As Floridians struggle with housing affordability and wages that have not kept pace with the cost of living, other states are aggressively trying to capture the Northeast migration that Florida once relied on for its growth, said Levin, the Delray Beach housing consultant.

"They're eating our lunch," he said.

Not to worry, as we age, many more will be moving there!

As soon as we sell our house, we are outta here too! Our home insurance doubled and our taxes did too!

We are on a fixed income, so we have to do something! South Florida is such a "third" world country now that it is no longer fun or as wonderful as it once was. We've been here for fourty years, so we've seen the many changes, good and bad, that South Florida has gone through. None of them as bad as the insurance and the taxes.

Anybody want to buy a house?

Right now the legislature is in special meeting to deal with these issues. Personally, I don't expect anything significant to change. I think they are going to double the homestead exemption which will bring it up to 50 thousand but that won't help most folks much.
The insurance they could "fix" by having the state be the "reinsurance" but the insurance lobby is so strong that it is unlikely to happen.
There are "cures" for both problems but they won't happen in this state.
But...I do have to say, thus far, Crist is a big improvement over the Jebster.

Three QUICK reasons for leaving Florida.

1. Jeb (govern a state. ANY STATE) Bush
2. Kathleen ( money can't buy all)
HARRIS
3. Mark (come here little boy) Foley

Good enough reasons for me.

Why should the state re-insure multi million dollar homes, Danni? Most voters would support that for the average homeowner, but fla is turning it's best areas into exclusive country clubs. The people with the most insurance need are middle income folks who pay 6K for 200K homes/condos.

We just visited the Keys, and the Keys hotel group is doing everything in their power to get rid of trailer parks, and remove parking areas for RV's. I hear they have even forced WalMart to close their lots to RV's.

If they want it that bad, let them pay for it themselves...

The insurance they could "fix" by having the state be the "reinsurance" but the insurance lobby is so strong that it is unlikely to happen

What? It wouldn't matter Danni. Insurance is a nightmare there because of hurricanes...not reinsurance.

Unless I am misunderstanding you point.

YEAH!

Everything to plan!

I smell "bed tax" as the recipe!

But its still the greatest place in the country for a criminal to retire, (because your house cannot be liened). Why do you think OJ ran there.

OOHRAH

In NC also, is a very beautiful state, from the mountains to the shore line.

You have me worried. Been here for 11 years. Do not have Republican registration card or a hunting license.

Do you think they are going to run me out?

Second thought. I actually pay my taxes so NC will no doubt let me stay. All I have to do is gain about 100 lbs so that I look like I was born here.

Just kidding!

I don't mean to offend anyone, but I really dont care for Florida.

I've been there twice to visit my dad and outside of sneaking on to the golf course in his backyard, I didn't find to much excitement.

However, his plan to move back to Armpit, USA doesn't thrill me either!

"Florida, the Bikini state, is filled with excitement Lisa. You need to get out more often!"

First of all....looking at other women in bikini's may do something for you, but it's not on my top 10 list of exciting things to do.

In defense of Florida, there is lots to do here...I first migrated to Fort Lauderdale in the late 60's and it was a ball...lots going on...

But the wages here haven't kept up with the living expenses....I used to get a quart of orange juice for 24 cents...and Florida had more dairy cows than Texas with cheap milk...Now it's just as expensive my other state, Maine....

When Ma and Pa sell their Northern homes they come to Florida and they don't want to support our schools, police departments, fire departments etc....and they get a bargain on their property taxes here compared to the North...but they still don't want to pay...

It takes a gazillion service folks to wait on these old bastards (I am old but I don't mind paying my fair share) but they don't want to pay service folks...

What the small town cop makes here in Central Florida makes me embarrassed...They have to have a second job to make ends meet...

Jeb Bush, the education governor, was absolutely no help to our educational system...and that hypocrite holds teaching credentials....

Want to build a house in this rural country...be prepared to pay a $7500 impact fee to get a permit, and hope to hell you don't have any gopher turtles on the land...

No, Florida has been ruined for many folks...but if you have a load of cash you'll love it...

See and be seen Lisa. Florida has more outdoor activities than where I live. Car racing, yachting, fishing, beaches, spring break, motorcycle rallies, gambling, South Beach, come on girl live alittle!

Dave,

I'm too damn old to be in a bikini walkng down the beach.

