Take Some of the Hassle Out of Flying

Take Some of the Hassle Out of Flying
By Rick Versace
A1A Airport & Limousine Service
www.A1Alimo.com

Nowadays, more people are choosing to hire a driver to take them to the Airport. People don't want to deal with the hassle of finding the long-term lot, taking the shuttle bus to the terminal and schlepping their own luggage all over the airport. Travelers also appreciate the flexibility that limo service avails. If your flight is going to arrive late in Fort Lauderdale, you can easily switch your arrival to West Palm Beach and with a simple call your driver will be waiting for you when you arrive. Airport Limo Service in most cases is less expensive then taking a taxi from the Airport. People prefer limousine service because they like knowing exactly how much their ride will cost. A taxi driver who takes the long way could easily cost you double what you expected. People prefer limousines service because they like the feeling of having a professionally attired chauffeur meeting them at the airport holding a sign with their name on it, helping them with their bags and getting them safely to their destination.

When booking a car with a limousine company, make sure to ask if that company is licensed to pick up in your town. While most companies are licensed by the county, cities like Boca Raton and West Palm Beach have their own licensing requirements that are more stringent and supersede those of the county. If you live in Boca Raton and your service doesn't have Boca Raton permits, the insurance company may disavow coverage in the event of an accident. Ask how long they have been in business and how many cars they have in their fleet. You don't want to miss your flight because you booked with a one-car operator whose car got a flat. Ask them about their on time guarantee. A reputable company will guarantee on time service and back it up with free service in the unlikely event that they are late. Larger companies can also handle your ground transportation arrangements in the city you are flying to. It's no wonder more and more people are using Town Car/Limo service to the airport.

Stretch Limousines transfers are only about $20 more than a standard Town Car, but the luxury and comfort of a stretch limo is unsurpassed. Most people book Stretch limos when they are having a special event, a birthday, an anniversary or just a special night out with friends. Stricter DUI enforcement has made taking a limousine a necessity when you don't have a designated driver. A typical stretch limo holds 10 people so a night out in a limo should cost you approximately $20 per person, but the memories that limo will create are priceless. A Limousine turns an ordinary event into something special!

Living Beautifully

By Nancy Feldman
The Art of Placement
ArtOfPlacement.cc

Q. Help! We've decided to stay in our home, which is in need of work, and we have no idea where to start.

A. The thought of either renovating or decorating your home can be really exciting and a bit scary at the same time. If you�ve never done this before, remember that you have to take many things into consideration; i.e. budget, style and time. If you want to go it alone, here are some ideas to start off with:

1. Decide first and foremost whether you�re remodeling, renovating or decorating the full house or just a room. In other words what�s the scope of your job? What can you accomplish based on your budget and what you already have? Develop a plan, even if it�s long range (to be completed over a period of years) then write it down and stick to it.

2. Do you have a dream as to the overall feel and appearance that you�re going for? Look through design magazines, copy or tear out photos, make notes about what you like and how each look works with your lifestyle. Go to furniture stores, etc. and browse, make notes on what you like about a vignette, what appeals to you? In the end you�ll be happy that you spent the time to think this out.

3. Do you like a more formal look or is it the cozy, comfy, casual feel that you�re going for? Does the style of your home dictate that you do modern furniture, transitional, etc? Would you like it to be more eclectic? Spend some time on the elements that you love and more importantly�.why you love them. Liking something is just not enough, some things get old fast! Also note that *scale is very important; some pieces look great in the store but not in your home!

4. Select a color scheme, one that you find pleasing to the eye but remember to take into consideration everyone in the family. Choose wisely, what colors emote which feelings, etc.
Can you live with it long term? How does one room flow into another? Do you want your rooms to appear larger? More intimate? Paint is the least expensive way to dramatically change your space�if you choose correctly and do it once!

5. Take into consideration what you already have. Not everyone can start from scratch. Are there pieces that you really love? Are there any architectural features that are prominent? How do you want to treat them? Is the flooring still in good shape, what about the cabinets in the kitchen or bathrooms, are their countertops up to date? Focus on the things that are most important to you but make sure they�re also the things that will give you the desired result. Change out what you don�t like and find ways to camouflage the ones you cannot get rid of and need to work around.

In closing let me say that to avoid any pitfalls �it�s always a good idea to use experienced professionals�. Hiring a decorator or designer who can give you the design direction you need is something that each of my last few clients is glad they did! In the long run you�ll save the money, time and stress you might have spent while doing it alone.

Nancy Feldman, ASID, Allied Member is owner of The Art of Placement, Inc. To submit a question, e-mail vistage@aol.com or visit the website to learn more about Living Beautifullyand watch for a continuation of our �Live Beautifully� column each month. You can also reach us at 561-479-2290. We�ll be looking forward to hearing from you.

Insuring Your Home

By: Florida Department of Financial Services

Insurance coverage is an integral part of a solid financial foundation. Insurance can help us recover financially after illness, accidents, natural disasters or even the death of a loved one. But with the wide variety of insurance products available, choosing the correct type and amount of coverage can be a challenge. The policies and laws that regulate financial matters often change, so it is essential to be aware of new developments.

The Florida Department of Financial Services publishes a variety of consumer guides to help you understand how different types of insurance policies work. These publications define some of the industry’s terminology and outline your rights and responsibilities. Each guide also contains basic information and tips on selecting an insurance
agent and company.  Topics include:

• Insuring Your Home
• Replacement Cost Versus Actual Cash Value
• Insurance Packages
• Other Factors to Consider
• How to Select an Insurance Agent
• How to Select an Insurance Company
• Your Lending Institution
• In Case of Loss
• Policy Termination
• Protecting Your Privacy
• Homeowners Inventory Checklist

Click here to view the 40 page consumer guide from the Florida Department of Financial Services

Legislators Roll Back Citizen Premiums, Insure Vacation Properties

Florida Real Estate Headlines
From the Florida Associateion of Realtors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Jan. 23, 2007 – Charged with the daunting task of reducing homeowners’ insurance premiums for millions of Florida property owners, the Florida Legis­lature last night passed a 167-page bill that could lower premiums between 5% and 40% and provide other insurance relief to millions of property owners. Gov. Charlie Crist is expected to sign the legislation today.

“Florida’s 160,000 Realtors® congratulate the governor for his commitment to reducing prop­erty insurance costs, and to the Legislature for acting in a truly non-partisan manner to provide relief to those who call Florida home,” says Nancy Riley, 2007 president of the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR). “This is a good first step in re-energizing the housing sector of our economy so buyers can take advantage of very attractive interest rates. But there’s more work to be done in order to create a vibrant and competitive insurance market.”

“Today, property owners in Florida are very happy,” says John Sebree, FAR’s vice presi­dent of Public Policy. “The goal of the one-week special session was to lower property insurance rates. It’s what the citizens were seeking and what the governor promised.

“But this is just the beginning of meaningful reforms,” he adds. “Available and affordable property insurance remains a key issue for Florida Realtors, and FAR will press legislators for additional reforms during the 2007 legisla­tive session that begins March 6.”