Looking for life insurance? Watch your weight and kick the habit first

Important issues relating to getting coverage and the amount your premium will be include smoking and being overweight. One UK study found that the average smoker paid 56% more than a non-smoker for life insurance. Companies consider you a non-smoker if you have not used tobacco for the previous 12 months, others for a 5 year period. Folks with a BMI (body mass index) of 28 or more may have to pay and extra 50% in premium. This is a recent industry reduction of 16%. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight by your height and the result squared. Other factors that underwriters consider include current and past health history, drug or alcohol use, your profession/avocation, medications, travel. For information on insurances go to http://www.MarilynJacobs.com and scroll down homepage watching red tabs on left side and click on the one you want information about or call Marilyn at 561-988-0070.

TIME FOR A RETURN TO THE VICTORIAN ERA?

Are you interested in Victorian homes in Palm Beach or Broward County? Call Marilyn at 561-302-3388 for more information.

Meanwhile, mark your calendar now for a very interesting afternoon. Enjoy a “Harvest Tea” and treats with Victorian hostesses in costume and your personal butler, most elegantly done by The Mad Platter Catering and Befitting Just Your Style at Robb & Stucky at 200 Plaza Real in Mizner Park on Wednesday, November 23 at 2 pm. See a traditional Victorian Thanksgiving… and get new ideas for your own holiday. Tips will be offered on blending older furnishings with today’s lifestyle with your own distinctive touch. Reserve by calling 800-838-5931 for pricing and reservations.

Design Professionals: Did you know that Robb & Stucky offers CEU Classes for you? See http://www.robbstucky.com/CEU-Classes-for-Design-Professionals.aspx?Id=10 for list of classes.

2009 KELLER WILLIAMS EAST BOCA'S HALLOWEEN PARTY

Keller Williams East Boca’s Halloween Party was held at Marilyn Jacobs’ house in The Polo Club. Hostess was dressed as the Wicked Witch and so were two of the other guests, Kristin Stampini and Ana Lucena. Kristin's Mom, Nancy Racine, read the tarot cards, and she was terrific. Stephan Meyer showed up as Elvis (OMIGOSH IT TOOK A FEW MINUTES TO REALIZE IT WAS STEPHAN!), Stephan's beautiful wife Donna came as Marilyn Monroe (WOWIE!), Susie Smith was a fabulous Hillbilly with painted on freckles and blackened teeth, others were in assorted dress and we all had a wonderful time. Brian Pearl was dressed as a doctor, with a long name embroidered on his white jacket. Sergio Lucena had on a cape, and was Count Dracula. Tara Halko, wore a stunning motorcycle outfit.

Doris Behrens was a beautiful fairy godmother, complete with wand. Caron McGinley brought over decorations the night before, and was in charge and (as usual) well organized. Agents brought the food and it was good good good. Andrew and Ramona Barbar sang with the karaoke machine, and Bonnie Lazar, Judy Stern all glittered up as master of ceremonies, Lisa Cioffi in a fabulous red outfit from head to toe including a pretty hat, and others got up and sang. Barbara Clark was Snow White, and oh-so-pretty! Michael Engst appeared with long beard, big eyelashes... a scary sight... but was most helpful in the kitchen (thank you!). Among those who came were Scott Harmer in Safari outfit and Izel and Michael Venturelli who were in cowboy garb. Not enough room to mention everyone, but we all had fun.

AUCTIONS: BEST BUYS IN TOWN & HISTORIC HOMES: WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN

For BEST BUYS IN TOWN and WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN See The Examiner.

WEEK OF 10-12-09 PENDING SALES ROSE BY 2% IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Buyers are becoming aware that NOW is the BEST TIME EVER to buy in Florida, and the best properties are being bought up as you read this. Front runner Palm Beach County was up 3%. Have you been out looking for the best possible deal? Better hurry….

HOW LONG WILL FOODS STAY OKAY IN YOUR HOME?

Keep it or toss it? Head over to http://www.stilltasty.com, and find out shelf life, and length of time it’s ok in the refrigerator or freezer. Search for the foods you want to know about. You might find some surprises!

529 COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN CHANGES PROPOSED

Among recommendations from the White House Task Force on Middle-Class Working Families (Treasury Department) here are some proposals:

• 529 plans getting greater availability of age-based index funds that shed equities and add fixed-income assets as beneficiary approaches college
• eliminating a “home-state bias” for fee and state tax assessments which currently force families to use funds offered in their home state rather than in others
• put limits on balances on a per-beneficiary bases rather than on state-by-state basis
• Treasury should collect data from surveys re 529 plan participation and investments
• Strengthen compliance and monitoring of Section 529 accounts and disbursements
• Simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which currently has 153 questions, some having no impact on student aid – over 1MM eligible students fail to fill out this currently complex form
• Tailoring the form to individual students
• Allowing students to electronically retrieve their tax info from the IRS and enter it into the online FAFSA

MARILYN FARBER JACOBS is a Licensed Advisor / Independent Insurance Agent – who has College Savings Plans to tell you about, using 529 plans, or term, universal or whole life plans, so that you or someone you know can make an educated choice.

FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS GUIDE

FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS GUIDE

THE LATEST HOUSING NEWS

SEPTEMBER HOUSING NEWS

HOUSING INDUSTRY GROUPS WORKING ON APPRAISAL REFORMS

Things are looking up as this thorny appraisal vs.comparables problem is faced at last. Among the issues being discussed jointly by the NAR (National Association of Realtors), NAHB (National Association of Builders), MBA (Mortgage Bankers Association and appraisal groups are:

· Appraisers not using proper adjustments on comps (comparables) on foreclosed or other distressed properties

· The HVCC (Home Valuation Code of Conduct) impacting the ability to get quality appraisals in distressed markets

· Some appraisers for comps in area they are not familiar with and that impacts the appraisals, driving down home values

· Urging federal regulators to adopt and enforce more clear regulatory guidance on appraisals for distressed and foreclosed properties for realistic valuations and truly comparable sales

· Calling for immediate action to address these appraisal-related claims

· Sometimes appraisers do a “drive by,” only looking at the exteriors of homes as they do not have access, and distressed properties often have apparent problems inside as compared to new, updated, and “market-ready” homes.

Okay government, let’s get this fixed. It IS BROKE.

FOR THOSE WITH PROBLEMS PAYING THEIR MORTGAGES THESE LINKS MAY BE OF INTEREST

MAKING HOME AFFORDABLE PROGRAM

BUYING FORECLOSURES

FORECLOSURE PREVENTION

SHORT SALE GUIDE, ISSUES, PITFALLS AND MORE

Keep in mind: Marilyn's team includes CDPE Graduates (CERTIFIED DISTRESSED PROPERTY EXPERTS) and if you know someone who could use help, please let us know who they are, or suggest they call us. We will do the best that we can to be of help. Call Marilyn at 561-988-0070 for more information.

JOINT COMMISSION FOR PRIMARY STROKE CENTERS GIVES BOCA RATON COMMUNITY HOSPITAL GOLD SEAL OF APPROVAL

The 3^rd large cause of death, about 700,000 people each year experience a new or recurrent stroke. Someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. It is also a leading cause of long-term disability. With timing following the stroke being critical, having a Joint Commission Certified Primary Stroke Center nearby that is staffed with physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals, is most welcome. The Certification is based on primary stroke center recommendations published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association’s statements/guidelines for stroke care. The Join Commission was founded in 1951 and strives to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public.

GREATER BOCA RATON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AFTER-HOURS NETWORKING

The 4^th Tuesday of every month an event is held with nearly 250 attendees getting networking opportunities. In August the event was held at the Boca Resort Hotel. Your editor attended with friend John Allison, and we had a wonderful time mingling, dancing and... YES!… sampling the delicious foods and wines. The event was called WINE & ALL THAT JAZZ… AND MORE… 2009. Along with lots of people, great food, lots of new hellos, it was a night of wonderful wine from Southern Wine & Spirits of South Florida and fabulous food from Bogart's Bar & Grille, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Saba Asian Dining and Sushi Bar, The Addison Boca Raton, The Capital Grille, Truluck's, and ZED 451. YUM. Belly dancers performed and worked their way through the crowd – one gave Marilyn a lesson… hey! That is great exercise! There is a fee to attend. The Boca Resort Hotel just opened a new huge room – turn right when you enter the main doors and go to the end. It is filled with dark blue banquette lounge seats, and there was a “Neil Diamond-type” singer. $15 buys you 2 drinks and a comfortable seat. Nice place to while away the hours. Every seat was taken! Drop by and enjoy!

DID YOUR PRELIMINARY PROPERTY TAX BILL GO UP?

While local headlines SCREAM that Florida properties were devalued even more this year (did I hear 18%?), the property taxes, inexplicably, are going UP UP AND AWAY. Appeals to the county’s Value Adjustment Board by angry taxpayers for their 2009 property tax bills are expected to climb, perhaps by over 20% up from 13,200 appeals in 2008, challenging property assessments and homestead and tax exemption classifications. Petitions can be file online or in person at 301 N. Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, until September 14^th, and there is a $15 filing fee. For more information call the Clerk and Comptroller's office at (561) 355- 6289. The Clerks office says that while the increase in appeals may be due to the economic downturn, a state law has changed requiring the property appraisers office to prove their assessments are accurate. In the past the property owner had to prove the assessment was wrong. Special magistrates must be hired to settle disputes between property owners and the county property appraisers office. Responsibility for processing petitions and scheduling hearings lies with the Clerks office. Preliminary tax notices were mailed Friday to all county property owners.

