Linda R. Olsson Inc. Palm Beach Realtor

Palm Beach… America’s stylish tax haven for the very rich and the second-best retreat in America

According to the March 2013 issue of Barron’s Penta magazine, Palm Beach is quietly becoming America’s stylish tax haven for the very rich and is the second-best retreat in America. During their annual review, the authors discovered buyers are fleeing high-tax states to purchase properties in states with less onerous tax burdens. High net worth individuals are relocating to Palm Beach to... [Read more...]

Citadel’s Kenneth Griffin Buys Four Properties in Palm Beach for $130 Million

    Citadel founder Kenneth Griffin has bought four properties in Palm Beach, Fla., for a total of nearly $130 million, according to people familiar with the deals. Located in the Blossom Estate subdivision, near Palm Beach’s Bath and Tennis Club, the four properties range in size from 1.64 acres to 2.21 acres. Three of the properties are adjacent and along the ocean, with... [Read more...]

10 Things Buyers Should Know When Purchasing a New Home

Times are indeed tougher these days and we are all ardently watching our dollars. While banks are not as quick to lend money as they were a few years ago, this doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t consider purchasing a home if you don’t own one already. While the housing market is down, inventory is up. There are many homes for sale that are being offered at very competitive prices. If you’re... [Read more...]

7 Home Improvement Projects for $1,000 (or Less)

Americans still think buying a home is one of the best decisions they’ve ever made. Here are some ways to increase your home’s value and comfort for less than $1,000. We knew reports of the death of American home ownership were greatly exaggerated (nod to Mark Twain), and now we’ve got the numbers to prove it. A just-released survey by the Meredith Corp., which publishes Better Homes and Gardens... [Read more...]

Tips for Insuring Luxury Homes

1. Insurance Companies like homes that were built 2001 or newer, have a HIP roof, are completely Wind Mitigated and concrete block construction. 2. Wind Mitigation Discounts – Roof must be FBC Compliant and all openings of the home covered by impact resistant material following Miami-Dade building code. When listing your home, obtain the Wind Mitigation Form, if available. 3. Flat Roofs –... [Read more...]

Real Estate Transactions and the New 3.8 Percent Medicare Taxes

By Steven Harless, CPA A lot of confusing, conflicting and sometimes erroneous information has been circulating about the new 3.8 percent Medicare tax that goes into effect on January 1, 2013, and its effects on real estate transactions. This tax is a part of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which imposes an additional 0.9 percent Medicare tax on wages and self employment income and... [Read more...]