Yearly Archives: 2016

Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Congressman David Jolly (FL-13) have introduced legislation to protect Florida homeowners from impending increases in flood insurance rates. The Flood Insurance Rate Increase Suspension Act (H.R. 4866), which was filed on March 24 by the bay area Republicans, would delay any increase in flood insurance premium rates for certain properties for 12 months.

Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) called on congressional appropriators to prioritize family homelessness and services for homeless individuals in Fiscal Year 2017. In submitting a formal letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Hastings and Johnson urged the committee to make it easier for local communities to prioritize their own needs in responding to homeless populations, and expand access to effective services for homeless individuals (Please find attached a copy of the letter.)

Miami residential properties registered $812.5 million in total sales in February as single-family homes and condominiums posted major price gains, according to a new report by the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) and Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system.

This week, U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18), a member of the Seniors Task Force, led two major efforts in the House to protect funding for critical seniors programs, including nutrition and community-based care programs, that help older Americans live active and independent lives. Joined by U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch (FL-21), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and David Loebsack (IA-02), Murphy led a letter with the support of over 40 House Democrats urging full funding of the congregate and home-delivered nutrition services provided by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) as authorized by the Older Americans Act.

Press availability with Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. The City of Tampa and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation will unveil a multi-purpose Youth Development Park to the Springhill Park Community Center in Sulphur Springs

Florida’s housing market reported increased new listings, rising median prices and fewer all-cash closed sales in February, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Closed sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 18,159 last month, remaining relatively the same (up 0.4 percent) as the February 2015 figure

The House of Representatives today passed the Senate companion of Congressman Alan Grayson’s (D-FL09) “Servicemember Foreclosure protections Extension Act of 2015,” which protects veterans from having their homes foreclosed on for one year after their return from active duty. This protection had elapsed at the end of 2015.

On Wednesday, March 23rd at 1:00 PM at the Development Services Center the City of Tampa will host a mandatory technical meeting for those interested in submitting a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Nehemiah Project is working to clear the Sulphur Springs neighborhood of blight and crime by creating safe and affordable living as well as transforming the neighborhood while keeping its diverse history in mind

Lake County Solid Waste 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.

Mayor Buckhorn will join Wesley Burdette, owner and developer of The Warehouse Lofts, and the community to cut the ribbon on the 54-unit loft-style apartment building

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today issued Geographic Targeting Orders (GTO) that will temporarily require certain U.S. title insurance companies to identify the natural persons behind companies used to pay “all cash” for high-end residential real estate in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, New York, and Miami-Dade County, Florida. FinCEN is concerned that all-cash purchases – i.e., those without bank financing – may be conducted by individuals attempting to hide their assets and identity by purchasing residential properties through limited liability companies or other opaque structures.

The 2016 Florida Fair Housing Summit: A Call to Advance Housing Rights and Opportunities registration is now open! The one-day event will be held Thursday, April 28, 2016, in Orlando, Florida at the Rosen Centre Hotel. You don’t want to miss this exciting opportunity to learn about the latest housing trends!

Congressman John Mica hosted a ceremony here March 9, transferring the vacant 120-bed former VA community living center at the Lake Baldwin VA medical complex from the federal government to the State of Florida. The building, dedicated in 1999, was converted to clinical and office use approximately two years ago, when a newer VA community living center was opened at the VA’s new Lake Nona campus.

Colombia leads all global consumers searching online for South Florida real estate, according to new statistics from the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI). Colombia finished as the top international country using MIAMI’s search portal, www.Miamire.com, in January 2016

The MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) will promote South Florida real estate at the world’s largest property show in France. In partnership with the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), MIAMI leaders and members will market South Florida in an expanded U.S. pavilion at the annual MIPIM International Real Estate Show on March 15-18 in Cannes, France

Tampa residents and property owners are reminded to check their timer settings on irrigation system controllers this weekend when changing from Eastern Standard to Daylight Saving Time

“Having a working smoke alarm allows residents time to get out of a burning home, and cuts the chances of dying in a residential fire in half,” said Lake County Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Capt. Michael Vitta. “Most home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes without a proper smoke alarm, which is why it is so important to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home, and to make sure they are working at all times.”

Today, the House Financial Services Committee passed the Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act introduced by U.S. Representatives Dennis Ross (FL-15) and Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18), both members of the committee. This bipartisan bill would encourage the development of a robust private flood insurance market that will provide homeowners more coverage options and lower costs. Having been ordered out of the committee with broad bipartisan support, the bill now is in line for consideration by the full House of Representatives.