Latest news with #Surfside
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida Condo Owners Hit With Skyrocketing HOA Fees Find Relief as Gov. DeSantis Signs New Bill Into Law
Florida condominium owners will see some relief after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping condominium reform bill on Wednesday. HB 913 is aimed at helping condo owners battling skyrocketing HOA fees. With the governor's signature, it now becomes law and will take effect on July 1. Following the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside, which killed 98 people, condos over 30 years of age (and three stories tall) got hit with new safety laws requiring 'milestone' inspections and beefing up reserve funds for repairs and maintenance. HB 913 is meant to help owners with costs without sacrificing safety. 'This bill comes from a lot of listening to owners talk about how they know their building needs to be safe but pleading that the process be fair and workable,' state Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island), who led the effort to address condo owners' concerns, said during bill debate. 'With each milestone inspection, our condos are becoming safer, but financial impacts are reverberating.' In April, both chambers of the Florida Legislature voted unanimously to pass House Bill 913, addressing endless complaints over the rising fees for condominium owners, despite pushback from DeSantis. Essentially, the bill would aid condominium associations in setting up credit lines and investing funds that would contribute to necessary building repairs instead of immediately looking to owners for the money. 'You had people that were going to be forced out of their condos potentially because of legislation that had come down the pipe,' DeSantis said during a May 20 appearance in Tampa, referencing recent safety laws, as reported by NBC Miami. The bill will help some condominium associations in certain situations use special assessments, lines of credit, or loans to fund their reserves, and to pool reserve accounts—hopefully, taking the pressure off of condo owners who were suddenly faced with exorbitant fees. The 191-page bill had additional provisions: Prohibits a person whose community association manager license is revoked from having an indirect or direct ownership interest in, or being an employee, a partner, an officer, a director, or a trustee of, a community association management firm for a specified time frame. Requires a licensee to create and maintain an online licensure account with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Requires a community association manager to identify on his or her online licensure account certain information. Requires a licensee to provide specific information on his or her online licensure account. Requires that such information be updated within a specified time frame. Requires a community association management firm to identify on its online licensure account the community association managers it employs to provide community association management services. The bill is aimed at providing transparency and accountability to avoid another Surfside condo collapse. Owners hope to see relief fast. The sharp rise in condo fees has had an effect on older condos for sale. Homeowners are finding themselves saddled with rising HOAs, in addition to being unable to sell their condo. 'Prospective buyers are more cautious now, often demanding structural inspection reports before making a purchase,' , director of new development sales at Compass Development Marketing Group, told 'This caution has led buyers to shift their interest into newer buildings since older buildings' costs are higher. Newer condo products are selling at higher prices.' New Homes Are Flying Off the Shelves in These 4 Metros—Defying the National Trend of Sluggish Sales Mapped: States Most at Risk for Hurricane Damage 7 Bedrooms Is the New 4 for Luxury Living in New England Suburbs
Fox News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Justin Bieber Posts Fierce Father's Day Instagram Post
A juror in Diddy's federal trial was dismissed Monday over conflicting residency claims, forcing the court to call in an alternate. Justin Bieber marked Father's Day with a fierce Instagram post, calling himself a dad 'not to be f***ed with' alongside a tough-looking selfie. Gisele Bündchen turned heads paddleboarding in Surfside, Florida, rocking a tight white swimsuit and a wide-brimmed sunhat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Gizmodo
4 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Billionaire Island Where Bezos Lives Lobbies State Gov to Flush Its Poop Down Neighbor Town's Pipes
