Florida Real Estate Info Archives - Larry Roorda Realtor

Floridians’ Confidence in Economy Unchanged in August

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Aug. 28, 2013 – Florida’s consumer confidence level was unchanged in August, matching July’s revised reading of 77, according to a University of Florida (UF) survey. Three of the five categories in the August survey declined, while two increased. Respondents’ perceptions of whether they are in better financial shape now than they…

Florida Leads Nation in Cash-Only Home Sales

MIAMI – Aug. 29, 2013 – Florida led the nation last month with what one expert called an “astounding” rate of all-cash home sales: 66 percent, a new report shows. Investor groups, international buyers, landlords and those in the market for vacation homes are fueling a cash-only market that has virtually shut out entry-level homebuyers,…

NEW for 2013 Property Tax Reform

In November 2012, Florida voters approved amendments to the Florida Constitution granting the following: Amended 2 – Veteran’s Disabled Due to Combat Injury; Homestead Property Tax Discount – This amendment removes from Florida Statute 196.082, the requirement that the veteran must have been a Florida resident at the time of entering the military to qualify…

South Florida Home Prices Climbing Back

MIAMI – July 31, 2013 – Seven years after the South Florida real-estate bubble stretched as far as it could, buyers continue to pump more air into the deflated market. New numbers from the S&P/Case-Shiller real-estate index for South Florida show home values up 14 percent this year. That’s the best 12-month gain since July…

Flood Insurance History & Reformation

Flooding is the most catastrophic natural hazard and causes, on average, $3 billion dollars in damage annually. In 1936 The Flood Control Act was the first national program aimed at flood damage. In 1965 Hurricane Betsy caused over $1 billion dollars in damage along the Gulf Coast of Florida to Louisiana, and was the first…

Save Our Homes Act

The Florida Constitution was amended effective January 1, 1995, to limit annual increases in assessed value of property with Homestead Exemption to three percent or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. No assessment, though, shall exceed current fair market value. This limitation applies only to property value, not property taxes. When a house is…

Homestead Exemption

Homestead Exemption One of the great many advantages of owning a home in the state of Florida is the tax benefit of Homestead Exemption. Every person who purchases and resides in a home in Florida on January 1st and thusly makes this their permanent residence, is eligible to receive a homestead exemption of up to…

Assessed Value vs. Fair Market Value

It usually starts out on a rainy Sunday afternoon. You act on the musings of your imagination, and begin to Google Florida real estate. You of course find your way to Trulia, Zillow, House Hunt, etc. all the while seeing various homes that seem relatively appealing, until… THERE IT IS! The absolute home of your…

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Condo Association beats Bank in Million Dollar Foreclosure Battle

AVENTURA, Fla. – June 25, 2013 – It is a condominium association’s version of winning the lotto. A big bank missed its deadline to file for foreclosure on a million-dollar condo unit by 10 days. As a result, Peninsula Condominium Association in Aventura will get to keep the condo – a fancy three-bedroom, three-bathroom bayfront…