I am in shock…..my poor parents……I guess a HUGE number of “Retirees” on “fixed” incomes are feeling the same way, as "many" retirees come to Florida to enjoy the next phase of their life....
..........of course there are full time residents that have been here their 'whole' life, & retired to stay here in the Sunshine State.
What if you woke up one day & your mortgage payment went up 28%….or let’s just say $700+ per month…. & it wasn’t because of the mortgage which is “fixed” like your income for the next 15, 30-40 years? It was your “escrow” items that do make up your monthly payment (in this case insurance) Yes, insurance went up approximately 27% with about 1% increase in property taxes.............(my parents do have Homestead for both)
What if your salary had not gone up 28% & in fact it was “fixed” for the rest of your life, because you were retired (twice)?? (because you couldn't afford to retire with the 1st income)
What if most of your state had a majority of people on “fixed” income, or even yet “unemployed” or corporate cutbacks??
What if the property values had not gone up 28%…………..
What if this was at a point where you had enough to worry about just trying to keep up with your health & enjoy your latter years after all that hard work??
There is another economic blog I am going to post later, but just staying with this one subject ~ “how do you think this will impact our Housing market??”
Well this happened today, to my parents. I thought they had tabled it, & thought the powers to be were wiser of it because of the definite impact…..but I guess they didn’t.
This may be what sends us right over the economic edge here, at least in my region. We have a major corporation trying to cut 20% wages & lay off 13,000 employees, which will have a ripple affect in the next 2-12 months….but this is just a small portion compared to the Retirees here in Florida on “Fixed Incomes”, which consists of about 17-20% of our population.
Governor Scott - Really?? I ask the decision makers “Where does the Insanity end??!! I mean REALLY??!!””
Do you think that people can continue to pull it out of their derrière’s?
This is the tip of the iceberg, at least for Florida. Great job!!! Next will come in the next few months.
We had/have over approximately 2.9 million Senior people (as of 2004) that live/lived in Florida we are second to California who has/had 3.8 million residents as of July 2004 per the source below (courtesy of Senior Living)
http://seniorliving.about.com/od/lawpolitics/a/senior_pop_life.htm
As of 2010 we had a population in Florida of 18,801,310 with a growth of approximately 15% in the past decade. South Florida makes up almost 31% of the total State’s population & Miami Dade County having half of that 31%. The total population of the state has grown over 1 million in the past year. Senior Living residents make up about 17-20% of our population.
I will be writing to as many as I can about this matter, as I do not feel that this political level has been very wise in looking out for our seniors? If anyone that would wish to contact Governor Scott about this matter, I have listed some information below, but…..it may be best to go to your Congressman.
Our Governor - Rick Scott
www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/
(850) 717-9337
http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=95
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12000.html
My parents are the most responsible people I know. They honor all they commit. They volunteer on several Federal Committees & serve hours without pay for retiree organizations & their credit union. My Mom worked another career after being forced into a “reduced” retirement from a government position & was fortunate to make another 13 years with the school board. Their intentions were to always move to a lesser expensive area that they liked, but the housing market went bust before my Mom could retire between health issues with my Dad & later she would experience. My Mom was weak at the knees today when they came home to open the mail & find this 28% increase!!!?? They both have some severe medical issues & simply looked towards a bit of enjoyment with the later years of life after working so hard. They were caught with their home when the market took the downward turn.
I am in shock…..my poor parents……I guess a HUGE number of “Retirees” on “fixed” incomes. I will, as my siblings, work hard to try to see what we can do....but why do others place them in that position?? Why do they inflict their dignity?? You work your whole life under the guidelines you are given & plan accordingly only to have it ripped out from underneath you?? All from "greed".
How do these people get into office??? Where do others of power think that this money is going to come from as they continue to “reward” themselves??? So, you side with the top & let the other 80-90% suffer, be homeless, have ill health because your board of directors needed to make enough profit, fund their children’s private tuition, the $35million investment property for executives in a foreign country.
We had great service before, & we seemed to manage?? We don’t have that great of an increase in population to increase the burden of all these expenses?? What population we do have are contributing in multiple ways - sales tax, tourist tax, transient housing, tolls, tolls & more tolls, the Florida Lottery - not just property values.
