CBS4 News Magazine

BEWARE: Your Retirement Could be at Risk!

Don’t Be A

“Tech Dinosaur!”

Restaurant Reviews Taste of the Town Visits

TAP42

KEY BISCAYNE

CBS4 Investigates:

Soldier B at t l i n g P t S D

Ends His LifE One More Victim of a Horrible Statistic that Continues to Grow

Real Estate pg. 22 Home Improvement pg. 54 Marketplace pg. 60

Contents 14 |

Key Biscayne December 2013

CBS4 Investigates: Soldier Battling PTSD Ends His Life A South Florida soldier battling post-traumatic stress disorder whose struggles were previously profiled by CBS4 News has taken his own life. Franklin Rosario, 26, died from multiple self-inflicted stab wounds.

04 |

Don’t Be The “Tech Dinosaur” In Your Office!

42 |

South Florida Bridges On The Brink

51|

Taste Of The Town

Everyday it seems there is new technology in the office, and that can create a challenge for mature workers to keep up. Experts say you don’t want to be known as the “Tech Dinosaur” in your office.

08|

Will Your Insurance Company Cancel Your Policy?

It’s craft brews & gourmet food at Taste Of The Town’s Tap 42

If you believe the headlines, millions of American’s health insurance policies are being canceled at the moment—that includes Florida where letters are hitting mailboxes canceling some 300,000 Florida Blue Policies.

32 | 36 |

CBS4 Super Kids: A True Inspiration A young man who had a tough life growing up learned to not let his past control his future. Today, he works to help other kids, just like him, have a better tomorrow.

One In Five American Workers Won’t Ever Be Able To Retire...Could That “One” Be You? Workers in their 40s and 50s don’t have a lot of time left to secure their financial future, and there are several common mistakes that often threaten their dreams.

38 |

How To Reduce Job-Hunting Stress For New Graduates And Their Parents Jennifer Zick has a new Master’s Degree and plenty of enthusiasm. What she doesn’t have is a job. As graduation becomes more and more of a distant memory, it’s not just students who are nervous. So are their parents.

[ 4 ] December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne

Earlier this year, Miami-Dade engineers sounded the alarm over Key Biscayne bridges that are actually crumbling into the ocean.

Now documents uncovered by CBS4 reveal another set of bridges supposedly next to crumble and the tab to fix it is much bigger.

22

Real Estate

PROPERTIES SOLD IN YOUR AREA

Sponsored By

54

Home Improvement

60

Marketplace

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DON’T BE THE

“TECH

DINOSAUR” IN YOUR

OFFICE!

CBSMIAMI.COM

Everyday it seems there is new technology in the office, and that can create a challenge for mature workers to keep up. Experts say you don’t want to be known as the “Tech Dinosaur” in your office.

You’re going to have a hard time keeping your job today . . . and it’s just, you can’t fight it. You have to join them.”

W

ith virtual meetings, Skype, and Excel, the office setting has changed dramatically over the years. Melanie Russell, a veteran marketing executive remembers a simpler time. “You’d go to a meeting in a conference room and you’d come back and have a stack of pink slips, ‘While you were out so and so called.’”

Keeping connected to all these changes is essential, according to Joan Cirillo of Operation ABLE, an organization committed to helping retrain older workers. When asked the consequences of not keeping up with technology, Cirillo replied, “You’re going to have a hard time keeping your job today . . . and it’s just, you can’t fight it. You have to join them.”

Barbara Ann DeFelippo is back in the classroom at Operation ABLE after getting laid off from a mutual fund company after 27 years on the job. “Technology, it seems like almost everyday something changes.”

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 7 ]

I

t used to be acceptable for someone to say “I’m computerilliterate,” and then find a younger worker to help them out. But that isn’t the case anymore. A worker who is not up to speed puts themselves in a potentially grave situation.

When DeFelippo was asked, “If you don’t know it, you’re out?” She replied, “You’ve got that one right.”

David Gerzof Richard of Big Fish Communications said older workers need to make sure they’re not left behind when it comes to social media as well. “The concern there is being seen as the dinosaur, being seen as obsolete, if you will.”

Start with Twitter, said Gerzof Richard. “Twitter has become a little bit of the new water cooler,” he says. It can expand your world view and make you feel and appear more contemporary.

LinkedIn is also essential, and he said to consider a new site, About.me.

Gerzof Richard believes it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks. “What you are doing is showing you are connected,” he explained.

Experts say to make sure you take advantage of any training your company offers because those opportunities are often overlooked.

In the meantime, if you need help, ask that younger co-worker to teach you how to do something, not to do it for you.

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 9 ]

WILL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY

CANCEL YOUR POLICY?

By David Sutta

“I’m not going to try and sugarcoat this because some people are definitely going to see an increase in their premium”

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 11 ]

If you believe the headlines, millions of American’s health insurance policies are being canceled at the moment—that includes Florida where letters are hitting mailboxes canceling some 300,000 Florida Blue Policies. CBS4’s David Sutta asked Bill Warren, of Benefits Design Resources, if the headlines are true.

“W

ell I think that’s a matter of interpretation and a little bit of exaggeration because these plans are not being terminated, people are basically being transitioned,” said Warren.

