A HEADS UP: UNDERSTANDING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Florida CFO Jeff Atwater and the Dept. of Financial Services are offering webinars regarding information and resources for those with questions about the Affordable Care Act. 

The webinars are for individuals and small businesses. 

A consumer helpline is available at 1-877-693-5236. 

For FAQ’s and webinars dates and times:  http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/HealthReform.htm#.Uke4DoY7igY

FOR STUDENTS YOU KNOW

With a contest entry deadline of October 11, 2013 at 11:59 pm, judging will begin for a contest designed to engage students of all ages (from kindergarten to high school) to learn more about Florida’s economic history.  The entry can be art, writing or video.  It is part of the YOUR MONEY MATTERS initiative.  This contest is in honor of Florida’s 500^th Anniversary.

Students can be enrolled in any public, private, charter, virtual, home or alternative school for the 2013-2014 school year.  By 12-31-2013, announcements will be made of a total of $2625 awarded to the winning students.  

Find more information at MyFloridaCFO.com/YMM.

This site also features in their games section fun and educational tools to help children save. (http://www.myfloridacfo.com/YMM/Games/Default.aspx) 

POSSIBLE BOCA RATON, DELRAY BEACH, BOYNTON BEACH TAX BREAK FOR VALUE ADDED IMPROVEMENTS IN HOMES DESIGNATED AS HISTORIC

 

According to the Sun-Sentinel, if the City council approves a new ordinance, owners of designated historic homes would not have to pay city or country taxes for 10 years on any value added improvements.  

Federal funds amounting to $100,000 are being distributed throughout Florida to help preserve historic homes and neighborhoods, and with this ordinance in place, Boca can get some of these funds.

Ten counties and 53 other municipalities have joined this effort, including Delray Beach and Boynton Beach.

Cost of getting a Boca Raton property declared historic by City Council is $1500.  The designation means the city’s Historic Preservation Board will review proposed changes a homeowner wants to make.

If you have a historic home to sell, or are looking to purchase one, perhaps I can be of help as a Realtor.

HOW TO CHALLENGE THE APPRAISED VALUE OF YOUR HOME

Proposed tax notices were just sent out to Palm Beach County residents.  The Clerk’s office will accept appeals for property tax appraisals through September 16. 

You can challenge market value, classification or an exemption by petitioning the county’s Value Adjustment Board (VAB). Board Members are two county commissioners, one school board member, and two citizen members.  They approve and hire special magistrates to settle disputes. 

The VAB is not affiliated with the Tax Collector or Property Appraiser.  Go to www.mypalmbeachclerk.com and use myVABsystem to file your petition online, schedule hearings and submit supporting materials, or call 561-355-6289 for more information.  Forms can also be submitted in person or by mail.  Filing fee is $15.  To submit in person, go to the Clerk’s Governmental Center or branch locations.  To submit by mail send to 301 North Olive Avenue, Room 203, West Palm Beach FL 33401.

HOW TO TEST A BATTERY

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_m6p99l6ME&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DY_m6p99l6ME

NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION

CHECK OUT NEIGHBORHOOD STATS HERE .

If you would like to subscribe to my biweekly 
HOME ACTIONS NEWSLETTER please email     
marilynfjacobs@gmail.com.  
Many interesting articles for homeowners.

YOUR CAR KEYS MAY SAVE A LIFE

 YEP!!!

Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Doctor's office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.

This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage.

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds, all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

This would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem.

This may save a life!

IS THERE A NEW SHADOW INVENTORY COMING?

The shadow inventory (homes in delinquency or foreclosure that will eventually come on the market) keeps shrinking.  But, TRULIA Chief Economist Jed Kolko says that census data just released shows that more shadow inventory may be looming.  2013 2Q vacancy survey shows that 5.6% of all housing units are vacant.  

Are the owners waiting til prices have gone high enough to unload them?  If they come on the market now… how will the market be affected?  Right now, inventory is low so they MIGHT get a quick sale and get rid of the expenses of carrying the property.

CONSUMERS BEWARE AND BE AWARE

The Homeowners’ Policy and Claims Bill of Rights Working Group is a panel developing consumer-protection recommendations that they will offer to the Legislature in next year’s session.

Recently the state levied a $1.26MM fine against the state’s 2^nd largest insurer, Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company for wrongly denying claims and canceling policies without adequate notice.   Universal has 550,000 policyholders. 

Universal was cited for using credit histories of clients to deny claims, long after the underwriting process should have been completed.  A bill was amended to limit use of credit records to deny coverage to 90 days after policy is written, but the bill failed to pass.