One of the places that Jeff Bezos lives is a man-made island off the coast of Florida called Indian Creek Village. The island is predominantly populated by other billionaires and is colloquially known as the 'Billionaire Bunker.' In fact, if you're not a billionaire, it's quite difficult to get in. The bridge from the mainland to the island is closed to the public and protected by armed guards and a sophisticated security system. However, if the island is almost entirely cut off from the rest of humanity, the island's inhabitants still seem intent on sharing one thing with members of the outside world: their piss and shit. The New York Times reports on an amusing tussle between Indian Creek Village and a neighboring town, Surfside, which is also populated by rich people (albeit not nearly as rich as the ones who live on the island). Indian Creek doesn't have the underground infrastructure to deal with its own poop, so the solution it came up with was to funnel it through Surfside into a wider regional sewage system. Unfortunately, Surfside didn't want the poop unless Indian Creek was willing to contribute $10 million to the community for future sewer system improvements. Indian Creek has referred to this request as 'extortion.' 'We were not going to be extorted by him,' Stephen J. Helfman, the village lawyer, told the Times. 'We are a local government just like they are. They are a wealthy community too.' In an effort to fight this grave injustice, the community's village council subsequently traveled to Florida's State Capitol to lobby on behalf of the toilet-related concerns. The Times notes that Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, is a member of Indian Creek Village and is on the council. The lobbying appears to have worked, as the Times reports that a large transportation bill recently approved by the state legislature now includes a 'new legal measure prohibiting municipalities from blocking or charging for the installation of certain sewer lines — like the one Indian Creek wants to build, for example.' The bill now only has to be signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis. Charles Burkett, the mayor of Surfside, told the Times that he was blindsided by the legislative effort to resolve the matter: Mr. Burkett said he was not aware that Indian Creek had taken the issue to Tallahassee until he got a call from someone in the governor's office. The aide, he said, appeared to be sympathetic to Indian Creek's situation. 'He's the one who kind of said, 'We'll just make a law, and that's how we'll solve the problem,'' Mr. Burkett said. When reached for comment by Gizmodo, Helfman said that the village had been 'working on a plan to eliminate septic tanks to comply with State and local environmental mandates.' Helfman relayed that when the community had ' applied for the required State of Florida environmental utility permit to do the work which includes a 4-inch pipe under a public street within the Town of Surfside.' Surfside subsequently declined to grant 'the routine administrative permit to install the pipe. The Surfside Mayor made several demands on several ICV City officials for a $10,000,000 payment as a condition to the permit. Indian Creek refused.' 'We notified the State of the issue in case they were aware of this issue with any other cities. We believe the State was also unsuccessful in their request with Surfside, representatives said. 'The State understood that a change in state law was needed to prevent this from occurring with other cities. The bill (that overwhelmingly passed both houses of the legislature) simply states that when a City is converting from a septic tank system to a sewer system with state-approved permits, no local government permit is needed to use a public street.' Helfman further clarified that Indian Creek Village had 'built its own system [sewage]' and that the community was merely attempting to install 'a pipe in a public street within Surfside' and thereby connect it to a 'regional system used by all cities and operated by the County government.' Somehow, an island full of billionaires exporting their shit into somebody else's backyard feels like a good metaphor for our current socio-political order, though the exact particulars of it are escaping me right now.
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Florida condos are adapting to new normal. Lenders and insurers need to catch up
Condos adapt Recent media coverage highlights challenges in Florida's condo market, but the bigger picture is more balanced. The most pressing issues, declining property values and affordability, stem largely from two factors: limited access to federal mortgage lending and soaring insurance premiums. After the 2021 Surfside tragedy, Florida adopted essential new laws to improve building safety and financial planning. These reforms protect residents and preserve property values. While the transition has been difficult for some older buildings, most of Florida's nearly 50,000 condominium communities remain well-governed and proactive. Insurance premium hikes, driven by storm risk and market shifts, are a major cause of rising fees. Policymakers must act to stabilize the insurance market. Meanwhile, overly restrictive mortgage rules from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA are preventing buyers from securing loans in otherwise sound communities. Across the state, condo associations are rising to the challenge, conducting inspections, completing reserve studies and investing in long-term maintenance. These are not communities in crisis, they are adapting with purpose, planning responsibly and prioritizing safety. Lending and insurance policies must reflect this progress. Dawn M. Bauman, chief strategy officer, Community Association Institute, executive director, Foundation for Community Association Research, Alexandria, VA