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November 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, in a speech to the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers today, proposed Congress use money from so-called congressional earmarks to help reinstitute the homebuyers tax credit as a means of addressing the state and country’s sagging real estate markets. The program provided an $8,000 tax credit for qualified first-time homebuyers and a $6,500 tax credit for repeat buyers. In the first quarter of this year, the tax credit led to a six percent increase in all home sales and a forty-two percent increase in the sale of new homes. But the program expired earlier this year. Following are excerpts of his prepared remarks

ORLANDO, FL - August 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of existing condominiums in Florida rose 11 percent in July, with a total of 5,557 condos sold statewide compared to 4,991 units sold in July 2009, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.Eleven of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported higher existing condo sales in July, according to Florida Realtors. The statewide existing condo median sales price last month was $87,200; in July 2009 it was $108,500 for a 20 percent decrease. The national median existing condo price was $181,300 in June, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR

ORLANDO, FL - April 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The countdown has begun: Only a month remains before the federal homebuyer tax credit expires, so now is the time for house hunters to find the home they’ve always wanted in Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - January 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida CFO Alex Sink is urging Florida taxpayers to find out if they may be one of the estimated 10,000 Floridians who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal tax credit for low-income working individuals and families, on Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day 2010. Eligible Floridians are due back an estimated $15 billion, on top of what they already may be claiming on their taxes, if they all claimed the EITC.

ORLANDO, FL - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Potential homebuyers have even more incentive to purchase a Florida home, according to Florida Realtors, thanks to the extension and expansion of the federal $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Congressman Kendrick B. Meek today voted in favor of H.R. 3548, the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 to extend critical unemployment benefits for unemployed workers, expand and improve the homebuyer tax credit, and provide tax relief for military families and businesses. The legislation passed by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 402-12.

WASHINGTON, DC - October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14) praised unanimous passage of legislation in the House of Representatives today that will extend the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit for one year for qualifying U.S. servicemen and women.

Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program Runs Through Nov. 30. ORLANDO, FL - July 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Like thousands of first-time homebuyers around the state, Aaron Thorp is planning to take advantage of a new Florida economic stimulus initiative. Under the Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program, eligible buyers can receive up to $8,000 in immediate assistance for a downpayment or closing costs, rather than wait to receive their federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers.

ORLANDO, FL - April 07, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Finding a way to turn a new $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers into money that they can use right away for a downpayment would spark the recovery of Florida’s housing market and boost the state’s economy, says Cynthia Shelton, 2009 president of the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR).

March 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Energy Star has published comprehensive information on how the housing industry and consumers can take advantage of the federal tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements in the new economic stimulus package.

ORLANDO, Fla. - March 03, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — An $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers is a step in the right direction toward revitalizing Florida’s housing market and stimulating the state’s economy, says Cynthia Shelton, 2009 president of the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR).

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.