That doesn't mean I don't "live".

"beaches, spring break"....thanks for making me feel older than I am!!

I'm a half century too, doesn't mean I can't look, does it?

"I'm too damn old to be in a bikini walkng down the beach."

BTW That doesn't stop em on S Beach, some should know better. There's always bingo, shuffleboard, and slot machines!

Off to watch Jack Baurer

"I'm a half century too, doesn't mean I can't look, does it?"

You're older than me and they you suggest I try one of these...

"There's always bingo, shuffleboard, and slot machines!"

??????

Gee...thanks!

"I'm a half century too, doesn't mean I can't look, does it?"

You're older than me and they you suggest I try one of these...

So Lisa, why do you think you're "too old" to wear a bikini?
Afraid the fat French Canadian guys in their speedos gonna chase you?

Northguy:

I didn't wear a bikini when I was thinner, I'm certainly not going to wear one now!

And besides....I'm too modest. : )

"And besides....I'm too modest. : )"

You fergot "shy" ;^)

Be Well.

"You fergot "shy" ;^)"

I was to shy to mention that.

'Lo Lady Lisa!

"You fergot "shy"

"I was too shy to mention that."

Yes, logically that WOULD follow.

Spud shoulda thought of that!

We haff this local radio station wif mostly local woman as the on-air personalities. One day Spud is tune in to hear about how in some tribe in Africa when a woman undergoes childbirth she actually gets to tug on a cord tied to her partners rubbery bits in order to achieve a kind of empathy twixt the suffering, labouring mom-to-be and her mate.

The ladies calling in thought this was a wonderful, apt and hilarious solution to the empathy gap that often occurs in these instances.

Spud remains unconvinced of this assertion but thought you'd get a kick out of the story.

Be Well.

Danni talking about reinsurance is like Bush talking about physics

Don't worry, when the libtards raise the min wage all the illegals can live there

I'd suggest that many of the people leaving Florida moved in next door to some of the idiot Florida NeoCons who give everyone here a hard time. They can't be a joy to have as a neighbor. Fights over lawns, Kerry stickers, etc.

1 house X 15 families X NeoCon FL residents =

Half the people who moved out

The state is like a sponge and with global warming being ignored most of the state will be underwater and be subject to increasingly violent hurricanes.

Y'know this is rather odd. I'm actually looking at relocating into Florida. Saint Petersburg, specifically. Now, mind, I may have some difficulty there: I've looked at some reviews of apartment companies in the area, and have found... less than stellar reports, so that worries me. On the other hand, employment I may have an easier time with than some; friends of mine in the area have already made it clear they'll help me update and clean up my resume' and put a bug in the ear of a couple of companies in the area dealing with industries that I have a little experience with. So I suppose I can't really be considered a "contradiction" to this article or the arguements made here.

""Danni talking about reinsurance is like Bush talking about physics""

Insult away asshole, but I know more about it than you ever will.

BTW, Republitards, sort of coincidental that all these problems arise in Florida during Jeb's term as governor.
Now, even Crist, the new Republican governor wouldn't even honor Jeb's choices for over two hundred positions in the government. Why, because Jeb hired purely on the basis of political patronage with a little religious affiliation test thrown in. Thank God, Halleliah Jeb is done. May he go away never to rise from the shame of his administration and his lunatic brother's administration.
The country would be better off if the name Bush is forgotten forever.

More Florida Residents Moving Out

Like rats on a sinking ship. If I'm not mistaken, I believe that Florida will be one of the first states to be submerged by global warming.

Time to call the pest controllers.

The country would be better off if the name Bush is forgotten forever.
Danni, since no one else listens to you, maybe you should take your own advice. Forget the name Bush and maybe you wouldn't be so unhappy.

""Danni, since no one else listens to you,""

An awful lot of folks here in Florida have been listening to me lately especially about reinsurance which is a HUGE issue here. Speaking of unhappy, if you notice I don't go around claiming no one listens to you right after I read one of your posts, it sort of makes a person who does that look stupid, if you know what I mean.

The country would be better off if the name Bush is forgotten forever.

Danni, I thought Jeb was incredibly popular.
And Bush, Sr. is downright beloved nowadays.