“What insurance companies are doing is transitioning people from the existing plans to plans which are ACA compatible.

Every insurance company is doing it,” said Warren.

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans must meet minimum standards such as prescription drug, mental health, rehabilitation coverage, maternity leave, lab service and preventative wellness programs.

Many Florida Blue customers, like Dianne Barrette, are receiving letters from Florida Blue alerting them that their old policy does not include those benefits.

But those letters are not cancellations, but rather offering to help transition to a similar plan.

“What I have right now is what I am happy with and I just want to know why I can’t keep what I have.

Why do I have to be forced into something else?”

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 13 ]

CBSMIAMI.COM

“What I have right now is what I am happy with and I just want to know why I can’t keep what I have. Why do I have to be forced into something else?” said Barrette.

While the coverage may just be a transition, not a cancellation, the price for many, especially those with minimal coverage, may be shocking.

“I’m not going to try and sugarcoat this because some people are definitely going to see an increase in their premium,” said Warren.

Those making under $45,000 will likely pay less though because the government will subsidize part of the premium cost—such is the case for Barrette. Those making more than $45,000 will likely pay more.

“The more you make the more you are going to have to pay. The less you make the greater the subsidy is,” said Warren.

Those who will be transitioned as part of the change, will likely have received a letter or will get a letter within the next 30 days.

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 15 ]

CBS4 Investigates:

Soldier Battling PtSd

endS

HiS life

By Michele Gillen

CBSMIAMI.COM

A South Florida soldier battling post-traumatic stress disorder whose struggles were previously profiled by CBS4 News has taken his own life.

Franklin Rosario, 26, died from multiple selfinflicted stab wounds.

“I

pray everyday. I can not accept this. I ask God to help me with this,” said Mireya Rosario whose house is filled with pictures of her soldier son Franklin.

Mireya Rosario wants her son, nicknamed Frankie since he was a child, to be remembered as the young brave solider who headed off to war in Iraq, not the soldier that suffered from PTSD and ended his own life.

When Franklin Rosario returned to Miami from Iraq, the battle simply didn’t end there—the war raged-on in his head as he struggled with PTSD. “Everything changed that day he came back,” Rosario shared with CBS Chief Investigative Reporter Michele Gillen. “But I accepted it because he was alive.”

Medical records dating back to 2007 and the battlefield show Franklin Rosario suffered post-traumatic stress syndrome and a traumatic brain injury. The records state, “He was evacuated from Iraq, he had a break with reality.”

In Miami, while reportedly threatening to kill himself and others while stockpiling weapons, a family member had reached out – time and time again- for help, fearing the solider would hurt himself and others.

“He was ready to explode,” Judge Steve Leifman told Gillen in an interview after his office had received an e-mail from a concerned relative.

Within minutes, a specially trained police team went to rescue Rosario.

“He was just released from a mental health institute. He was there for five months. We recovered an enormous amount of guns from his house.”

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 17 ]

“I think of him as my baby.

My son. My whole. life.”

P

utting his life on the line, MiamiDade police negotiator Victor Millian, he too an Iraqi war veteran, spent over five hours talking Rosario down. He remembers the troubled soldiers words to him.

“They don’t care. They don’t care,” recalled Millian.

A nightmare appeared diverted when Rosario was sent for treatment at South Florida State Hospital.

“Mommy, I want to kill myself. I want to cut my wrists,” his mother remembers him telling her.

Rosario was released, arrested and handed over to law enforcement. Along with his weapons, police said they found two videos that allegedly contain pornography with apparent minors. Rosario was booked into the Miami-Dade jail. The last video of him was his appearance in bond court.

When the judged asked Rosario if he wanted to proceed without lawyer representation, he said no. The judge then asked, “You are going to hire a private lawyer? Do you have a name?” He responded “no.” It’s not clear what the judge knew or didn’t know about Rosario’s mental health and history.

A Miami-Dade detective in the courtroom testified about his suffering with

PTSD and added, “He was just released from a mental health institute. He was there for five months. We recovered an enormous amount of guns from his house.”

The judge ordered Rosario to rid himself of all his guns.

Rosario complied and returned home without a gun, but days later ended his life with a knife.

“He was in the bathroom. When I found him he was dead. There was nothing I could for my son,” said his mother.

“They gave my son to police. They killed my son. Someone must explain this to me because I can’t explain this,” she said.

Upon getting the phone call that the former soldier was found dead, that he had taken his own life, Judge Leifman told GiIllen, “I was heartbroken. It explains why we have more suicides than we do deaths in combat and that is a horrible statistic.”

Judge Leifman believes that something must change to better-protect soldiers upon their return from war.

Will Rosario’s mother remember him as that brave solider?

“I think of him as my baby. My son. My whole. life.”

The State has opened an investigation into the hospital’s handling and release of the soldier.

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 19 ]

“I was heartbroken.

It explains why we have more suicides than we do deaths in combat and that is a horrible statistic�

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 21 ]

Real Estate Sponsored By

Listings in this section are based on properties sold in the month of November 2013 and retrieved from zillow.com. Not all properties sold are listed.

