Verandah, a master-planned community located on almost 1,500 acres along the Orange River in Fort Myers, has won the 20th Residential Environmental Award from the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR). The award, popularly known as the ENVY, was presented recently at FAR’s 90th annual Convention and Trade Expo in Hollywood, Florida.

“Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Florida Association of Realtors’ Environmental Award has become THE one to win for builders of high-quality, environmentally responsible communities in Florida,” said 2006 FAR President Mike Dooley, in presenting the award. “Today, the ENVY Award recognizes the one residential development -- Verandah -- that best preserves our state’s natural quality of life.

The Bonita Bay Group serves as developers for Verandah, which opened for sales in February 2003.

Judges praised this development for the efforts taken to preserve the area's natural elements, such as setting aside nearly 70 percent of its land for open spaces, including nature preserves, parks, lakes and a conservation buffer for the riverfront. Developers also designed Verandah to reduce its wildfire threat, and thus became one of the first developments nationally to receive a Firewise Communities USA designation.

"Verandah was created with a deep respect for the environment, and receiving the ENVY Award confirms what we do as a company -- build communities in harmony with nature," said Kitty Green, vice president of The Bonita Bay Group. "At Verandah, we created a strict plan for protecting the community’s delicate ecosystems -- from historic riverfront to upland and wetland preserves."

As part of the ENVY award criteria, a judging panel of planning professionals reviewed the development’s preservation of the land’s native flora and fauna, the blending of the community with its surrounding environment, common areas such as nature trails and playgrounds, family recreation and safety, streets, drainage, sanitation and marketability.

Judges noted that Verandah was the state's "pioneer" in demonstrating how a community can be planned and developed following environmentally sustainable and green building practices. It received Florida's first green development designation from the Florida Green Building Coalition, which recognizes the community's commitment to responsible site development, natural resource and wildlife conservation, and green building practices.

Realtors throughout Florida commend Verandah for demonstrating that high-quality, environmentally conscious development makes good business sense.

© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Governor Signs 'Support Homeownership for All' License Plate Bill

Florida Realtors®  and the Florida Association of Realtors'® (FAR) applaud the recent signing of HB 1589 by Gov. Jeb Bush. Sponsored by state Rep. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, and Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, the legislation establishes the "Support Homeownership for All" specialty license plate with proceeds targeted to help workforce housing programs.

"The 'Support Homeownership for All' license plate offers a wonderful opportunity for each of us who live and work in Florida to be part of the solution concerning the critical housing needs of so many residents," says 2006 FAR President Mike Dooley. "'Many hands make light work' is a well-known saying and, in this case, many sold license plates will allow families to achieve their dream of owning a home in the communities where they live and work."

He adds, "Florida Realtors and FAR hope that proceeds from license plate sales will provide money for affordable, attainable housing programs. Homeownership for All Inc., made up of Realtors and other statewide housing advocates, looks forward to providing real solutions to help meet the ever-pressing needs of so many families who are without housing."

FAR sponsored a contest to come up with the design for the "Support Homeownership for All" license plate. The winner was Melissa Bourke, 27, of Naples, a graphic artist for the Naples-based John R. Wood Realtors. Of more than 275 entries sent in by Realtors and non-Realtors from all over Florida, Bourke's entry was chosen as the $1,000 contest winner. Her color scheme and graphic images inspired FAR's art department to put the finishing touches on the license plate design recently submitted to the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

"I am so proud that Florida Realtors have taken the lead in providing a creative solution to the attainable workforce housing crisis," says John Sebree, FAR's vice president of public policy. "We hope the 'Support Homeownership For All' license plate will break all previous specialty license plate sales in our state."

The legislation became effective July 1, 2006. According to DMV officials, the "Support Homeownership for All" license plates should be available for purchase sometime within a year.

© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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Florida Association of Realtors® Celebrates June As National Homeownership Month

Opening the doors to homeownership is a top priority for Florida Realtors® and the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). Therefore, Realtors across the state and throughout the U.S. are joining forces to promote housing opportunities and the removal of barriers to homeownership in recognition of June 2006 as National Homeownership Month.

"As Realtors, we work every day to help people realize the American Dream of owning their own home," says 2006 FAR President Mike Dooley. "Opening the door to homeownership helps families find security and stability. Buying a home is the biggest and best financial investment that most people make in their lifetime, but it also gives them a sense of place. Florida's homeownership rate of 72.4 percent in 2005 represented a record high level, but there is still a great opportunity to help more people have a home to call their own. And Florida Realtors have the great privilege of helping to make that happen."

