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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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Naples Real Estate News 06/16/08

June 21, 2008

REAL ESTATE FORECAST
National Association of REALTORS® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, speaking to Florida real estate professionals last week, called 2008 a "year of cleanup." Yun predicts that the second half of the year will be better than the first, due to improving mortgage markets, foreign investors and Baby Boomers.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
A Florida landlord can [...]

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Naples Real Estate News 03/20/08

March 21, 2008

MORTGAGES – So if the Fed keeps lowering interest rates, why don’t fixed mortgage rates drop more? Blame the investors who buy packages of mortgages on Wall Street. Those who are buying packages of mortgages are looking to recover their losses from mortgages which have fallen into short sales or foreclosure. In addition, to investors [...]

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Naples Real Estate News 03/19/08

March 21, 2008

REAL ESTATE TAXES – If real estate taxes drop 25 percent through an amendment appearing on the November ballot, schools would need at least $8 billion from an alternate source. That raises the possibility, once again, of a sales tax on services, which could be levied on everything from lawn mowing to accounting.
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE – [...]

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