I don't go around claiming no one listens to you right after I read one of your posts, it sort of makes a person who does that look stupid, if you know what I mean.
Not sure what you mean. There is a big difference between reading or listening to what someone says verses agreeing with or taking advice from that person. Your hate for Bush and republicans diminishes your credibility to the point where the only people who would listen to you are those that already think the same things you do.

BTW, do you have a tatoo that reads "He hate me!"

""Your hate for Bush and republicans diminishes your credibility to the point where the only people who would listen to you are those that already think the same things you do.""

Like the majority of Americans as demonstrated in the recent election.
But do try again, this time though think about what you post first.

""Danni, I thought Jeb was incredibly popular.""

Oh, you heard right. He was popular even while he screwed Floridians. Today here in Florida MANY people are being forced out of their homes because of insurance and property tax. Bush did absolutely nothing about it and the legislature is so obligated to the insurance industry they won't either. Crist has already been labeled as the best Democratic governor in a long time despite the fact that he is a Republican. He has surprised many here, including me, and may not be a bad governor after all. He needs to propose major changes to our insurance system which his opponent Jim Davis had promised, like...the State of Florida becoming a self-reinsurer. The insurance companies here are taking premiums but setting up corporate identities just for Florida which will go bankrupt if their is a major disaster....and all the politicians know it but refuse to do anything. We'll see if Crist is any different.

the State of Florida becoming a self-reinsurer.

More billions down the drain....Maybe you should live somewhere else.

Hopefully it is the transplanted northern hicks who cannot seem to punch a chad and moan incessantly about any and everything. Hey, they would be right at home here. How many members here are Florida Yankees?

""More billions down the drain....Maybe you should live somewhere else.""

You show how little you know about it. Do you even live in Florida???
Do you even know what reinsurance is, who provides it, and what happens to the money paid in if there are no claims to pay out????

""How many members here are Florida Yankees?""

Not me, my family has been in Florida since around 1900.

Do you even know what reinsurance is, who provides it, and what happens to the money paid in if there are no claims to pay out????

Danni, I understand it from a commercial insurance perspective......not personal lines. When I insure something with a fireline above approx $7 milllion at one location then we have to "reinsure" it with another carrier. Same concept with life insurance as well.

answer your own question to me if you would. the foundation of your problem is obvious.....hurricanes. I know there are special carriers who write the wind and rain coverage within about 5 miles of the coast there but other than that....I'm not up on it.

The insurance companies buy reinsurance to pay claims. The large national insurance companies sell it (in more and more cases) to their own subsidiary companies here in Florida thereby contriving to keep the risk within only the Florida company. When a hurricane does hit and they exceed the amount they reinsure, with themselves, for they simply will go bankrupt. Meanwhile, in years with no hurricanes, like this past one, they keep the premiums paid, most of which went to pay the reinsurance. The next year the same premium is due again.
If Florida became its own reinsurer the money could go into a fund which would reinsure the insurance companies, then after years like this past one the money would remain in the fund instead of going to profits for the insurance companies. After a few years the fund would grow large enough that rates could be cut considerably. But, the powerful insurance lobby is preventing this from really even being discussed.
Another thing we should do is for the nation to be one large risk pool.

Oh, about the coverage close to the coast, that is Citizens, which is really the state of Florida because none of the major insurance companies will write policies there. The rates are astronomical. People are quite literally leaving the state over it. Especially young people trying to buy their first home are saying "screw Florida."
First they get hit with ridiculous taxes and then with ridiculous insurance, and now the prices on homes are falling pretty fast because of it.
thing is there are ways to remedy both insurance and property tax but special interests are preventing the changes necessary.

The insurance companies buy reinsurance to pay claims. The large national insurance companies sell it (in more and more cases) to their own subsidiary companies here in Florida thereby contriving to keep the risk within only the Florida company. When a hurricane does hit and they exceed the amount they reinsure, with themselves, for they simply will go bankrupt

the insurance companies buy reinsurance to reinsure their risk.

What companies have done this? How much "unpaid" claims are due to this? How much money?

Another thing we should do is for the nation to be one large risk pool.

Why? what would that solve? the problems of Florida should be "pooled" with other states that are considerably less risky to such perils.

No way. Florida can deal with it's own problems. If the state wants to step in and eliminate some of the things you are talking about then fine.....leave the rest of us out of it.

I live in South Florida and I'm preparing myself for the bubble truly bursting.

