Hi Eddie,

I think you should take credit for the CDD provision.

         The Study Council extension was part of Robaina’s bill that didn’t make it.

         I am considering doing it anyway independent of the Legislature.

Mark

IN THIS ISSUE

Pg 2— Editorial: The State Listened

Pg 2— What’s Changed About CDD’s

Pg 3— Fast Fixes To Sell a Home

Pg 3— Free Directory Service for Cell Phones

Pg 3— FL Existing Home Sales Rise

Pg 3— Crist Signs $8,000 Buyer Credit Bill

Pg 3— Coral Bay Quarter over Quarter Sales

Pg 3— Carolinas Quarter over Quarter Sales

Pg 4—What’s the Slope For Coral Bay Lake?

Pg 4— Graphic: Maximum Slide Slope

Pg 4— Coral Bay Closed Sales YTDs

 

Eddie Velie, Consultant,

Velie Real Estate

http://VelieRealEstate.com

(C) (954) 263-6287

Broker@EddieVelie.com

(F) (954) 532-9695

©  2009 Velie Real Estate Services, Inc

Articles and opinions here in do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any of my business, social, or voluntary affiliations or associations.

A Real Estate, Mortgage, & HOA Information Newsletter

A COMMUNITY SERVICE NEWSLETTER

At Home In Coral Bay

· Skill

· Care

· Honesty

· Fairness

· Professionalism

· Accountability

· Diligence

· Confidentiality

 

Celebrating Over Three Years of Community Service

with “At Home In Coral Bay” Newsletter —

Isn’t it about time you referred

Velie Real Estate

to your Friends

& Family?

after all.

       HB 821 (changing the CDD statutes) seems to actually address the gist of my editorial from January February 2009. If I am interpreting it correctly, the State is adding an elected advisors position?

         The point of my editorial was that the board continues to use the same law firm, engineering firm, and the management company and they need different advisors. My research, observations, and our community conditions of our amenities starkly prove they do not have the owner’s best interest in mind.

         Just for my own silly vanity reasons, did my editorial help get the bill passed?  J

         My Web site hits spiked to a near tie with the previous high after that issue --J

         When do you find out if the Council gets extended?

Professional Regards,

 

A Real Estate, Mortgage, & HOA Information Newsletter

A COMMUNITY SERVICE NEWSLETTER

At Home In Coral Bay

From: Mark [mailto:Mark@markrbenson.com]

Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 9:48 AM

To: Eddie@VelieCAM.com

Subject: RE: Request &/Or Suggestion & Editorial

From: Eddie Velie [mailto:Eddie@VelieCAM.com]

Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 10:45 PM

To: mark@markrbenson.com

Subject: RE: Request &/Or Suggestion & Editorial

From: Mark [mailto:mark@markrbenson.com]

Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 11:34 AM

To: Eddie@VelieCAM.com

Cc: Deborah.Miller@dbpr.state.fl.us

Subject: RE: Request &/Or Suggestion & Editorial

From: Eddie Velie [mailto:Eddie@VelieCAM.com]

Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 12:05 PM

To: mark@markRbenson.com

Subject: Request &/Or Suggestion & Editorial

From: Mark [mailto:mark@markrbenson.com]

Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:47 PM

To: Eddie@VelieCAM.com

Cc: 'Miller, Deborah’

Subject: FW: Request &/Or Suggestion & Editorial

From: Eddie Velie [mailto:Eddie@VelieCAM.com]

Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 11:18 AM

To: mark@markrbenson.com

Subject: RE: Request &/Or Suggestion & Editorial

What Changed about CDD’s?

· authorizes specified property owners to elect district board advisor;

· provides for election of advisor & term of office;

· provides election procedures & requirements;

· provides requirements for district board advisor review & recommendations relating to enforcement of district rules outside district boundaries;

· requires creation of district board advisor seat after interlocal agreement is entered into;

· revises deed restriction enforcement rulemaking authority of boards of directors of community development districts;

Click here for more on HB 821

Senate Vote: 36—2 / House Vote: 116—0

Free Directory Assistance

for Cell Phones

       If you’ve ever had to call directory assistance using your cell phone, you know cell phone companies are charging $1.75 or more for 411 information calls. AT&T charges $7.00 per call! If your car has broken down or a big business deal depends on getting a number from information, $7 might be acceptable.

       “Despite the charges, U.S. consumers continue to avail themselves of the 411 directory assistance service, placing about six billion such calls per year,” explains the rumor-busting website snopes.com.

       For the rest of us, however, an economical alternative is now available. You can get directory assistance on your cell phone (or land line) at 1-800-FREE 411 (or 1-800-373-3411). And it’s free.  Add this number to your cell phone now, before you actually need it. The service is voice activated and offers the option to connect the call.