FIRST FLORIDA POPULATION DROP SINCE MILITARY PERSONNEL LEFT IN 1946

Blaming the recession and steep drop in new residents of 58,000 over the past year for plunging tax revenues jobs in construction, real estate and mortgage lending have disappeared. This has resulted in empty classroom seats, down about 10,000 statewide compared to the previous year. Current popular is about 18.3 million, says the US Census Bureau.

Florida’s unemployment rate in June was 10,6%, highest rate since 1975, one of the highest rates in the US. Estimates used data from residential electric hookups, building permits and homestead exemptions.

Another factor fewer people are moving to Florida is their inability to sell their homes elsewhere to be able to move here.

However, growth is expected to resume as the economy improves.

STIMULUS PACKAGE’S FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS TAX CREDIT MAY BE EXPANDED

The $8000 tax credit for new buyers using FHA-insured loans can be used for additional down payment funds or towards closing costs, and is set to expire November 30^th. It has been very popular among first time home buyers to the extent of recent home sales to 1^st time home buyers are estimated to be 40% of the market. There is talk from Senate and Congress of:

· extending the tax credit by the end of the year

· raising the tax credit to 15% or 10% of the home’s purchase price, whichever is lower

· removing income restrictions (currently available only to households making $75,000 or less)

· extending tax credit to ALL home purchasers, not just first-timers

· Estimates are that just upping the credit to $15000 would lead to 400,000 more home sales

Foreclosures weighing down many markets would be sold and absorbed. Let’s see if these ideas are passed and implemented.

THAN YOU KELLER WILLIAMS - EAST BOCA

GUESS HOW MANY 100-YEAR OLDS THERE ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN 2050?

The Wellness and Memory Class at FAU shows and tells how to increase your life span, and that includes dancing, lack of stress, proper eating and other factors. Your editor recently attended this very informative course. For more information contact Anna Lisa Curtis at brainsgain@aol.com.

A 10-month pilot program conducted by AARP in Minnesota includes getting around the city by bike or foot, developing social networks and providing healthier fast-food options, to extend the life span of residents by 2 years.

New medical advances, improved diets and aggressive medical treatments are changing the definition of “old”.

By midcentury, the projection is that the world’s population of centenarians may reach nearly 6,000,000 creating a median age of 50 in many developed nations, with the Census Bureau reporting there are now 340,000 centenarians worldwide.

New needs will be created, such as more nursing homes, assisted living facilities and special needs housing. Reconsideration will be needed to reevaluate retirement benefits, for the age limits on driving, and perhaps a revamping of Medicare coverage, which is already straining. With declining birth rates, fewer family members will be there to provide support for a sick elderly parent. Consider this: in 2017 there will be more 65-year olds than children under the age of 5. Obesity in the US from a sedentary life or overeating can take a toll on life expectancy.

If the new health care plan passes, how will it affect YOUR life span?

FORBES SAYS DUE TO INVENTORIES, HERE ARE THE 10 BEST CONDO MARKETS RIGHT NOW AND THEIR ZIP CODES

1. Olympic Village, Calif., 96146

2. Tahoe City, Calif., 96145

3. Terra Linda, Calif., 94903

4. Fisher Island, Fla., 33109

5. Dallas, Texas, 75205

6. Malibu, Calif., 90265

7. Bal Harbour Fla., 33154

8. Key Biscayne, Fla., 33149

9. Lake Forest, Ill., 60045

10. New York City (Upper West Side), 10069

FAR REPORTS CLIMB IN LUXURY HOME SALES

The pace of luxury home sales has picked up according to the Florida Association of Realtors.

... More lenders are willing to make jumbo loans for mortgages (Jumbo Loans are defined as more than $432,750 in south Florida)

... Foreign buyers are renewing their interest in buying, coming looking for waterfront palaces on sale

... Values in south Florida are seen as depressed and borrowers in the super luxury home market are seen as a very unlikely default candidate.

... First-rate properties are selling for 25% less now and attracting interest, sometimes with multiple offers.

Heftier down payments are now required, some up to 50% of the purchase price, and stringent verification of income and assets, though many in the ultra-luxury category ($5,000,000+) do not finance.

Luxury prices hold up better in downturns and take less of a hit, and usually are first to recover.

In July 2009, two ultra-luxury properties sold in Palm Beach County, a Manalapan estate reaching from ocean to ICW with boat dock for yacht on ICW, 5 bedrooms, 6 baths, 11,000 living sq ft sold for $9,475,000, listed for $11,000,000, on market 144 days. One other such property, a Highland Beach Ocean Place oceanfront estate with 6 bedrooms, 8 full and 2 half baths, 9,525 living sq ft, sold for $5,750,000, listed for $6,900,000, on market for 273 days. 48 homes sold in July 2009 in Palm Beach County between $1,000,000 and $4,999,000.

From January 1, 2009 to July 31, 2009, 75 homes in Boca Raton were sold over $1,000,000, the highest price was $12,900,000 in Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club.