PROPERTY TAX AMENDMENTRealtors around the state expect the pent up demand to buy-and-sell will spark home sales statewide thanks to yesterday’s passage of Amendment 1, which lowers property taxes statewide.Read the full story:

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-013008.cfm

Now is the time to buy a home.
Check out http://www.chadstewart.com/ & start browesing for Lake City, FL Homes & Real Estate today.

COMMERCIALUF’s latest real estate survey finds that commercial real estate remains healthy in Florida. While the residential industry continues to suffer, the commercial respondents report stable, healthy conditions in the market.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-012908.cfm

From LowesRealtorBenefits.com

If "getting organized" is on your list of New Year's resolutions, you're not alone. Surveys show that getting organized is right up there with exercising, spending more time with family and paying off debt.
Organizing your home from top to bottom doesn't have to be a daunting task, especially if you focus on one room at a time and work in short intervals. Help your clients and customers get their homes in shape for 2008 by printing out and sharing these helpful tips.

8 Home Organization Tips

Please remember to vote YES on Amendment 1 in Tuesday's primary election.

Amendment 1 cuts property taxes for all homeowners.
Amendment 1 doubles the homestead exemption.
Amendment 1 cuts property taxes on businesses.
Amendment 1 makes the "Save Our Homes" property tax cap portable by allowing owners of homesteaded property to take up to $500,000 of tax savings with them when they purchase another home.

AMENDMENT 1 WILL BRING US BUSINESS!

Amendment 1 *DOES NOT* remove "Save Our Homes" as was proposed in the super-homestead legislation that failed last fall.

AMENDMENT 1With green and orange “Vote Yes On 1” signs raised high, Florida Realtors greeted Gov. Charlie Crist this morning with a standing ovation, thanking Crist for his efforts to cut property taxes. The governor addressed Realtors attending FAR’s Mid-Winter Business Meetings in Orlando.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-012508.cfm

DEMOGRAPHICSCensus figures show that Florida continues to grow rather than shrink, but the number of incoming residents from other states dropped by about 86 percent in just two years thanks to higher home prices, property taxes and insurance costs.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-012308.cfm

RENT OR BUY?Are your potential homebuyers on the fence? Smart Money’s Web site allows them to calculate in dollars and cents whether it’s beneficial to rent or buy. An online worksheet estimates how much value will be found in either scenario. Even if it’s smarter for a customer to rent now and buy later, they’re bound to remember you and pass along your good name when friends or family ask for references. Check it out at: http://www.smartmoney.com/home/buying/index.cfm?story=rentown© 2008 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

PROPERTY TAXESGov. Charlie Crist yesterday urged voters to approve Amendment 1, speaking from homes across the state as part of the “Yes on 1” campaign. “You know what that (amendment) will do to the real estate market in Florida? I tell you, it will ignite it,” Crist said.

REASON NO. 4Vote YES on Amendment 1Florida’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. Take that to the bank! Vote YES on 1 – http://www.yeson1florida.com/

ReaFLORIDA ECONOMY

Florida’s housing market slowed in 2007, flattened out and will begin to recover in 2008, according to a new forecast report from the Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund. “Florida has a very large and powerful economy that has gone through a cyclical downshift, but it is still outperforming compared to the rest of the nation,” says Orlando economist Dr. Hank Fishkind, who created the report.

Read the full story:

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-010808.cfm

A Good Time to be in the Commercial MarketGetting to know developers and taking courses are among the ways to develop a new niche and take advantage of some growing commercial opportunities.Read more >