Market Report for Tallahassee, FL Real Estate Sales

Tallahassee Real Estate Sales for the year 2011 were down, however the GOOD NEWS is that September Sales were UP 8%. Personally, this was the most productive year in the past three years. Marketing efforts both of listings and my efforts to acquire Tallahassee home buyers are paying off. Our real estate sales team and concierge staff has grown to three Realtors and an assistant to help our customers experience seamless real estate transactions. Meet the Tallahassee Real Estate Sales Team. Search for Tallahassee area homes for sale. Let us know how we can help you purchase or sell your Tallahassee area home.

What do your neighborhood sales look like? Ask us for a neighborhood sales report. Looking for homes for sale in a particular Tallahassee neighborhood, Check AREA INFO neighborhoods we have identified, or structure your own neighborhood, zip code or city search in our Property Organizer. Have new listing alerts sent to you immediately!

Compiled via Tallahassee Board of Realtors MLS (Multiple Listing Service) data as of October 26, 2011.

I wonder how many people in general look at their relationships with others and say, “Gee, I wish I had done this, or said that, or taken a little more time with so-and-so.” I’m really grateful for the many sides of people in my life and that I am getting to see and know all of them. There seems to be one common thread among the ones I admire and call friends, and that is the fundamental desire to push outside every box we seem to have been placed in.

REAL ESTATE BARCAMP ORLANDO 2011

It’s been a week since REBarCamp Orlando, and after arriving home, with two stranded Massachusetts folks, Speaker Leslie Lambert and Moriss Partee,stranded from hurricane Irene,  I am finally getting unpacked and re-organized.

Planning this year’s event quickly became a BIG job when the numbers of attendees rose over 300, then 400, 500 and finally 640.  While I didn’t expect all of them to show, we did calculate that we had over 533 in attendance, a pretty great turnout for events like this. The biggest fear for me was keeping it REAL, and keeping the integrity of a true BarCamp style event intact.

We had a few folks outside their little RE BarCamp shells,..they wanted to get up on the board, get in front of an audience, just could not wait to “present.” So, we decided to mix it up, again , keep it as organic as possible. A large white board held pink stickies with attendees “Need to know” subject matters, and white session facilitators “Will help you know” topics.  I’m not sure it worked exactly like that, but it kept the board from filling with session hogs and gave more people a chance to collaborate and to really think about what the needs of the attendees may be.

There were some bumps with vendors and product pimpers, but that won’t happen again so easily,.. you just live and learn as they say! As in any BarCamp, the organizers got great ideas as well as to how to keep that from being an issue in future events.

The highlights for me were somewhat different than for others, for first-timers etc.  This is my third REBarCamp,.. but many of the attendees who were also speakers at the Florida Realtors Conference were actually friends of mine. Yes, friends that I met online during my initial dive into social media. Others were online only acquaintances until REBarCamp Orlando where we had our first “in real life” meetings. 

In any other circumstance, that might be a little weird for some who are not as social, but I have a gift.. it’s that I am from the South. I swear I inherited some ability of intuition about people and when you add the most beautiful part of social media to that, (how social media enables you to learn about people on a deeper level than casual friendships), it just makes for the perfect opportunity for REAL friendships and networks that extend way beyond our business lives. Meeting Diane Guercio and Amy Cesario for the first time after nearly three years of online friendships was like running up to hug a sister you had known all your life, but never laid eyes on. It was wonderful, happy, and yes, brought a little tears, but it was not strange or forced because through social media, I knew them before they ever arrived. Wouldn’t you like to know your customers like this before you ever try to help them? Can you see my point?

All the above may seem a little gushy so for your non-gushers here is also the reality – Social Media and Networking events like REBarCamps give you much more than any other conferences you can attend. Hands down. You want to know how something really works, if it works, you need to get to a RE BarCamp.

So, here are questions that people ask us social media event gushers about all the time:

1. What”return on investment” do you get? 
2. How do you make money with social media?
3. Do you use it for business only or personal use?
4. What do you get out of planning a Real Estate BarCamp?

