Goals, components and benefits of the Affordable Health Care for America Act

House passes Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) by a VERY NARROW MARGIN - 220-215 VOTES!!!

Our house speaker Nancy Pelosi stated this had bipartisan support even though the majority of Republicans opposed the bill (only one Republican vote by Rep. Joseph Cao of LA). Thirty-nine Democrats joined the 167 Republican NAY votes. Now, the Senate needs to pass its own health-care bill, then the two bills need to be combined in some manner and voted on again. The REAL fight is just beginning...

The key goals of this bill are:

• slow the growth in out of control costs


• introduce competition into the health care marketplace in order to keep coverage affordable and insurers honest (good luck)


• protect your choice of doctor and health plan


• assure that all us Americans get access to quality, stable, affordable health care (key word "access")

It restricts insurance companies from denying coverage to anyone with a pre-existing condition or charging higher premiums based on gender or medical history. It also provides federal subsidies to those of us who cannot afford health insurance and it guarantees coverage for 96% of our citizens.

Key components include:

• Increasing choice and competition


• Giving peace of mind


• Improving quality care


• Ensuring shared responsibility


• Protecting consumers and reducing waste, fraud and abuse


• Reducing the deficit by ensuring the solvency of Medicare and Medicaid

So how do you benefit?

• Ends discrimination for pre-existing medical conditions


• No dropped coverage if you become sick


• No co-pays for preventative care


• Yearly caps on what you pay


• No caps on what insurance companies pay


• Improves focus on wellness and prevention


• Lowers costs over the long term by cutting down fraud, waste and abuse


• Strengthens medicare

Stay tuned for a breakdown of what our Senate proposes!!!

Questions? Comments?

Contact me @ RealEstatewithRuben@gmail.com

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$8000 Home Buyer Tax Credit EXTENDED!!!

Well as we all know, last Friday our Prez signed signed into law a bill that includes an extension of the $8000 home buyer tax credit to April 30, 2010.

Expected is a 22 billion dollar contribution to our economy. More people are now eligible to take advantage of the law, which includes a $6,500 tax credit for buyers who are current home owners and have lived in their home for five of the past eight years. Also, income limits for eligible home buyers were also expanded to $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for couples. Qualifying home prices are capped at $800,000!

Click here to view NAR's chart of compiled facts regarding changes made to the current tax credit!!!

NAR estimates that approximately three million renters are now financially qualified to purchase a median priced home. Lawrence Yun (NAR chief economist) states, "“As long as buyers do not overstretch and stay well within their budget, a sizable pent-up demand can be tapped among financially qualified potential buyers..."

So if you are on the fence or just don't know if you qualify

GET THE FACTS

contact me and together we will see where you stand...

RealEstatewithRuben@gmail.com

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Do you have a MOLD & MILDEW clause in your rental agreement?

Dear Ruben,

I am having an issue with mold and mildew in my apartment for many months and have contacted my landlord. He still has not fixed the problem stating he is too busy. What can I do? Can I withhold rent until it's fixed or get it fixed and deduct from rent?

The first thing you must do is check your rental agreement for a MOLD and MILDEW clause. Unfortunately we here in Florida have climate conducive to the growth of mold and mildew and it's necessary to provide adequate ventilation and dehumidification. The clause usually states the tenant agrees to properly ventilate and dehumidify the unit and that the landlord will not be responsible for damages to the premises or tenant's personal property due to mold and mildew.

Now, indoor air quality complaints for apartments and hotels are regulated as public lodging establishments by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Divisions of Hotels and Restaurants. I would strongly advise you to first file a complaint with the DBPR by calling 850-487-1395 or online.

As far as your landlord's responsibilities, he is to comply with all applicable building, housing and health codes, so a complaint filed with the DBPR will start the ball rolling.

The Florida real estate law concerning withholding rent is as follows:

Providing that the lease or rental agreement is silent on the procedure of repairs and maintenance and that the responsibility is solely your landlord's you first must give written notice giving a minimum of 20 business days to complete (include an exact date to be completed). I STRONGLY suggest notice be sent certified mail with return receipt!!!
If no action is taken by the landlord, my advice would be to again give written notice by certified mail and return receipt advising the landlord that the rent is being placed with the registry of the court. This will offset eviction if your landlord chooses to evict you for non payment of rent.

Here are some links that may be of help...

Indoor Mold and Health

Tenants Rights, Laws and Protections

Good Luck and please contact me with any other questions or concerns @ RealEstatewithRuben@gmail.com


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