March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General McCollum today sent letters to the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate President regarding the impact commercial real estate foreclosures could have on Florida’s economy and encouraging the legislature to be proactive in addressing the pending crisis. more »

Roofing, waterproofing and exterior wall system experts share newest sustainable building design and industry practices

25th RCI International Convention & Trade Show offers top-notch educational programs for the building envelope and the construction community

Orlando, FL - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The growing popularity of rooftop energy production systems, sustainable and vegetated roofs, and the impact of climate, fire and drainage on overall design standards are just a few topics to be explored during a 5-day, intensive, educational program taught by today’s leading authorities within the building envelope industry. more »

ORLANDO, FL - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Attorney A. Brian Albritton announces that U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp today sentenced Mark J. Moncher (age 53, of Orlando) to 57 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme. The court also ordered Moncher to pay more than $1.9 million in restitution. Moncher had pleaded guilty on December 29, 2009. more »

Tampa, FL - March 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — With an El Nino winter almost behind us, it is time to start preparing for what forecasters predict will be an active spring for tornadoes, warns the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). more »

March 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Department has scheduled two public meetings to receive public input on barriers that residents encounter in obtaining decent affordable housing and choices of housing. These meetings are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by local agencies that receive HUD funding, to ensure that the Fair Housing Act is being fulfilled in the community. The results of this survey and analysis will be used develop strategies and actions to reduce and/or eliminate the identified barriers. Please attend; we welcome your input. more »

MIAMI, FL - March 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Bill McCollum and the Florida Interagency Mortgage Task Force today hosted a community forum in Miami to discuss the housing crisis. The event was designed to present a comprehensive approach for dealing with housing-related issues and provide information and assistance to consumers. Participating agencies included state agencies, law enforcement and regulatory authorities. more »

TALLAHASSEE, FL - March 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida CFO Alex Sink’s Bureau of Unclaimed Property today announced that last month marked the largest amount of unclaimed property returned to owners recorded in state history, totaling over $22 million. So far this fiscal year (July 1, 2009 through March 8, 2010) unclaimed property payments have totaled $121.4 million, with the Bureau of Unclaimed Property on pace to return more than $180 million by fiscal year end, which would also be a new annual record. more »

TALLAHASSEE, FL - March 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — As part of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer advisory on foreclosure rescue services and foreclosure-related loan modification offers, one of the most frequent subjects of complaints to the Attorney General’s Office during 2009. With a second wave of mortgage fraud and foreclosure rescue fraud predicted for 2010, the Attorney General warned homeowners that disreputable companies and individuals will likely continue trying to capitalize on the current economic climate and consumers’ credit and mortgage concerns. more »

Turn to a Trusted Professional for Advice, Says Florida Realtors®

ORLANDO, FL - March 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Thinking of selling your current home, but don’t know where to start? A Realtor® in Florida can help you attract buyers from around the corner – or from another continent – so you’ll be able to close the transaction and move ahead with your life. more »

Turn to a Professional for Knowledgeable Advice, Says Florida Realtors®

ORLANDO, FL - March 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Lower sales prices, stable interest rates and the recent extension and expansion of the federal income tax credit have created a great market for buyers throughout Florida, according to 2010 Florida Realtors® President Wendell Davis, a broker and regional vice president with Watson Realty Corp. in Jacksonville. more »

TALLAHASSEE, FL - March 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida CFO Alex Sink’s Bureau of Unclaimed Property today announced that last month marked the largest amount of unclaimed property returned to owners recorded in state history, totaling over $22 million. So far this fiscal year (July 1, 2009 through March 8, 2010) unclaimed property payments have totaled $121.4 million, with the Bureau of Unclaimed Property on pace to return more than $180 million by fiscal year end, which would also be a new annual record. more »

HONOR (HOPE, OPPORTUNITIES, NETWORKING, OUTREACH, AND RECOVERY) CENTER WILL HOUSE UP TO 45 HOMELESS VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES OR OTHER HEALTH NEEDS

March 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — “One of the major tragedies in our nation is homelessness among our veterans,” stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth). “There are over 130,000 homeless veterans, and we have a duty to provide shelter and care, especially to those who are disabled and with special medical needs. The opening of the HONOR Center in Gainesville represents a major step forward in serving these veterans.” more »

WASHINGTON, DC - March 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The Justice Department today announced that landlord James Stevens, his company Fountain View Apartments Inc., and his former rental manager, Mildred Chastain, have agreed to pay $415,000 in monetary damages and civil penalties to settle a Fair Housing Act lawsuit alleging that they discriminated against African Americans and families with children at Fountain View Apartments, a 42-unit apartment complex in Orange City, Fla. more »

Tampa, FL - March 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The tragedies of the recent earthquakes in Chile and Haiti serve as a reminder that parts of the United States are highly vulnerable to the devastating effects of this unpredictable natural disaster. more »

ORLANDO, FL - March 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida’s existing home sales rose in January, marking 17 months that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.Existing home sales increased 24 percent last month with a total of 10,465 homes sold statewide compared to 8,444 homes sold in January 2009, according to Florida Realtors. January’s statewide sales of existing condos rose 81 percent compared to the previous year’s sales figure. more »