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SARRELL, SARRELL & BENDER
  • Home
  • Attorney Profiles
    • Jordana Sarrell
    • Steven A. Sarrell
    • Adam J. Bender
  • Areas of Practice
    • Association Law
    • Real Estate Transactions
  • Blog
  • Testimonials

REAL ESTATE LAW BLOG

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    Jordana Sarrell, Esq., LL.M.

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    HOMESTEAD APPS DUE 2/1/2021


    Did You Know? When you make property your permanent residence, you may be eligible to receive an exemption that keeps you from paying tax on a certain portion of your property’s assessed value. If your home is worth at least $75,000, the exemption would decrease the property’s taxable value by $50,000!

    The homestead exemption qualifies the home for the Save Our Homes assessment limitation. This “cap” limits any increase to the assessed value of a homestead exempt property to a maximum of 3% or the annual change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less, per year. If eligible, this assessment limitation is now transferable to a new homestead in Florida if you move.
    When to Apply? The deadline for filing is March 1. In order toqualify for the homestead exemption, you must be living in the property as your primary residence as of January 1 of 2021.

    Below is a list of what is generally required, however, check with the property appraiser’s office before the file:
    • Proof of Residence
    • Property Tax Bill – if you have received one
    • Florida Driver’s License or Florida Photo Identification Card
    • Copy of Florida Vehicle Registration
    • Social Security Number Not a U.S. Citizen? Bring your Resident Alien Card (Green Card) and your Social Security Number.

    Do not forget to gather all the appropriate documents and information you need to file whether you do it in person at the tax collector's office or online - for Palm Beach County you can click this link:
    https://secure.co.palm-beach.fl.us/papaefile/web/heapplication/login.aspx
    *Tip Always check with the county property appraiser’s office to confirm the necessary documentation required to file.
    Don't forget that if you sold your old homestead and purchased a new one you may be eligible for Portability!Portability allows Florida residents with a previous Homestead Exemption to transfer part of their tax savings to their new residential property in Florida so long as the sale and purchase fall within a two-year window. The “Save Our Homes” (SOH) amendment to the Florida Constitution, codified at Sec. 193.155, F.S. includes a provision added in 2008 allowing homestead owners to transfer the accumulated difference between assessed value and the just or market value to a new homestead. If just value of the new homestead is more than the previous home's just value, entire benefit can be transferred, subject to a $500,000 limit. If just value of the new homestead is less than the previous home's just value, a percentage of the accumulated SOH benefit can be transferred (up to $500,000 limit)
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WARNING! WIRE FRAUD ON THE RISE! ALWAYS VERBALLY CONFIRM WIRE INSTRUCTIONS RECEIVED VIA EMAIL!

12/12/2017

 

At SSB law we have implemented strong and vigilant internal protection techniques to prevent hacking and wire fraud.  We verbally confirm all wire instructions received via fax or email.  And to err on the side of caution, our IT department has taken steps to ensure our outgoing email is secure and protected against being hacked.

Due to increased fraud, buyers, seller, realtors and lenders should confirm all wiring instructions received via email by phone directly with our office before transferring funds.  

If you receive an email containing WIRE TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS call us immediately to verify the information prior to sending funds.  If you receive a call, call our office at 561-807-7107 to verify wire instructions.

This scam works because the criminal has hacked into one or more of the parties’ email accounts and can read, intercept, delay, or change anything sent via email. If the hacker knows all of the parties’ cell phone numbers or that they have agreed to call each other or take some other action to verify wiring instructions, the hacker will be able to disrupt the verification process you have set up.

Phishing emails might appear to come from a legitimate business or recognized user. Spear phishing is a more targeted email attack sent to a select number of users, while a whaling attack, also known as Business Email Compromise (BEC), is a more targeted variation of spear phishing aimed at executives or personnel who manage wire transfers. 

Once hackers gain access to an email account, they will monitor messages to find someone in the process of buying a home. Hacks can come from various parties involved in a transaction, including real estate agents, title companies, attorneys or consumers. Criminals then use the stolen information to email fraudulent wire transfer instructions dressed up to appear as if they came from the victim. To this end, criminals will use either the victim’s actual email account (which they may actually control) or create a fake email account resembling the victim’s email.

How to Report Cyber Fraud If you feel that your business or information may be compromised through a cyber attack:
-Inform local law enforcement or the state attorney general as appropriate Report stolen finances or identities and other cyber crimes to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
-If a wire transfer was involved, also file a complaint at bec.ic3.gov. 
-Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at www.onguardonline.gov/file-complaint
-Report computer or network vulnerabilities to US-CERT via the hotline: 1-888-282-0870 or www.us-cert.gov


1 Comment
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Avenue South Residence UOL link
10/24/2019 05:10:20 am

Thanks for the useful information

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