BNI thanks outgoing president

Randy Bring (right) thanks Dr. Les Pachter for his year as president of the BNI Business Exchange in Boca Raton.

BNI Looking for a Few New Members!

The top five professionals and businesses that our BNI chapter in Boca Raton is looking for to refer business are:

• Property Manager
• Copier Sales & Service
• Estate Planning Attorney
• Florist
• Podiatrist

If you are looking to grow your business by word-of-mouth marketing please come to one of our meetings as our guest. And hurry - only one person per profession can be a member, so visit soon!

Smile Express, designed by Debra Juliano, ASID opens its doors

The first of five Smile Express teeth whitening facilities will have its grand opening in Boca Raton on Thursday, April 10th. The interior design was done by BNI member Debra Juliano, ASID of DJID. The theme is contemporary with color palette of taupe and black with accents of blue, violet and burgundy. Debra is currently designing other locations to open in Fort Lauderdale, Wellington, Aventura and Palm Beach Gardens. Other locations are being scouted in Orlando and Tampa.

DJID is located at One South Ocean Blvd. #207 in Boca Raton. The firm specializes in luxury residential and corporate projects with an emphasis on architectural elements and personal attention to details.

At BNI, We Refuse to Participate in a Recession!

Dr. Ivan Misner, CEO and Founder of BNI, recounts in his Blog, meeting a real estate profession who claims he refuses to participate in a recession. The message is a strong reminder of the value of BNI.

We cannot control the economy or our competition, but we can control our response to it. Referrals can keep your business alive and well during an economic downturn. Though one person (or his or her sales people) may not know the people who need their goods or services, the people in their BNI chapter do. By keeping your colleagues in BNI well informed of the value of your business, let them go out and be the extra few dozen eyes, ears and spokespeople for your business.


The Boca Raton chapter of BNI has over 35 members who are each meeting hundreds of people per week. Exponentially, that's thousands of opportunities for them to listen for cues that tell them someone has a need for the services of another member. You can't buy that kind of advertising in South Florida - or anywhere!


"Don’t let a bad economy be your excuse for failure. Instead, make it your opportunity to succeed," writes Dr. Misner. "While others are looking at the problems, those of us looking for opportunities will not only get through a bad economy but will prosper."


Come visit our chapter. We've been helping each other grow our businesses since 1999.

New Logos from Snap Creative Group

Nancy Suchoff, Snap Creative Group, recently completed new logos for clients Preferred Corporate Travel in Boca Raton, Life on The Links Blog for Lowell International, Palm Beach, David Sheriff Video Production, Boca Raton, and 7th Street & Dunlap Self Storage in Phoenix, Arizona.

BNI Business Exchange announces new Leadership Team

The 2008-2009 Leadership Team will begin their term on April 2nd.

President: Dr. Rick Marrotte

Vice-President: John Oehl

Sec'y/Treasurer: Jeff Pasternack

Educational Coordinator: Nancy Suchoff

Membership Committee:

Terri Berman

Dr. Billie Eizenberg

Glenn Holsborg

Debra Juliano

Debbie Marzano



Visitor Hosts:

Edward Kelly

Dr. Eric Mohr

Elizabeth Ossip

Jon Wayne

Dr. Marrotte reports 'Dry eye syndrome' can afflict office workers

A recent article by Diane C. Lade of the Sun-Sentinel focuses new attention on the widespread problem of Dry Eye Syndrome in the younger working population, says Dr. Rick Marrotte of Boca Raton, FL (www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-flhlpdry0303sbmar03,0,2800967.story)

Historically, dry eye sufferers have been older people whose eyes become naturally dryer with advancing age. In the past 8 to 10 years, more and more young people staring at a computer screen at work all day have developed symptoms of dry eyes.

Common symptoms include a gritty or sandy feeling in the eyes, a burning sensation, redness and eye fatigue. About 60 to 65 percent of patients don't progress beyond the disorder's first stages, but if left untreated some people can develop more serious complications, such as infections and corneal nerve damage.

Drinking more water, taking frequent breaks away from the screen and using artificial tears are just some of the ways to reduce Dry Eye Syndrome symptoms. With a reduction in blinking rate at the computer, soft contact lens wearers are particularly susceptible to dry eyes. Dr. Marrotte recommends getting a thorough evaluation and consider upgrading your contact lenses to one of the newer materials better able to handle the dehydration of water from the lenses.

“The most common types of occupations most at risk included accountants, software engineers, executive assistants and customer service representatives. Long-haul truckers and flight attendants are also very likely to develop Dry Eye Syndrome because of long hours in air-conditioned trucks or airplane cabins filled with pressurized, recirculated air,” says Dr. Marrotte.

Dry eye also can be part of medical health conditions, as well. Sjögren's syndrome that occurs in people with rheumatoid arthritis have a great tendency to develop, dry irritated eyes. Many blood pressure and sinus medications produce dry eyes as a common side effect.

The American Optometric Association compares Dry Eye Syndrome to the better-known carpal tunnel syndrome, another workplace disorder that involves the wrist rather than the eye. Some believe carpal tunnel can be caused by extended keyboard use.

