Page 8 - Martin Downs Bulletin - June '22

Page 8, Martin Downs

rEal EstatE

Treasure Coast Real Estate grand theft, money laundering, There is a joke that goes: “Abraham Lincoln once said,
Report aggravated white-collar crime ‘Don’t believe everything that you read on the Internet.’” This
applies to things like the latest conspiracy theory and definitely
and communications fraud.
Investigators say the applies to real estate.
Beware The Numerous Real Estate Scams scam involved 25 properties The Internet is a scammer’s best friend. They can easily
Out There located in Palm Beach, St. post fake properties for sale or rent on numerous sites.
By Jim Weix Lucie, Indian River, Lee, To avoid being a victim, you can do several things:
This crazy real estate market is ripe for fraud. For Sale Orange and Flagler counties. 1. Get a third party involved. Most FSBO sellers and
By Owner (FSBO) sellers, buyers, and renters are the most Taking advantage of desperate landlords are willing to pay a real estate agent that brings
common victims. A recent case involved a Palm Beach woman buyers, prosecutors allege them a buyer or tenant, so use one. Along with checking out
who was arrested and charged with scheming to defraud, that she “listed” properties the property, the agent can handle the contracts. The agent can
for sale on various real estate also put your deposits in a trust account.
loCal websites without the owners’ knowledge, often impersonating 2. Verify the property owner. Go to your county property
appraiser’s website and look up the owner of the property.
an owner. Once a buyer committed to purchasing the property,
she would act as the title agent facilitating the closing. So far
or landlord. If you can’t, then have your agent do it. While
45 victims have been identified. 3. Physically visit the property and meet with the seller
GovErNmENt Although this case was on a larger scale than most, there you are there, it would be a good idea to talk to several of
the neighbors.
have also been other cases where property was “sold” by FSBO
sellers that didn’t own the property. These criminals are taking 4. Do not give the seller or landlord any money until you
advantage of buyers desperate to buy a home in today’s crazy have a sales contract or lease signed by all parties.
Martin County Property real estate market. Unlike buying items online, with real estate there is no free
Appraiser’s Office Port St. Lucie Police say they’ve also seen an uptick in shipping or easy return policy. However too many buyers and
tenants don’t seem to realize that.
rental scams over the past few months as scammers target
unsuspecting renters and steal thousands over the Internet. To Jim Weix is a broker associate with The Keyes Company. Jim
Proposed Constitutional Amendments help people avoid being scammed, the county has set up a site has 25 years of experience selling real estate full time. If you
where people can check to see if a property might be involved have questions or want the services of an experienced expert,
T wo p r o p o se d in a scam. Visit www.trieshield.com and select sign up. you can reach Jim at (772) 341-2941 or jimweix@jimweix.com.
constitutional amendments
that may affect the amount NoNprofit NEWs
of taxes you pay on your
property will appear on
the Nov. 8 ballot. If passed,
these amendments would Palm City Art Associates Our best wishes to these three extraordinary young
take effect Jan. 1, 2023. Announcements women as they continue their artistic journey making a
A men d men t 1: positive difference in our world.
Limitation On The
Assessment Of Real PCAA’s Annual High School Art Scholarship Palm City Art Associates, Inc. Elects Officers
Property Used For Awards For 2022/23
Residential Purposes At its May 11 meeting PCAA members unanimously
This proposed amendment states that any change or elected the following officers:
improvement made to your residential property/home
for the purpose of preventing flood damage, shall not be
added to your assessed value for tax purposes.
Examples of these types of improvements include
dams, seawalls, levees, elevating structures, filling
basements, waterproofing basements, and maintenance
of land to allow for storm water runoff.
Amendment 3: Additional Homestead Property Tax
Exemption For Specified Critical Public Services
Workforce
This proposed amendment would grant an additional
homestead tax exemption of homestead property owned by
classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional
officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, PCAA proudly announces this year’s talented high school
paramedics, child welfare services professionals, active scholarship recipients from Martin County. Left to right:
duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and Juliana Vollone, a senior at Clark Advanced Learning
Florida National Guard members. Center. Juliana will be attending Nova Southeastern Back row: Nancy Mich, vice-president; Dana Meyer, trustee;
This proposed exemption amount can range from University in Ft. Lauderdale with a major in art and design Judi LeBlanc, secretary; Diane Raymond, past president.
$0 to $50,000 and would apply if your assessed and a concentration in graphic design.Madisyn Boudreau, Front row: Lois Brusko, treasurer; Laura Tiano, president;
value (not market value) is greater a senior at Jensen Beach High School. Madisyn will be Donna Jutila, trustee
than $100,000. If this amendment attending the University of Central Florida with a major
passes, those receiving this additional in entertainment management and minor in studio art. Palm City Art Associates, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
exemption would be required to Miyah Lebofsky, a senior at Martin County High School organization of over 80 artists coming together, sharing
provide proof of full-time qualifying was awarded The Jane “Ejan” Blatt Memorial Scholarship. ideas and giving back to the community through
employment every year. Miyah will be attending Florida State University with scholarships for local students.
majors in art and psychology.

Answer for

Crossword Puzzle