Debra's Blog

The FLorida Tax and Budget Commission Passed CP 002

EWM — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:02:49 -0500

FAR is happy to report that your messages to the Florida Tax and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC) were heard. In just over 30 hours Realtors from around the state sent over 50,000 messages to the Commission!

Today, the TBRC formally adopted CP 002, which if passed by voters in November will eliminate the state’s required local effort for schools portion of property taxes in 2010. The proposed constitutional amendment also places a 5% assessment cap on non-homestead property — beginning next year. It allows the Legislature to make up the $9 billion to schools in a number of ways, including raising the sales tax by up to 1 cent. Past-President Nancy Riley, who is a member of the TBRC, voted in favor of the proposal.

This is a big victory for Realtors, property owners struggling under crushing tax bills, and businesses who will see their tax bills limited by a lower, permanent assessment cap. Most importantly, Commissioners heard your voice and agreed with it — sending CP 002 and other important proposals to the November ballot is the right thing to do.

Thank you for being a part of the solution to this property tax problem. Please look for other possible Calls-to-Action over the next week. Stay tuned to the FAR website for more updates. And again, thank you.

Tax Cuts for November Ballot May Be In

EWM — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:30:14 -0500

Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25, the Tax and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC) will be meeting to decide whether significant property tax relief will appear on the ballot in November. Because of political fighting, diverse opinions, and disagreement, members are struggling to reach the 17 votes necessary. This is very unfortunate, since the TBRC only meets every 20 years.

Please contact the members of the Tax and Budget Reform Commission and urge that, AT A MINIMUM, meaningful property tax reforms be placed on the November ballot. After all of the commission's time and energy, and the hours of testimony from the public, Florida Realtors demand action! These reforms could include some or all of the following:

•1. Raising the sales tax by a penny to REPLACE a portion of the property tax - a $4 billion savings to ALL property owners;

•2. A 5% assessment cap on non-homestead property similar to "Save Our Homes;"

•3. A super-homestead exemption that would offer significant savings for both current and new homeowners which would help protect "portability" from a legal challenge;

•4. A reasonable revenue cap that keeps local governments from playing a "shell game" by raising fees and other taxes in place of savings gained from Amendment 1;

•5. Removal of the required local effort (RLE) - the school board portion of property taxes.

FAR believes that approval of most or all of these items will help stimulate Florida's slumping economy and further energize our real estate market. Please contact the Tax and Budget Reform Commission today.

click here to contact the Tax and Budget Commission

How Does the Proposed Tax Reform Help Commercial Properties?

EWM — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 10:22:43 -0500

Florida Proposed Property Tax Changes

Your probably wondering with all the talk and media campaigns on the proposed tax reform, how or does it contain anything that will help commercial properties? I hope your sitting down when you read this because it is shocker. The legislature is actually proposing something that will help commercial properties.Granted they are not sweeping changes, but every little bit helps.

On January 29^th, voters will have the opportunity to vote for property tax reform - otherwise known as the "super homestead exemption" - but does the proposal benefit commercial properties?

"Benefits for Commercial Properties"

The most important benefit commercial owners will get is from the "growth in per capita Florida personal income" cap. This means that for the first time in Florida's history, property taxes for all properties cannot be increased by more than the annual increase of Florida's personal income, which has been 4% traditionally. At last, commercial property owners will know the maximum increase for future property taxes and commercial Realtors® will be able to provide more accurate income and expense analysis and projections to their clients.

Should you vote "YES" in January? - If you have an interest in commercial properties you should vote "yes" for the constitutional amendment because incorporated into the "super homestead exemption" are the following benefits for commercial properties:

It would begin to "unwind" the disparity between residential homestead and commercial properties, created by "Save our Homes".

It includes a personal property tax exemption up to $25,000 on business equipment, including shelving, computers, fax machines, etc., which is a huge savings for small business owners. Florida Association of Realtors® website states, "Sources estimate that 1 million of Florida's 1.3 million businesses will be completely exempt from this local tax. While the annual dollar savings average $500 per year for each business, the exemption also eliminates the annual filing requirement for those exempt."

It also grants authority to the legislature to reduce the taxable value of working waterfront property and affordable housing properties by allowing assessments based on a classified use. By grouping these properties into a different class structure, it could save owners thousands of dollars.