       Of course, nothing is entirely free, so be prepared to listen to a brief audio advertisement. (For more details, visit www.snopes.com/inboxer/nothing/free411.asp. Source: CAI Web Site)

FAST FIXES TO SELL A HOME

It's not rocket science: Houses that look fresh and attractive sell faster than beat-up homes. Here are some cheap tricks from Money Magazine for boosting appeal:

· Buy a new mailbox, house numbers, doorbell and knocker: $200

· Green the grass with nitrogen-rich fertilizer: $50 to $200, depending on the lawn's size

· Edge and mulch flowerbeds: $300 to $600, depending on the number of beds

 

Source: Money Magazine (05/04/2009) © Copyright 2009 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (excerpt, top 3 only)

A Real Estate, Mortgage, & HOA Information Newsletter

A COMMUNITY SERVICE NEWSLETTER

At Home In Coral Bay

Governor Signs $8K Home Buyer Credit Into Law

         TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – May 27, 2009 – Gov. Charlie Crist signed the budget bill (SB 2600) today that lays out how the state will spend its $65.6 billion in the fiscal year that starts July 1. Included is $30.1 million for the Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program, which will help with downpayment assistance.

         Beginning July 1, those who quality for the federal $8,000 first-time homebuyers tax credit will be able to apply for downpayment assistance before they close on the purchase of their home, and then repay the amount borrowed when they get their tax refund. The program will operate through local county housing administrators, though details are still being worked out.  © FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Florida’s Existing Home, Condo Sales Rise in April 2009

         ORLANDO, Fla. – May 27, 2009 – Florida’s existing home sales rose in April – the eighth consecutive month that sales activity increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). April’s statewide sales showed gains over the previous month’s sales level in both the existing home and existing condominium markets.  (excerpt)    © 2009 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

A Real Estate, Mortgage, & HOA Information Newsletter

A COMMUNITY SERVICE NEWSLETTER

At Home In Coral Bay

What’s the Slope For Coral Bay Lake?

         For Community lakes, it is about safety and the runoff of pollutants. The slope is supposed to allow you to walk out if you fall in and allow for pollutants to soak into the ground before entering the water system.

         “For every four feet out, there is a drop of one foot.  This ratio must extend at least two feet out below the control elevation which is under water. If we continued this graphic off the right hand side of the page the slope would eventually become very steep or drop off.” (1)

         “And, consider planting the lake edge with native littoral vegetation to help prevent erosion and mitigate pollution. Every effort is being made to standardize the requirements across the County, but check with your special district or local authority because some regulations are still different.” (1)

         Please note that it says, “but check with your special district or local authority.” Coral Bay is special & Screwed again with the shear vertical walls of the eroding shoreline of Coral Bay Lake! © Velie Real Estate

(1) Source: Broward Environmental Protection & Growth Mgmt Dept,

Natural Resources Planning and Mgmt Div., Know the Flow Seminar, 2009

Editorial: The State Listened

         “Last year the Florida Legislature created the Community Association Living Study Council in 718.50151 Florida Statutes.”

         “As Chairman I want to be sure we are getting the widest possible participation in deliberations and considerations of residential Community Association (condo, hoa, co-op, mobile-home) issues.”

         “There are over a dozen bills introduced in this year’s Florida legislative session and many may be appropriate to your understanding of changes needed. Many may also be inappropriate. The Council and your State Senators and Representatives need to hear from you.” (Source: Email to Community Association Managers announcing the upcoming meetings. Click Here)

         I answered Mark’s email and attached my Jan-Feb 2009, At Home in Coral Bay Editorial. The following dialogue ensued:

Dear Sir or Madam:

         Please read my editorial concerning Community Development Districts. CDDs should not exist as an ongoing entity after it serves the initial purpose of funding the infrastructure of new communities.

         I also attached my CAM resume so you can see I am more than qualified to reach the logical conclusion in the editorial.

         We need a Master HOA instead of the CDD we have. The CDD is uselessly lethargic and seemingly unable to make effective decisions, or juggle enough projects that matter to the financial well being of the homeowners living in them.

         This editorial is perhaps a summary of 3 years of study and writing on CDDs. You can find more articles in my newsletter, “At Home In Coral Bay” at http://eddievelie.com/at_home_in_coral_bay_links.htm. I would be happy to talk to anyone, any group, or any number of people who would listen. I can even reproduce the research from scratch while being observed.  

         Please read it and consider it as an agenda item. Thank you.  

Happy Regards,

Hi Eddie,

This will be forwarded to the Council.

Thanks,

Mark

Hi Mark,

         I just wanted to thank you for your work on the council and elsewhere. I also want to thank you for getting this issue before the council.

         We, the people living in CDDs need help. The publicly elected board seems unreasonable and illogical most of the time.

         Coral Bay may be the least family friendly community in the state. The CDD literally drives down demand for our homes with policies that the board does not understand. These policies impact on the hearts, minds, and wallets of ordinary citizens in a negative manner.

         I’ll keep it short. If you want more information, let me know. I can and will explain it.

Professional regards,

Hi,

         CDDs have been an issue for years and there doesn’t seem to be any legislation introduced this year dealing with the issue.

         We may be able to get something going if the Council gets continued.

         Thanks again for the input.

Mark

Hi Mark,

         I see there was some CDD legislation