Some Florida consumers had had damages claims denied and coverage canceled because of an old credit report, despite having long-held insurance policies with same company.  Some others face lengthy legal proceedings in which they must participate or risk losing their policies.

Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate Robin Smith Westcott cautioned consumers in the middle of a claim or dispute to refrain from immediately signing contracts with contractors, adjusters and other groups offering aid.  He said, “first, contact your insurance company to get the process started”.

TAX REFORM ENGAGING CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS

Tax Reform is underway on Capitol Hill. The Senate tax-writers have adopted a "Blank Slate" approach that initially eliminates every provision in the tax code, including those that are cherished by homeowners and future homeowners.  The intent is to lower tax rates that in turn will stimulate the economy.

From a website created for the effort: 
"In order to make sure that we end up with a simpler, more efficient and fairer tax code, we believe it is important to start with a "blank slate" -- that is, a tax code without all of the special provisions in the form of exclusions, deductions and credits and other preferences that some refer to as "tax expenditures." This blank slate is not, of course, the end product, nor the end of the discussion....
We plan to operate from an assumption that all special provisions are out unless there is clear evidence that they: (1) help grow the economy, (2) make the tax code fairer, or (3) effectively promote other important policy objectives."

The Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Finance Committee recently began a legislative push to simplify the tax code by asking all Senators to make a case for including special tax breaks.
Senator Max Baucus, on the left, and Senator Orrin Hatch want to start work on the tax code by clearing it of special breaks, unless those breaks meet specific goals. 

In the House, the committee that works on tax measures is called the Ways and Means Committee and it is headed up by Dave Camp, (R-Mich). This Committee has held many hearings on tax reform and has built "working groups" to arrive at a game plan for tax reform.

 

Normally Senators are tasked with the need to eliminate tax breaks but Senator Baucus and Senator Hatch thought that it is easier for Senators to come up with their list of deductions and breaks they want SAVED.

Every  $2 trillion in individual tax breaks added back to their "blank slate" would raise tax rates 1.3 to 2.2 percentage points. In other words, Senators must decide between popular tax breaks and low income tax rates.

US NEWS RANKS BOCA REGIONAL AS TOP RANKED REGIONAL HOSPITAL

21^ST rank in all of FL, 9^th in Ft Lauderdale/Miami region for 2013-2014 annual listing of America’s Best Hospitals.  

Ranked as high performing hospital in Gastroenterology/Gastrointestinal Surgery and Gynecology.

 

 

SEE YOUR OLD FAVORITES AT THE CREST THEATRE ART CINEMA PRESENTATIONS

 EVERY WEDNESDAY, July 10-August 28.
Screenings are at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Cash bar and snacks available.
Delray Beach Center for the Arts announces this new series in the Crest Theatre. ART CINEMA AT THE CREST will offer a variety of films on eight consecutive Wednesdays.

Caroline Breder-Watts, midday host for 91.3 WLRN and host of "Cinematically Speaking" on Arts Radio Network, will host each 8:30 pm screening - providing an introduction and leading a post-screening talkback session.

Tickets $8 -- Purchase by phone through the Box Office at 561-243-7922, ext. 1; at the door; or online.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR ONLINE PURCHASERS! When you purchase your ticket online, you will pay a $2 internet fee, BUT don't let that stop you!  We will ease the pain of that fee with a coupon for $2 OFF A GLASS OF WINE OR A BEER on movie night! To receive the coupon, you must print your ticket at home (the coupon will print with the ticket). Bring everything to the Crest Theatre on movie night. This offer is for online purchases ONLY.

Listen to our film series interview with Caroline Breder-Watts and Brian Ridolfo at ArtsRadioNetwork.com
Movie titles are subject to change without notice.

