So. Florida Real Estate by Phyllis

Question and Answer?

2009-08-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

Hello All:

Please write a question or concern and I or my followers will try to assist with an answer.

Have a wonderful day!!

Garbage Truck

2009-08-25T14:29:00.000-07:00

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.
We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.
My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.
So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.

As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.

Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so .... Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Have a blessed, garbage-free day!

Received via email - original author unknown.

RENT TO OWN INFORMATION

2009-07-22T12:18:00.001-07:00

Rent-to-Own Deals: Smart Questions to Ask...
For Sellers:
Who will tend to the property and pay for routine maintenance?Who pays for major repairs?What are the costs of setting up and managing an escrow account for the portion of rent allotted to the down payment?Will you manage the property yourself, or hire an agent?What if the renters change their minds? Who keeps the money in the escrow account?If the buyers change their minds, what will be required to put the property back on the market?For Buyers:
How much of the rent is going to the down payment?How locked in are you if you change your mind?What will it cost you to get out of the deal?How long will it take to accumulate enough of a down payment that you are likely to qualify for a mortgage?Source: REALTOR® Magazine Online.

FIRST TIME HOME BUYER INFORMATION - ENDS NOVEMBER 30, 2009!

2009-07-22T12:14:00.000-07:00

REMEMBER, YOU MUST BE CLOSED BY NOVEMBER 30, 2009!!!

Bringing the Dream of Homeownership Within Reach
As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed legislation that grants a tax credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers.
Here is more information about how the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit can help prospective home buyers become part of the American dream.
Breaking news: Tax Credit Can Be Used on Closing Costs.
Who Qualifies?
First-time home buyers who purchase homes between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.
To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.
Which Properties Are Eligible?
The 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.
How Much Will the Credit Be?
The maximum allowable credit for home buyers is $8,000. Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by two factors:
The price of the home—the credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to $8,000.
The buyer's income—single buyers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000—may receive the maximum tax credit.
If the Buyer(s)’ Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?
Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit.The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $75,000 and $95,000 for single buyers and between $150,000 and $170,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income—over $95,000 for singles and over $170,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.
Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?
No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during the three-year period, the credit will be recouped on the sale.

