HOUSING AIDUnder the Foreclosure Prevention Act, HUD is devising a formula to distribute $4 billion to help communities buy foreclosed properties and help stabilize property values. Florida is one of the states likely to be a prime recipient of the funding, according to Mike Wallace, senior legis
...
09/17/2008
REAL ESTATE FRAUDFlorida, now saddled with the nation's highest level of mortgage fraud, once had a program to reimburse people scammed by rogue mortgage brokers. But the program ended a decade ago, making the state one of only three in the U.S. that doesn't help homeowners hurt by mortgage fraud
...
09/16/2008
BANKRUPTCY The bankruptcy of mega-financial company Lehman Brothers will impact areas of Florida that relied on the company for funding of commercial projects. However, the move could lead to some condo deals as the courts liquidate Lehman Brothers assets. Read the full story:http://www.floridare
...
09/16/2008
INTEREST RATESWhen the Federal Reserve meets this week, policymakers are expected to ride out the current economic and financial storms by holding interest rates steady now and probably through the rest of the year. A growing number of analysts predict that the economy will shrink in the last thr
...
09/15/2008
ORLANDO, Fla. - Sept. 11, 2008 - Foreclosures helped drive down home-resale prices last month in the Orlando area to their lowest level since the housing boom was nearing its height in early 2005. Read the Full Story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-091108.cfm
09/12/2008
PROPERTY TAXESMany homeowners across Florida are asking the same question: If the value of my home has dropped, why has my tax bill increased? Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-091208.cfm
09/12/2008
FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MACThe government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac raises some philosophical questions, such as whether the man who repeatedly assured investors that everything was okay is the best choice to run the reorganized companies. Or whether Fannie and Freddie's primary loyal
...
09/11/2008
GREAT TIME TO BUYThis fall could be a great time for many buyers to jump into the market thanks to tax credits, lower mortgage rates and FHA changes that, effective Jan. 1, decrease mortgage amounts and increase downpayment requirements.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEv
...
09/10/2008
MORTGAGE RATESMortgage rates fell sharply Monday as investors reacted to the government's takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - exactly what some homeowners have been waiting for.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-090908.cfm
09/09/2008
FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MACWhat does the federal government bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mean to home buyers and sellers? Generally, it's a good thing, and brings stability to the mortgage market. Most experts even expect mortgage rates to drop some over the short term, though qualifying
...
09/08/2008
