Florida - Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte Counties

Everyone likes to save money whether its at the grocery store or on a family vacation. When it comes to moving, that same principle applies. People want to find the best bang for their buck when it comes to picking up and moving to a new home. In our experience, saving comes down to planning, organization and choosing the right company to work with.  Choose WayForths moving professionals to help with your next move. Our team of experts takes the stress and hassle out moving, so you can focus on settling into your new home. Contact our team today! Planning your move  While some moves may happen quickly when its a job relocation or a parent moving to a senior community, most transitions are planned out in advance.   First, decide if you can choose the time of year you are moving. Certain times of the year may offer more flexibility and savings. Spring is the most popular time, but it may also incur the most waiting time and subsequently higher fees.  Second, estimate how much you want to spend. By understanding your budget, you can manage what tasks you can hire professionals to help with and what you, family and friends can accomplish.  Third, get estimates from different moving companies. Its important to learn what each company offers and how much the process will cost. The lowest price may sound good, but if the company is merely picking up boxes and driving them to the next location and stacking them inside, it may not be the best value for someone who wants assistance packing and unpacking, etc. Also dont be afraid to ask if there are any special discounts available such as price breaks for veterans or teachers.  Organize your items  One rule of thumb to help you save money and stress is to never move what you dont need or want. This means downsizing, donating and discarding before the moving team starts.  You can organize a garage sale, ask family and friends if they want any items and find local organizations that will take furniture, clothing or other items. Sorting and discarding items means they wont be moved, and it could lighten the load and cut down your moving price.  You can also decide if you want to sell some items via auction to make some money. This process means someone else handles all the items, finds the buyers and collects the cash. Usually, an auction house takes a percentage of the sale, but having them handle the process is valuable for you if you dont have time or energy to do it.  You can also use this time to gather any moving supplies like boxes, tape and  bubble wrap. To save money, you can ask friends and neighbors if they have any boxes from online shopping or a recent move. Some Facebook groups such as Buy Nothing may also have offers for free boxes and wrapping materials. Local grocery stores can also be a source of boxes.  Find the right moving company  When you are comparing prices for various moving companies, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. You will want a company that has a good reputation and that will take care of your things as they move from one location to another. If you have items that are lost or damaged, it could cost you in the end to repair or replace your valuables.  Another factor to consider is your time. If you choose a team of movers that needs constant supervision or multiple phone calls to get things done, you might save money, but your time is taken up managing the project.  Choose a company that will do what you need them to do and that has the experience to do it all correctly. An organization like WayForth can help from the very start with planning, downsizing, packing, unpacking and settling in. Plus, you can customize the services that work best for you so you can use your money and time wisely.  About the Author: WayForthWayForth is the definitive provider of comprehensive and personalized moving solutions for life and business. Since 2016, WayForth has led the way in move management, providing solutions to over 15,000 individuals and families. How you move matters and no matter the destination, WayForth serves as a guide making lifes transitions easier to navigate. Call 1.844.WAYFORTH today to learn how we can help with your next move!

Buying a home is exciting but it can also be expensive. And, were not just talking about the actual cost of the home. Some home buyers get so wrapped up in their home budget that they forget to factor in other things like closing costs, earnest money and more.Find out what hidden costs you can expect to pay for when buying a home that a lot of people either dont know about or let slip their minds.1) Closing CostsAt the end of your transaction, there are a wide range of fees paid. These can include:Cost of inspectionLawyer feesRecording costsAppraisal feesDocument feesSurveyance feeTitle costSales brokerage commissionMortgage applicationsHome warrantyWhen searching for your home, ask your real estate agent to go over the potential costs with you. These can all vary based on the home size youre looking at, your market, the amount of your loan, etc. In 2019, the average home closing costs were about $5,700.2) Earnest MoneySimilar to a security deposit, earnest money is put down up front, before filing any paperwork. Especially in a sellers market, it proves your level of commitment to buying the home. Once the transaction goes through, youll get that money back.If you back out, though, you risk not getting that money back, so make sure you read your contract carefully and that you are positive you wont have any setbacks. This earnest money can range from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars.3) Paying for EscrowPaying escrow up front helps cover expenses like property taxes and insurance. Some lenders will ask that money stays in the account, which shows how important escrow can be. Escrow fees can cost $1.00 $2.25 per $1,000 in house price, plus an additional $250.4) Moving CostsWhile it may seem like a simple thing, when you get caught up in the closing with paperwork and other costs, a lot of home-buyers forget about the moving costs. With vans, boxes, supplies, time off and company costs if you hire a moving company, you can be looking at a  minimum of $1,000. If youre moving to another state or across the country, you could be looking at a couple thousand dollars.5) Home Maintenance and RepairsWhen youre buying an older home, having to make repairs or update various appliances is almost inevitable. The decision as to how much youll spend will come down to what you deem is necessary to have fixed when you first move in and what can wait.If you want to start fixing certain things ASAP, you wont have much time to spare after you close a deal. Thats why its important to include your expectations into your budget for buying a home, especially for out-of-pocket expenses.If your repair or maintenance can wait, then you can always build up the emergency funds in preparation for that expense.Be prepared for the unexpected by hiring a real estate agent from HomeSmart! We have trained and knowledgeable agents who can talk with you about what you should expect from closing costs and other unexpected expenses that might come up in your transaction. We want to make sure you have the best buying experience possible. After all, this is probably one of the biggest if not the biggest purchase of your life. Contact us today to find your agent!

