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Florida’s Existing Home, Condo Sales Rise in April 2009

ORLANDO, FL - May 27, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida’s existing home sales rose in April – the eighth consecutive month that sales activity increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). April’s statewide sales showed gains over the previous month’s sales level in both the existing home and existing condominium markets.

IBHS Applauds Legislation to Provide Strong, Well-Enforced Statewide Building Codes

TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) —The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) today applauded legislation introduced by Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Michael Arcuri (D-NY) encouraging the adoption and enforcement of statewide building codes throughout the nation.

Kosmas Applauds Signing of Helping Families Save Their Homes Act

Legislation Will Help Address Central Florida’s Foreclosure Crisis. Washington, DC - May 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Today, Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) applauded the signing of H.R. 1106 (S.896), the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act. The legislation will help protect thousands of Central Florida homeowners by providing important tools and incentives for lenders, servicers, and homeowners to modify loans and avoid foreclosures. The bill passed the House and Senate this month by large bipartisan margins and was signed by President Obama on Wednesday.

Florida Association of Realtors® Announces District Scholarship Winners

ORLANDO, FL - May 19, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Thirteen talented seniors from public and private high schools across the state each have been awarded a $1,000 scholarship as district winners of the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) 2008-2009 Scholarship/Essay Contest for High School Seniors

Public Meeting on the Implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Tallahassee, FL - May 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida Housing will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 in Tallahassee. The purpose of the meeting is to receive comments and suggestions from interested persons relative to the methodology to be used regarding the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

Florida’s Existing Home, Condo Sales Rise in 1Q 2009

ORLANDO, Fla - May 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Sales of existing single-family homes in Florida rose 25 percent in first quarter 2009 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest housing statistics from the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). A total of 31,412 existing homes sold statewide in 1Q 2009; during the same period the year before, a total of 25,071 existing homes sold. It marks the third consecutive quarter that Florida has reported higher existing home sales; sales levels in the third and fourth quarters of 2008 were higher than the corresponding three-month period of the previous year, according to FAR.

Florida Housing Launches New Communications WebBoard

Tallahassee, FL - May 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida Housing is pleased to now offer a Communications Florida Housing's WebBoard is an online forum where interested parties are kept up to date on the various goings on at Florida Housing. WebBoard users can also sign up to receive email notices once posts are published to the various sections.

Senate Passes Helping Families Save Their Homes Act

WASHINGTON, DC - May 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) voted in favor of the Helping Families Save Their Home Act, S. 896. The bill includes a mortgage servicers safe harbor provision that will curb home foreclosures and jumpstart residential loan modifications. In addition, this legislation expands the Hope for Homeowners program, which is aimed at keeping honest homeowners in their homes during these difficult economic times. Last, the bill will increase the borrowing authority of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to help it cope with the increased risk facing the nation's banks. The measure passed in the Senate by a vote of 91-5

Columbia County Man Pleads Guilty to Mortgage Fraud Scheme

TALLAHASSEE, FL - May 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that a Columbia County man has pleaded guilty to his involvement in a mortgage fraud scheme. Rory V. Porter faces five years in prison and ten years of probation when he is sentenced next month and will have to pay over half a million dollars in restitution. Porter was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Lake County finalizes agenda of speakers, presenters for ‘Professionals Turning Green Symposium’ in June

MOUNT DORA, FL - May 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — An impressive slate of speakers and presenters is set for the “Professionals Turning Green Symposium” on Thursday, June 11, from 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and Friday, June 12, from 8 a.m.-1:15 p.m. at Lakeside Inn, located at 100 N. Alexander St. in Mount Dora.

Be the ENVY of All: Win Florida Association of Realtors’ Environmental (ENVY) Award

ORLANDO, FL - April 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Don’t wait to enter the Florida Association of Realtors®’ (FAR) annual Environmental Award program, or you may be green with ENVY when the winner is chosen. Popularly known as the “ENVY” award, the honor goes to a development that best preserves Florida’s natural quality of life. The award may be given in two categories: one for residential development and one for commercial development.

