佛州地产购买标准合同将做调整,今年 11月1日生效

地产 Real Estate

最近佛州的Contract for Sale and Purchase和与其相配的附件条款都做了更新调整和增加,请地产经纪人一定熟悉了解,更新后合同并将在今年 11月 1日正式生效。
具体更新的条款英文内容如下:
https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2021/09/florida-realtors-updates-frbar-contracts-and-riders

ORLANDO, Fla. – Revisions to the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar Contract for Sale and Purchase (FR/Bar) – both the AS IS and the Residential – have recently been approved and contain numerous changes. In addition, seven Riders have been updated and three new Riders were created. The update gives members time familiarize themselves with the changes and goes into effect on Nov. 1, 2021.

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“Laws, technology practice and society change over time, and Florida Realtors® updates its forms every few years to respond to those changes,” says Juana Watkins, Florida Realtors vice president of law and policy and general counsel. “A great deal of time and energy went into these updates. The Realtor and attorney members of the Joint Statewide Realtor Attorney Committee dedicated hours and hours of their time, and they deserve our gratitude.”
Watkins says no contract can ever be perfect as long as the world keeps changing, but the FR/Bar contract has been tested over the years, and many of the new updates originated as suggestions from Realtor members.


Major FR/Bar updates
Paragraph 8, which addresses how the purchase will be paid for, contains many updates. Spend time familiarizing yourself with the changes, so that you  understand buyers’ and sellers’ responsibilities when the new contract goes into everyday use.


8(b) – Two tasks are to be completed during the “Loan Approval Period.” As before, the buyer must obtain  approval for financing as described in Paragraph 8b. New to the contract, however, is that the buyer’s lender must receive a satisfactory appraisal before the “Loan Approval Period” expires – the first time a FR/Bar contract specified this. (Note: The word “appraisal” includes appraisals and alternative valuations.)

Why the change? The change was made to expedite receipt of the appraisal if required by the buyer’s lender. Under the current contract, a low appraisal could derail a transaction as late as the closing, if that’s when the appraisal was completed. Although a low appraisal can still derail a transaction, if it is received before expiration of the Loan Approval Period, the property can be returned to the market sooner and a new buyer found. 
8(b)(i) – This subsection redefines “Loan Approval.” This term now includes two components: that a buyer is approved for the financing described in the contract, and that the lender received a satisfactory appraisal if one is required. Consequently, if a buyer is approved for financing but the approval is conditioned upon an appraisal to be completed in the future, this will not be considered “Loan Approval.”

Unlike the current contract, per the revision, an approval that contains a condition that the buyer must sell another property is considered “Loan Approval,” providing Rider V is made part of the contract. Why the change? If the seller agrees to a buyer’s offer that includes Rider V, the seller is now aware that the buyer’s offer is contingent on the buyer selling another property.
18, Standard O – Delivery notice methods changed. In addition to current options – mail or personal delivery – notices may also be delivered by fax or email. However, certain electronic media delivery previously provided for in the contract was deleted. This is noteworthy because it means texts cannot be used to provide notice for these contracts. The change was made because texts can disappear over time, making them unreliable as evidence to prove that a notice was delivered.


Examples of other FR/Bar changes
“This article provides an overview of major forms changes but should not be considered a substitute for reading the new contracts and understanding how even small changes might impact some of your transactions,” says Watkins. “As always, Florida Realtors Legal Hotline is available as a free member benefit, and our staff lawyers will be happy to offer further education on the changes.”
“Personal Property” now includes thermostats, doorbells, television wall mounts and television mounting hardware, mailbox keys, and storm protection items and hardware – and intercoms were deleted.
A critical component of closing – that all funds required for closing are received by the closing agent and collected pursuant to STANDARD S” – has now been included in the paragraph that defines closing.   
An extension of the closing date based on CFPB (Consumer Finance Protection Bureau) delivery requirements was reduced from up to 10 days to 7 days, and it was clarified that this extension is automatic only if the loan was approved and through underwriting prior to the originally agreed upon closing date.
The occupancy clause now covers disclosure of existing seasonal or short-term vacation rentals – or if such rentals are intended if the occupancy would take place after closing.
A buyer has an obligation to keep the seller informed of the status of a loan application, appraisal, loan approval and property-related conditions, if the seller requests this information in writing.
The buyer can now wait until the end of the “Loan Approval Period” to inform the seller, in writing, that the loan was approved. In the current version, the buyer had to “promptly advise” the seller.
One item was added to costs paid by the seller: FIRPTA withholding and reporting (FIRPTA applies to transactions with foreign sellers).
Special assessments imposed by special districts will be prorated and not negotiated in Paragraph 9f.
Watercraft lifts and related equipment are now items subject to the buyer’s inspection that should be in working condition (Residential Contract only); also, a change allows sellers to complete repairs without estimates if the seller desires.
Time calculations: The new contract states that a calendar day will be based on where the property is located and clarifies calculations if a date or time period ends on a Saturday or Sunday, a day that is a national legal holiday, or on a day a national legal public holiday is observed.


