Friday, July 20, 2012

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Sunny Isles short-term rentals

Intracoastal Yacht Club Rentals – Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160 Edward E. Cambas – Buy & Sell Real Estate Services, Inc 305-684-3076 an equal housing opportunity. Leave a message for fast call-back and daily showings. Manned 24 hour gate house / Privacy wall surrounding community/ Covered, controlled access parking garage/ Food emporium and convenience store/ Waterfront club house/ Billiard Room/ State of the art health and fitness center/ 24 hour valet/ private storage/ 24 hour video surveillance/ European style kitchens / Breakfast bars / Whirlpool appliances. Furnished models now open. Each apartment features: Floor to ceiling glass doors in living areas and master bedrooms Spacious master closets Full size large capacity washer and dryers Large master suites with private balconies Intracoastal and Ocean views Prices start at $1488 for one bedrooms go up to $2800 for 3/2 bath. One, two and three bedrooms available. Other properties are available as well as short-term furnished rentals (3 months). Call us at 305-684-3076.

Friday, May 18, 2012

A closer look at JOBS Act - and Crowdfunding.

The JOBS Act was signed into law by President Obama on April 5th, 2012. The House originally passed the Act, and then it was amended by the Senate on March 22, 2012. This Act makes changes to a lot of different laws to attempt to make it much easier to raise private capital. This applies to a lot of emerging companies that want private capital and they wish to stay private longer. In addition, it reduces the regulatory burdens on certain public companies that are new and allows them to raise the money on the internet. If securities are held by 500 people or more issuers are required to register that class of securities with the SEC. This makes these securities extremely burdensome with regard to reporting obligations. They have to file very detailed quarterly and annual reports with the SEC. With the passing of the Act, the threshold has now risen to 2,000 holders of record. One of the provisions is that no more than 499 of those investors qualify as an “accredited investor” under SEC rules. One of the positive aspects is that persons who purchase securities pursuant to crowdfunding are exempt. This will open the door for entrepreneurs to receive a new method of funding and this is something that is extremely positive for start-ups. The enactment of the JOBS Act is effective immediately. The regulatory agency (SEC) is going to have to adopt rules and revise what they call “held of record”. The rulemaking for the SEC revisions should take place within the next 270 days. It passed Congress last week through a 73-26 Senate vote and a 380-41 House vote, including an amendment designed to protect crowdfund investors in order to make it easier for start-ups to access capital. What this means for entrepreneurs: 1. More Control over the Timing of Going Public. 2. Less Impacted by Potential Reporting Requirements. 3. Potential Impact on Secondary Markets. 4. Eliminates the Prohibition Against General Solicitation and Advertising 5. Reach a Wider Pool of Investors 6. Lowers the Investors Wealth Requirements 7. Gives the Start-up a 5 Year Plan to Develop “Simply, the JOBS Act will make funding more accessible for startups by allowing non-accredited investors to participate in the funding rounds, and this alone, I believe will be the main factor driving the increase in new companies being founded. And with new companies comes the need to hire staff. Without a doubt, this will help the current unemployment rate,” said Tanya Prive, founder of Rock The Post, a social networking platform for entrepreneurs to fund and swap resources. Rory Eakin, founder of CircleUp, an equity-based crowdfunding platform focused on established high-growth consumer and retail companies, added: “Currently, less than one percent of U.S. small businesses receive Angel investments. By opening up restrictions around general solicitation and introducing crowdfunding…these investments create up to six jobs per investment.” Companies like Indiegogo or Kickstarter were offering a way the companies could raise money from average person that did not meet the “accredited investor” criteria as defined by the SEC. The problem was that the persons contributing could not take a piece of the equity and benefit directly from profits and losses. The new law makes it much more enticing to the investors because they are allowed to participate and benefit in the upside of the company. The new law that is enacted now allows for companies to use crowdfunding to seek out and find the actual investors. It can now raise up to $1,000,000 this way. Investors with a net worth less than $100,000 may now invest up to 5% of their yearly income or $2,000 whichever is higher. Wealthier individuals can invest up to 10% of their annual income. The measure as it passed the House limits individual contributions to $10,000 or 10 percent of the investor’s annual income. The democrats in the House and Senate argued against the de-regulation and suggest that it is going to open the door to a wide variety of abuses and scandals. The republicans are in favor of relaxed regulations and they argue that we have to make it easier for start-ups to get their companies up and running. After all, small business is the engine that fuels growth and jobs in our economy. writtern by Edward E. Cambas.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing is also another name for crowdfunding which has been introduced into law by the JOBS Act. Right now the SEC is continuing to develop and tweak the specifics of how the actual fundraising process will work. They will have until Jan. 2013 to make the final adjustments to the rules under the Act. Currently, online platforms will be able to raise up to 1 million dollars while sidestepping many of the strapping regulations which typically hold smaller companies at bay. By easing the regulations and the investor requirements, it will open up a lot of potential capital to smaller companies. Prior to the JOBS Act, most investors were only qualified if they were "accredited." Everybody is standing by to see what the final tweaks will be by the SEC, and a lot of online platforms are waiting in the wings to launch their funding programs. Written by Edward E. Cambas - posted in Wikipedia. Rest assured that I will be posting new info here.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Sunny Isles Beach Community Shuttle.

