Florida and Allstate Insurance Toe-to-Toe

My advice to people moving to Florida and shopping for homeowners insurance is to always check with your current carrier (assuming you’re happy with the rates and service you receive) to see if they offer policies in Florida.

Well, for the time being, if your current insurer is Allstate, you’re out of luck. Allstate is locked in a battle with Florida’s Insurance Commissioner over documents regarding the rates Allstate charges for hurricane insurance.

Florida’s Insurance Commisioner originally ordered Allstate to stop selling homeowner’s policies until the matter was resolved, but has now gone a step further and has ordered Allstate to stop writing ALL new policies, including automobile policies.

I don’t expect this little tif to last too long…I can’t see how the citizen’s of Florida come out a winner in having one of the largest insurers not being able to write new policies. Granted, this does not effect policies currently in place or their renewals. But in my mind, healthy competition is about the only thing that ever seems to keep prices down.

Update 1: That was fast…by order of the 1st District Court of Appeals, Allstate is back open for business.

Baby Boomer Jobs

Forbes.com has an article/slideshow featuring seven “ideal” jobs for Baby Boomers.

Obviously not all of them will appeal, but you might get some good ideas. I especially like the prospects of “Move Specialist” Wellness Coach”, and “Travel Coordinator”.

Some Florida Banks to Avoid

TheStreet.com just ran an article about some Florida banks that are feeling the squeeze due to not only bad mortgages (as you’ve heard by now Florida has a lot of) but also bad construction loans that developers are defaulting on.

I’m all for the local bank. I believe in supporting the little guy. And I know my money would be safe (FDIC insured, etc.). But for now my money is with one of the big boys, at least until we learn a little more about this mortgage/construction loan fallout.

Wireless and Internet Security Systems Great for 2nd Homes

A recent broad daylight break-in and robbery in my gated Florida community reminds me that everyone needs to be careful and vigilant when it comes to keeping you, your loved ones, and your property safe. As I’ve said before, crime doesn’t discriminate based on location. Just because you live in a gated community doesn’t necessarily mean you’re safe.

I recommend having a security system installed (make sure you are given a yard sign and window stickers which can act as an added deterrent). Most people only set it when they are away from the home or when they go to bed at night, but now we’ll be keeping ours on during the day as well, and you should too.

Security systems are available through companies like Brinks and ADT. Personally I use a system through Alarm.com that uses wireless signals (much like a pager) so that if a phone line is cut, it will still notify the authorities in case of emergency.

This type of wireless security system can also be controlled through the internet, which is great for a second homeowner. Through an online interface you can see system activity, arm and disarm if necessary, and more. Check it out if you’re looking for a great wireless internet security system.

Be safe!

Boomers version of "Born to be W-i-i-i-ld"

Sort of off topic but who could resist. The best laugh you’ll have today. Enjoy:

E-Book for The Villages Florida is ready now

Just got done with an e-book about The Villages Florida.

It’s 117 pages, and is available for instant download. Some of the content is similar to Florida for Boomers, but I really went through section by section and tailored it to folks considering moving to The Villages.

Check it out…hope you enjoy it and learn a lot…I promise you will!

Florida Double Homestead Exemption is really Double-ish

After months of back and forth like they do best, the Florida House and Senate came to a compromise on a new property tax plan to send to voters on January 29th.

And there’s nothing like waiting until the last minute. The plan had to be approved by both the House and Senate by the end of October 29 (90 days out from the special election). They made it by a couple of hours.

Here are the basics that could impact homeowners if the bill passes in January:

(Not Quite) Double homestead exemption: Homestead property owners will get a second $25,000 exemption on the assessed value on the value of their homes over $50,000. BUT, because this doesn’t apply to school taxes (and because school taxes account for nearly 1/3 of the tax bill) the net result is closer to an additional $16,000 exemption.

Every politician I’ve heard touting this plan keeps saying “double” because it sounds so good…but its NOT double! Not saying voters should reject it, just calling a spade a spade.

Portability: This was one of the key issues that politicians and real estate agents *think* is really going to spark the Florida housing market. Homesteaders will be able to take up to $500,000 of Save Our Homes protections to a new home purchase. If you are downsizing you can take a pro-rated portion of the tax protections.

While some folks will now be able to downsize their homes as well as their tax bill, I don’t see this being the boost to the housing market that some would hope.

Assessment cap for non-homestead property: Assessments would increase no more than 10 percent each year on non-homestead property.

This could have been the boost the Florida housing market needed. The original plan was to cap this at 5% but that didn’t get accomplished. The fact that people who buy homes in Florida to enjoy as second homes, not primary residences and therefore unable to Homestead, don’t have better protection than this, simply means that places like the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee will continue to siphon off lots of the boomers that originally had their sights set on Florida.

Everyone’s Leaving Florida?

Have a nice weekend?

Maybe you read the most viewed AND most emailed story from The Wall Street Journal this weekend, “Is Florida Over?“

Now, I’m not here to yell “agree” or “disagree”, as the author made some valid points. But I do think everyone thinking of Florida as a place to move to and retire or buy real estate should read it.

However, do not forget the fact that:

1) The WSJ is in the biz of selling newspapers. The link bait title of the article did exactly what it was intended to do…get people reading…and talking.

2) If you agree with the article’s premise, that Florida is “out” as a destination, just remember an important lesson learned from just about every boom and bust cycle this country has ever seen:

The people who usually make out the best are the ones doing the OPPOSITE of what everyone else is doing.

How to estimate Florida real estate taxes video

The tax calculations are based on certain criteria that you input such as sales price, and whether or not you qualify for the homestead exemption.

Not all Florida counties have this feature on their website, but I’d say most do by now.

• Start at the Florida Information page of FloridaforBoomers.com
• Click on “List of County Property Appraiser’s Websites
• Select the county you are interested in
• Look for a link to “property tax calculator”
• Fill in the required data like price, millage rate, homestead and click calculate

Boomer Alert: $1.35 to call 411?

This post is a Boomer Alert!

Wow. This just shows how busy I am. I just discovered that 411 isn’t free anymore from my house phone. Where have I been? And how long has AT&T been charging me for this?

AT&T charged me $1.35 EACH for 3 calls to directory assistance. I didn’t even really have to use 411. I could have got off my lazy duff and went to the computer, or even pulled out the ‘ol phone book. I’ll think twice next time!

Recently saw a few posts in the blogosphere about Google’s 411 service. 1-800-GOOG-411.

Tried it. Works great. Connects you directly AT NO CHARGE. Has some neat features such as ability to receive a text message about the business you selected (address, phone number etc.)

Best of all is the price…FREE. Put it on speed dial and also program it into your cell phone for use while on the road.

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