#local insurance broker

[mountviewfs]

What happens to a mortgage if you die before paying it off? Does it need to be fully paid off before I die in order for my kids to inherit?

What Happens To Mortgage If You Die, the debt does not vanish instantly. Your mortgage has to be taken care of, yet your kids still inherit the house.

This works as follows:

The loan stays with the property; the home, not you, is the mortgage link. The lender still wants the money to be paid back, then, even after your death.

Your children will inherit the house and be liable for the debt. They could keep paying, refinance the loan in their name, or sell the home to pay off the loan.

Estate Manages the Mortgage: Your estate—all you own��will manage your obligations, including the mortgage, before anything is passed to your heirs. Should the estate fall short of covering the mortgage, your children might have to decide how to manage it.

Specific individuals get mortgage life insurance, which, should they die, helps pay off the remaining loan debt.

Your children can inherit the home, but the mortgage has to be handled. Although it doesn't have to be paid off before you die, your estate or heirs will take on responsibility for managing it.

Original Source:- https://www.quora.com/What-happens-to-a-mortgage-if-you-die-before-paying-it-off-Does-it-need-to-be-fully-paid-off-before-I-die-in-order-for-my-kids-to-inherit/answer/Ranjit-Singh-3890/log

[alliancehealthgroup02]

Steps to Successfully Apply for Medicare in Florida

Applying for Medicare in Florida can be straightforward if you know the steps and requirements. This guide will help you navigate the process, ensuring you get the coverage you need with minimal hassle.

Understanding Medicare

Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for individuals aged 65 and older. It also covers certain younger individuals with disabilities and those with specific conditions like End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The program consists of several parts:

Medicare Part A: Covers inpatient hospital stays, limited home health care, and hospice care.

Medicare Part B: Covers outpatient care, doctor's services, preventive services, and some home health care.

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage): Combines Parts A and B, often includes additional benefits like vision and dental, and is offered by private companies.

Medicare Part D: Covers prescription drugs.

Eligibility for Medicare in Florida

To apply for Medicare in Florida, you must meet certain criteria:

Age: You are 65 or older.

Disability: You are under 65 and have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for at least 24 months.

Specific Conditions: You have ESRD or ALS, which qualify you for automatic Medicare coverage.

Enrollment Periods for Medicare

Knowing when to enroll is crucial to avoid penalties and gaps in coverage:

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): A seven-month window starting three months before your 65th birthday, including the month you turn 65, and ending three months after.

General Enrollment Period (GEP): If you miss your IEP, you can sign up from January 1 to March 31 each year, with coverage starting July 1.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP): For those still working with employer health coverage, the SEP begins when employment or employer coverage ends.

Open Enrollment Period: For Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, from October 15 to December 7 each year.

Steps to Apply for Medicare in Florida

Confirm Your Eligibility:

Verify that you meet the age, disability, or condition criteria for Medicare.

Gather Necessary Information:

Prepare your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency, and employment information.

Apply Online:

Visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) website to complete the online application. This is the most convenient method.

Apply in Person or by Phone:

Alternatively, you can apply by visiting your local Social Security office or calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

Review Your Medicare Options:

Decide whether to enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C). If choosing Original Medicare, consider adding a Part D plan for prescription drug coverage.

Receive Your Medicare Card:

After your application is processed, you will receive a Medicare card in the mail. Keep it safe and accessible.

Tips for a Successful Medicare Application

Start Early: Begin the application process as soon as you are eligible to avoid delays in coverage.

Assess Your Healthcare Needs: Evaluate your current health conditions, prescription medications, and anticipated medical services to choose the most suitable plan.

Research Plan Options: Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool to compare different plans. Consulting with an insurance broker or Medicare advisor can also be helpful.

Understand Costs and Premiums: Be aware of the premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance associated with each plan. Consider potential hidden costs like late enrollment penalties.

Look for Financial Assistance: Investigate programs like Medicaid, Extra Help for prescription drug costs, and Medicare Savings Programs to reduce your premiums and other expenses.

Ask for Professional Help: A health insurance broker can provide personalized advice, review your current coverage, and help you choose the best plan.

Review Your Plan Annually: During the Annual Enrollment Period, review your coverage to ensure it still meets your needs and make adjustments as necessary.

Conclusion

Applying for Medicare in Florida doesn't have to be daunting. By understanding the eligibility requirements, knowing the enrollment periods, and following the outlined steps, you can secure the Medicare coverage that fits your healthcare needs. With proper planning and assistance, you can navigate the process smoothly and enjoy comprehensive healthcare coverage.

For more detailed guidance, consider consulting with experts who can help you make an informed choice and ensure a seamless application process.

[arcuriinsurance]

Finding the Best Insurance Brokers in Melbourne

When it comes to securing your financial future, choosing the right insurance broker can make all the difference. In a bustling city like Melbourne, with its diverse population and dynamic economy, finding a reliable insurance broker who understands your unique needs can be challenging. This guide will help you navigate the process and find the Best Insurance Brokers in Melbourne.

Understanding the Role of an Insurance Broker

An insurance broker acts as an intermediary between you and insurance companies. Unlike agents who work for a specific insurer, brokers work independently to find the best policies from a range of providers. They offer unbiased advice and tailored solutions based on your individual circumstances, whether you're looking for life, health, property, or business insurance.

Why Use an Insurance Broker?

Expertise and Knowledge: Brokers are well-versed in the complexities of the insurance market. They keep up-to-date with the latest products, policy changes, and industry trends.

Time-Saving: Comparing insurance policies can be time-consuming. A broker does the legwork for you, presenting options that best match your needs.

Customized Solutions: Brokers assess your specific risks and requirements, offering personalized recommendations.

Advocacy: In the event of a claim, brokers act as your advocate, helping to ensure a smooth and fair process.

Steps to Finding the Best Insurance Broker in Melbourne

Research and Recommendations Start by seeking recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who have had positive experiences with insurance brokers. Online reviews and testimonials can also provide valuable insights. Websites like Google Reviews, Yelp, and local business insurance directories are excellent resources.

Check Qualifications and Credentials Ensure that the broker is licensed and accredited. In Australia, insurance brokers must be registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and be members of professional bodies such as the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA). This guarantees they adhere to strict ethical standards and ongoing professional development.

Experience and Specialization Consider the broker’s experience and area of specialization. Some brokers might specialize in certain types of insurance, such as life insurance, business insurance, or health insurance. Choose a broker with expertise relevant to your specific needs.

Initial Consultation Arrange an initial consultation to discuss your requirements and evaluate the broker’s approach. This meeting will give you a sense of their professionalism, communication skills, and how well they understand your needs. A good broker should be attentive, ask detailed questions, and provide clear explanations.

Compare Services and Fees Brokers earn their income through commissions from insurance companies, but some may also charge a fee for their services. Ensure you understand how they are compensated and compare this with the value they provide. Transparency about fees and commissions is crucial.

Evaluate Customer Service Excellent customer service is a hallmark of a good insurance broker. Assess their responsiveness, availability, and willingness to go the extra mile. Reading reviews and asking for references can help gauge their level of service.

Top Insurance Brokers in Melbourne

Based on research and customer feedback, here are some of the top insurance brokers in Melbourne:

Aon Risk Solutions Aon is a global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement, and health solutions. Their Melbourne office offers comprehensive insurance brokerage services tailored to both individuals and businesses.

Marsh & McLennan Marsh is another global leader in insurance broking and risk management. They provide personalized advice and innovative solutions to protect clients’ assets and mitigate risks.

Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers With a strong presence in Melbourne, Gow-Gates offers specialized insurance solutions, particularly in niche markets like sports, hospitality, and entertainment.

PSC Insurance Group PSC is an established Australian firm with extensive experience in providing tailored insurance solutions. They cater to a wide range of industries, including construction, healthcare, and professional services.

Honan Insurance Group Honan offers a client-focused approach with a deep understanding of local and international markets. They provide comprehensive risk management and insurance solutions.

Conclusion

Choosing the right insurance broker in Melbourne is a critical step in securing the best protection for your personal or business needs. By conducting thorough research, checking credentials, and evaluating their expertise and customer service, you can find a broker who will provide invaluable guidance and support. Whether you opt for a large international firm or a specialized local broker, the key is to ensure they understand your unique requirements and can offer tailored solutions that give you peace of mind.

Remember, the best broker is one who acts in your best interests, helping you navigate the complex world of insurance with confidence and ease.

[shayerid]

Secure Your Journey: Find a Travel Insurance Broker Near You with Blue Umbrella Financial Services

Planning your next adventure is an exciting endeavor, but amidst the excitement, it's crucial to prioritize your safety and peace of mind. That's where Blue Umbrella Financial Services steps in – your trusted travel insurance broker near you, committed to ensuring you embark on your travels fully protected.

