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South Florida Community • July 8, 2022

Tired Of Dealing With Homeowners Insurance Hikes?

by Paulina Hurtado

Did you know that a new bill has recently been passed to help homeowners deal with rising insurance rates? In this video, I’m going to show you how Senate Bill 2D is bringing some positive changes to Florida law. We’ll find out what this new Bill entails and how you can benefit from it.

Trouble With Insurance

The Florida insurance market has been in complete chaos, making insurance premiums skyrocket. This makes it difficult for first-time homebuyers to purchase a home in an already difficult market. It’s been ridiculous, frankly, and completely disgusting. 

Thankfully, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Fortunately for homeowners and aspiring homeowners, Florida lawmakers just passed Senate Bill 2D. Let’s take a closer look at what positive changes this Bill brings.

Senate Bill 2D

Senate Bill 2D—also known as SB 2D—includes a variety of reform measures to protect homeowners. This includes requiring roof solicitations to contain customer awareness language, helping reduce frivolous lawsuits. It also protects policyholders from nonrenewal. 

SB 2D also allows roof deductibles in exchange for rate reductions, up to 2% of the insured value or 50% of the roof replacement cost. It also establishes home hardening grants to empower homeowners to protect their homes from storms. This program provides $2 in grant funds for every $1 provided by the homeowner, with a cap of up to $10,000.

Additionally, the Bill includes reform that will help reduce frivolous lawsuits and also improves affordability for policyholders. It authorizes $2 billion for a new program that will help insurers get reimbursement for losses during a hurricane earlier than normal. Overall, the bill makes insurers accountable, preventing them from denying claims without sufficient reasoning.

Improvements For Homeowners

It’s great to know that SB 2D will assist homeowners, both current and those who want to buy a property for the first time. It will help Floridians who are struggling and provide better solutions in the long term.

If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up at 754-581-3452 and I’ll be happy to connect with you. Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss an episode of my show, and stay tuned to see what I feature next! 

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News • Real Estate • South Florida Community • June 27, 2022

Senate Bill 4D PASSED!

by Paulina Hurtado
Condo Inspection

Did you know that a new Bill has been passed to establish safety guidelines for high-rise buildings? In this video, I’m going to explain how the Surfside condo collapse tragedy has led to reform in condominium maintenance. We’ll find out what Senate Bill 4D requires and how it will help with building safety going forward.

The Surfside Condo Collapse

Many lives were lost in June of 2021. At around 1:00 am on the morning, half of the oceanfront condo complex called Champlain Towers South collapsed. While a few people were saved from the massive wreckage, a total of 98 people tragically died.

Shortly after the shock of the disaster passed, it was time to figure out what had caused the collapse. Reporters from The Miami Herald dug into years of reports, inspections, designs, and contract documents. A few potential causes were found, including a design flaw in the building’s pool deck and outdoor planters. Because they weren’t sloped to allow for proper drainage, structural damage to concrete that trickled down to the parking garage worsened over time.

It has since also been suggested that there were issues in the foundation and the rebar. Officials found that the slab under the pool deck gave way into the garage, contributing to the overall collapse of the building.

Senate Bill 4D

In response to this catastrophe, Florida lawmakers knew that they had to meet and act quickly to pass a condo reform law to prevent this from happening again. Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis signed in a new law in March of 2022 called Senate Bill 4D.

This Bill provides an overhaul of previous high-rise inspection laws. The new Bill will require more frequent recertification of safety standards and will mandate that condo boards build up reserves to make the necessary repairs. Recertification of condo buildings over 3 stories tall will be required every 30 years (or 25 if within 3 miles of the coast) and then every 10 years after.

This Bill will also require condos to provide inspection reports to residents. If there are any structural issues, the condo must begin working on repairs within a year of the report.

Safer Condo Buildings In Florida

While the Surfside collapse was a tragedy, it has led to increased awareness of high-rise condos structure and safety. It’s hoped that Senate Bill 4D will prevent anything like this from happening again.

If you have any questions about this Bill or what it means for you, feel free to reach out to me at 754-581-3452 and I’ll be happy to speak with you. Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss a future episode of my show, and stay tuned to see what I feature next!

