AMENDMENT 5
Gov. Charlie Crist spoke out again in favor of Amendment 5 yesterday during one of his meetings with constituent groups, this time business people. The group included FAR President Chuck Bonfiglio, who thanked Crist for being ''the catalyst'' for Amendment 1, and said that Amendment 5 would be the second part of the tax relief promised by the governor.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-080608.cfm

HOUSING AID
President Bush signed the massive housing bill intended to provide mortgage relief for 400,000 struggling U.S. homeowners and stabilize financial markets. The measure also offers a temporary lifeline to mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and tightens controls over the two government-sponsored businesses.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-073008.cfm

Nice Site

This is a pretty nice website for flyers, postings your listings to Trulia, Zillow, etc, Its called Vflyer, http://www.vflyer.com/ , Even create cool little widgets like this for showcasing your listings.

Positive Movement in Home Sales

Well its not as bad as you hear in the national media. Check out this article from Florida Associateion fo REaltors. Numbers keeping somewhat steady, although we are still seeing frequent price reductions for motivated sellers.

HOME SALES

Many Florida Realtors reported positive movement in their local housing markets in June, with the statewide median price for both existing home sales and condo sales up 1 percent over the May 2008 figures, according to FAR's latest housing statistics. The statewide existing-home median price last month was $205,500; the statewide median condo price was $183,700.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-072408.cfm

Lake City FL Commercial Medical Complex for Sale

Lake City FL Medical Office Complex For Sale or For Lease
Hello,
Doing a little listing marketing blogging today....
Here is my latest big listing...$6,900,000. The property is for sale or for lease.

http://www.halloffamedrive.com/ -- Website for complete property information.
Southern Mediplex is a 34,000+ sq ft 9.7 acre complex with innovative solutions for medical & health services. Property consists of 3 buildings including: a 2 story, 24,126 sq ft out-patient/office; a single story 6,285 sq ft Surgery center, and a 3,990 free standing building. Incredible location in Lake City, FL, near Hwy 90 & I-75. Information available regarding leases, current occupancy, floorplans, & more.

http://www.chadstewart.com/
Chad Stewart - Westfield Realty Group - Real Estate Broker Associate in Lake City, FL.

Selling a Home in a Hurry Still PossibleThink those days of selling a house in 48 hours or less are over? Some houses can still sell fast.

http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2008070703?OpenDocument

Columbia County - Lake City FL Schools

8 county schools earn ‘A’ ranking
High scores could relate to more money from state.

http://www.lakecityreporter.com/articles/2008/07/09/news/doc4874318f01c9d119325501.txt

Columbia County schools marked significant improvement for the 2007-2008 school year, with eight of the 12 schools in the district scoring an “A” for the year, and the school district attained a “B” for the first time since district grades were implemented.

MORTGAGES
The Federal Reserve will issue new lending rules next week to protect future homebuyers from shady lending practices. The plan would apply to new loans made by thousands of lenders of all types, including banks and brokers.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-070908.cfm

REOs
While it's impossible to predict the future of median home prices, some experts don't think REOs will decline any more since banks are cutting such great deals right now.Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-070808.cfm

SELLER SERVICES
It's a buyer's market, but sellers can increase the chance of a sale in today's climate by working with a Realtor and considering these eight things.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-070108.cfm __________________________

Enthusiasm keeps practitioner on top
TAMPA, Fla. – July 1, 2008 – Blucher Bridges, a sales representative for Standard Pacific Homes in the Seven Oaks community in Wesley Chapel, Fla., recently sold his 300th new home.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n4-070108.cfm

Real Estate Sales Increase.. Read on...

This is a VERY positive article. Note the increase of sales, and the slight decline in pricing from a year ago...BUT notice the 34% increase in prices over a 5 year period which is 7% per year.

Sales up, prices up, interest rates low. This is a great time to be in the real estate business.


http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-062608.cfm

Fed leaves rate means good news for real estate market.

Fed leaves rates unchanged....
Central bank ends nine-month course of rate cuts as it cites rising inflation risks and hints at a rebound in the economy.