Eberly:

Why would someone in Soth Dakota spend even a nickel to help me out. It's not the American way and it will never happen

Considering how much less exposure a home in SD has compared to a home in Florida you are right.

We will always pool similar risks....not one huge risk.

Danni is just a socialist who thinks all her problems should be mine as well.

Here it comes. The real problem is the Republican legislature. They decided collectively that Insurance was to no longer be a risky business. For the insurers that is.

I know that business provides jobs, creates wealth and growth is the engine that drives our american lifestyle. I am by no means anti business. The florida state legislature has gone completely pro business, pro lobby and it to far to one side. Costing all of us money.

The national insurance companies shouldn't be allowed then to sell any insurance in the state of Florida. The national company profits handsomely when there are no hurricanes but when there are claims they use subsidiary corps. here in florida to limit their exposure.
They want it both ways and that is not fair.

""Considering how much less exposure a home in SD has compared to a home in Florida you are right.""

Considering the number of homes in SD it is an insignificant state anyway, but what about California, New York, etc. Those states face similar risks as Florida. A national pool would probably be helpful for everyone except the greedy insurance companies.

Danni, those states DO NOT have the same exposure as Florida....especially NY.

A national pool is what YOU want to reduce your exposure which is yours....not mine.

I asked you to post how much money this is costing in terms of claims not paid Danni. surely there is something you can post to back that up.

You advocate limiting the number of carriers admited to do business in Florida. You think that would help? How?

it will be interesting to see how california and florida hold up when all of the adjustable mortgages spike 2 or 3 more times...

but what i am continually dumbfounded about is somehow someway, people continue to live and prosper.

i want to sell my home and move to some crappy southern state and just not be in massive debt.

for me it is about debt free. i got to have a wild youth, and for that i am grateful!

but as you approach 40, i do not want to be like my parents, clearly without a solid retirement strategy. (divorced).

its not what you make, it is what you keep. and people just now starting off buying a median home for 700K in Orange County have a huge hill to climb... for the next 30-40 years.

sign me-

ready to move from the rat race

On the national pool I am not necessarily real sure, the other ideas though, like Florida being its own reinsurer I am more certain. I have heard one of the presidential candidates talking about the national insurance pool (Edwards?) but I would have to learn more about it.
But, yes I do want to lower my rates and all of Florida's but we don't expect other states to pay more. If the national pool could distribute the risk and save everyone money then great, if not, it would never work anyway.

But, yes I do want to lower my rates and all of Florida's but we don't expect other states to pay more. If the national pool could distribute the risk and save everyone money then great, if not, it would never work anyway.

sounds like you want to remove the profits of carriers. Okay, fair enough but we don't make any more money in Florida than we do in Oklahoma.

""Okay, fair enough but we don't make any more money in Florida than we do in Oklahoma.""

Debatable. Thing is, when rates become so high that average people just can't afford insurance something major needs to be done. The insurance lobby is so powerful here in Florida that they have, up til now, gotten everything they wanted. As it is here, the big companies will only insure the lower risk homes and leave all high risk to the state. If the state has to insure the high risk then it should also take over on the low risk.

If the state has to insure the high risk then it should also take over on the low risk.

Why? I'm a great driver and I deserve to be in a better pool. Only the shitty drivers who nobody will accept end up in the assigned risk pool. You want the same thing to happen with homeowners.

Danni, are you going to continue to deflect from the fact that living near the coast in florida is EXTREMELY risky from an insurance perspective?

Average people can't afford it because the risks are too high. plain and simple. I've heard this argument for years and it always come back to that fact.

I can guarantee you that if I didn't have some control over some things in Florida then I wouldn't do business there. No carrier won't. This would be why the insurance lobby is so powerful there......what other alternative is there? Florida has little choice here. Either insure everything itself or create an environment where competiting carriers come in and conduct business and let them duke it out. Florida would rather have the latter. And if you are going to beg carriers to write business there then you will they are going to ask for some things.

I get sick and tired of the hypocrite assholes on this site who tell us where we should live...This is America (at least for now) and I will live any god damned place I feel like...

Florida is a no different than any other state....and no one was ever killed in a Florida blizzard...

The insurance companies always hide behind the government when they are forced to pay...If they don't have the money to pay they shouldn't be allowed in the insurance business....I am not sure the amount of cash insurance comanies are required to keep against their potential exposure, but it should be a least 50 percent...

