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US DEBT CLOCK

CASE-SHILLER HOME PRICE INDEX RISES

A May 2009 increase of 0.5% in the closely watched Case-Shiller home price index indicates that the US housing recovery is seen possible now. Prices tumbled more than 32% from their peak in 2Q 2006. Case said that prices may be at the bottom now.

· Preventative risk--management must be a priority going forward, according to Shiller.

· He also stated that the mortgage contract structure must be made to protect home-buyers in case of a downturn. “The new standard for mortgage should be a continuous work-out mortgage,” so that “if home prices fall then your mortgage payment will go down.”

· Shiller cautioned that recent bank bailouts were “extraordinary events that we should want to prevent as much as possible in the future.”

· In June new home sales jumped 11%, the biggest monthly gain in 8 years according the US Commerce Department.

· National association of Realtors said existing home sales rose for the 3^rd straight month in June.

But, with unemployment and foreclosures still rising, caution was advised. Shiller said that confidence in the US financial system is crucial for an economic recovery, and can be best restored by having a clear regulatory framework for investors. He mentioned that foreign investors who were thinking about putting money in this country are feeling somewhat less assured.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS for 33496 from zipskinny.com

Economic Indicators
Household Income			Occupation
<$10,000	5.3%		(among employed persons over 16)
$10,000-$14,999	2.3%		Mgt./Professional	51.4%
$15,000-$24,999	6.9%		Service	10.8%
$25,000-$34,999	8.6%		Sales/Office	32.4%
$35,000-$49,999	11.1%		Farm/Fishing/Forestry	0.4%
$50,000-$74,999	16.1%		Construction/Extraction/Maint.	2.4%
$75,000-$99,999	10.3%		Production/Transportation	2.5%
$100,000-$149,999	14.7%		Unemployment/Poverty
$150,000-$199,999	7.4%		Unemployed	1.6%
$200,000+	17.6%		Below Poverty Line	4.6%
Median Household Income: $74,769

REPORTS SHOWING HOUSING MARKET ON THE MEND

With sales up in all four regions of the United States, and the number of previously occupied homes sold in June being the third month in a row to go up, this kind of expansion has not been seen in almost 5 years.

Sales roses 3.6% according to the National Association of Realtors. The foreclosure market is shrinking. It is meaningful that about on third of homes sold in June were foreclosure related, down from nearly half of those sold earlier this year. See the Federal Housing Finance Agency report showing home prices rose almost 1% in May.

There has never been a better time to buy a home in Florida with interest rates down and home prices so much lower than in recent years. The “best buys” are starting to be snatched up now.

TRULIA GAVE MARILYN FARBER JACOBS A THUMBS UP FOR POST ASKING WHAT ARE THE NON-EQUITY GOLF COMMUNITIES IN BOCA RATON, DELRAY BEACH AREA?

BEST ANSWER

I have added Boynton Beach:

BOCA NON-EQUITY GOLF COMMUNITIES
Boca Teeca, Woodfield Hunt Club, Boca Lago Country Club, Country Club at Boca Raton

Condo communities near public Boca Dunes Country Club, Southwinds Country Club, Red Reef Executive Course, Boca Municipal Golf Club


DELRAY BEACH NON-EQUITY GOLF COMMUNITIES
Optional: Boca Delray Country Club, Polo Trace Country Club

Communities near public Delray Golf Club

BOYNTON BEACH NON-EQUITY GOLF COMMUNITIES

Cypress Creek Country Club, Indian Springs, Pine Tree Golf Club, Aberdeen (East)

Lakeridge Greens, San Marco, Cascades and other communities are on the grounds of the public Westchester Country Club; Coral Lakes and others are across the street

I am a Realtor (Keller Williams Realty Services) and Mortgage Broker (Iberia Mortage Corp., Correspondent Lender) and if you would like me to find you a house, townhouse or condo near one of the public courses, or in a non-mandatory or inexpensive community, please email me at marilynfjacobs@gmail.com or call me at 561-988-0070 and let me know what you are looking for. You can check out http://www.MarilynJacobs.com and go to EXPLORE THE AREA, and scroll down to find NON-EQUITY COMMUNITIES, some of which have golf courses within or nearby.