Travel insurance is a vital component of any trip, offering financial protection and assistance in the face of unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage. As your local travel insurance broker, Blue Umbrella Financial Services is dedicated to helping you find the perfect coverage tailored to your unique needs and travel plans.

With a wealth of experience and expertise in the insurance industry, our team at Blue Umbrella Financial Services understands the intricacies of travel insurance policies and works tirelessly to match you with the most comprehensive coverage available.

Finding a travel insurance broker near you shouldn't be a daunting task. At Blue Umbrella Financial Services, we strive to make the process simple, convenient, and hassle-free. Whether you're traveling for leisure or business, domestically or internationally, we'll guide you through the options and help you select the right policy for your journey.

As your trusted travel insurance broker, Blue Umbrella Financial Services goes above and beyond to provide personalized service and support every step of the way. From assisting with policy selection to offering claims assistance, we're here to ensure you travel with confidence and peace of mind.

Don't leave your travel plans to chance – partner with Blue Umbrella Financial Services, your premier travel insurance broker near me. Contact us today to explore your options and secure the protection you need for your next adventure. With Blue Umbrella Financial Services, your travels are in safe hands.

[thethompsongroup]

Looking For Local Home Insurance Broker -

Discover Comprehensive Insurance Solutions with The Thompson Group. Your Trusted Partner for Protection and Peace of Mind. To know more contact them today. They are the Best Local Home Insurance Broker.

Company Name: The Thompson Group

First Name: Anson

Last Name: Thompson

Country: United States

Tel No: (800) 886-6655

Business/Office Hours: Monday: 8AM–5PM

Tuesday: 8AM–5PM

Wednesday: 8AM–5PM

Thursday: 8AM–5PM

Friday: 8AM–5PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

Business Email Id: dakota@thethompsongroup.net

For more information visit to our website thethompsongroup.net

[juanmillerr]

Looking For Local Home Insurance Broker

Choose The Thompson Group, your local auto and home insurance experts. Benefit from their top-rated agents, competitive rates, and exceptional customer service. They are the Best Local Home Insurance Broker.

https://thethompsongroup.net/

[cheaphousespending]

Tough times result in swing towards brokers: Vero SME Index - Local - Insurance News

Broker satisfaction levels remain high and there may be a shift toward seeking the advice of intermediaries amid difficult economic conditions, the latest Vero SME Insurance Index shows. Some 78% of clients are satisfied with their broker, with the percentage holding well above pre-pandemic levels of 66% in 2019, while easing from a covid-attributed spike to 84% in the previous survey. The annual…

[smoqueen]

what if i got a fighting game local near a university sponsored by a physical therapist or something who donated 1k to the prize pool and i pocketed a small portion as a broker fee that i donate to charity?

realistically, i dont know how much they make off insured people, but college kids are usually on their parents' insurance still, and getting even 1 person to come to your practice probably pays for the advertisement

[whileyoureinschoolidothisallday]

okay. I'm home and it's past 5 so I think everything will be paused for now.

real life drama under the cut for those who wanted to know

So the first thing that happened today upon waking is that I got dropped by my car insurance.

I've been on my parents policy pretty much my whole life because I, as a born disabled, do not have a license and never will. My nurses drive me. But we live in bumfuck Minnesota where there quite literally is no public transportation, and medi vans only take you to dr appointments, so I needed a car to do anything like any rural adult will tell you. I also haven't lived with my parents save for transitionary periods since I was 18!!!!! This has been going on for that long!!!!!!! And it's ALLOWED!!!! I confirmed from multiple informational sources today that not only was this perfectly legal, it's possible under certain conditions to insure a car without being the owner. And even if you don't meet the criteria (we do), there are multiple things to do to rectify the situation, like transfer the title or add their name to the title. Which we offered because that's pretty easy to do.

But they still refused and are officially dropping me on Friday. And the insurance company that was willing to buy me out of it and give me my own policy without a license was if I were to list every single caregiver that drives me, which is currently around 5+ and I'm short staffed.

And if you don't know much about car insurance, that would most likely make my payment thousands of dollars.

Even if I didn't just buy a new house, no one can afford that.

(On top of this, I had two meetings for work, had to call about stuff on the new house, AND go get groceries because my life is falling apart but dinner must still be made!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I got a hold of some local insurance brokers who are being lovely and helping me a lot (who also were confused about why this was happening) and I think this will be solved now, but I cannot put into words how completely and utterly terrified this made me cause I literally would not be able to move and I already sold the house. Like I cried so much today.

[mariacallous]

Shira Fishbach, a newly graduated physician, was sitting in an orientation session for her first year of medical residency when her phone started blowing up. It was June 24, 2022, and the US Supreme Court had just handed down its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, nullifying the national right to abortion and turning control back to state governments.

Fishbach was in Michigan, where an abortion ban enacted in 1931 instantly came into effect. That law made administering an abortion a felony punishable by four years in prison, with no exceptions for rape or incest. It was a chilling moment: Her residency is in obstetrics and gynecology, and she viewed mastering abortion procedures as essential to her training.

“I suspected during my application cycle that this could happen, and to receive confirmation of it was devastating,” she recalls. “But I had strategically applied where I thought that, even if I didn't receive the full spectrum, I would at least have the support and the resources to get myself to an institution that would train me.”

Her mind whirled through the possibilities. Would her program help its residents go to an access-protecting state? Could she broker an agreement to go somewhere on her own, arranging weeks of extra housing and obtaining a local medical license and insurance? Would she still earn her salary if she left her program—and how would she fund her life if she did not?

In the end, she didn’t need to leave. That November, Michigan voters approved an amendment to the state constitution that made the 1931 law unenforceable, and this April, Governor Gretchen Whitmer repealed the ban. Fishbach didn’t have to abandon the state to learn the full range of ob-gyn care. In fact, her program at the University of Michigan, where she’s now a second-year resident, pivoted to making room for red-state trainees.

But the dizzying reassessment she underwent a year ago provides a glimpse of the challenges that face thousands of new and potential doctors. Almost 45 percent of the 286 accredited ob-gyn programs in the US now operate under revived or new abortion bans, meaning that more than 2,000 residents per year—trainee doctors who have committed to the specialty—may not receive the required training to be licensed. Among students and residents, simmering anger over bans is growing. Long-time faculty fear the result will be a permanent reshaping of American medicine, driving new doctors from red states to escape limitations and legal threats, or to protect their own reproductive options. That would reduce the number of physicians available, not just to provide abortions, but to conduct genetic screenings, care for miscarriages, deliver babies, and handle unpredictable pregnancy risks.

“I worry that we’re going to see an increase in maternal morbidity, differentially, depending on where you live,” says Kate Shaw, a physician and associate chair of ob-gyn education at Stanford Medicine. “And that’s just going to further enhance disparities that already exist.”

Those effects are not yet visible. The pipeline that ushers medical graduates through physician training is about a decade long: four years of school plus three to seven years of residency, sometimes with a two-year, sub-specialty fellowship afterward. Thus actions taken in response to the Dobbs decision—people eschewing red-state schools or choosing to settle in blue states long-term—might take a while to be noticeable.

But in this year, some data has emerged that suggests trends to come. In February, a group of students, residents and faculty surveyed 2,063 licensed and trainee physicians and found that 82 percent want to work or train in states that retain abortion access—and 76 percent would refuse to apply in states that restrict it. (The respondents worked in a mix of specialties; for those whose work would include performing abortions, the proportion intending to work where it remains legal soared above 99 percent.)

Then in April, a study from the Association of American Medical Colleges drawing on the first round of applications to residency programs after Dobbs found that ob-gyn applications in states with abortion restrictions sank by 10 percent compared to the previous year. Applications to all ob-gyn programs dropped by 5 percent. (Nationwide, all applications to residency went down 2 percent from 2021 to 2022.)

Last month, two preliminary pieces of research presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists uncovered more perturbations. In Texas—where the restrictive law SB8 went into effect in September 2021, nine months before Dobbs—a multi-year upward trend in applications to ob-gyn residency slowed after the law passed. And in an unrelated national survey, 77 percent of 494 third- and fourth-year medical students said that abortion restrictions would affect where they applied to residency, while 58 percent said they were unlikely to apply to states with a ban.

That last survey was conducted by Ariana Traub and Kellen “Nell” Mermin-Bunnell, two third-year medical students at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta—which lies within a state with a “fetal heartbeat” law that predates Dobbs and that criminalizes providing an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. The law means that students in clinical rotations are unlikely to witness abortions and would not be allowed to discuss the procedure with patients. It also means that, if either of them were to become pregnant while at med school, they would not have that option themselves.

