in declining real estate markets to put a greater down payment than buyers in stabilized real estate markets. To get more details on this big benefit for our South Florida real estate market, please click on the link below.

Lower Down Payment Requirements Story

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

What to Do After a Car Accident

This post on my blog has nothing to do with real estate, but I thought it would be beneficial for all of us. A friend of mine sent me this story on what to do after a car accident. Even though most of us have a good deal of common sense, when an accident occurs, sometimes we are shaken and don't think the same way. Please read the story below, and I would strongly suggest printing it and keeping it in your car's glove box just in case.

What to Do After a Car Accident

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com