Florida RealEstateRama

MONTREAL, FL - June 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Representing Florida’s Realtors and the interests of the state’s real estate industry, Florida Realtors® President Patricia Fitzgerald is in Canada this week working alongside Gov. Rick Scott and other key business leaders to encourage Canadian companies to do business in Florida.

ORLANDO, FL - June 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Want to recognize an environmentally conscious Florida builder or developer, one whose projects prove that responsible growth and environmental protection can co-exist? Then remind builders to enter to win Florida Realtors® annual Environmental Award, popularly known as the ENVY, before the July 7, 2011, deadline.

Washington, DC - June 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL) was joined by 17 of his House colleagues in introducing legislation to aid economic recovery by preventing federal bank regulators from arbitrarily penalizing community banks for working with borrowers to modify their loans or accepting mortgage payments from someone other than the borrower. Since the 2008 financial crisis, federal bank regulators have been unnecessarily obstructing the ability of community banks to make and modify loans to small businesses and mortgage recipients.

Washington, DC - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- West Palm Beach Coalition for Independent Living Options (CILO) and the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) have filed a housing discrimination lawsuit against Cornerstone Group Development Corporation (www.cornerstonegrp.com), one of the largest multifamily housing developers in Florida and the United States. The organizations allege discrimination by Cornerstone Group and several of its affiliates against people with disabilities under the federal Fair Housing Act.

MIAMI, FL - June 1, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Miami enjoyed a unique industry streak of penthouse sales from its luxury condo inventory in April throughout the Downtown and Brickell neighborhoods to the tune of just under $ 13 million. The condominium penthouses sold by Cervera Real Estate included a two-story Epic Tower penthouse located at 200 Biscayne Boulevard Way, the Marquis Residences located at 1100 Biscayne Boulevard; 500 Brickell and the Plaza both located on Brickell Avenue.

ORLANDO, FL - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Hearing “the check is in the mail,” is welcome news for 113 well-deserving young people who live in communities across Florida. Why? It’s because the announcement means that these students — high school graduates about to enter their first year of college and others already enrolled in a college, or university — recently were notified they are recipients of scholarships through the Florida Realtors® Education Foundation Inc.A not-for-profit corporation established by the state Realtor association, the Florida Realtors® Education Foundation Inc. provides real estate-related educational scholarships and grants. The Foundation’s Board of Directors awarded $263,000 in scholarships to help pay for higher education expenses for these students in the 2011-2012 school year. All recipients are Florida residents and will be attending community colleges, four-year universities, graduate programs or law schools. Many students said they hope to pursue careers in real estate.

MIAMI, FL - May 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater joined the Florida Marlins and Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) on the field today to announce the “Protect Your Home Base” initiative, encouraging Floridians to prepare and protect their homes and families before the beginning of hurricane season on June 1. This signature event is one of several highlighted in FLASH’s 2011 Great Hurricane Blowout preparedness campaign to raise awareness about strengthening homes and safeguarding families. The event took place at the Sun Life Stadium before the start of the Florida Marlins vs. Tampa Bay Rays baseball game

MIAMI, FL - May 20, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Cervera Real Estate has named Susie Glass as vice president, marketing and sales. One of her primary roles at Cervera is to provide extensive marketing and sales support to the agents and increase the communication between branch offices and Cervera corporate. Glass is a recognized leader in the real estate industry.

ORLANDO, FL - May 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales rose in April, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Existing home sales increased 2 percent last month with a total of 17,192 homes sold statewide compared to 16,781 homes sold in April 2010, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide sales of existing condos last month rose 17 percent compared to the year-ago sales figure.Twelve of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported higher existing home sales in April; 14 MSAs also had higher condo sales. It’s the fifth consecutive month that Florida Realtors has reported higher year-over-year existing home and existing condo sales statewide.

Miami, FL - May 16, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- During the ongoing housing crisis, more that 54,000 South Floridians have been faced with foreclosures and have had to make the tough choice as to whether to fight to save their homes or walk away. Residents stuck in upside-down mortgages are often not aware of their available options when faced with foreclosure proceedings and can be more susceptible to loan modification scams; miss out on mortgage aid opportunities and, as consequence, lose their homes which could have been prevented.

ORLANDO, FL - May 12, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando Area recently celebrated National Women Build Week, an initiative designed to empower women to take action against poverty housing conditions. Locally, more than 400 women volunteered to build five townhomes at Stag Horn Villas, the nonprofit’s first multi-family community. During the effort from May 2 – 7, more than $100,000 was raised by event sponsors and fundraising teams.

ORLANDO, FL - May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales rose in first quarter 2011 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest housing statistics from Florida Realtors®. Existing home sales increased 13 percent in 1Q 2011 with a total of 44,531 homes sold statewide; during the same period the year before, a total of 39,406 homes changed hands according to Florida Realtors.

ORLANDO, FL - May 6, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the state Legislature’s passage of HJR 381/SJR 658, lawmakers have made it clear today that they share the goal of Florida Realtors® in bringing fairness to Florida's property tax system. As Florida leaders seek ways to attract businesses, out-of-state buyers and investors to the Sunshine State, the appeal of a property tax incentive is a strong one.HJR 381/SJR 658 would, among other things, provide property tax relief to non-homestead owners and first-time buyers.

Washington, DC - May 6, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL) was joined by 17 of his House colleagues in introducing legislation to aid economic recovery by preventing federal bank regulators from arbitrarily penalizing community banks for working with borrowers to modify their loans or accepting mortgage payments from someone other than the borrower. Since the 2008 financial crisis, federal bank regulators have been unnecessarily obstructing the ability of community banks to make and modify loans to small businesses and mortgage recipients.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - April 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida CFO Jeff Atwater today announced the arrest of Jose Claudio Pereira, owner of BR Mortgage Group Corporation, on charges of racketeering for his part in fraudulent mortgage transactions in Broward, St. Lucie and Brevard counties.