Not responsible for typographical errors and/or omissions. Photographs are for illustration purposes only.

Content provided by www.Zillow.com

How Can You Compete Against a

Cash Buyer?

In many real estate markets today, there’s a lot of talk about cash buyers. These buyers have a reputation for swooping in and “stealing” homes out from under other buyers, simply because someone with cash doesn’t need a loan. Regular buyers relying on credit are often intimidated by what appears to be a “lose-lose” situation.

They assume that if they need a loan, they can’t compete. The truth is, someone buying a home with credit can still compete against cash buyers and win.

D

o you have a 20 percent down payment? Are you well employed?

Do you have cash reserves in addition to your down payment? Do you have very little debt? Do you have good credit?

If so, your purchase should be as bullet-proof as a cash buyer’s.

Here’s what you need to do to compete against a cash buyer.

Structure your offer as if it’s a shoo-in Ask your lender to write not only a preapproval letter but to verify that you’re a wellqualified buyer. Get your agent or mortgage professional to provide some financial information about you with your offer (if you’re OK with that, of course).

See if your mortgage professional can take it a step further. Have your lender take as much of your loan through the process as possible.

Send the lender a copy of the preliminary title report, if available. If you’re buying a condo, find out if a condo questionnaire is available and give it to your lender. If you take any of these steps, let the seller know.

Shorten the loan and appraisal contingencies Ask your lender how quickly an appraiser can be sent out to the property and how long the loan would take to turnaround. In some parts of the country, loans are being approved in less than 14 days.

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 25 ]

Real Estate

Content provided by www.Zillow.com

“Sometimes a seller just doesn’t want to take a risk with someone getting a loan, and nothing you do — aside from paying all cash — will change that” Pre-order an appraisal This may not be as easy with a bigger bank.

But smaller banks, direct lenders or mortgage brokers can line up the appraisal in advance.

At the time your offer is written, tell the seller the appraisal has already been ordered.

Have the inspection immediately Along with the quick appraisal and loan contingencies, get your inspector in and out. Shelling out a few hundred dollars and getting the inspections done within days of having your offer accepted shows the seller you mean business.

Pay extra Paying more money to beat a cash offer may sound counterintuitive, but cash buyers nearly always expect a discount from the seller simply because they’re offering cash.

As a result, the cash buyer will often make a lower offer. To increase your chances, top the cash offer.

If a seller is faced with a few thousand dollar difference, the seller probably wouldn’t risk it. But what if your offer is 5 percent higher than the cash buyer’s? The seller, perhaps wanting the best of both worlds, may ask the cash buyer to raise his or her offer. Some cash buyers will come up, but not always enough to match.

Bottom line: Stay in the game and know your limits. Do you plan to live in the house for many years and it’s the home of your dreams? Overpaying isn’t the end of the world, so long as you’re within a reasonable range.

Make yourself known to the seller Some buyers write “love letters” to the sellers, hoping to appeal to their personal side. Does this work? Sometimes. If you’re competing with a cash buyer, particularly an investor who plans to rent the home out, it can’t hurt to get a little personal.

When a seller’s agent presents an offer, the seller always wants to know more about the potential buyer. Ask your agent to write a cover letter and an introduction. Let the seller know who you are, why you like the home and what your intentions are. It usually works.

But not always. Sometimes a seller just doesn’t want to take a risk with someone getting a loan, and nothing you do — aside from paying all cash — will change that. So do the best you can and be realistic. Make sure your financial “‘house” is in order. Work with a good local real estate agent and start working with a local mortgage professional well in advance. Structure your offer to show that you’re ready to roll. And who knows? It just might go your way.

content provided by www.Zilow.com

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 27 ]

Real Estate

Recently Sold Properties in Key Biscayne

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1121 Crandon Blvd, Apt E1204, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 1111 Crandon Blvd, Apt A807, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,409 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1971 Sold: 10/7/2013 | $667,000

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2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,782 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1972 Sold: 10/15/2013 | $750,000

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607 Ocean Dr, Apt 10K, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,496 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1969 Sold: 10/9/2013 | $850,000

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251 Crandon Blvd, Apt 1033, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

650 Ocean Dr, Apt 11C, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

251 Crandon Blvd, Apt 109, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,532 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1979 Sold: 9/24/2013 | $850,000

3 Beds / 3 Bath | 2,162 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1983 Sold: 10/11/2013 | $930,000

2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,590 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1979 Sold: 10/28/2013 | $1,070,000

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1121 Crandon Blvd, Apt F1002, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

445 Glenridge Rd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

785 Crandon Blvd, Apt 302, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

3 Beds / 3 Bath | 2,400 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1971 Sold: 10/2/2013 | $1,200,000

3 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,378 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1951 Sold: 10/28/2013 | $1,350,000

3 Beds / 3 Bath | 2,100 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1998 Sold: 10/22/2013 | $1,800,000

[ 28 ] December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne

Listings provided by www.Zillow.com

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789 Crandon Blvd, Apt 803, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 3 Beds / 4.5 Bath | 2,500 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1998 Sold: 10/28/2013 | $2,350,000

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748 Glenridge Rd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