CORFAC International is seeking a Director of Professional Developemnt

EWM — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:47:16 -0500

CORFAC International is looking for a Driector of Professional Development and asked me to pass this along. The requirements are listed below. If you are interested please contact Tom Bennett Tel 954-923-6160, Fax 954-925-7170, tmailto:tom@corfac.com, http://www.corfac.com/

CORFAC INTERNATIONAL

CORFAC International - Corporate Facility Advisors, Inc. - founded in 1989 and located in Hollywood, Florida, is a not-for-profit alliance of commercial real estate brokerage firms with offices in 77 markets in the Americas seeking an experienced Director of Professional Development to manage its professional development activities.

DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Job Description

Job Summary: Under general direction, the Director of Professional Development creates and implements professional development programs and services; maintains quality; markets programs and services; manages budgets; supervises resource persons; and develops external partnerships. Competitive salary and benefits, including health insurance and 401K program.

Characteristic Job Tasks And Responsibilities

Develops and directs professional development programs with emphasis on conference sessions, technology-based training and firm-based programs; performs needs assessment and feasibility studies, program and curriculum development, and market research and analysis; determines resources, and budgeting.
Oversees program administration, markets programs internally and externally; develops program literature and print and online materials design.
Manages program budgets and attains financial goals; develops expense budgets and revenue projections.
Establishes and maintains program quality; ensures curriculum review, selection of qualified resource persons, and facility set-up with current technology; monitors program and resource person evaluation, participant surveys, and exit interviews.
Develops and oversees external partnerships; negotiates contract arrangements; maintains strong relations with allied industry entities.
Oversees participant services; staffs relevant committees, and as liaison with internal and external groups; prepares special reports; performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelors degree, or equivalent association/education experience, including three (3) years work-related experience.
Knowledge of professional development and continuing education.
Knowledge of curriculum development and resource person selection.
Knowledge of various education delivery platforms, including webinars, online learning, and classroom.
Knowledge of computer technology, industry trends, and training/education needs.
Interpersonal, human relations, and negotiation skills, with the ability to work with volunteers tactfully and efficiently.
Verbal and written communication skills.
Accounting and budgetary skills.
Marketing research and promotion knowledge and skills.
Project management skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Detailed-oriented and a self-starter with the ability to organize and exercise judgment in prioritizing responsibilities.

Please send resume and letter of interest with salary requirements via email, fax, or postal mail to:

Tom Bennett

Executive Director

CORFAC International

Corporate Facility Advisors, Inc.

Suite 101

1930 Harrison Street

Hollywood, FL 33020

Tel 954-923-6160

Fax 954-925-7170

tmailto:tom@corfac.com

http://www.corfac.com/

THE FIU LIBRARY HAS FREE REPORTS FOR YOUR ACCESS

EWM — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:40:52 -0500

Florida International University's library has an on-line resoruce page that links to hundreds of internet-accessible reports on South FLorida from Monroe County to Palm Beach County. Links include many areas of interest, demographics, education, transportation and more.

http://www.fiu.edu/~bbcref/local-area-studies/index.htm

Bloggers Connect SF 2007

EWM — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:22:14 -0500

Bloggers Connect SF 2007
Tuesday, July 31 - Wednesday, August 1

Real estate bloggers from around the world will gather in San Francisco for a two-day real estate blogging networking event. Enjoy face time with your colleagues in the real estate blogosphere including ample party and networking time along with sessions that will help you gather insights into best practices and the biggest rewards of real estate blogging. FOr more information: http://www.realestateconnect.com/sf07/bloggersconnect.aspx

Citizen's plans to move into the commercial insurance market

EWM — Tue, 15 May 2007 07:31:49 -0500

Citizens will start to write commercial policies on September 1. Citizens will provide coverage up to $2.5 million on properties with values up to $20 million in Florida. Also, starting June 1,Citizen's will also begin to write windstorm only policies for commercial properties. Citizens will offer up to $1 million on buildings whose owners have commercial holdings of $20 million or less in Florida. They will also provide policies on more that one property. For more information click on the link http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/othercities/tampabay/stories/2007/05/07/story17.html?b=1178510400%5E1456938

Commercial Activity Strong in The State

EWM — Wed, 02 May 2007 15:57:17 -0500

Commercial activity strong in state

ORLANDO, Fla. - May 2, 2007 - The 2006 price tag for commercial activity in Florida: $18 billion, or 6 percent of the nation's transaction volume, according to a 15-page state research study commissioned by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) and conducted by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). The number includes commercial properties valued at $5.0 million or more in the office, industrial, retail and multi-family sectors. The study tracks commercial activity by market, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach.

