News
Pilot Program Attempts to Preserve Affordable Housing Stock in Florida
August 12, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
Tallahassee, FL - August 12, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — In response to the need to increase the preservation of existing affordable housing stock, Florida Housing has created the Preservation Rehabilitation Pilot Program.
FAR launches ‘Give Me 5 for Florida’s Future’ to support Amendment 5
July 24, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – July 22, 2008 – With the bipartisan support of State Reps. Frank Attkisson (R-Kissimmee) and Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg), the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) today launched its “Give Me Five for Florida’s Future” grassroots campaign supporting passage of Amendment 5 in the general election on Nov. 4, 2008.
Amendment 5 to have its day in court
July 21, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – If Florida voters pass Amendment 5 in November, property taxes will drop by 25-40 percent, but the amendment must first face a court challenge. A Tallahassee judge will hear arguments on Aug. 13, and the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), which supports the amendment, anticipates a favorable ruling.
HOPE NOW Adopts New Guidelines to Speed Help to Homeowners Facing Foreclosure
June 23, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
HOPE NOW, the industry alliance of mortgage lenders, servicers, investors, and counselors, today announced that its servicer members have agreed to a uniform set of procedures and guidelines that will greatly enhance the ability of homeowners to quickly receive the help they need and ensure that the assistance process is respectful, understandable, and transparent.
Crist signs real estate bills into law
June 19, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Charlie Crist signed one of FAR’s top legislative initiatives yesterday: Florida’s “highest and best use” property assessment standard will become fairer on Sept. 1, 2008, under HB 909 by Rep. Peter Nehr (R-Tarpon Springs). Starting in September, the state will retain the “highest and best use” standard, but “best use” has […]
New law allows landlords to charge liquidated damages
June 18, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida landlord can now charge liquidated damages or an early termination fee under a bill signed last week by Gov. Charlie Crist, even if the property is re-rented immediately. The bill is similar to one Crist vetoed last year.
Housing starts and building permits decline in May
June 17, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
WASHINGTON – The Census Bureau reported this morning that May housing starts fell by 3.3 percent compared to April numbers. Privately-owned housing starts in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 975,000 compared to the revised April estimate of 1,008,000. Compared to May 2007, starts declined 32.1 percent.
Economy slows Florida population growth to lowest level in 30 years
March 31, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — March 28, 2008 – Migration will continue to fuel Florida’s growth over the next two years, with University of Florida (UF) economists projecting about 575 people moving into the state each day. The growth rate has slowed, however. Between 2002 and 2006, however, the state was a daily in-migration rate of 1,145 […]
Florida’s existing home sales remain slow in February 2008
March 24, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
ORLANDO, Fla. – March 24, 2008 – Turmoil in the mortgage market continued to impact Florida’s housing sector in February. Statewide, sales of existing single-family homes totaled 8,310 last month while 11,132 homes sold in February 2007 for a decrease of 25 percent in the year-to-year comparison, according to the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR).
Mortgage meltdown dampens state’s commercial real estate outlook
March 19, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – March 19, 2008 – Fallout from the subprime meltdown is now spreading from the residential to commercial real estate sectors, but the outlook for Florida remains stable because of the fundamentals of good climate and in-migration, according to the latest University of Florida survey.
Florida Realtors Remind Residents to File for Homestead Exemption, Property Tax Portability
March 5, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 27, 2008 — Do you live in a home you bought in 2007? Then you’ll want to apply for a $50,000 ($25,000 for homes worth $50,000 or less) homestead exemption by March 3, 2008. And for the first time this year, it’s also important to apply for property tax portability for homestead […]
A rising mortgage rate could nullify future price drops
March 3, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
ORLANDO, Fla. – March 3, 2008 – Too many buyers are focusing on home prices and waiting to jump into the market, afraid that a property bought today will be worth less tomorrow. But rising mortgage rates should also be a concern, and many potential buyers could find themselves out of luck if they wait […]
Better-Connected Homes Increase Tornado Protection
February 12, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
IBHS says affordable options exist but aren’t implemented in inland areas of U.S.
Tampa – The devastating tornadoes that recently stunned five states are a reminder of nature’s power and unpredictability. But according to the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), houses in inland areas of the United States would have a greater chance of […]
‘In-Default’ Homeowners Take Their Lenders to Court
February 12, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
Outreach Housing network opens nearly 500 cases against fraudulent lending institutions
MARGATE, Fla., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ — Just one month ago, Outreach Housing LLC (http://outreachhousing.org) officially unveiled its groundbreaking initiative - a loss-mitigation organization specializing in assisting victims of the self-enriching lending industry. Since then, nearly 500 case files referencing lender violations have been filed on […]
Homeowners optimistic: 77% believe homes held or increased value in 2007
February 8, 2008 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
SEATTLE – Feb. 7, 2008 – Despite highly publicized reports of a home sales slump and pricing slides, homeowners remain upbeat. While most homes have decreased in value nationwide, 77 percent of owners believe their own home has either held its own or increased in value, according to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive […]