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Clearwater Florida News - FL Legislative Session bringing Good News to Real Estate Investors and Home Owners
May 1st, 2009 Categories: Clearwater Beach Florida, Clearwater Florida, Real Estate News, Tampa Bay
Clearwater Florida - As you know we wrote last year about the need to pass the proposed Florida property tax amendment that would in my opinion have protected people buying Clearwater Beach condos or vacation homes. Many 2nd home buyers now worry about feeling the squeeze of property taxes as the Clearwater real estate markets improve.
For those who want to buy a little piece of Florida paradise and enjoy it for many years to come - they don’t want to hear anyone say a few years from now, “Well the good news is, it’s worth more if you sell it.” They tell me they want to know they can afford to keep that special family beach house or retirement home and even dream of passing it down to their children.
In addition, I still think what happened to Florida business owners during the boom of 2004-2006, especially those Clearwater Beach Mom and Pop motels along our beaches (as well as all 26 miles of our beaches for that matter) by calculating their property taxes based on “highest and best use” was awful and amounted to basically a way to force them to sell and we are all worse off for it.
I don’t think that it was fair but after 24 years of my husband constantly reminding me that “fair is a place you take your pigs” I realize my passion for the individual, small business person is personal and some may say even a little naive. Well so be it, I do believe people who want to sell should be able to sell and those that don’t want to sell - shouldn’t be basically forced too. Their businesses could never generate the income needed to pay the proposed taxes and there was no solution but to sell. This is a problem and many people have been fighting hard to see things changed.
So in a time when our best mortgage borrowers are being hit with Jumbo rates which can be basically conventional rates plus 2% and luxury beach property values are down and not get stabalized, I believe we need to make it more attractive to those who are ready willing and able to purchase to do so.
Well when I just got this early recap from the Florida Association of Realtors® I was thrilled to say the least and just had to share…as we finish the first day of May at 10pm tonight the may be good news on the horizon. Here’s their End of Session recap - maybe the peoples voices are being heard - What do you think about these proposals? …
Those that Own Homes in Clearwater or Clearwater Beach Florida may soon be happier
“The House and Senate have completed their 60th day of the 2009 legislative session. This is the day the Legislature should be adjourning “Sine Die.” However, as you have likely heard, the 2009 regular session of the Florida Legislature has been extended for a full week to finalize the budget. While the session was extended to next week, today still has that “last-day-of-session feel,” since all non-budget legislation had to be considered for final passage today if it was going to have a chance of becoming law.
And, it has been an amazing day in Tallahassee for Clearwater Realtors® and all Florida Realtors® for that matter, as most of FAR’s 2009 legislative initiatives ended in victory.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment would help Vacation Home Owners as well as Real Estate Investors in Clearwater FL
One of the final bills considered tonight was SJR 532. This constitutional amendment will:
- Ask voters to limit increases in property tax assessments on all non-homestead properties to 5 percent annually. (Remember this was pulled from the ballot last year by a Leon County Circuit Judge so let’s hope this year goes better - read more..Pinellas County Real Estate Today Loses Chance to Cut Property Taxes by up to 32%)
- First-time homebuyers in Pinellas County and around Florida could benefit, too, with an additional homestead exemption up to $100,000 on their first home.
Related Articles:
Pinellas County Real Estate Today Loses Chance to Cut Property Taxes by up to 32%
More Good News Regarding Property Tax Assessment and Capping Home Insurance Rates?
- HB 521, is the bill that puts the burden of proving that a property tax assessment is correct on the appraiser, not the property owner, also passed both chambers and heads to the Governor. Who doesn’t think this is a good idea?
- In the area of property insurance, the Legislature capped rate increases at 10 percent per year for Citizens policyholders (HB 1495). The Legislature also repealed the requirement that, effective Jan. 1, 2010, sellers of property located in a wind-borne debris region, and which has an insured value on the structure of $500,000 or more, provide prospective buyers the structure’s windstorm mitigation rating.