Before they published the survey, the two friends conducted an analysis of how bans would affect medical school curricula, using data collected in the summer of 2022. They predicted that only 29 percent of the more than 129,000 medical students in the US would not be affected by state bans. The survey gave them a chance to sample med students’ feelings about those developments, with the help of faculty members. They also founded a nonprofit, Georgia Healthcare Professionals for Reproductive Justice. “We're in a unique position, as individuals in the health care field but not necessarily medical professionals yet,” Traub says. “We have some freedom. So we felt like we had to use that power to try to make change.”

Ob-gyn formation is caught between opposing forces. Just over half of US states have passed bans or limitations on abortion that go beyond the Roe v. Wade standard of fetal viability. But the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, a nonprofit that sets standards for residency and fellowship programs, has always required that obstetric trainees learn to do abortions, unless they opt out for religious or moral reasons. It reaffirmed that requirement after the Dobbs decision. Failure to provide that training could cause a program to lose accreditation, leaving its graduates ineligible to be licensed.

The conflict between what medicine demands and state laws prevent leaves new and would-be doctors in restrictive states struggling with their inability to follow medical evidence and their own best intentions. “I’m starting to take care of patients for the first time in my life,” says Mermin-Bunnell, Traub’s survey partner. “Seeing a human being in front of you, who needs your help, and not being able to help them or even talk to them about what their options might be—it feels morally wrong.”

That frustration is equally evident among trainees in specialties who might treat a pregnant person, prescribe treatments that could imperil a pregnancy, or care for a pregnancy gone wrong. Those include family and adolescent medicine, anesthesiology, radiology, rheumatology, even dermatology and mental health.

“I’m particularly interested in oncology, and I’ve come to realize that you can’t have the full standard of gynecologic oncology care without being able to have access to abortion care,” says Morgan Levy, a fourth-year medical student in Florida who plans to apply to ob-gyn residency. Florida currently bans abortion after 15 weeks; a further ban, down to six weeks, passed in April but has been held up by legal challenges. In three years of med school so far, Levy received one lecture on abortion—in the context of miscarriage—and no clinical exposure to the procedure. “It is a priority for me to make sure that I get trained,” she says.

But landing in a training program that encourages abortion practice is more difficult than it looks. Residency application is an algorithm-driven process in which graduates list their preferred programs, and faculty rank the trainees they want to teach. For years, there have been more applicants than there are spaces—and this year, as in the past, ob-gyn programs filled almost all their slots. What that means, according to faculty members, is that some applicants will end up where they do not want to be.

“Students and trainees do exert their preferences, but they also need to get a training spot,” says Vineet Arora, the dean for medical education at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and lead author on the survey published in February. “Would they forgo a training spot because of Dobbs? That's a tall order, especially in a competitive field. But would they be happy about it? And would they want to stay there long term?”

That is not a hypothetical question. According to the medical-colleges association, more than half of residents stay to practice in the states where they trained. But it’s reasonable to ask whether they would feel that loyalty if they were deprived of training or forced to relocate. “If even a portion of the 80 percent of people who prefer to practice and train in states that don't have abortion bans follow through on those preferences, those states that are putting in abortion bans—which often have workforce shortages already—will be in a worse situation,” Arora says.

An ACOG analysis estimated in 2017 that half of US counties, which are home to 10 million women, have no practicing ob-gyn. When the health care tech firm Doximity examined ob-gyn workloads in 2019, seven of the 10 cities it identified as having the highest workloads lie in what are now very restrictive states. Those shortages are likely to worsen if new doctors relocate to states where they feel safe. The legal and consulting firm Manatt Health predicted in a white paper last fall: “The impact on access to all OB/GYN care in certain geographies could be catastrophic.”

Faculty are struggling to solve the mismatch between licensing requirements and state prohibitions by identifying other ways residents can train. They view it as protecting the integrity of medical practice. “Any ob-gyn has to be able to empty the uterus in an emergency, for abortion, for miscarriage, and for pregnancy complications or significant medical problems,” says Jody Steinauer, who is vice-chair of ob-gyn education at UC San Francisco.

Steinauer directs the Kenneth J. Ryan Residency Training Program, a 24-year-old effort to install and reinforce clinical abortion training. Even before Dobbs, that was hard to come by: In 2018, Steinauer and colleagues estimated that only two-thirds of ob-gyn residency programs made it routine, despite accreditation requirements—and that anywhere from 29 to 78 percent of residents couldn’t competently perform different types of abortion when they left training. In 2020, researchers from UCSF and UC Berkeley documented that 57 percent of these programs face limitations set by individual hospitals more extreme than those set by states.

Before Dobbs, the Ryan program brokered individual relocations that let trainees temporarily transfer to other institutions. Now it is working to set up program-to-program agreements instead, because the logistics required to visit for a rotation—the kind of arrangements Fishbach dizzily imagined a year ago—are more complex than most people can manage on their own. And not only on the visiting trainee: Programs already perform delicate calculations of how many trainees they can take given the number of patients coming to their institutions and the number of faculty mentors.

Only a few places have managed to institutionalize “away rotations,” in which they align accreditation milestones, training time, and financing with other institutions. Oregon Health & Science University’s School of Medicine is about to open a formal program that will accept 10 to 12 residents from restrictive states for a month each over a year. Oregon imposes no restrictions on abortion, and both the med school’s existing residents and the university’s philanthropic foundation supported the move.

“I'm very concerned about having a future generation that knows how to provide safe abortion care—because abortion will never go away; becoming illegal only makes it less safe,” says Alyssa Colwill, who oversees the new program and is an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology. “There are going to be patients that are going to use unsafe methods because there's no other alternative. And providers are going to be placed in scenarios that are heartbreaking, and are devastating to watch.”

The accreditation council now requires programs that cannot train their own residents in abortion to support them in traveling somewhere else. But even at schools that are trying to accommodate as many learners as possible, trainees can attend for only a month—the maximum that fully enrolled programs in safe states can afford. After that, they must go back home, leaving them less-trained than their counterparts. As faculty look forward, they fear a slow spiral of decay in obstetric knowledge.

This isn’t imaginary: Already, research has shown that physicians practicing in red states are less likely to offer appropriate and legal procedures to treat miscarriages. Receiving abortion training, in other words, also improves medical care for pregnancy loss.

“Ultimately, I do not think there is capacity to train every resident who wants training,” says Charisse Loder, a clinical assistant professor of ob-gyn at the University of Michigan Medical School, who directs the program where Fishbach is training. “So we will have ob-gyn residents who are not trained in this care. And I think that is not only unfortunate, but puts patients in a position of being cared for by residents who don't have comprehensive training.”

Doing only short rotations also returns residents to places where their own reproductive health could be put at risk. Future physicians are likely to be older than in previous generations, having been encouraged to get life experience and sample other careers before entering med school. Research on which Levy and Arora collaborated in 2022 shows that more than 11 percent of new physicians had abortions during their training. Because of the length of training, they also may be more likely to use IVF when they are ready to start families—and some reproductive technologies may be criminalized under current abortion bans.

As a fourth and final-year psychiatry resident, Simone Bernstein had thought about abortion restrictions through the lens of her patients’ mental health, as she talked to them about fertility treatment and pregnancy loss. As cofounder of the online platform Inside the Match, she had listened to residents’ reactions to Dobbs (and collaborated on research with Levy and Arora). She had not expected the decision to affect her personally—but she is in Missouri, a state where there is an almost complete ban on abortion. And this spring, she experienced a miscarriage at 13 weeks of pregnancy.

“I was worried whether or not I could even go to the hospital, if my baby still had a heartbeat, which was a conversation that I had to have with my ob-gyn on the phone,” she says. “It didn’t come to that; I caught the baby in my hands at home, hemorrhaging blood everywhere, and the baby had already passed away. But until that moment, I didn't recognize the effects that [abortion restrictions] could have on me.”

This is the reality now: There exist very few places in the US where abortion is uncomplicated. Faculty and their trainees do not expect that to change, except for the worse. Staying in the field, and making sure the next generation is prepared, requires commitment that they will have to sustain for years.

“Part of the reason why I sought advanced training in abortion and contraception is because I think there will be a national ban,” says Abigail Liberty, an ob-gyn and fellow in her sixth postgraduate year at OHSU. “I think it will happen in our lifetime. And I see my role as getting as much expertise and training as I can now and providing care while I can. And then coming out of retirement, when abortion will be legal again, and training the next generation of physicians.”

[buyresidentialpropertiesindubai]

Navigating the Mortgage Market: Finding the Best Mortgage Company in UAE

Navigating the mortgage market in the UAE can be challenging, given the numerous options available. This guide will help you find the best mortgage company for your needs, ensuring you secure favorable mortgage terms and rates.

