Florida’s existing home, condo sales rise in June 2010
ORLANDO, Fla., July 22, 2010 – Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 15 percent in June, marking 22 consecutive months that sales activity
has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.
A total of 18,038 single-family existing homes sold statewide last month compared to 15,732 homes sold in June 2009, according to Florida
Realtors. June’s statewide existing home sales increased 7.7 percent over statewide sales activity in May. Meanwhile, last month’s statewide
existing-home median price of $143,400 was 2.1 percent higher than May’s statewide existing-home median price of $140,400. It marks the
fourth month in a row that the statewide existing-home median price has increased over the previous month’s median.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Story
Some banks lower appraisals, killing sales
WASHINGTON – July 13, 2010 – It’s a common Realtor complaint: A property going to contract appraises for less than expected. The buyer
cannot put more down; the seller will not lower the price; the sale falls apart...
...Recognizing a problem, Fannie Mae instituted a new rule that becomes effective on Sept. 1. After that date, banks selling their loans to
Fannie Mae can no longer simply drop the appraisal value. In guidance issued June 30, Fannie Mae told its participating lenders that they
must contact the appraiser to “resolve” disagreements. If that fails, banks must order a second appraisal. In either case, lenders cannot simply
drop the original value that supports a sales contract.
A number of appraisers hailed the change as great news.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Story
NAR: International interest in U.S. homeownership increases
WASHINGTON – July 8, 2010 – International homebuyers are increasingly attracted to property in the U.S., according to the National
Association of Realtors®’ 2010 Profile of International Home Buying Activity. Several factors, including the strength of the dollar, the value
and desirability of U.S. real estate, and the emerging economic recovery, continue to drive international interest in owning a home in this
country... Florida typically attracts European, Canadian and South American buyers ...
Click Here to Continue Reading This Story
Big changes to condo laws take effect today
ORLANDO, Fla. – July 1, 2010 – A massive condominium bill addressing everything from fire sprinkler retrofits to incentives for moving
excess condo inventory is among the real estate-related legislation taking effect today.
“Legislators introduced more than 50 bills this session dealing with some aspect of condominiums and condominium associations,” says John
Sebree, vice president of public policy for the Florida Realtors®. “At the end of the day, there was one – SB 1196 by Sen. Mike Fasano (R-
New Port Richey). We worked hard to make sure this 103-page bill contained at least two of the many changes sought by Realtors: incentives
for buyers of multiple condo units and repealing the requirement that individual owners carry hazard insurance.”
The “bulk buyer” provision seeks to stimulate condo sales by enabling investors to purchase condo units in bulk (seven-plus units) without
incurring the legal and financial liabilities of the original developer. The hazard insurance provision repeals a 2008 law requiring unit
owners to provide proof of insurance every year. If a unit owner failed to provide a certificate of insurance, the association was allowed to
purchase insurance on the owner’s behalf and assess the unit owner for the cost of the insurance.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Story
Florida’s existing home, condo sales up in 1Q 2010
ORLANDO, Fla., June 22, 2010 – Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 18 percent in May, marking 21 months that sales activity has
increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.
A total of 16,745 single-family existing homes sold statewide last month compared to 14,172 homes sold in May 2009, according to Florida
Realtors. The statewide existing-home median price of $140,400 in May was slightly higher – by $300 – than April's statewide existing-home
median price of $140,100. It marks the third month in a row that the statewide existing-home median price has increased over the previous
month's median.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Story
Florida justices refuse to hear homeowner tax case
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – May 25, 2010 – A pair of state constitutional amendments that give tax breaks to primary homeowners survived
another legal challenge Monday as the Florida Supreme Court refused to hear the case. That decision, though, may not be the end of the
issue.
An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is likely, said Florida State University President Emeritus Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte, a lawyer for
taxpayers who filed the lawsuit. "The Supreme Court does not take jurisdiction in very many cases, but that's probably where this issue
ought to be decided," he said. D'Alemberte said he hadn't yet discussed an appeal with his clients.
Four recently arrived Florida homeowners – Robert and Katherine Bruner of Tallahassee, Deborah Plitnick of Port Charlotte and Stanley
Chamberlin of North Palm Beach – filed the challenge. They get Save Our Home benefits, but their tax savings are significantly smaller
than those of longtime homeowners.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Story
How to save on home repairs
ORLANDO, Fla. – June 3, 2010 – Making some home improvements not only can brighten or expand a property's living space, it can also
help cut utility costs and increase the value of the residence.
Several websites offer useful home improvement tips on everything from remodeling a bathroom to hiring a contractor. Here are a few:
411 Home Repair
Covers a variety home improvement topic, including do-it-yourself suggestions and hiring contractors.
Federal Trade Commission
Features insights on finding a reliable home improvement contractor.
HGTV
Serves up 30 home improvement tips under different spending cost categories.
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
Offers wide variety of general and specific interiors remodeling tips.
U.S. Department of Energy
Select "Home Improvement" to find home renovation tips that can reduce energy bills.
© 2010 McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
ORLANDO, Fla., July 22, 2010 – Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 15 percent in June, marking 22 consecutive months that sales activity
has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.
A total of 18,038 single-family existing homes sold statewide last month compared to 15,732 homes sold in June 2009, according to Florida
Realtors. June’s statewide existing home sales increased 7.7 percent over statewide sales activity in May. Meanwhile, last month’s statewide
existing-home median price of $143,400 was 2.1 percent higher than May’s statewide existing-home median price of $140,400. It marks the
fourth month in a row that the statewide existing-home median price has increased over the previous month’s median.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Story
Some banks lower appraisals, killing sales
WASHINGTON – July 13, 2010 – It’s a common Realtor complaint: A property going to contract appraises for less than expected. The buyer
cannot put more down; the seller will not lower the price; the sale falls apart...