Simple answers:

1. Business relationships build referral bases, provide you with education from the school of hard-knocks, provide you with money-saving and making tips that you can’t get from a book, and those you can get from a book – or online.  The adopters of social media, who “get it,” will share their knowledge,.. and expect you to do the same. I’m constantly working it, but Social media increased my business by 65% this year. That’s no peanuts!
2. Applying what I just said in #1. You build the relationships, it will come. I have had 6 incoming referrals from others I met at REBarCamp 2010! I’ve made five  direct referrals to my friends of social media. I’ve increased my business by 65% in one year from direct social media marketing efforts, and my sellers are thrilled to see their home being exposed in so many venues. I have acquired buyers directly from social media efforts..and it’s not slowing down.
3. My business is me. “Me” is who I am on a business page as much as a personal page, just in a dress (sort of), and with a certificate that says, “I know a little something about,….and I can help you, and yes, it’s my job, and I hope to get paid for it sooner or later.” People know I’m a Realtor on my profiles, for sure.
4. I get a lot of satisfaction, seeing agents get excited about their businesses again – it’s a synergy that I can’t explain adequately in words, but it’s inspirational. I also have a network of industry leaders, Realtors, vendors, association executives that I would never have met , that I am closely associated with that have given me much more than I have given in return! Plus, I believe in “Pay It Forward.”

This year, I thank my early influencers once again for all that I learn from them.. both on and off the Real Estate Island. MikeMueller of AreWeConnected.com, Diane Guercio – Realtor, Towne and Country Real Estate, Mass., Lesley Lambert, Realtor, Western Mass; Bobby Carroll, Dakno Marketing, N. Carolina; Amy Cesario, Realtor, Denver, CO; Jeremy Blanton, 210 Consulting, Myrtle Beach; and my Ra-Ra sisters (a Mastermind group formed after REBCORL 2010), Chris Griffith, Bonita Springs; Cyndee Haydon, Clearwater and Janie Coffey, Miami and mentors Bill Lublin, Amy Chorew, all of whom were at Real Estate BarCamp Orlando among many others who helped make this one a memorable event. These are some REAL people, and REALLY smart people of REBarCamp Orlando 2011. When’s our next event?

Today’s the first day in about 6 weeks that I have not held an open house in Tallahassee. Partly it’s because I’m procrastinating and need to work on my taxes before the drop-deal deadline tomorrow, and partly because I needed a break. As I am preparing for next weekend’s open houses, I had a few thoughts to share on them. Preparing for open houses is time consuming and expensive. With the internet, the success of live bodies in open houses is not what it used to be.

How does your Realtor prepare for an open house? 

Realtors have had to get very creative in promoting open houses. Traditional means of signs and flyers are just not enough in today’s world. Postcards and print advertising are expensive and less productive than ever. Realtors have largely turned to the  Internet to reach more people and to exposure your listing to many more people than ever before. Conversations generated around social media postings, special events are proving to bring buyers to homes and to cause people to inquire about homes than ever before. Because people do search for homes on the Internet, why not offer them every opportunity to find out about your open house on the Internet as well. Advance notice of live virtual tours during open houses are helpful. Signs are also certainly helpful, and placing them out a few days in advance to generate local passer-bys. (IF your community allows that!) (more…)

Meeting and networking with Chris Brown, Orlando Mortgage Broker at Certified Mortgage Planners has been one of the most valuable connections I have made in social networking. Sharing knowledge, especially knowledge born from experience and delivered from real-life and in real-time is helpful to me in working with buyers and sellers in my real estate business.

Chris is a leader in the mortgage industry and in dealing with customers who are purchasing a home, recognizing that this is one of the most valuable investments with the greatest long-term yields that we have. Below are a few of what I consider to be the most helpful consumer and home-buyer information sources written by Chris Brown.

Avoiding Common Mortgage Scams

http://www.mortgagechiliblog.com/avoid-mortgage-scams/

See How Credit Missteps Affect Your Credit Score

http://www.mortgagechiliblog.com/fico-credit-missteps/

As Buyer Foot Traffic Increases, So Does Homebuilder Confidence

http://www.mortgagechiliblog.com/housing-market-index-october-2010/

For Mortgage consulting or information please contact Chris Brown, Orlando Mortgage Pro for home mortgage or real estate investment lending questions.