For more insights into Dubai's real estate market, visit home loan dubai.

Understanding the UAE Mortgage Market

Market Overview: The UAE mortgage market is diverse and competitive, with a wide range of local and international banks offering various mortgage products. Understanding the market landscape is essential for making the right choice.

Types of Mortgages: Mortgages in the UAE can be classified into fixed-rate and variable-rate mortgages. Fixed-rate mortgages provide stability with consistent monthly payments, while variable-rate mortgages fluctuate based on market conditions.

Eligibility Criteria: Each mortgage company has its own eligibility criteria, including income requirements, employment status, and credit history. Understanding these criteria will help you identify which companies you qualify for.

For more investment options, explore Buy Commercial Properties in Dubai.

Key Features of Mortgage Companies

Competitive Interest Rates: Leading mortgage companies offer competitive interest rates, helping you save money over the loan term. Compare the rates offered by different companies to find the best deal.

Flexible Loan Terms: Look for mortgage companies that offer flexible loan terms, including various repayment periods and options for early repayment without penalties.

Customer Service: Excellent customer service is essential when dealing with mortgage companies. Choose a company with a strong reputation for providing responsive and helpful support.

Quick Approval Process: The approval time for mortgages can vary between companies. Select a company known for its quick and efficient approval process to avoid delays in your property purchase.

Additional Services: Some mortgage companies offer additional services such as mortgage insurance, property valuation, and financial planning advice. These services can add value and convenience to your mortgage experience.

For mortgage services, visit Mortgage Financing in Dubai.

Steps to Finding the Right Mortgage Company

Research and Compare: Start by researching various mortgage companies in the UAE. Use online platforms, read customer reviews, and compare their mortgage products and services.

Seek Recommendations: Ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations. Personal experiences can provide valuable insights into the reliability and efficiency of different mortgage companies.

Consult a Mortgage Broker: A mortgage broker can provide expert advice and help you find the best mortgage deals. They can also assist with the application process and negotiations.

Pre-Approval: Get pre-approved for a mortgage to understand your borrowing capacity and increase your chances of securing a good deal. Pre-approval also makes you a more attractive buyer to sellers.

Meet with Representatives: Schedule meetings with representatives from different mortgage companies to discuss your needs and ask questions. This will help you gauge their responsiveness and willingness to assist.

Review Terms and Conditions: Carefully review the terms and conditions of the mortgage offers. Pay attention to interest rates, loan terms, fees, and any other conditions that may affect your mortgage.

For property management services, visit Apartments For Rent in Dubai.

Popular Mortgage Companies in UAE

HSBC: Known for its competitive interest rates and flexible mortgage options, HSBC is a popular choice for homebuyers in the UAE.

Emirates NBD: Emirates NBD offers a range of mortgage products tailored to different needs, along with excellent customer service and quick approval times.

Mashreq Bank: Mashreq Bank provides personalized mortgage solutions with attractive rates and minimal fees, making it a preferred choice for many buyers.

ADCB: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) offers comprehensive mortgage products with competitive rates and flexible repayment options.

Dubai Islamic Bank: For those seeking Sharia-compliant mortgage solutions, Dubai Islamic Bank offers a variety of Islamic mortgage products with favorable terms.

For property sales, visit Property For Sale in Dubai.

Real-Life Success Story

Consider the case of Noor and Hadi, who recently purchased their dream home in Dubai. By working with a reputable mortgage company, they secured a mortgage with favorable terms. The mortgage company provided expert advice, handled the paperwork, and ensured a smooth process from start to finish. This allowed Noor and Hadi to focus on finding their perfect home without worrying about the complexities of securing a mortgage.

For more insights into Dubai's real estate market, visit home loan dubai.

Future Trends in the UAE Mortgage Market

Digitalization: The UAE mortgage market is embracing digitalization, with many companies offering online application processes, digital document submission, and virtual consultations. This trend is making the mortgage process more efficient and convenient.

Sustainable Mortgages: There is a growing demand for sustainable mortgages that support environmentally friendly and energy-efficient homes. Mortgage companies are beginning to offer products that cater to this demand.

Flexible Mortgage Products: Mortgage companies are increasingly offering flexible mortgage products that cater to the diverse needs of homebuyers. This includes options for expatriates, first-time buyers, and investors.

For property sales, visit Sell Your Apartments in Dubai.

Conclusion

Navigating the mortgage market in the UAE involves careful research, comparison, and consideration of various factors. By understanding the market, seeking recommendations, and evaluating your options, you can secure a mortgage that meets your needs and financial goals. For more resources and expert advice, visit home loan dubai.

[mountviewfs]

When should a company consider small business insurance?

In the UK, business insurance is crucial for companies, safeguarding them against potential financial losses and liabilities. Small businesses should consider acquiring business insurance as soon as they commence operations. Even though it's not a legal requirement for all businesses, it's a wise choice to mitigate risks.

Business insurance should be seriously considered when a company interacts with the public, hires employees, or deals with valuable assets. Liability insurance, such as public and employer liability insurance, becomes essential when engaging with customers or workers. Property insurance is crucial to protect physical assets, including inventory and equipment.

Original Source:- https://www.quora.com/When-should-a-company-consider-small-business-insurance/answer/Ranjit-Singh-3890/log

[randomliverpool]

A large fire was witnessed by residents of Liverpool Student Lettings accommodation in the early hours on January 27 2024. #LiverpoolEcho

Village of the damned: Inside the Fox Street fire

Special investigation: For years, Matt O'Donoghue was told about major problems at a controversial development in Everton. Then the dire predictions came true. By Matt O’Donoghue.

“Block D is an inferno right now”, the first message reads. “Look what’s been torched.” More follow. “Not sure how other blocks are faring, they’ve been evacuated.” Some have video or photos attached. “Seen this. I feel sick.” One simply reads: “Fox Street’s final chapter.”

Block D at the stalled residential development of Fox Street Village sits on the edge of Everton. It is ablaze, and a lot of people want me to know. As the firefighters battle to hold back the flames that threaten to leap from block to block, frantic calls, dramatic videos, and heartbreaking messages light up my phone screen. Many of those getting in touch are people I met over the past five years I’ve been reporting on the sorry saga of Fox Street Village. They’re all saying the same thing: “It was only a matter of time.”

“Something like this had to happen,” says Chris Burridge, who owns one of the Fox Street Village apartments as he surveys the damage. It’s Sunday, January 28th and the day after the fire. Steel girders are bent and buckled like roller coaster tracks; the metal cools and creaks, and loose material flaps in the wind. “There’s been no decent perimeter fence for some time, even though we’ve been reporting incidents. We were lucky Block B didn’t go up. The flames and heat were ferocious. Mersey Fire saved those buildings.”

Lucky indeed. Fox Street Village was originally intended to be a 400 apartment complex spread across four blocks that were to be four or five stories tall. But Block D was never completed and has remained an unfinished shell for the past five years. The rest of the site, on the other hand, is home to a number of residents. Had the fire spread there, it would have been catastrophic. Letting agents are on-site to support tenants and help with the clean up, while insurance brokers and risk assessors mill about around them. Lifts, heating, and water are soon back on. Black debris litters the ground and the flat roofs of the adjacent blocks, while clumps of burnt insulation and wood continue to drift from above.

A team from Residence 365, the company that manages the Village’s interior communal areas, is helping to get residents back into their homes. “Unfortunately, as the fire started to take hold, many residents in Block A failed to evacuate,” says Carolyn Delaney, Residence 365’s managing director. “Police had to force their way into every apartment to make sure that building was clear and everyone was safe. Those doors and frames will have to be repaired.”

Outside, Block B’s walls and windows are warped from where it faced the fire. The cladding is buckled and wavy, like bad icing on an overbaked cake. Most of the glass is cracked and broken, and window frames have bowed out of shape. The fire breaks under the cladding will have activated and expanded. There will need to be a lot of work to put things right.

“The grounds and estate management company are nowhere”, says an exasperated Burridge. The last he was told, a company called Xenia Estates Limited were responsible for looking after the outside areas. “It’s outrageous. They’ve sent nobody down here to help or make things safe.”

Kevin Robertson-Hale is a local campaigner who set up the action group Everton Together. He was shopping at the ASDA on the Breck Road when he first saw the black clouds rising above his community. He knew straight away what was likely to be burning. “It’s just a miracle that nobody’s been hurt,” he says. Although Block D was not a finished building, homeless people have been sleeping there and using it as a shelter. “The way the place went up, someone asleep would never have got out.” Kevin is horrified by what has happened, but certainly not surprised. “We’ve been saying for years that something was going to happen. Either someone was going to fall off and break their neck, or it was going to go up in flames.”

