Thursday, August 17, 2006
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HURRICANE INSPECTIONS

The state has already received more than 23,000 applications requesting
a free hurricane inspection since the program kicked off Tuesday, but
it's paying off for some residents. One Hialeah homeowner already had
her inspection and found out she needs to replace some corroded metal
roof ties.

Read the full story:

http://www.planetrealtor.com/florida/news/daily/news.cfm?article=n1-08172006
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INTEREST RATES

Inflation is gaining momentum, making it impossible to say whether
the Federal Reserve is done raising interest rates, says a Fed
policymaker. But Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Richard
Fisher also says that there is no recession in sight.

Read the full story:

http://www.planetrealtor.com/florida/news/daily/news.cfm?article=n2-08172006
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SENIOR HOUSING

In South Florida, the increasing cost of housing in recent years means
that options for older adults have dwindled or vanished. Seniors are
becoming the overlooked casualties of the region's affordable housing
crisis, many advocates say.

Read the full story:

http://www.planetrealtor.com/florida/news/daily/news.cfm?article=n3-08172006
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AUCTIONS

Auctioneers have seen a jump in business since the housing market
started showing signs of cooling. In addition to builders and investors
looking to unload inventory, auctioneers are fielding calls from
individual sellers.

Read the full story:

http://www.planetrealtor.com/florida/news/daily/news.cfm?article=n4-08172006
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Realty DONATIONS

Donations of land or property to charities are gaining favor as more
philanthropists seek to avoid or reduce bigger tax bites created by the
rapid growth of Realty values. And nonprofit groups, which once
shied away from such gifts, are seizing the opportunity with new
marketing programs.

Read the full story:

http://www.planetrealtor.com/florida/news/daily/news.cfm?article=n5-08172006

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ECOLOGY GIVE AND TAKE

High energy prices may not affect homeowners in one Texas town.
Austin is on its way to setting a new national precedent by mandating
that all new single-family homes be "zero-energy capable" by 2015.
In layman's terms, that means each new home would generate its own
energy through solar technologies. During the day, the energy would
flow into the city-owned power grid; at night, some of that energy
would flow back to the new homes. The proposed change, part of the
city's building code, would make each homeowner an energy source and
a business partner of Austin Energy. Austin builder Ray Tonjes, chair of
the National Association of Homebuilders Green Committee, says that
the zero-energy goal is certainly "doable."

Source: Camilla McLaughlin for Realtor Magazine Online
© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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AROUND FLORIDA
For complete news coverage (password required):
http://planetrealtor.com/Florida/News

Broward County: Affordable housing law breaks ground
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-scafford17aug17,0,7780734.story?coll=sfla-news-broward

Charlotte County: Homes planned in southern part of county
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060816/NEWS/608160464/1023/SPORTS08

Dunnellon: City postpones decision on housing development
http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060815/OCALACOMBUSINESS03/60815003/1001/NEWS01

Pembroke Pines: City looks into affordable housing options
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-safford16aug16,0,7370248.story?coll=sfla-news-broward

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