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689 Glenridge Rd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

4 Beds / 5 Bath | 4,094 sq. ft. | 7,696 sq. ft. Lot | Built in: 2007 5 Beds / 6 Bath | 3,600 sq. ft. | 7,492 sq. ft. Lot | Built in: 2013 Sold: 9/12/2013 | $2,645,000 Sold: 10/22/2013 | $2,960,000

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445 Grand Bay Dr, Apt 705, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 799 Crandon Blvd, Apt 1003, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 799 Crandon Blvd, Apt 604, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 3 Beds / 3.5 Bath | 3,320 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1996 Sold: 10/21/2013 | $3,000,000

3 Beds / 4.5 Bath | 3,084 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2002 Sold: 10/17/2013 | $3,245,000

3 Beds / 5 Bath | 3,084 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2002 Sold: 10/4/2013 | $3,300,000

100 Sunrise Dr, Apt 14, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

201 Galen Dr, Apt 203, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

300 Sunrise Dr, Apt 3J, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

n/a Beds / Bath | 410 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1964 Sold: 10/25/2013 | $150,000

1 Beds / 2 Bath | 854 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1968 Sold: 10/1/2013 | $205,000

1 Beds / 1 Bath | 440 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1963 Sold: 10/10/2013 | $229,000

100 Sunrise Dr, Apt 9, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

230 Sunrise Dr, Apt 7, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

798 Crandon Blvd, Apt 55B, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

1 Beds / 1 Bath | 530 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1964 Sold: 9/13/2013 | $237,000

1 Beds / 1 Bath | 664 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1966 Sold: 10/9/2013 | $245,000

1 Beds / 1 Bath | 776 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1980 Sold: 9/24/2013 | $305,000

575 Crandon Blvd, Apt 508, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

201 Crandon Blvd, Apt 628, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

101 Crandon Blvd, Apt 166, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,311 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1975 Sold: 9/30/2013 | $420,000

2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,541 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1978 Sold: 10/28/2013 | $500,000

2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,715 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1981 Sold: 10/10/2013 | $620,000

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 29 ]

Real Estate

L u xu ry P roPerties

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Miami-Dade County

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182 Bal Bay Dr, Bal Harbour, FL 33154

800 S Pointe Dr, Apt 1504, Miami Beach, FL 33139

100 S Pointe Dr, Apt 3707, Miami, FL 33139

8 Beds / 11 Bath | 12,879 sq. ft. | 0.65 acre Lot | Built in: 2008 Sold: 10/18/2013 | $13,050,00

3 Beds / 3.5 Bath | 6,577 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2007 Sold: 9/4/2013 | $11,275,000

3 Beds / 3.5 Bath | 2,954 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2003 Sold: 10/4/2013 | $8,250,000

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10 Harbor Pt, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

4411 Sabal Palm Rd, Miami, FL 33137

1800 Purdy Ave, Apt TS3, Miami Beach, FL 33139

4 Beds / 4 Bath | 3,206 sq. ft. | 0.37 acre Lot | Built in: 1953 Sold: 10/24/2013 | $7,600,000

5 Beds / 5 Bath | 6,381 sq. ft. | 0.43 acre Lot | Built in: 1949 Sold: 10/3/2013 | $6,722,500

4 Beds / 4 Bath | 6,650 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2000 Sold: 10/24/2013 | $6,200,000

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6480 Allison Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33141

142 Isla Dorada Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 3314

5959 Collins Ave, Apt 1607, Miami Beach, FL 33140

5 Beds / 4.5 Bath | 6,058 sq. ft. | 0.55 acre Lot | Built in: 1935 Sold: 10/8/2013 | $4,400,000

6 Beds / 5 Bath | 6,670 sq. ft. | 0.38 acre Lot | Built in: 1990 Sold: 10/16/2013 | $4,200,000

2 Beds / 3 Bath | 2,959 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2005 Sold: 9/12/2013 | $3,350,000

[ 30 ] December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne

Listings provided by www.Zillow.com

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120 Solano Prado, Coral Gables, FL 33156

16047 Collins Ave, Apt 904, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160

9360 Balada St, Coral Gables, FL 33156

4 Beds / 3 Bath | 3,130 sq. ft. | 0.51 acre Lot | Built in: 1970 Sold: 10/10/2013 | $3,300,000

4 Beds / 6.5 Bath | 3,735 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2007 Sold: 10/7/2013 | $3,275,000

5 Beds / 4.5 Bath | 5,584 sq. ft. | 0.51 acre Lot | Built in: 1968 Sold: 10/17/2013 | $3,250,000

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15811 Collins Ave, Apt 3601, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160 1000 S Pointe Dr, PH 2704, Miami Beach, FL 33139 3 Beds / 3.5 Bath | 2,928 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2010 Sold: 10/9/2013 | $3,200,000

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120 W Rivo Alto Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

3 Beds / 3 Bath | 2,190 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2002 Sold: 10/22/2013 | $3,100,000

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609 E Dilido Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

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1001 N Shore Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33141 5 Beds / 5.5 Bath | 2,829 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1952 Sold: 10/18/2013 | $3,020,000

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4780 Pine Dr, Miami, FL 33143

4 Beds / 4 Bath | 2,917 sq. ft. | 10,500 sq. ft. Lot | Built in: 1940 5 Beds / 4 Bath | 2,907 sq. ft. | 10,500 sq. ft. Lot | Built in: 1938 5 Beds / 4.5 Bath | 4,753 sq. ft. | 1.0 acre Lot | Built in: 1951 Sold: 10/15/2013 | $3,000,000 Sold: 10/16/2013 | $2,850,000 Sold: 10/15/2013 | $2,700,000

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 31 ]

Real Estate

Content provided by www.Zillow.com

Should You Take Real Estate News Into Account When Buying?