This means that now is a great time to buy real estate, especially in the Lake City, FL area.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/25/news/economy/fed_decision/index.htm?cnn=yes

Online Home Values

ONLINE HOME VALUES
Consumers love real estate Web sites that offer an immediate estimate of a home's worth, and some Internet users are almost addicted to seeing fluctuations in their home's value. One problem, however: The percentage of error is still "very large," making any single home's estimate almost worthless.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-062308.cfm

Mortgage Fraud Crackdown

See the article below, this is a big part of why the mortgage industry was in such a termoil.
from Chad Stewart - Lake City Florida Realtor & Blogger.
www.chadstewart.com

MORTGAGE FRAUD
At least 22 people in Miami-Dade have been arrested on federal mortgage fraud charges in recent weeks, pushing the total to 102 people charged since September. In 2007, there were 47,000 "suspicious activity reports" in Florida, which leads the nation in the number of reports. In 2003, there were only 7,000 - an increase of more than 570 percent.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-062008.cfm

Housing Aid

HOUSING AID
Major mortgage lenders have agreed to streamline and speed up the process for assisting distressed homeowners following criticism that they're too slow and sometimes unresponsive. Under new guidelines, homeowners seeking help can expect an answer within 45 days.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-061708.cfm

Analyst paints rosy picture for S. Fla. real estate agents

Analyst paints rosy picture for S. Fla. real estate agents
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – June 16, 2008 – Home prices in South Florida “easily” could be 20 percent to 30 percent higher by 2013, the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors said Thursday.Addressing local real estate agents during a conference at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Lawrence Yun countered the persistent pessimism of experts who insist the region’s housing market will continue to struggle before rebounding slowly during the next few years.USA Today recently identified Yun as one of the nation’s top 10 analysts on a list measuring accuracy in forecasting. But real estate observers say he is overly optimistic because he works for the national Realtors’ group, whose goal is to promote home sales.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-061608.cfm

Selling your home means being realistic in down market FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – June 16, 2008 – Setting the right price for a home sounds simple, but too many sellers aren’t doing it.They insist that their properties are special and holding value, even though the median prices for existing homes have plummeted 26 percent and 24 percent, respectively, in Palm Beach and Broward counties since late 2005.These stubborn sellers ask for too much money, ignoring the list prices of nearby homes, not to mention their real estate agents’ advice. It’s a short-sighted strategy, one that ultimately costs tens of thousands of dollars in a depressed housing market like South Florida, agents say.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n4-061608.cfm

TECHNOLOGY Check it out: Tech analysts are praising the new iPhone's business applications, saying it poses a real challenge to the BlackBerry and other corporate cell phone systems for the first time. For example, unlike its predecessor, the 3G iPhone can connect with most corporate e-mail systems and handle Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-061108.cfm

HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT NAR testified Thursday that a temporary tax credit would be the best incentive to move hesitant homebuyers into the market, basing its support on the success of a 1975 temporary tax credit that jump-started a slow housing market.Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-060908.cfm

PENDING SALES NAR's Pending Home Sales Index, based on contracts signed in April, rose 6.3 percent to stand at 88.2 from a reading of 83.0 in March - the highest index since last October. According to NAR's latest forecast, a modest gain in home sales is possible over the next couple months, and the second half of this year should see some improvement as more buyers are able to access affordable mortgages. Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-060908.cfm

PROPERTY INSURANCE State officials issued a final decision Friday rejecting Hartford Insurance Co. of the Midwest and its affiliates' request for an average property insurance price increase of 40 percent. The Hartford decision is part of a campaign to "protect Florida consumers from unwarranted rate increases," Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said in a statement.Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-060308.cfm

PROPERTY TAXES It appears that Florida cities aren't hurting too much from the property tax cuts created by January's Amendment 1 thanks to the number of commercial enterprises. But suburban and rural areas have lost more funding since private homeowners benefited more from the tax cuts, and many local governments say they must raise tax rates or cut spending.Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n4-060308.cfm

Real Estate in Lake City,

Brand new never been lived in house built by Whiddon Construction on Two (2) acres!!! Priced at $239,900. Home is for sale in Lake City, FL.