Florida’s Existing Home, Condo Sales Rise in March 2009

ORLANDO, FL - April 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida’s existing home sales increased in March, making it the seventh month in a row that sales activity demonstrated gains in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). March’s statewide sales also increased over the previous month’s sales level in both the existing home and existing condo markets

CFO SINK WORKS TO PROTECT FLORIDA HOMEOWNERS AND BOOST HOUSING MARKET

TALLAHASSEE, FL - April 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida Chief Financial Officer Sink joined Florida Realtors® and Sadowski Workforce Housing Coalition members during two separate events today to promote her efforts to protect Florida homeowners. As a champion for homeowners, CFO Sink underscored her department’s My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program and efforts to address Florida’s high rate of home foreclosures.

April Board Meeting to Be Held in Tallahassee

Tallahassee, FL - April 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida Housing's upcoming Board of Directors' Meeting will be held on Friday, April 24,...

McCollum Unveils Website to Help Homeowners Avoid Mortgage Fraud-Related Scams

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today unveiled a new website designed to help homeowners avoid mortgage fraud-related scams. The website, at provides consumers with easy access to current investigations, complaint forms, and tips to identify and avoid foreclosure rescue fraud. Foreclosure rescue fraud, or fraud involving loan modifications related to foreclosures, is the complaint topic most commonly reported to the Attorney General’s Office and involves the charging of an up-front fee for foreclosure rescue services before any services are provided, if they are provided at all.

Florida Realtors and Gov. Crist Agree: ‘Now’s the Time to Buy’ a Home in...

TALLAHASSEE, FL - April 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Ten Realtors® from across Florida met with Gov. Charlie Crist this morning to discuss increased home sales and other positive trends in their markets, as well as offer insight into some current issues facing the real estate industry. It’s part of this year’s Great American Realtor Days, April 14-15, when about 1,000 Realtors from throughout the state join forces at the state capital to meet with their legislators and discuss concerns affecting all Florida residents.

Florida to Host World’s Second-Largest Solar Thermal Power Plant

April 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — By mid 2010, Florida Power and Light (FPL) will construct the Martin Next-Generation Solar Energy Center, a 75-megawatt (MW) plant that will sit on 500 acres near Indiantown, Florida—adjacent to FPL's combined-cycle power facility. The solar plant will be the world's first hybrid energy facility and the largest solar plant of any kind outside of California. Two other solar facilities have homes in Florida—one at NASA's Kennedy Space Center and the other roughly 70 miles southwest of St. Petersburg—and with the new plant, they will collectively produce 110 MW of electric power.

CFO SINK’S UNCLAIMED PROPERTY BUREAU DELIVERS $19.7 MILLION IN MARCH, SETTING STATE RECORD

TALLAHASSEE, FL - April 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink’s Bureau of Unclaimed Property announced that last month marked the largest amount of unclaimed property returned to owners recorded in state history, totaling over $19.7 million. So far this fiscal year (July 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009) unclaimed property payments have totaled $132.3 million, with the Bureau of Unclaimed Property on pace to return over $174 million by fiscal year end.

Court Grants Emergency Request to Halt Jacksonville Foreclosure Rescue Company’s Up-Front Fees

TALLAHASSEE, FL - April 09, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that his office has obtained a court order temporarily prohibiting a Jacksonville company from charging up-front fees for foreclosure-related rescue services. According to the order issued by the Duval County Circuit Court, National Foreclosure Counseling Services Corp. is barred from charging homeowners any fee in advance for providing foreclosure-related rescue services. The order was agreed upon by the state and the company.

Settlement Obtained in Orlando Mortgage Fraud Case

TALLAHASSEE, FL - April 07, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) —Attorney General Bill McCollum announced today that his office has obtained a settlement with an Orlando company that provided foreclosure services to consumers. Homestead Protection Services, LLC has agreed to dissolve the company and must refrain from any future violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The company must also pay $20,000 in consumer restitution and must reimburse the state $5,000 for fees and costs of the investigation.

Popular Government & Nonprofit Press Releases

Colombia tops all Foreign Searches for Miami Real Estate

Colombia continues to lead all foreign countries searching for South Florida real estate, according to new data from the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI). The South American nation finished as the top international country using MIAMI’s search portal, www.Miamire.com, in May 2016. Colombia has now led the rankings for six consecutive months

Recent Government & Nonprofit Press Releases

Buchanan Slams “Nightmarish” Conditions at VA Nursing Homes

Congressman Vern Buchanan today demanded answers from the Department of Veteran Affairs after reports of deplorable conditions and neglect at VA nursing homes across the nation.