Web Reference: http://www.MarilynJacobs.com

NEW PLAN BEING DISCUSSED FOR HOUSES IN FORECLOSURE

According to the Florida Association of Realtors, a plan being developed by both Obama and Congress will allow homeowners to rent their foreclosed home for at least 5 years, maybe as long as 10 years. Motivated by the thought that Florida doesn’t need any more vacant homes, and that the modification plans have not been as successful as Congress hoped, the overall economy as well as the real estate situation in Florida could change for the better with this plan. Florida’s foreclosure rate remains third highest in the nation. One in every 33 households received a default notice, auction notice or bank repossession. One plan is for lenders selling foreclosed homes to approved professional landlords. Another idea is for lenders to sell to private investors, or keep the home and hire a management firm to handle the rental. However, some warn of banks wanting to shed properties rather than become landlords and selling to low-balling investors, which would knock prices farther down.

YOUR ART COULD BE EXHIBITED... AND SOLD... IN PUBLIC PLACES

Your work can be exhibited and sold at the 4-month long Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach. Those waiting for flights could keep busy with looking at the art exhibit that will be held from September 17, 2009 to December 17, 2009. The theme is “Solar Abstrations” and will feature works that explore the power and brilliance of the sun’s splendor here in Palm Beach County. Sponsored by “Art in Public Places.” Go to http://pbcgov.com/fdo/art/calls.htm or email esinger@pbcgov.org for more details. Entry deadline is August 20^th. Entry fee is $10. Pick up your paint brush NOW… and GO FOR IT!

IS THE REAL ESTATE MARKET SHIFTING?

MLS reports and charts for June 2009, compared to June 2008 show prices on single family residences down 25%, but just starting to inch up. Inventories of single family homes are down 26%. With real data showing market improvement on the upside, indications are that there will never be a better time to buy a home in Palm Beach County, Florida than now!

LET IT SNOW… LET IT SNOW… and BRING YOUR MITTENS to a “COOL” EVENT

The last time your editor saw snow in Palm Beach County was when visiting during the winter of 1976, when snow briefly fell in Palm Beach near the water. Palm Beach County will have it’s own winter wonderland this weekend at the Palm Beach Zoo in Dreher Park, Southern Boulevard just east of I-95, for “little kids” and “big kids”. “Winter in July” will be held from 10 am to 4 pm both days. Forty… yes FORTY TONS of snow will fall. Many ice-age fossils will be on display. You can go on a fossil dig, make a fossil shark-tooth necklace, enjoy children’s entertainment, have animal encounters, visit the “sand box” to create your own cool treat, relax in the Florida Pioneer House and hear Arctic-themed stories, meet the “Snow Queen” and learn about sun safety. Go “ice-fishing” and see what prize you can reel in. Admission for adults is $12.95, Seniors 60 and up $9.95, Children 3-12 $8.95, children under 3 and zoo embers are free. The purpose is to educate children about the importance of sun safety and let them experience the wonders of winter without leaving Palm Beach County. The event is co-sponsored by South Florida Parenting Magazine and Panera Bread Company. Sun Safety materials are provided by the Skin Cancer Foundation and Armchem. Daily events at The Zoo include an interactive “Wings Over Water” show with 20 trained birds, 11-3 weekdays and 11-2 weekends This is sponsored by AirTran. The “Wild Things Show’ includes New Guinea Singing Dogs Mic and Sidney, Scooter the South Asian binturong, Xena the African pygmy hedgehog and Boris the Scarlet Macaw and a Brazilian rainbow boa. Come visit and enjoy seeing all the animals!

THE USUALLY GLOOMY CASE-SHILLER INDEX STARTING TO REPORT REAL ESTATE GAINS

With the overall report slightly negative for last month, if Dallas, Denver, DC, Seattle, San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston and Cleveland are showing small increase in home sales, will FLORIDA BE NEXT? According to Realty Times, “even the most bearish of researchers agree: prices are bottoming out, even in some of the hardest hit areas.” They report that detached houses resales were up 56% over a year ago, and condo sales up 30%. Sale prices, however, were down, e.g., down 38% in Phoenix. Consumer confidence is up, especially in willingness to consider “big ticket” items, such as a home. With mortgage rates still very low, this may be THE LAST BEST TIME to buy, RIGHT NOW. Keep in mind that with so many job losses every month and unemployment rates very high, touch credit and underwriting, it is not yet “happy days are here again” by any means. But how nice it is to see a start to home sales trending UP.

According to an article in the July issue of Insurance News Net Magazine, “After Americans lost their shirts in the federally regulated equities market, they were able to find refuge with the guarantees afforded by indexed annuities… Americans who placed over $150 billion in these secure products since 1995 have been sleeping easier at night because of the guarantees.”

Seeking a flight to safety for their reduced holdings, and this includes families who now have one income instead of two, many are placing funds in affordable term insurance, applications for which have climbed steadily over the years.