And the first time they default they should be prohibited from selling ANY other type insurance in the state....

sorry, should be "then you should expect them to ask for some things".

BTW, the state can take over the low risk homes as well. they can do that anytime they want. Again, you advocate the "mixing" of pools.......which won't happen.

am not sure the amount of cash insurance comanies are required to keep against their potential exposure, but it should be a least 50 percent...

50% of their exposure??? no way Scarey.

Here.....you own a $250K house and I own a $250K house. You are saying the insurance company should have $500K in CASH to cover that exposure.

Look folks, insolvent carriers is not the problem in florida. the exposure is.

The insurance companies always hide behind the government when they are forced to pay.

Mine never has.

I have heard one of the presidential candidates talking about the national insurance pool (Edwards?) but I would have to learn more about it.
Another great vote buying scheme. He is very willing to spend others money to buy himself votes. Why should someone in OK pay for someone elses lifestyle in FL. The residents of FL should be responsible for the risks they are taking by living in a high risk area for hurricanes.

I asked you to post how much money this is costing in terms of claims not paid Danni. surely there is something you can post to back that up.

.....................

Posted by eberly



jeopardy music playing.......

TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Legislature will open an emergency session today in hopes of helping millions of people across the state struggling to afford insurance for their homes and businesses.

But any tough changes they make will be fiercely opposed by the property-insurance industry, which spends millions of dollars a year to influence public policy in Florida and controls much of the information lawmakers rely on.

All of the above are wrong and misguided. The insurance crisis is completely manufactured by the insurance industry. 2004 in mid to north florida there were 3 storms. 2005 saw modrate damge to florida from katrina and a more direct hit from wilma. After 2005 allstate, POE Group(Which later became insolvent), State Farm all packed up and stopped writing new policies. Between 1992 (Andrew) and 2004 there were no catastrophic storms that hit ----Florida ---- (other storms hit other states). Between those years the combined PROFITS of insurers in florida topped 20 billion dollars (not including interest). Beginning in 2003 Those companies began to setup up florida only subs so they could claim losses and get everything they wanted from a sympathetic pro business floria legislature.

Let's be honest...
I moved out of Florida too...

Wanna know the REAL reason why?

CRIME.

Immigrants and crime.

The more immigrants that flux in, the more crime happens.

Simple truth from an ex-Floridian.

It's not exposure. Stop saying that it is. Meteorological modeling says a cat 3 or above storm will only hit fla every 50 yeears or so. Any actuarial model allow for making money based on the model.

I know how much the repubs want to trot out. Take responsibility for yourself and stop blaming everyone else. If you can't afford it move. etc. Really that not the root of what is going on here. Greed pure and simple.

I may be sorry for posting this, but what the hell, if you are reading the Retort there has to be a lot good about you.
When I moved from NJ (FL was a consideration) to NC about 10 years ago, I was paying over $6000 a year taxes, $2600 year maintenance fees, all for a 1400 sq. ft town house.
I have a bigger condo here, am on disability following 4 fractures of the spine. I now pay $550 a year tax and $90 a month maintenace fee. Homeowners thru Hartford is very inexpensive. This state has something we did not have in NJ, they call them trees. Whatever.

Have any of you seen the tv show (not sure if A&E, Discovery, or Weather) but it shows what they believe will happen if New York City was every to suffer a CAT 5 direct hit...

Hell, all the insurance companies combined couldn't pay for the damage they project....And it could happen...

DAW7
you made the right choice.

The Inland Empire of California has been in a hard freeze for the last 4 nights....

Oranges and Orange Juice is going to be out of sight...800 Million dollars of oranges have been frozen and ruined...

DAW7, now don't you feel better?
Having Danni agree with you is almost as good as having the retarded kid cheering you on at a spelling bee.

Florida's not a bad place -- if you can escape or tolerate steaming hot summers, a completely flat landscape, mosquitos, cottonmouths and water mocassins in the lakes, streams and rivers, alligators in tha same AND in back yards, sink hokles, tornados, lightning storms, high crime, bubba statre troopers, older drivers who can't see and who have no reaction reflexes, and sharks all over the place.

Of course housing used to be cheap. Now you cannot buy a residence for less than $400K, but that would only get $15K per year in rental, and a $800K condo only rents for $30K/year. Serious negative cash flow from a buyer's perspective.