Florida RealEstateRama

EUGENE, OR - April 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Naples, Florida real estate professional Nic Neumann has joined the expanding number of brokers and agents syncing their websites with constantly updated real estate listings. Thanks to Internet Data Exchange (IDX) technology, Neumann, a member of the Sunshine MLS (SSMLS), can display listings from all over the Naples and Pelican Bay areas right on his personal website. Customizable IDX Broker gives Neumann and his clients the ability to view property listings as they come on the market, because of the relationship IDX, Inc. has with SSMLS. This technology makes searching for a property online monumentally easier for both real estate professionals like Neumann, and their clients.

Washington, DC - April 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Mayor Bill Foster and community leaders marked the groundbreaking today of new housing in the city of St. Petersburg under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Neighborhood Stabilization initiative funds will provide safe and clean affordable housing for Tampa Bay area residents.

EUGENE, OR - April 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Announcing today, IDX, Inc.’s newest client addition, Kristi Ross with Keller Williams- The Ross Team, who has chosen to conjoin with the growing list of elite rank real estate professionals incorporating a custom IDX solution into the search portions of their websites. Prospective home buyers in Fort Collins, Colorado and its surrounding areas can now sift through thousands of property listings, details and photo galleries, provided by the Information and Real Estate Services MLS (IRES) and its unique relationship with the IDX Broker software. This innovative Internet Data Exchange (IDX) software is capable of extracting raw data from the IRES, and then formats and transfers the information to indistinguishably match Ross' already existing page preferences and specifications, creating a user-friendly and hassle-free way for home seekers to find their perfect property online

EUGENE, OR - April 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Coldwell Banker real estate professional David Barr has elected to incorporate a custom IDX solution into the search portion of his real estate website, in efforts to create a simple, user-friendly and comprehensive online property search for prospective home buyers. Home seekers in Sarasota, Florida and its surrounding areas will now have immediate and directly access to a multitude of property listings, photo galleries and virtual tours, thanks to this unique Internet Data Exchange (IDX) software, and its relationship with the Mid Florida Regional MLS (MFRMLS). IDX Broker works by taking raw data from the MFRMLS, and then formats the information to be displayed as a seamlessly integrated part of Barr's website.

Washington, DC - April 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a senior member of the Florida Congressional Delegation, has recently signed on to letters, along with a bipartisan group of her fellow Members of Congress, expressing their concern with the failure to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

EUGENE, OR - April 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mike Fagan with John R. Wood- The Fagan Team of Bonita Springs, Florida, has recently chosen to employ IDX, inc. to improve, advance and simplify the search functionality of his real estate website, with the addition of a custom IDX solution. This particular Internet Data Exchange (IDX) software is the most highly customizable of its kind, enabling potential home buyers to create personalized search quarries, all the while viewing the most current and up-to-date property listing information on the market. Fagan is an active member of both the Fort Myers MLS (FortMyers) and the Sunshine MLS (SSMLS). This IDX Broker software has the capabilities to extract raw data from the SSMLS and FortMyers, and then formats the information to be viewed as a seamlessly integrated part of Fagan's website

Stuart, FL - April 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) today advised struggling homeowners in South Florida to take advantage of an opportunity this month for free counseling and guidance to help reduce their monthly mortgage payments. The event, hosted by the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA), will take place in Miami from April 15-19.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida CFO Alex Sink’s Bureau of Unclaimed Property today announced that last month over $22.4 million in unclaimed property was returned to owners – the biggest return in state history. In February, the Bureau returned a record-setting $22 million, which has now been surpassed by the March record

TALLAHASSEE, FL - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida Realtors® has announced the findings of its unique Face of Foreclosure research project, designed to study the impact of foreclosures on both the Florida housing market and on individual Florida homeowners facing foreclosure. The project’s goal was to develop in-depth information on the causes of foreclosures in Florida, which in turn will help lawmakers as they work on crafting legislation on this complex issue.

Washington, DC - April 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Kathy Castor released the following statement today regarding changes announced to the Neighborhood Stabilization Program

ORLANDO, FL - April 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The countdown has begun: Only a month remains before the federal homebuyer tax credit expires, so now is the time for house hunters to find the home they’ve always wanted in Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, FL- Florida CFO Alex Sink today issued the following statement urging the Florida Legislature to pass Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) legislation. Utilizing local government bonding capacity, this innovative approach lends money to residential and commercial property owners who are seeking financing for more efficient, clean-energy property retrofits and wind-resistant improvements

JACKSONVILLE, FL - March 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- United States Attorney A. Brian Albritton and James Casey, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, announce today that, following a two-week trial, a federal jury has found Marshall Craig Scott (age 59, of Jacksonville) guilty of commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Scott faces a maximum penalty of 145 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 24, 2010. Scott was indicted on October 29, 2009.

