Page 4 - Stuart Exposure - August '23

Page 4, Stuart Exposure

Wounded Veterans Relief Fund from page 1
Real estate Florida disabled veterans. The Florida Governor signed the

proposed bill on May 26.
A list of basic qualification criteria is listed at wvrf.org.
Treasure Coast Real Estate Veterans who qualify for assistance and are interested in
dental care should contact their VA social worker or County
Report Veteran Service Officer to submit a dental referral to WVRF.
“We hope that by providing dental care to veterans, we can
Near 7 Percent Mortgage Rates Will help improve their overall health and well-being, and provide
Likely Be Around For Awhile a clear path for employment and a better life,” Durkee said.
“We are grateful for the support of our partners, as well as
By Jim Weix the state legislature, in making this initiative possible.” Before After
When I bought my Visit wvrf.org, call (561) 855-4207, or email info@wvrf.
first house in 1971, I org for more information about WVRF and its veteran dental
had a fixed rate 30-year care initiatives.
mortgage at 7 percent. About The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund
My friends laughed at me The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF) is a veteran-
and told me about their led nonprofit organization that provides urgent financial
4.75 percent adjustable- assistance, critical dental care, and access to professional
rate mortgages. About services for Florida’s eligible wounded veterans. The nonprofit
10 years later, when was founded in 2009 and Army Veteran Michael Durkee
mortgages were at 18 is the executive director. WVRF is headquartered in North
percent, my friends were Palm Beach, Fla., with additional team members located in
losing their homes, but my payment stayed the same. the Pensacola, Tampa, and Orlando regions. “Like” WVRF
Now we have a different situation. Presently 61 on Facebook at WoundedVeteransReliefFund and follow on
percent of mortgages are below 4 percent. A lot of Instagram at @wvrelieffund and Twitter @WVReliefFund.
these homeowners aren’t willing to sell, and buy Photos by WVRF Before After
another home with a higher mortgage rate. This is
contributing to a low inventory of homes for sale.
This low inventory, plus high demand for homes, is Related Information Provided By The Mayo Clinic
causing home prices in Florida to continue to rise. Poor dental hygiene is directly linked to other chronic health Pneumonia
Those buyers waiting for interest rates or prices to go care conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Studies have Certain bacteria in your mouth can be pulled into your lungs,
down are simply getting further behind. found that people with periodontal or gum disease have a greater causing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
Other buyers are buying now, even if their mortgage risk of experiencing a major cardiovascular event, such as a Certain conditions also might affect your oral health, including:
is close to 7 percent. It is likely that these buyers will heart attack or stroke. Gum disease leads to an increased arterial Diabetes
see the value of their new home go up. It is also very inflammation, which is responsible for cardiovascular problems. By reducing the body’s resistance to infection, diabetes puts
likely that mortgage rates will go down in the future. Studies suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation your gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more frequent and
When that happens, these buyers can re-finance their associated with a severe form of gum disease (periodontitis) severe among people who have diabetes.
mortgage at a lower rate. However, you can’t do might play a role in some diseases. And certain diseases, such Research shows that people who have gum disease have a
anything but watch if you don’t own a home. as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body’s resistance to harder time controlling their blood sugar levels. Regular periodontal
Granted, higher mortgage rates may prevent you infection, making oral health problems more severe. care can improve diabetes control.
Conditions That Can Be Linked To Oral Health
HIV/AIDS
from buying your dream home. But rather than sit on Your oral health might contribute to various diseases and Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common
the sidelines and lose, adjust your view of your dream conditions, including: in people who have HIV/AIDS.
home. Endocarditis Osteoporosis
Buy something that you can afford. At least you This infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or This bone-weakening disease is linked with periodontal bone
are in the game. valves (endocardium) typically occurs when bacteria or other loss and tooth loss. Certain drugs used to treat osteoporosis carry
Feel free to call me if you would like to discuss germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, a small risk of damage to the bones of the jaw.
your options. I can be reached at (772) 341-2941 or spread through your bloodstream and attach to certain areas in Alzheimer’s Disease
jimweix@jimweix.com. your heart. Worsening oral health is seen as Alzheimer’s disease
Jim Weix is a broker associate with The Keyes Cardiovascular Disease progresses.
Company. Jim has 25 years of experience selling real Although the connection is not fully understood, some Other conditions that might be linked to oral health include eating
estate full time. If you have questions or want the research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers and an immune
services of an experienced expert, you can reach Jim stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that system disorder that causes dry mouth (Sjogren’s syndrome).
at (772) 341-2941 or jimweix@jimweix.com. oral bacteria can cause. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes
Pregnancy And Birth Complications triples the risk of getting periodontal disease, and an individual
Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth with diabetes and periodontal disease is three times more likely
weight. to develop cardiorenal mortality.

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