I am in shock…..my poor parents……I guess a HUGE number of “Retirees” on “fixed” incomes are feeling the same way, as "many" retirees come to Florida to enjoy the next phase of their life....
..........of course there are full time residents that have been here their 'whole' life, & retired to stay here in the Sunshine State.
What if you woke up one day & your mortgage payment went up 28%….or let’s just say $700+ per month…. & it wasn’t because of the mortgage which is “fixed” like your income for the next 15, 30-40 years? It was your “escrow” items that do make up your monthly payment (in this case insurance) Yes, insurance went up approximately 27% with about 1% increase in property taxes.............(my parents do have Homestead for both)
What if your salary had not gone up 28% & in fact it was “fixed” for the rest of your life, because you were retired (twice)?? (because you couldn't afford to retire with the 1st income)
What if most of your state had a majority of people on “fixed” income, or even yet “unemployed” or corporate cutbacks??
What if the property values had not gone up 28%…………..
What if this was at a point where you had enough to worry about just trying to keep up with your health & enjoy your latter years after all that hard work??
There is another economic blog I am going to post later, but just staying with this one subject ~ “how do you think this will impact our Housing market??”
Well this happened today, to my parents. I thought they had tabled it, & thought the powers to be were wiser of it because of the definite impact…..but I guess they didn’t.
This may be what sends us right over the economic edge here, at least in my region. We have a major corporation trying to cut 20% wages & lay off 13,000 employees, which will have a ripple affect in the next 2-12 months….but this is just a small portion compared to the Retirees here in Florida on “Fixed Incomes”, which consists of about 17-20% of our population.
Governor Scott - Really?? I ask the decision makers “Where does the Insanity end??!! I mean REALLY??!!””
Do you think that people can continue to pull it out of their derrière’s?
This is the tip of the iceberg, at least for Florida. Great job!!! Next will come in the next few months.
We had/have over approximately 2.9 million Senior people (as of 2004) that live/lived in Florida we are second to California who has/had 3.8 million residents as of July 2004 per the source below (courtesy of Senior Living)
http://seniorliving.about.com/od/lawpolitics/a/senior_pop_life.htm
As of 2010 we had a population in Florida of 18,801,310 with a growth of approximately 15% in the past decade. South Florida makes up almost 31% of the total State’s population & Miami Dade County having half of that 31%. The total population of the state has grown over 1 million in the past year. Senior Living residents make up about 17-20% of our population.
I will be writing to as many as I can about this matter, as I do not feel that this political level has been very wise in looking out for our seniors? If anyone that would wish to contact Governor Scott about this matter, I have listed some information below, but…..it may be best to go to your Congressman.
Our Governor - Rick Scott
www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/
(850) 717-9337
http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=95
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12000.html
My parents are the most responsible people I know. They honor all they commit. They volunteer on several Federal Committees & serve hours without pay for retiree organizations & their credit union. My Mom worked another career after being forced into a “reduced” retirement from a government position & was fortunate to make another 13 years with the school board. Their intentions were to always move to a lesser expensive area that they liked, but the housing market went bust before my Mom could retire between health issues with my Dad & later she would experience. My Mom was weak at the knees today when they came home to open the mail & find this 28% increase!!!?? They both have some severe medical issues & simply looked towards a bit of enjoyment with the later years of life after working so hard. They were caught with their home when the market took the downward turn.
I am in shock…..my poor parents……I guess a HUGE number of “Retirees” on “fixed” incomes. I will, as my siblings, work hard to try to see what we can do....but why do others place them in that position?? Why do they inflict their dignity?? You work your whole life under the guidelines you are given & plan accordingly only to have it ripped out from underneath you?? All from "greed".
How do these people get into office??? Where do others of power think that this money is going to come from as they continue to “reward” themselves??? So, you side with the top & let the other 80-90% suffer, be homeless, have ill health because your board of directors needed to make enough profit, fund their children’s private tuition, the $35million investment property for executives in a foreign country.
We had great service before, & we seemed to manage?? We don’t have that great of an increase in population to increase the burden of all these expenses?? What population we do have are contributing in multiple ways - sales tax, tourist tax, transient housing, tolls, tolls & more tolls, the Florida Lottery - not just property values.