In the past year, real estate news has been all over the map. One day it’s a seller’s market with bidding wars and record low interest rates. The next, we read stories about a cooling market and climbing interest rates. With constantly changing information, how much weight should you give the latest news when approaching a real estate transaction? Is now the right time to buy, or should you wait? Will there be another bust? Did you miss the market bottom?

H

ere are three strategies for approaching a real estate transaction in the era of information overload.

Be smart about mortgage rates Some people spend more time planning a vacation or researching a car than shopping for mortgage rates. Particularly in strong real estate markets, buyers feel pressure to move swiftly through escrow. That pressure can result in less shopping around or simply taking the mortgage loan that’s in front of them. But if you have the luxury of time, float rates for a few days, or work with a mortgage broker so you can re-lock your rate at a different bank if rates fall.

Also, don’t be motivated to act simply because of the recent rise in mortgage rates.

Sure, they might climb further, but they’re still near historic lows. By comparison, interest rates were in the mid-teens in the 1980s.

And it’s possible mortgage rates could go down a bit, too. But would you say “no” to the perfect home just because you think rates might go down in one month? Let’s hope not.

Don’t try to time a real estate transaction Buying a property isn’t like buying stock.

There’s no way to time a home purchase, as new opportunities, with different sets of circumstances, present themselves each week.

Instead, do your research, line up financing and be fully in the market. You don’t want to buy the wrong property just because you want to get in on low rates or low prices, or because the home is a real “deal.”

Be patient Buying a home isn’t like purchasing a car or TV, especially if you’re a first-time buyer.

It takes time to learn the market, see enough properties and do comparisons. Don’t rush through the process, or you may have buyer’s remorse down the road. Find the home that’s right for you, and do it on your own schedule.

Ultimately, the time to buy a home isn’t when interest rates and prices are low, are starting to climb or are beginning to dip. The right time to buy is when you’ve found a place you love, saved up a down payment, have your financing in order, want to commit to the local community, want the freedom to do what you want in your home and want the tax benefits homeownership can give you. That’s the way our parents bought their homes, and that’s how we should, too.

content provided by www.Zilow.com December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 33 ]

A True Inspiration

By Michele Gillen

Brandon Burke A young man who had a tough life growing up learned to not let his past control his future. Today, he works to help other kids, just like him, have a better tomorrow. Brandon Burke has a 10-thousand watt smile and is filled with love and hope.“I’m a lover, not a fighter,� said Burke.However, he said that as a little boy his heart was broken a couple of times.

CBSMIAMI.COM

A

t three-years old, Burke ended up in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families which expressed concern for his welfare. In an 18 month period, he was placed into three foster homes and a group home.

“One minute you are sitting at the table with your family having dinner the next minute you are with complete strangers,” shared Burke.

At age five, he received a surprise. His dad came forward and took him out of foster care to live with him.

“I got reunited with my father and it was a wonderful time, we were a family,” said Burke.

He treasures the wonderful times he had with his dad. But on the night of his high school’s homecoming he got a call that would change his life.

“A call telling me that my dad passed away from a drug overdose,” said Burke. “It really crushed me cause, I was like ‘man, it was going so well.’ It just ended so quickly and abruptly.”

Burke said the news broke his heart.

He was placed back into foster care at age 15. He said that this time it was even worse.

Some of the homes that they stayed in were drug infested and filled with chaos, but he never gave up on himself.

“I never lost sight of myself, pride,” said Burke.

To survive, he decided he had to move out on his own. At the age of 17, Burke scraped together his pennies and spent his senior year of high school looking for an apartment.

He soon figured out how to live on his own, cooking, cleaning and paying bills.

“Either that or you’re homeless. It’s a no brainer,” said Burke. “You have to grow up really fast.”

Burke realized that he was finally alone in this big world.

“That was probably one of the hardest moments I had to deal with personally,” said Burke.

However, he used school as a life raft.

“What I have learned is that you can take my

“What I have learned is that you can take my home away, you can take my family away, you can take all my belongings away, but what you can’t take away from me is my education”

home away, you can take my family away, you can take all my belongings away, but what you can’t take away from me is my education,” said Burke. “That’s going to last forever.”

His grades flourished and so did his abilities as a public speaker. Worried about other foster kids, Burke spoke before the Florida Legislature and is now credited with helping to get two laws passed. One of them extended the benefits for foster care children from 18-years old to 21-years old.