Force Majeure: The definition of Force Majeure has been expanded and now also includes “governmental actions and mandates, government shutdowns, epidemics or pandemics.”
Counteroffer language was simplified and the rejection option eliminated. 
New riders include Mold Inspection, Seasonal/Vacation Rentals/Pace Disclosure.

澳大利亚联合英美制裁俄罗斯黑客,网络安全防御力度加强

澳大利亚联合英美制裁俄罗斯黑客,网络安全防御力度加强

近日,澳大利亚政府宣布对俄罗斯公民亚历山大·叶尔马科夫实施金融制裁和旅行禁令,美国和英国也紧随其后采取类似措施。这一举动是对叶尔马科夫涉嫌参与Medibank数据泄露事件的回应,这一事件影响了近1000万澳大利亚客户,被视为国内最严重的数据泄露之一。澳大利亚内政部长克莱尔·奥尼尔在新闻发布会上强烈谴责这些网络犯罪行为,并宣布了针对叶尔马科夫的制裁措施。这是澳大利亚首次使用2021年制定的网络制裁框架,旨在对网络犯罪分子实施更严格的惩罚。该制裁规定,涉案者的任何资产,包括加密货币钱包或勒索软件赎金支付行为,将被视为刑事犯罪,最高可被判处10年监禁和罚款。澳大利亚莫纳什大学的网络安全专家奈杰尔·菲尔表示,尽管这些制裁可能不会立即导致黑客被逮捕,但这是朝正确方向迈出的一步,有助于阻碍他们未来的犯罪活动。美国财政部和英国政府也对叶尔马科夫采取了类似的制裁措施。美国财政部副部长布莱恩·纳尔逊强调了这种三方协同行动的重要性,表示这是一种共同决心,旨在追究这些犯罪分子的责任。这一事件反映了全球范围内对网络安全威胁的日益重视。澳大利亚过去一年对网络安全规定进行了全面改革,并成立了相关机构以协调应对措施。近年来,国家支持的网络组织和黑客加大了对澳大利亚关键基础设施和企业的攻击力度,威胁日益增加。除了应对来自俄罗斯的网络威胁,澳大利亚还积极参与“五眼联盟”中的讨论,集中关注中国在网络安全方面的挑战。去年10月,“五眼联盟”国家的情报首长发表了针对中国的联合声明,指责其盗窃知识产权,并利用人工智能进行黑客攻击和间谍活动。面对这些复杂的网络安全挑战,澳大利亚联合英美采取的制裁措施,展示了国际社会在打击跨国网络犯罪方面的合作和决心。这些措施不仅是对特定事件的回应,更是对全球网络安全环境的一种维护和保护。
缅甸军政府领袖敏昂莱面临内外压力,能否稳固权力?

缅甸军政府领袖敏昂莱面临内外压力,能否稳固权力?

近日,缅甸彬乌伦市的一次集会上,一位戴眼镜的僧人包哥杜提出了一个意外的建议:军政府领导人敏昂莱应该下台,由其副手梭温接管政权。这一建议在背景下尤其引人注目,因为敏昂莱是2021年政变的领导者,该政变使缅甸陷入内战,并遭受国内外的广泛谴责。值得注意的是,包哥杜此前一直坚定支持军政府。然而,由于缅甸政府军在与少数民族武装的战斗中屡遭挫败,这使得原本的支持者开始重新考虑自己的立场。包哥杜的言论反映了一些军政府支持者对于军方领导层能否扭转颓势的失望。他在彬乌伦发表演讲,这个地方是国防服务学院所在地,有着重要的象征意义。在缅甸,军队和僧侣之间的紧密联系源远流长,尤其是在政治运动中。然而,也有一些僧侣选择与将军们合作,共同保护佛教和缅甸文化。激进僧人威拉图曾帮助发起反穆斯林的佛教运动,他和其他一些僧侣曾因煽动种族冲突入狱,但后来被军方释放。敏昂莱则一直试图通过支持佛教活动来加强自己的合法性。然而,军方在最近的战斗中遭遇重挫,这引发了公众和一些支持者的不满。有博主称敏昂莱“无能”,批评其领导下的军队在掸邦和其他地区的失败。与此同时,僧侣社群内部也出现分歧。一些僧侣帮助建立武装民兵组织以挑战反对军政府的“人民防卫军”,但这些民兵在少数地区才能站稳脚跟。敏昂莱是否能够稳固权力,目前尚不明朗。包哥杜虽然大胆批评,但很快被释放,暗示他可能有强大的后台。报道称,梭温将军对军队的糟糕表现感到不满,但尚未显示出要取代上司的迹象。敏昂莱虽然在战场上遭遇失败,但仍在官方活动中频繁露面,展现出一种君主般的形象。缅甸军政府目前面临的内外压力正在加剧。军队士气低落,招募新兵困难重重。如果政府军在掸邦北部、若开邦或克耶邦等关键地区继续遭遇失败,可能会导致更大范围的士气崩溃,甚至可能引发政权内部的动荡。敏昂莱能否稳固自己的权力,仍是一个未知数。
特朗普对选举资格之争,美国最高法院将如何裁决

