Naples Real Estate News - 01/15/08

REAL ESTATE TAXES - Florida’s homestead exemption hasn’t changed since 1980, which means it’s about time it was increased to better reflect modern home values. Under Amendment 1, the state’s homestead exemption will double from $25,000 to $50,000 for most Floridians.

Early voting started across Florida on Monday, . . .

as residents cast ballots on their party’s presidential candidates and Amendment 1, the state proposal to cut property taxes, which FAR backs. Officials hope giving people the chance to cast their ballots early will ease congestion on election day.

If you have any opinions or thoughts about Amendment 1, either positive or negative, please do not hesitate to comment on this post.  Further, I would be most happy to add your opinions or thoughts to my post on Naples real estate news.

HOMETOWN DEMOCRACY - The proposed Hometown Democracy constitutional amendment, which would make it more difficult to approve zoning changes, doesn’t have enough signatures yet to make it onto the November ballot. Only two weeks remain until the submission deadline.

COUNTRYWIDE - Fears that Countrywide Financial Corp. has been on the verge of bankruptcy were due to unfounded rumors, Bank of America Corp. Chief Executive Ken Lewis said Monday. He added that Bank of America plans to stick with its $4.1 billion offering for Countrywide, barring unexpected developments. “We think we’ve struck a fair price,” Lewis said.