Connect with Chris Brown:

1 407.367.2974

1331 S International Pkwy

http://www.Facebook.com/RealEstateFreeHelp
http://www.FreeScenarioReview.com

http://www.MortgageChiliBlog.com

http://www.CMPFL.com

The City of Tallahassee owns it’s utility company, currently an adversarial and contentious point of discussion. It’s an item that is coming up again and again, among many other items in the political candidate interviews and forums leading to the August 2010 primary

The high cost of  in Tallahassee has certainly affected the ability for buyers to purchase homes. High utility rates in Tallahassee must be considered when purchasing homes. Working within a buyers budget and making sure home-buyers know the utility history of a property should be part of the research done prior to making an offer. It is part of the due diligence that Realtors incorporate into their responsibilities to their customers. For now, the City of Tallahassee has offered rebates for energy efficient home improvements. If you have an old appliance, check with the City and see if you qualify for a rebate before you make a purchase!  If you are doing home improvements, call me for a list of licensed contractors who can help you make improvements that are legal, permitted and in proper compliance with local building codes and neighborhood restrictions.

Tallahassee offers huge rebates for heat pump water heaters

Aug 5, 2010 3:11 PM, BY ROBERT P. MADER Of CONTRACTOR’s staff

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — Imagine being able to offer customers a heat pump water heater for little more than the price of your labor. That’s what contractors here are doing since the city-owned utility doubled its energy efficiency rebates through Sept. 30, 2010. The City of Tallahassee Utilities is offering a $1,200 rebate until the end of September to consumers who replace a standard electric water heater with a heat pump water heater. The units must be Energy Star rated, so water heaters such as Rheem’s HP-50 and HP-40 and GE’s GeoSpring water heater will comply. Moreover, the water heaters qualify for a federal energy tax credit of up to $480, so the equipment itself is essentially free to the homeowner.

Rheem is heavily promoting the incentives to its dealers. With an estimated retail price of $1,599 for its heat pump water heater, the combination of Tallahassee utility incentives and the federal tax credits, which run through Dec. 31, means the homeowner will make $81 on the equipment.

Laura Butler, Rheem Water Heating marketing communications manager, pointed out that the estimated labor costs of approximately $300-$700 also qualify for a federal energy rebate, bringing the installed cost down to about $490. Moreover, because the equipment is more efficient, the heat pump water heater will have an operating cost of approximately $270 a year, $317 a year less than a standard electric water heater. The heat pump water heater also carries a 10-year warranty.

“This is a great opportunity for Tallahassee homeowners to lower their water heating bills while installing an Energy Star-certified hybrid water heater at an exceptionally affordable price through the various federal and local incentives — but without making any sacrifices in comfort and convenience for their families,” said Peter Reynolds, Rheem Water Heating general manager.

To see the entire article

One of the best attributes of the network of people in real estate is that they are loyal. Loyal to their customers, loyal to the industry and loyal to those  with whom that they do business. One of the ways I accomplish this is by networking with other Realtors who refer business to me and conversely, allowing me to get to know who I would make outgoing real estate referrals to as well. Face to face connections, social media connections and industry leadership participation are just a few ways to accomplish a viable, reliable real estate referral network.
I am constantly reviewing and altering my business model. Picking up creative methods of marketing, utilizing the latest in technology and social media venues keeps me on my toes and reaching the customers I need to be successful and to sell properties for my customers.  Did you know Realtors have an Ethical responsibility to constantly educate themselves? Yes, it is specifically stated in The National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics!

I’ve been fortunate enough to organize a Real Estate BarCamp in Orlando the day before the Florida Realtors Conference along with a leadership team at Florida Realtors. This is a really important, FREE event for Florida Real estate agents and brokers, staff, etc.  It is a chance for them to ask the questions and get the REAL answers from others in the industry or in businesses that support the industry and who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear over 30 sessions over 30 subject matters!.. maybe more!

Lesley Lambert, a Massachusetts Broker said,  as with all un-conference camps, “The law of two feet” applies.  If  you don’t like the session you are in, simply walk down the hall to  another one that suits you better! I have learned more at BarCamps and PodCamps than I could have learned in a year of college courses.”  I feel the same way. There is a lot of information to process and much to learn, and venues such as Real Estae BarCamp is just one of them. Keeping current, utilizing tools that help me connect to customers is as rewarding as it is a necessity. Sellers demand more exposure for their listings, buyers are searching more using tools that we did not have available several years ago. My job as a Realtor is to give buyers those resources and my reward is selling them their next home or investment property.

Susie Blackmon, Chris Griffiths Bonita Springs, FL  and Debbie Kirkland, Tallahassee, FL had this to say about REBarCamps and what they garnished from their involvement over the years.

