Melonie Haag & Lee Ann Ward’s Blog

Gov. Crist is hosting a listen only  conference call tonight at 6:45pm.  Gov. Crist will discuss the importance of the Yes on 1 Property Tax Amendment and highlight the key points of the the amendment.  The call is open to everyone who would like to participate.

 listen only dial in: 888-791-4326

Confirmation Code: 4112725

Temperatures in many areas of northern Florida dropped into the 20s early Thursday, following the 30-degree temperatures some northern parts of the state saw Wednesday. Snow flurries were reported near the Daytona Beach coastline, the first in Florida since 2006

Source: AP

Daily Real Estate News | December 21, 2007President George W. Bush signed legislation into law on Thursday that will ease the tax burden for home owners who have had debt forgiven on a mortgage due to a foreclosure, short sale, or deed in lieu of foreclosure. The bill — Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act — has been supported by NAR since the 1990s.

Realtors joinng together to Help those in need

Citrus County may be small, but we are fierce.  We recently held a 2 week office challenge to benefit the Family Resource Center in Hernando, FL.  We asked every office to collect canned goods and toiletries and boy did they!! Although only 15 office out of 125+ joined in, we collected almost 4,000 items!!

We borrowed a local Real Estate companies moving van and drove around picking up the donations.  The look on Ginger Wests’ (Director for the Family Resource Center) face was priceless.

Ginger told us they feed about 1500 families a month and there cabinets were bear, so these donations came at the perfect time for them.

Our Assoc. also holds a toy drive and auction to benefit the Center every Dec.  Generally we deliver 3-4 truck loads of toys and $8-$10,000 to them (that is 10% of their yearly budget).  It is such a great feeling to give back in our own community.

A property tax relief plan awaits Florida voters when they go to the polls on January 29th.

Monday night, state lawmakers passed a constitutional amendment to cut property taxes. The agreement came after the House reluctantly passed a take-it-or-leave-it compromise that the Senate offered.

The proposed state constitutional amendment would increase exemptions for primary homes — known as homesteads — for an
average estimated savings of $240 a year per taxpayer. Also, for the first time it would cap assessments on other properties –
businesses, second homes and rentals.

A tax fix?

• Property tax agreement
• Previous stories on this issue
• Bay News 9 Political Connections

A “portability” provision would let homesteaders take at least part of the benefits they get from the existing Save Our Homes
assessment cap with them when they move.

But not all lawmakers are happy about the deal.

To come back at the last minute with this nonsense is a slap in my face,'’ said Rep. Julio Robaini (R) Miami. “It’s insulting to this body and it should be insulting to everybody in the state of Florida.'’

But lawmakers in favor of the agreement said it is just a beginning of fixing the state’s tax issues.

“People were debating property taxes back in the early ’80s,'’ said Rep. Dean Cannon, a Winter Park republican. “You know, this is a perennial thing. As long as we don’t think this is the last step, it’s just the next step, then I think we’ll be fine and I think that’s what the voters expect of us.'’

Source: Bay News 9

Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip young ones

Non-food treats: Plastic rings, pencils, stickers, erasers, coins

Here are some helpful sites to look at for more info on the tax reform.

Super Homestead Exemption Calculator midas.fgcu.edu

Side by side comparison of legislatures property tax reform www.floridarealtors.org

FAR chief lobbyist John Sebree discusses the issues and answers questions about property tax reform www.floridarealtors.org

Welcome to the Property Insurance Reform Toolkit!

Managing insurance issues can be challenging in today’s market, and FAR is pleased to offer suggestions and ideas to help you meet these challenges. Take advantage of the many innovative insurance reforms passed by the Legislature earlier this year, and feel free to share the following information with your customers and clients. It’s an easy way to add value to the outstanding service you provide as a Realtor every day. We also suggest you and your clients contact your insurance agent for additional money-saving tips and to ensure you have the right amount of insurance coverage.

Because of recent changes to Florida law you can:

• Reduce rates by excluding windstorm insurance coverage;
• Reduce rates by excluding personal contents coverage;
• Reduce rates by taking action to protect your property against windstorm and notifying your insurance company that you have installed opening protections (garage door, windows and doors) and strengthened the roof;
• Reduce rates by excluding sinkhole coverage; 
• Reduce rates by choosing a deductible that best fits your financial situation.  Insurers are required to offer, at the time of a policy’s renewal, many deductible alternatives. Find the right one for you; 
• Choose quarterly and semi-annual installment plans to pay your premium.

I think the question is what doesn’t Citrus County offer? 

Here is a list of events, places to visit and places to eat in Citrus County.  Hope you enjoy!!

Events:

February~ Mantaee Festival: Art, Children Activities, Manatee Education, Food, Entertainment, crafts

March~Strawberry Festival: Arts, crafts, contest, prizes, food

November~ Seafood Festival: Arts, Crafts, Food, Raffles www.homosassaseafoodfestival.com

December~ Country Rocks the Canyon: Top Country Acts perform www.citrusbgc.com/countryrocks.htm

Places to visit:

Homosassa Wild Life Park: http://www.homosassasprings.org/

Swim with the Manatees

Fishing, golfing, kayaking

Places to eat:

Cafe on the Avenue, Crystal River Wine and Cheese, Backwater Jacks (waterfront), Pecks old Port Cove (waterfront), Riverside Crab House (Waterfront)

check out www.visitcitrus .com for more info  or www.citrushomes4sale.com

Welcome to Melonie Haag Lee Ann Ward’s Blog! This blog will provide you with valuable information, tips, and general insight into the real estate market in Crystal River.