My Mom’s question today was, “Are all states with catastrophic exposure paying the same severe increase??!”
(Example - the Gulf states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The tornado states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska (Midwest). The earthquake prone) “Or are we the only ones bearing the burden?” She doubted they were because she didn’t feel their government thought they could afford it, and she didn’t know why ours could possibly??
How can this lunacy be stopped??!!
This week I have had a bit to think about, with a few other matters that are pretty big, and have vacillated from little shocks or surprises, to ANGER, to NAUSEA, to NUMBNESS………well the straw came today in the mortgage statement of my parents. I just don’t get it……”where do they think it is going to keep coming from???”
There will be another economic message that has & will have a great impact - so many are so quick to place the blame..........
I look forward to your help and any feedback you may think that would be helpful. They are not alone & it will send (or has sent) another wave through the housing market.
This week has brought many things around, of which one was structuring things a bit more proficiently and economically. In that re-structuring, I have been considering all areas of expenditures, one of which I will go into with this post. It was my car. I wished to recognize someone that I found to be a "Go Giver" in a series of people that I wish to write about that I consider to be "Go Givers" 
I love my car….it has been my 4th Chrysler product!! As important, I have been actually able to do business with the “same dealership” 3 of the 4 transactions, not to mention 98% of my service has been performed at this one dealer with all of my vehicles.
It makes life really nice when you can depend on those relationships for such an important part of life - “your transportation”. I have driven out of my way to go there, as a result. I will be blogging about those important people in a few upcoming blogs.
I have written letters to the owner of the dealership & given American Express cards after the purchase & service of my present vehicle. I admit this was a rare occurrence....but it was because these two people truly went above & beyond with this vehicle.... more than the other three ones I have owned from their location. I knew at the end of the transaction the salesman didn’t make much, if any, commission, as I had researched it a bit, & the service representative has been consistent without fail. Regardless both of them went above & beyond because of their integrity & the "relationship". This Dealership that I will later write about in the future, & this paragraph is pertaining, is Massey Yardley Chrysler Plymouth in Plantation, FL.
I have to admit though that recently I have considered some more economic means - by adjusting both payment & fuel proficiency, which brought me to both Toyota & Hyundai dealers.
I emailed a number of dealers & researched customer feedback on other dealers. I feel it is safe to say for me, changing dealers is fairly scary….especially when I have been so blessed. Chrysler has one car that was of interest this year, but it didn't really fit I felt with our future needs. If I stayed with a Chrysler, then I would keep what I had presently.
The short of it, is the dealer in my present area is not as personable, & my dealer prior, well they are now about 60 miles away :(.
After leaving the new dealer, I decided to spontaneously stop in to visit one that I had emailed from the Hyundai list, as I have never driven a Hyundai. They have had several lease promotions going on that have been very interesting. "Leasing" is a consideration to stretch $$, or equate some “growth” time financially, into the present situation.
The person I had communicated with via email was Joel Chapman. I was so nervous going into see Joel…I am not sure why, but may be it is because I know too much about the way things operate & I have experienced the good, the bad, & even the “ugly”. I have the benefit of having an extended family member & a prior neighbor in the automotive business.....as well as several credit unions - so you hear the “inside” things that go on. Well knowing these things, make it difficult to be comfortable right away, until you get a feel for the person you are going to conduct business (I guess this is always true in any case...but when buying a car I feel especially a sense of caution)
I do research & I even had one salesman many years back, that slammed down a note pad & swore at me, "didn't I know he wasn't making any #@$! money? I even had bandages from my surgery & staples in my head, but he still yelled. When I picked up the car the store manager came out to give me my paperwork..... I felt terrible, but I bought at the advertised price, it is just he misquoted a multi CD player & then delivered a single one...really not my fault in that, but I still felt badly. Ever since, a bit apprehensive when I go in....but I have gone back...& now I felt it necessary to at least "explore" the options.