...Recognizing a problem, Fannie Mae instituted a new rule that becomes effective on Sept. 1. After that date, banks selling their loans to
Fannie Mae can no longer simply drop the appraisal value. In guidance issued June 30, Fannie Mae told its participating lenders that they
must contact the appraiser to “resolve” disagreements. If that fails, banks must order a second appraisal. In either case, lenders cannot simply
drop the original value that supports a sales contract.
A number of appraisers hailed the change as great news.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Story
NAR: International interest in U.S. homeownership increases
WASHINGTON – July 8, 2010 – International homebuyers are increasingly attracted to property in the U.S., according to the National
Association of Realtors®’ 2010 Profile of International Home Buying Activity. Several factors, including the strength of the dollar, the value
and desirability of U.S. real estate, and the emerging economic recovery, continue to drive international interest in owning a home in this
country... Florida typically attracts European, Canadian and South American buyers ...
Click Here to Continue Reading This Story
Big changes to condo laws take effect today
ORLANDO, Fla. – July 1, 2010 – A massive condominium bill addressing everything from fire sprinkler retrofits to incentives for moving
excess condo inventory is among the real estate-related legislation taking effect today.
“Legislators introduced more than 50 bills this session dealing with some aspect of condominiums and condominium associations,” says John
Sebree, vice president of public policy for the Florida Realtors®. “At the end of the day, there was one – SB 1196 by Sen. Mike Fasano (R-
New Port Richey). We worked hard to make sure this 103-page bill contained at least two of the many changes sought by Realtors: incentives
for buyers of multiple condo units and repealing the requirement that individual owners carry hazard insurance.”
The “bulk buyer” provision seeks to stimulate condo sales by enabling investors to purchase condo units in bulk (seven-plus units) without
incurring the legal and financial liabilities of the original developer. The hazard insurance provision repeals a 2008 law requiring unit
owners to provide proof of insurance every year. If a unit owner failed to provide a certificate of insurance, the association was allowed to
purchase insurance on the owner’s behalf and assess the unit owner for the cost of the insurance.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Story
Florida’s existing home, condo sales up in 1Q 2010
ORLANDO, Fla., June 22, 2010 – Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 18 percent in May, marking 21 months that sales activity has
increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.
A total of 16,745 single-family existing homes sold statewide last month compared to 14,172 homes sold in May 2009, according to Florida
Realtors. The statewide existing-home median price of $140,400 in May was slightly higher – by $300 – than April's statewide existing-home
median price of $140,100. It marks the third month in a row that the statewide existing-home median price has increased over the previous
month's median.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Story
Florida justices refuse to hear homeowner tax case
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – May 25, 2010 – A pair of state constitutional amendments that give tax breaks to primary homeowners survived
another legal challenge Monday as the Florida Supreme Court refused to hear the case. That decision, though, may not be the end of the
issue.
An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is likely, said Florida State University President Emeritus Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte, a lawyer for
taxpayers who filed the lawsuit. "The Supreme Court does not take jurisdiction in very many cases, but that's probably where this issue
ought to be decided," he said. D'Alemberte said he hadn't yet discussed an appeal with his clients.
Four recently arrived Florida homeowners – Robert and Katherine Bruner of Tallahassee, Deborah Plitnick of Port Charlotte and Stanley
Chamberlin of North Palm Beach – filed the challenge. They get Save Our Home benefits, but their tax savings are significantly smaller
than those of longtime homeowners.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Story
How to save on home repairs
ORLANDO, Fla. – June 3, 2010 – Making some home improvements not only can brighten or expand a property's living space, it can also
help cut utility costs and increase the value of the residence.
Several websites offer useful home improvement tips on everything from remodeling a bathroom to hiring a contractor. Here are a few:
411 Home Repair
Covers a variety home improvement topic, including do-it-yourself suggestions and hiring contractors.
Federal Trade Commission
Features insights on finding a reliable home improvement contractor.
HGTV
Serves up 30 home improvement tips under different spending cost categories.
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
Offers wide variety of general and specific interiors remodeling tips.
U.S. Department of Energy
Select "Home Improvement" to find home renovation tips that can reduce energy bills.
© 2010 McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
| Real Estate News Relevant to Jonathan's Landing |
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| Website owned and produced by Kathryn Maloney. K. Maloney © 2008 - 2010 |
| A statistical view of the real estate market in Palm Beach County and in Jupiter 33477 zip code (2nd graph below) |
| BARRON'S COVER | MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2010 - "10 Best Places for Second Homes " AT long last, the market for luxury real estate is coming back to life. Prices for primary residences, which plunged at least 20% from the peak in 2007, appear to have bottomed. In some of the snappiest locations, scattered bidding wars are breaking out and prices are turning upward. Click Here to Continue Reading This Story |
| Life bountiful at Jonathan's Landing, By Elizabeth Clarke, Special to The Palm Beach Post, Friday, October 17, 2008 Jonathan's Landing feels like more than a neighborhood. It feels like a destination - a destination for boaters, golfers, tennis players and anyone who likes water, beautiful views, mature landscaping and an easy way of living the good life. Built beginning in 1978, Jonathan's Landing sits on the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway south of Indiantown Road. It features 27 subdivisions - called villages - on its 606 acres, all built to take full advantage of miles of fresh- and saltwater lakes and waterways within the community. Click Here to Continue Reading This Story |
| Kathryn Maloney Specializing in Jonathan's Landing Realtor, Keller Williams Realty 561 385-5250 - Call or Text |
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