Beneath the debris and behind the spectacular videos, the plumes of smoke billowing out and up from the bare bones of blazing Block D, are hundreds of stories of loss and despair. To properly understand what went wrong at Fox Street Village, to learn why things must be fixed, we have to understand why they were broken in the first place.

Between 1971 and 1991, Everton’s population dropped by 60% as the area’s fortunes and prospects charted exactly the decline of the British Empire. As Liverpool’s docks fell silent, the huge warehouses and the factories like Tate and Lyle and British American Tobacco were closed. Thousands of jobs disappeared and the communities that once relied upon those goods shipped from all corners of the Empire ceased to exist. An urgent need to improve the area’s housing conditions, the crumbling Victorian tenements, led to slum clearance and demolition on a massive scale. Those once solid communities were broken up with families moved out and housed in places like Kirby, Runcorn and Skelmersdale. It was the perfect storm; shops closed, tower blocks were pulled down and the city’s terminal decline was hastened by Margaret Thatcher’s vicious attempts to starve the upstart council controlled by Hatton’s Militant Tendency into surrender.

Fox Street Village followed the same controversial funding model that has dogged similar schemes across the city, known as ‘fractional sales’. Buyers — many based overseas — are enticed with the promise of a good rent and a solid investment in return for paying a large part of the sale price upfront. But as countless investors at other stalled sites in Liverpool have discovered to their detriment, there’s little or no protection should things go wrong.

When Fox Street Village Limited collapsed into administration, in 2019, it owed creditors £10 million and the city council nearly £700,000. The council told us that an invoice for over half a million pounds remains unpaid but that the building’s new owners will have to pick up that tab. Meanwhile, £6 million that investors had paid out for Block D was instead spent on a new fifth building the developers had added to their scheme. A search of records show creditors who had paid for apartments in Block D came from Birkenhead to Beijing and all points in between. With no money left to complete the job, and no cash to settle their bills, the steel frame and internal walls made of wood have remained open to the elements. The freehold to the site was sold to Manchester-based property investment company SGL1 Limited in 2020 for a reported £1.6 million. The site was split and a separate company run by the same two directors as SGL1 but called SGL3, took over the unfinished Block D. A series of complex court cases followed as buyers battled to gain control and finish the scheme. By 2021, the architect’s original drawings for Block D had been rebranded as “Park View” to be marketed at a new group of buyers. A one bed studio in the unfinished wood and steel shell was being advertised for £85,000. The Post is unsure how many people bought into this new scheme or whether their money is protected.

“I bought a three-bedroom apartment that cost £135,000, which was a really good deal. With hindsight, almost too good to be true. I’ve been firefighting one problem after another since day one.” November 8th, 2023 and I am rattling along the M62 with Chris Burridge. “It doesn’t look that good,” Chris says with detached stoicism and monumental understatement as Fox Street Village Block D comes into view. “It would be funny, if it wasn’t so costly and dangerous.” Chris is one of the apartment owners who have been battling over an £80,000 bill to install a transformer that would safely reconnect their electricity to the grid. The builders left a hot-wired connection into the mains, which Chris says the buyers only found out about after they’d secured the right to manage some of the site. It was just the latest in a long line of hidden surprises that have revealed themselves over the five years since tenants moved in. “The biggest block, Block D, is just a shell that should have been finished years ago,” Chris tells me as we pull up alongside what looks like a building entirely made of wood and wrapped in tin foil. “There should have been one large, shared entrance area, an underground car park for 170 vehicles, shops, a cinema room with communal laundry, and a bike store. All of those amenities were what made this site so attractive.”

Chris pauses to re-imagine what could have been, before reality kicks back in. “None of that exists. What we’ve actually got are great apartments next to the rat-infested fire trap of a mess that is Block D.”

By Matt O’Donoghue

“Block D is an inferno right now”, the first message reads. “Look what’s been torched.” More follow. “Not sure how other blocks are faring, they’ve been evacuated.” Some have video or photos attached. “Seen this. I feel sick.” One simply reads: “Fox Street’s final chapter.”

Block D at the stalled residential development of Fox Street Village sits on the edge of Everton. It is ablaze, and a lot of people want me to know. As the firefighters battle to hold back the flames that threaten to leap from block to block, frantic calls, dramatic videos, and heartbreaking messages light up my phone screen. Many of those getting in touch are people I met over the past five years I’ve been reporting on the sorry saga of Fox Street Village. They’re all saying the same thing: “It was only a matter of time.”

Chris Burridge on Fox Street. Photo: Matt O’Donoghue.

“Something like this had to happen,” says Chris Burridge, who owns one of the Fox Street Village apartments as he surveys the damage. It’s Sunday, January 28th and the day after the fire. Steel girders are bent and buckled like roller coaster tracks; the metal cools and creaks, and loose material flaps in the wind. “There’s been no decent perimeter fence for some time, even though we’ve been reporting incidents. We were lucky Block B didn’t go up. The flames and heat were ferocious. Mersey Fire saved those buildings.”

Lucky indeed. Fox Street Village was originally intended to be a 400 apartment complex spread across four blocks that were to be four or five stories tall. But Block D was never completed and has remained an unfinished shell for the past five years. The rest of the site, on the other hand, is home to a number of residents. Had the fire spread there, it would have been catastrophic. Letting agents are on-site to support tenants and help with the clean up, while insurance brokers and risk assessors mill about around them. Lifts, heating, and water are soon back on. Black debris litters the ground and the flat roofs of the adjacent blocks, while clumps of burnt insulation and wood continue to drift from above.

A team from Residence 365, the company that manages the Village’s interior communal areas, is helping to get residents back into their homes. “Unfortunately, as the fire started to take hold, many residents in Block A failed to evacuate,” says Carolyn Delaney, Residence 365’s managing director. “Police had to force their way into every apartment to make sure that building was clear and everyone was safe. Those doors and frames will have to be repaired.”

Outside, Block B’s walls and windows are warped from where it faced the fire. The cladding is buckled and wavy, like bad icing on an overbaked cake. Most of the glass is cracked and broken, and window frames have bowed out of shape. The fire breaks under the cladding will have activated and expanded. There will need to be a lot of work to put things right.

“The grounds and estate management company are nowhere”, says an exasperated Burridge. The last he was told, a company called Xenia Estates Limited were responsible for looking after the outside areas. “It’s outrageous. They’ve sent nobody down here to help or make things safe.”

Subscribe

Kevin Robertson-Hale is a local campaigner who set up the action group Everton Together. He was shopping at the ASDA on the Breck Road when he first saw the black clouds rising above his community. He knew straight away what was likely to be burning. “It’s just a miracle that nobody’s been hurt,” he says. Although Block D was not a finished building, homeless people have been sleeping there and using it as a shelter. “The way the place went up, someone asleep would never have got out.” Kevin is horrified by what has happened, but certainly not surprised. “We’ve been saying for years that something was going to happen. Either someone was going to fall off and break their neck, or it was going to go up in flames.”

Beneath the debris and behind the spectacular videos, the plumes of smoke billowing out and up from the bare bones of blazing Block D, are hundreds of stories of loss and despair. To properly understand what went wrong at Fox Street Village, to learn why things must be fixed, we have to understand why they were broken in the first place.

The building on Fox Street. Photo: Chris Burridge

Between 1971 and 1991, Everton’s population dropped by 60% as the area’s fortunes and prospects charted exactly the decline of the British Empire. As Liverpool’s docks fell silent, the huge warehouses and the factories like Tate and Lyle and British American Tobacco were closed. Thousands of jobs disappeared and the communities that once relied upon those goods shipped from all corners of the Empire ceased to exist. An urgent need to improve the area’s housing conditions, the crumbling Victorian tenements, led to slum clearance and demolition on a massive scale. Those once solid communities were broken up with families moved out and housed in places like Kirby, Runcorn and Skelmersdale. It was the perfect storm; shops closed, tower blocks were pulled down and the city’s terminal decline was hastened by Margaret Thatcher’s vicious attempts to starve the upstart council controlled by Hatton’s Militant Tendency into surrender.

Stand on the edge of Fox Street today and look towards the gleaming glass skyscrapers and modern penthouses and it’s obvious, the regeneration that has breathed new life into other parts of Liverpool in recent years seems to run out of steam as it creeps towards this area’s streets. According to the last census, Everton West — where Fox Street Village sits — has the third highest numbers of children on free school meals. This neighbourhood has some of the poorest health indicators, including the lowest life expectancy, across the whole of the city.

As Liverpool’s reputation grew as a great place to study, the last decade has seen residential housing for the influx of students become the city’s short-term planning solution and a way to kickstart Everton’s economy.