Ask me about my marketing plan for sellers. Ask me how I use technology to sell homes and to reach buyers of all ages. I will be happy to share it with you. Connect with me via the social media icons to the right!

In the past few years, I have been working with many folks who are unable to purchase for one reason or another. Most times, it is lack of ability to get financed due to the increasingly strict guidelines for loan approval that are often problems that just need time to remedy. Self-employed persons are prime examples of these buyers who are closely scrutinized for many reasons including lack of years in business, changing fields or simply moving to a new town, etc. Often these people have excellent credit but simply do not meet lender guidelines.

Other instances include those buyers who have a home to sell somewhere else before they can qualify for their mortgage. We are seeing this more and more as the supply of homes and the economic downturn has caused some markets to be over-capacity. We’ve certainly experienced that in Tallahassee as well as heard of it in other parts of the country. These buyers often have equity in their other homes, and they often have cash reserves but are unable to use that equity to qualify for a mortgage on a second home. They have great credit, but their debt-to-income ratios may be too high for a lender.

In both of these circumstances, time is often all that is needed. These circumstances are when a lease-purchase may work for both buyer and seller. Sellers who are ready to sell, who may own their home, or who can afford to wait to receive the proceeds from a sale may be able to make this type of purchase work.

There are risks associated with lease-purchase contracts and there are benefits. Some of the things a seller must do to reduce his/her risk are:

• Use a Qualified, Licensed Realtor who works with a Real Estate Attorney. Every transaction should be carefully reviewed, often Lease Purchase Agreements are drawn up by attorneys. Review all terms very carefully. Sellers should completely understand all the remedies for default and many other items including modifications to the home, insurance terms,
• Qualify your Buyer: Get a full loan application, obtain a full credit report with credit score for all buyers (all parties, separately). Use a standard Fannie Mae Universal Residential Loan Application Form 1003
• Negotiate a Sales Price and Lease Terms. Make sure you are getting fair market value for your home, and that you will be able to cover your current mortgage if you have one. Terms of the lease should always be more than your monthly payment and cover any carrying costs as well. Buyers need to have some skin in the game to prevent default.
• Set realistic terms and timeline for a specific time of purchase that meet buyer and seller’s needs. A “balloon” date is when the lease ends and the remainder of the loan terms must be satisfied. Buyers should begin preparing for this date well in advance in order to have their loan before this date arrives.
• Acquire a sufficient non-refundable deposit. Remember, these buyers most likely have money to purchase, that’s not the problem, it is the employment or history that is their stumbling block. Buyers who don’t have money now, will most likely not have it when their time for purchase arrives. Buyers must have something at stake that makes them stick with this purchase agreement.

Marketing your home as a possible Lease-Purchase eligible property may well find you the perfect buyer for your home. It certainly will open your marketing window to more potential buyers who are struggling with today’s lending guidelines. I have some of these buyers, and I have some sellers who can afford to work with lease-purchase agreements, and I am sure other Tallahassee Realtors do as well. Putting them together is the best part of what we do. Realtors are getting creative, to sell homes that might not otherwise sell. Think Creative!

If you are a seller or buyer with a special need, or a creative financing idea, please feel free to share it here or to contact Debbie.

This home for sale in Tallahassee has great Lease-Purchase potential.

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2127 Glennridge Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32308

A beautiful Home Close-In yet private, park-like setting in northeast Tallahassee, FL!
Help me find a buyer! Perfect for downsizing, starting out, professionals, small family. Open Floor Plan, Large Bedrooms and tons of closet and storage space. Brick and Vertical High-Grade Seamless Vinyl. Fenced Yard is like a garden oasis! Watch the birds.. Feel the cool breezes from the deck or the covered porch.
Just off Mahan Drive between Hi-Lo and TyTy. One block from Governor’s Park.. a beautiful place to hike, picnic or walk!
OFFERED AT JUST $240,000 ………..
Realtors work with ALL offers!

SEE MORE OF THIS LISTING FROM YOUR SMARTPHONE: TEXT “6993″ TO “79564″
CONTACT AGENT FOR SHOWINGS

New Listings,.. Old Listings,… Tired Listings,… Spring Listings…You can see many of them this weekend!

Don’t miss the Florida Open house weekend,

April 10th and 11th, 2010.

Where are they? – Search Here!

