Jupiter Florida Real Estate Broker

I work in Juno beach I can say I can’t stand these things.  Especially now that there is a study which shows they INCREASE the number of traffic accidents where installed.  Well, the Florida Court of Appeals last week ruled that the current way these red light cameras are operated across the state is unlawful.

Under Florida’s red light camera system, a private vendor first determines whether a violation has occurred, then sends it to the municipality to issue a citation.  The panel found, under current law, vendors cannot be deputized to perform law enforcement functions.

The court decision concluded…

“For the reasons set forth herein, we… find that the city is not authorized to delegate police power by entering into a contract that allows a private vendor to screen data and decide whether a violation has occurred before sending that data to a traffic infraction enforcement officer (TIEO) to use as the basis for authorizing a citation,”

The ruling is against American Traffic Solutions whom Juno beach uses to operate its’ traffic cameras.

One of the judges on the panel stated…

“Such outsourcing to a third-party for-profit vendor of a city’s statutorily mandated obligation to issue uniform traffic citations for red light camera violations is contrary to the plain wording of the Florida statutes.”  And,

“For all practical purposes, it is the vendor that decides which cases the TIEO gets to review.  It is the vendor who initially determines who is subject to prosecution for a red light violation; it is the vendor that obtains the information necessary for the completion of the citation; it is the vendor that creates the actual citation; it is the vendor that issues the citation to the registered owner of the vehicle; and, it is the vendor that eventually transmits the traffic citation data to the court. Although the city may have some input into who eventually is prosecuted, that decision is wholly dependent upon the vendor’s initial determination.”

I honestly believe it’s just another tax.  If it doesn’t reduce traffic accidents then it is NOT being done to protect the health, welfare and safety of the citizenry, it’s being done to raise revenue.  We just placed law enforcement resources in a tax collection position.

11/03/14 – I just saw this letter on the Town of Juno beach web site where they announced the suspension of the use of traffic cameras.

Juno Beach Florida Homes & Condominiums for sale

The number of new foreclosures in Palm Beach County increased slightly in September. New foreclosures remain lower than they were at the same time last year, according to the latest statistics from the Clerk & Comptroller, Palm Beach County.

There were 484 new cases filed in September, a 0.83 percent increase from 480 cases filed in August and an 11.5 percent decrease from 547 cases filed in September 2013.

“Our story is the stability in the number of new cases,” said Clerk Sharon Bock. “The numbers for the past 12 months show small increases and decreases – there were no dramatic changes. That’s great news for Palm Beach County.”

Mortgages/Deeds Recorded

The number of mortgages and deeds recorded in Palm Beach County also decreased from August to September. The number of deeds recorded increased when compared with September 2013.

There were 5,804 deeds recorded in September, a 4.6 percent decrease from 6,083 deeds recorded in August; and a 3.4 percent increase from 5,614 deeds recorded in September 2013.

There were 3,036 mortgages recorded in September, a 5.2 percent decrease from 3,204 mortgages recorded in August; and a 10.2 percent decrease from 3,379 mortgages recorded in September 2013.

The Clerk’s office holds all of Palm Beach County’s official records, and records all deeds and mortgages submitted for recording in Palm Beach County.

Foreclosure Sales Results

There were 782 properties sold at foreclosure auction in September.  Of those, 631 were sold back to the plaintiff – typically a bank or mortgage company – in the foreclosure proceeding, and 151 were sold to a third party.

There were 486 foreclosure sales canceled in September, out of 1,268 scheduled for sale. The cancellation rate was 38.3 percent, the same cancellation rate as August.

The Clerk & Comptroller’s office processes all foreclosure-related court documents, notices of action and motions. After a foreclosure judgment, the office conducts the foreclosure auction and issues all post-sale documents, such as the certificate of title.

The local municipalities sales reports for all of Palm Beach County are now available by clicking…

September 2014 Palm Beach County sales by municipality

Inventory is down and the median sales price is up.

The Florida Association Realtors just released the FAR/BAR V 3.  Click the link to see the red lined document.  Only 2 changes being a clarification as to who pays for the municipal lien search and the Flood Zone Elevation Certificate section.  Specifically, in Paragraph 9…

In the 2013 version, municipal lien search was included in the definition of Owner’s

Policy and Charges in Paragraph 9(c). The original intent for including this search

within this definition was to specify which party was responsible to pay for this search, if

the search was actually performed. These searches are regularly conducted in some

parts of Florida, while in other parts of the state they are not performed.

Reference to municipal lien search has been deleted from the definition of Owner’s

Policy and Charges in Paragraph 9(c) in the 2014 revision. Now you will find municipal

lien search as a cost to seller under Paragraph 9(a) or buyer under Paragraph 9(b). If

Paragraph 9(c)(i) is checked indicating seller is to pay for title, then seller is also to pay

for a municipal lien search if a municipal lien is performed. Conversely, if Paragraph 9

(c)(ii) is checked, then buyer is to pay for a municipal lien search if performed.

Remember, the costs itemized in Paragraph 9(a) and (b) are not required to be

absorbed by the party specified unless the item is part of the transaction.

(Note- municipal lien searches are regularly performed in Miami-Dade and Broward. If

Paragraph 9(c)(iii) [Miami-Dade/Broward Regional Provision] is checked, a municipal

lien search is to be performed. This isn’t new. What is new is the municipal lien search

is reflected as a seller’s cost in Paragraph 9(a), where Paragraph 9(c)(iii) is checked.)

And, in Paragraph 10(d)…

Language was added to and deleted from Paragraph 10 to update the flood disclosure.

The 2013 version of the contract provided that buyers could terminate the contract if

flood insurance was not available through the NFIP. The 2014 change allows the buyer

to terminate if flood insurance is not available through NFIP or private flood insurance.

The 2013 version provided that NFIP may phase in actuarial ratings for nonprimary

residential structures (second homes). The 2014 version changes this by referencing

that NFIP may assess additional fees and premiums for non-primary structures

according to the most recent changes to flood program. The 2013 version defined nonprimary

structure as a residential structure in which the insured or spouse does not

reside for at least 80%. This percentage has been changed to 50% of the year,

consistent with NFIP current regulations. The 2013 version referenced the federal flood

law Biggert Waters -12. This reference was eliminated since new flood insurance

legislation passed Congress.

 

 

The Harbourside development in Jupiter is nearing completion.  For more information check out the developers web site…

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The Riverwalk Pointe development is underway at 1044 South US Highway 1 in Jupiter, FL 33477 .  The site is owned by Mangrove Bay LLC which owns and operated the Mangrove Bay Assisted Living facility adjacent to the site.  These units will be age restricted 55+ rental apartments.  Tenants will be allowed pets under 40 lbs with the payment of a $400 pet fee.  Note that the townhome style units behind this building adjacent to Riverwalk CAN BE PURCHASED.   These are terrific product featuring 2 bed, 2 baths and a 1 car garage in a CBS home with impact windows and doors.  Residents can use some of the assisted living conveniences with the basic maintenance fee or pay more to use more.

Mangrove Bay