Despite the encouraging increase in the Housing Market Index (HMI), overall measure continues to remain quite low. High numbers of foreclosures, financing difficulties, inaccurate appraisals, and restrictive lending are all key factors in the discouragement of potential buyers.

According to the NAHB’s Chief Economist, David Crowe, this second consecutive gain indicates that well-qualified buyers from similar areas have been “tempted” by favorable mortgage rates and pricing to seek a new home. Gradual gains can be expected as conditions continue to improve.

Three out of four regions saw an increase in November. The Northeast increased by 6 points, the Midwest by eight, and the South by two points. After a large increase in October, the West returned to trend with a six point decline. It now rests at fifteen.

Overall poor housing market conditions are beginning to improve. With a slow yet steady increase in the HMI, buyers and builders alike can see a bright future ahead. Although it may take a significant amount of time to enter into ideal levels of confidence, good things come to those who wait.

Hotel guests are certain to enjoy the lavish interiors, amenities and services that the South Ocean Boulevard boutique hotel offers, year-round. The 134-room hotel was designed by Leslie Schlesinger Interiors, who turned the time-worn and old-fashioned building completely around, into the city’s newest and hippest hotel with modern, clean design approaches and state-of-the-art conveniences and amenities.

Modern Asian influences give the beachfront property a relaxing feel and fresh and simplistic design. Omphoy balances the edifice with tranquil, earth-friendly details intended to evoke a stress-free environment.

With trunk-like pillars, koi ponds and floor-to-ceiling ocean views, the soft and comfortably relaxed earthy design scheme of The Omphoy lobby takes the breath away of guests and visitors. The scheme continues in the chic lobby bar, which offers sexy backlit caste glass, an Asian-influenced billiard table, 103-inch plasma television and sumptuous sofa seating that creates a genuinely inviting atmosphere.

With low lighting in the hallways, guests only experience lush, gentle and warm surroundings at The Omphoy, which extends into the guest rooms boasting custom-designed furniture, crisp white sheeting, bronze porcelain tile floors. All rooms offer a spacious balcony, terrace or large picture window that open the rooms to panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway.

Omphoy guests enjoy innovative and world-class cuisine by celebrity chef and James Beard award winner, Michelle Bernstein. The Exhale spa at The Omphoy Ocean Resort features a full spa with transformational spa therapies, skin-care services, steam rooms and cardio gym with yoga. The hotel also offers a full-service complimentary business center, Wi-Fi access throughout, a palm tree lined pool with a soothing waterfall and private cabanas, refined pool bar, direct beach access and access to exclusive area golf courses.

For more information, please visit www.omphoy.com.

Well, the Equifax Personal Finance Blog is back again this week with just the sort of news we need. According to a recent post, “Hardest Hit States Are Showing Signs of Economic Recovery,”  Florida residents are demonstrating our credit smarts once again. Equifax credit expert Janet Dedrick says higher average credit scores could mean that economic recovery is headed our way.

In her post, Dedrick explains that the areas that were worst hit by the economic and housing crisis – including Florida – saw declines in credit scores for more than three years. The worst, she says, was in June of 2008. At that time, 42 percent of Major Metropolitan Areas (MSAs) watched as average credit scores fell.

But the news is better since December 2010. Average credit scores are back on the rise, with the largest increases being seen here in Florida and in other hard-hit states, such as California. Dedrick says it all means that consumers are smarter when it comes to using their credit. If creditors see good risk once again, maybe they’ll loosen the lending reins a bit, and we’ll see more homebuyers with access to the loans they need to make homeownership a reality.

What’s your opinion? Do you think Floridians are being more careful with using and managing our credit? Check out the Equifax Personal Finance Blog,  then come back here to let us know what you think. We hope your observations will confirm the positive trends the research is showing.

Sometimes the process is thrown off track and your claim is denied. What do you do next? The following is some great advice from a lady who knows what to do. Linda Rey, insurance expert and author of the Equifax Personal Finance Blog, has some tips on how to proceed in her recent post, “How to Resolve a Claim Dispute with Your Insurance Provider.”

It is important to realize that insurance companies must cut their losses like any other business. The insurance company’s underwriters are responsible for reviewing your claim to make sure that it is legitimate and falls under what your policy covers. That being said, Rey suggests that you first do a thorough review of your policy, refreshing yourself on its limits and the things it does cover. Is it possible you’ve taken actions that have negated the policy without your knowing? Are you up to date on your latest bills?

Documentation is also key in negotiating the claim. Every time you communicate with your insurance company, make sure to record the date, time and name of the person you talked to. Writing down the number of the person’s direct phone line is also a good idea. Don’t forget to make notes about the conversation and its outcome, either.

Rey also urges readers to keep all receipts, letters, charts, estimates, witness statements, police reports, medical records and other papers related to the claim. At some point in the negotiations, you might need evidence to back up your side of the story. This will be made much easier if you have all the necessary documents already together and handy.

In closing, Rey reminds readers to keep their cool and remain friendly when dealing with the insurance company. As the old saying goes, you catch more flies with honey. Maybe using a little honey will catch you a better insurance settlement, too!

Rey’s post can be found on the Equifax Personal Finance Blog. If you have tips or any past experience regarding negotiating homeowners insurance claim, please let us know.

Real estate expert Ilyce Glink, a regular contributor to the Equifax Personal Finance Blog, recently posted an article to help. “Can I Save My Home From Foreclosure”  discusses the anecdotal trends she’s seeing around the country. She says the people she meets are still struggling, either directly or indirectly, from unemployment, heavy medical expenses, and pay cuts.

