Broward Real Estate & Business Network

08/27/2026

Presentation on how to appeal your property tax valuation.

08/21/2026

Meeting summary 8/20/26

Digital Marketing and Online Reviews
Lynn shared insights from a digital marketing presentation by Michael Piccoli of On Target Digital Marketing, with Lynn recommending addressing negative reviews and encouraging fresh five-star ratings from satisfied clients. David Baumwald noted that reading 2-3 star reviews provides more honest feedback about potential issues, than eithger 1 or 5 star reviews.
Bond Market Developments and Trends
Erico explained the recent developments in the bond market, highlighting how the United States' debt surpassing $40 trillion and the Federal Reserve's reluctance to increase interest rates led to a sell-off in the bond market, with yields on 30-year and 10-year bonds reaching their highest levels in 19 years. He described the Treasury Department's response, including plans to increase liquidity support through bond buybacks, which initially caused yields to drop but later rose again as markets remained skeptical about inflation control. Erico also noted the impact on mortgage rates, which have risen to around 6.75%, and emphasized the need to address the country's growing debt, as interest on debt and defense now account for about $2 trillion annually.
Real Estate Investment Analysis Review
Erico analyzed a real estate investment where a woman purchased a unit for $321,250 with a $3,000 monthly rent, resulting in a negative cash flow of $88 per month after accounting for mortgage, property taxes, and HOA fees. He identified that the property's original appliances and systems would likely need replacement soon, and noted that had the investor purchased a Treasury bond instead, they would have generated $338 monthly in cash flow. The discussion concluded with participants agreeing that many investors make poor financial decisions without proper research or understanding of money management.
Mortgage Lending Risk Concerns
Lynn expressed concerns about potential risks emerging in mortgage lending, particularly with non-conventional lenders relaxing underwriting standards due to pressure from international markets seeking higher returns. David Pollack agreed, noting a significant increase in lenders seeking business deals due to limited market activity and reduced buyer affordability. Erico shared insights from the previous crisis, highlighting how relaxed underwriting led to widespread defaults and foreclosures.
Creative Financing and Risk Management
Lynn Ottomer, a real estate mortgage lender, discussed creative financing solutions for investors, including debt service coverage ratio loans. She expressed concerns about risky lending practices driven by international money markets, particularly noting problems with quick cash-out refinancing and no-ratio loans with reduced down payment requirements. The discussion concluded with a warning about stop loss orders from Erico, who advised caution with these orders due to their high probability of triggering and the difficulty of re-entering the market once executed.

07/09/2026

Special presentation of handing damages claims with your condo association and HOA

Michael Mayoral, Esq., a seasoned trial attorney, he has built a re...

06/23/2026

Meeting summary 6/18/26

This was a real estate investment meeting where participants shared updates and discussed various property and financial topics. Erico discussed new Return on Capital ETFs that are paying 12-13% dividends through a cover call strategy, explaining how they work by reducing cost basis while collecting premiums. Lynn Otter provided information about her mortgage financing services, particularly for investors using bank statements and DSCR programs. David Baumwald reported he's achieving 16% returns on a 4-bedroom property for $150K in Polk County, FL. The group discussed a hard money lender called Kiavi offering 7.7% rates, with Lynn explaining the differences between national and local hard money lenders. Alexander shared details about a complex foreclosure case involving three liens all in foreclosure on a condo in Miami Beach, where he represents the second mortgage holder.
Summary
Return on Capital ETF Discussion
Erico discussed new Return on Capital ETFs that pay dividends with reduced tax implications, explaining how they work by selling call options on index stocks to generate income while managing risk through diversification across NASDAQ or S&P 500 indices. He shared that these ETFs currently offer 12-13% dividends with monthly payments, having moved his investments from Treasury bonds at 3.6% to these higher-yielding options. Erico noted that while the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, some members are considering raising rates later in the year due to recent inflation concerns.
Property Tax Referendum Discussion
The group discussed a proposed referendum on the November ballot to eliminate property taxes on homesteads. Lynn shared insights from a realtor about potential impacts on the real estate market, while David Pollack expressed skepticism about the benefits for new homeowners. David Baumwald then shared his successful rental property investments, highlighting a 4-bedroom property generating $2,000 monthly in profit with minimal maintenance costs through Section 8 housing.
Hard Money Lending Options Discussion
The group discussed hard money lending options, with Alexander sharing information about Kiavi, a nationwide lender offering 7.7% rates, which surprised the group compared to typical local rates of 12%. Lynn explained that national hard money lenders source money from different investors like venture capitalists and pension funds, allowing them to offer better rates and more automated processes. Alexander also shared details about a recent challenging closing where loan funds arrived late, requiring creative solutions to complete the transaction. The conversation ended with updates about upcoming live meetings and a complex multi-mortgage foreclosure case that Alexander is handling, involving three simultaneous foreclosures including one from a condo association.

