THIS FRIDAY STARTS A 12-DAY TAX FREE HOLIDAY ON STORM ITEMS

Save money on batteries, generators, flashlights, fans, portable radios and other storm-related supplies during this period when you won’t be paying sales tax on these items. Florida residents are expected to save about $25-MM in sales taxes during this period.

DOWNTOWN BOCA SPINE

Plans for Crocker Partners to create a downtown Boca Raton pedestrian “spine which will include stores, shops, a hotel, offices and restaurants to create a pedestrian-friendly area with green space to attract walkers, are moving ahead now. The CEO, Tom Crocker says he has the backing of about 50% of downtown property owners for this Sandborn Square development, and is still working towards accord with one of the city’s largest landlords, who owns the Royal Palm Place shopping plaza at the south end of the city, which is planned to connect with Mizner Park. Two city blocks in downtown Boca will be involved. An architectural firm has been hired. The city, under Crocker Partners’ proposal, could authorize creation of a self-taxing community development district, which would be devoted to the spine road and public parking, then requiring no outlay of city money nor the need for bonds. Estimate from the city for the cost of the spine is about $30-MM.

BOCA AIRPORT OFFICIALS WINNING FIGHT AGAINST NOISE

Stage 1 and Stage 2 aircraft, weighing less than 75,000 lbs., are considered the noisiest of the small jets. Currently, an amendment to a bill that would phase out these aircraft has been approved by the US Senate Commerce Committee. Owners and operators of these craft would have a 5-year time frame either to discontinue operations or retrofit the planes with quieter engines. The Boca Airport has some Stage 2 planes based at the airfield, but no Stage 1 planes. Boca Airport is a member of the national organization, “Sound Initiative: A Coalition for Quieter Skies,” formed by airports and supported by local governments and anti-noise proponents. A noise abatement report and a committee to handle noise complaints were created a few years ago as a result of the aircraft noise from the Boca Airport. Next the bill goes to the Finance Committee for consideration, and then a House version will be considered.

ARTICLE IN TODAY'S BOCA NEWS

POLO CLUB RESIDENTS AID BOCA HELPING HANDS

Hundreds of Polo Club Residents emptied cupboards prior to leaving for their homes up north and brought canned goods and dried food products to a central gathering point for the benefit of Boca Helping Hands last month.

..."Polo Club prides itself on community involvement," said Stan Frank, president of the Board of Governors. "We are known for our commitment through the number of Polo Club residents who volunteer in the hospitals, schools, fire stations, the art museums, music performances and other community organizations."

Polo Club, a golf and tennis country club residential enclave opened its gates in 1981. A major overhaul of its clubhouse took place in the early nineties, providing Polo Club members one of the lArgest clubhouses in the area at 90,000 sq ft. It also has another 40,000 sq ft fitness Facilitiy on 2 floors, featuring new equipment and programs such as Pilates, spinning, kiniesology, current aerobics trends, ballroom dancing, personal trainers and a complete spa for men and women.

Its two golf courses were redesigned and rebuilt - one three years ago, the other was just finished.

100 COMPUTERS PURCHASED FOR PUBLIC USE BY NEW BOCA LIBRARY

With construction back on track and completion expected by the end of the year, there will be 65,000 books and 7,000 other media (DVD’s and CD’s). Computers will be purchased and there will be 2 computer labs, one for children and the other for adults. Another new library is planned on a parcel of land just north of the existing downtown facility at 100 NW Second Avenue.

UPDATE: FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

PROPERTY TAX – “where it is” on 5-4-07

The Florida Legislature suspended negotiations on Save Our Homes portability, rollbacks and other property tax reform proposals until next month when lawmakers return to Tallahassee for a 10-day special session from June 12-June 22. Both sides have already agreed on two FAR-supported tax relief measures - $25,000 exemption on personal intangible property for small businesses and some form of Save Our Homes portability (terms not released). Sources say that so far there is agreement on cutting property taxes by about $20-$25-billion over 5 years; no sales tax increase; some form of Save our Homes portability.

To write your legislator send an email to http://floridarealtors.org - see Legislative Center.