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 35 ]

“I

t was an extraordinary moment. I’m just a regular high school foster youth and I would have never in a million years imagined me in front of the governor or a state representative or a state senator,” said Burke.

So impressed with the power of making change, Burke said that he has committed himself to run for office. One of his dreams was to meet a member of the U.S. Congress and CB4’s Michele Gillen made it happen.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz took Burke for his first power breakfast hearing. They both shared dreams of helping children.

“We got kids that are in the worst circumstances,” said Burke.

Wasserman Shultz was so impressed that she asked him to accompany her to a press conference where he wowed the crowd.

“I want to help people, I want to do the right thing,” said Burke. “I want to make a difference that helps the world.”

Burke is just beginning to start his train, but is continuously moving forward.

“Most definitely, a locomotive that won’t stop,” said Burke.

As if this dream couldn’t get any better it did.

At the congresswoman’s invitation, Burke applied to be an intern in her Washington D.C. office. He was just accepted and will begin this fall before he starts the University of Florida in Gainesville.

“I’m too thrilled for words,” Burke told Gillen.

He added that he would like to thank Florida Youth Shine, a program under the non-profit Florida’s Children First which believed in him and ushered Burke into their campaign that gives voice and help to foster care children.

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 37 ]

One In Five American Workers Won’t Ever Be Able

To Retire...

CBSMIAMI.COM

Could That “One” Be You? Workers in their 40s and 50s don’t have a lot of time left to secure their financial future, and there are several common mistakes that often threaten their dreams. The consequences of the wrong financial mistakes are very real. One recent study projected one in five American workers won’t ever be able to retire.

F

inancial Planner Dana Levit of Paragon Financial Advisors said the problem for this age group is they don’t have much time to correct mistakes.

One problem is carrying consumer credit card debt into retirement. A national study found middle and low income households headed by older Americans carry an average balance of close to $8,300; the study found the balance to be about $6,300 for younger households in the same demographic.

“Once you get into habits, it is really hard to change,” said Levit. “You get used to a certain lifestyle.

You are talking about correcting things you have been doing for a number of years.

That is tricky.”

Another potential pothole is co-signing a loan for a child.

“You are putting your credit on the line and you are totally at risk if that child defaults,” said Levit. “You may need a car yourself. You may want to apply for a mortgage yourself.

If your credit is not top notch, you are going to be paying high interest rates.”

It can also be risky to take out a student loan in a parent’s name. Experts say they should be the obligation of the child.

In these days of inflated tuition, Levit says families have to be realistic when choosing a school, so no one ends up drowning in debt.

“It is very hard to get a 20-year-old to understand that,” said Levit.

Another pitfall is retiring without enough savings. But the tax laws for 401k’s change when a person turns 50.

“50 is a critical age. The IRS says that at that point when you hit 50, you can do catch up contributions,” said Levit. $5,500 can be contributed tax free annually after 50.

“A national study found middle and low income households headed by older Americans carry an average balance of close to $8,300”

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 39 ]

jobs

o t how e c u red ing

t n u h job

s s e str s e t a u d a r g w e n r fo s t n e r a p r i e h t d n a a

By Vaness Borge

[ 40 ] December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne

CBSMIAMI.COM

Jennifer Zick has a new Master’s Degree and plenty of enthusiasm. What she doesn’t have is a job. “i’m trying to get a couple of years of experience in administration, pretty much anything right now,” said Zick. As graduation becomes more and more of a distant memory, it’s not just students who are nervous. So are their parents.

“I

mean it’s still a tough economy,” said Darren Forest, another new graduate.

He’s lucky his parents appreciate this tough job market.

“I think that parents should always be encouraging and helpful because the second you start bearing down on your kids, it just makes them that much more stressful,” he said.

The first step for parents in terms of keeping peace is understanding that the times truly have changed since they started out.

“It was a lot easier in the 70s. So I would really encourage parents to emphasize about how hard it is to find a job, help your recent grad be very realistic about what kind of opportunities are out there,” said Elaine Varelas, a Human Resource consultant.

Varelas explained that parents need to realize the whole process of finding a job is different today.

“Often parents have very dated ideas of what it takes to get job, most likely they are not going to find their job in the paper,” said Varelas. “Parents may feel that the new graduate is spending time on a computer is not looking for a job, but chances are they are looking for a job, and they are focused on building a linked in profile, or taking a look at job boards.”

CBSMIAMI.COM

B

ut young people sometimes need help moving beyond the computer.

“I think that parents can help with their own contacts, to say, who do I know, who would be beneficial for you to talk to, they can explain networking to them,” said Varelas.

And remember, what works for cleaning up a room will surely backfire here.

“I would definitely avoid the nagging,” insisted Varelas.”I think that they do need support and I think that the former students are really looking for a plan.”

So just how tough is the job market for young graduates?

According to the latest numbers; New graduates typically have an unemployment rate of 13% compared to an overall unemployment rate of 7.3%.

New graduates typically have an unemployment rate of 13% compared to an overall unemployment rate of 7.3%.

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 43 ]

South Florida’s

ON THE Can a Quick-Fix Really Solve The Problem?