Next steps
Edison
• Find and share information about "sub-2 insurance" with the group.
• Share more details about tax delinquent/surplus fund strategies and changes at the next meeting.
• Provide updates or information about off-market properties to Eric Wilner and others interested.
Erico
• Resend the email about Return on Capital ETFs to Lynn at her correct email address.
• Call Kiavi to find out their LTV terms and share with the group.
Lynn
• Put her correct contact information in the chat for Erico and others who need to reach her.

05/28/2026

5/28/26 meeting recap
The meeting focused on real estate investment topics, with Alexander leading discussions about recent developments affecting landlords. Alexander warned participants about a new scheme where law firms are targeting landlords by buying tenants' security deposits and suing for refunds, often seeking attorney fees exceeding the deposit amount. The group discussed various real estate challenges including rising interest rates, property taxes, and insurance costs, with Erico sharing concerns about expensive HOA fees and water bills in South Florida. Eric Kubecka provided insights about roofing certifications and insurance requirements, while Steven offered advice on real estate marketing and AI optimization strategies. The conversation also covered international real estate investments, with Dan sharing plans to explore opportunities in Italy and the Dominican Republic, and the group discussed tax implications and management strategies for foreign properties.
Summary
Fort Lauderdale Water Billing Discussion
The group discussed water billing issues in Fort Lauderdale, with Alexander explaining how the city charges excessive profits and fails to maintain water infrastructure properly. Eric Kubecka shared information about new water bill assistance programs and a one-time waiver option for leak-related expenses, though specific details about eligibility requirements were unclear. The conversation then shifted to home maintenance topics, including irrigation systems and roof recertifications for insurance purposes, with Eric Kubecka introducing his roofing business specializing in roof recertifications to help homeowners obtain insurance coverage. Eric Kubecka explained that only certified licensed roofers can provide certification letters to insurance companies.
Foreign Property Investment Discussion
Dan shared his plans to invest in real estate in the Dominican Republic, mentioning incentives like no property taxes for 10 years and no transfer tax after 15 years of ownership. The group discussed property ownership regulations and management in various countries.
Landlord Security Deposit Legal Strategies
Alexander discussed legal strategies for handling security deposit claims and tenant lawsuits. Alexander explained that landlords must send certified mail notifications within 30 days of a tenant's departure. He suggested adding a no-assignment clause to leases to prevent third parties from buying tenant rights, and recommended charging fees instead of deposits to avoid refund requirements. Alexander also advised that for properties with two or fewer units, landlords can include a clause waiving the landlord’s maintenance obligations, shifting responsibility to tenants for property condition.
Erico noted that without a security deposit, tenants might cause more damage since they have no financial incentive to leave the property in good condition. The conversation then shifted to air conditioning options for mobile homes, where Eric Kubecka recommended Midea window air conditioners as an affordable and efficient alternative to traditional HVAC systems, suggesting they could be a good solution for smaller spaces or as backup cooling during power outages. The conversation ended with Alexander announcing that next week's meeting would be held in person at Denny's rather than on Zoom.

