March 1, 2016 Homestead Exemption Deadline is Fast Approaching

Jeffrey Damonte2016-10-17T11:15:24-04:00February 19th, 2016|Law, News, Tips|

Are you looking to claim the property tax homestead exemption for the 2016 tax year? Did you have legal or equitable title in the property as of January 1, 2016? Were you living in the property as your primary residence as of January 1, 2016?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, then you meet the criteria for claiming the exemption. The deadline for filing for the homestead exemption is TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2016. Filing can be done online on the Pinellas County Appraiser’s Website, or you can visit one of their physical offices.

Thinking of Selling Your Mobile Home Cooperative?

Jeffrey Damonte2016-10-17T11:15:26-04:00December 11th, 2015|Law|

If you are reading this, you are contemplating selling your mobile home cooperative unit. If you indeed find the time is right to sell, there is certain information you will need to provide to your closing agent to complete the transfer.

First, verify that you have the following documents:

The original Share Certificate or Membership Certificate.
The original Mobile Home Title. If your mobile home is a single-wide, you will have one title. If it is a double-wide, you will have two titles.
Verify that you have current government identification for all sellers.

Second, Florida Law requires that any sale of real property be in writing. This is called a Sales Agreement. “Hand shake deals” are not valid in Florida. We recommend that you hire a realtor to assure a smooth, trouble-free closing. The realtor will prepare the Sales Agreement for you and provide it to the closing agent.

If you choose not to hire a realtor, either you can hire your closing agent to prepare the Sales Agreement, or you can prepare it yourself. At a minimum, it should include:

the buyer’s name
the seller’s name
the property being sold
the purchase price
the deposit amount (this cannot be $0)
a breakdown of what closing costs buyer will pay
a breakdown of what closing costs seller will pay
signature of the buyer
signature of the seller

However, if you do decide to prepare your own Sales Agreement, remember Sales Agreements are legally binding documents, so correct preparation is key.

Action Needed to Prevent The Amateur Radio Parity Act

Jeffrey Damonte2016-10-17T11:15:27-04:00November 19th, 2015|Law, News|

The Amateur Radio Parity Act (S. 1685) is scheduled for mark-up in the Senate Commerce Committee on November 18. Your Senator serves on the Senate Commerce Committee and it is very important he/she hears from you today to oppose S. 1685.

In its current form, S. 1685 pre-empts community associations’ architectural guidelines and safety rules related to installation of HAM radio towers and antennas.

If S. 1685 passes:
1. Community associations would not be able to require prior approval or to have uniform rules for installation of HAM radio towers and antennas.
2. Community associations would lose the right to apply a critical approval process to ensure compliance with community architectural standards; including safety and aesthetic guidelines.
3. All community association standards for determining installation of HAM radio towers and antennas will be replaced by the Federal Communications Commission’s “reasonable accommodation” standard that mandates installation of HAM radio antennas with no prior approval and no safety certification or restrictions.

Contact your Senator today at http://www.capwiz.com/advocacycenter/issues/alert/?alertid=68507641&type=CO%20 and let him/her know that S. 1685 is not workable and will compromise the safety and interests of the 65 million people living in America’s community associations.

CAI staff and lobbyists have spoken with staff in these Senators’ offices and they have indicated they haven’t heard from their constituents (you) opposing S. 1685. CAI has confirmed HAM radio activists have sent more than 14,000 messages to Congress in support of S. 1685. We need to have the Senators and their staff hear from you!

It is very important that you and other members in your community act. Protect your property values. Protect your say in your community’s affairs.