BREAKING NEWS: Advanced Credit For First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit!!!

The Florida Association of Realtors rocks! Thanks for looking out for my clients' best interest!!!

2009 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - May 8, 2009 - Having approved a $66.5 billion state budget, the 2009 Florida Legislature adjourned minutes ago. For the Florida real estate industry, the budget includes several gems. Perhaps the shiniest: $30.1 million for downpayment assistance programs.

Beginning July 1, those who qualify for the federal first-time homebuyers tax credit will be able to apply for downpayment assistance in advance of closing, and then repay the amount borrowed when they get their tax refund.

"What an incredible opportunity for thousands of families," says Cynthia Shelton, 2009 FAR president. "The beauty of this program is that the state will be paid back and, conceivably, more potential homebuyers could take advantage prior to the Dec. 1 expiration of the $8,000 federal first time homebuyer tax credit."

The program will operate through local county housing administrators, though details are still being worked out. Keep reading FAR's EarlyBird e-news and checking the home page of floridarealtors.org for updates.

The state spending plan passed today also includes the following for real estate-related programs:

• Up to $400,000 to prevent, combat and publicize the dangers of unlicensed real estate activity in Florida.
• $540,000 to continue and complete a study to make recommendations on passive strategies on nitrogen reduction that complement the use of onsite wastewater treatment systems.
• $3 million in the Real Estate Trust Fund for the Education and Research Foundation.
• A reduction in the eviction filing fees from $265 to $180 - the only fee reduction in the 2009-10 budget and one with a negative fiscal impact of up to $36 million. Even though the session was extended to today for the purpose of budget negotiations, all non-budget legislation was finalized last Friday. Here are the highlights reported previously:
• SJR 532, a constitutional amendment that will ask voters to limit increases in property tax assessments on all non-homestead properties to 5 percent annually. First-time homebuyers could benefit, too, with an additional homestead exemption up to $100,000.
• HB 521, a bill that puts the burden of proving that a property tax assessment is correct on the appraiser, not the property owner.
• In the area of property insurance, the Legislature capped rate increases at 10 percent per year for Citizens policyholders (HB 1495). The Legislature also repealed the requirement that, effective Jan. 1, 2010, sellers of property located in a wind-borne debris region, and which has an insured value on the structure of $500,000 or more, provide prospective buyers the structure's windstorm mitigation rating.
• The growth management bill (SB 360) FAR supported passed as a big package. It includes a provision to encourage urban infill by eliminating transportation concurrency, one that allows for expedited comprehensive plan reviews, and another that eliminates the development of regional impact process (DRIs) in urban areas. The bill also extends previously obtained permits and approvals by two years, creates a transition process for moving towards a mobility fee system, and streamlines and reduces inefficiency in the state's approach to growth management.

For additional updates, please visit FAR's legislative Web site: http://www.floridarealtorslegislative.org
© 2009 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Bonus On A Bonus?

Just read the following and am excited to read more updates:

If a FAR-backed coalition that includes the Florida Home Builders Association, Florida Bankers Association and the Florida Credit Union League succeeds, state lawmakers will find a way to advance a new $8,000 federal tax credit to first-time homebuyers so they can use it to make downpayments.

Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-033109.cfm

Discounted Insulation Upgrade From FPL?

See if you qualify for a free FPL Home Energy Survey and if FPL thinks you need more insultion, you'll get a discount of 11 cents per square foot!

Check it out: http://www.fpl.com/residential/savings/energy_advisor/building_envelope/guide_insulating.shtml?WT.ac=HMRB03?WT.mc_id=NSL2172009EM01&wt.mc_ev=EmailClick&acctnum=1618029266.

If your home was built before 1982, chances are you need to upgrade your ceiling insulation. FPL has an incentive program to help you pay for it. Check out our insulation guide for more information.

Loan Modification Advice

How should a homeowner renegotiate a loan? Be honest, realistic, and patient, says a spokesperson for Federal Loan Modification Law Center who created 10 steps consumers should follow.

Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n4-021209.cfm

The Why Behind Property Tax Decreases

A pair of tax-relief measures passed in the last two years have helped reduce Floridians' property taxes - down 2.1 percent in 2007 and 3.8 percent in 2008 - after three decades of steady increases, according to reports presented to the Senate Finance and Tax Committee Tuesday.

Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-021109.cfm

10 Tips for Generating Buyer Interest

Distraught sellers who need to generate more interest in house that has been languishing on the market for months should consider 10 steps from MSNBC financial guru Laura T. Coffey.

