US FEDERAL BUDGET VISUALIZED

US BUDGET

ARE YOU ONE OF THE 29.8% OF FLORIDIANS WHO LACKS HEALTH INSURANCE???

Census Bureau data released this week shows that Florida ranks 2^nd worst in percentage of working-age population without health insurance.  29.8% of Floridians lack health insurance.  
  

Seniors: call  (561-638-9818) for information on Medicare Advantage zero premium plans with no or low co-pay for doctor visit.  Enrollment period for these plans is Oct 15 – Dec 7 – if you are turning 65 or getting a Medicare Supplement you can enroll any time – with Advantage, for guaranteed enrollment,  your application must be received between three months before and three months after the month of your birth.

HOW TO SELL YOUR HOUSE QUICKLY

According to HomeGain.com, a real estate services website, 76% of homeowners in the first quarter believed their home was worth more than the listing price that their real estate agents recommended.   They stated that home buyers usually understand current market value better than sellers who own and live there and many buyers still think homes are overpriced.

They point out that your home is worth what a buyer will pay for it according to current market conditions.  Consider how real estate agents and appraisers establish a selling price or price range – by researching similar homes to yours that recently sold.  Appraisers adjust comparable prices if there is a pool in one property and not in the other, or a remodeled kitchen.  Other factors are considered as well.  You need to see and understand the facts and not use emotions to decide on a list price.

Sellers get offers they think are too low and say, “I’m not giving my house away.”   They should surely then go over market conditions by looking at comparative sales, before turning an offer down after their agent tries to negotiate it up.  “Giving it away” is a myth. 

Buyers look for properties that are new on the market, and early on you have the best opportunity to sell your house.  Buyers want to feel they are getting a good deal.

If you want to sell, dispense with the funds incurred to keep it up, perhaps HOA fees and others, look carefully at the facts your agent presents to you regarding prices.  Buyers look at them, and know the market values.  When you become a buyer, you will also thoroughly research prices of properties you are interested in.

 

 

INTERESTED IN ONLINE SCHOOLS?

FLORIDA ONLINE COLLEGES - could be "the way to go" - http://www.onlineschools.org/guides/Florida.

 

Florida is one of the few states that have opted to join the Elementary & Secondary Education Act's (ESA) Flexibility clause which promotes charter online schools.  Children who are home-schooled or attend schools that are poor performing can take free credited courses with online schools in Florida.  

Online students also have many resources available including academic advising, school newspapers and literary magazines, student clubs and comprehensive virtual libraries.  

Academic counseling for students from Grade 6 up is available from FACTS.org.  Financial aid plans are available for online students.  The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program is lottery-based for financial aid and available to any Florida resident.  Degree programs are available in agriculture, education, business, design construction and health care, offered at the certificate, associate, bachelor, master or doctorate level.

Check out the directory to see all that is available and perhaps you will make personal use of this information, or pass it on to a friend.

  There are rumors flying all over the net that the recent OK by the Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act will mean a 3.8% Tax on Home Sales on 2013. Well it's not that easy. So to clear it all up, the National Association of Realtors issued this statement

---

Now that the Supreme Court has upheld the health care legislation, all of its major provisions remain in effect, including the new tax that was designed to affect upper income taxpayers.  The 3.8% tax is imposed ONLY on  those with more than $200,000 of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) ($250,000 on a joint return).  The tax applies to investment income, defined as interest, dividends, capital gains and net rents.  These items are all included in an individual's AGI.  A formula will determine what portion, if any, of these types of investment income would be subject to the tax.
The tax is NOT a transfer tax on real estate sales and similar transactions.  Not long after the tax was enacted, erroneous and misleading documents went viral on the Internet and created a great deal of misunderstanding and made the tax into something far more draconian than the actual provisions.
The new tax does NOT eliminate the benefits of the $250,000/$500,000 exclusion on the sale of a principal residence.  Thus, ONLY that portion of a gain above those thresholds is included in AGI and could be subject to the tax.

For your own situation, please consult a financial adviser or accountant.

On July 13, 2012, Ballen Isles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens notified Realtors that their Board of Directors approved a resolution to facilitate the ability to purchase a Full Equity Membership, Sports Equity Membership or Upgrade to Full Equity Membership on an installment plan.  Membership seller must accept installment payments and seller will be guaranteed their installment payment by the Club.  
 

Members can upgrade to Full equity Membership based on the difference between the current prices of equity and initiation vs. paying the difference between what the Member originally paid and the current price of Full Equity Membership and Initiation, giving a substantial savings to those who purchased their existing membership at a lower price.  For more information contact Rosie Slocum, Director of Membership at 561-627-3372.

