Yearly Archives: 2010

TALLAHASSEE, FL - October 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced a multi state agreement with Wells Fargo Bank over allegations of deceptive marketing of payment option adjustable rate mortgage loans (POA’s) by Wachovia Corporation and Golden West Corporation, before Wells Fargo acquired the companies. From April 1, 2010 through the term of the agreement, more than 4,000 Florida POA borrowers will be eligible for loan modifications that are expected to provide almost $388 million in mortgage relief in Florida. This sum includes more than $208 million in principal forgiveness for Florida homeowners. Overall, loan modifications will be offered to 8,700 borrowers in eight states with a total economic value estimated to be more than $772 million through mid-2013.

Tampa, FL - October 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- This is Fire Prevention Week (October 3-9) and, with 85 new wildfires burning today throughout the United States, and many areas of the country under fire watches, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers effective ways to reduce the risk of wildfire-related property damage.

EUGENE, OR - October 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Real estate agent Todd Breen has joined IDX, Inc. in creating a comprehensive and complete online real estate search page, by updating his professional website with IDX Broker software. As a member of the Palm Beach Regional MLS (RMLSFL), Breen has long had access to thousands of detailed property listings. Now, his website hosts all of these properties in one place. Never before has the online home search process been easier or more effective.

Washington, D.C. - September 30, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) led the entire Florida Delegation to the U.S. House, including all Republicans and Democrats, in a letter today calling for urgent action on the Homeowners’ Defense Act. This bipartisan letter expresses strong support for Congressman Klein’s bipartisan legislation to reduce the cost of homeowners’ insurance for families in Floridaand around the country.

EUGENE, OR - September 30, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. and Realtor Shana Larson have joined forces to bring Mid-Florida Regional MLS (MFRMLS) to online home seekers instantaneously, on her website. The dynamic IDX Broker software extracts raw listing data from the MFRMLS and syncs it to the search page Larson represents, giving potential buyers thousands of opportunities to find the perfect property around Orlando, Florida. With the customizable tools her IDX solution provides on the website of Larson, the online property search process has never been easier or more effective.

Miami, FL - September 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- CB Richard Ellis today announced that Mary Jo Eaton has been named Senior Managing Director and Market Leader for its business lines throughout the state of Florida. Ms. Eaton, is currently Managing Director of both the company’s Baltimore office and its Asset Services operations in the Washington-Baltimore region.

EUGENE, OR - September 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. is announcing today, the addition of Pete Riveiro to the growing number of real estate agents and brokers choosing to upgrade their professional websites with a customizable IDX solution. The IDX Broker software now enabled on the website of Riveiro extracts raw listing data directly from the Florida Keys MLS (FLKMLS) and displays these listings seamlessly on his search page. With the FLKMLS properties on his site, home seekers in the Florida Keys can scan thousands of listings without ever leaving the convenience of the website Riveiro hosts.

ORLANDO, FL - September 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 1 percent in August, with a total of 13,997 homes sold statewide compared to 13,908 homes sold in August 2009, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Statewide existing home sales in August increased 3 percent over statewide sales activity in July.Ten of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported higher existing home sales last month, while 13 MSAs posted increased existing condo sales. Florida’s median sales price for existing homes last month was $134,000; a year ago, it was $146,500 for a decrease of 9 percent. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less

Tampa, FL - September 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Each year in the United States, more than $35 billion in direct property loss is caused by natural disasters. Yet, while states and municipalities are seeking to adopt ordinances that require “green” or “sustainable” construction, they are overlooking disaster-resistance construction.

TAVARES, FL - September 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The deadline of Sept. 30 is fast approaching for Lake County homeowners and small business owners to submit applications for the County’s energy efficiency retrofit pilot program.

ORLANDO, FL - September 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida CFO Alex Sink’s Department of Financial Services will offer a Florida Housing Help workshop tomorrow in Orlando. Struggling homeowners will be able talk to lenders and certified HUD counselors about foreclosure issues and options. Representatives of various banks including SunTrust, Chase, Bank of America, Fifth Third, Freddie Mac, HSBC, Wachovia/Wells Fargo will be available, along with counselors from In Charge, HANDS, Consumer Credit Counseling Services, the Internal Revenue Service and Community Legal Services.

ORLANDO, FL - September 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida Realtor, the Business Magazine of Florida Real Estate and monthly trade publication of Florida Realtors®, recently won five awards in the 2010 Florida Magazine Association’s (FMA) Charlie Awards competition.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - September 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida CFO Alex Sink today announced the arrest of Aylin Hernandez, 23, of Miami, for fraudulently diverting mail and stealing payments intended for Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Hernandez was arrested this morning and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County on charges of organized fraud and grand theft. The arrest results from an investigation by CFO Sink’s Division of Insurance Fraud, with assistance by Citizens Property Insurance Corporations’ Special Investigations Unit, and if convicted, she faces up to 45 years behind bars

Tampa, FL - September 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Because September is National Preparedness Month (NPM), the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is offering simple, inexpensive ways home and business owners can prepare their property to better withstand many different kinds of natural disasters

TALLAHASSEE, FL - September 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida CFO Alex Sink announced today the culmination of an extensive insurance fraud investigation with the arrest of Luis M. Espinosa, 60, and Rene M. Cambert, 55, on eight first degree felony counts each for filing false or misleading financial statements for First Commercial Insurance Company (FCIC) and its affiliated company, First Commercial Transportation and Property Insurance Company (FCTPIC) with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR). Espinosa was the president and CEO and Cambert was the vice president and chief operating officer of FCIC/ FCTPIC at the time the companies were ordered into receivership for liquidation in 2009. Each felony count carries a potential 30-year sentence.

Tampa, FL - September 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The uptick in the number of hurricanes is a harsh reminder of the importance of having a business continuity plan, according to the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

ORLANDO, FL - September 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida Realtors® has named Connie Johnson, a member of the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors®, as its 2010 Humanitarian of the Year. The award was presented during the state association’s recent 94th annual Convention & Trade Expo at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla

ORLANDO, FL - September 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Oakland Park, a traditional neighborhood development between the historic towns of Oakland and Winter Garden in Central Florida, has won the 23rd Residential Environmental Award from Florida Realtors®. The award, popularly known as the ENVY, was presented at the state association’s recent 94th annual Convention and Trade Expo at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla

Tampa, FL - September 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) urges residents and businesses along the U.S. coastline from North Carolina to Maine to take steps now to minimize potential wind and water damage from Hurricane Earl.

TAVARES, FL - September 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, Lake County is conducting a pilot program by selecting one home and one small commercial building to receive free energy efficiency retrofits (up to a $3,000 value) to show how small investments in energy efficiency reduce energy costs.