Nov 27, 2009

An Even Playing Field For Foreclosures

Fannie Mae announced a program aimed at helping ordinary buyers compete with investors for foreclosed homes. Fannie’s program ‘First Look’ plans to consider offers only from potential owner-occupants during the first 15 days on market – not investor buyers.

Fannie would help owner-occupants acquire homes by reducing deposit requirements to as little as $500.

Fannie Mae has over 72,000 single family homes on its books.

Nov 24, 2009

Real Estate Intervention

The latest HGTV show that’s caught my eye is ‘Real Estate Intervention’ (airs Thu nights 10:30pm). It’s a timely, frank illustration of real families flailing in the sale of their home. The stories told on this show are as real as it gets – job loss, divorce, marriage, new baby.

Nov 21, 2009

Property Tax Discount

Homeowners, are you aware you can take a 4% discount on your property taxes for paying early? Property tax bills were mailed out in early Nov – look yours over and take advantage of the savings. Every dollar of your hard-earn money counts! Pay by:

- 11/30/2009 4% discount
- 12/31/2009 3% discount
- 1/1/2010 2% discount
- 2/28/2010 1% discount
- 3/31/2010 no discount

Nov 19, 2009

OIA Expansion Towards Lake Nona

By Victor Manuel Ramos, orlandosentinel.com

The OIA aviation authority plans to expand the airport toward the east into an undeveloped area bordering houses and townhomes and is proposing large scale aviation uses that it considers key to its growth over the next decade.

Nov 13, 2009

$6,500 Tax Credit For Repeat Buyers

For homeowners who have lived in their home at least five years, there is a new $6,500 tax credit when purchasing a principal residence between 11/6/2009 to 6/30/2010 (must be under contract by 4/30/2010).

Nov 7, 2009

Orlando is Front Runner for JetBlue HQ

By Sara K Clarke & Scott Powers, orlandosentinel.com

JetBlue Airways is looking for a new headquarters and Orlando is on a very short list of potential locations. After an extensive review, the New York-based airline said it has decided to focus its search on just two destinations: the New York metropolitan area and Orlando.

Nov 4, 2009

Homestead Exemption

From Orange Co Property Appraiser www.ocpafl.org

New homeowners, be on the lookout for a packet from Orange Co Property Appraiser office approx four to six weeks after closing on the purchase of your home.

If you own your home, reside there permanently and are a Florida resident as of Jan 1, you may qualify for ‘homestead exemption’. Homestead can reduce the taxable value on your home as much as $50,000 - saving you approx $750 annually. Additionally, your assessed value used to calculate your property taxes cannot increase more than 3% annually after you are granted homestead exemption.

The deadline for applying for 2010 homestead exemption is 3/1/2010.