It’s a great time to buy Florida Real Estate. Over the past few months, sales across the State have increased 21%. That is really good news. For the first time in years, I am seeing competing contracts,.. short sales – not the bring $$ to closing ones, but the “not long on the market ones!”

Pricing is stabilizing, and demand has shown that buyers are willing to pay for homes priced well. The bargains are out there, homes are in great condition, and competition has narrowed the gap between attentive buyer and serious sellers.

Don’t miss the April 30th “contract deadline”  to get your pick of homes negotiated and on it’s way to close before July 1, 2010! Call me if you need help!

Welcome Home!

Great American Realtor Days in Tallahassee

Realtors strive to protect the rights of home-ownership, to guard against fraudulent activities by those posing to be professionals in our industry, but who are only after personal gain. Here are a few of the items we will be asking legislators to consider over the next two days.

Appraisal Management Companies
The rise of AMCs—which are unregulated under Florida law—is jeopardizing the basis for real estate transfers by undermining the credibility and accuracy of appraisals.
Appraisal management companies (AMCs) are business entities that administer networks of independent contractor appraisers to fulfill real estate appraisal assignments on behalf of clients, primarily lenders.
The advent of the appraisal management industry is the result of the outsourcing of
appraisal functions by lenders. The industry has seen tremendous growth in the last several years, particularly as a result of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC), which went into effect last year.
HB 303 by Rep. Matt Hudson (R-Naples), SB 1552 (Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey) and SB 2210 (Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs) would require AMCs operating in Florida to register with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). In addition to providing some transparency into the operations of AMCs, the bill also intends to prevent mortgage fraud by prohibiting AMCs from taking
any action that is intended to inappropriately influence the independent judgment of an appraiser in developing and reporting a real estate value.
Both buyers and sellers rely on an accurate valuation to set the appropriate selling price for a property. And lenders need accurate valuations to set the right conditions — loanto- value ratio, downpayment amount, interest rate — for loans.
Registering AMCs is necessary to restore consumer confidence in real estate lending practices and create a stable real estate market.
Florida Realtors® requests that you require AMCs operating in Florida to register with the DBPR by supporting HB 303/SB 1552 & SB 2210.

Housing & The Economy
In the next three weeks, you will be making important decisions impacting Florida’s economic future. Please give careful consideration to the following measures advanced by Florida Realtors® to expand housing opportunities, reduce inventory levels and provide jobs to thousands of Floridians.
1. This is the year to “Scrap the Cap”
In 1992, the Florida Legislature adopted an extraordinary piece of legislation supported
by Florida Realtors® and other housing advocates: The William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act. Realtors® agreed to increase doc stamp taxes by 10 cents per $100 of value to create a dedicated source of revenue for state and local housing programs. Since its
inception, the Sadowski Trust Fund has enabled nearly 200,000 families to realize the American Dream of homeownership.
At the height of the real estate boom, the Legislature imposed a $243 million cap on the amount that flows into the housing trust funds. Since then, $531.9 million has been swept from the funds for state expenses other than housing. Sadly, that $531.9 million would
have generated $2.257 billion in housing, $4.074 billion in economic activity and 40,956 jobs.
It’s time to restore the housing trust funds to their original and intended purpose. Doing so will not only make a significant difference in our economy, but also in Florida’s communities. For every $1 million in state funding, $7.66 million in economic activity is generated.
Vote YES for SB 262 by Sen. Mike Bennett (R-Bradenton) and HB 665 by Rep. Gary Aubuchon (R-Cape Coral) to “Scrap the Cap.”
2. Housing funds create jobs and economic prosperity
State economists estimate doc stamp taxes will provide nearly $200 million in FY 2010-11 for the Sadowski Trust Fund. Florida Realtors® applauds legislators for appropriating $37.5 million for downpayment assistance programs. Most Americans still consider having enough money for downpayment and closing costs to be the biggest obstacles to buying a home.
The remaining $162 million in the trust funds would provide more downpayment assistance and jobs. In today’s market, additional money is needed to rehab the 54,000-plus Florida properties in foreclosure. If Sadowski funds were spent to rehab single-family
homes and condos in foreclosure, it would put 12,000 Floridians back to work. With the state unemployment level at 12.2 percent, allocating funds to rehab existing inventory and create jobs is a smart investment.
3. Support the “Distressed Condo Relief Act”
Reducing condo inventory throughout the state is key to strengthening the real estate market. Florida Realtors® asks you to support HB 561 (Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Ft. Lauderdale), HB 327 (Rep. Julio Robaina, R-Miami) and SB 840 (Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood), which protect bulk buyers from warranty obligations and liabilities assigned to developers.