Brand new house on two (2) acres !!!

Stone & hardy board house was built by Whiddon Construction. Great floor plan, great room wi vaulted ceiling, 18’4” x 12’8” master, his/her closets, wood floor in dining room, screened porch, sprinkler system, landscaping & sod, security system.

Must see this area with lots of room for kids to run, horses, ATV, gardening, etc. Tranquil rural area, but still short drive to town. Scattered oaks in the front of the lot & pasture land in the back. Call your Realtor for floor plan or tour.

THAR' SHE BLOWS. OR NOT.Government forecasters officially predict six to nine hurricanes in 2008, with up to five becoming major storms. However, forecasters say the chances for an above-average season are about 65 percent; the chances for a normal season about 25 percent; and the chances for a slow season about 10 percent, making the outlook sound almost like a guess. Coupled with two recent years of above-average forecasts and below-average storms, Floridians may be getting confused. Two major points must be made, however: One, it doesn't matter if there is only one major storm in 2008 should that one major storm hit your home. Two, less-than-accurate forecasts could make Floridians apathetic about hurricane preparations and forget that they live on a peninsula that sticks out into the ocean like a giant hurricane "Kick Me" sign. Every state homeowner should prepare for the worst even as they hope for the best. For more information, visit floridarealtor.org's "Hurricane Information and Resources" page at: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/Before-disaster-strikes.cfm.

Florida existing home sales improve in April compared to March 2008ORLANDO, Fla. – May 23, 2008 – Florida Realtors® statewide reported an upswing in existing home and condominium sales from March to April 2008, according to the latest housing statistics released by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). A total of 11,200 existing single-family homes changed hands in April, a 20 percent increase over the previous month when 9,330 homes sold. Existing condo sales statewide rose 21.6 percent, with 3,900 units sold in April compared with 3,207 condos in March.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-052308.cfm

COMMERCIAL According to the latest NAR Commercial Member Profile, commercial members experienced a 7 percent jump in median sales volume for 2006, reaching a median of $2.249 million in sales. Selling land was the single largest commercial specialty for respondents, accounting for 19 percent.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-052108.cfm

CHARITY The foreclosure problem has given something good to the country's best-known housing charity: Cheap properties for sale. Some Habitat for Humanity chapters have seized the buying opportunities.Read the full story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-052208.cfm

From Florida Realtors.org HOME SALES Florida Realtors reported positive signs in their local housing markets during first quarter 2008, noting a slower rate of expansion for inventory levels and an increase in pending home sales in some areas. Another positive note: A total of 8,581 existing condos sold statewide during the quarter, up 8.3 percent over fourth quarter 2007. "If we look at what is happening month-over-month for 2008, it appears that the bottom may be here," says 2008 FAR President Chuck Bonfiglio. "We are now seeing more activity, more sales and even prices starting to rise in some markets."Read the full story:

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-051308.cfm

GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME
According to Realty Times, Florida real estate experts say the state's housing market is showing signs of recovery, despite falling residential prices and rising foreclosures and short sales. They note that inventory is expanding at slower rates, and home sales are on the rise in some markets. The Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers, for instance, reports an 85-percent surge in pending single-family home sales in its area during the past 10 weeks. Meanwhile, pending sales jumped 65 percent in February from January in Fort Lauderdale, and 30 percent in March from the prior month in Palm Beach County.Source: Realty Times (05/09/08) Carr, M. Anthony © Copyright 2008 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688

HOMESELLERS
It's a challenge to sell a home in today's market, but the battle eases considerably with careful preparation. Sellers should focus on the top 10 issues. Curb appeal, kitchens, bathrooms and doors head the list.Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-050508.cfm

Wow, billion dollar home in India...
Check out this article from Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/30/home-india-billion-forbeslife-cx_mw_0430realestate.html