Marilyn can tell you about term policies that can be converted to cash value universal or whole life policies when you are ready to increase premiums as the economy improves. Meanwhile, your family will be protected. For example Marilyn just wrote an application for a 47 year old male, non-smoker, preferred status, for $750,000. Term is 15 years; convertible. Premium: under $72/month. Premiums will vary with age, tobacco usage and health status. It is predicted that in the future longer term policies will not be available or will be disproportionally more expensive.

Fixed annuities were up 74% for 1Q09 vs. 1Q08. Life insurance applications for the age 60+ group climbed 11.3% in May-09 compared to May-08.

Marilyn Farber Jacobs (561-988-0070) is a Licensed Advisor / Insurance Agent with American Life & Health Group, Inc.

WHAT TO LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN PALM BEACH COUNTY

• Beautiful white, sandy beaches
• Miles of scenic parks and nature preserves
• Oceans, rivers and lakes offering boating, fishing, swimming and other water recreation
• A rich and varied history, which includes the city of St. Augustine, the oldest permanent European settlement in the mainland United States
• Unique family-friendly attractions
• World Class Entertainment Facilities, Museums, Theatres
• Cultural activities offer residents and visitors music, dance and arts events
• Florida’s climate featuring an average annual high of 81 degrees Fahrenheit and an average annual low of 60 degrees
• The state’s homeownership rate currently stands at about 70 percent, well above the national average
• In many ways, Florida’s cost of living is below that of other states with similar economic growth and in-migration rates

Calling Florida “The Sunshine State” is very fitting for Palm Beach County

REMEMBER THE GOOD OLE DAYS?

Some thought “the world was coming to an end” when we watched the high school generation rebel and dress “casual” with jeans, snap their gum loudly, shake their hips, the girls wore pedal pushers to school and the boys had greasy hairdos. The Lake Worth Playhouse at 709 Lake Avenue in Lake Worth will present Grease during July and August. See PLAYHOUSE SCHEDULE. Relive that time at Rydell High School with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John showing us how it was done, with those wonderful catchy tunes, bringing back the sounds of Elvis, Little Richard and Buddy Holly. Check out the other coming shows for the season as well. Prices are: Mezzanine LQ $25.00, Orchestra AAK $29.00

BOCA RATON FACTS UPDATE

Sperlings Best Places to Live likes Boca Raton, with beautiful weather year round, and great shopping. Population in 2009 is 85,407, a 15.56% growth since 2000. Housing prices are down 23.10%. Median home cost is $383,650.

PALM BEACH DINING OPPORTUNITIES DURING JUNE 2009

Lunch for $20.09 or have dinner for $35 per person for a 3-course meal – appetizer, main course, dessert. Beverages, tax and gratuity are additional. Here are the restaurants, addresses and phone number for reservations in alphabetical order:

Bice, 313 ½ Worth Avenue, 561-835-1600

Café Boulud at Brazllian Court, 301 Australian Ave, 561-655-6060

Café L’Europe, 331 So County Rd, 561-655-4020

Charley’s Crab, 456 So Ocean Blvd, 561-659-1500

Leopard Lounge and Restaurant at Chesterfield Hotel, 363 Cocoanut Row, 561-659-5800

Coco Palm Beach, Bradley Park Hotel, 290 Sunset Ave, 561-832-3734

Flagler Steakhouse at Breakers, One South County Road, 561-659-8488

Italian Restaurant at Breakers, One South County Road, 561-659-8488

Seafood Bar at Breakers, One South County Road (reservations not accepted)

Ocean Bistro at Four Seasons, 2800 So Ocean Blvd, 561-582-2800

Renato’s, 87 Via Mizner off Worth Avenue, 561-655-9752

Temple Orange at Ritz-Carlton, 100 So Ocean Blvd, 561-533-6000

Ta-Boo, 221 Worth Avenue, 561-835-3500

Trevini, 150 Worth Ave, 561-833-3883

Enjoy these “gifts of summer.” Great way to try out new restaurants, or go back to old favorites!

SOME NEW THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME…OR ANYTIME

Heard the expression “VOCs”? That stands for VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS. Consider that the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) says that out of about 300MM Americans, 60MM have allergies or asthma.

Painting your home to show it off? Be sure to get paints that have low VOCs as those with VOCs can have smells that linger and cause symptoms such as eye irritations

Re-staining your floors? Ask for low VOC stains and use pre-treated floors rather than raw wood where you have to apply polyurethane on top so the house is not chemically offensive

New flooring going down? Be aware that carpets harbor dirt and moisture which can cause mold and mildew. You might want to choose tile and consider area rugs. Avoid biocide-treated (moth repellent) wool or cotton carpets. Remember that the padding under carpets is tough to clean or to remove for drying.

