How Windstorm Inspections Can Benefit Your Client - 12/20/07 12:13 PM
Recently, legislation was passed requiring insurance companies writing homeowner policies in Florida to offer rate reductions, credits or other discounts toward the windstorm premium for certain construction features that lend in minimizing damage due to windstorm activity.  The theory behind these rate reductions is; a homeowner should not be required to pay an elevated premium when the construction methods and/or components used in building the home minimizes potential risk and/or loss.
Some of the construction features include; hip style roof, CBS exterior wall construction, certain roof decking materials, truss straps, newer applied roofing materials, FBC compliant garage doors, impact windows and other … (0 comments)

On A Tax Note: Consider The Tax Consequences Of Big Changes - 12/18/07 03:35 PM
A major change in your circumstances has financial consequences.  Here are some of the factors to consider when you have...
MOVED
If your capital gains on your home sale exceed $500,000 (married) or $250,000 (single), you can increase your basis by adding sums spent on home improvements, such as room additions and kitchen renovations (but not routine repairs) - as long as you keep receipts.
CHANGED JOBS
Are you a new agent who previously worked at a company with a retirement plan?  An IRA rollover might give you more disirable control over your investments rather than leaving your retirement fund with your previous employer.  Also, … (1 comments)

Fidelity Opens Real Estate University - 12/18/07 02:52 PM
JACKSONVILLE, FL - Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions has launched an online real estate university for brokers and agents who want to sharpen their sales techniques, learn more about technology, and how to keep themselves safe on the job.
The school was developed in partnership with Instructiional Technology Services, a Michigan corporation that provides customized online training for associations and corporations, as well as students in grades K-12 and college.
The subscription based school provides access to a library of leaning modules grouped under three divisions; sales and professional development classes, technology training and personal safety awareness.
The self-paced classes are accessed by pass … (0 comments)

Florida Office Of Insurance Regulation Minimizes Problems With The My Safe Florida Home Program - 12/17/07 04:14 PM
The My Safe Florida Home program has spent the majority of its money, despite being far short of its target goal of 400,000 free hurricane inspections.  It has identified issues in its inspection process: insufficient training, unqualified inspectors and confusion about basic building features.
It also has spent months bragging that the inspections helped homeowners across the state save hundreds of dollars each in insurance premiums, a claim the head of the Department of Financial Services concedes she can't prove.  Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, in a recent interview with The Tampa Tribune, downplayed any problems.
"Let's put this in perspective. We've done … (0 comments)

Florida Mitigation Grant Funds Exempt From Federal Income Tax - 12/14/07 01:33 PM
Grants awarded to Florida homeowners through the My Safe Florida Home program will not be reported as taxable income to the federal government.
Florida CFO Alex Sink made the announcement after receiving a Letter Ruling from the Internal Revenue Service stating that MSFH grants will be excluded from "gross incomes for federal income tax purposes."
Without this recent ruling handed down in November, matching grant recipients could have been facing a tax liability of $1,250 on a $5,000 MSFH grant, based on the IRS Flat Tax calculation rate of 25 percent. With $8.6 million in grants issued to date, Sink's request … (0 comments)

 

David Manley

Coral Springs, FL

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Gold Coast Inspections

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