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 FAVORITE MOVIES AT THE DELRAY BEACH CREST THEATRE ART CINEMA

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 COMING TO BOCA RATON & PALM BEACH GARDENS!

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!

 

 

FOOD RECALLS

Are you sure the food you are eating is safe? 

The list on the link below provides information gathered from press releases and other public notices about certain recalls of FDA-regulated products.  

• FDA works with industry and our state partners to publish press releases and other public notices about recalls that may potentially present a significant or serious risk to the consumer or user of the product.  Not all recalls have press releases or are posted on this page.
• The posting of information on this page is separate from FDA's recall classification process. The weekly Enforcement Report lists all recalls after they have been classified by FDA.  For more information about FDA’s product recall authority, process and classification guidelines, see FDA 101: Product Recalls.
• For recall notices older than 60 days, see the Recall and Safety Alerts Archive.

How did the FDA know to recall these products? People got sick!  Use this link each week to see the report.  Two popular local grocery outlets have products on this week’s list that were recalled.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm

BE SMART SCAM WORKSHOP MAY 10TH, 1 PM at SOUTH COUNTY CIVIC CENTER, DELRAY BEACH

Florida CFO Jeff Atwater presents a free workshop for seniors, their families and caregivers. The program is part of Operation S.A.F.E. (Stop Adult Financial Exploitation), On Guard for Seniors initiative.

The Be Scam Smart workshop will be held on Friday, May 10^th from 1 pm to 2:30 pm at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach. Discussions will include:

· The Psychology of a Scam

· How to Spot Fraudulent Behavior

· Common Scams that Target Seniors

· How to Fight Identity Theft

· Resources to Keep You Safe

Click to register. For more information, call 850-413-2854.

DRONES FOR GOOD COMMERCIAL USAGE

The Federal Aviation Administration may open the nation’s airspace to drone photography of real estate properties. Other countries are allowing this method. A drone, says Wikipedia, is and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) without a human pilot on board. A computer can control it or a remote control from another vehicle. FAA rules are expected to be finalized by 2015 and Congress instructed FAA to open drone use to the nation’s airspace for commercial use and permit issuing. The results can be less expensive than aerial photography. Issues may come up about invasion of privacy.

 

FLORIDA REALTORS ASSOCIATION SAYS THAT FORECLOSURES EQUAL ABOUT 7% OF THE CURRENT RESALE MARKET.

A foreclosure freeze slowed the number of defaults initiated against borrowers between October and December 2010 due to the “robo-signer” issues.  In the second half of 2010 the legality of thousands of bank repossessions slowed foreclosure efforts. Between 2007 and 2013 almost 365,000 notices of default were filed against Southeast Florida borrowers, overwhelming the state court system.

In 1Q/2013, foreclosure repossession totals, since the 2007 start of the real estate crash, surpassed 200,000 in southeast Florida (Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade), according to Condo Vultures.  From January to March of this year, an analysis based of Clerk of the Court records showed nearly 9200 properties were repossessed, or state courts were used to force foreclosure sales.  That is about 100 properties per calendar day.

In 1Q/2013 foreclosures have decreased 10% on a year-over-year basis – 1Q/2012 had nearly 10,200 repossessions.  Nearly 1250 bank-owned condo and townhouse units are on the resale market as of April 14, 2013 at about $84/ per sq ft.  About 1400 units are now short sales at a median asking price of about $83/per sq ft.  This information comes from the Southeast Florida MLXchange.

 

GOT A COMPLAINT? Read on...

How to handle complains about

BANK ACCOUNT OR SERVICE

CREDIT CARD

CREDIT REPORTING

MONEY TRANSFER

MORTGAGE

STUDENT LOAN

VEHICLE OR CONSUMER LOAN

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/

 

 

UPDATE: Foreclosure Filings Spiked By 34% In South Florida Region In Q1 2013.