From the desk of Edward E. Cambas. Community Shuttle Service The City provides free Community Shuttle Service 7 days per week with three different routes for the convenience of residents and visitors. The Orange Line runs Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. The Blue Line runs Monday to Friday7:45 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. The Blue Line (Saturday schedule) 9:05 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. The Green Line runs Monday to Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 7:50 p.m. Holiday Schedule Handicapped Services Shuttle buses are handicapped accessible and are available for such use when a reservation is made at least 24 hours in advance. To make a reservation for handicapped Community Shuttle pick-up, call 305-792-1706. Pets are not permitted on City shuttle buses except with a passenger who is sight impaired. Mount Sinai Transportation Services Free transportation provided to and from Mount Sinai Medical Center at 4300 Alton Road on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays pick up at 8:00 and 11:00 a.m. and returning Noon and 3:00 p.m. Reservations required at 305.792.1706. Miami-Dade Transit Service Miami-Dade Transit provides several bus stops through out the City. For more information on Miami-Dade Transit Services and schedules, visit http://www.miamidade.gov/transit/. Miami-Dade County provides Special Transportation Services to those with handicaps. Information for STS is available at 305-264-9000.

Sunny Isles Beach Senior Services

http://www.edwardcambas.com Senior Services and Resources This page includes links to city, county, state and federal sources for senior residents. City Senior Services The City of Sunny Isles Beach offers seniors concerts, services and programs throughout the year – many of these are free. Here is a description of the services and how to find out more information about each one. Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) This site is the place to visit for information on all issues relating to seniors. Whether you are an elder or caregiver, a professional or volunteer who deals with aging issues, or just looking for information related to Florida’s older residents, this is a good source for you. Golden Passport for Transportation This site provides information to seniors regarding the free bus pass within Miami-Dade County. If you are a senior citizen 65 years and older or a Social Security beneficiary and are a permanent Miami-Dade resident, you are eligible to ride transit free with a Golden Passport EASY Card. Miami Dade County Department of Human Services (DHS) This site contains information regarding programs offered for infants, the elderly, the disabled, veterans, refugees, farm workers, domestic violence assistance and rehabilitative services. This is the County’s largest department providing comprehensive county-wide social and human services. Miami-Dade County Senior Advocate This site promotes important news and views for today’s senior community and their caregivers. It provides information on retirement, financial matters, Medicare, Social Security and other pertinent topics. Senior Citizens' Resources at the Federal Level This is the United States Government’s official website for senior citizens’ resources that is subtitled “government made easy”. The site provides information on topics such as caregiver resources, health, housing, travel, and many other aspects of senior living. Social Security This is the official website of the Social Security Administration. Here you will find links to all services including how to apply for or replace a social security card and how to access benefits for retirement or disabilities. Changes to the benefit laws and legal issues are also published here. Local area office: Lincoln Square Office Center, 18475 N.W. 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33169. Toll free: 1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

The JOBS Act is a problem for the SEC.

