Page 12 - Palm City Spotlight - June '22

Page 12, Palm City Spotlight

NoNprofit eveNts

Supporters Of 211 Palm

Beach And Treasure Coast
Gather For Cocktail Event To

Learn About Recent Grants

Awarded And Future Plans

Friends and supporters of 211 Palm Beach and
Treasure Coast gathered on April 22 at the charming
home of Jessica and Trent Swift in West Palm Beach for
an exquisite cocktail party.
This special evening was an opportunity for guests to
meet the leadership team of 211 Palm Beach and Treasure
Coast and learn more about the goals and future plans of
the nonprofit organization. Sharon L’Herrou, president/

Michael Magnani and Geri Emmett Felicia Taylor and Peter Gottsegen Dawn and Ken Kettner

CEO of 211 Palm Beach and Treasure
Coast, spoke briefly to guests about
several recent grants that 211 has been
awarded and the impact these grants
will make on 211 and the community
it serves. These grants demonstrate the
esteem in which 211 is held locally,
statewide, and nationally and the need
for 211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast
to expand its services – taking crisis
calls from first responders and handling
online “chats” with people considering
suicide.
The services that 211 provides are
Steve Locante, Nancy Lambrecht, John Deese lifesaving. The mission is to connect George Elmore and Marti LaTour Sarah Alsofrom and Sharon L’Herrou
people to services 24 hours a day by
understanding their individual emotional, financial, and
community needs and supporting the health and human
service system as a whole.
To learn more about 211 Palm Beach and the Treasure
Coast and its services and programs, visit 211palmbeach.org.
Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to TXT211 (898211)
for more information. Calls to 211 are free, confidential,
and available 24/7. If you or someone you know is
experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide,
dial 2-1-1, and a Mobile Crisis Response Team can be
dispatched if requested. 211 is also the regional responder
for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1 (800) 273-
TALK (8255) and the soon-to-launch 9-8-8 number.
Photos by Tracey Benson Photography Guy Clark, Renee Morrison, Harrison Morgan

reaL estate
Jessica and Trent Swift (and Trent Jr.)

Answer for
Crossword Puzzle Treasure Coast Real Estate target unsuspecting renters and steal thousands over the
Report Internet. To help people avoid being scammed, the county
has set up a site where people can check to see if a property
might be involved in a scam. Visit www.trieshield.com
Beware The Numerous Real Estate Scams and select sign up.
Out There There is a joke that goes: “Abraham Lincoln once said,
By Jim Weix ‘Don’t believe everything that you read on the Internet.’”
This crazy real estate This applies to things like the latest conspiracy theory and
market is ripe for fraud. definitely applies to real estate.
For Sale By Owner The Internet is a scammer’s best friend. They can easily
(FSBO) sellers, buyers, post fake properties for sale or rent on numerous sites.
and renters are the most To avoid being a victim, you can do several things:
common victims. A recent 1. Get a third party involved. Most FSBO sellers and
case involved a Palm landlords are willing to pay a real estate agent that brings
Beach woman who was them a buyer or tenant, so use one. Along with checking
arrested and charged with out the property, the agent can handle the contracts. The
scheming to defraud, grand agent can also put your deposits in a trust account.
theft, money laundering, 2. Verify the property owner. Go to your county
aggravated white-collar crime and communications fraud. property appraiser’s website and look up the owner of
Investigators say the scam involved 25 properties located the property.
in Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Indian River, Lee, Orange and 3. Physically visit the property and meet with the seller
Flagler counties. Taking advantage of desperate buyers, or landlord. If you can’t, then have your agent do it. While
prosecutors allege that she “listed” properties for sale on you are there, it would be a good idea to talk to several
various real estate websites without the owners’ knowledge, of the neighbors.
often impersonating an owner. Once a buyer committed to 4. Do not give the seller or landlord any money until
purchasing the property, she would act as the title agent you have a sales contract or lease signed by all parties.
facilitating the closing. So far 45 victims have been identified. Unlike buying items online, with real estate there is no
Although this case was on a larger scale than most, there free shipping or easy return policy. However too many
have also been other cases where property was “sold” by buyers and tenants don’t seem to realize that.
561-208-8474 FSBO sellers that didn’t own the property. These criminals Jim Weix is a broker associate with The Keyes

curlytailscreens.com are taking advantage of buyers desperate to buy a home in Company. Jim has 25 years of experience selling real
today’s crazy real estate market.
estate full time. If you have questions or want the services
Screen Doors • Window Screens Port St. Lucie Police say they’ve also seen an uptick of an experienced expert, you can reach Jim at (772) 341-
Sliding Door Rollers, Locks, Handles • Window Cleaning in rental scams over the past few months as scammers 2941 or jimweix@jimweix.com.