"BUILDING A HEALTHIER GOOGLE INITIATIVE"

Artist Ian Ross was challenged by Google to create a mural bringing the outdoors in for Google's new Mountain View, CA office wing.  

His unique "organic style" brings into the office the tranquility of nature.  

As people view these images, the large deer looking directly at them and the smaller ones not aware anyone is there, onlookers realize that perhaps they are in no normal place. They have now entered into a space in which artists are at play and where anything can happen.

ALERT: THOUSANDS MAY BE KNOCKED OFF COMPUTERS ON MONDAY

Crain's NY and other publications are warning computer users that, according to the FBI, there are about 64,000 uses who may be affected.

To check your computer go to http://www.dcwg.org/ and that site can check your computer and supply a fix.

Check it out.

A GOOD TASTE OF FLORIDA HOSPITALITY

Wishing for a getaway, nearby, with historic reminders and beautiful gardens, near a downtown area brimming with museums, theaters, interesting eateries, Antiques Row, art galleries, yachts on waterways and a new downtown waterfront area? 

You can get away from the cares of the day with a weekend or longer stay at the Casa Grandview, located in downtown West Palm Beach’s trendy Grandview Heights historic district, south of City Place and Clematis.   Here you will enjoy a 1925 historic bed and breakfast inn featuring private luxury vacation resort cottages, main house guest rooms and 1948 art deco cabana suites.  It has received the AAA Four Diamond Award.  

Accommodations are chic, warm, eclectic styles and inviting and retain the original interior architecture.  There is a cozy Caribbean-like island atmosphere with a Mediterranean flair.

Walk beneath a canopy of leafy palms and flowering trees.  Sit in the garden and enjoy the serene view.  Feel surrounded by history.  Some rooms reflect the Henry Flagler Era of 1893-1913, or the Palm Beach Boom Era of 1913-1926.  Others remind you of the Historic Neighborhood Downtown Boom Era of the 1894-1920’s.

Choose from Spanish Mission, Revival, Craftsman Bungalow, Art Deco and Key West styles, one or two bedrooms and suites.  This off-the-beaten path resort provides an authentic Florida vacation experience and gracious hospitality.  There are one bedroom units, suites with living rooms, units with kitchens.

Walk to the tennis courts, the Kravis Center, and the Convention Center.  Bike or jog the scenic route.  Have lunch at the world famous Breakers Hotel.

Some accommodations enjoy complimentary breakfasts, coffee and tea service and all have allergy blocking mattress and pillow encasements.  There is a DVD rental library, hammocks, keyless door entry, 600-thread count sheets, outdoor lounging areas, chaises, dining and grilling areas.  Cottages have washers and dryers.

For more information.

WE CAN BE PROUD...

Out of 4783 acute care hospitals in the US, Boca Raton Regional Hospital and 175 others were identified as Top Performers, receiving the 2012 HealthGrades Women’s Health Excellence Award.  That puts BRRH in the top 5% for excellence in women’s heath care... for the third year in a row!  

 

 

BRRH is also the recipient of  the 2012 Best 100 Hospitals in the Nation for Cardiac care, stroke Care, Gastrointestinal Treatment.  US News Media & World Reports 2011-2012 Best Hospitals ranked BRHH as a top hospital in the South Florida metropolitan area.  

 

 

The hospital is a recognized leader in oncology, cardiovascular disease and surgery, minimally invasive surgery, orthopedic, women’s health and emergency medicine, all of which offer state-of-the art diagnostic and imaging capabilities and designated by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration as a Comprehensive Stroke Center.

ENJOY A FOOD TOUR IN A HISTORIC DISTRICT

Come on over on certain Saturdays, listed below, and join the "Taste History and Culinary Tours of Historic Palm Beach County."  Visit restaurants, eateries, cafes and markets in historic districts, areas and buildings in either Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth or Lantana, and enjoy food sampling. Learn about food history, food culture facts and foodways.

You  will be touring on a bus and walking four to six blocks for four hours, rain or shine, visiting at least two of fifteen eateries regularly on the tours, markets and urban farms.  See and hear narrative information by a live guide on historic buildings, districts and landmarks located along the tour.  Dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated but you may visit local home-grown markets, vegan restaurants, organic eateries, gourmet restaurants, soul food, visit an urban farm, and more.  Some food tasting is standing only - no sitting, so wear comfortable shoes.

Cultural Arts venues include stops at the Lake Worth Art League Gallery and the Clay, Glass, Metal, Stone Gallery in the downtown Lake Worth arts district. Cost is $35 per person, less for groups of ten, all paid in advance.   Tours being at 11 am so be there at 10:45 am.  Tours start at the Boynton Beach Mall (Macy's - Outside at East Entrance), 801 N. Congress Avenue.

