TALLAHASSEE, FL - July 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida CFO Alex Sink today announced that the Florida Attorneys Saving Homes program, which pairs volunteer lawyers with Florida homeowners facing foreclosure, has produced almost triple the amount of successful outcomes since changes initiated with CFO Sink’s leadership this spring. CFO Sink cheered lawyers and Florida lenders after publication of a progress report showing a 168% increase in foreclosure preventions since the April 20, 2009 roundtable discussion between the two groups focused on finding solutions to keep more Floridians in their homes.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - July 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced his office has filed a lawsuit against a Central Florida company that allegedly charges homeowners facing foreclosure up-front fees for loan modification services. According to the lawsuit filed today in Orange County, Victor Lopez & Associates and its owners are in violation of Florida’s Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act. The company’s office is located in Orlando.

Washington, DC - July 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The following is a statement by the National Association of Realtors®: Many news outlets are erroneously reporting that Pamela Long Wiggins, charged today for murder in Florida, is a Realtor

WASHINGTON, DC - July 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Congressman Kendrick B. Meek today announced that Florida will receive up to $17,585,000 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for its state rebate program for consumer purchases of energy efficient appliances. The program will specifically fund home appliances designated as ENERGY STAR qualified.

Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program Runs Through Nov. 30. ORLANDO, FL - July 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Like thousands of first-time homebuyers around the state, Aaron Thorp is planning to take advantage of a new Florida economic stimulus initiative. Under the Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program, eligible buyers can receive up to $8,000 in immediate assistance for a downpayment or closing costs, rather than wait to receive their federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers.

Tallahassee, FL - July 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida Housing's upcoming Board of Directors' Meeting will be held on Friday, July 24 in Tallahassee. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. For Board Package information, please

TALLAHASSEE, FL - July 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida Housing's State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program will hold a rule development workshop on July 23, 2009 in Tallahassee. The workshop will be held to receive comments and suggestions from interested persons relative to program requirements as specified in Rule Chapter 67-37, Florida Administrative Code.

ORLANDO, FL - July 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Across Florida, people are struggling to deal with some of the aftershocks caused by the current economy, including the alarming rise in foreclosed homes now devastating families and communities

The new hotel marks the 100th Holiday Inn Express to open this year. ATLANTA, CA - July 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, announced today that the Holiday Inn Express® and Suites Largo-Clearwater opened on June 4, as the 100th Holiday Inn Express to open this year under the new sign. The hotel brings 95 guest rooms and 35 job opportunities to downtown Largo, Fla

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - July 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — “The availability and affordability of property insurance is, at its core, a consumer issue,” said 2009 Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) President Cynthia Shelton, testifying on the need for a national disaster insurance policy to the U.S. House Financial Services Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee during a hearing today in West Palm Beach. “The importance of available and affordable insurance to homeowners, commercial property owners, and those who would like to own their own home or place of business cannot be overstated.”

Legislation is common-sense solution to bring down cost of homeowners’ insurance. Washington, D.C. - July 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Chaired by Congressman Dennis Moore of Kansas, held a hearing in West Palm Beach, Florida today to address skyrocketing homeowners’ insurance rates

TAVARES, FL - July 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Lake County Department of Community Services is preparing a grant application, which is due by July 17, to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement Phase 2 of Lake County’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP2)

TALLAHASSEE, FL - July 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida CFO Alex Sink today announced that her Bureau of Unclaimed Property returned over $173 million in unclaimed property for the 2008-2009 Fiscal Year -- the largest amount in state history.

ORLANDO, FL - July 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — What does Florida have to offer? Pick up a travel brochure and some benefits are clear: Beautiful beaches. Miles of scenic parks and nature preserves. Oceans, rivers and lakes offering boating, fishing, swimming and other water recreation. A rich and varied history, which includes the city of St. Augustine, the oldest permanent European settlement in the mainland United States. Unique entertainment parks and other family-friendly attractions. Cultural activities that offer residents and visitors fine theater, music, dance and arts events. Then there is Florida’s climate featuring an average annual high of 81 degrees Fahrenheit and an average annual low of 60 degrees, giving the Sunshine State its well-known nickname and reputation

ORLANDO, FL - June 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida’s existing home sales rose in May – the ninth month in a row that sales activity increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). Statewide sales showed gains over the previous month’s sales level in both the existing home and existing condominium markets. Also, for the first time in many months, the statewide median sales price in May for existing homes and for existing condos rose over the previous month’s figure.

Orlando, FL - June 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — On Friday, June 12, Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) honored top-producing lenders for its First Time Home Buyer program during the Sixth Annual Lenders Appreciation Awards Dinner held at the Peabody Orlando Hotel. The honorees, who work at banking and financial institutions across the state, helped more than 3,300 Floridians become homeowners last year, using resources and programs from Florida Housing.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today announced that Florida will receive $63,606,850 for areas affected by natural disasters during 2008. The funds, provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, are for expenses related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, and restoration of infrastructure, housing, and economic revitalization in the state

TAVARES, FL - June 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Lake County Property Appraiser’s Office released a new online tool (www.lakecopropappr.com/report-exemption-abuse.aspx) this week that allows residents to report property-tax exemption abuse.

TAVARES, FL - May 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Parking woes for the Lake County Government Complex in downtown Tavares — including the offices of the Lake County Board of County Commissioners, Clerk of Courts, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Property Appraiser, Sheriff, Supervisor of Elections and Tax Collector — will come to an end on Monday, June 1, when an eight-story, 1,547-space parking garage is scheduled to

Foreclosure protection offered to displaced families in Volusia County. WASHINGTON,DC - May 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — May 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to storm-ravaged Volusia County in Florida and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes last week.