The study found that transaction volume increased over time due to investor interest and higher prices. Since 2004, demand for commercial real estate in Florida increased steadily, with modest dips in activity in 2006.

The office sector

The demand for office space in Florida improved significantly starting in 2004. Increased demand coupled with a slowdown in construction resulted in falling office vacancy rates from midway through the decade. In 2002-2003, vacancy rates in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando approached 20 percent, but are now below the national average. An upswing in new supply will cause vacancy rates to rise later in 2007.

The industrial market

Trade with Central America, as well as goods coming into the country from China via the Panama Canal, fueled demand for warehouse and distribution space in Florida, with that demand increasing from both tenants and end users. By the end of 2007, industrial vacancy rates will begin to edge upwards as new build-to-suit facilities leave obsolete buildings vacant.

The multifamily market

Florida is the only state market still experiencing an appreciable amount of condo conversion activity. Nationwide, $30 billion of 2005's $88 billion in multifamily transactions resulted from condo conversions. However, transactions dropped to $9 billion in 2006. Investors now look for income appreciation and improving fundamentals.

The vacancy rate for multi-family housing will remain in the 5.5 percent to 5.9 percent range for most of 2007, according to NAR's forecast. For much of 2005 and early 2006, the vacancy rate was at least 1.0 percent lower - but NAR attributes the change to condo conversion projects that reverted back to active rental leasing when the home sales market slowed down, putting additional units on the market.

The retail market

In Florida, the retail sector continues to perform better than in the nation as a whole. For example, the retail vacancy rate in Miami at year-end is projected to be just one-third of the nationwide vacancy rate. Nationwide, the retail sector has been hurting more than other commercial sectors.

Telephone Fraud Involving Jury Duty

EWM — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 15:25:11 -0500

Press Release

For Immediate Release
September 28, 2005

Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691

TELEPHONE FRAUD INVOLVING JURY DUTY
Washington, D.C. - The FBI today is providing a warning to the public against an ongoing scheme involving jury service. The public needs to be aware that individuals identifying themselves as U.S. court employees have been telephonically contacting citizens and advising them that they have been selected for jury duty. These individuals ask to verify names and Social Security numbers, then ask for credit card numbers. If the request is refused, citizens are then threatened with fines.
The judicial system does not contact people telephonically and ask for personal information such as your Social Security number, date of birth or credit card numbers. If you receive one of these phone calls, do not provide any personal or confidential information to these individuals. This is an attempt to steal or to use your identity by obtaining your name, Social Security number and potentially to apply for credit or credit cards or other loans in your name. It is an attempt to defraud you.
If you have already been contacted and have already given out your personal information, please monitor your account statements and credit reports, and contact your local FBI office. Local FBI field office telephone numbers can be found in the front of your local telephone directory or on http://www.fbi.gov/. For further information, please review the warnings posted on the U.S. Courts website at http://www.uscourts.gov/, "Newsroom" news article "WARNING: Bogus Phone Calls on Jury Service May lead to Fraud," August 19, 2005.

West Palm Beach DDA Plans Project Update

EWM — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:51:18 -0500

West Palm Beach DDA plans project update

The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) said it will host a downtown community summit on May 8 to update residents, business owners and other downtown stakeholders on the status of certain projects in planning or under construction.

The meeting is to be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Cuillo Centre for the Arts.

Roy Assad, DDA chair and owner of two downtown businesses, is to welcome city speakers: Mayor Lois Frankel; Dorritt Miller, deputy administrator; Joan Goldberg, cultural affairs adviser; and Charles Wu, planning director.

Frankel is to provide an overview on the state of the city, while other speakers are to address specific downtown projects and their timelines for completion.

Goldberg is to discuss a waterfront project, while Miller is to provide updates on City Center and Wu is to give a status report on additional projects, including the convention center hotel and transit-oriented development.

The Cuillo Centre for the Arts is at 201 Clematis St. Guests must RSVP by May 1.

For more information or to RSVP, call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.

Visit NAR's Commercial Blog

EWM — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:15:09 -0500

Visit NAR's Commercial Blog - Real estate professionals specializing in commercial and investment properties can find the latest information on research studies, websites, books, news, tips, and other resources at the NAR library's commercial news blog. To stay up-to-date on new resources for commercial practitioners, visit the blog frequently or subscribe to the blog and have new entries sent to you via RSS feed.

http://narblog1.realtors.org/mvtype/commercial