The Tour is run by the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History in Boynton Beach, a non-profit 501c3.  Tours are held on the 2nd (Lake Worth), 3rd and 4th Saturdays (Delray Beach and Boynton Beach) of each month, year-round. The website is http://mlfhmuseum.org/culinaryfoodtours.html.

For more information call 561-243-2662 or E-mail tour@tastehistoryculinarytours.org. Private group tours are also offered.

United Healthcare’s 7^th Annual 100@100 Survey found that more than half of the 100-year olds exercise nearly every day.  Activity favored by  nearly half: walking, and almost as many do exercises to strengthen their muscles.  Some enjoy yoga, Tai Chi, riding a bike, jogging or participating in sports.  It is estimated there are 72,000 centenarians nationwide with Medicare plans.  

The survey included 300 baby boomers in their early 50’s, and 100 centenarians and answers focused on talking with a friend or family member almost every day,  attending social events, and finding reasons daily to giggle or laugh.

Asked who to invite to a family dinner from a list of 14, Betty White was number one for 78%.  Half would pick “Gone with the Wind” as the greatest movie from the  past 100 years.  Boomers picked “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

Almost 75% of the centenarians polled said they will vote in November.

REALTORS ASSOCIATION 

OF THE PALM BEACHES 

POINTS OUT THAT THE MEDIAN 

SALE PRICE OF SINGLE FAMIILY 

HOMES IS UP TO $197,000 

FROM $190,000 THE PREVIOUS YEAR

______________________________________

The median townhouse-condo price in Palm Beach County is $82,500, up from $75,000 a year ago.  Less than 1 in 5 closings were for residential home sales in financial distress.  Distressed inventories are at 2007 levels.

 

Short sale process by Bank of America has been "accelerated."  These indications bode well for the housing market.

 

Total March pending single-family home sales in the county are up 70% from a year ago for homes and 41.1% for townhouses and condos.  Single family homes inventory has decreased 38% from the previous year and 40.8% from a year earlier.

 

The inventory decrease and increase in number of buyers has created a more competitive market place and that has positively impacted property values.

MARKET HEADING UP THEY TELL US

"For people who have been waiting to time their home purchase close to market bottom, it's time to start shopping," said Stan Humphries, Zillow's chief economist.  Bidding wars have returned as buyers compete for a shrinking supply of homes.  Inventories of single-family homes in Palm Beach and Broward counties have fallen in the past year by 38% and 48%, respectively, local Realtor boards say.  (From loansafe.org.)


The Sun-Sentinel interviewed a dozen builders, buyers, analysts, real estate agents and other local housing observers and they agreed that the region has reached a housing floor, despite concern that another wave of bank-owned homes will hit the market.


With prices back to levels last seen in 2002, demand is strong again, particularly from foreign investors and others willing to pay cash.

RIS MEDIA: HOUSING MARKET MAY BE ON THE RISE

The key word is MAY.

Many economists see the easing of foreclosures as the key reason the market may be on the rise.  However, they note, “Banks still retain many foreclosed properties on their books and some analysts have predicted that housing prices could weaken again if lenders dump these properties into the recovering market.”

Lowe’s Daily Real Estate Report for first three months of 2012 says, “Foreclosure filings up in most markets.” This was for more than half of the markets tracked by RealtyTrac, “an early sign that long-dormant foreclosures are coming out of hibernation in many local markets.”

The foreclosures referred to above are only part of the shadow inventory, and more people who are “underwater” may do short sales or be foreclosed on in the near future.  Ris Media points out that one of several factors holding back a major turnaround in the housing market is, “the huge number of homeowners who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth leaving them essentially stuck in their properties.” 

One good sign is that Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller Index of 20 US cities shows the steady shrinking in recent months of a year-over-year decline in home values.  Ris Media says, “analysts note that prices have stablizied and sales volume has been gaining.

DataQuick of San Diego reported that, “statewide the notices of default had a 17.6% drop from the same period last year.”  One of the early callers of the housing crash, Christopher Thornberg of Beacon Economics said, “What are important are sales and inventory, and those are pointing in the right direction… I would say that by the end of the year, they should translate into better prices.”  As reported in this blog recently, NAR Chief Economist said that by the end of the year prices might rise by 10%.  Zillow predicts a 5%+ price rise by the end of  the year.

Some promising factors for home sales include low interest rates and the availability of bargain-priced properties, and a prevalence of investors buying up, fixing up and renting out former foreclosures.  New home sales, with last year being their worst on record, are up 16% for the first three months compared to 2011.  Now we will wait to see what happens to some or all those shadow inventory foreclosures.