Here I was this Wednesday; I had a name, & had phoned ahead, so I was able to go straight in to see Joel. What an amazing surprise he was!! Joel made me feel immediately at home. We discussed the advertisement & he said don’t worry, whatever it is we will make you happy. I had a lady last night that got an upgrade of $2900 for a small portion ($200!). I said okay. While not 100% relaxed I was sensing no pressure. He went the keys to see what we could drive, as the car I had emailed & phoned about sold the night before… (Procrastination not in my favor). Well in fact when he returned the car we were to drive was also sold, & they had no more inventory on the lot (I did mentioned it was a GREAT promotion)!! I was appreciative that he was willing to take me out anyway & let me drive to see if I even liked the car. In hindsight of course he would, he was such a great person professionally!! I don't know why, but I wasn't surprised. I felt he was at ease & proficient just from the brief few emails & it was obvious he didn't need to pressure me, as he didn't need to he was busy enough before me, but you could tell that he still wanted me to be happy & learn a bit more.
While he was back & forth looking for keys, helping another customer that came in.... that their car was also sold, & getting the car brought up for us to drive there was a bit of time. I noticed the sales board. At the very top of the board was his name & his score Joel Chapman at the top of the list. I didn’t have any way to know this when I 1st came in that I would be dealing with the best of the best… J
Luck of the draw….or was it?? J
During our chats, Joel proceeded to find out a little about me, & give a little about himself. We compared notes that we were both born in Miami, which we both had grown up fairly close in regions (which ironically was close to the dealership); we had both had grandmothers in Atlanta. Both had friends that had worked for mutual corporations & both had worked in various industries. We even discussed if my birthday was close, as if it was, he wanted to make sure I could have one by then. He also said he sends cards out periodically & we discussed the various card programs out there & he said a magic statement that summed it up. He said, “No, I prefer not to do it that way, as it is not personal enough”. “I am kind of old fashioned like that with things & I will go & pick it out & sign & send it.” He said, “I send cards to people that may not ever buy a car from me, but because I want to & I am thinking of them”.
I smiled, as I knew that he would be like that, as he had been attentive the entire visit to what my goals were & even walked me out to my car.
The smile was because I knew, Joel Chapman - is a “Go-Giver” & while he wasn’t striving for himself, that managed to get him to the top of the board, almost effortlessly I bet.
I found out the following things about Joel Chapman that brief visit for an hour & a bit:
Joel related to me on so many levels, that it would be difficult not to want to buy a car from him. ………
They ran out of inventory, or I don’t know where I would have been…(new car remorse possibly?) No, it wouldn't as Joel wouldn't be that type to place that upon me. It may be several weeks until they are able to replenish, so we will see? If I don’t, it will only be because I changed decisions on cars & needs....or in loyalty kept my car.
This story may be a bit longer than I would have written, but I needed to share the highlights for this “Go-Giver” story to lay the groundwork of where I was coming from before I got to this part of the journey.
My prior salesman is no longer selling cars….so I don’t feel that I am not being loyal to him…well except to my service manager. However, I think he would understand at this stage.
I have been blessed to have at least (4) “Go-Givers” in this one area of my life that has been such a necessity for my family & I. I will try to go into the others this week.
This blog was Joel’s blog - Joel gave more of himself in that little time than I see out of may be 1% of the people. This is why Joel is almost effortlessly at the top of his board, leading the pack. ((Well he made me feel it was effortlessly)
Joel Chapman may be found at Doral Hyundai - Miami, Florida. I encourage you to ask for him & share your story! www.doralhyundai.com
Joel is a “Go-Giver”…..and a bonus that he is selling one of top values as means for transportation in the auto industry.
Some minor things have had me occupied to keep me from blogging, but I wanted to give him a prompt recognition....I will try to make up time, as time permits.
This week from January 9th-13th is the annual YoungArts Week 2012 here in Miami. The most advanced 150 senior high school talents from across the country join together to learn, exhibit & perform here in South Florida in hopes to advance their future passion & futures with a career in the Arts.
There are over 7000 applications each year to get to that 150 few that are selected to attend to learn from "Masters" across the World. The elite professional panel carefully selects each one of the applications to get to the finalist. The panel then continues to evaluate the finalist throughout the week's performances & exhibitions. "There is a total of over $500,000 in monetary awards of which a finalist may possibly receive as much as $10,000 in monetary awards" per the information the foundation has stated in their web postings. No matter the result of the award just to have been selected is an extreme honor.
http://youngarts.org/youngarts-week
The YoungArts Foundation was founded in 1981 along with the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) by the late Mr. Ted Arinson of Carnival Cruise Lines & his surviving wife Lin. The Foundation is a direct link to the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts & each year 60 nominees are selected from the 150 finalists & 20 of those are selected by White House appointed Commission to be the PSA recipients. The YoungArts program, YoungArts Week & the NFAA are "the exclusive nominating agency" and path to the Presidential Scholars Award. This "is of course a once in a Lifetime event of which they are able attend a ceremony at the White House, to exhibit their works in the Smithsonian Museum, &/or perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts".
We are fortunate to have many programs that advance students in the Arts here in Miami, Florida. Two of such schools are New World School of the Arts & Design & Architecture Senior High.
It is a wonderful & magic week watching students come to "gift" us with their outstanding talent & what they have worked their hearts & soul towards that has developed their passions.
I always love it when I find a positive article published or televised with the local news that supports the benefits of Staging. I had to share of course. While it does not paint everything perfect. It does give a beneficial & realistic perspective of Staging. I find it doubly great after this has happened, as it is very likely there will come a phone call of interest.
Thanking the Miami Herald for promotion of staging in the Homes section & this article. I am sure many Stagers, as well as hopefully owners, & others in the industry benefited from the publication & awareness.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/18/2549967/staging-homes-that-need-it-most.html
I am doing fly by(s) with my Social Medias the past few weeks, since my Mom's little setback & trying to align things a bit differently as a result. Amazingly though, despite the briefness, I have discovered some stories that have just so moved my heart. I do regret that it will most likely be the first of the year before I am in position to be back in alignment with posting, blogging & commenting....but as I see stories. I will not be able to help but share them as time permits.
This one...well I could not let time go any further without sharing the link. A friend shared it on Facebook & I have always felt that we never know what someone else is feeling unless we take the time & try to walk in their shoes...
This story, well I think those of you that know me by now, know how I felt. Of course Kleenex was required & I am paying it forward! I will try to do better after the next few weeks....but until then ~
http://www.flickspire.com/m/LSHPP/MakeADifference#.Tt93Pas2Bfs.facebook
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When you go to sell or market your home, vacation property, or vessel, it becomes a "house" or "investment" not your home, let us simplify your life & maximize your results.
I am an accredited Staging Professional, ASP®. I have been actively & successfully transforming properties since 2001. I have formerly been a licensed real estate agent, REALTOR®, but decided to place my focus on my passion of helping transform interiors & team up with owners & agents to assist with making those transactions more successful and expeditious. I also have an artistic back ground and another career as an owner of an art gallery and artists grouping in production. I have a wonderful selection of established sources & a suppport team for most needs. Our passion is helping others maximize their investment whether it be their house for sale, their vacation property for rental or enjoyment, or their vessel for charter or enjoyment. I have professional references available on request. We would love to be able to give you a no obligation visit and work with you as a team towards rapidly completing your goal(s). I confident you will be pleased with the results. We (my family & team of professionals) look forward to hearing from you :)! Many of these are before & After Photos but I am trying to still learn how to align them in this program. If you have any questions, I will be happy to email you them side by side. I am also a member of the IAHSP®. I am a mother to three (2 girls & 1 boy) & a grandmother to two grandsons (one 3 yrs old & one a few months old) I am a native Floridian. I may also be found on LinkedIn.
Thank you for visiting!! Look forward to hopefully working together :)
My specialty is vacation & vacant properties....I have 30 years experience in the travel industry, coupled into my background. So, if there is one area that stands out with my experience, it is that I know what people look for in their accommodations & their homes to make them feel comfortable, while they are visiting, or living their "down time", and what it takes to make that space comfortable & worthwhile.
"Pamela and I worked together on the Live Boldly Art Auction fundraising event for PEARR (the professionals auxiliary for Women In Distress of Broward County.) Pam contributed significantly to the success of this ambitious effort. She helped solicit art items for the auction and helped with all the logistics of event planning. With her assistance, a bland room was transformed into a sophisticated art gallery. Her positive personality makes her a joy to have on any committee. She also works well independently and delivers on her promises.
I am confident that Pam will be successful in all of her endeavors." June 2, 2009
1st Nancy Leve, Director of Volunteer Services/AmeriCorps, Women In Distress of Broward County
worked directly with Pamela at PEARR
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