特朗普对选举资格之争,美国最高法院将如何裁决

美国前总统唐纳德·特朗普近日向美国最高法院提出紧急申诉,挑战科罗拉多州最高法院去年12月的裁决,该裁决禁止他参加州总统初选,理由是他涉嫌参与国会大厦骚乱的叛乱。特朗普在提交给最高法院的法庭文件中警告称,如果其他州效仿科罗拉多州并禁止他参加初选,可能会引发“混乱和混乱”。这一情况背后,是美国宪法第十四修正案的争议解读。该修正案禁止任何参与叛乱或反叛的人担任联邦公职。特朗普及其法律团队在提交的文件中辩称,总统职位不受第十四修正案的约束,同时强调特朗普并未参与任何符合“叛乱”定义的行为。他们认为,取消特朗普的投票资格将剥夺数千万美国人的选举权。目前,这位77岁的前总统仍是共和党总统竞选中的坚定领跑者。他的案件已被提上最高法院的日程,预计将在2月8日进行审理,这意味着九名最高法院法官最终可能会对他竞选白宫的资格做出具有重大影响的判决。特朗普的这一法律挑战发生在美国政治格局中一个敏感且复杂的时刻。3月5日即将举行的共和党初选,被视为对特朗普政治未来的一次重要考验。在此背景下,最高法院的裁决将具有深远的政治和法律影响。法律专家对于第十四修正案的适用性和特朗普案件的可能结果持有不同意见。波士顿大学教授罗伯特·蔡指出,关于第十四修正案所指的叛乱,并没有一个明确的定义,这增加了案件的复杂性。同时,目前尚无法院判定特朗普犯有叛乱罪。乔治梅森大学法学教授伊利亚·索明指出,法院可能会对总统职位不受第十四修正案涵盖的主张持保留态度。在此情况下,美国最高法院如何裁决,不仅将对特朗普个人的政治生涯产生重大影响,也可能成为美国宪法史上的一个重要判例。这不仅是一场关于选举资格的法律较量,也是对美国宪法和民主制度的一次重要检验。
美国国税局 (IRS) 表示,因资金再次受到威胁,从富人逃税者那里多收3.6 亿美元

美国国税局 (IRS) 表示,因资金再次受到威胁,从富人逃税者那里多收3.6 亿美元

在面临财政挑战的关键时刻,美国国税局(IRS)宣布从拖欠税款的百万富翁中额外征收了3.6亿美元的逾期税款。这一成就得益于《减少通货膨胀法案》提供的资金,虽然该机构正面临共和党威胁要削减的资金压力。美国国税局领导层在一次电话会议中与记者分享了如何利用民主党通过的《减少通货膨胀法案》分配的资金。该法案于2022年8月签署成为法律,为税务机构的现代化提供了数十亿美元的资金。据悉,除了去年10月从欠税百万富翁处追缴的1.22亿美元外,目前已追回了近5亿美元的逃税款。然而,美国国税局正准备迎接更为严峻的财政挑战。白宫和国会共和党人在去年通过的债务上限和预算削减方案中已商定削减机构资金,包括两年内从国税局撤销的200亿美元。这一削减计划可能导致本月晚些时候部分政府关闭。国税局局长丹尼尔·韦费尔表示,尽管当前的预算削减将影响到国税局的长期努力,但该机构仍将在未来10年内支出目前的600亿美元拨款,并将更多的资金需求推迟到未来几年。他强调,国税局的目标是利用这笔钱在帮助纳税人方面产生最大的影响。韦费尔表示,他希望当《减少通货膨胀法案》资金对所有纳税人产生的积极影响展示出来时,政策制定者会渴望恢复国税局的资金,以继续保持积极的势头。截至12月,国税局表示已对美国最大的合伙企业进行了76项审查,涵盖了对冲基金、房地产投资合伙企业和大型律师事务所等领域。韦费尔称,《减少通货膨胀法案》的资金正为纳税人带来显著的变化。在美国国税局面临财政削减的背景下,这一成绩无疑是对《减少通货膨胀法案》效果的一种证明。然而,面对未来的财政挑战,如何确保国税局能够维持其追缴逃税和执行税法的能力,成为了美国财政政策的重要考验。美国国税局宣布2024年纳税季将于1月29日开始,届时将见证这一系列政策和措施的进一步效果。