Fox Street Village followed the same controversial funding model that has dogged similar schemes across the city, known as ‘fractional sales’. Buyers — many based overseas — are enticed with the promise of a good rent and a solid investment in return for paying a large part of the sale price upfront. But as countless investors at other stalled sites in Liverpool have discovered to their detriment, there’s little or no protection should things go wrong.

When Fox Street Village Limited collapsed into administration, in 2019, it owed creditors £10 million and the city council nearly £700,000. The council told us that an invoice for over half a million pounds remains unpaid but that the building’s new owners will have to pick up that tab. Meanwhile, £6 million that investors had paid out for Block D was instead spent on a new fifth building the developers had added to their scheme. A search of records show creditors who had paid for apartments in Block D came from Birkenhead to Beijing and all points in between. With no money left to complete the job, and no cash to settle their bills, the steel frame and internal walls made of wood have remained open to the elements. The freehold to the site was sold to Manchester-based property investment company SGL1 Limited in 2020 for a reported £1.6 million. The site was split and a separate company run by the same two directors as SGL1 but called SGL3, took over the unfinished Block D. A series of complex court cases followed as buyers battled to gain control and finish the scheme. By 2021, the architect’s original drawings for Block D had been rebranded as “Park View” to be marketed at a new group of buyers. A one bed studio in the unfinished wood and steel shell was being advertised for £85,000. The Post is unsure how many people bought into this new scheme or whether their money is protected.

“I bought a three-bedroom apartment that cost £135,000, which was a really good deal. With hindsight, almost too good to be true. I’ve been firefighting one problem after another since day one.” November 8th, 2023 and I am rattling along the M62 with Chris Burridge. “It doesn’t look that good,” Chris says with detached stoicism and monumental understatement as Fox Street Village Block D comes into view. “It would be funny, if it wasn’t so costly and dangerous.” Chris is one of the apartment owners who have been battling over an £80,000 bill to install a transformer that would safely reconnect their electricity to the grid. The builders left a hot-wired connection into the mains, which Chris says the buyers only found out about after they’d secured the right to manage some of the site. It was just the latest in a long line of hidden surprises that have revealed themselves over the five years since tenants moved in. “The biggest block, Block D, is just a shell that should have been finished years ago,” Chris tells me as we pull up alongside what looks like a building entirely made of wood and wrapped in tin foil. “There should have been one large, shared entrance area, an underground car park for 170 vehicles, shops, a cinema room with communal laundry, and a bike store. All of those amenities were what made this site so attractive.”

Chris pauses to re-imagine what could have been, before reality kicks back in. “None of that exists. What we’ve actually got are great apartments next to the rat-infested fire trap of a mess that is Block D.”

Residents in this area have been complaining to me about the rats for as long as I’ve been investigating Fox Street Village. Back in April 2019, I broke my first story on the slow-motion car crash that has taken place here — months of work as part of an ongoing investigation for ITV’s Granada Reports. Back then, tenant Ross Lowey told me on camera: “We don’t feel safe. Every time we come back round that corner, we expect to see flames coming out of it.” He was far from alone in his unhappy prophecy.

Six months before that first ITV News report, in November 2018, I had been on a separate investigation into how developers duck out of paying the millions they owed to their cash-strapped council. It suddenly took an unexpected twist. While I ploughed through a mountain of conflicting planning documents that link to this case, a buyer tipped me off that their building was about to be the first on Merseyside to be shut down and issued with a Prohibition Notice. It was the last-ditch resort for a city council that had run out of ideas on how to make this site safe. “Serious construction issues will contribute to the spread of fire,” the Prohibition Notice reads. “Fire will spread quickly and possibly unnoticed.”

Put simply, the problems that the buyers had uncovered at their completed flats were so severe that they put lives at risk. While Block D remained unfinished, three of the four blocks that people had already moved into were so dangerous that everyone would be forced to move out — immediately. Judge Lloyd would later brand the project “disgraceful” as she fined the developers £3,120 for breaching planning conditions. She expressed sympathy for the residents and investors who had been affected. Planning inspectors said the development was “poorly finished” and failed to meet standards. Those problems have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to put right.

3

By Matt O’Donoghue

“Block D is an inferno right now”, the first message reads. “Look what’s been torched.” More follow. “Not sure how other blocks are faring, they’ve been evacuated.” Some have video or photos attached. “Seen this. I feel sick.” One simply reads: “Fox Street’s final chapter.”

Block D at the stalled residential development of Fox Street Village sits on the edge of Everton. It is ablaze, and a lot of people want me to know. As the firefighters battle to hold back the flames that threaten to leap from block to block, frantic calls, dramatic videos, and heartbreaking messages light up my phone screen. Many of those getting in touch are people I met over the past five years I’ve been reporting on the sorry saga of Fox Street Village. They’re all saying the same thing: “It was only a matter of time.”

Chris Burridge on Fox Street. Photo: Matt O’Donoghue.

“Something like this had to happen,” says Chris Burridge, who owns one of the Fox Street Village apartments as he surveys the damage. It’s Sunday, January 28th and the day after the fire. Steel girders are bent and buckled like roller coaster tracks; the metal cools and creaks, and loose material flaps in the wind. “There’s been no decent perimeter fence for some time, even though we’ve been reporting incidents. We were lucky Block B didn’t go up. The flames and heat were ferocious. Mersey Fire saved those buildings.”

Lucky indeed. Fox Street Village was originally intended to be a 400 apartment complex spread across four blocks that were to be four or five stories tall. But Block D was never completed and has remained an unfinished shell for the past five years. The rest of the site, on the other hand, is home to a number of residents. Had the fire spread there, it would have been catastrophic. Letting agents are on-site to support tenants and help with the clean up, while insurance brokers and risk assessors mill about around them. Lifts, heating, and water are soon back on. Black debris litters the ground and the flat roofs of the adjacent blocks, while clumps of burnt insulation and wood continue to drift from above.

A team from Residence 365, the company that manages the Village’s interior communal areas, is helping to get residents back into their homes. “Unfortunately, as the fire started to take hold, many residents in Block A failed to evacuate,” says Carolyn Delaney, Residence 365’s managing director. “Police had to force their way into every apartment to make sure that building was clear and everyone was safe. Those doors and frames will have to be repaired.”

Outside, Block B’s walls and windows are warped from where it faced the fire. The cladding is buckled and wavy, like bad icing on an overbaked cake. Most of the glass is cracked and broken, and window frames have bowed out of shape. The fire breaks under the cladding will have activated and expanded. There will need to be a lot of work to put things right.

“The grounds and estate management company are nowhere”, says an exasperated Burridge. The last he was told, a company called Xenia Estates Limited were responsible for looking after the outside areas. “It’s outrageous. They’ve sent nobody down here to help or make things safe.”

Subscribe

Kevin Robertson-Hale is a local campaigner who set up the action group Everton Together. He was shopping at the ASDA on the Breck Road when he first saw the black clouds rising above his community. He knew straight away what was likely to be burning. “It’s just a miracle that nobody’s been hurt,” he says. Although Block D was not a finished building, homeless people have been sleeping there and using it as a shelter. “The way the place went up, someone asleep would never have got out.” Kevin is horrified by what has happened, but certainly not surprised. “We’ve been saying for years that something was going to happen. Either someone was going to fall off and break their neck, or it was going to go up in flames.”

Beneath the debris and behind the spectacular videos, the plumes of smoke billowing out and up from the bare bones of blazing Block D, are hundreds of stories of loss and despair. To properly understand what went wrong at Fox Street Village, to learn why things must be fixed, we have to understand why they were broken in the first place.

The building on Fox Street. Photo: Chris Burridge

Between 1971 and 1991, Everton’s population dropped by 60% as the area’s fortunes and prospects charted exactly the decline of the British Empire. As Liverpool’s docks fell silent, the huge warehouses and the factories like Tate and Lyle and British American Tobacco were closed. Thousands of jobs disappeared and the communities that once relied upon those goods shipped from all corners of the Empire ceased to exist. An urgent need to improve the area’s housing conditions, the crumbling Victorian tenements, led to slum clearance and demolition on a massive scale. Those once solid communities were broken up with families moved out and housed in places like Kirby, Runcorn and Skelmersdale. It was the perfect storm; shops closed, tower blocks were pulled down and the city’s terminal decline was hastened by Margaret Thatcher’s vicious attempts to starve the upstart council controlled by Hatton’s Militant Tendency into surrender.

Stand on the edge of Fox Street today and look towards the gleaming glass skyscrapers and modern penthouses and it’s obvious, the regeneration that has breathed new life into other parts of Liverpool in recent years seems to run out of steam as it creeps towards this area’s streets. According to the last census, Everton West — where Fox Street Village sits — has the third highest numbers of children on free school meals. This neighbourhood has some of the poorest health indicators, including the lowest life expectancy, across the whole of the city.

