Page 12 - Palm City Spotlight - January '21

Page 12, Palm City Spotlight

tip oF tHe tail

Canine Cataracts progression varies from breed to breed and individual to
individual. Cataracts may develop relatively early in life in
The structure and function of the eye is similar to that of some breeds, but in others the first signs are detected when
a camera. The camera has a lens to focus light on film, while the dog is older and progression is so slow that dogs still
the eye has a lens to focus light on the retina which sends have reasonable sight well into old age. Efforts can be made
signals to the brain to be interpreted into the world around to prevent inherited cataracts by careful and conscientious
us. The lens is just behind the pupil which opens and closes breeding. Many veterinary ophthalmologists offer eye
like a camera lens to let in varying amounts of light through certification programs that offer breeders the opportunity to
the pupil and then the lens. Opaque lens are called cataracts. screen their breeding stock and make sure they are producing
The most common cause in dogs is inherited cataracts, but progression depends on the type of cataract, the breed, and disease-free puppies.
other cataracts form after traumatic injuries or systemic other risk factors. Veterinary ophthalmologists can surgically Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center
disease such as diabetes mellitus. The hereditary cataracts remove cataracts and restore failing vision caused by is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your
can be seen in many breeds including cocker spaniels, Labs, cataracts in your pet. Most pets have few complications and pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery,
poodles, and Boston terriers. return to normal activity, running and playing, within just a physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine,
The effect cataracts will have on your dog can vary from few days of the surgery. The earlier cataracts are removed, the extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City
almost no effect to total blindness. If cataracts occupy less results of the surgery are better. Your veterinarian can arrange Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical
than 30 percent of the lens or only one lens, the vision will a referral appointment to an ophthalmologist to further care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners.
likely be almost normal. Noticeable impairment occurs when evaluate your pet’s condition and determine appropriate For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit www.
greater than 60 percent of the lens is affected. If opacity treatment options. palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
progresses to 100 percent, your dog will be blind. The Since the major cause of cataracts are heredity, cataract at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
real estate

Treasure Coast Real Estate This is all part of the purchase price that the buyer pays. To be a Realtor, an agent must be a member of the

Report The $300,000 is also what financing is based on. National Association of Realtors. This then allows
But what if buyers had to pay their own Realtor? In
that agent to do things like belong to a local Realtor
other words, the seller would pay 3 percent to their Realtor Association and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
There Is A War On Real Estate Commissions. and the buyer, not the seller, would pay 3 percent to their However, anybody with a real estate license can practice
Will Consumers Benefit? I Hope So! Realtor. real estate. They don’t have to be a Realtor or be a member
There are several lawsuits pending that would make of an MLS.
By Jim Weix that a reality. This may sound like good news to sellers. The new rules will require, with the seller’s prior
I’m going to deviate from However, if a buyer has to come up with the money, it approval, that any licensed real estate agent will have
my normal type article. may be detrimental to the sale. access to the lockboxes of properties listed on an MLS
That is because there are In the case of the $300,000 home, if a seller was doing even if the agent does not subscribe to the MLS. I see a
events in motion that could FHA loan financing with 3.5 percent down, they would potential Pandora’s Box being opened here.
dramatically change how need to have a $10,500 down payment. But if they have I am both a Realtor and pro-consumer advocate. I’m
real estate is normally sold. to also pay their Realtor a 3 percent commission on top of confident that I, along with Realtors and those with just a
In a typical transaction, that, they now need to come up with $19,500. This may real estate license, can figure out how to work things out
a seller lists their property make the home unaffordable to the buyer. for the benefit of the consumer.
with a Realtor and agrees Then there is the proposed final judgement between the Jim Weix is a broker associate with The Keyes
®
to pay a commission. That U. S. Department of Justice and the National Association Company. Jim has 24 years of experience selling real
Realtor then agrees to split of Realtors. Among other things, it would open the door estate full time. If you have questions or want the services
part of that commission with any other Realtor that procures for anybody with a real estate license to more actively of an experienced expert, you can reach Jim at (772) 341-
a buyer. This has worked quite well since the 1920s. become involved in real estate. 2941 or jimweix@jimweix.com.
For example, a seller lists their property and agrees
to pay a commission of 6 percent. The listing Realtor
then agrees to pay half of that, or 3 percent, to the FinanCial FoCus
Realtor that procures the buyer. In other words, the seller
getting $300,000 for their property would pay $18,000 in
commission and $9,000 of that would go to the buyer’s
Realtor. How To Respond When Risk • Look past the immediate event. While the market’s
pandemic-driven fall was sudden, its recovery was also
Tolerance Is Tested fairly quick. Eight months after its March meltdown, the
market had regained all the lost ground and reached a
By Bryce Buchanan, new record high. During the midst of what appears to be a
Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing Edward Jones real threat to your investment portfolio, it can be difficult
Palm Beach County and is a privately When you begin to anticipate a more favorable environment. Yet, while
owned and managed company. investing, you’ll generally past performance can’t guarantee future results, every
Captain’s is committed to providing assess your comfort with historical market decline has been followed by a recovery.
dependable, reliable and professional
ground transportation to and from all risk, as your investment • Understand that the Dow isn’t your portfolio. When
South Florida Airports and Seaports. PBCVH212 choices will be guided the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the other major
To reserve your vehicle: at least partially by your market indexes such as the S&P 500 fall precipitously (or
561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com risk tolerance. But once shoot up), it makes headlines. But the Dow and the S&P
you actually experience 500 only track the performance of large U.S. companies
the ups and downs of the – and while their performance may be an indication of the
Answer for market, this tolerance U.S. economy, they aren’t going to track the results of your
portfolio, which should ideally include a personalized
could be tested.
Crossword Puzzle Risk tolerance may appear less bothersome in the mix of large-company stocks, small-company stocks,
international stocks, bonds, government securities and
abstract but seem quite different in reality. For example,
you might initially think you wouldn’t be fazed by short- other investments.
term market downturns, no matter how severe. However, • Keep your emotions out of your investment moves. The
when the financial markets really decline, as happened market will fluctuate constantly – but you should always try
when the COVID-19 pandemic struck last March, you to keep your emotions in check. Excess exuberance when
might find yourself being more concerned than you the market rises, or extreme despondency when the market
thought you would be. falls, can lead you to make poor decisions. Specifically, we
Before you change your investment strategy, it’s may buy when we feel good (when the markets are up) and
important to understand the potential tradeoffs. By sell when we feel badly (when markets are down). Your
limiting your downside risk by investing less aggressively, heart and your emotions may drive your financial goals
you may also limit your upside potential. You might need – creating a comfortable retirement, sending your kids to
to change your strategy in other ways, such as saving college or leaving a legacy for your family – but when you
more or working longer. That said, the tradeoff involved invest for these goals, you should use your head.
in reducing your downside risk may be worth taking, if Your risk tolerance is a key part of your investment
it helps you cope better with wild market swings, as the strategy. But by taking the steps described above, you
best strategy may be one you can stick with through the can gain a broader understanding of how risk fits into
inevitable ups and downs of the markets. your overall picture – and a better understanding of
Because market fluctuations are a normal part of yourself as an investor.
investing, here are some additional suggestions that may This article was written by Edward Jones, member
help you focus on your long-term strategy. SIPC, for use by your local Edward Jones financial advisor.