Tuesday, December 23, 2008

ANOTHER WAY FOR SOME FUNDING FOR LONG TERM CARE TYPE NEEDS

Statistics tell us that on average, 69% of people age 65 today will need some form of long-term care. While 92% of Americans age 65+ listed poor health as the most serious problem facing older adults, only 43% believe that purchasing a form of long-term care coverage is important for their future. If you do not have a long term care policy, or wish to increase benefits, be aware that some annuities offer Enhanced Rider Benefits which are not long term care benefits, but funds from the annuity can be used for in-home care and other needs or can enhance long term care issues already in place. These require no underwriting or invasive medical questions. Balances left, if the annuitant passes away, go to beneficiaries. For more information, call Marilyn Farber Jacobs, Licensed Advisor/Independent Insurance Agent at 561-988-0070

PALM BEACH COUNTY ARTISTS SUBMISSIONS NEEDED



The Palm Beach County Art in Public Places Program asks visual artists who live in the county to submit artwork. Deadline is January 22 at 4 pm. Submissions will be considered for a 4-month Palm Beach International Airport exhibition from February 4th to June 3rd. Theme is “Come Out & Play!” Artists are invited to submit works featuring locals and tourists enjoying a variety of sports and lesure activities offered in the county. For more information email esinger@pbcgov.org or see www.pbcgov.com/fdo/art/calls.htm

Thursday, December 18, 2008

32nd ANNUAL BOCA RATON BOAT PARADE


The boat parade will be held Saturday, December 20th, starting on the Intracoastal Waterway at the Boca/Delray city limits (Canal C-15) and will travel south to the Hillsboro Bridge. There is limited free seating in bleachers at Silver Palm Park and Red Reef Park. Call 561-393-7827 or go to www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us for details. Free entry for boats. Over $10,000 in gifts and monetary awards for Best Decorated Vessels. Don’t miss the fun!

Friday, December 12, 2008

5 OPEN HOUSE TOURS 5 - Sunday 12/14 from 1 to 4 pm.... IF YOU MISSED THE TOUR, MARILYN WILL BE HAPPY TO SHOW YOU ANY OF THESE HOMES!

















































ORDER OF PHOTOS:
B, A, E, 1, C


NEW WEIGHT LOSS TIPS… BOTTOM LINE: I’M NOT GIVING UP CHOCOLATE

The current (January) issue of Reader’s Digest has some newer thoughts on weight gain, including a fat cells discussion about how they got there (genetic or external factors when Mom was pregnant), how they “work,” who might have more of them, and how to work them down (exercise… you’ve heard that one before). Again we read that exercise can change our metabolisms, so maybe we should try that if we don’t do it yet. There is lots of convincing evidence. GET ON THAT TREADMILL more often, go to the health club, or take long walks every day. Stress fattens, they write, because it sparks cravings (we knew that!), so they suggest yoga or quality family time to down tone stress. More sleep could mean more weight loss, meaning seven to eight hours a night. Your spouse’s weight loss could trigger stress, e.g. jealousy, so jump on the bandwagon and lose weight too. An experiment they describe showed that stem cells attacked by a virus can cause weight gain, which calls to mind what Mom used to tell us, “Feed a cold and starve a fever.” Your taste buds can be get a weight gain trigger from an ear infection. Antioxident-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables can keep obesity away. The article reminds us that we CAN be fit AND fat. It’s almost time for New Year’s resolutions, so let’s make some about weight loss, or lack of weight gain right now.

Monday, December 01, 2008

Buyers are Looking and Buying Now


Both local residents looking to upsize or downsize and out-of-towners seeking second homes are looking in the market right now. The common theme is, "Find me a bargain." Home owners who are willing to negotiate and are realistic about fair market prices have the best chance of selling, particularly if the homes are upgraded with newer kitchens and baths. When readying your home for show, DO YOUR OWN STAGING - paint the interior and if needed, the exterior, remembering that curb appeal gives the buyer their first impression. Clear out the clutter - either donate it to charity, give it to Goodwill or get a storage room. Buyers need to visualize how large your quarters are.

It may be wise to use your local Realtor who knows your neighborhood, but another Realtor might have new and different ideas, and if your property is their only listing in your neighborhood they might work harder to get it sold than an agent who has many houses to focus on within a small area. When interviewing an agent, ask for their Marketing Plan and where on the internet they will be featuring your property. More and more agents are using the internet to get their listings shown all over the world, internationally as well as nationally.

When you are looking to purchase a property, check with the listing agent about details. If you have pets, check out pet restrictions. Check out age restrictions - is it an age 55+ community and is that what you want? How far is shopping from the neighborhood? What security does the neighborhood offer? What do your Homeowners Association dues cover? Be sure to read the Community Documents as soon as you get them, focusing on Rules and Regulations.

While an agent's responsibility is to get you the most EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE they can to get that one buyer over to your property, once the house is under contract, the agent may have various obstacles to overcome on the way to the closing. Ask about their title company, home inspector, if they have a contractor to do any needed fix-up, whether they have a good plumber and electrician and any other kinds of services you might need.

If you want your agent to give you feedback, ask for it...but the reality is that when YOUR BUYER comes to look, they will make an offer, and that is the ultimate feedback you want to hear. Sometimes the feedback is helpful in fixing something you did not know was "in the way of a sale," and that is helpful information your agent will pass back to you.

Best wishes to all buyers and sellers in finding a property that you will love. Remember that home values WILL GO UP in the future, and if you have found a property that you love and the bottom line price is more than you want to pay, the value WILL be going up in due time. BUY WHAT YOU LOVE that is within your price range.


MARILYN FARBER JACOBS, Realtor, ePRO - Keller Williams Realty Services
Lic. Mortgage Broker - Iberia Mortgage Corporation, Lic. Correspondent Lenders
Lic. Independent Insurance Agent - Health and Life Insurance, Medicare Supplements, Annuities, Long Term Care, Life and Structured Settlements.
December 1, 2008. Marilyn Farber Jacobs is a Realtor and ePRO specializing in listing and selling properties in gated golfing communities and on the waterfront. SEARCH THE MLS and EXPLORE THE AREA at http://www.MarilynJacobs.com. COMPARE waterfront condos at http://www.FLWaterfrontCondos.com. Marilyn�s territory includes Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth and Lantana in Palm Beach County.

Pictured above: 2006 Palm Beach Farms Estate For Sale, boat dock, 4616 sq ft, beautiful interiors, 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, gourmet kitchen, French Doors, Crown Moldings, Automatic Generator, 3 car garage, solid pour walls, elevator, private Master Bedroom with balcony in established neighborhood with playground. House has boat dock, is on waterfront. $2,500,000.

THIS ARTICLE APPEARS ON SMARTGUY.COM, written by Marilyn Farber Jacobs