How Fed Rate Increases Affect Home Buyers

What happens when interest rates go up? That’s a tricky question. On Dec. 14, 1016, the Federal Reserve Board announced a 0.25 percentage-point increase in the federal funds interest rate, to 0.75 percent. This was viewed as a good thing because it indicates the Board’s confidence in a resurgent and …

Have Lot, Need Builder? ICI Homes Is Your One-Stop Shop

You own a Florida lot where you’d like to build your dream home/retirement haven/new family headquarters. But, alas, you’re not a builder and don’t know one. If you choose to try it on your own, you know you’ll have to hire contractors. Research and coordinate materials and deliveries. Function as your own job superintendent. All while maintaining everyday life during the process — your job, kids and perhaps other responsibilities.

Designing Your New Owners Suite

Since most folks spend a portion of each 24-hour period asleep, our bedrooms should provide the restful retreats we need to recharge. If you’re building a new Florida home, make the owners suite (previously called master bedroom) a priority. You can do that during the design phase, when ICI Homes …

Ten Real Estate Terms You Should Know

Like many major life experiences, home-buying can be an intimidating process if you’ve never done it before. Or, if you have, and the process didn’t go well. If you’re not familiar with industry jargon, hearing real-estate terms can be akin to learning a foreign language, especially if those terms aren’t …

Seven Midwestern Reasons to Move to Florida

There’s a lot to appreciate about the Midwest region of the United States. It’s the birthplace of automobiles, America’s dairy-land, and the home of iconic cities like Chicago, St. Louis and Minneapolis-St. Paul. And, Old Man Winter. But cold weather isn’t the only lure for Mid westerners curious about relocating …

Create a Gym in Your New Home

If your New Year’s resolution is to establish or ramp up a dormant workout routine, a home gym may the perfect impetus. Especially if you have a gym membership and are weary of the same-old people, facilities and equipment. Assembling your own home gym doesn’t have to be ridiculously expensive …

Tips For Selling Your Old Home Faster

Trapped between a current home that’s not selling and the new Florida home you’d like to purchase? It’s a common scenario. Most of us need to sell our old residences before buying new ones and sometimes it’s simply not a fast process. To help, we have tips for your stalled …

Jargon 101 For New Home Buyers

Understanding real-estate terms and acronyms can feel like cracking a secret code. If you’re a newbie home buyer, you may think you need a financial dictionary in order to wade through the mortgage-application process. While we at ICI Homes hope you’ll buy your first home from us, we want you …

Your Guide to Understanding Credit Scores

Not the most scintillating topic, we know. But, a critical one for new-home buyers because it often can dictate whether you can pursue your Florida dream home. A good credit score allows you more leeway and choices when it comes to applying, and being approved for, mortgages. A poor credit …

Continued Pleasant Weather this Winter

According to a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the winter of 2016 should be nice and mild for Florida, exactly how we like it. While that forecast is specific to a certain calendar year, warm and dry Florida winters are the norm here rather than the …

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