Damage done Re: the Miami Herald's June 9 editorial, 'Two Miami Republicans call out Trump's inhumanity on immigration. Will others follow?' Just a few words for State Sen. Ileana Garcia and her fellow Trump supporters, U.S. Reps. Maria Salazar, Carlos Gimenez and Mario Diaz Balart: too little, too late. Now they are heartbroken and disappointed? A saying in Spanish translates to the effect of, 'people have the government they deserve.' Let that sink in for all those who voted for Donald Trump. Josie Oteiza, Miami Reverse SNAP cuts Re: the June 2 editorial, 'SNAP cuts hurt South Florida: Food insecurity rises.' The decision to cut nearly $300 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program over the next decade is not for economic strategy; it is a direct attack on the lives of America's most vulnerable populations. As a social work student, I am familiar with the toll that food insecurity takes on our elderly, disabled and low-income residents. In Cutler Bay, a 79-year-old woman survives on a modest $940 Social Security check and receives just $100 in SNAP benefits monthly. Even with this meager assistance, she constantly has to choose between nutrition and other basic needs. Her 86-year-old neighbor has removed meat entirely from his diet — not by choice, but because rising prices have made it unaffordable. This is not how we should be treating people who have spent their lives contributing to our communities. The proposed federal cuts will worsen an already precarious situation. Florida is anticipating a $2.8 billion deficit next year, with projections ballooning to nearly $7 billion by 2027. Shifting an estimated $1.6 billion in SNAP costs to state budgets by 2028, as the new policy mandates, is fiscally irresponsible and politically shortsighted. Our state legislature, unable to agree on the 2025-26 budget as of this writing, is in no position to absorb this financial burden without serious consequences. Perhaps most troubling is the motive behind these cuts: financing tax breaks for wealthy Americans. This is a stunning inversion of values. At a time when basic human needs are being sidelined, prioritizing corporate tax cuts over food for children and seniors is indefensible. Our nation should be focused on lifting people up, not pushing them further into poverty. I urge our elected officials to reverse course. Access to food is not a privilege; it is a human right. If we abandon our duty to care for those in need, we compromise the strength, health and future of our communities. Kimara Thomas, Sandler School of Social Work, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Troops unnecessary What we've witnessed in Los Angeles is not just civil unrest — it's a test of American democracy. The federal deployment of troops and militarized policing in response to protests over immigration raids reveals a dangerous shift in how dissent is being handled in our country. I was raised in a small Southern town. I'm also an educator of young adults with special needs. I've seen what happens when government overreach silences local voices. The use of force against U.S. citizens, many peacefully demonstrating, violates the very principles we teach our students: justice, accountability and freedom of speech. California's leaders never requested troops. President Trump's decision to send them anyway not only undermines state sovereignty, it opens the door to authoritarian behavior under the guise of 'order.' Protests are an American tradition, not a threat. If we ignore that truth, we risk losing the democracy we claim to protect. California is a sovereign state and its governor and Los Angeles officials are capable of protecting their citizens. Wade Boyles-Hays, Lighthouse Point Call the Guard Now that President Trump has deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles — on his own, without waiting for a request from California's governor or Los Angeles' mayor — we know that he could have sent National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021, without waiting for a request from U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi or the mayor of D.C. Through his hypocrisy, Trump has revealed that insurrection is only acceptable when it serves his political ambitions. David Frank DeLuca, Palm Bay Following orders When I served on active duty in the Air Force Reserve, one powerful lesson was included in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): enlisted and officers are required to refuse to follow unconstitutional or unlawful orders. So why are U.S. Marines in Los Angeles? Why are commanders participating in a birthday parade that will tear up the streets of our nation's capital and possibly cause civil unrest? While the president is considered a civilian, his unlawful orders to the military should not be followed; military chiefs are breaking the UCMJ. The president has also thumbed his nose at Supreme Court orders. Why hasn't he been arrested and impeached? Why are we allowing conduct that all consider unlawful? Congress and military commanders are breaking the law by carrying out unconstitutional executive orders. They should not only be fired but also prosecuted. Who has the guts to tell the king he has no clothes? Mark Zientz, Miami Dining destination? I