Legislature 2008: Four days to go and a lot to do

FAR lobbyists and leadership go into overdrive this week to persuade lawmakers to pass legislation favorable to real estate interests before midnight Friday — when the 2008 regular session is scheduled to adjourn. Among the issues still unresolved: health coverage for uninsured Floridians, including thousands of Florida Realtors; new laws that would allow Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to insure structures valued at $1 million or more; requiring appraisers to consider how commercial properties are zoned and permitted when determining “highest and best use”; additional funding for home-hardening programs such as the My Safe Florida Home program; and bills related to growth management and affordable housing. Keep reading FAR's EarlyBird daily e-news service for updates on legislative activity. If you would like to follow real estate issues even more closely, view FAR's Legislative Tracker on our Web site. Bill status is updated in real time all day every day as bills are being considered.

Voters to decide on more tax relief

Florida voters will decide in November how far they want the state to go to provide additional property tax relief. Last week, members of the Tax and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC), whose members include attorneys, executives, tax collectors and real estate professionals (including 2007 FAR President Nancy Riley), approved a proposed constitutional amendment that could, among other things, cut most property taxes by at least 25% and cap annual assessment increases on non-homestead property at 5%. The panel meets every 20 years to recommend constitutional and statutory changes to improve the state's tax and budget system. The property tax relief measure, CP 2 , is one of seven proposed constitutional amendments. To reduce property taxes, the plan would eliminate the school tax portion of the property tax bill. Monies for education would be generated through a variety of sources, such as an increase in the state sales tax and fees on services currently exempt from such taxation.

Play by the rules

Be aware that in a few months there will be a new rule from the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) concerning Internet advertising. FAR attorneys report that FREC recently approved changes to rule 61J2-10.025. Currently, a real estate brokerage is required to place its firm name by the “point of contact information” on a Web page. The new rule simply requires the firm name to appear on every Web page. IMPORTANT: The rule is not in effect now. FAR will give you ample prior notice and further details about the rule change when they become available from FREC.

State goes after unlicensed business activities

With input from FAR and other industry groups, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has created a full-scale media campaign to warn consumers of the dangers of hiring unlicensed professionals. The “Ugly Business” campaign officially debuts July 1 but is being previewed at malls in Miami, Orlando, Tallahassee and Tampa. The mall displays feature ads created for the cosmetology industry, but similar ads are being created for real estate practitioners, Certified Public Accountants, the construction industry and other licensed professions. Bold graphics and straightforward messaging will educate consumers on the dangers of unlicensed activity, which can result in personal or financial harm and unfair competition for licensed professionals. The ads recommend consumers check licenses and report unlicensed activity. “Our goal is to protect Floridians and visitors from the unscrupulous individuals who practice unlicensed activity,” says DBPR Interim Secretary Chuck Drago. A portion of every license fee paid by some 1 million individuals is earmarked to fight unlicensed activity.

FAR waives fee for Broker/Manager Profitability Conference

Tough times call for tough measures, which is why FAR is inviting real estate brokers and managers to attend the June 23 Broker/Manager Profitability conference in Orlando at no charge. The one-day seminar, facilitated by Florida broker extraordinaire Steven David of Fort Lauderdale, features presentations that will help you survive the changing Florida real estate market. Speakers include Larry Mersereau (a nationally-known business development expert), Jim Mitchell (former general counsel for the Florida Real Estate Commission), Kristen Veraldi (co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Real Estate Blogsites), Matey H. Veissi (former FREC commissioner and broker/owner of Veissi & Associates, Miami), Joe Ballarino (broker, Amerivest Realty, Naples), Cliff Perotti (real estate office management veteran), John Ansbach (generational marketing guru), Laurie Nieman (St. Petersburg/Tampa broker) and Steve Reibel (Steven A.Reibel, Senior Vice President, The Keyes Company). The day concludes with a mini trade expo and wine/hors d'oeuvres reception from 4-6 p.m. Pre-registration is required to ensure space in the seminar and the luncheon. On-site registrations will only be taken on a space-available basis and the luncheon cannot be guaranteed.

What you need to know:
Surviving the Florida Real Estate Market: Making Your Way Through The Jungle
Mon., June 23, 2008 • 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Marriott Orlando Airport • Orlando
Registration: 800-669-4327