1. Can the clutter. Pack up knickknacks, pictures, piles of paper and furniture that makes the place look crowded.


2. Let the light in. Take down any heavy drapes.


3. Scrub-a-dub-dub. Shampoo soiled carpets, Scrub the front door. Repaint scuffed walls. Tidy up the lawn and trim the shrubs.


4. Get moving on the "honey do" list. Fix everything that is in need of repair.


5. Enhance the view. Erect a fence or plant shrubbery to improve or obscure the view of unattractive nearby properties or streets.


6. Try weeknights. Holding an open house on Wednesday may attract a different crowd.


7. Ask for criticism. Consult with buyers’ agents for their feedback.


8. Send the owners away. Ask them to vacate when potential buyers come around so they can talk freely.


9. Rent to own. Give a potential buyer a little credit. Becoming a landlord may keep you from having to shoulder two mortgages.


10. Drop the asking price. And figure out the lowest amount you're willing or able to accept.

Source: MSN Money, Laura T. Coffey (01/06/2009)

NAR Lobbies For Housing Rescue Package

NAR unveiled a four-point legislative plan to reinvigorate the housing market, and is calling on Congress to act. Among other things, the plan would get rid of the pay-it-back requirement for the current $7,500 first-time homebuyer tax credit, and it would expand that tax credit to all buyers of primary homes.

Read the full story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-101608.cfm.

Our Libraries Rock!

Sarasota County residents are among the most active library users in the state, with 77 percent of them holding library cards.

That ranks first among mid-sized counties, according to the State Library and Archives of Florida.

Sarasota County ranks third in per-capita library visits, with more than 2.6 million visits annually.

Visit our libraries online: http://suncat.co.sarasota.fl.us/.

For full article: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080831/ARTICLE/808310343.

Source: SHT online 8-31-8

Get Your Allstate Discount

Allstate's agreed to give a 5.6% discount to its current clients in addition to paying a $5 million fine. Make sure your discount makes it to your bill....

For more details: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-081808.cfm.

Call To A Quick & Easy Action

Below is a letter from the Sarasota Network for Climate Action (www.sarasotaclimate.org). Please read and take action.

You may have heard that Florida Power and Light has stopped the Sunshine Energy Program (which was designed to promote green energy with the extra $9.75 per month charged to willing FPL customers) since it has been recently revealed that most of this money went to marketing and administrative costs. Read about it here: http://www.heraldtribune.com:80/article/20080730/ARTICLE/807300390.

FPL is in hot water. So this looks like a good time to urge them to help us heat our own water—with energy from the sun. They need to follow the lead of a number of other U.S. power companies (e.g., TECO, OUC, JVA, and Progress) by establishing a rebate program for solar hot water systems.

So write to FPL now. A pile of real, stamped, through-the-mail letters may convince them. You can say something like this:

Mr. Armando Olivera, President
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408

Dear Mr. Olivera:
With the PSC's decision to cancel the Sunshine Energy Program, FPL has the opportunity to show the PSC and its customers that it is serious about renewable energy. I urge you to consider a well funded rebate program for the highly efficient, highly cost effective technology of solar hot water heaters.

In the sunshine state, we should be leaders in solar hot water heaters. FPL's solar hot water heater program in the 1980s was incredibly successful. Now is the time to reestablish that program and demonstrate a true commitment to efficiency and renewable energy.

Governor Crist has asked for 20% of the state's energy to come from renewable sources like wind, solar, biomass and geothermal by 2020. FPL has gone on record with agreeing with the 20% target, but not till 2030. You can move that up to match the governor's target.

Together we can do it. Give consumers a chance with a workable program for solar hot water heaters.

Thank you,
xxxxxxxxxx

For more information on the Sarasota Network for Climate Action, visit www.sarasotaclimate.org. Join today! Our friend Lee Hayes Byron's the boss lady!

How To Fight The Tax Assessor

2008 Trim notices are mailed this month for both Sarasota and Manatee Counties. You have 25 days to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board. Try it! You could save some money....

Here's an article from the SHT about someone who did it and won: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080810/ARTICLE/808100304/2107&title=How_to_fight_the_tax_assessor.

Once the form is filed, you'll need to prepare info for your hearing date. PLEASE call or email me for help during this part of the process as I can collect verifiable data on values in your neighborhood to help prove why your home should be valued for less and save you money!

The New Affordable?

Home sales trends may be shifting into a reverse commute. High gas prices are reordering some buyers' definition of affordable housing: the shorter the commute, the more affordable the house.

Read the full story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-072108.cfm.

Free Inspections Still Available!

The My Safe Florida Home program apparently has about 10,000 free hurricane inspections left up for grabs.