SYNERGY HomeCares in-home dementia care or memory care program stands out in that we provide person-centered care to those living with Alzheimers or other dementia-related conditions. That means we focus on the individual personnot the condition. Person-centered care supports the unique needs of the person receiving care so that they can take part in the things they enjoy.Here are 20 ways you can practice person centered with your loved one living with dementia:Be patient.Treat your loved one as the person they are, not the condition they have.Focus on your loved ones needs, desires and wants, and make them a priority.Understand who your loved one was before developing dementia so you will know how to distract or redirect them in ways that are familiar and comforting.Promote dignity and respect by fostering independence. Allowing your loved one to maintain as much independence as possible is important in building trust in your relationship. Let them do the things they love and that they are familiar with, while gradually easing into a more hands-on role in their lives.Allow your loved one to make decisions for themselves so they dont feel like theyre dependent on the people around them. Encourage them to dress and wash themselves.Offer options that are safe and appropriate, such as what they want to wear and what they want to eat.Create an environment that lets your loved one actively participate in meaningful activities. For example, if they love to cook, help them take part in a meaningful activity that is safe, such as folding the napkins, setting the table or wiping down the table.Use simple, familiar words.Speak softly and slowly, giving your loved one time to respond.Use non-verbal communication to complement what you say and demonstrate visually.Be attentive to what your loved one is communicating, whether its actual words, body language or emotions.Focus on reasons behind your loved ones behavior so you can address what is concerning the person, rather than the behavior.In times of stress, offer a pleasant and personal distraction.Use reminiscing and nostalgia to connect.Play music they enjoy.Meet them where they areif they think they are 25 and in college, then step into their reality. Communicate with them in that place and time.Create an environment free of clutter so you can focus on the person, not their reaction to clutter.Dont take their actions personally. They are doing the best they can with what they have.Let your loved one be true to who they are.

There's a lot to know about Wills. You need to understand the difference between a Will and Living Will, how Wills should be executed, and how they can be modified, terminated, or challenged. You also need to understand the probate process and how that can affect the outcome of your estate planning goals. Here, we provide general responses to some of the most common questions we receive from clients. To get more specific information and to either create or update a Will, contact our estate planning lawyer in Florida. You can do so by calling Robles Law, P.A. at (941) 315-2114 to schedule a Free 30-minute Consultation with our Estate Planning Attorney in Sarasota. Who Should Have a Will?Many people assume that only the wealthy need to have a Will. However, the truth is that many people, with and without great wealth, need to have a Will in case the unexpected occurs. People who should have a Will include but are not limited to:Those who are marriedThose who have childrenThose who own assetsThose who have a special needs family memberOnly people who do not have assets, a spouse, and/or children may not need a Will. When Should I Make a Will in Florida?A Will needs to be created and often updated when certain events occur:When you turn 18When you marry, divorce, or remarryWhen you have childrenWhen you start a businessWhen you buy a homeWhenever you have a major life change, it is time to make or update your existing Will. What Goes into a Will in Florida?A Will states who should inherit your assets when you die. If you have children, you can designate who you want to have custody of your children if you pass away. A Will also allows you to appoint an executor (known as a personal representative in some jurisdictions) for your estate. This person will be in charge of administering your estate according to the terms of your Will when you die. What Should I Avoid in a Will?There are certain things that are best dealt with through other means rather than a Will. Things that are not appropriate and should be avoided in a Will include:Retirement plan proceedsLife InsuranceLiving trust propertyAn estate planning attorney can advise you on the best way to handle these matters. Many of them can complement your Will and work well in an estate plan. Can My Parents Leave Me Out of their Will?Whether or not your parents are able to leave you out of their Will depends on which state you live in. Most states allow this to occur, while in others a parent must leave at least a token amount, such as $1, for the Will to be considered valid. Can Someone Challenge My Will in Florida after I Die?There is always a possibility someone will challenge your Will after you pass away. Whether or not that challenge is successful is a different question. Some of the most common reasons Wills are challenged include:That the Testator was under undue influence or lacked the capacity to make a WillThat the Will is a fraud/forgedThat the Will lacks the formalities required to be valid, such as being signed and correctly witnessedHaving a lawyer help with the process of creating your Will can help prevent successful challenges. Can I Make a Will without a Lawyer in Florida?It is possible to create a Will without the assistance of a lawyer. However, states can be very specific regarding what is required for a Will to be considered valid. If you create the Will on your own, and it does not meet the legal requirements for validity, it may not be enforceable. How Much Does it Cost to Make a Will?The cost of creating a Will varies. It depends on your estate and whether you want additional estate planning tools, like Trusts and Advance Directives. Many Wills and Trusts lawyers in Florida charge a fixed rate for estate planning and other attorneys charge an hourly rate. You will want to know what is and is not included in either rates.Contact an Estate Planning Lawyer in Florida TodayDo not procrastinate another day before starting an estate plan because your loved ones are too important. Wills are often an integral part of any estate plan, and keep in mind: it really does not matter how much your estate is worth. What matters is protecting your interests and securing your heirs' futures. Contact Robles Law, P.A. today online or at (941) 315-2114 to schedule a Free 30-minute Consultation. Our estate planning attorney in Florida will guide you through the process.