Don’t use PVC shower curtains as they might release over 100 VOCs, some which could be hazardous pollutants

Instead of cleaning with bleach, which has a strong odor, use hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate to avoid allergic relations when prospects com to look at your property.

When replacing wallboard, use mold resistant products.

Cracks in foundation can be mold sources

If windows are not completely sealed, a mold problem could occur

These are suggestions from the AAFA. If you want to read more, go to asthmaandallergyfriendly.com. You might want to spend some time on this site!

SUPERBOWL CHAMP ALAN VEINGRAD SPEAKS AT DOWNTOWN CHABAD TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 11:55-1:30

Alan Veingrad is a professional motivational speaker, a member of the national speakers association, and ”just happens to wear a Superbowl ring”. The event is sponsored by the Downtown Boca Jewish Business Network, Chabad of East Boca, and J.A.C.O.B. ( Jewish American Chamber of Business) Investment of $20. at the door is all inclusive for food, beverages, tax, tip, etc...

Business Introductions

Card Networking

Kosher Meal

Door Prizes

Celebrity Speaker

Former offensive lineman with the Dallas Cowboys & Green Bay Packers, and a member of the Super Bowl XXVII World Champion Dallas Cowboy Team in 1992, Alan Veingrad uses sports metaphors to characterize his journey, and vividly relates the discipline of being a professional football player to success in life. For information on the even go to http://bocaratonbusinessnetworking-rss.eventbrite.com/. For details about Alan, go to http://www.alanveingrad.com/. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime business luncheon! Address: 120 NE 1^st Avenue, just south of Mizner Park.

NOT SITTING ON THEIR HANDS, THE HOUSING WORKING GROUP OF BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE HAS PROPOSALS TO STIMULATE THE HOUSING MARKET

The Housing Working Group of Business Roundtable is an association of leading US corporation CEOs and, applauded by the National Association of Realtors, they are concerned about returning stability and growth to the US housing market. Their recommendations include

Keeping 30-year mortgage rates at historically low levels for the nest 12 month.

Expand current first-time homebuyer tax credit to 10% of the purchase price of the home or $15,000 for all homebuyers and remove current income restrictions and includle all primary residence purchases for the next 12 months

Thoroughly review current foreclosure mitigation and loan-modification programs which are currently showing rising loan-modification re-default rates

Make current temporary conforming loan limits permanent

Review and strengthen government efforts to review and refine mortgage lending practices.

For information about the Housing Working Group and Business Roundtable, go to http://www.businessroundtable.org/.

BUDGET CUTS AFFECT FAU… BUT THEY MAY HAVE A SOLUTION

Florida Atlantic University In Boca Raton is hoping to get by with a 13% tuition raise, but will ask for 15% when the board of trustees meets June 10^th. The additional 2% will be dedicated to need-based financial aid and will increased this funding by nearly a half-million dollars.. This increase will generate about $900,000. The state increased base tuition by 8%, and each state university is now allowed to levy an additional 7% differential tuition on top of that. This equates to about $500 more per year for instate students. Thirty employees will be laid off and 45 courses will be discontinued to meet legislative-mandated funding cuts. Many of the deleted positions are in the administration and staff categories. One solution FAU has come up with: additional courses may be added to online and distance learning making it very easy for you to learn-at-home.

NO NEED TO LOSE YOUR SERVERS AND DATA IN A HURRICANE

As hurricane season fast approaches, you may be worried about your office continuing to operate when problems arise as a result of a hurricane. No need to worry; now there is a solution that others are using. Talked with Senior Global Account Manager, Don Sabol recently. His 1Vault Networks (www.1Vault.net) true CAT 5 Rated & SAS 70 type II Data Center in Ft. Lauderdale has created a full suite of Business Continuity Planning. The company offers a Co-location center where data communications and media converge and interconnected, servicing multiple high end IT solutions customers. Each client can locate network, server and storage equipment there and interconnect to a variety of telecommunications and other True Tier 1 network service providers. Co-location is provided on a massive scale for needs ranging from modest-sized racks to custom cages with 22,000 sq ft of raised floor. Hardware and software installation, maintenance, managed and unmanaged servers and IT consulting are offered. If you are a Co-location client at 1 Vault, DR Seats and DR Suites are available, so your entire businesses can temporarily relocate to ensure continuity to customers in spite of outside conditions. They also provide and full range of Managed Security, Managed Backup and Disaster Recovery solutions. Check this out! Contact Don Sabol, Office # 954-736-2725 or dsabol@1vault.net. CALM YOUR WORRIES NOW, folks! Remember that old saying, "AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE."