PETS IN CONDOS - Fair Housing Act covers emotional support animal

FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS: AVENTURA, Fla. – Sept. 28, 2012 – The Fair Housing Act does more than protect homeowners or renters who use a support-services animal – it also protects residents who need an animal for emotional support.   While the definition of an emotional support animal goes beyond “I love him,” the Fair Housing Act covers residents or potential residents who rely on an emotional support animal.

The issue raises questions from landlords and homeowner associations. An existing rule on pets, for example – such as an additional pet deposit – doesn’t apply to support animals under The Fair Housing Act.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced yesterday they reached a Conciliation Agreement with Point Three East Condominium Association in Aventura, Fla., over the issue. The condo association allegedly refused to allow a resident to keep an emotional support animal, even though the resident provided medical documentation attesting to her need for the accommodation. HUD also found that some of the board members who denied the resident’s request had, or previously had, animals in their units.

Under the agreement, Point East Three Condominium Association will allow the resident to keep her emotional support animal and pay her $18,000. In addition, the condominium association will enact a reasonable accommodation policy and obtain fair housing training for all its board members.

“Condo associations are not exempt from adherence to the Fair Housing Act,” said Carlos Osegueda, HUD’s Region IV director for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “Their policies and practices cannot discriminate against persons with disabilities, and HUD will continue to take action anytime we find that they do.”

For more information on emotional support animals protected by The Fair Housing Act, visit the American Bar Association website.

People who believe they are victims of housing discrimination can contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or 1 (800) 927-9275 (TTY).

US 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

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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.

Hatchling Release Tickets On Sale 
Soon!

As we move towards the end of the 
peak of sea turtle nesting, our sea 
turtle nests begin to hatch. The 
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is one 
of only three facilities in Florida to 
conduct the extremely popular 
Hatchling Release Program. 


Hatchling sea turtles are removed 
each morning from nests excavated 
by our Marine Turtle Specialists and 
are ready to be released into the 
ocean in the evening. Participants 
watch as our staff places baby sea 
turtles on the sand several feet from 
the water's edge, and allows them to 
scurry into the ocean on their own. 


This program is offered for all ages 
and runs from late July through mid-
September. Tickets must be purchased 
in person and in advance for a specific 
evening, and they sell out quickly!  Click 
here for information (dates, costs, ticket 
limits, etc.) regarding the 
2012 Hatchling Release Program.

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.