For more details on this program, see my prior blog post: http://yourhometownconsultant.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-hurricane-home-inspection.html.

NEW! Green Home Insurance

Commercial buildings have green insurance, and now at least one company says it will start to offer green insurance for residential property starting this summer, though it may not be available in Florida until later in the year. Fireman's Fund Insurance Company will launch green insurance for homeowners starting this summer.

The insurance is for homeowners who currently own a green home, or for those who wish to upgrade to green standards should the home be completely destroyed. Homeowners whose residences are already green will be offered a five percent discount on this coverage, applied to the homeowner premium. With green coverage, homeowners will be able to rebuild and replace with green alternatives such as:

• Energy Star(R)-rated appliances, lighting, electronic equipment and roofing/insulation
• An Energy Star upgrade of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
• Forest Stewardship Council (www.fcsus.org) certified wood for millwork, ceilings, siding and framing, including bamboo flooring
• Non-toxic, low odor paints and carpeting
• Water-saving plumbing fixtures
• Elimination of ozone-depleting refrigerants and fire extinguishing agents, replaced with environmentally friendly alternatives
• Debris removed after damage to a home will be recycled and diverted from landfill

© 2008 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Free Hurricane Home Inspection

Everyone wants to save money, right? So hurry up and schedule your free wind inspection through the My Safe Florida Home Program before it's too late! The program is so popular there's only 35,000 free inspections left....

Once you get the results, all you have to do is either 1) submit your report to your insurance company or 2) implement the safety suggestions found in the report, have these changes reviewed and then submit your report to your insurance company.

To learn more or schedule an inspection, visit www.MySafeFloridaHome.com or call (866) 513-6734.

For more ways to save money on your home insurance, send me an email at Christina@YourHometownConsultant.com. I have clients paying only $1000 or less a month--seriously.

Sarasota County Tax Appraiser?

Friday I attended the Sarasota Association of Realtors Quarterly Luncheon which presented a forum for both county tax appraisers to debate their qualifications and ability to affect a positive change for Sarasota County. Other county candidates (for school board, commissioner etc) were also invited to “meet and greet” the Realtors in attendance. I’m glad I came, but not only because the food and company was fabulous, because I was glad to be introduced to and learn more about so many folks who make or will make importance decisions on behalf our county and folks.

My main motivation for attending, however, was to find out what sort of freewill is allowed in the role of county tax appraiser otherwise I didn’t really understand how a change in person will make a difference in our purses and wallets. Before the luncheon, I assumed it was a position of management, accounting and networking, with the latter being the only viable way to impact change by involvement with state politics. Indeed, my assumption was partially correct except for the candidates interpret the impact of state laws and regulations for our county. Jim Todora claims these to be the law of the land to be adhered without exception and is very knowledgeable as to their specifications and even exact language, some of which he drafted. Bill Furst claims there is room for interpretation and it is the role of the tax appraiser to infer from these “guidelines” for the greatest benefit of the county and folks represented; and deal with any ramifications later. I honor and respect both approaches and generally meander through life with a bit of both, but as far as for this position I suppose I need to do a bit more research.

Which candidate will I support? Both are incredibly qualified though in different respects. Furst, a former Realtor and broker manager, has experience with the many varied aspects of real estate and Todora obviously has been our tax appraiser for the past twelve years. To learn more about each candidate, visit their websites: www.jimtodora.com and www.furstforfairness.com.

To learn more about exemptions for your property, the appraisal process and the recorded details of your home or commercial property, visit the Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s official website: www.sarasotaproperty.net.

Save Money & Energy

Florida Power and Light now offers Sarasota residents two easy ways to save both money and energy. In addition to their Budget Billing Program (www.fpl.com/resbb) which evens out the amount of your monthly bills by averaging your annual usage and billing based on this amount each month, FPL has introduced the On Call Program. By enrolling for this program, you agree to let FPL "cycle off equipment you select for brief periods of time" during times of heavy usage, which offers an annual savings of about $100. To learn more or enroll, visit www.fpl.com/oncall.

For more ways to save money and energy, check out the info available at www.fpl.com. Every little bit helps your pocket and the world.

7th Best State To Do Business Too

Florida is one of the best places to do business, ranking seventh in the 2007 listing of business-friendly states by Forbes.com. Criteria considered included job and income growth, living costs, and educational achievement, as well as projections of job, income, and gross state product growth.

Full story:http://click.email.floridarealtors.org/?ju=fe5b11747c67017e7412&ls=fe3211727667077e711171&m=feff1070756103&l=fecc177274660379&s=fe5f1d777365047c7215&jb=ffcf14&t=