The Deadline for Filing for Homestead Exemption is March 1st!

What is Homestead Exemption?

In the State of Florida, homestead exemption is a property tax deduction. The Florida Constitution allows homeowners an exemption of $25,000 in the assessed value of a property. Also, an additional $25,000 exemption on Non-school taxes for valuations between $50,000 and $75,000. These exemptions are significant savings for homeowners.

Homeowners in Tallahassee, FL need to file for this exemption in the Leon County Property Appraiser’s office annex building which is in the Bank of America building, (3rd floor), behind the Leon County Courthouse. This can be done during the weekdays and in February from 10am – 2pm on Saturdays.

What to bring? You should bring the social security numbers for all applicants ( both husband and wife must apply), and two forms of proof of Florida residency, such as driver’s license, vehicle tag registration, or voter’s registration.

Once you obtain homestead exemption, you do not need to reapply. You will keep your exemption until you sell the property or move to another primary residence.

There are other exemptions such as for widows, widowers, and certain disability exemptions. See Eligibility Requirements to qualify for homestead exemptions.

Property assessments are derived from a formula based on income, sales value.and market value and are made on January 1. Annually, generally during the latter part of August, each property owner is mailed a Notice of Proposed Property Taxes indicating their value and proposed taxes. Taxpayers have 25 days to informally confer with property appraiser’s staff regarding this value. If there is a dispute that cannot be resolved, the taxpayer may file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board seeking relief. Forms are available in the property appraiser’s office or online.

If your property’s market value is greater than what you reasonably believe you can sell it for, then contact the Leon County Property Appraiser’s Office at 488-6102. Many properties are undergoing review due to market declines in the last few years. Each year values can change. The Property Appraiser’s valuations are audited each year by the Florida Department of Revenue.

If you have questions on property taxes, contact the Leon County Property Appraiser’s office.

Florida has a beautiful, preserved Capitol Building at the center of it’s newer House, Senate and Capitol Office complex. Thousands of people visit each year. School children, families and political history buffs will enjoy the tours of the Old Historic Florida Capitol and the newer  Capitol.

During legislative seasons in March and April, reservations for tours must be made in advance.

To Visit the Old Capitol, Check in at the First Floor Rotunda, fill out a short Vistor Evaluation Questionnaire. There is a video on 3 50″ TVs called Florida In the Balance, Tours of the House of Representative Chambers, and more! Plan your visit for your family, group or just by yourself It’s a beautifully preserved building with tons of history.

The newer Capitol, House and Senate Wings and the 22nd Floor ( top of the Capitol ) are great for tours as well. Check in near the Rear of the Capitol for tours and general information on the Capitol.  Prepare to wait and pass through scanners however, such is the protocol for any government building these days.

For guided Tours in Tallahassee walking or riding: http://www.toursintallahassee.com/

For more information on Tallahassee: http://www.visittallahassee.com/

Tallahassee Florida Capitol Parking Map

Real Estate values are available, but how do you find them?  That is the question everyone seems to be asking. I hear from folks all the time who say to me, “If you come across a great real estate deal in the Tallahassee area, the Quincy area, the Gulf Coast area, or a foreclosure, a fixer-upper, a bank-owned property, call me!”  I’d be happy to,…but there’s a catch. You need to hire our Tallahassee real estate team!

This is my full-time job. Looking for real estate deals, scouring property records, driving neighborhoods, meeting with home or property sellers, making contacts with people who need or want to sell their Tallahassee area real estate is my life, every day, nearly 90 hours every week. I have an organized real estate team that helps me coordinate real estate buyers. Their biggest job is determining who is a SERIOUS buyer and who likes to ride around in a car and sight-see. My team only work with serious buyers, who know how much they can spend, who have a

budget, who need a certain rate of return on their investment and who have time-lines for accomplishing their purchases.  The sooner we begin working together, the sooner you will poised to purchase. If you think that you will luck up on a bargain on your own, think again. You are very likely to get caught in legal quagmires that you can not understand or do not have time to deal with, or at the very least waste precious hours and hard-earned money by making mistakes that will  ultimately sour you on your real estate purchase. Don’t be one of those consumers.

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Examples of recent real estate nightmares:

1. Open Permits found by title company: Buyer’s will not close. Seller had no idea these were there, they were taken out by second previous owner. to bring them current, they must be inspected, fees paid and work must be done to today’s standards.

2. Roof is 20 years old. Buyer can not get insurance due to age of roof.

3. That cute 1940’s cottage has iron pipes and a “unique” glass fuse box. Insurance company will not write an insurance policy. The seller is 94, It’s all worked well for her all these years! The buyer can’t get a loan. The house will have to be completely updated and pass a full home inspection.

4. The condo’s that were just converted from apartments and now are beautiful, trendy, loft condos that all the first time buyers want. They are not FHA approved. No FHA loan possible.

5. A sink hole opened up on the back of the 40 acre tract that a beautiful new home was built on 3 years ago. The home is a good 600 ft from the sinkhole. Home is uninsurable.

6. Your home is about 100 yards from the new cell phone tower that runs beside the power line. I’ve great cell phone service, but I can’t get an FHA loan.

7. You put these beautiful “antique” heart pine floors in your home. Everyone loves them. You hate to be moving, but your home is for sale. You’re thrilled you got a buyer so quickly. Your home can’t get a clear WDO ~ because those beautiful characteristics of the occasional little pest holes created when the wood was aging on grannies farm are noted on the WDO as “evidence of previous WDO damage.” The buyers lender will not allow a closing without a clear WDO.

8. An appraiser from four counties away comes to appraise the home your are about to purchase. He appraises this property 60K less than your offer. The seller is challenging the appraisal (and they should most likely). Your deal is not going to close until there is resolution.

9. The home you want to purchase for that “good deal” is being represented by an individual with a power of attorney acquired from a distressed, ignorant seller who just wants the problem to “go away” and the listing Realtor did not disclose that the contract must be written to the individual with the power of attorney who has filed a lien on the property and who will be having a simultaneous closing. Your lender just learned about this and you can’t purchase because of loan standards of tile “seasoning” and conflicting chain of title issues.

THE POINT IS: I’m exposing just a few real life instances of the challenges Realtors face today. If you are buying or selling a property today, how in the world would you know anything about how to deal with these situations? It’s hard enough for Realtors to keep up with these issues! However, I’m sitting in yet another class with legal counsel, lenders, title agents and other Realtors learning how to problem solve these issues.

Do you have more nightmares to add to the list?

Patty Ketcham, Ketcham Realty Group is an instructor for Florida Realtors and the course she taught today, “A Roadmap To a Successful Closing” by Steven David, CRB, CRS, GRI, LCAM, MBA highlighted just a few of these challenges.

The US Department of Labor tells us The history of Labor Day in the United States dates back in September 5, 1882 in New York City in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. By 1884, the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday to celebrate Labor Day, as originally proposed by the union. Since then, the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a “workingmen’s holiday” on that date.

Before I was a contributing member of the “workforce” of America, it meant another day off school and time to spend at home with my family while the TV ran all day and night as we watched the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. In 1966, the first year of the telethon, he raised a little over $1,000,000. Last year, 2009, that number was over $60 million. That, my friends, represents a lot of work. 44 years of service, 44 years of year-round work.This week I’ll be 49. I can’t remember a Labor Day that I did not catch a glimpse of Jerry Lewis or that I didn’t find at least $20, whether I had it or not.

As I sit at home, with a laptop USB cord draped around my neck, waiting to download pictures from a new listing, I remember the tape measure that draped over my mother’s shoulders as she sewed many a cheerleading outfit, a Halloween costume or a new dress. I remember also, the yarns and crochet needles that my grandmother draped across her neck and lap while creating one of many afghans that she gave to each of us grandchildren. These women were not paid for their work, but today I celebrate those hours of work and while my grandmothers have passed, I’m wishing my mom and others like her, a day off ~ but then there’s the  Mother’s Day holiday. Oh well, there are never enough days to say thank you are there?

Since I’ve been in real estate, I don’t think I’ve taken a Labor Day weekend off either, come to think of it! This is always a time that people want to see homes, have traveled to Tallahassee to spend time with family and friends or simply had a few days off in a row to see the homes they wanted to see. Being a Realtor and being available to people  many times means sacrificing holidays and weekends and evenings. This afternoon, I will be working with a lady from Queens, NY and her family that live nearby in Quincy, FL, another area I service. I’m actually looking forward to it. If you’re going to work, love what you do, or find something else to do ~ advice from a friend many years ago. Cheers to all my Realtor friends, many of whom I already checked in with on Twitter this morning as then began their Labor Days as well.