CBSMIAMI.COM

BRINK

By David Sutta

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 45 ]

Earlier this year, Miami-Dade

engineers sounded the alarm over Key Biscayne bridges that are actually crumbling into the ocean. In a panic, nearly $31 million dollars was shelled out for emergency repairs. Now documents uncovered by CBS4 reveal another set of bridges supposedly next to crumble and the tab to fix it is much bigger. Right now construction crews are hard at work repairing the Bear Cut Bridge on Key Biscayne. The 70-year-old bridge everyone agrees should be replaced is instead getting a $31 million dollar makeover.

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 47 ]

CBSMIAMI.COM

Dr.

Atorod Azizinamini, the chair of the civil engineering department at Florida International University and a world-renowned bridge engineer surveyed the work with CBS4 in April 2013. He said then, “You may have been better off to just build a new one.”

When CBS4’s David Sutta dove below the water line of the Bear Cut bridge in April, he discovered giant pieces of concrete that had fallen off the pilings, pushed away from corrosion inside. Many pieces longer than your arm were all over the ocean floor.

The quick fix that Miami-Dade politicians signed off on was something called jackets.

It is essentially pouring more cement around compromised pilings. It’s a well-known industry practice but not expected to last for very long.

The other plan county engineers moved forward with was much more controversial.

They chose to keep 70-year-old pilings in place with a new roadway on top.

“This brand new bridge was built on 70-year-old pilings,” Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan Zapata said. “So those pilings have already reached their life expectancy. So as soon as that upper part, the superstructure is built on the bridge, we are going to start now planning to replace that bridge completely.”

Commissioner Zapata thinks the whole idea is ridiculous but they were caught in a situation with little choice. County engineers maintained they didn’t have enough time to design and build a new bridge. They said the repairs had to be made.

Zapata is still concerned because despite the band-aides on the Bear Cut Bridge, it’s still at the top of a new county report of failing bridges. The 18-page memorandum paints a dire picture of the county’s 209 bridges. It also asks for nearly a half a billion dollars to repair or replace them. That money doesn’t exist. “$450 million dollars. That’s today’s dollars. The longer we wait the higher the cost becomes,” Zapata said.

Number 2 on the list, behind Bear Cut, is the Venetian Causeway. Built in the 1920’s, the series of 12 bridges is the lifeline to 400 plus homeowners and thousands of cars a day headed to and from Miami Beach.

Engineers say they need $110 million to replace the bridges, soon. However the report indicated they have zero saved to do the work.

Jurgen Brendel, president of the Venetian Homeowners Association found the report concerning. “You always get immediate action when something happens. When a bridge falls down, breaks, somebody – the bus falls in there, then it gets done right away. Then they’ll find the money,” he said.

“You always get immediate action when something happens. When a bridge falls down, breaks, somebody – the bus falls in there, then it gets done right away. Then they’ll find the money,”

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 49 ]

“Who would even think of putting a new bridge on old pilings? I mean forget it.

Somewhere else you would be out of business....

T

he report should be alarming for Venetian Island residents. On a scale of 1 to 100, one of the Venetian bridges gets a 32. That’s a failing grade. But Dr. Azizinamini doesn’t see it.

“These are in pretty good shape,” he said as CBS4 News inspected them from the water.

The County renovated the Venetian bridges just 15 years ago and they appear to be holding up quite well. Dr. Azizinamini explained, “I think you need to get a better picture of the condition of these bridges. Just like a patient that goes to a doctor. Unless you go under the MRI machine the doctor is not going to know what is really wrong with you and what is the best and most effective procedures.”

With so many aging bridges on this list,

Azizinamini worries the county may be about to waste even more money. “You need to understand which one is more critical. Where you should spend your money. $500 million dollars is significant money,” he said. Commissioner Zapata added, “We just need to have a plan. We need to be proactive about this. Because just expecting them to get better on their own is not going to happen.”

In fact, the Bear Cut Bridge appeared to be worse off than when CBS4 News last saw it. As Dr. Azizinamini watched the construction crews working on the bridge, he shook his head. “This is more of a conventional way of doing things,” he said.

Azizinamini couldn’t help but wonder why his team of experts at FIU are developing cutting edge technology for a

CBSMIAMI.COM

...Here they continue getting a paycheck”

$4 billion dollar bridge in New York City, but not here. “They came to us and they are using some of the technology that we have developed here,” Azizinamini said. But here in Miami-Dade County, the County and the school haven’t even spoken to each other.

“Hopefully we will soon,” Azizinamini said.

FIU’s technology actually extends the life of bridges. And when it comes time to replace them, they do it in huge spans with most of the bridge or lane closures happening only at night. It’s fast, efficient, and economical. Everything the plan to save the Bear Cut Bridge was not.

Brendel, the president of Venetian Homeowners Association, is worried about a repeat of what happened in Key Biscayne. “Who would even think of putting a new bridge on old pilings? I mean forget it. Somewhere else you would be out of business. Here they continue getting a paycheck,” he exclaimed.

And you’re paying for it. This summer the tolls for the Venetian and Rickenbacker Causeway went up. With this new report, tolls could go even higher as politicians look for ways to raise nearly a half a billion dollars. There are suggestions of raising tolls as high as $5 to expedite the fundraising. All of the money going towards repairs and replacements that may or may not be needed.