- Related post:Clearwater Florida Real Estate gets Florida Hotline to Home Insurance Options
- The growth management bill (SB 360) we supported passed as a big package. It includes a provision to encourage urban infill by eliminating transportation concurrency, one that allows for expedited comprehensive plan reviews and another that eliminates the development of regional impact process (DRIs) in urban areas. The bill also extends previously obtained permits and approvals by two years, creates a transition process for moving towards a mobility fee system, and streamlines and reduces inefficiency in our approach to growth management.
- Also, it appears that when theFlorida legislative budget is finalized next week, we’ll have $30 million for downpayment assistance to help “front load” the federal first-time homebuyer tax credit.” - now if we can just get the banks to give a thumbs up or down to all the short sales on their desks we’d be golden!! We are seeing lots of willing buyers and sellers - but with 80% of home sellers owing more than their homes will appraise for today we’re all feeling the bottleneck of the banks.
Related Articles: Clearwater Real Estate | Property Tax Portability Passes - Calculate Your Benefit
Also Read : Buying Clearwater Real Estate bargains - Bank owned, REO, short sales, Foreclosures So, call us today to discuss any property tax estimates or info on how we can help you buy an investment property or beach house, condos or villas on our Tampa Bay beaches.
Want to See All the Clearwater Homes for Sale?
Here’s what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them….or check out over 20 video message here
- “you treated us like family”
- “you dig for info on each property, researched and worked hard to make sure we knew everything about the home we bought”
- “being out of state we needed someone we could trust - and that was you!”
- “we didn’t want any pressure - we worked with you a long time and there was never any pressure”
- “you are the Painless REALTORS - I’ve bought and sold homes and you handled all the details for us - thanks”
Buyers continue to tell us that selecting the best Clearwater real estate agents, online or from a distance, can be a challenge. So some of our past clients agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us. Meet some of our clients and now friends…we’d love to be YOUR choice too!
Give us a call so we can to discuss your needs! (727)710-8035 or (727) 710-8036
P.S. So go ahead an search all the properties for sale in the Clearwater MLS now…
and just so you know, we require no email or sign in - like everything else we do - our goal is to continue to provide you with ALL the information available so you can make the best decisions!
Copyright © 2007-2009 Jack and Cyndee Haydon, REALTORS and Clearwater Real Estate Consultants and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.
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Clearwater Real Estate | Property Tax Portability Passes - Calculate Your Benefit
January 29th, 2008 Categories: Clearwater Beach Florida, Clearwater Florida, Community News, Pinellas County, Real Estate News, Tampa Bay
Clearwater Florida Election Results are In - Real Estate a Big Winner!
Wow what a day - the great news is regardless of the results Pinellas County is reporting a 37% voter turnout - which tops even the 2000 and 2004 Presidential Primaries. I am an avid supporter of the the right and responsibility to Vote and have your voice be heard.
So for all that voted - thank you for being part of our democratic process!! Amendment 1 did pass so for many of my clients looking to buy a second home or condo in Clearwater - they’ll be happy to know that the 10% per year tax cap passed for all non-homestead owners!
Many of us think it should have been 5% but our thought is half a loaf is better than no loaf - especially in this market! We’re making progress and the journey’s not over but I believe it’s moving in the right direction. I’ve included full detail how to calculate your new Save Our Homes Tax Equity and Portability.
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Clearwater Florida Real Estate Investors and Home Owners Could be Winners Tomorrow
January 28th, 2008 Categories: Clearwater Beach Florida, Clearwater Florida, Community News, Pinellas County, Real Estate News, Tampa Bay
Tomorrow is more than just Super Tuesday in the Presidential Primary Election and local elections here in Clearwater Florida and the Beaches.
In the state of Florida we have another big issue that will get decided on by Tampa Bay residents - it is Florida Constitutional Amendment 1 that has 4 components that will affect our future property taxes if it passes with 60% of the voters voting YES!
Provision #3 is the one most of my real estate investors and second home owners are watching since it will provide much needed help to our non-homestead Clearwater Beach property owners.
Remember when you vote it’s ALL or NOTHING! If the Amendment passes it will be retroactive to January 1, 2008. So I will give you an overview of the four Provisions Amendment 1 covers:
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