Naples Real Estate News 06/27/08

June 28, 2008

MORTGAGE RATES
Rates on 30-year mortgages rose again this week – to 6.45 percent – climbing to the highest level in more than nine months, reflecting concerns about how the Federal Reserve will respond to higher inflation pressures.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
As county budgets shrink, officials are becoming more aggressive seeking out owners who lie about their living status [...]

Read the full article →

Naples Real Estate News 06/26/08

June 27, 2008

HOME SALES
A total of 12,175 existing single-family homes sold in May, up 8.7 percent over the previous month when 11,200 homes changed hands statewide, according to FAR. Existing condo sales statewide rose 3 percent, with a total of 4,018 units sold in May compared with 3,900 condos in April.
In Naples during the month of May [...]

Read the full article →

Naples Real Estate News 06/25/08

June 26, 2008

MORTGAGES
No downpayment mortgages have largely disappeared as a financing option from private lenders. But they are still available – and growing more popular – using existing Federal Housing Administration programs in conjunction with nonprofit groups’ downpayment assistance programs – Nehemiah Corporation and AmeriDream.
FLORIDA CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
Higher gas and food prices, continued declines in housing prices and [...]

Read the full article →

Naples Real Estate News 06/24/08

June 25, 2008

HURRICANE MITIGATION
Naples, Bonita Springs, and Estero homeowners take note: If you want a free hurricane home inspection courtesy of the State of Florida, sign up now. Most homeowners save money on property insurance following an inspection, but the program will achieve its goals and probably stop taking new applications later this summer.
REAL ESTATE TAXES
The Amendment [...]

Read the full article →

A Friend in Need – Helping Other People

June 25, 2008

Yesterday, I was informed of a very close and dear friend, Charles Richey, had been hospitalized with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. This particular disease afflicts the nervous system and the inflicted individual looses the use of all their limbs and ability to swallow.
Charles has helped me with my website on many occasions and has always been there [...]

Read the full article →

Naples Real Estate News 06/23/08

June 24, 2008

DOCUMENTARY STAMPS
Effective June 1, the state stopped requiring real estate buyers and sellers to reveal their sales price in sworn government documents, leading local officials to worry about an increase in tax cheats and a decrease in income from documentary stamp taxes. “It’s typical state government: penny-wise and pound-foolish,” says Broward County Property Appraiser Lori [...]

Read the full article →

Naples Real Estate News 06/20/08

June 23, 2008

MORTGAGE RATES
Rates on 30-year mortgages kept surging this week, rising to 6.42 percent – the highest level in nearly nine months, reflecting more concerns about what the Federal Reserve will do to combat a growing inflation threat.
HOUSING AID
A bipartisan coalition in Congress that supports a massive foreclosure rescue proposal beat back GOP efforts [...]

Read the full article →

Real Estate News 06/19/08

June 21, 2008

FLORIDA NO. 2 FOR NEW RESIDENTS
About 40 million Americans move each year, and Florida is the No. 2 spot for relocation, second only to California, according to a survey conducted by Relocation.com. The survey finds that 19 percent of those relocating went from owning their own homes to renting, with only 15 percent shifting [...]

Read the full article →

Naples Real Estate News 06/18/08

June 21, 2008

NEW LEGISLATION
Governor Charlie Crist signed a bill authorizing “electronic” foreclosure sales. Previously, foreclosure sales had to be conducted in person; now they may be done online.
LENDING REFORM
Six trade groups on Tuesday told federal lawmakers that a comprehensive housing bill would impose too-strict standards on lenders. They say the bill, if passed, would expose lenders [...]

Read the full article →

Naples Real Estate News 06/17/08

June 21, 2008

HOUSING AID
Major mortgage lenders have agreed to streamline and speed up the process for assisting distressed homeowners following criticism that they’re too slow and sometimes unresponsive. Under new guidelines, homeowners seeking help can expect an answer within 45 days.
GULF OIL DRILLING
With high gas prices squeezing many consumers, there’s more pressure to lift the [...]

Read the full article →