For a complete evaluation of your potential for Dry Eye Syndrome, or if you are experiencing symptoms now, contact Dr. Rick Marrotte at 561-487-3340 or visit his website at www.CustomVisionCare.com

DJID selected to design Pastrami Queen Deli in Boca Raton

Debra Juliano, ASID, President of DJID Interior Design has been selected to complete the interior design and detailing for the new Pastrami Queen restaurant in Boca Raton. The concept is to be an upscale deli restaurant. Details include crown molding, wainscot panels and crystal chandeliers. The owners want to elevate your deli experience. Look for the opening sometime in late spring of this year. The restaurant is located on the northwest corner of Palmetto Park Road and Powerline Road.

DJID specializes in luxury residential and corporate projects with an emphasis on architectural detailing and personal attention to details. Their office is in Boca Raton and can be reached at 561-368-6367.

ATLANTIC COMMERCIAL GROUP ANNOUNCES LEASE SIGNING FOR NEW CVS

Gary Broidis, Principal and Broker of Boca Raton based Atlantic Commercial Group, Inc., recently completed a long term lease for CVS Drugstores to occupy approximately 15,000 square feet at the southeast corner of Yamato Road and State Road 7 (U.S. 441) in Boca Raton, Florida. Per Mr. Broidis, this store will be located in the heart of West Boca Raton, which has experienced tremendous population and housing growth over the last ten (10) years.

The new CVS Drugstore will be located on a land parcel of approximately two (2) acres at the hard corner of the property that was formerly a county owned parcel. The property presented many obstacles with regard to site planning, zoning and land use issues, however, the owners of the property were extremely diligent and successful in obtaining all necessary governmental and local approvals.

Atlantic Commercial Group, Inc. specializes in the brokerage and development of retail and office properties in South Florida with additional services including national tenant representation, landlord representation and development consulting.

Contact Gary Broidis at 561-447-8610

Reverse Mortgages –Monday Morning Quarterbacking

Monday morning quarterbacking is “what if” or “he should have…” discussion. Kurt Heide, President of American Pioneer Mortgage Services Inc. presents a review as to the benefits of a reverse mortgage.

Reverse mortgages are increasingly becoming an important consideration to families trying to meet the high costs of living in retirement. A reverse mortgage is a mortgage on your home which allows you (62 years-of-age and older) to use the equity in your home to receive money without having to pay it back as long as you or your spouse live in the house. The programs are designed to help seniors remain in their homes comfortably during their retirement years. Some of the current reverse mortgage products are guaranteed by the government and were designed after consultation with AARP and others. Several other reverse mortgage products have been developed by lenders which offer variations on the government programs.

A very good article on reverse mortgages was published in the January-February 2008 edition of the AARP bulletin. In that article they state that over 340,000 seniors have taken out a reverse mortgage through the HECM program offered by FHA. The increasingly popular programs have been used seniors to enrich their lives as indicated by the testimonials in the article.

NBC aired a program in January that was not very favorable to the reverse mortgage programs. Unfortunately, NBC tied the reverse mortgage program with an annuity program offered by an insurance company. They are two separate programs: one offered by a lender and the other by an insurance company. To obtain accurate information on reverse mortgages, consult with a reverse mortgage specialist. An insurance specialist can tell you the plusses and minuses of the annuity. Much of the negativity was focused on the annuity program.

NBC indicated that the costs of the HECM mortgage were very expensive. The costs are very similar to those of obtaining an FHA loan when you are buying a home. One of the major costs in a HECM loan is the 2% FHA mortgage insurance premium (MIP). This premium is charged on all FHA loans. With the reverse mortgage the MIP guarantees that FHA will continue with the payment terms of your agreement even if the lender declares bankruptcy. In today’s environment many would consider it a cheap price to pay for that security! The MIP also works to allow the lender to lend you more money because it also protects them if the home cannot be sold for sufficient funds to pay off the loan balance. Thus, even though the HECM program is more costly than other programs, most choose one of them because they can get more money and more money is usually what it is all about.

Now, back to the Monday morning quarterbacking; one of our neighbors recently died. She passed her condominium to her heirs. Over ninety percent of all inherited property is sold by the heirs as compared to those that retain possession (the number is closer to 100% in our neighborhood). The heirs placed the condominium on the market and received an offer of only $225,000. The heirs rejected this very low offer and sold it for a little more. Other heirs are having a difficult time selling their inherited property in the current market. When they cannot sell the property, they have the burden of carrying the expenses of that property. A reverse mortgage presents a viable option for seniors to pass more money on easily to their children.

In the first example above, the appraised value of the home was about $350,000. If the owner was 85 years-old, she could accomplish a Reverse Mortgage and take out a little over $267,000 if the property was not mortgaged (the amount would be reduced by any mortgage or liens on the property). This money would be tax free. This person could then distribute the funds as she sees fit. The owner should consult an estate attorney as how best to achieve her objectives in passing on the money while still alive. This program could also be used to reduce estate taxes (consult an estate attorney of financial planner).

Kurt Heide is president of American Pioneer Mortgage Services. He may be reached at 561-424-0522 x 225