ORLANDO, FL - April 21, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales rose in March, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Existing home sales increased 12 percent last month with a total of 18,522 homes sold statewide compared to 16,540 homes sold in March 2010, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide sales of existing condos last month rose 24 percent compared to the year-ago sales figure.Seventeen of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported higher existing home and existing condo sales in March; 17 MSAs also had higher condo sales. It’s the fourth consecutive month that Florida Realtors has reported higher year-over-year existing home and existing condo sales statewide.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Fannie Mae today announced the opening of the Jacksonville Mortgage Help Center to provide free education and counseling services to struggling Duval County homeowners. The Jacksonville Center, the latest of eight Mortgage Help Centers to open across the country, is part of Fannie Mae's nationwide initiative to educate families about the options and tools available to help them stay in their homes. The Center was developed in partnership with Wealth Watchers, Duval County community and elected officials, and area mortgage servicers

WASHINGTON, DC - April 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Fannie Mae today announced the opening of the Tampa Mortgage Help Center to provide free education and counseling services to struggling homeowners in the Greater Tampa Bay area. The Tampa Center, the seventh Mortgage Help Center to open across the country, is part of Fannie Mae's nationwide initiative to educate families about the options and tools available to help them stay in their homes.

Tallahassee, FL - April 121, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a complaint against a home loan modification company for allegedly requiring consumers to pay an upfront fee for services. According to an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Mitigators, LLC, a company providing home loan modification services, was allegedly requiring consumers to pay an upfront fee of $2,100 before services were rendered. Many consumers reported paying the $2,100 fee and an additional $399 application fee for services they never received. The Attorney General’s complaint against the company seeks more than $48,000 in restitution for consumers

ORLANDO, FL - April 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Don’t wait to enter Florida Realtors® annual Environmental Award program, or you may be green with ENVY when the winner is chosen. Popularly known as the “ENVY” award, the honor goes to a development that best preserves Florida’s natural quality of life. The award may be given in two categories: one for residential development and one for commercial development.Oakland Park, a traditional neighborhood development between the historic towns of Oakland and Winter Garden in Central Florida, won Florida Realtors’ 23rd ENVY Award in 2010. The community includes about 258 acres stretching from the shores of Lake Apopka to Oakland Avenue.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - April 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida CFO Jeff Atwater is urging Tampa residents whose homes and property were damaged last week by tornadoes to be on the lookout for unlicensed contractors, and to make sure they thoroughly understand all of the details before signing any contract with a contractor

ORLANDO, FL - March 28, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- What do a number of educators, Realtors, business executives, media representatives, civic organizers and elected officials across Florida have in common? They all can add serving as a district judge for Florida Realtors® 2010-2011 Scholarship/Essay Contest for High School Seniors to their resumes of community service.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - March 28, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a first-of-its-kind settlement against attorney Marshall C. Watson and his law firm, one of the largest foreclosure firms in Florida, for alleged improprieties in the prosecution of foreclosure cases throughout Florida. This settlement, which calls for a $2 million payment and imposition of certain requirements to conduct business, is the first stemming from numerous investigations into Florida foreclosure law firms.

ORLANDO, FL - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- In two days, Realtors® will open doors to homeownership through thousands of open houses being held across the state as part of Florida Open House Weekend, March 26-27, sponsored by Florida Realtors®.“This exciting event will help homebuyers find their Florida dream home,” says 2011 Florida Realtors President Patricia Fitzgerald, manager/broker-associate with Illustrated Properties in Hobe Sound and Mariner Sands Country Club in Stuart.

ORLANDO, FL - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- In two days, Realtors® will open doors to homeownership through thousands of open houses being held across the state as part of Florida Open House Weekend, March 26-27, sponsored by Florida Realtors®.“This exciting event will help homebuyers find their Florida dream home,” says 2011 Florida Realtors President Patricia Fitzgerald, manager/broker-associate with Illustrated Properties in Hobe Sound and Mariner Sands Country Club in Stuart.

ORLANDO, FL - March 21, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales rose in February, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Existing home sales increased 13 percent last month with a total of 13,701 homes sold statewide compared to 12,164 homes sold in February 2010, according to Florida Realtors. February’s statewide sales of existing condos rose 29 percent compared to the previous year’s sales figure.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 16, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A new study this week says Florida continues to have a dismal-performing housing market, but the state’s governor is stalling federal emergency assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure, according to two recent letters by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

ORLANDO, FL - March 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida Gov. Rick Scott and members of Florida’s Cabinet signed a resolution recognizing March 21-27, 2011, as “Welcome Home Week” in Florida.The resolution reads, in part: “Whereas, Realtors throughout Florida are dedicated to helping improve the quality of life for all Floridians as they promote the benefits of homeownership, with studies demonstrating that for every two home sales, one job is created, with every home purchased pumping up to $60,000 into the economy.

March 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Hillsborough County’s Affordable Housing Department recently received favorable reviews from the State and Federal government for the management of two of its programs. The annual reviews were of the department’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program and its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

ORLANDO, FL - March 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- From the Panhandle to Central Florida to the Keys, Realtors® across the Sunshine State are getting ready for Florida Open House Weekend, March 26-27, 2011 – a prime opportunity for buyers to visit many homes for sale in a single weekend.According to research conducted for the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), every time a house is built, bought or sold, jobs are created. NAR found