As Liverpool’s reputation grew as a great place to study, the last decade has seen residential housing for the influx of students become the city’s short-term planning solution and a way to kickstart Everton’s economy.

Fox Street Village followed the same controversial funding model that has dogged similar schemes across the city, known as ‘fractional sales’. Buyers — many based overseas — are enticed with the promise of a good rent and a solid investment in return for paying a large part of the sale price upfront. But as countless investors at other stalled sites in Liverpool have discovered to their detriment, there’s little or no protection should things go wrong.

When Fox Street Village Limited collapsed into administration, in 2019, it owed creditors £10 million and the city council nearly £700,000. The council told us that an invoice for over half a million pounds remains unpaid but that the building’s new owners will have to pick up that tab. Meanwhile, £6 million that investors had paid out for Block D was instead spent on a new fifth building the developers had added to their scheme. A search of records show creditors who had paid for apartments in Block D came from Birkenhead to Beijing and all points in between. With no money left to complete the job, and no cash to settle their bills, the steel frame and internal walls made of wood have remained open to the elements. The freehold to the site was sold to Manchester-based property investment company SGL1 Limited in 2020 for a reported £1.6 million. The site was split and a separate company run by the same two directors as SGL1 but called SGL3, took over the unfinished Block D. A series of complex court cases followed as buyers battled to gain control and finish the scheme. By 2021, the architect’s original drawings for Block D had been rebranded as “Park View” to be marketed at a new group of buyers. A one bed studio in the unfinished wood and steel shell was being advertised for £85,000. The Post is unsure how many people bought into this new scheme or whether their money is protected.

Fox Street after the fire. Photo: Chris Burridge

“I bought a three-bedroom apartment that cost £135,000, which was a really good deal. With hindsight, almost too good to be true. I’ve been firefighting one problem after another since day one.” November 8th, 2023 and I am rattling along the M62 with Chris Burridge. “It doesn’t look that good,” Chris says with detached stoicism and monumental understatement as Fox Street Village Block D comes into view. “It would be funny, if it wasn’t so costly and dangerous.” Chris is one of the apartment owners who have been battling over an £80,000 bill to install a transformer that would safely reconnect their electricity to the grid. The builders left a hot-wired connection into the mains, which Chris says the buyers only found out about after they’d secured the right to manage some of the site. It was just the latest in a long line of hidden surprises that have revealed themselves over the five years since tenants moved in. “The biggest block, Block D, is just a shell that should have been finished years ago,” Chris tells me as we pull up alongside what looks like a building entirely made of wood and wrapped in tin foil. “There should have been one large, shared entrance area, an underground car park for 170 vehicles, shops, a cinema room with communal laundry, and a bike store. All of those amenities were what made this site so attractive.”

Chris pauses to re-imagine what could have been, before reality kicks back in. “None of that exists. What we’ve actually got are great apartments next to the rat-infested fire trap of a mess that is Block D.”

The author Matt O’Donoghue on ITV. Photo: ITC/IMDb.

Residents in this area have been complaining to me about the rats for as long as I’ve been investigating Fox Street Village. Back in April 2019, I broke my first story on the slow-motion car crash that has taken place here — months of work as part of an ongoing investigation for ITV’s Granada Reports. Back then, tenant Ross Lowey told me on camera: “We don’t feel safe. Every time we come back round that corner, we expect to see flames coming out of it.” He was far from alone in his unhappy prophecy.

Six months before that first ITV News report, in November 2018, I had been on a separate investigation into how developers duck out of paying the millions they owed to their cash-strapped council. It suddenly took an unexpected twist. While I ploughed through a mountain of conflicting planning documents that link to this case, a buyer tipped me off that their building was about to be the first on Merseyside to be shut down and issued with a Prohibition Notice. It was the last-ditch resort for a city council that had run out of ideas on how to make this site safe. “Serious construction issues will contribute to the spread of fire,” the Prohibition Notice reads. “Fire will spread quickly and possibly unnoticed.”

Put simply, the problems that the buyers had uncovered at their completed flats were so severe that they put lives at risk. While Block D remained unfinished, three of the four blocks that people had already moved into were so dangerous that everyone would be forced to move out — immediately. Judge Lloyd would later brand the project “disgraceful” as she fined the developers £3,120 for breaching planning conditions. She expressed sympathy for the residents and investors who had been affected. Planning inspectors said the development was “poorly finished” and failed to meet standards. Those problems have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to put right.

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The council say that it was only after the buildings were largely constructed that it became apparent there was a failure to comply with conditions or the plans that had been passed. When the new owners submitted another application to make up for the missing car park, a fresh deal was struck for them to pay towards a cycle route and parking scheme. But planning approval was refused when no money was forthcoming.

Two companies were involved in the development of Fox Street Village: Linmari Construction Limited and Fox Street Village Limited. Both were run by company director, Gary Howard. In 2013, Howard was left as the sole director of Fox Street Student Halls Limited after his business partner, Lee Carroll, was forced to step down. Carroll had been found guilty of being a gang master under legislation brought in to tackle labour exploitation after an investigation into a recruitment company that Carroll ran with John Howard. Carroll was banned from being a company director for 12 years.

While nothing should be inferred from Gary Howard’s previous business history, six companies where he was a director and shareholder have a County Court Judgement against them. Just like Fox Street Village Limited, seven firms that Howard also once helped run have gone into administration owing money to creditors — two of which were also residential developments in Liverpool designed for student living. We’ve been unable to contact Mr Howard for a comment.

“The frameworks that are supposed to deliver safe buildings, protect their owners and keep those inside safe are not up to the job,” says Dr Len Gibbs, whose doctoral thesis focused on the problems with unfinished developments in the Liverpool area.

That regulatory framework — to get a building through from an architect’s drawings to the point of being occupied — can be roughly broken down into two stages: planning and building control. The first part is strictly controlled by rules and regulations that must be met and followed to the letter. A council department controls the planning process, and everything has to be approved by a committee after a rigorous assessment by trained officers. Once it passes and everybody agrees that the buildings are what the council and community needs, the proposals are said to have ‘gained consent’.

When developers have their planning consent, a building control team comes on board to oversee every step of the construction. Site inspectors visit to approve stages such as the foundations and drains, and the relevant paperwork is filed with the city council to confirm everything has progressed according to the plans that were submitted and in accordance with the required regulations. In theory, these two functions operate independently but in support of one another to deliver a building that doesn’t kill the people who move in.

That’s something of a simplification, but these are incredibly complex areas that require years of training to properly understand. Only when every step has been followed can a completion certificate be issued against the building and each individual apartment. These final pieces of paper confirm that everything is up to standard and legally ready for tenants to move in. If all these steps are followed correctly, then a development of buildings that were once judged to be a threat to the lives of residents should never be occupied. Yet they were occupied.

[whoslaurapalmer]

spent all day waiting for a call from a mortgage broker who then spent the entire phone call NOT talking about pre-approval, which left me baffled, and when I actually asked about it she just said 'well you definitely won't be approved for the amount of your house.' which i wasn't even thinking would happen but like she didnt even ask for my credit score (which is Impeccable, by the way) or any information??? she was just making assumptions about the insurance money and then not even listening when I told her i would not be getting all of it??? like she couldn't for some reason imagine a world where i would have some insurance money AND be pre-approved even if that's like, what i had reached out to her for????? explicitly?????????? and that's like, how, home-buying, works????? and I'm still so genuinely confused as to how that phone call went. then I felt like it was all my fault for not being pushy enough, even if today's running theme was in fact People Are Not Listening To Lulu Vandelay (woman at the blood work place forgot I had an appointment, but she did actually apologize for that. then i told my aunt i dont file taxes bc my income is way below the tax threshold, and i have confirmed this with literal social security documents TWICE, and a whole two hours later she said again, oh you might have to file taxes.) and like I'm just going to not be able to afford anything ever for the rest of my life. this made me so upset I was like. okay. I'm gonna complain to cousin's wife and local realtor. and then go sit in my mom's room and be grumbly and try and feel better. but then i actually just wound up cleaning out her closet which I'm sure you can imagine did NOT make me feel better

anyway then I did some grumbly wreck this journal-ing and then i got into bed and found a sock i thought I lost in the laundry. day redeemed, belief in the universe restored, thanks sock 🧦

[lucaspaqueta007]

How to Find the Ideal Commercial Real Estate for Rent Near Me: A Step-by-Step Guide

Securing the right commercial real estate is a critical decision that can significantly impact the success of your business. Whether you're a startup searching for your first office, a retailer looking to expand, or a business owner in need of a warehouse, finding the perfect commercial space requires careful planning and research. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to finding the best "Commercial Real Estate for Rent Near Me," ensuring you make an informed decision. Commercial Real Estate for Rent Near Me

1. Identify Your Business Needs

Before you begin your search, it's crucial to clearly define what you need from your commercial space. Consider the following factors:

Size and Layout: How much square footage do you need? What layout will best suit your operations?

