Florida has increasing numbers of charter schools

Charter schools are public schools of choice. They are very popular—and among the fastest growing school choice options in Florida. Charter schools are largely free to innovate, and often provide more effective programs and choice to diverse groups of students.


Since 1996, the number of charter schools in Florida has grown from 5 to 389 schools in 2008-2009. Charter school student enrollment for 2008-2009 was well over 100,000 students. Over 50 new charter schools have opened in the 2008-2009 school year.

Click on the link to see the list of Broward County charter schools

http://www.browardschools.com/schools/charter_list.htm

South Florida Temp Jobs

Times are tough down here in Paradise. Our major industry is tourism and if people don't have money they don't take vacations. That means we have fewer people in the hotels and restaurants.


Our economy is also driven by the housing market and there are a whole bunch of people hurting because of the upset in the market: real estate agents, mortgage loan originators, property appraisers, title companies, home inspectors, banks and builders.

So some of these people might want to consider temp jobs to help bring in some money until things turn around.

Two sites here in South Florida that might be able to help are:

http://www.careerxchange.com/jobs.php and

http://justtempjobs.com/

Good luck!

Florida Sales Tax Relief

Florida is getting ready for its annual sales tax relief period. Starting August 13th and going through August 15th there is no sales tax on books, clothing, footwear and certain accessories selling for less than $50 and on select school supplies selling for less than $10.

So if you can wait to make your purchases you can save quite a bit of money. Enjoy the rest of the summer and let's hope it cools off some.

Florida scuba divers get ready to hunt lobster

Scuba divers get ready! Two days of lobster hunting is about to start. At 12:01 Wednesday morning through midnight Thursday, divers are allowed to bag 6 lobsters each per day in most areas.


The regular lobster season is August 6 - March 31 and the catch limit is half what it is during the miniseason. Lobsters must be at least 3 inches long and measured in the water and no egg-bearing females are allowed to be kept.


Divers must have a saltwater fishing license ($17 for residences) and a $5 lobster stamp.


Unfortunately, every year there are stories of drownings. Individuals who have not dived for years jump in unprepared and without a buddy and the results are deadly.


Always, always, always dive with a buddy. Do that and you can have a great time in our warm water with no free of being tainted by oil.


Stay safe.

Home Buyers - No major purchases until after closing

Many people are snapping up the lower priced foreclosures here in Florida. Many of them also want the new car in the driveway and the new furniture to go in the house. All of that is fine but just wait until you have the house keys in your hand before you start adding to your debt.

The lender may look at your credit report 1-2 days before closing and there is a good chance that you will no longer qualify for the loan if you have indulged yourself and run up the charges on your credit car.

A significant part of the loan approval process is the calculation of "debt-to-income" ratios. If your total monthly debt is more than 43% of your gross monthly income, you stand a very good chance of not being approved for the loan and, if you were previously approved, it may be retracted.

So watch what you spend and don't make any major purchases until after closing.

Pompano Beach , Florida Has Rehabbed City Owned Properties for Sale

Pompano Beach has been buying up foreclosure properties, rehabbing them, and selling them back to the public.


Pompano Beach has a Neighborhood Stabilization Program in which they purchase foreclosures properties, fix them up and sell them to individuals with up to 120 percent of median income for Broward County. For a family of four that income could be up to $95,040.

Pompano Beach is currently taking applications and you can call 954-786-4659 for more information.

Change in Florida Homeowner's Condo Insurance Law

Good news for investors. A recent change in the Florida law no longer requires condo owners to show proof of hazard insurance to the governing association. As you might know, the condo building insurance covers all the common areas and the roof. Unit owners can obtain coverage for the inside of the unit; water and fire damage to the structure and flooring and coverage for personal possessions, if desired. In the past, associations could force unit owners to obtain coverage for structural damage. Now they can't.


For investors, this can significantly increase their cash flow since it is more money in their pocket. Of course, they are now at greater risk for out-of-pocket payment for damage. For example, a tenant who does not report a leaking pipe until it floods the unit and leaks through to the unit one floor below will cost the unit owner not only the repairs to their own unit but they also have to pay for the damage their tenants caused to any units below them.

So, life's a risk. At least now unit owners have a choice.