So, It’s been a few weeks since I blogged, and today, my Labor day consists of catching up with the postings here and on the 365 Things To Do in and Around Tallahassee blog subject, featured here and as a page on Facebook. Later this afternoon, I have about 4 hours of showing properties and  helping a customer from Queens find her retirement home here in Tallahassee!

How do you spend your Labor Day holiday?

Check out Videos | Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, Inc.

Please vote NO on Amendment 4. This Amendment will destroy all housing economic recovery in the State of Florida. This should have NEVER gotten this far and will overturn our entire governmental process. Please take a moment to review this video.

Average List Price vs Average Sales Price in Tallahassee

Buyers often ask about making “low-ball” offers. “Everyone is doing it,” they say. Well,.. no they may be, but how many are actually accepted? While you may consider making a low ball offer, consider this: the seller may not be in a position to accept that kind of an offer, and now they are not happy with you (you can’t negotiate well with someone you just punched in the pocketbook!). Usually, your Realtor will give you good advice about this. REO and bank owned properties have already gone through appraisals, bottom line pricing in order to move, and a buyer may very well miss out on a bargain by trying to get an even lower offer on the table. Oftentimes, other offers come in, and you have lost your window of opportunity. SOLD!… to someone else.

When considering an offer, consider this: Do you love this home? Can you see your family living here and making this home your own for at least 5 – 7 years? Are you willing to make repairs, or do you need a home in move in ready condition? That is 3/4ths the battle, right there. The remainder is: Can I afford the offer I want to make and the price that I am willing to negotiate? Simple. Quit listening to the media, the tv, and make sure you are working with a professional Realtor to give you solid investment advice. Every area is different. Generalities about national home sales stats do not apply to local markets.

Here is an interesting chart that compares the average list price of Leon County detached single family homes that have sold versus the average sales price of these same homes that have sold.

In 2007, the average sales price was $257,510 which is 96.93% of the average list price, $265,668.
In 2008, the average sales price was $242,603 which is 95.57% of the average list price $253,843.
In 2009, the average sales price was $216,837 which is 95.57% of the average list price, $227,626.

These statistics demonstrate a couple of important points. One is that our area sellers and Realtors have done a good job setting prices that reflect market conditions.

The statistics also show that on average, sellers are getting roughly 95% of their asking price. This means sellers are not accepting those “low ball” offers we often hear about .

Remember, the tax credit is not likely to be renewed, at least that is the word from the National Association of Realtors who is lobbying for this. The government will not be buying notes anymore.. and the private sector will be making your loans. That means, interest rates are going to climb and you will not be getting that tax rebate folks. Be warned,.. if you are on the fence.. you have about 6 weeks to shop before the tax credit ends. April 30th, you have to be in contract, and closing before July 1. Don’t delay.

Out of my area? Call me for a referral today!

Debbie Kirkland, Realtor
Armor Realty of Tallahassee
850-212-0440

This home in Walden Place, a Gated community in Tallahassee, FL is at an unbelievable price! All brick on .75 acres.. Stunning interior with 12 ft. ceilings..really folks..it is a steal at this price. The View… magnificent and private. It is a find for the location and convenience!
Find details under “Featured Listings” at

http://www.HomeSalesofTallahassee.com

or
Call Debbie today to see this great home for yourself!

It’s a tradition in our family to take a night and make the Tallahassee Christmas Light tour. With the economy in shambles, I think most families look for events just like this to bring the joy of the holidays back. We are spending more time with family and friends.. a blessing in disguise  really!

This year we set out and I captured a few of my favorite shots and spots along the tour and around town.

I’d also be remiss if i did not point out some of the Christmas miracles that took place around Tallahassee as well.

Yes, Virginia, there are Christmas miracles as well, even here in Tallahassee, FL. On Christmas eve, a local family received a NEW Roof. This may not seem like a miracle to you.. but when battling cancer..a roof is the last thing on your mind, and finances are scarce.  Thank you Rowe Roofing! Hungry residents also received a blessing of a traditional Christmas dinner thanks to the Hope House dinner and Project Annie Christmas dinner. Christmas Connection, Salvation Army, all the small individual gifts to those in need. That is what makes Tallahassee a wonderful community. The best thing about Christmas by far is the spirit of giving that constantly brings this community together whenever there is a need.

Tallahassee is a beautiful place to live.. and to visit! Hope you all had a beautiful holiday and were able to get out to see some of the sights!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas everyone.

Dorothy B. Oven Park, Tallahassee, FL

Killearn Musical House

Huntington Woods Plantation home

Dorothy B Oven Park