For those who are fearing the loss of their homes, Glink provides links for information on loan modification programs and for direct contact with HUD-certified housing counselors. She even says that if you can’t get results with the first level of people you speak with at your bank, you should go to the bank president. How will you find him or her? She gives links for that, too.

So, if you’re worried about losing your home, take a deep breath and read Glink’s article at the Equifax Personal Finance Blog.  You’ll find encouragement, and you may even find the exact answer you need. Come back and let us know what worked for you.

The St. John’s River has been a point of concern to citizens due to pollution from nitrogen, phosphorous and other metals. This was especially concerning because seafood from the river and its streams is sold and consumed across the state.

The aim of the green infrastructure projects is to beautify neighborhoods, address storm water pollution and provide fresh seafood. Specific programs that have been planned through the partnership include the use of permeable pavement, rain gardens and rain harvesting.  The EPA is also providing assistance with building rain barrels and holding composting demonstrations.

Following the announcement of the partnership, the U.S. Postal Service dedicated 16 “Go Green Forever” stamps. The stamps, which encourage sustainability, continue a 50-year tradition of social awareness stamps.

The Postal Service is a national leader in its commitment to sustainability and innovation. In fact, the USPS is the only mailing company worldwide that has stamps that have earned Cradle to Cradle Certification. In other words, the Postal Service leads the way in exhibiting standards for human health, environmental health and sustainability.

It’s time to check out insurance expert Linda Rey at the Equifax Personal Finance Blog. Her recent post, “3 Things That May Not Be Covered by Your Homeowner’s Insurance—But That You Still Need!” specifically mentions flood and earthquake insurance. The third type, loss assessment, applies to co-op apartments, townhomes and condominiums that are part of a homeowners association.

First, flood insurance. Rey says that NO homeowners insurance covers flooding of the natural disaster variety (though a burst pipe is covered). You will have to purchase a separate flood policy through your agent. The government, through FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), has a big say in exactly what a flood is. You can read the definition in Rey’s article.

Next, earthquake insurance. Rey points out that most earthquakes take place in the western US, but they can occur in any of the states according to the experts. If you’re buying earthquake insurance, you’ll want to consider whether or not you want to cover any detached structures on your property and whether the contents of your property (your stuff!) and loss of use are covered as well.

Rey provides more details and links to pertinent articles and sites at the Equifax Personal Finance Blog. Check it out now and make sure you’re covered if natural disaster strikes your neighborhood.

RealtyJoin now gives each member a WordPress blog for enhanced social interaction and networking. Now you can let your friends and business contacts know more about you and what you have to offer the industry. You can also upload videos and photos to your account (which has also been upgraded) and let people see that new project or finished home that you’ve been working on. And if you really want to share your day-to-day activities, you can now post status updates on your profile.

RealtyJoin was launched in early 2010 and has quickly become the place to be for industry professionals looking to grow their businesses.

“Our site is a community for real estate agents, real estate investors, plumbers and electricians, stagers, home builders and anyone who believes that the free exchange of information will increase sales,” said Andy Heller, co-founder of RealtyJoin. Heller is an experienced real estate investor as well as a public speaker.

As the site continues to grow, members can expect even more features and enhancements that will make sharing information, solving problems and making money even easier.

For more information on real estate networking, visit the RealtyJoin website.

The article, posted on the Equifax Personal Finance Blog, gives a list of situations in which you will be safer having a professional prepare your tax return on your behalf. Examples include taxpayers who have multiple jobs, own one or more businesses or have a dispute with an ex-spouse over exemptions for children.

People who sold their primary residences at a loss, through short sale or foreclosure, also make the list of taxpayers who should seek filing assistance. People who sold investment real estate or rentals should go ahead and pay for the help from a tax professional, too.

Rosenberg does not fault tax filing software. In fact, she praises its usefulness in helping people go through the process of filing a return and pointing out possible items the average taxpayer may not remember. She says if your life is “straightforward and uncomplicated financially,” you should definitely save the money and file your own return.

It’s just those of us who meander a little with our personal finances who need the professional help! Is that you? Check out Rosenberg’s full lists of “file your own” and “pay someone to file for you” criteria at the Equifax Personal Finance Blog.

Of course, we’ll give you come hints here, too, based on the recent Equifax post, “Setting Up Your Real Estate Investing Business.” For this topic, Equifax’s real estate expert, Ilyce Glink, turned to RealtyJoin.com co-founder Andy Heller for advice.

The first step in setting up a real estate investing business, Heller says, is to talk to an accountant about what you’re hoping to do. Your accountant can advise you on the type of legal entity you should create for manage your investments. Many choose LLCs, which can be applied for in just minutes.

Next, investors should get an EIN, or Employer Identification Number, from the IRS. Having this number should allow you to set up a separate bank account to manage your investments. Heller recommends shopping around banks and speaking to the bank employees who specialize in working with people who are setting up businesses.

It’s possible to get started without taking all these steps. If you’re using personal funding, keep a careful track of your expenses and the money you make. If you decide it’s something you want to keep doing, then you can take Heller’s steps for a more permanent solution that doesn’t mix personal and investment funds.

For more information or to ask questions of the experts, visit the Equifax Personal Finance Blog. Don’t hesitate – you’ll want to get started before interest rates hit another bump.