The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program makes homeownership affordable for eligible frontline community workers such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans. This program provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time, income-qualified homebuyers so they can purchase a primary residence in the community in which they work and serve.
The program also offers a lower first mortgage rate and additional special benefits to those who have served and continue to serve their country.
Program Details:
Eligible frontline workers can receive lower than market rates on an FHA, VA, RD, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac first mortgage, reduced upfront fees, no origination points or discount points and down payment and closing cost assistance.


Borrowers can receive up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount (maximum of $25,000) in down payment and closing cost assistance.


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The Real Reason Your Electric Bill Is So High Right Now—and the No-Brainer Way To Lower It

If you get a major shock every time you open your electricity bill lately, you are far from alone.
According to Bloomberg News, the average American paid about 15% more for electricity in July 2022 than they did the year before. That jolting figure is the most significant 12-month increase since 2006.
So it’s little wonder that these high prices may make you desperate to slash your monthly home energy bill. One of the easiest ways to save big bucks is to simply take a look around your house.
You may be unknowingly increasing your energy bill thanks to the many devices you keep plugged in all the time—even when not in use. Your energy company likely calls them “always-on devices.” But they’re also known as “energy vampires” for good reason: They are sucking your wallet dry.
So let’s look at how you can save money by battling thl ...

Having a good HVAC system in your home can really help you enjoy your living space throughout the year. A solid system will keep your home cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and just plain comfortable throughout the full year. Proper maintenance can keep your HVAC system running smoothly for years, ensuring that your home’s internal climate stays exactly the way you want it as time goes by.

This doesn’t mean that things can’t be better, though. You may not realize it, but there are actually several ways that you can modify your HVAC system to improve performance and create a better overall quality of life for you and your family. Different systems may have different options available, and they can affect the function of your system in different ways.

Air Purity Add-Ons

Some of the most common HVAC modifications are designed to improve the overall quality of the air in your home, filtering out impurities and eliminating things in the air that could poss ...

An HVAC system (for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) is what keeps your home cozy in the winter and cool in the summer. Those of us who have experienced the record-breaking high temperatures of summer or frigid conditions in the winter have no doubt praised our AC units or heaters at one point or another for keeping us comfortable in extreme weather. Or cursed them when they go on the fritz.

But not all HVAC units are built the same, and there are several different types. So let’s dive in and see which one is right for you.
HVAC system types
The best HVAC system for you depends on your preferences and the size of your house. An HVAC pro can help you make the right choice, says Mike Nicholson, owner of Nicholson Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning in Ashland, MA.

There are three main heating systems:
Furnace: The most common type of system, a furnace heats the air and then a blower motor moves the air through the home’s duct system. Expect t; ...

Stocking Up
When a storm approaches, store shelves empty out. This season, with lingering supply chain issues causing unexpected shortages and record inflation driving prices up, it's more important than ever to stock up early on hurricane supplies.

Supply Kit Checklist
Flashlights and extra bulbs
Battery-operated radio
Battery-operated lanterns
Extra batteries (various sizes)
Wind-up or battery-powered clock
Matches
First aid kit
Duct tape
Rain gear
Plastic garbage bags
Fire extinguisher
Scissors
Can opener
Clean clothes
Extra blankets and pillows
Heavy gloves
Food
Bottled water (one gallon/person/day)
Two coolers (one for drinks, one for food)
Canned foods
Bottled juice
Dry pet food

Tracking Storms
With your home insured and secured, there's nothing left to do but wait to see if a hurricane heads our way.
All of the Sunshine State is a potential target for tropical systems, but not every region gets hit equally.
South Florida's geography, for example & ...