Nearly 13,700 foreclosure actions were filed in the tricounty South Florida region of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach in the first quarter of 2013, representing a 34 percent increase in notices of default initiated on a year-over-year basis compared to the same January through March period in 2012, according to a new report from CondoVultures.com.

FORECLOSURE LEGISLATURE UNDER DISCUSSION IN TALLAHASSEE

Lawmakers and consumer advocates are currently seeking to change Florida’s status as one of the few states in the country that is still seeing an increase in foreclosure activity. There are multiple proposals currently floating around in the Florida legislature that have people on all ends of the issue debating.

“Fair Foreclosure Act”

House Bill 87, also known as the “Fair Foreclosure Act,” is currently moving through committees in the House. Supporters of the bill argue that the bill protects borrowers by requiring banks and lenders to prove they own a mortgage before filing any action towards foreclosure. If passed, the bill would also allow third-party lien holders, such as condo or homeowner associations, to push foreclosures through a faster process rather than through the usual court proceeding with the lender. Borrowers would then be allowed 20 days to provide defense against the foreclosure action. After a final judgment in foreclosure is reached, the bill would give banks and lenders one year instead of the present five years to go after borrowers for losses from a foreclosure.

HB 87 has generated the most discussion of all proposed measures. Critics claim that the legislature seems more concerned with processing foreclosures as fast as they can and less concerned about protecting the well-being and rights of homeowners. They also say that 20 days is not enough time for homeowners to seek out attorneys and provide reasonable foreclosure defenses. On the contrary, supporters claim Florida’s judicial-foreclosure process is too drawn out, creating misery among those involved. Supporters say accelerating the process would also be beneficial for the future of Florida’s real estate, as homes in foreclosure limbo are sometimes eyesores that push surrounding property values down.

Senate Bill (SB) 1666

Senate Bill 1666 would allow retired justices or judges to consent to temporary duty to help go through the backlog of foreclosure cases in Florida. The legislation would also allow second publication of the notice of sale of a home to be published on a publicly accessible website of the clerk of court in lieu of being published in any other form of media.  This changes the requirement that a second notice of pending foreclosure occur in a print newspaper advertisement, a move some say is unfair to low income homeowners who could only find out about a potential foreclosure sale through a print newspaper notice.

House Bill (HB) 1777

HB 1777 would establish a homeowner bill of rights, like a similar measure enacted in California early this year, in the event of late mortgage payments. California’s law is meant to protect homeowners from predatory lenders and further regulate lending practices. California has already seen a steady decrease in the amount of foreclosure filings since it went into effect on January 1, CNNMoney reports.

Senate Bills 1236, 1226, 371 and 1228

Four bills, proposed and sponsored by Senator Darren Soto (D-Orlando), seek to remedy homeowners’ distress. SB 1226 and 371 would mandate that lenders can only file a deficiency judgment one year after a final foreclosure judgment, and would only have two years to collect outstanding debt. Presently, collectors are legally allowed to contact borrowers about debts for up to two decades. SB 1236, also known as the “Mortgage Principal Reduction Act,” would require the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to apply for $100 million of the federal government’s Hardest-Hit Program in order to begin a mortgage principal reduction program for Florida residents with properties are in foreclosure. Soto’s final proposed bill, the “Short Sale Debt Relief Act,” would make deficiency judgments unenforceable on a short sale if the original debt was 20 percent or greater than fair market value.

Based on all of the proposals presented, Floridians will likely see changes to the foreclosure process soon.  Everyone who has an opinion on what needs to be done most likely wants to see more improvement in the housing market.

Sarah Parr is a Florida writer who blogs about Florida foreclosure issues.

THE OPERATIVE WORD IS "TRANSPARENCY"

State governments contract for goods and services amounting to tens of billions of dollars, and offer subsidies to encourage economic development, grants and other spending issues.  To insure that the funds are well spent, accountability and public scrutiny are required.

Right now all 50 states provide state spending information on the internet, and for all except CA and VT the info is searchable.  “Transparency 20” refers to meeting the standards.