Location: Which areas are most convenient for your customers, employees, and suppliers?

Budget: What is your price range, including rent, utilities, and other expenses?

Amenities: Are there specific features or services that your business requires, such as parking, security, or high-speed internet?

2. Research the Local Market

Understanding the local commercial real estate market is essential for finding the best options. Use the following strategies:

Online Listings: Start by searching online for "Commercial Real Estate for Rent Near Me." Websites like LoopNet, Zillow, and local real estate agencies often have comprehensive listings.

Commercial Real Estate Brokers: Consider hiring a broker who specializes in commercial properties in your area. They can provide valuable insights and help you find properties that meet your criteria.

Market Trends: Stay informed about local market trends, including average rental rates, vacancy rates, and new developments. This knowledge can help you negotiate better terms.

3. Visit Potential Spaces

Once you've shortlisted a few properties, schedule visits to assess them in person. During your visit:

Evaluate the Location: Is it easily accessible? Is there enough foot traffic if needed? How is the neighborhood?

Inspect the Property: Look for any signs of wear and tear, and assess the overall condition of the building.

Check Compliance: Ensure that the space complies with local zoning laws and building codes. You may need to verify if the property is suitable for your specific type of business.

Consider Future Growth: Choose a space that can accommodate your business as it grows. Flexibility in the lease terms can be beneficial.

4. Negotiate the Lease

After finding the ideal space, the next step is to negotiate the lease terms. Here’s what to consider:

Lease Length: Determine the ideal duration of the lease. Longer leases may offer stability, while shorter leases provide flexibility.

Rent Increases: Understand how rent will increase over time and whether there are caps on these increases.

Maintenance Responsibilities: Clarify who is responsible for repairs and maintenance—landlord or tenant.

Exit Clauses: Ensure there are clear terms regarding breaking the lease if necessary.

5. Finalizing the Deal

Before signing the lease, take the following precautions:

Legal Review: Have a legal professional review the lease to ensure it protects your interests.

Get Everything in Writing: Any verbal agreements or promises made during negotiations should be documented in the lease.

Insurance: Arrange for the necessary insurance coverage for your new business space.

6. Prepare for Move-In

Once the lease is signed, start preparing for the move. Consider the following:

Renovations: If the space needs modifications to fit your business, coordinate these before moving in.

Utilities and Services: Set up utilities, internet, and any other essential services in advance.

Furnishing and Equipment: Plan the layout and order any furniture or equipment needed for your operations.

Conclusion

Finding the best "Commercial Real Estate for Rent Near Me" requires time, research, and careful consideration of your business needs. By following these steps, you can secure a space that not only meets your current requirements but also supports your long-term business goals. Remember, the right location and setup can make a significant difference in your business’s success, so take the time to find the perfect fit.

[handeaux]

During The Off-Season, The Old Cincinnati Reds Had Some Curious Side Hustles

It’s coming on World Series time, yet again without the presence of the Cincinnati Reds. As the die-hard fans turn their attention to the hot-stove league or the minutia of their fantasy teams, few give a thought to how today’s players spend the off-season.

In the early 1900s, every professional baseball team enjoyed a post-season romp. The happy few battled it out for World Series honors. But the also-rans kept playing on barnstorming tours, competing with amateur or semi-pro teams for a week or two after the final official game. Once this last hurrah was done, the players scattered to their side hustles.

Not that they needed the money. Rookies earned something like $1,800 in 1900 while stars pulled down $4,000 or more, and those figures translate to $64,000 to $140,000 in today’s dollars. Usually their off-season jobs were an investment in the future, when the pro years ended. Winter jobs were often far removed from the skills required on the diamond.

Reds second baseman Ed Phelps, for example, spent his winters earning a degree in business. Bob Ewing, who pitched for the Reds from 1902 to 1909, scurried home to Wapakoneta each fall to oversee his farm devoted to breeding champion harness-racing horses. Charlie Chech lasted only four years in the majors, pitching in 1905 and 1906 for the Reds, so it’s a good thing he was able to work winters as a pharmacist in St. Paul. Jack Ryder of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported [26 October 1905]:

“Chech is a graduate of the pharmacy department of the University of Wisconsin and is a practical druggist. He has bought an interest in one of the leading drugstores of St. Paul and will spend the winter mixing prescriptions and selling the festive tooth brush, the dry, deceptive sponge and the innocuous drugstore cigar.”

Orval Overall pitched for Cincinnati in 1905 and 1906 and wintered in California, where he helped manage his family’s hotel and fruit ranch. John Barry wandered through Cincinnati twice during a decade in the majors, and spent the off-season coaching football at Niagara University, his alma mater.

Pitcher Tom Walker (1904-05) clerked winters in a Philadelphia clothing store and had a reputation for up-selling hand-me-down suits. According to the Cincinnati Post [2 December 1904]:

“Tom is said to be a wonder, and able to hand out a line of talk about ‘all wool and fast dye’ in a most convincing fashion.”

Miller Huggins was a local boy, who grew up in Walnut Hills and earned a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. After 13 years as a second baseman, he went on to manage the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees during their glory years in the Twenties. Throughout much of his career, Huggins partnered with Cliff Martin to run a tobacconist’s shop. Per the Enquirer [9 November 1907]:

“Miller Huggins is handling the festive coffin nail, the flagrant ‘two-fer,’ and the lordly ten-center, at his popular smokehouse on Fountain Square.”

Outfielder Fred Odwell’s four years in “The Bigs” were spent in Cincinnati, but his financial future lay in the Empire State. According to the Enquirer:

“Fred Odwell owns a large quarry at his home in Downsville, N.Y., which he superintends during the winter, while his brother looks after the work during the summer. The business is a paying one, and Oddie is well provided for when his ball-playing days are over.”

Apparently, the grass was greener working for Uncle Sam, because Odwell, after a stint as a real estate broker, landed an appointment as postmaster for Downsville.

Hans Lobert logged five years as an infielder for the Reds while he built houses as a carpenter and contractor in Pittsburgh over the winter months. The Reds made something of a fuss about one of their 1907-08 pitchers, Andy Coakley, attending dental school on the East Coast, but it didn’t take. Coakley spent most of his post-playing career running a New York insurance agency while coaching baseball at Columbia University. In that collegiate gig, Coakley discovered a slugger named Lou Gehrig, so he had that going for him.

For a couple of years, the Reds had an actual doctor on the team, but he may not have been much use if a teammate was injured. Doctor Frank “Noodles” Hahn was a veterinarian, specializing in horses and cattle. While pitching for Cincinnati, Hahn enrolled in the Cincinnati Veterinary College. From 1900 until 1919, Cincinnati was home to its very own veterinary school, organized and operated by a consortium of local animal doctors. Noodles did so well in class that he was recruited after graduation to join the faculty of the college and taught there for several years.

A native of Nashville, Hahn confessed that he had no idea how he earned his distinctive nickname, although he had been called “Noodles” since he was a young boy. Hahn landed a pitching spot in the minors when he was just 16 years old and was recruited by the Reds in 1899 before he turned 20. Hahn’s rookie year was one for the record books as he won 23 games while losing only 8, posting a 2.68 ERA. Over seven seasons with the Reds, Hahn racked up 127 wins and 92 losses although he pitched for some decidedly lackluster Cincinnati squads. On 12 July 1900, Hahn hurled a no-hitter against the powerful Philadelphia Phillies and later struck out 16 Boston batters in one game. Problem was, the Reds never ranked higher than fourth in the National League during Hahn’s time in Cincinnati. After several seasons in which he averaged 300 innings, Hahn’s arm gave out. He limped through a half-season with the New York Highlanders, then decided to find another line of work.

It appears that old Noodles could have chosen a couple of careers. The Washington Post [17 June 1906] declared Hahn the best piano player in baseball. There was talk he might have pursued music professionally.

It was large animal veterinary work that finally won out. For a while, Hahn coached and pitched for some semi-pro teams, but he spent decades as a federal meat inspector in Cincinnati. Until he was over 70 years old, Hahn kept a locker at Crosley field. He would visit the ballpark on game day, work out with the team and pitch batting practice, then change back into his business clothes to watch the game. When the Terrace Plaza opened an ice-skating rink on the eighth floor, septuagenarian Noodles Hahn was there, showing off his fancy technique. He died, aged 80, at his retirement home in North Carolina.