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®

 

With all the talk of recent increases in the price of gas, I thought this would be a good time to do a bit of research and also discuss how I personally think this can positively affect the real estate industry. 

 

One interesting site that I found lists Florida gas prices throughout 12 of Florida's larger metropolitan regions and the site seems to be sponsored by AAA.  Per their list, on the day this article is being published, the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area has the highest-priced gas at $3.017 per gallon (of regular gas), while the lowest-priced gas can be found in the Jacksonville area for $2.902.  For the sake of perspective, last year the same areas had recorded gas prices of $2.335 and $2.245 respectively.  This means gas is now costing Floridians approximately 67 cents (or about 30%) more per gallon than last year.  This can add up to a cost increase of several hundred dollars when you take into account the fact that the average driver puts about 12,000 miles on their car each year and likely doesn't get more than about 15-25 miles per gallon.  If you would like to see the gas prices for another state, click here.

 

Now... for how the real estate industry can make a difference:

 

If listing agents took the time to properly market their listings, buyers would be better able to narrow down the homes they'd want to see.  This saves everyone time (=money) and gas, and doesn't inconvenience the seller with home showings to buyers that would never buy their home.  Agents who work with buyers would be better equipped to decide which homes to preview before showing to their customers/clients.  Truthfully, I've seen used cars that are marketed better than most resale homes.  Notice that I wrote "resale" homes.  This is because new home builders already know how to properly market their inventory. New home builders include a wealth of information about each of their homes on full-color brochures with multiple photos, a floorplan, and their websites sometimes even offer a virtual tour. You could say that agents who market resale homes the same way new home builders do are "eco-friendly".  Think about that the next time you're deciding which Florida real estate broker you choose to market what is likely your biggest investment.

"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 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.