CHINESE DRYWALL

2009-07-22T12:10:00.001-07:00

White Paper: Chinese Drywall
Overview. Due to a shortage of U.S. manufactured drywall between 2004 and 2007, many builders were
forced to buy drywall imported from China. The “Chinese drywall” has been linked to seeping sulfide gases that
can corrode electrical wiring and components of air-conditioning and other household appliances. Some
residents have been forced to move from their homes, and a few builders in Florida have begun gutting homes
and replacing the drywall.
The potential scope of the problem is huge. In Florida alone, an estimated 36,000 homes are believed to contain
Chinese-made drywall. It is estimated that between 60,000 and 100,000 homes nationwide may contain this
tainted drywall.
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has received numerous complaints about drywall that has polluted
homes with a “rotten-egg” smell. The agency is currently identifying and assessing potential human health
hazards related to the phenomenon of rapid and recurring corrosion of metals inside homes. Florida Gov.
Charlie Crist has also sent requests to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) asking for help with problems attributed to tainted Chinese drywall. Governor
Crist is specifically asking that the federal agencies help Florida develop chemical testing strategies for homes
that are experiencing severe copper corrosion.
Legislative initiatives. U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) have filed two bills
relating to this issue. S. RES. 91 is an effort to press the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for a
recall of Chinese-made drywall, based in part on findings by a Florida homebuilder and state officials who have
confirmed the presence of sulfide gases in homes built with the drywall. S. 739, the Drywall Safety Act, would
require the CPSC to work with federal testing labs and the EPA to determine the level of hazard posed by
certain chemicals and as yet unidentified organic compounds in the drywall. In addition, the legislation calls on
the commission to issue an interim ban on imports until it can create federal drywall safety standards so
consumers are protected in the future.
Nelson and Landrieu say they’re pressing the CPSC for a recall in the hope of jump-starting a process for
helping affected homeowners with the costs of repairs or replacement. Under their legislation, manufacturers
would be responsible for these costs.
U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) sent a letter to Governor Crist requesting the Governor declare a state of
emergency over the problem. A spokesperson for Governor Crist has stated that he is not clear what practical
effect a state of emergency declaration would have at this time.
Legal considerations. Several federal class action lawsuits have been filed, including claims against
U.S. homebuilder Lennar, Banner Supply Company, Chinese drywall manufacturer Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin
and the foreign company that distributed that company’s drywall within the United States, Rothchilt
International Ltd. Attorneys who filed one of the lawsuits say they estimate homes in 13 states are believed to
have defective Chinese drywall. They anticipate that when the Consumer Products Safety Commission
completes its investigation, this could be potentially one of the largest product liability cases related to home
construction in U.S. history.
The tools you need, the advice you count on. We’re your partner in Florida real estate.
Like any condition that could materially affect the value of a property, the presence of defective Chinese drywall
triggers the need for an affirmative disclosure of its presence. No one expects real estate professionals to
conduct home inspections or recognize signs that a home may contain this material. However, if a homeowner is
aware of the presence of this material, they as well as the real estate professional must disclose it. It is important
to understand that not all Chinese drywall is defective and not all defective drywall is from China. The extent of
the problem is still being researched.
To assist Realtors working with buyers and sellers of property potentially affected by Chinese drywall, the FAR
Law and Policy Department has developed a “Chinese Drywall Addendum for Purchase” contract addendum
and modified the Seller’s Real Property Disclosure. These forms are available in the Forms Basic and
TransactionDesk™ areas of floridarealtors.org. These forms are designed to alert potential buyers of the
possible presence of this material and provide awareness on the availability of inspections or other options to
evaluate any concerns. Real estate professionals working with buyers may choose to provide a copy of the
addendum to buyers during their property search to educate them on this issue. PLEASE NOTE –There is no
requirement under Florida law to use this addendum. It is provided to assist the real estate professional
when working with buyers and sellers.
Resources
Florida Department of Health: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/indoor-air/drywall.html
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist’s letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
http://www.flgov.com/release/10642
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson: http://billnelson.senate.gov/news/details.cfm?id=310757&
This publication is provided as a service to members of the Florida Association of REALTORS® and is intended for educational
use only. Opinions or suggestions in this publication do not necessarily represent the official policies or positions of the Florida
Association of REALTORS®. The Florida Association of REALTORS® does not accept responsibility for any misinterpretation or
misapplication by the reader of the information contained in this article. The publishing of this material does not constitute the
practice of law nor does it attempt to provide legal advice concerning any specific factual situation. FOR ADVICE ON SPECIFIC
LEGAL PROBLEMS CONSULT LEGAL COUNSEL.

PROPERTY TAX

2009-07-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

Most property tax rates going upTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – July 22, 2009 – Most of Florida’s 67 school boards are expected to approve property tax increases under a local option included in the state budget.Wayne Blanton, executive director of the Florida School Boards Association, says the boards aren’t happy about it but have little choice because of their dire financial straits.Blanton says some boards already have passed the increases and others are expected to take votes during the next two weeks.Each district is allowed to raise property taxes by $25 per $100,000 of taxable value for the next two years.Voter approval, though, is required to retain the increase any longer than that.Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press.

Florida Schools, information, etc.

2009-02-13T11:31:00.000-08:00

Hello:

Please view my website:
www.PhyllisAFriedman.com to view general information, school information, property searches, etc.

Check your credit regularly

2009-01-30T08:42:00.000-08:00

To request your free annual report, you must go to http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/ACRRedirect.aspx?WT.svl=acrHome&SiteVersionID=716&SiteID=100219&sc=668091&bcd=MembersPropDet.

Welcome!

2008-12-04T17:09:00.001-08:00

Welcome to my So. Florida Real Estate Blog! How can I assist you?