Legislators made it easier for certain property owners to get insurance from Citizens which is now Florida’s largest insurer with 1.3 million policyholders. Property owners will be allowed into the Citizens pool if the only insurance they could obtain on the private market was 15% more expensive than what they would pay Citizens. Citizens rates would freeze through 2008. On Jan 1, 2009, Citizens would again be allowed to raise rates.

Homes valued at over $750,000 and located in high-risk zones will be required to install opening protections as of July 1, 2008 if they seek a building permit for work estimated at $50,000 or more. By 1/1/2009, all homes valued at over $750,000 in high-risk zones must be fitted wit opening protections to remain eligible for Citizens coverage. This is to help reduce some of the risk in the event of a devastating storm. Free inspections of 400,000 single-family homes is called for and grants and loan are provided to certain homeowners to make improvements to strengthen their home against storms.

Home inspectors, mold remediators and mold assessors will be required to be licensed by the Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation as of July 1, 2010 IF SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

Landlords are limited to a financial penalty when a tenant breaks a lease of two months of rent for leases of less than a year. Effective at once IF THE GOVERNOR SIGNS IT.

Mortgage brokers and lenders will now have many disclosure and education requirements to help protect consumers during the mortgage loan application process. This bill includes additional enforcement and investigative tools for prosecuting mortgage fraud. The definition of “primary title services” and “related title services” will be amended and a civil court case codified that permits a portion of a title insurance premium to be rebated IF SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

SPEEDING FINES INCREASED IN “Enhanced Penalty Zones”

The Florida DOT has designated 3 parts of highway as enhanced penalty zones. One is a 6-mile stretch on I-95. Signs are now up and the fines will be an additional $50, starting May 1^st. Lawmakers wanted to create a pilot program through FDOT for enhanced penalty zones on state roads in areas with higher than average crash rates related to speeding. Fifty percent of the additional $50 fine will be allocated to the Health Care Administration to provide an enhanced Medicaid payment to nursing homes for brain and spinal cord injury among Medicaid patients. The other 50 percent of the fine will be given for financial support to certified trauma centers in the counties where enhanced penalty zones are established.

RECORD PROFITS IN 2006 FOR NATION’S PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURERS

Industry net income rose to $63.7-BB in 2006 from $44.2-BB in 2005, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Assn. Most of the improvement, they said, was because of fewer catastrophic storms in 2006 than in 2005. Profits were also boosted by stronger underwriting gains, which are premiums minus losses and admin expenses. While a highly active hurricane season was predicted for 2006, it gave insurers much-needed time to recover from the six 2005 catastrophic hurricanes. Chief Economist, of the PCIAA, Genio Staranczak, said that insurers need to worry about future storms. Increased property values, growing population and a threat of more frequent and severe storms in high risk areas of the US create a financial problem the nation must deal with. Colorado State U experts predict that the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season will be very active with 9 hurricanes.

LOTS DOING IN “TALLAHASSEE”

1000+ realtors are in Tallahassee for the FAR (FL Association of Realtors) convention, and meeting with local senators and representatives on property tax reform, affordable housing, property insurance and other housing issues.

On tap:
…Senate is expected to release its property tax reform package shortly
…Senate Banking Committee and Insurance Committee Chairman rolled out property tax insurance reform bills (each of which have been approved during the proceedings)
…Another bill deals with hurricane mitigation
…Gov. Charlie Christ is supporting bill SB-2498 to allow homeowners to opt for coverage from the state-run insurer if they have an offer from a private insurer that’s 15% higher than the premium charged by Citizens. Homeowners would be allowed to stay with Citizens regardless of the rate offered by a private market insurance company & the bill will require the Office of Insurance Regulation to take into consideration the profits of parent companies when approving insurance rates
… The Senate Regulated Industries committee unanimously passed SB 2234 to provide licensure and regulation of home inspectors, mold assessors and remediators, but exempt from law: engineers, architects, building code administrators, real estate appraisers and fire safety inspectors. Licensure would be required for completion of a 120-hour course of study, and require 14 hours of continuing ed every 2 years.
…Gov. Christ signed legislation that could double the additional homestead exemption available to low-income seniors. HB333 implements a constitutional amendment approved by voters that increases the local option for the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 for individuals age 65 and older whose income does not exceed $23,414 in 2007.

REALTY TIMES SAYS SPRING HOUSING RESALES WERE STRONG IN MARCH IN SOME AREAS

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey for the week ending 4-5-07 showed the 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 6.17%, up slightly from the previous week average of 6.16%.

Last year the 30-year FRM averaged 6.43%.

GRADING SYSTEM COMING FOR EACH HOME’S ABILITY TO WITHSTAND SEVERE WIND DAMAGE FROM STORMS

During January’s special session to address the property insurance crisis in Florida, Senate Bill1980 and House Bill 1-A contained a rating system to score homes on a scale of 1 to 100 for their ability to withstand severe wind damage from storms. The Florida Insurance Commissioner said that “the adoption of a uniform scoring system for home safety is long overdue.” This plan is yet to be approved by lawmakers.

FIVE MAJOR HURRICANES FORECASTED FOR 2007

Forecasters from the Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University say that with El Nino weakening, the 2007 hurricane season will be very active... and will include 17 named storms for the season between June 1 and November 30. Included, they predict, will be 9 hurricanes, 5 of which are expected to be major with sustained surface winds of at least 111 mph. However, the season, they say, will not be as active as 2004 and 2005 when hurricanes caused billions of dollars worth of damage in Florida, and days or weeks without power for millions of residents. They predict there is a 50% chance of at least one major hurricane hitting land along the east coast, including the Florida peninsula.

El Nino occurs when weak easterly trade winds allow warmer waters of the western Pacific to migrate east. The accompanying vertical wind shear stunts the formation of hurricanes. In the end of May this team will update their predictions.

Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Event

3/28/2007 - 4/1/2007
South Florida Fairgrounds
9067 Southern Boulevard; West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Event Sponsor: Ford Motor Company

The Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Palm Beach , Fla. will take place over five days filled with spectacular cars, celebrities, special events and displays that offer something for everyone. The auction will feature more than 600 of the world's finest examples of collector and special interest automobiles being auctioned off at No Reserve, as well as daily automobilia auctions offering an exquisite array of the finest, one-of-a-kind automotive collectibles. With over 100 lifestyle vendors and celebrity-sightings galore, it's not to be missed! The event also includes auction coverage on SPEED and approximately 100 exhibitors.

8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
3/28/07 Wednesday Gala Ticket $75.00 - The Gala benefits The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and The Darrell Gwynn Foundation. Invited guests and gala ticket holders only. Tickets at barrett-jackson.com. ; 3/29 and 3/30/07 Good Thursday and Friday only $12.00 $8.50 $5.50; 3/31/07 Good Saturday only $17.50 $15.00 $7.50; 4/1/07 Good Sunday only $12.00 $8.50 $5.50; 3/29 - 4/1/07 4 day pass $45.00 $35.00
http://www.barrett-jackson.com

480-421-6694

NAR OPTIMISTIC ABOUT 2007 HOUSING RECOVERY DESPITE SUBPRIME WOES

David Lereah, the National Association of Realtors’ chief economist, said, “Underlying trends point to a housing recovery in 2007, but it will take a couple of months for us to get a better handle on it. Existing-home sales are expected to slowly improve from what appears to be the cyclical low last fall.” Lereah believes that while subprime loan problems could inhibit future housing activity, they are likely to be contained and not spill over into the prime mortgage market. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that consumer spending slacked off, and this may be responsible for a stop market drop of over 200 points. In 4Q 2006, late mortgage payments met a 3 ½ year high or 4.95% of outstanding mortgage loans. Delinquency rates for subprime borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages was 14.44%, the highest rate in 4 years. The bad news drove up bond prices, lowering yields, to which long-term lending is tied. In other words, mortgage interests could lower further still, providing incentive for homebuyers to buy and ARM holders to refinance.

Freddie Mac is concerned about overstock of unsold homes, warning that the number of unsold new homes may be higher than reflected as sales and inventory figures are not revised to reflect cancelled contracts. Vacant existing homes for sale are another source of unrecorded inventories with condos the most affected sector. The sub-prime mortgage market remains of great concern as well and banks are tightening standards on mortgage loans, but there is no crunch in the prime mortgage market with rates remaining low.

NEW CHANGES COMING TO PROPERTY TAXES AND HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE

State House leaders fast-track bill to reduce property taxes. In early March the House Efficiency & Accountability Council passed a controversial bill to sharply roll back local taxes, saving homeowners statewide as much as $5.8 billion. This is step #1 in a 2-phase plan – the 2^nd is a constitutional amendment to do away with all taxes on homesteaded property and replace this with a 2 ½% increase in the statewide sales tax.

The Florida legislature passed a bill that could lower premiums between 5% and 40% and provide other insurance relief to millions of property owners. Some of the new provisions might include that property owners may be able to exclude windstorm and contents coverage. The state may remove the new requirement that Citizens Property Insurance Corporation charge the highest premiums in the state. The Citizen’s Jan 1, 2007 rate increase might be frozen at the Dec. 31, 2006 level. They may eliminate the cap on deductibles so a homeowner can choose a deductible other than the standard 2%, 5% OR 10% in current law. All non-homestead properties would be eligible for Citizens coverage effective March 1, 2007. Insurance companies may be required to give at least 100 days written notice of non-renewal, cancellation or termination of a homeowners policy. Payment of claims might be expedited following a storm, e.g., within 90 days.

To read the entire bill go to http://snipurl.com/185co.

1st Annual "MEET ME" ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL

March 3 & 4, 2007 - Royal Palm Place, Boca Raton FL

This show will feature over 75 artists and crafters from all over the US, showcasing a variety of fine arts, sculpture, painting, mixed media and unique crafts. 10 am - 5 pm. Admission is Free.

http://www.royalpalmplace.com

A WONDERFUL IDEA FOR LUNCH!

A Gilded Age Tea
1/1/2007 - 4/7/2007 - Flagler Museum, One Whitehall Way, Palm Beach, FL 33480.

The Pavilion Cafe will present a traditional Gilded Age style lunch featuring an array of delicacies and refreshments reminiscent of the elegance of entertaining during the Gilded Age.

Tuesday - Saturday: 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.$18 for museum members; $33 for non-members (includes museum admission).

http://www.flaglermuseum.us/

SUNFEST- West Palm Beach, May 3-6.

Mark your calendars now!

WHERE THE MUSIC HITS THE WATERFRONT… COME ON ALONG AND HAVE FUN!

SunFest is Florida’s largest music, art and waterfront festival. Held annually in downtown West Palm Beach the first week of May, SunFest attracts more than 275,000 visitors. Concerts, events, and featured art to be juried in mediums in cluding drawing, jewelry, painting, pottery & ceramics, photography, sculpture, wood, arts, crafts and more.

Go to http://www.sunfest.com/ for more information.

Want to sell your home? Looking to buy in southeast Florida?

TALK TO Multi-Million Dollar Producer MARILYN FARBER JACOBS, Realtor, e-PRO - Lang Realty. Phone: 561-988-0070 Fax: 888-811-8803. Marilyn lists and sells Homes, Condos and Townhouses in Boca Raton and knows the area very well.

MARILYN SELLS HOMES THAT DIDN'T SELL.

Explore the area, Search FL MLS at http://www.marilynjacobs.com/ & Compare Waterfront Condos at http://www.flwaterfrontcondos.com/. If you know someone who is interested in a reverse mortgage, see http://www.ReverseMortgages4Seniors.vpweb.com.

Please add your comments and send your questions! Happy to answer them and to explore the area with you to find you THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS. If you are interested in listing your home for sale, ask for Marilyn's Marketing Plan! See how Marilyn brings THE MOST BUYERS to your listing!

FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS AT MIZNER PARK

Key events at the Festival include violinist Itzhak Perlman (March 10), concerts by the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia with Flutist James Galway (March 6) and jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval (March 11). Lectures will be given by Edward Albee and Anna Quindlen. For more information and reservations, go to http://www.festivaloftheartsboc.org/, or call 866-571-2787.

HOMES AND CONDOS SALES NUMBERS DOWN

2% less home sales and 23% less condo sales in the West Palm Beach/Boca area for 1Q 07 vs. 1Q06, 8% lower priced single family existing homes sales and 29% lower priced sales of condos. Source for this information is FAR (Florida Association of Realtors) and University of Florida Real Estate Research Center based on MLS survey of sales levels from Florida's Realtor boards/associations.

CLEVELAND CLINIC TO OPEN WEST PALM BEACH OFFICE

The Ohio-based clinic, one of the nation’s top hospitals and an international leader in clinical research and medical education will open the Cleveland Clinic Health & Wellness Center in early February at a temporary location in the Northbridge Center, 515 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, and will expand to a permanent location in early 2008.

The Center will initially be staffed by one to two internal medicine physicians and other specialists and will rotate the specialists as need demands. Specialists could include neurologists who are in short supply in Palm Beach County. Consultants and evalutions will be provided and transfer to the Clinic’s Weston medial campus, a 150-bed hospital, outpatient clinic and providing educational facilities. About 120 physicians with 35 specialties will be available for Palm Beachers from this Weston campus. Patient demand will drive which specialties are chosen for Palm Beach.

The Cleveland Clinic is the only institution in Borward County that offers post-graduate medical education in internal medicine, cardiology, colorectal surgery and others. Some of these specialists may do rotations at the West Palm Beach Center.
A $70-MM donation from Sydell Miller of Palm Beach and Cleveland, who credits the Cleveland Clinic with saving her life by diagnosis and surgery in 1992, has been a major spark plug in getting the Cleveland Clinic to the Palm Beaches.

EVENING ON ANTIQUE ROW

Mark your calendars now to attend the 12th Annual Evening on South Dixie Antique Row in West Palm Beach, a Benefit for the Historical Society of Palm Beach County: Satruday, March 3rd, 5:30 – 9:30 pm.

Promenade down the finest antiques street in Florida enjoying food, wine and music. Held between the 3300 and 3900 blocks of South Dixie Highway between Southern and Greenwood.
Advance tickets are $30 each ;r $55 for 2 – or pay $35 each at the door. See www.historicalsocietypbc.org.

FYI for the HARD OF HEARING

CAPTIONED PHONE SERVICE COMING ON COMPUTER, PDA OR OTHER WIRELESS DEVICE FOR HEARING IMPAIRED

FCC approves Internet Protocol captioned telephone service for reimbursement from the telecommunications relay fund. Now captioned telephone will be brought into the broadband world. This will enable Americans with hearing loss who have up to now been served by relay services to have full communications access.

A computer, PDA or wireless device will be used to make a call without having to purchase special telephone equipment and will be particularly helpful in the workplace. In addition, people with low vision will be accommodated because they can take advantage of the large text, variable fonts and colors available.

A consumer can make a voice-to-voice phone call and then both listen to the other party, to the extent that they can hear what is said, and read on a screen what they have said, giving clarity. The Commission said that it expects that, as with captioned telephone service, the service will be provided in a way that is automated and invisible to both parties to the call, and will be fast enough to keep up with the speed of the other party’s speech.
The Commission conditioned its approval of the October 2005 petition from the Hearing Loss Association of America, which was widely supported by more than 30 organizations in the disability community. All providers must be licensed at reasonable rates. IP CTS calls will be compensated, on an interim basis, at the IP Relay compensation rate. Providers seeking to offer this service and be compensated from the Fund may seek certification from the Commission as an eligible provider. This is an interim measure and the Commission intends to revisit the cost recovery methodology for this service in the future, including jurisdictional separation of costs.

Florida Leads the way in Luxury Golf Course Real Estate

UNIQUE HOMES: Stateside, Florida Leads the Way in luxury golf course real estate with 545 golf-course communities. Since 2001, 1764 new golf holes have been added, which would equal 98 new 18-hole golf courses. In 2006, 153 new holes appeared through August.