The ultimate question is whether or not the JOBS Act will inspire the next Steve Jobs or Bernie Madoff. The debate is landing squarely on how much help it is for start-ups versus the possibility of abuse and fraud. It is supposed to help small business get funding by easing restrictions and regulations on the process of raising capital. Small business start-ups need the SEC to get this one right and it will be a boost for start-ups around the country. It will actually depend on how the SEC structures the process so that it is functional while still protecting investors. The SEC has announced that they are “seeking public opinion” which the regulatory body will take under consideration along with all the nightmare scenarios that they are speculating could occur. As it stands the restrictions are very “entrepreneur friendly,” and the problem is that the way it is set up now can open the door to a ton of fraud. The SEC is already overwhelmed with trying to regulate what laws are already on the books and simply will not be able to regulate the entire process of crowdfunding as it goes forward. The most important part of the JOBS Act to entrepreneurs is crowdfunding which allows for companies to raise capital online. Most importantly, the ACT eases restrictions on the number of shareholders allowed to participate in the offering, amount they may invest, and removes the accreditation requirement. Another troublesome part of the crowdfuning provision is how to protect the investors from unscrupulous dealings. Ken Honeyman, President of The Capital Matchpoint recently stated that “The SEC already has its hands full, and they simply do not have the resources to scrutinize and regulate this new breed of securities.” The Capital Matchpoint has web resources in place to handle crowdfunding deals once all the dust settles and has been a proponent of the bill since its inception. During the great depression legislation was passed to protect the public. It was called the Securities Act of 1933. That was passed in part to among other things protect investors post market crash of 1929. The Securities Act requires that in order for stock to be sold publicly in the United States it must be properly registered with the SEC. The filings and statements then become public record and they contain key disclosures which protect the public. The JOBS Act creates a key exemption by not forcing registration of the shares to the SEC if they meet certain requirements. The Act allows up to 1 million dollars to be raised within a 12 month window and allows that the investors solicited have a much lower financial threshold to be able to invest. The amounts vary and depend on their income or net worth. 1. An investor’s annual income or net worth is less than $100,000. This person can invest $2,000 or 5% of his or her annual income or net worth within any 12-month period. 2. An investor’s annual income or net worth is equal to or more than $100,000. This person can invest 10% of his or her annual income or net worth, up to a maximum amount of $100,000. 3. The transaction much be done through an intermediary, such as a broker or funding portal, which must register with the SEC. These three things have already been solidified as being a done deal. The next aspect of the process is for the SEC to make a variety of additional rules which will apply in an effort to protect the investor community. The SEC will be weighing in on: •What disclosures intermediaries must provide to investors, including disclosures about risks and other investor education materials; •Standards to make sure investors have reviewed these materials and understand them; •Measures to reduce the risk of fraud; •Making sure that no investor in a 12-month period has bought more shares than the law allows; •Protecting the privacy of information collected from investors. Written By Edward Cambas - From the Edward E. Cambas Business Desk.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

How is your small business?

PETALUMA, Calif., Feb 13, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The following is a statement by the American Small Business League:

The Obama administration's fiscal year (FY) 2013 budget proposal includes less funding for the Small Business Administration's (SBA) budget than the agency received 30 years ago during the Reagan administration.

This news comes less than a month after President Obama announced plans to combine the Small Business Administration with the Department of Commerce, which Washington insiders recognize as a ruse to close the SBA and end all federal small business programs.

During his 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised to restore the SBA's budget and staffing to pre-Bush administration levels.

Small businesses create more than 90 percent of net new jobs, half the GDP, half the private sector workforce and 90 percent of all U.S. exports.

Despite the fact that small businesses are the primary engine of job creation and economic stimulus in America, the Obama administration has adopted policies that have weakened every federal program for small businesses.

-- In February 2008, Barack Obama stated: "it is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." He has failed to keep that promise. Latest data released from the Obama administration indicates that of the top 100 recipients of federal small business contracts in FY 2011, 70 were large corporations. Large corporations that received federal small business contracts in FY 2011 include Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Harris Corporation, Rockwell Collins, Blue Shield and Blue Cross, British Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, AT&T and Boeing.

-- On September 9, 2011, the Obama administration announced plans to eliminate the nation's oldest program to direct federal infrastructure spending to minority-owned small businesses. The program, which establishes a 5 percent minority-owned federal small business contracting goal, dates back to the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Act.

"Instead of winding-down federal small business programs, we need to reopen every SBA office Bush closed, rehire every SBA employee that Bush laid off, quadruple the SBA budget and expand every federal program for small businesses-- the nation's chief job creators," said ASBL president and founder Lloyd Chapman.

SOURCE: American Small Business League

Get small business funding at http://www.capitalmatchpoint.com