Yearly Archives: 2009

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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)

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.

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.

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

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.

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.