Recognizing June as National Homeownership Month encourages all in the real estate and housing industries to promote homeownership as source of economic strength and to increase the ranks of homeowners, especially among minorities. The White House has challenged public and private entities to work together to boost homeownership by 5.5 million homeowners by 2010. According to the most recent U.S. Census data, the overall U.S. homeownership rate was 68.5 percent in the first quarter of 2006, down from the record 69.1 percent homeownership rate in first quarter of 2005.

"Realtors build communities and we are carrying out the nation’s housing mission -- helping to elevate homeownership to more than 69 percent of U.S. households," says National Association of Realtors® (NAR) President Thomas M. Stevens.

Dooley adds that homeownership serves as a solid foundation for communities, instilling pride and a sense of belonging among individuals. Research on homeownership supports Realtors’ belief that homeownership provides a variety of tangible and intangible benefits to the community, the economy and the individual homeowner. For instance, studies have found that homeowners volunteer for political and charitable causes more frequently than renters do. Also, children whose parents own their own home tend to do better in school and to be better behaved; the greater stability of homeownership also has been found to be good for child development, according to recent research.

© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

"Great American Realtor Days" April 18-19, 2006 in Tallahassee.  The schedule includes a briefing session, receptions with legislators, and a luncheon on the Capitol courtyard.

 

The Florida Association of Realtors® is having their annual

 

The Florida Association of Realtors'® top five legislative goals for the 2006 session:

• Full funding of the housing trust funds.
• A robust insurance market is vital to the Florida housing market and to the state's continued economic growth.
• Save Our Homes portability: an idea whose time has come.
• Vote YES on SB 2238 / HB 1589, FAR's "Support Homeownership for All" license plate legislation.
• Protect Florida's Constitution. (Close the loopholes that groups use to hijack the state's budget).

For additional information, read:

Talking Points Brochure (PDF format)

Florida residential and commercial developments that help preserve Florida's environment may enter this competition so they may be recognized.

Last year's ENVY winner for residential development was Lakewood Ranch, a master-planned community which spans both Sarasota and Manatee counties. Lakewood Ranch won, in part, due to its generous greenways, a wetland preserve, a nature preserve and a multitude of man-made lakes.

Past ENVY Award winners include: Wild Heron, Harmony, World Golf Village, Solivita, Amelia Island Plantation, Rosemary Beach and Viera.

 

© 2006 Leanne Paynter

 

Per the Florida Association of REALTORS®:

The winner in each category will receive a hand-crafted Lucite trophy, recognition at FAR's annual Convention and Trade Show, Sept. 13-17, 2006, and statewide news coverage as Florida's top environmentally-conscious builder. The competition is judged by three distinguished environmental and planning professionals. The entry deadline is Friday, July 7, 2006.

ELIGIBILITY: All Florida commercial developments are eligible. Also, all planned residential developments with a minimum of 30 residential units in Florida qualify. Residential developments must be currently available for marketing and must include a model home.

JUDGING CRITERIA: Commercial: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; (2) architectural compatibility; (3) design in scale and context with surrounding environment; (4) open space and access/usability of surrounding environment; (5) common area access and usefulness; (6) streets, pedestrian and bicycle access; (7) drainage as a design feature; and (8) marketability.

JUDGING CRITERIA: Residential: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; (2) landscaping/compatibility with surrounding environment; (3) design in scale and context with surrounding environment; (4) open space and access/usability of open space; (5) family recreation and common areas (playgrounds, nature trails, etc.); (6) streets and safety features; (7) drainage; and (8) marketability.

SUBMISSION: There is no entry limit and no cost to enter. Simply organize a three-ring notebook with the following material in this order: (1) a written overview of the development (maximum of four pages, typed, double spaced, on 8.5" by 11" paper); (2) supporting material and photographs that address the judging criteria in order as listed above - no videotapes or slides; and (3) a complete set of land development plans and other supporting data. All entry materials will be returned after judging.

DEADLINE: All entries must be received at FAR's headquarters by Friday, July 7, 2006. Send submissions to ENVY Award, Florida Association of Realtors, 7025 Augusta National Drive, Orlando, FL  32822-5017.

For more information about the ENVY award, call 407-438-1400, ext. 2326.

© 2006 Florida Association of REALTORS®

 

Florida residents should soon have a new specialty license plate to pick from. This one is titled "Homeownership for All" and is sponsored by the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR).

 

FAR hopes that proceeds from sales of the license plate will provide much needed money for Florida affordable housing programs. Homeownership for All, Inc. is made up of Realtors and other housing advocates to assist in choosing the projects and beneficiaries of the license plate proceeds. Advertising and marketing of the specialty plate will be aimed at Florida Realtors as well as the general public.