Florida RealEstateRama
About 70 Percent of Homes in Miami and Tampa Have an Emergency Kit; Rates...
More than half, 51.5 percent, of U.S. homes have a prepared emergency evacuation kit, according to new metropolitan area-level American Housing Survey statistics released jointly today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Settlement leads to big property rights victory for Florida couple
Pressed by a Pacific Legal Foundation lawsuit, county regulators in Florida have agreed to settlement terms concerning the property rights of the husband and wife owners of a popular Hobe Sound restaurant. The Martin County Commission has agreed to allow Robert and Anita Breinig, owners of the Flash Beach Grille, to expand their business without facing punishing fines or any further government meddling.
Fraud Prevention Remains a Focus as Fraud Prevention Month Draws to an End
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater remains focused on raising awareness about the impact that insurance fraud has on Floridians as Fraud Prevention Month comes to a close. The overall cost of insurance fraud, estimated at more than $80 billion nationwide annually, not only damages insurance companies’ abilities to remain competitive and to provide low rates, but also poses a fiscal drain to law-abiding consumers.
Governor Scott Proposes $7.4 million for Three New State Veterans Nursing Homes
Governor Rick Scott announced Jan. 26 proposed funding for three new state veterans nursing homes as part of the 2015-2016 “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget. One of the new homes, the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home, has already been approved by the Florida Cabinet to be located in St. Lucie County. The location for the other two new homes will be considered by the Florida Cabinet upon approval.
Household hazardous waste to be collected on April 2 in Clermont
The Lake County Solid Waste Division is encouraging Lake County residents to dispose of toxic materials in a safe and environmentally sensitive way at an upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Collection event. The county’s Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Unit will be on site from 9 a.m. – noon on Thursday, April 2 at the Clermont Convenience Center located at 10435 Log House Road, Clermont
Attorney General’s Office Reaches Settlement with Florida Building Companies
More than 500 consumers will receive approximately $500,000 in restitution under a settlement agreement between Attorney General Pam Bondi and several Florida metal building companies. This week, the Attorney General’s Office reached an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with U.S. Metal Buildings Corp., U.S. Building Systems Corp. d/b/a U.S. Buildings; International Buildings, LLC; and their principals.
Feldman Equities LLC/Tower Realty Partners Reacquire Equity Position in Wells Fargo Center, Downtown Tampa
Feldman Equities LLC and Tower Realty Partners announced today that they have reacquired an equity position in Wells Fargo Center a 22-story, 390,000 square foot office tower located in downtown Tampa. The groups’ ownership interest is a joint venture partnership with an institutional investor that purchased the building late last year
Miami Home, Condominium Sales Rise in February
Miami single-family home sales registered double-digit growth in February, and all residential median sale prices continued their more than three years of gains, according to a new report by the 35,000-member MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) and the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system.
Four Arrested in Medicaid Fraud Scheme that Exploited the Homeless
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit announced the arrests of four individuals for allegedly recruiting the homeless to bilk Medicaid out of at least $215,000. According to the investigation, Christina Benson, owner of Tranquility Healthcare Solutions in Orlando, billed Medicaid for services for homeless men and women who were recruited by her associates to pose as patients.
Division of State Fire Marshal Announces Arrest in Connection With South Florida Alarm Panel...
The Department of Financial Services’ Division of State Fire Marshal today announced the arrest of a Broward County man in connection with a series of fire alarm control panel thefts in Broward County. Michael Moser allegedly stole alarm panels from several condominium and apartment complexes, leaving residents without life-saving fire alarm notification systems in the event of a fire
Title Agent Arrested for Stealing More than $705,000
The Florida Department of Financial Services today announced the recent arrest of former title agent Lana Dargai of Estero for stealing more than $705,000 in client funds intended for real estate transactions. As a result of her fraudulent actions, the underwriter for the funds was forced to cover the losses.
Household hazardous waste collection event scheduled for March 19 in Tavares
The Lake County Solid Waste Division is encouraging Lake County residents to dispose of toxic materials in a safe and environmentally sensitive way at an upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Collection event. The County’s Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Unit will be on site from 9 a.m. – noon on Thursday, March 19 at Wooton Park parking lot, located at 100 E. Ruby St., Tavares.
ICYMI: Wekiva Parkway Approved for Federal TIFIA Loan
The Central Florida Expressway Authority today announced that its portions of the Wekiva Parkway project, which will complete the beltway around Metro-Orlando, have been approved for a federal loan under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program. This additional funding resource will allow CFX to move up the schedule of construction by as much as 18 months. It could also potentially save over $260 million in bond interest payments.
Four Juveniles Arrested for Setting Escambia County House Fire
The Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of State Fire Marshal today announced the arrests of four Florida teenagers for arson following a January 2015 house fire in Molino, Florida. An investigation found multiple points inside and outside the home where a fire was set. Evidence also suggests that Molotov cocktails made using materials found in the home started the fire
Adjusted building impact fee for education goes into effect April 6
Beginning April 6, the new adjusted educational impact fees will be $2,537 for a mobile home, $4,636 for a multi-family dwelling, and $7,719 for a single-family home. Educational impact fees are imposed by local governments and paid by developers to address the increase in school facility infrastructure demands created by new development.
Hastings Introduces Legislation Addressing Chronic Homelessness Nationwide
Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Homelessness Caucus, introduced the Services for Ending Long-Term Homelessness Act. This bill would establish a grant program to provide permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals and families whose needs are not addressed by traditional affordable housing. (Please find the attached copy of the bill)
CFO Atwater Focused on Supporting Florida’s Workforce, Streamlining Government and Fighting Fraud During 2015...
SB 1306/HB 1127 will aid the Department’s efforts to combat insurance fraud in several ways.
Join the Conversation on Planning Broward’s Future!
As Broward celebrates its Centennial the County looks forward to the future, ensuring it will thrive in the next 100 years! With 1.85 million residents and 12 million annual visitors, there is a lot to plan for. Working with residents, businesses and Broward's 31 municipalities, the goal is to review the County's Land Use and Comprehensive Plans to make sure they reflect current and anticipated growth and priorities.
Miami Home Sales, Prices Rise in January
Miami single-family home sales increased in January and all residential median sale prices continued their more than three years of consistent growth, according to the 36,000-member MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) and the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system
Man Arrested for Arson After Setting Fire to Manatee County Home
The Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of State Fire Marshal today announced the arrest of 20-year-old Michael Lynn Haynes for setting fire to a duplex-style apartment home on February 21 in Palmetto, Florida. The intended targets of the fire were two women, a man and a two-year-old child. Following his arrest, Haynes admitted his intention to “burn them (the victims) out like roaches.”
