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ORLANDO, FL - July 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Across Florida, people are struggling to deal with some of the aftershocks caused by the current economy, including the alarming rise in foreclosed homes now devastating families and communities

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - July 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — “The availability and affordability of property insurance is, at its core, a consumer issue,” said 2009 Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) President Cynthia Shelton, testifying on the need for a national disaster insurance policy to the U.S. House Financial Services Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee during a hearing today in West Palm Beach. “The importance of available and affordable insurance to homeowners, commercial property owners, and those who would like to own their own home or place of business cannot be overstated.”

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.

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.

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.

TAMPA, FL - March 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Spring showers can bring more than May flowers. Seasonal changes in temperature and moisture levels could lead to costly leaks. According to the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), five areas of the home need a closer look this time of year, and if necessary, simple maintenance.

TAVARES, FL - March 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Lake County is welcoming a “Southern Fried Fiber” art exhibit to the Lake County Administration Building, located at 315 W. Main St. in Tavares, beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

WASHINGTON - March 05, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today introduced the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act, which protects the dispute resolution options for residents of nursing homes

February 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The new economic stimulus legislation signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17 contains several provisions that will be beneficial for members – and help stimulate demand for housing.

MONTVERDE - February 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Lake And Sumter Emergency Recovery (LASER) is asking the community to donate building materials to repair a manufactured home in the Montverde area that was damaged during the 2004 hurricanes but wasn’t repaired correctly.

January 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The January 21 Noon meeting of the CDBIA Green Building Council will feature Ed Binkley for a discussion about "Affordable Green."