Property Insurance
A disclosure intended to inform prospective buyers of a home’s ability to withstand hurricane-force winds may actually mislead them.
Florida Realtors® asks that legislators prevent the spread of misinformation by repealing the windstorm mitigation rating disclosure (s.689.262, FS), set to take effect Jan. 1, 2011.
The disclosure is one of the last remnants of the My Safe Florida Home program, which expired in 2009. Effective next Jan. 1, 2011, sellers of homes located in the wind-borne debris region must provide buyers with a hurricane resistance rating, which is established by windstorm inspectors. When the My Safe Florida Home program was funded, these
inspectors were certified by the state. Now they aren’t.
There’s also substantial evidence that the inspection and reporting process is rife with fraud. It’s estimated that up to 50 percent of the mitigation premium discounts that Citizen’s Property Insurance Corporation offers — amounting to $390 million — may be
false. Consequently, Florida’s taxpayers will be left paying the bill, in the form of assessments, if a hurricane strikes.
There are other reasons to repeal the windstorm mitigation rating disclosure:
• It will confuse the public. Two identical homes located in different areas of the state will receive a different rating.
• Three different improvement plans are included in the disclosure, along with the cost of each plan, each averaging thousands of dollars. Buyers will use the plans to renegotiate the price, but will fail to harden the home.
• The decision to harden one’s home and seek insurance premium discounts is ultimately a matter between a homeowner and his or her insurer. The cost and benefits are different for each structure and each owner. The disclosure required in s.689.262, FS, however, will add the entire cost to each real estate transaction, without the benefit of a hardened home.
Florida Realtors® favors hardening homes. But the state’s current laws and policies regarding mitigation inspection, reporting, credits and discounts are broken. We remain committed to helping the Legislature comprehensively address these important issues.
Vote YES for SB 2190 by Sen. Thad Altman (R-Melbourne) and HB 545 (Rep. Pat
Patterson, R-Deland) to repeal the windstorm mitigation rating disclosure.

Property Tax
With more than 80 million Baby Boomers about to retire in the next five to 10 years, it’s critical that Florida’s tax policy is attractive to out-of-state buyers, investors, international
buyers and businesses.
HJR 655 by Rep. Carl Domino (R-Juno Beach) and SJR 1254 by Sen. Mike Fasano(R-New Port Richey) will accomplish this and so much more.
This measure is intended to replace Amendment 3 on the November ballot. This is the amendment that limits increases for non-school property tax assessments on all nonhomestead property to 5 percent every year. Under the current Amendment 3, first-time homebuyers would be exempt from paying taxes on 25 percent of their home’s value.
This is above and beyond the current $50,000 homestead exemption.
There’s a problem with Amendment 3. As written, a first-time buyer is defined as someone who hasn’t owned a home anywhere in the U.S. in the past eight years. Given the historiclevel of homeownership in the past decade, this definition would prevent most buyers from
qualifying.
HJR 655/SJR 1254 keep the 5 percent assessment cap and allow someone who has not owned a homesteaded residence in Florida in the previous three years to be eligible for an
additional exemption equal to 50 percent of the property’s just value in the first year.
The House bill was amended two weeks ago to exclude the school portion of taxes from the additional exemption, and to set the maximum amount of the exemption to an
additional $200,000. The Senate version includes a maximum exemption of an additional $100,000. The additional exemption, whatever it ends up being, would decline by 20 percent each year over five years. But new Florida residents shouldn’t be concerned about
being taxed out of their home because Save Our Homes kicks in during this five-year period.
Florida Realtors® appreciates the property tax breaks provided to date. The housing crisis was severe and widespread. To speed the recovery, we need to expand the potential
market. An economic recovery is not possible without a housing recovery. Please support HJR 655/SJR 1254, which replaces Amendment 3 with a new amendment that provides tax incentives for first-time homesteaders.

As you can see, Florida Realtors take an active role in fighting for Floridians to own, trade, buy, sell and invest in real estate. Without the strength of Florida Realtors to fight for your rights, the road to economic recovery is sure to be slow and buried in costly legislation. Ask your Realtor to help represent you on April 6th and 7th.