ORLANDO, FL - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida’s existing home sales rose in January, marking 17 months that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.Existing home sales increased 24 percent last month with a total of 10,465 homes sold statewide compared to 8,444 homes sold in January 2009, according to Florida Realtors. January’s statewide sales of existing condos rose 81 percent compared to the previous year’s sales figure

TAVARES, FL - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Lake County Department of Community Services and its partner Homes in Partnership are advertising several homes for sale online that were purchased through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)

Roofing, waterproofing and exterior wall system experts share newest sustainable building design and industry practices. 25th RCI International Convention & Trade Show offers top-notch educational programs for the building envelope and the construction community. Orlando, FL - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The growing popularity of rooftop energy production systems, sustainable and vegetated roofs, and the impact of climate, fire and drainage on overall design standards are just a few topics to be explored during a 5-day, intensive, educational program taught by today’s leading authorities within the building envelope industry.

ORLANDO, FL - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Attorney A. Brian Albritton announces that U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp today sentenced Mark J. Moncher (age 53, of Orlando) to 57 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme. The court also ordered Moncher to pay more than $1.9 million in restitution. Moncher had pleaded guilty on December 29, 2009.

Tampa, FL - March 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- With an El Nino winter almost behind us, it is time to start preparing for what forecasters predict will be an active spring for tornadoes, warns the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

March 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Department has scheduled two public meetings to receive public input on barriers that residents encounter in obtaining decent affordable housing and choices of housing. These meetings are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by local agencies that receive HUD funding, to ensure that the Fair Housing Act is being fulfilled in the community. The results of this survey and analysis will be used develop strategies and actions to reduce and/or eliminate the identified barriers. Please attend; we welcome your input

MIAMI, FL - March 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Bill McCollum and the Florida Interagency Mortgage Task Force today hosted a community forum in Miami to discuss the housing crisis. The event was designed to present a comprehensive approach for dealing with housing-related issues and provide information and assistance to consumers. Participating agencies included state agencies, law enforcement and regulatory authorities

TALLAHASSEE, FL - March 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As part of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer advisory on foreclosure rescue services and foreclosure-related loan modification offers, one of the most frequent subjects of complaints to the Attorney General’s Office during 2009. With a second wave of mortgage fraud and foreclosure rescue fraud predicted for 2010, the Attorney General warned homeowners that disreputable companies and individuals will likely continue trying to capitalize on the current economic climate and consumers’ credit and mortgage concerns.

ORLANDO, FL - March 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Thinking of selling your current home, but don’t know where to start? A Realtor® in Florida can help you attract buyers from around the corner – or from another continent – so you’ll be able to close the transaction and move ahead with your life.

ORLANDO, FL - March 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lower sales prices, stable interest rates and the recent extension and expansion of the federal income tax credit have created a great market for buyers throughout Florida, according to 2010 Florida Realtors® President Wendell Davis, a broker and regional vice president with Watson Realty Corp. in Jacksonville

TALLAHASSEE, FL - March 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida CFO Alex Sink's Bureau of Unclaimed Property today announced that last month marked the largest amount of unclaimed property returned to owners recorded in state history, totaling over $22 million. So far this fiscal year (July 1, 2009 through March 8, 2010) unclaimed property payments have totaled $121.4 million, with the Bureau of Unclaimed Property on pace to return more than $180 million by fiscal year end, which would also be a new annual record

March 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- “One of the major tragedies in our nation is homelessness among our veterans,” stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth). “There are over 130,000 homeless veterans, and we have a duty to provide shelter and care, especially to those who are disabled and with special medical needs. The opening of the HONOR Center in Gainesville represents a major step forward in serving these veterans.”

Tampa, FL - March 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The tragedies of the recent earthquakes in Chile and Haiti serve as a reminder that parts of the United States are highly vulnerable to the devastating effects of this unpredictable natural disaster.

ORLANDO, FL - March 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida’s existing home sales rose in January, marking 17 months that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.Existing home sales increased 24 percent last month with a total of 10,465 homes sold statewide compared to 8,444 homes sold in January 2009, according to Florida Realtors. January’s statewide sales of existing condos rose 81 percent compared to the previous year’s sales figure

ORLANDO, FL - February 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Do you have kids currently in college, or maybe one who is about to graduate high school? Are they interested in a possible real estate-related career? Then find out more about the Florida Association of Realtors® Education Foundation Inc., a new not-for-profit corporation established to provide real estate-related educational scholarships and grants. But act fast: The application deadline for this year’s program is March 15

WASHINGTON, DC - February 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Kendrick Meek today released the following statement regarding President Obama's decision to use funding from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to support Florida homeowners and stabilize the housing market

ORLANDO, FL - February 11, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Salesof existing single-family homes in Florida rose 44 percent in fourth quarter 2009 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest housing statistics from Florida Realtors®. A total of 43,926 existing homes sold statewide in 4Q 2009; during the same period the year before, a total of 30,610 existing homes sold. It marks the sixth consecutive quarter that Florida has seen higher existing year-to-year home sales, according to the state association.Statewide sales of existing condominiums in the fourth quarter rose 93 percent compared to the same time the previous year. This marks the fifth consecutive quarter for increased statewide sales in both the existing home and condo markets compared to year-ago levels.