For any of you considering moving to South America, namely Buenos Aires, I've recently discovered a great blog written by Will Bonner. Actually I found this through a daily e-zine I subscribe to called Early to Rise, available at http://www.earlytorise.com
If you go to Will's blog, what you'll find is a true and unflinching daily account of what it's like to live and work in what many describe as the "Paris of South America." Will doesn't just cover the good, he will gladly and freely fill you in on all the bad as well. Check it out at http://willbonner.com
I've found it to be a good dose of entertainment, even though i have no plans to move to South America. He's also got several links to other Buenos Aires and Argentina blogs and websites.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Florida's New Property Tax Laws Explained
Well, if you follow Florida real estate at all, you've probably long since heard that Florida passed some new property tax laws a few weeks ago. What you may NOT know, however, is what to make of it. For what it's worth, here's my take on it.
1) To begin, what was done probably wasn't enough to cause any real change in Florida's lousy real estate market. Homesteader's in Florida were helped out a little. By that I mean a 3-9% reduction on their next tax bill. So at the most, if your tax bill is $5000 you MIGHT save $450. At the most. That's a night in a fancy hotel, dinner, and drinks...maybe even top shelf drinks. In my book not enough to get me too excited.
2) If you live outside of Florida but own property here (non-homesteaded) you didn't get much help either. By most accounts I've seen, you won't save anything. But, your taxes might not go up like they have been because...
3) Millage rates will be rolled back to 2006-2007 levels. (Basically 1-year). Most Florida taxpayers were hoping for much more, legislators are telling us, hey, at least its something, and city leaders (who have to roll back their spending) are saying its too much...Go figure!
4) Up next for Florida voters will be a chance in January to increase the homestead exemption (currently $25,000 in most cases) to what is called a super-exemption or, 75% of the first $200k in value (Minimum of $50k exemption)
As always, we'll keep you posted as things progress. But for now, put away any immediate hopes of huge property tax reform in the sunshine state.
1) To begin, what was done probably wasn't enough to cause any real change in Florida's lousy real estate market. Homesteader's in Florida were helped out a little. By that I mean a 3-9% reduction on their next tax bill. So at the most, if your tax bill is $5000 you MIGHT save $450. At the most. That's a night in a fancy hotel, dinner, and drinks...maybe even top shelf drinks. In my book not enough to get me too excited.
2) If you live outside of Florida but own property here (non-homesteaded) you didn't get much help either. By most accounts I've seen, you won't save anything. But, your taxes might not go up like they have been because...
3) Millage rates will be rolled back to 2006-2007 levels. (Basically 1-year). Most Florida taxpayers were hoping for much more, legislators are telling us, hey, at least its something, and city leaders (who have to roll back their spending) are saying its too much...Go figure!
4) Up next for Florida voters will be a chance in January to increase the homestead exemption (currently $25,000 in most cases) to what is called a super-exemption or, 75% of the first $200k in value (Minimum of $50k exemption)
As always, we'll keep you posted as things progress. But for now, put away any immediate hopes of huge property tax reform in the sunshine state.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
New Florida homeowners insurance option for the rich
If your home is worth $1 million or more, there is a new company that wants your homeowners insurance business. The company is called PURE. Read an article about it from the Naples Daily News. PURE says that they can offer the owners of "high-value property" better insurance rates than they might otherwise find on the market.
I don't know how many Boomers on the Move readers this will apply to, but it is worth noting that there are other options available for insurance if you've got the money.
Maybe something else like this will come along soon for the rest of us.
I don't know how many Boomers on the Move readers this will apply to, but it is worth noting that there are other options available for insurance if you've got the money.
Maybe something else like this will come along soon for the rest of us.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
More rave reviews!
The reviews keep rolling in:
-Richard Croker, Author, "The Boomer Century; 1946-2046"
“In the old American Express Commercial, Karl Malden advised people not to leave home without their card. I think no one should buy a home in Florida without reading Florida for Boomers. It is that good."
-Steve Weisman, Author, "Boomer or Bust"
"If you're a baby boomer thinking about buying a home in Florida, this is your blueprint."
-Barbara Corcoran, NBC's Today Show Real Estate Correspondent
“…over the next 25 years or so, the Sunshine State can expect over 22.5 million new boomer residents. Each and every one should own a copy of Ryan Erisman's book."-Richard Croker, Author, "The Boomer Century; 1946-2046"
“In the old American Express Commercial, Karl Malden advised people not to leave home without their card. I think no one should buy a home in Florida without reading Florida for Boomers. It is that good."
-Steve Weisman, Author, "Boomer or Bust"
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