The renewed Bear Cut Bridge will open up sometime next year. Around that time county engineers will start on plans on how to tear it down and start anew.

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 51 ]

Taste of the town CBSMIAMI.COM

It’s Craft Brews & Gourmet Food

At Taste Of The Town’s

Tap42 When you step into Tap 42, you just might think you’re in the heart of Boston, or even Seattle, when you first walk into the charming gastropub off Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. The restaurant features a wall of craft beers—which started out with 42 brands, hence the name. Now, as the restaurant is about to toast two years in business, they’re bubbling up past 50 carefully sourced craft brews.

“T

he market for craft beers is in its infancy still,” said Executive Chef Andrew Balick. “People gravitate towards it, they understand different craft brewers, the different flavors that go along with beer.”

What pairs well with great craft brews? Gourmet food, of course and Chef Andrew, who was in the kitchen at both the acclaimed Azul at the Mandarin and at the Ritz Carlton, knows a thing or two about good bites.

Chef Andrew has taken his culinary talents to Tap 42, a hip, super-relaxed 200 seat eatery, with dining both inside and out.

By Lisa Petrillo

It’s a menu that has it all—and then some.

“We do a Super Food Lettuce Wrap with quinoa and lentils and fresh market vegetables with homemade plum pomegranate dressing to Guinness beer batter fish and chips.

We’re known for burgers and fries. We like to hit on all fronts,” said Chef.

The restaurant also features some daily deals: Monday nights are $5 burgers, Tuesday are $5 beers from 4pm and on Wednesday it’s Ladies Night.

Chef brought out his food for CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo to sample.

Starting with the Golden Quinoa Super Food Salad; which is quinoa, apples, greens, roasted Brussels sprouts, oranges, cranberries feta and roasted almonds.

“Cool, crisp. I love the tang in the dressing. That’s a great salad” Petrillo said.

The Super Food Lettuce Wraps is a build your own.

“You have our mix of quinoa and lentils pomegranate plum dressing fresh avocado” said Chef. “You’re going to build your own wrap” For heartier appetites, the chef brought out the Left Hand Barbeque Short Rib Burger with melted cheddar. Then it’s “Chicken Little” which is truffle honey butter deep fried chicken sliders. “No condiments required!” said Petrillo.

And last of the tasting but certainly not least, “this is our Parmesan Oven Baked Shrimp Mac & Cheese” said Chef, while placing the plate in front of Petrillo.

‘This is dangerous! It’s so good it’s dangerous. I’m not kidding. ” Petrillo said

tAp42.COM December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 53 ]

Home Improvement

Content provided by www.Lowes.com

loW-CoSt

deCorating projeCtS After purchasing your new home, your remaining budget may be small, but that doesn’t mean you have to postpone decorating. These projects are guaranteed to yield big results in a single afternoon without breaking your bank account.

Wall of Style: Create an aCCent Wall Focus your decorating efforts and dollars on transforming one wall into a wow wall. Good candidates for this project include: • The first wall you see when entering your home.

• The wall behind a headboard, sofa or dining table • A wall that bumps out or indents to form an alcove Next, apply one of the following treatments, taking the style to the next level: Paint: Choose a brighter or richer color than you’d typically use. Or try a specialty paint with a textured finish or metallic luster.

Wallpaper: Go for a bold pattern or color. Consider woven grass cloth, textured, flocked or metallic paper.

Stencils: Try a wall-size design or use metallic paints.

Shelf expreSSion: inStall Wall Shelving Shelves can add style and function. Display photos and other keepsakes by installing shelves and ledges. Pre-made shelves are available in a range of styles, or you can combine planks and shelf brackets for a one-of-a-kind look. If you’re designing shelving yourself, plan for supports every 36 inches if you’re using three-quarter-inch plywood and every 28 inches if you’re using particleboard.

Style Underfoot: add area rUgS Unroll a rug and add both comfort and style to a room. Rugs warm up wood, tile and vinyl floors, and they also work well on wall-to-wall carpeting. While a solid or textured rug tends to blend with its surroundings, a colorful or patterned rug can become the piece you build an entire room around.

Use these tips when rug shopping: • Wool and wool-blend rugs often cost more, but provide superior softness and durability.

• A 4 x 6-foot rug will look too small in the center of most rooms, so choose a 5 x 8-foot or 6 x 9-foot rug instead.

Details matter.

Check that all edges are fully finished, fringe is tightly knotted, and the back is smooth and free of imperfections.

Use a rug pad on wood, tile or vinyl floors to prevent slipping and to extend the life of the rug.

Mirror, Mirror: open Up yoUr SpaCe Think of a mirror as functional art. It makes a room feel bigger, brighter and just a bit glamorous. For your first mirror purchase, choose a rectangle with a classic frame. It will work in several rooms and hang vertically or horizontally as your needs change.

This article was provided by www.Lowes.com

December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 57 ]

Home Improvement

[ 58 ] December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne

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December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 59 ]

Home Improvement

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December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 61 ]

Marketplace

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Marketplace

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Marketplace

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December 2013 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 67 ]