Renting a Room Can Hurt Homestead Tax Exemptions

Some Fla. homeowners with homestead property-tax exemptions are finding that the exemption is at risk if they rent out part of the home or run a small business. SARASOTA, Fla. – When Dan Graue read a letter from the Sarasota County Property Appraiser that notified him he had been dodging taxes on hi

FHA: Some Buyers Can Request Second Appraisal

New HUD process will allow FHA borrowers to request a second appraisal if they suspect their first appraisal was skewed due to an appraiser’s racial bias. WASHINGTON, Fla. – Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced that HUD, through the Federal Housing Administration (

Collier County Commissioners repeal 60-day rent increase ordinance

The Collier County ordinance that said landlords had to provide a 60-day notice to renters if they planned to increase the rent by 5% or more has been repealed. The board of commissioners voted Tuesday to repeal the ordinance less than a year after it was passed in October. The repeal passed 4-1. In

Homeowners: File Now for Homestead Exemption

Last year’s homebuyers can submit homestead exemption applications before March 1 – their once-per-year chance to apply for up to a $50K property tax reduction. ORLANDO, Fla. – New homeowners – and especially first-time homeowners – can lower their home’s estimated value for tax purposes by up to $5