PORTABILITY PETITION (re property taxes)

TO SIGN and WHERE TO MAIL PORTABILITY PETITION (re property taxes) go to:

http://www.co.palm-beach.fl..us/papa/

and click on link to portability petition - get address to mail petition to, print it out and sign and mail it.

"The Florida Legislature could add the issue of Portability to its January special session agenda and adopt our ballot language," said Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits, a member of the Board that sponsors the petition drive. "That would save us the work of gathering the nearly 750,000 signatures needed to place the issue on the ballot," he added.

MARILYN FARBER JACOBS

7th ANNUAL DOWNTOWN DELRAY BEACH ART FESTIVAL

Free Admission + Free Parking and a chance to walk off holiday calories will draw you to the Juried Outdoor Art Festival being held on Saturday, November 25th and Sunday, November 26th, 10 am – 5 pm. The work of artists from around the US will be featured and will include paintings, jewelry, photography, glass, sculpture, ceramics and more. The Festival being held in downtown Delray Beach will be in Pineapple Grove. Prices will range from $15 to $20,000. You have an opportunity to talk to the artists whose work you admire and may wish to purchase. For more information call 954-472-3755.

STATE OF FLORIDA MANDATES HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN MUST CHOOSE A MAJOR

HIGH SCHOOL WAS DIFFERENT IN OUR DAY… A new state law mandates that incoming high school freshmen must choose a major. Palm Beach County School Board members recently approved the Florida Department of Education’s high school major areas of interest, including: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources; Architecture & Construction; Arts; A/V Technology and Communicaions; Business Management and Administration; Education & Training; Finance; Government & Public Administration; Health Science; Hospitality & Tourism; Human Services; information Technology; Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security; Manufacturing; Marketing; Sales & Service; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics; and Transportation, Distribution and Logistics. Students must take for of 8 credits in their field of interest in addition to 16 core curriculum credits, to graduate. Majors can be changed during the registration process.

SPANISH RIVER ROAD LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION MAY RESUME IN JANUARY

City Manager Leif Ahnell said at a meeting last week that the city would hire a new contractor, following the firing some months back of the then current contractor over a dispute about cost and timing. Work should begin on the site by January 15th, aiming to open the library in September 2007. However, the former contractor, South Florida Construction Services In. of Hallandale says a negotiation was in process that would allow the firm to continue, with a settlement. SFCS contends that they worked for 5 months and received no payment. So far there has been one mediation session, and another is schedule. SFCS has been in business 18 years and constructed 240 projects according to their CFO, Jerry Gillman.

The 2004 and 2005 hurricanes delayed construction and the cost of building materials skyrocketed. SFCS had, according to Ahnell, failed to lock in pricing of materials before the hurricanes and the prices to the City went up. SFCS blames the city for delays in purchasing materials.

A 2003 bond issue funded the new downtown library on Spanish River Road, which is partially built now.

COUNTY OFFERS FREE AMPLIFIED PHONES FOR PEOPLE WITH HEARING LOSS

All Palm Beach County residents who are deaf or hard-of-hearing are offered specialized telephone equipment, at no charge, provided by the Deaf Service Center in West Palm Beach and Florida Telecommunications Relay.

According to the Deaf Center, there are more than 170,000 residents who are entitled to use this equipment and the proper training to use it. Requirements are proof of Florida residency and hearing loss.

For those with a moderate hearing loss, telephones with volume and tone control are provided, easily operated by both the hard-of-hearing individual and anyone else living in the same household. For those with a severe to profound hearing loss, and who also have intelligible speech the Center can provide a CapTel telephone which uses relay operator assistance to communicate messages. The relay operation captions everything said and it appears on the phone display screen. The telephone also has amplification, so the hard-of-hearing person can both listen to the conversation and read the captions.

A text telephone (“TTY”) is offered to deaf clients. The message is either directly typed to another TTY user, or to a person using a standard telephone through a third party relay service.

Proper training and instructions on how to operate the phones are provided. Those eligible can call for an appointment at the Delray Beach office at 561-278-6444.