It's Coming!

Tropical Financial Credit Union (TFCU) has a BIG surprise planned for October 1st, 2011.

Stay tuned to see what we have in store for you!

Florida's Housing Market Shows Signs of Strength

According to the latest report by Florida Realtors, Florida's housing market is showing new signs of strength.

Home sales are up 17% from the beginning of this year and condo sales are up 8%. The reasons for the increase in sales are low prices and low mortgage rates. The median price for a home in Florida is $135,000 - 5% lower than last year.

Low home prices and low mortgage rates are making Florida homes affordable to those who were previously unable to buy a home.

Investment Strategies to Ensure You Stay Retired Seminar

Join Tropical Financial Credit Union (TFCU) and Craig Weisman, Vice President, Wealth Management Wednesday, August 17th, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 at Brio Tuscan Grille in Pembroke Pines for a retirement investment strategies seminar.

The seminar, Investment Strategies to Ensure You Stay Retired, will explain how to identify retirement income sources, how much money needed to retire, how to calculate the cost of retirement, and how to avoid common retirement mistakes.

Dinner will be served at this seminar and seating is limited, please RSVP: Ani Reyes at 305-261-8328 ext 7716.

More South Florida Homes Underwater

More South Florida homes were underwater in the second quarter of 2011 than last year.

According to Zillow, approximately 46% of homeowners in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties owe more on their mortgage loan than their homes are worth, compared to 43% in the second quarter of 2010.

The same trend continues nationwide, with 27% of US homeowners underwater this year, compared to 22.5% last year.

3 Tips for Your "Back to School" Budget

photo by o5com/flickr

It's that time again, the kids are heading "Back to School" this month.

Here are 3 tips to stay budgeted while shopping for everything your child will need this year:

1. Make a List & Budget - List everything your child will truly need and price out approximately how much each item should cost.

2. Shop Around - Check online for sales and take advantage of "back to school" tax holidays.

3. Avoid Needless ATM Fees - Get cash out from your local branch or use an ATM without a service charge.

TFCU's Homebuyer and Owner Expo

Don't miss TFCU's Homebuyer and Owner Expo Thursday, August 18th, 2011 from 11AM-3PM at the Ft. Lauderdale TFCU branch.

Get valuable information about mortgages, buying and selling your home, homeowners insurance, home inspections, insurance claims, security, renovations, and more. Learn everything you need to know about buying a home, PLUS get pre-qualified for a mortgage on the spot.

But that's not all, apply by September 15th and get $1,000 off your mortgage closing costs!

See you at the Expo!

10 Steps to Prevent Mold Growth in Florida

Florida is notoriously humid year round, even more so in these summer months. All that humidity makes it very easy for mold to take over your home. Indoor mold is a serious health concern for Florida residents.

Here are 10 tips to prevent mold growth in your Florida home:

1. Use adequate ventilation or your air conditioner year-round to keep the humidity levels inside your house below 60%.

2. Do not hang wet towels or clothes to dry indoors.

3. Use a digital hygrometer to test humidity levels inside each room of your house. Record these levels in a log book to diagnose problem areas.

4. Clean air conditioning ducts every three months to get rid of accumulated dust particles.

5. Install HEPA filters inside air conditioner intakes.

6. Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner and mop tile floors daily to remove mold spores and dust.

7. Test each room in your home for airborne mold spores annually.

8. Use your nose. If you smell mold, there is mold growing somewhere, whether it is visible or not.

9. Inspect hidden areas of your home routinely for water leaks, water damage and mold growth.

10. Monitor residents' health. Chronic coughing, sneezing, headaches, skin rashes and breathing disorders can all be a sign of mold in the home.

Credit Unions Weather Financial Rainstorms

Credit Unions like Tropical Financial Credit Union (TFCU) have you covered.

No matter what the financial rainstorm brings, credit unions will always have your back because they are non-profit and member owned. That's the credit union difference.

If you're sick of banks selling you out and not putting your best interests first, it's time to join a credit union!

School Property Taxes Expected to Increase

School property taxes in Florida are expected to increase 1.3% by next year, signaling an increase in property values. This is one of the most promising signs of recovery in the Florida housing market.

Property appraisers and real estate agents are already seeing signs of improvement in the housing market. Appraisers for the downtown Miami area have seen property values increase over 12% this year over last year and higher income neighborhoods like Coral Gables are already seeing higher property taxes.

New TFCU Credit Cards Coming Soon

Tropical Financial Credit Union (TFCU) is proud to announce two new credit cards coming soon!

TFCU members will soon be able to apply for a TFCU VISA Platinum Rewards Credit Card as well as a TFCU VISA Platinum Rewards Business Credit Card.

Earning rewards on purchases made with your TFCU credit card has never been easier!