Florida Property Tax Reform

I went to a meeting recently about the proposed Florida constitutional amendment on January 28, 2008.





What were going to be voting on isn't as good as it was once thought but it is a start. According to the representative who did the presentation the Florida Real Estate Association supports it as a first step and if it doesn't pass would mean tax reform could not be implemented until 2009 tax bills are issued.






There are 5 points:







Portability of accumulated Save Our Home benefits.







An additional $25,000 in Homestead Exemption.







Creates a 10% annual assessment cap for ALL non-homestead properties.







Creates a new Tangible Property Exemption of $25,000 for business properties.







Requires an annual appropriation to fiscally constrained counties to offset revenue reduction that results from the constitutional amendment.





For more detail check Whip Policy Brief - Property Tax Reform



Hope you have all your shopping done.



Rob Skeel Realtor

Century 21 Prestige Realty Group

305-393-6300

http://www.robskeel.com/

http://robskeel.com/homes_for_sale.shtml

BLOG http://floridakeysrealestatebyrob.blogspot.com/

Positive Real Estate News

Some positive Real Estate news from the Association of Realtors:

NAR: Worst is over – existing-home sales to trend up in 2008 WASHINGTON – Dec. 11, 2007 – Existing-home sales are projected to trend up in 2008, with pending home sales showing a slight near-term rise, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). However, a recovery for new-home sales is unlikely before 2009.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says the worst part of the credit crunch has already worked its way through the data. “The unusual mortgage disruptions that peaked in August were clearly seen in lower home sales that were finalized in September and October, so the market was underperforming,” he says. “Now that mortgage conditions have improved, some postponed activity should turn up in existing-home sales over the next couple of months, and I expect sales at fairly stable to slightly higher levels.”

30 year Mortgage Rates can be obtained under 6%, couple this with a large inventory of homes for sale and its a great time to buy in the Florida Keys.

As always when you decide to come down to buy or look around, please let me know and I will do my best to find the property your seeking.

I'll have information for you on the Florida Property Tax Reform initative on my next Blog.

Hope your all getting ready for the holidays, they'll be here before you know it.

Rob Skeel Realtor
Century 21 Prestige Realty Group
305-393-6300
www.RobSkeel.com
http://robskeel.com/homes_for_sale.shtml
BLOG http://floridakeysrealestatebyrob.blogspot.com/

Chriistmas Season in the Florida Keys

The Christmas decorations are starting to appear all around the Upper Keys and by December 25th the whole area will be lite up.



While this is going on the fishing reports from "Skippy" keep coming in telling of good Yellowtail fishing but not much in the way of Sailfish yet. The charter boats need some customers and the captains are trying to bring in customers with a variety of offers.



We had a cold front come through and the temperatures are in the high 70's or low 80's so its quite pleasant.



With the weak dollar this is a great time for you foreign buyers to consider property in the Keys. The valuation of the Euro and Canadian dollar make purchasing a home or second home here very attractive considering the large inventory of property available.



As always I'm here to assist you in your search so please let me know when your coming to visit and exactly what kind of property your seeking and I will do my best to find it for you.



Rob Skeel Realtor

Century 21 Prestige Realty Group

305-393-6300

http://www.robskeel.com/



http://robskeel.com/homes_for_sale.shtml



BLOG http://floridakeysrealestatebyrob.blogspot.com/