Important News for Florida Homeowners

[tallydude]

I had the opportunity to meet and spend time with Governor Charlie Crist and State Senator Jeff Atwater last night at the Town Hall meeting at Palm Beach Community College in Palm Beach Gardens. What was the purpose of the meeting? Real Estate Taxes and Homeowner's Insurance.

The Governor started the night by stating Property taxes are too high- they're outta control, and that the state is putting the throttle on the insurance industry. Both need reform, said Crist, and that more reductions are coming.

In regards to real estate taxes, Senator Atwater echoed the governor's sentiments, stating that in the next ten days that congress is in session, property taxes would be lowered. There seemed to be a common message that if the counties (who are sitting on huge surpluses) wouldn't lower property taxes, the state would intervene.

There were many people who spoke at the meeting, citing claims of tax increases of 200%. The governor and senator seemed all too aware of this and also added that they were working on a possible expansion of the $25,000 Homestead Exemption.

In regards to your Homeowner's Insurance, Governor Crist stated that insurance companies have been profiteering off the backs of the people of Florida and that was not acceptable. Crist's plan to reduce insurance costs hinted at a two pronged attack. First, Citizen's insurance is going to become much more competitive. The governor stated that if the insurance companies wouldn't lower their rates, Citizen's would essentially price them out of business.

Secondly, insurance companies will no longer be able to pick and choose which services they offer here in Florida. If an insurance company offers a home policy in other states, they must offer it here, or they will not do business in the Sunshine State.

All in all, both the governor and state senator were very energetic about getting their message across. They were adamant about reminding people to continue to stay on top of their representatives to push these laws through. You can contact you representative at www.myflorida.com and email Governor Crist himself at Charlie.Crist@myflorida.com.

Folks, stay tuned. I think we're about to see some huge changes in policy extremely soon.

All My Best,

Jason

[burleytog]

Looks like quite a few insurance companies won't be doing business in Florida.

[Guest avid]

Thanks for the heads up Jason,

I'll write my letters.

by the way if any Floridians need mortgage advice, West Palm dude, is an expert.

[tallydude]

Aw, shucks, Avid. Now you've got me blushing. But thank you very much.

[moby bass]

Property taxes everywhere are out of control.  Wish the yo-yo's in Pennsylvania would come up with an idea like that. Maybe people would move into the state instead of out of it.

[PaparockArk]

When I moved from the mainland near Galveston Island, Teaxs, four years ago my taxes and insurance on a 1400sq.ft. house for a year combined came to $8000 for the same size home here in Arkansas on Lake Bull Shoals they come to $1000 this year. The house there cost $154,000 (1999) while I paid $94,000 here last year. I would not want to guess what the cost there near Galveston for insurance is now after Katrina. Good luck on keeping control of the cost in Florida. I have thought about all the people that retired to Florida during the lowest point of the huricane cycle over the last years and how they were going to fare now that the cycle is on the increase for several more years to come. I love Florida but hate huricanes. Been there, done that and it is NO FUN!