05/14/2026

Meeting Notes May 14, 2026
The Broward Real Estate and Business Network meeting focused on real estate market updates and legal considerations. Alexander opened by discussing recent changes to Treasury reporting requirements for real estate transactions, noting that a federal court in Texas had struck down broad reporting requirements but the Treasury recently filed an appeal. The group then shared market insights and experiences, with Erico Bueno warning about inflation signals and rising debt levels, while others discussed current real estate challenges including competitive markets, high property taxes and insurance costs, and the impact of AI technology on various industries. The conversation ended with a detailed discussion from Alexander about estate planning and asset protection strategies, including the use of trusts, LLCs, and Lady Bird deeds to avoid probate and protect real estate from creditors.
Federal Real Estate Reporting Changes
Alexander discussed recent changes to federal FINCEN reporting requirements for real estate transactions, explaining how the Treasury's new rules affected residential property transfers without conventional financing. He noted that while a Texas Federal Court had initially struck down the requirements, the Treasury has since filed an appeal, leaving the status of the rules uncertain. The meeting then transitioned into its regular format, with Alexander welcoming attendees to the Broward Real Estate and Business Network and outlining the meeting's structure and rules. He emphasized the group's focus on sharing insights about the economy and real estate market from experienced professionals.
Macroeconomic Market Analysis Discussion
Erico, a retired IT engineer and trader, provided macroeconomic commentary on current market conditions. He highlighted concerns about inflation, noting that the producer price index came in at 6% and that the U.S. domestic debt has surpassed GDP at 121% of GDP. Erico expressed worry about the shift in global financial flows, citing China's reduction in U.S. Treasury bond holdings from over a trillion to 700 billion dollars, and observed that the 30-year Treasury bond rate had crossed the 5% threshold for the first time. He also expressed caution about the stock market's continued rise despite economic uncertainties, comparing it to the real estate boom and warning that a market correction might be imminent.
Market Valuations and Investment Strategies
Erico and Alexander discussed market concerns, with Erico expressing fear about current stock market valuations and highlighting the differences between rapid stock market crashes versus gradual real estate depreciation. Lynn Ottomer then provided advice about managing stock positions, noting the tax implications of moving investments and suggesting strategies to spread out capital gains over multiple years.
Real Estate to Stock Market Transition
Eric Naim discussed his decision to transition from real estate to the stock market, citing the potential for higher returns and reduced workload. He expressed concerns about the real estate market, including rising prices, insurance costs, and taxes in small cities. David Po***ck shared his experience at a recent event and highlighted the growing importance of AI in various industries. He also offered his services for mortgage-related inquiries. Jose Santiago, a first-time attendee, introduced himself as a real estate agent with a background in healthcare marketing, and expressed his interest in learning from the group's experiences.
Real Estate Market and Planning
The meeting featured introductions and updates from several real estate professionals, including Jose, Rachael, Eric Willner, Dr. Rebecca Hoewll, Dan Herz, and Steve Carmen. Key discussions centered around current market conditions, with Eric noting the spring surge in real estate activity and highlighting opportunities in data center investments. Alexander provided extensive guidance on asset protection and estate planning strategies, emphasizing the importance of using trusts, LLCs, or Lady Bird deeds to avoid probate and protect real estate from creditors. He also advised caution regarding homestead exemptions, warning that changes to homestead properties can trigger revocation by the property appraiser. The conversation ended with a discussion about probate processes and the potential for investors to capitalize on probate situations.