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Buyer • News • Real Estate • June 9, 2022

Florida’s Hometown Heroes Program

by Paulina Hurtado

Are you a healthcare provider, teacher, firefighter, police officer, or any other type of frontline worker? In this video, I’m going to tell you all about the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program. We’ll look at who qualifies and what benefits are included so you can see if this amazing program is for you.

Florida’s Hometown Heroes

The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program was recently passed and signed into law. It provides frontline workers with affordable housing opportunities.

This means that people who are an integral part of growing and building our communities—such as our health care providers, firefighters, police officers, and teachers—may be eligible for up to $25,000 in assistance for closing costs and downpayment. They may also benefit from lower interest rates, reduced upfront fees, and zero loan origination or discount points.

Who Qualifies

A variety of occupations qualify under this program. Categories include everything from law enforcement and firefighters to teachers, childcare instructors, and healthcare professionals. Even massage therapists, athletic trainers, and veterinarians can apply. The program also includes active military personnel and veterans.

This program has loan limits and income limits for each county. Additionally, applicants need to be first-time homebuyers looking to purchase a primary residence in the community they serve.

I’m Here To Help

As you can see, the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program is a great option for those who serve our communities and want to purchase a home. For more information about this program or to see if you’re an eligible frontline worker, give me a call at 754-581-3452.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss an episode of my show, all about Florida real estate. Stay tuned to see what I feature next!

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South Florida Community • Uncategorized • May 28, 2022

All Aboard The Brightline Train

by Paulina Hurtado

Did you know there’s a way to go from Fort Lauderdale to Miami without getting stuck in traffic? In this video, we’re going to take a ride on the Brightline from Fort Lauderdale to Miami, Florida so you can see what this train is all about. Join us as we also visit a few spots in Downtown Miami, Brickell and the eclectic Wynwood area.

All Aboard

Our trip on the Brightline train will take us to Miami, Florida. The good thing about taking the train is that you can avoid all the traffic going from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. You can also have somebody pick you up and drop you off within a five-mile radius of the station. 

Fort Lauderdale’s Brightline station is located at 101 NW 2nd Avenue, and the train itself is the epitome of comfort and class. Our party of four relaxed in hand-stitched leather seats as we ordered drinks from the service cart, watching the beautiful Florida scenery fly by. 

In just about 30 minutes, we arrived in Miami to enjoy the sights and sounds of this beautiful city. One of our first stops was just above the MiamiCentral station: Park-Line Miami – a world class metropolitan community of apartment homes. Located directly above the station, the homes provide direct access to all of South Florida’s mass transit lines, features a two-acre amenity sky park and has floor to ceiling windows with soaring views of the Downtown Miami skyline, Biscayne Bay and ocean.

Our next visit led us to Crazy About You Restaurant & Lounge. Only 15 minutes from the station, this picturesque waterfront dining is one of Brickell’s most upscale restaurant destinations. Its unique lounge setting, warm décor and prestigious views make this bay front dining experience a top preference for locals and out-of-town visitors.

Right before wrapping up our visit, we tapped into one of Miami’s most creative and cultural hubs: the Miami Design District, also known as, the Wynwood Design District. A neighborhood that has transformed in recent years into one of the world’s hippest hangouts. Wynwood offers visitors opportunities to enjoy the best of international contemporary art – but not just in galleries; the streets too where colorful murals on building walls and the city’s sidewalks capture the attention of anyone passing by.

Exploring South Florida with Brightline

I hope you enjoyed joining us on our amazing trip aboard the Brightline train. If you haven’t had a chance to try this mode of transportation for yourself, contact us to schedule a private VIP tour or head to Brightline’s website to book your trip today. 

If you’d like to learn more about new developments in the city and real estate opportunities happening in the area, make sure to reach out to me and I’ll be happy to provide you with all the information.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss a future video, all about living here in beautiful South Florida. Stay tuned to see what I feature next! 

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Buyer • New Construction • Real Estate • May 23, 2022

Flexible Living At SMART Brickell In Brickell, Florida

by Paulina Hurtado

Welcome to Tower 3

Smart Brickell is a condominium project consisting of three towers. Each boutique tower is set to be exactly 23 stories high, with the first tower already built and closing in June of 2022. Construction on Tower 2 is set to begin next week, followed by Tower 3 to the right of Tower 2. Because both Towers 1 and 2 are already sold out, we’re going to focus on Tower 3—which is available now for reservations. The tower’s lower section, which constitutes the second floor to the seventh floor, will be comprised of hotel residences. Despite being called “hotel residences”, Smart Brickell is not a hotel or a condo-hotel; it’s a condominium. The units in the lower section are named as hotel residences due to the fact that they can only be leased daily on Airbnb concept platforms or Booking.com.