Daily Real Estate News May 1, 2008 The First $2-Billion Home Is Coming The world’s largest and most expensive home will be completed in January.The 27-story skyscraper in downtown Mumbai, India, will be the residence of Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita. Ambani, head of Mumbai-based petrochemical company Reliance Industries, is the fifth richest man in the world.The couple who have three children, are custom designing their $2 billion property with help from architecture firms Perkins + Will and Hirsch Bedner Assoc., based in Dallas and Los Angeles respectively.The home will have 400,000 square feet of interior space, nine elevators, a ballroom and a section for security guards and assistants to relax.There will also be an ice room where residents and guests can escape the Mumbai heat and be dusted by man-made snow flurries.Source: Forbes, Matt Woolsey (04/30/2008)

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/10/billionaires08_Mukesh-Ambani_NY3A.html

MORTGAGE RATES Rates on 30-year mortgages remained above 6 percent and almost unchanged this week. Experts polled by Bankrate.com generally agree that rates will increase or remain steady in the short term.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n4-050208.cfm

HOMEBUYERSSome programs for first-time buyers still offer slightly more lenient underwriting standards that make it easier to get into a home, or discounted interest rates that make homeownership more affordable. But it's harder to find first-timer mortgages today.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-043008.cfm

What a deal! Perfect for FHA financing. Home features R13 wall insulation for efficiency, oak kitchen cabinets, 25 year shingles, fenced back yard. Call Chad Stewart, http://www.chadstewart.com/ for 386-487-1463 . $118,900.

FHA: New government data shows that claims on FHA mortgage insurance, which is backed by the government to prevent foreclosures, rose by 61 percent last year compared to five years ago. These payoffs allowed more than six in 10 homeowners who defaulted on FHA-insured loans to stay in their homes.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-042808.cfm

HOME SALES
Florida Realtors statewide reported slight gains in existing home and condominium sales from February to March 2008, according to FAR's latest housing statistics. A total of 9,142 existing single-family homes changed hands in March, a 10 percent increase over the previous month. Statewide existing condo sales totaled 3,145 in March, up 13.7 percent compared to February's sales.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-042208.cfm

Lake City among country’s hottest markets
Magazine rates area as No. 47 for doing business.
By TROY ROBERTS
www.lakecityreporter.com

Lake City was named one of the top 100 small business markets in the south — coming in at No. 47 — in the April issue of Southern Business and Development magazine.Lake City was second on the list in the state of Florida behind Palm Coast.

This is the second time in the past decade that Lake City has been named one of the top small business markets by this magazine, said Jim Poole, executive director of the Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.“This is based on the number of actual deals or company locations within your community that has created a minimum of 200 jobs,” Poole said.

He said the scoring is done during the course of a five-year time frame, and new industries in Lake City such as Hunter Panels, New Millennium Building Systems, U.S. Cold Storage and Target helped Lake City place on the list again.Ranking businesses east of Texas and south of West Virginia, the magazine ranked communities similar in size to Lake City, Poole said, and noted that many of the communities were larger than Lake City and very few, if any, were actually smaller.

Lake City being named to the list could help future expansion, Poole said, as companies looking to relocate into the South or into Florida will see Lake City’s high ranking.

“The last time (we were named to the list), it definitely helped us because people began to realize where we were, and began to look and see who is here and what’s happening and why this community was emerging,” he said.“I think that will continue,” Poole said.

“The magazine goes out to site developers, company locators, people looking for new locations for businesses; when they go through the businesses on the list, they’ll see how well we did within the state and southern markets.”

PENDING HOME SALESNAR released its pending home sales and outlook this morning, with Chief Economist Lawrence Yun predicting little change over the next few months followed by an upswing in sales in the second half of the year.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-040808.cfm

Canadians, especially those who live in U.S. border areas, are snapping up vacation homes in the U.S. as the Canadian dollar gains value against the declining American dollar. According to NAR, the largest number of Canadians head to Florida, with California ranking second.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-040808.cfm

Title: 5 Tips for Buying a Home in a Down Market
URL: http://www.bankaholic.com/2008/buying-home-down-market/

MARKET WATCH: GAINESVILLEIn Gainesville, some positive signs have recently emerged about median home prices and existing home sales. "I think we're heading in the right direction," says Craig McCall, president-elect of the Gainesville Alachua County Association of Realtors. More buyers, McCall says, are beginning to look at properties, and agents are starting to receive more offers.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-040108.cfm __________________________