Take a look at TRANSPARENCY FLORIDA, and see how our state spends its money.  The U.S. Public Interest Research Group gave Florida an A- grade for the Transparency Florida website, and ranked it third in the US for state government transparency.  You may want to subscribe to Florida’s CFO Jeff Atwater’s weekly DOLLARS AND SENSE newsletter to keep apprised of what is happening in our state.

SHADES OF FLASH GORDON...

 

Watch and listen to how drones work....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdpcSpLHu-8

EVER WONDERED HOW THE INTERNET WORKS?

http://www.wimp.com/internetworks/

FINDING AN UNCLAIMED PENSION

You, or someone you know, may be owed a pension. Below are options for searching PBGC's list of pensions that have been earned, but are unclaimed.
PLEASE NOTE: The lists you can search here do not include all people for whom PBGC is holding pensions or information about their pensions. It includes only those people whom PBGC has not yet been able to contact directly.
Search here for unclaimed pensions by the participant's or beneficiary's last name, the name of the company that provided the pension, or the state of the company's location.

Search by Name - either exact match or contains, Company or State.

http://search.pbgc.gov/mp/mp.aspx

 

 

GOOD NEWS FOR SOME, BAD NEWS FOR OTHERS

A SELLERS MARKET
IS STARTING TO DEVELOP
IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA...

good news for sellers, not so good news for buyers
as prices ARE starting to go UP

CATCH SOME HISTORY HERE

FLAGLER MUSEUM’S WHITEHALL LECTURE SERIES – PRESIDENTS OF THE GILDED AGE

Presidents to be discussed include Grant, McKinley, Garfield, Cleveland and Hayes. Here is an opportunity to listen to the lectures, watch the presentations and ask the lecturer questions. Authors of books about these men will be present and a book signing with the author will follow each lecture.

It can also be seen online. For first time users of the Flagler Museum's on-line room, you need to install a small, safe plug-in. When prompted please provide your first name and leave the password field blank. At the welcome page, click on the "Download Here" link. This will open a "File Download" dialogue box. Within that box, click on the "Run" button. Please be sure to configure your firewall to allow the Talking Communities software access to your computer and please disable your screen saver. No charge for online attendance.

Flagler Museum Members at Sustaining and higher levels can attend for free. Individual, Family and Life Members cost $10/each. Non-members costs $28 per lecture of $125 for a Series ticket and includes Museum Admission. More information here. The Museum is located at 1 Whitehall Way in Palm Beach. Call 561-655-2833 for further information.

You just might hear some similarities to our times right now. The more things change the more they remain the same?

EXCITING, INFORMATIVE, INSPIRATIONAL - A MUST WATCH!

Israeli Air Force documentary

Got to watch.

Password to view is iaf

https://vimeo.com/54400569

NEW APPRAISAL RULE FOR HIGH-PRICED MORTAGE LOANS

A new appraisal rule has been issued by The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Effective January 18, 2014, the final rule was issued on new appraisal requirements for Higher-priced mortgage loans (HPML).

A licensed appraiser must provide a written appraisal based n a physical visit to the property, creditors must disclose the purpose of the appraisal and applicants will be given a free copy.

If seller bought the property within six months and the current price exceeds a threshold written into the new rule, the creditor must also pay for a second appraisal.  This is intended to cut down on fraudulent property flipping by ensuring the property value has legitimately increased.  The types of exempt loans include qualified mortgages, temporary bridge and construction loans, loans for new manufactured homes and loans for mobile homes, trailers and houseboats.  Some rural areas and other transactions are exempt.

The complete rule can be downloaded from the Federal Reserve’s website.

 

 

Message from Jeff Atwater, CFO, State of Florida January 2013

After having stumbled in the wake of the recession, the U.S. Census Bureau affirmed that Florida has again become a top destination for Americans. 

Florida also is setting itself apart on a national scale by continuing to excel at education compared with other states and the country as a whole. While many challenges must be overcome, this past year has been a hopeful indication for the future.