Price Points and Details

The hotel residences consist of one bedrooms and one bedrooms with a den and two bathrooms. They’re wonderful because they are an urban concept of a regular standard condominium at a smaller size. Units range from 600 square feet to about 640 square feet. The layout is like a condo but on a smaller scale. The plans are very well thought out, which is why the project is called Smart Brickell. These one bedrooms start from $506,000; units with the additional den and two bathrooms are priced from $520,000 to $540,000, depending on which one is available. These units are very accepted by Smart Brickell’s clientele, with most buyers looking primarily for investment and not necessarily to live in them or use them very often. The lower-level hotel residence units can be rented out daily with a maximum 30-day stay for guests. However, if you’re looking for a different type of investment that requires a longer stay, then the flexible condominiums in the upper-level will be a more suitable fit.

Flexible Condominiums

The flexible condominiums occupy floors 10-22. These units allow you to do daily rentals just like the hotel residence section, but you can also rent it monthly or even yearly. Prices are very similar between the two sections. Facing south, residents can take advantage of amazing views of the water and the skyline of Rico and part of Coconut Grove. Additionally, these are larger units at 850 square feet. The two bedrooms, two baths units start in the $800,000s, with balconies on the north side of the tower. Some of these face the river, downtown Miami, and the beautiful skyline. The flexible condominium section will give you better views, as you’ll be on a higher floor than the hotel residence units.

Reserve Your Unit Today           

As you can see, Smart Brickell is an amazing project happening in downtown Brickell, Miami. Whether you’re looking to live there full-time or want to rent out your unit when you’re away, Tower 3 is a great option to consider. It is set to be the best tower with unobstructed views. It’s also the only one with availability, so you’ll want to reserve yours fast. If you’d like more information about this project or any project in downtown Brickell, give us a call at 754-581-3452. Make sure you also subscribe to my channel so you never miss a video, and stay tuned to see what I feature next!
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Real Estate • Seller • May 23, 2022

Selling Your House in Today’s Market

by Paulina Hurtado
Attention Broward County Homeowners! If you’re thinking about selling your house, we may be able to help without having to even list it on the MLS. A Seller’s Market – High Demand, Low Inventory This is the perfect market to sell, and we have many qualified buyers looking to purchase. There just isn’t enough inventory! Homes here go lightning fast. And while our buyers have looked at house after house, finding the perfect home for our buyers in this market is making it a bit difficult. If you or anybody you know is looking to sell a two- to four-bedroom house in Broward County, please let us know right away. We may be able to sell your property without it ever even hitting the market. Make sure to reach out to me, and I’ll be happy to connect with you.
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Buyer • News • Real Estate • May 23, 2022

All About Florida’s Homestead Exemption

by Paulina Hurtado
Did you know that you can get a discount on your property taxes? In this video, I tell you briefly about Florida’s two most commonly used tax benefits for property owners and how to qualify for these exemptions to lower you tax liability. Homestead Exemption & Portability The Homestead Exemption is a valuable property tax benefit that can save homeowners thousands of dollars each year. All Florida residents are eligible for a Homestead Exemption on their homes if they qualify. You are entitled to a Homestead Exemption if, as of January 1st, you have made the property your permanent home or the permanent home of a person who is legally or naturally dependent on you. Keep in mind though that Homestead Exemption does not transfer from property to property. If you had this exemption last year on another property and moved, you must file a new application for your new residence. Additionally, Florida’s Portability law allows property owners to transfer their “Save Our Homes” benefit that was earned on a previous Homestead property to their new Homestead property. So, if you are applying for a new Homestead Exemption AND you held a Homestead Exemption on a previous property in Florida, you should also submit a Portability application with your Homestead application. The deadline to file is March 1st of this year. If you want more information or need help with your Homestead Exemption or Portability application, give me a call. I’m here to help you take advantage of these benefits.
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