enjoyed the June 11 story, 'Not a culinary wasteland,' but I was sorry it focused only on upscale restaurants. Last year, in an essay on Florida for 'The American Scholar,' I wrote about the differences between Miami-Dade and Broward and made the heretical claim that Broward is the more ethnically diverse county. One example I gave: 'Miamians were famous for never crossing the county line, but foodies drove north for our Korean and Vietnamese restaurants.' Thomas Swick, Fort Lauderdale Panthers fan As a former sports writer for the Boston Herald, a life-long hockey nut and a fan of Florida Panthers right wing Brad Marchand, what the Panthers and Brad are doing is a miracle drug for an 89-year-old. The Panthers are playing like the old Bad Bruins used to do — tough, in-your-face — and we can score, too. Marchand deserves another Cup ring. I love Matthew Tkachuk's tough style — must have learned it from his dad, Keith, who I saw play high school hockey and followed his pro career (he scored more than 500 goals). Jim Somma, Kittery, ME
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Why so much?': Florida condo owners fear losing their homes after being handed shocking $3.5M assessment
Like many condo owners in Florida, residents at the Heron Condominiums in West Kendall were expecting to receive a special assessment of some kind. The mandatory 40-year recertification inspection is the result of new regulations for condominiums in the state following the deadly 2021 condo collapse in Surfside, Florida. But when their special assessment came back for $3.48 million, the residents were aghast. While the aging condo building was likely to need repairs of some kind, the colossal price tag has left many worried about potentially losing their homes. "They're not against the special assessment," said Mayra Rodriguez, a resident speaking on behalf of several homeowners in an interview with CBS News Miami. "They're just saying, why so much?" Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Those who own condos know that some of the costs and maintenance responsibilities are outside the residents' control. For example, this condo needs roof repairs, building repairs, waterproofing and other structural work. And, until these are completed, the buildings cannot be recertified and must bare code violation signs throughout the property. These repair costs are covered through the assessment, which is divided between the number of units a building has so that each unit covers a portion of that total bill. In this case, the $3.48 million assessment is spread across approximately 250 units. Residents at Heron have a choice between two different payment options: a 10-year bank loan amounting to roughly $154 per unit per month or a self-funded payment of over $13,200, paid either as a lump sum or divided into four quarterly payments of roughly $3,300, starting in June. In order for the condo board to move forward with the bank loan payment option, at least 66% of the condo owners must approve that action. With the vote yet to happen, residents are worried about being able to cover the cost on their own. 'That's $3,300 every three months," Rodriguez explained. "Most people here just can't afford that." Beyond the consternation about the upcoming assessment, residents are frustrated about the lack of communication and transparency from the board. The owners at this condo complex already pay $260 per month in dues. But they aren't clear on how those funds have been used. "Where is all the money we've been paying for?" asked Jose Redondo, an owner in the complex. Read more: This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Earlier this month, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill aiming to bring immediate financial relief to condo owners. The bill allows condo associations to tap into lines of credit or loans for their reserves and allows for an extra year to make repairs following a structural inspection. While this bill may offer some financial relief for condo owners in the short term, it doesn't entirely protect their budget or longer-term financial wellbeing. The ability to tap into loans likely means many condo owners will face an ongoing monthly payment (with interest) or higher condo dues. Similarly, not all residents have the luxury to wait for the bill to come into effect in July (Heron residents for example are expected to start paying their portions of the assessment in June). So while Florida's post-Surfside condo regulations were made with safety in mind, the new requirements have also meant greater financial strain for those living on a fixed income. Some residents of the Heron complex are seniors living on such an income. While their property values might be high, these lower-income residents may feel 'house rich but cash poor.' Depending on the situation, some residents might also not qualify for new loans to cover their assessment costs. If they wanted to leave the complex, they might struggle to find a comparable housing option in the area. With that, many condo owners might feel compelled to sell below market value, downsize to a smaller place, relocate to a more affordable city, or switch to renting for the foreseeable future. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
