DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE AmeriDream and Nehemiah Corp. of America are suing HUD in an attempt to overturn its new rule that bans seller-financed downpayment assistance. The nonprofit groups are two of the largest providers of such assistance. Read the full story: Destin fl real estate http://www.30acondosandhomes.com/

HOME SALES In August, low mortgage rates, low unemployment rates and strong demographics continued to reflect positive economic signs in Florida with a total of 11,279 existing single-family homes sold statewide, according to FAR. The figure was closer to activity in August 2001 and 2002 – before the peak of the housing boom years – than the 15,252 homes sold in August 2006 for a 26 percent decrease in the year-to-year comparison. The statewide existing-home median sales price was $231,900. Read the full story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-092507.cfm http://www.30acondosandhomes.com/san_destin.html

PROPERTY TAXES Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Gov. Charlie Crist, FAR President Nancy Riley joined forces with other supporters Monday to launch a bi-partisan group, “Yes on 1 – Save our Homes NOW,” urging Floridians to vote for the largest tax cut in the state’s history on Jan. 29, 2008. Read the full story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-091807.cfm http://www.30acondosandhomes.com/destin_city.html

INTEREST RATES Do you have potential buyers who are afraid to commit? This may be the golden period for mortgage rates. Experts expect the Federal Reserve to lower the interest rate tomorrow; but former chairman Alan Greenspan predicts that interest rates will start to rise again soon, possibly into the double digits. Read the full story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-091707.cfm http://www.30acondosandhomes.com/san_destin.html

Rates on 30-year mortgages dropped this week to the lowest point in four months – an average of 6.31 percent for FRMs – providing some relief for people hoping to refinance or buy a new home. Read the full story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-091407.cfm http://www.30acondosandhomes.com/destin_city.html

EarlyBird News An information service for members of the Florida Association of Realtors® http://www.floridarealtors.org For legislative news visit http://farlegislative.org. ********************************************************** DAILY BRIEFING Thursday, May 24, 2007 ********************************************************** NEW HOME SALES Sales of new homes surged in April by 16.2 percent – the biggest amount in 14 years – but the median price of a new home also dropped by the largest amount on record, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. The mixed signals left no clear picture of whether the worst of the nation's housing slowdown is over. Read the full story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-052407.cfm

2007 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE Realtors want property tax reform as soon as possible – yesterday would have been great – but they also want it done right, and a one-month waiting period leading to a special session of the Florida Legislature gives lawmakers time to consider the complicated issue. It also gives Realtors an opportunity to meet their lawmakers locally and push for positive and substantial change. Read the full story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-050307.cfm http://www.30acondosandhomes.com/destin_city.asp destin fl real estate http://www.30acondosandhomes.com/destin_city.asp

As House and Senate property tax negotiators continued to parley on how much should be cut, Gov. Charlie Crist proposed a plan Wednesday that would basically split the difference. However, Crist’s plan doesn’t include any sort of proposal to increase sales taxes in exchange for reducing and potentially eliminating property taxes. Read the full story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-042607.cfm http://www.30acondosandhomes.com/destin_city.asp

Destin Harbor voted in the top ten in America Destin, Florida Amid the high-rises, the outlandishly themed minigolf courses, and all the other resort-town enticements that have proliferated in the past couple of decades, the hardworking heart of the “world’s luckiest fishing village” still beats at the harbor. Fine-dining restaurants and rollicking bars predominate these days, but Destin’s Old Florida heritage also lives on at such classic no-frills joints as Dewey Destin Seafood. Near the harbor entrance, just north of the bridge, boaters congregate at the submerged Crab Island for a continuous floating party that lasts all summer; 800/322-3319 http://www.coastalliving.com/coastal/travel/bestofthecoast/article/0,14587,1594217-2,00.html View all Harbor Front Real Estate here http://www.30acondosandhomes.com/destin_harbour.asp

HOME PRICES “A market returning to normal” is the way Global Insight, a privately held global information company, describes the current housing market, based on the most recent U.S. Housing Valuation Analysis. Read the full story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-040207.cfm http://www.30acondosandhomes.com/destin_city.asp