05/01/2026

April 30, 2026 meeting recap.
The meeting focused on seller financing, led by Attorney Alexander Johnson who provided detailed explanations of various strategies including buying properties subject to existing mortgages and using land trusts to structure transactions. Alexander discussed the challenges of house flipping in South Florida's current market, where high prices and interest rates make traditional investing difficult, and explained how investors can find motivated sellers in distress situations. The group also discussed public record research techniques for investigating foreclosure properties, with Alexander demonstrating how to use Clerk of Courts and Recorder of Deeds websites to access information about civil cases and property records. Several members, including Lynn Ottimer and Bruce Johnson, shared their experiences with real estate investing and financing, while Erico Bueno provided economic updates on jobless claims, GDP, and interest rates. The conversation ended with plans for the next in-person gathering at Denny's restaurant.
Next steps
• All interested members: Attend next week's in-person meeting at Denny's (Oakland Park Blvd and Powerline Rd) instead of Zoom Thursday May 7th at noon.
Summary
South Florida Housing Market Challenges
The group discussed seller financing and the challenges of the middle class being priced out of South Florida. Lynn shared an article from Fortune magazine about how an influx of wealthy residents is affecting the housing market and local economy. Lynn noting her role as a mortgage broker and emphasizing the importance of qualifying both borrowers and tenants.
South Florida Real Estate Strategies
Alexander discussed challenges in South Florida's real estate market, particularly the difficulty of traditional house flipping due to high prices and interest rates. He explained strategies for investing in distressed properties, including buying properties subject to existing mortgages and using seller financing. Alexander also described the use of land trusts to gain control of properties while keeping the original owner as a beneficiary of the trust allowing investors to manage foreclosures and potentially execute short sales.
Foreclosure Property Transfer Strategies
Erico discussed his situation regarding a property in foreclosure and sought legal advice from Alexander about transferring the property to a trust. Alexander explained that once a lis pendens is recorded in a mortgage foreclosure, any subsequent transactions would be subject to the existing mortgage foreclosure making the transfer ineffective in avoiding foreclosure. Bruce suggested a short sale approach instead, where the homeowner would work with the bank to sell the property for less than the mortgage balance, allowing the buyer to help the seller with monthly payments while improving their credit situation for future financing. The discussion concluded with Alexander noting that in the current market with positive equity, investors are seeking ways to acquire properties without traditional financing through methods like taking subject to existing mortgages.
Seller Financing Strategy Discussion
Alexander discussed the benefits and challenges of seller financing with the benefit to the seller of earnning a higher return on cash or reducing capital gains tax exposure. He explained the drawbacks of traditional mortgage foreclosures, which can be lengthy and expensive, and proposed using a land trust and a chattel mortgage as alternatives to simplify the process of defaulting a non-paying buyer. Alexander also highlighted the importance of qualifying the borrower, ensuring property maintenance, and setting appropriate interest rates to make seller financing a viable option.
Property Foreclosure and Sale Timeline
David asked Alexander about the timeline for selling a property after taking control and investing money in rehabilitation before a bank foreclosure. Alexander noted that foreclosure processes typically takes several months to a year, and that legal fees associated with foreclosure are generally moderate. Alexander emphasized that the key is to re-sell the property before the foreclosure sale date and use the end buyer’s funds to pay off the loan at closing.
Accessing Public Civil Records
Lynn and Alexander discussed accessing public records for civil cases, including foreclosures, through the Clerk of the Court’s website. Alexander explained how to search for specific cases by category (Civil) and defendant’s name. Once you have found the case you can review the complaint and docket information. You can also access any recorded document at the Recorder of Deeds website, searching by name. This differs from a title search which searched by the property’s legal description.
Hard Money Lending Risks Discussion
Erico asked about the benefits of seller financing and hard money loans, expressing concerns about the risk and interest rates involved. Alexander and David Pollack explained that hard money lenders typically charge 12-18% interest rates and can lend up to 50-70% loan-to-value ratio. Both speakers shared personal experiences with hard money lending, highlighting the challenges and difficulties in recovering loans, particularly during challenging times like the COVID pandemic.
Real Estate Market Challenges
David Pollack expressed frustration with the current real estate market, noting that high renovation costs and limited profit margins make investing challenging. He shared an example of a lost deal where the numbers didn't work out despite competitive bidding. Steven advised that real estate cycles are typically 5-7 years long and suggested either being patient or exploring new markets outside Florida. Erico mentioned that corporate relocations to Miami, particularly Citadel's move from Chicago, are driving up high-end property prices in the area.
Economic Update and Inflation Discussion
Erico provided an economic update, noting that jobless claims were lower than expected while GDP growth was 2%, higher than the previous quarter but attributed to pent-up government demand. He explained that core PCE inflation remained high at 3.2%, suggesting the Federal Reserve may need to consider raising interest rates again despite recent discussions about lowering them. When asked about energy stocks, Erico discussed how AI data centers might drive energy demand but noted public resistance to installations in local communities, suggesting that infrastructure and service providers rather than the data centers themselves might be better investment opportunities.
Real Estate Services Introduction Meeting
Lynn and Bruce Johnson introduced their real estate services, with Lynn offering financing assistance and Bruce providing affordable housing solutions and house buying services. Steven Carmen discussed his experience in real estate and passive income generation. Alexander announced the next meeting will be held at Denny's in Oakland Park on May 7th, at noon.