Art Cinema at the Crest

• "Casablanca"
  July 10, 2013
  Wednesday, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Crest Theatre; tickets $8. 1942 classic romance/drama starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.  Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II, an American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications.  Cash bar available.    
  Read more...
• "The Big Lebowski"
  July 17, 2013
  Wednesday, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Crest Theatre, tickets $8. 1998 comedy starring Jeff Bridges and John Goodman. "Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire Lebowski, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.  Cash bar available.  
  Read more...
• "Anna Karenina"
  July 24, 2013
  Wednesday, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Crest Theatre, tickets $8. 2012 drama starring Matthew Macfadyen, Keira Knightley and Jude Law.  Set in late-19th-century Russia high-society, the aristocrat Anna Karenina enters into a life-changing affair with the affluent Count Vronsky.  Cash bar available.  
  Read more...
• "Price Check"
  July 31, 2013
  Wednesday, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Crest Theatre, tickets $8. 2012 comedy/drama starring Parker Posey, Eric Mabius and Annie Parisse.  Peter, a family man who works for a failing supermarket chain finds his life shaken up by his new boss, Susan, who starts to groom him for an executive position.…
  Read more...
• "Sound City"
  August 7, 2013
  Wednesday, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Crest Theatre, tickets $8. 2013 documentary starring Vinny Appice, Mick Fleetwood and Tom Petty.  A documentary on the fabled recording studio that was located in Van Nuys, California.  Cash bar available.  
  Read more...
• Quartet
  August 14, 2013
  Wednesday, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Crest Theatre, tickets $8. 2012 comedy/drama starring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay and Billy Connolly (rated PG-13).  At a home for retired musicians, the annual concert to celebrate Verdi's birthday is disrupted by the arrival of Jean, an eternal diva and the former wife of…
  Read more...
• "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"
  August 21, 2013
  Wednesday, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Crest Theatre, tickets $8. 2012 drama starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller.   An introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world.  Cash bar available.  
  Read more...
• "If I Were You"
  August 28, 2013
  Wednesday, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Crest Theatre, tickets $8. 2012 comedy/drama starring Marcia Gay Harden, Leonor Watling and Aidan Quinn.  When a woman tries to outwit her husband's sexy young mistress, the unexpected consequences include starring as King Lear in a very amateur

FINANCIAL PROTECTIONS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS

To protect our military forces with mortgage relief, termination of leases, protection from eviction, a 6% cap on interest rates and the right to reopen any default judgments made during their active duty, in 2003, President Bush signed into law the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.  This law applied only to obligations that originated before their military service and were still in effect.  “Servicemembers” includes all those on active duty in the military and includes National Guard members called up for active duty for more than 30 days.

All lenders should be immediately notified when you go on active duty, and they must receive a copy of your military orders.  When put on notice, all interest payments must be reduced to 6% and lender must forgive all pre-service debts exceeding the 6% cap.  Your monthly payment must be reduced.  This also applies only to debts that were initiated before active service began.

Leases entered into before active service began can be terminated before expiring, giving landlord 30 days advance notice of termination and rent must be paid up to termination date.  A private life insurance policy cannot lapse, terminate or be forfeited for nonpayment of premiums while insured is on active duty and for one year after duty ends.

 

Garnishments and attachments, requested by military personnel or a court, may be stayed or vacated during active service.  The court can appoint an attorney to represent the interests of a servicemember.

The Supreme Court ruled that the law must be read with “an eye friendly to those who dropped their affairs to answer their country’s call.”

HAPPY NEWS… TRADER JOE’S IS FINALLY COMING TO BOCA!

The line forms to the right.

For years a popular topic of discussion has been, “I heard Trader Joe’s is coming to town, hooray!”  Now, it is true!  Scheduled to open in both Boca Raton and Palm Beach Gardens in 2014, with cedar covered walls and Hawaiian motifs and art celebrating the neighborhood, we will have our pick of a variety of domestic and imported foods and beverages – they promise: all at honest low prices!  Staff, known as “crew members,” will be easy to spot in their Hawaiian shirts.  Residents will receive by mail Trader Joe’s “Fearless Flyer,” known as a cross between Mad Magazine and Consumer Reports. 

A dozen new items will be added each week to the 1000+ private label items including fresh baked artisan breads, Arabica bean coffees, international  frozen entrees, 100% juices, fresh crop nuts, deli items, vitamins and supplements and basics like milk and eggs.  Vegan, vegetarian, kosher, gluten free, low sodium and fat free products will be included.  Antibiotic meats will include beef, steaks, roast beef, chicken, sliced turkey and ham, bacon and lamb loin chops.

The store specializes in high quality ingredients, great flavors and great prices.  Sometimes when they purchase from manufacturers they will take a brand name product, remove preservatives and artificial colors and ingredients, put their label on it and sell It at a real discount.  Boca location will be 855 South Federal Highway, approximately 12,500 sq ft, and wine and beer will be included for sale.  Palm Beach Gardens PGA Plaza will be the other location. Started in 1958 and thriving.

See you there!

 

 

TRENDY, ARTSY HISTORIC DELRAY BEACH

 

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homes and condos near the beach and waterfront Great downtown lifestyle for the culture craver concerts • museums • art galleries • theatre • eateries

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