Real Estate News

Save Our Homes Amendment Irony

Over the past few years, I have been rather critical of the Save Our Homes Amendment as I have historically believed that it placed an unfair burden on the lifeline of Southwest Florida……..second home owners.

It has always seemed very unfair to me that second homeowners, who were down here on a seasonal basis and not [...]

Establishing Florida Residency

One of the questions that buyers of a second home in Florida face is whether or not to establish residency in Florida.

The Bristol Press covers this issue in a column titled, Should “snowbirds” change state residency? Although this article is written by a Connecticut attorney referring to Connecticut laws, the main themes [...]

Is Florida a Socialist Republic?

Is Florida a Socialist Republic as suggested by Mathew Falconer in an American Chronicle article?

Falconer presents compelling analysis of the long-term effects of the Save Our Homes Amendment on the Florida economy. The article describes Save Our Homes as a tax shift rather than a tax limit. Save Our Homes shifts the tax [...]

Save Our Homes Amendment

Property tax cap under fire

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune recently featured a fascinating series on the controversial Save our Homes Amendment, which caps annual property tax increases at 3% for homestead residents. This amendment shifts a disproportionate amount of the tax burden to second home owners and businesses.

Many existing homeowners that benefit from the amendment are feeling [...]

Florida homestead tax unfair?

Tax burden shifted to new buyers

A Herald-Tribune article reveals that many homeowners want to move but are staying put to avoid a major tax increase associated with a new home appraised at the current market value. In Florida, as a result of the Save Our Homes Amendment, tax increases for primary residences are limited to [...]

Homestead tax cheaters

Scofflaws costing state millions in lost revenue

In 2001, a hitman gunned down Miami Subs founder Konstaantinos “Gus” Boulis in a gangland-style slaying on the streets of Fort Lauderdale. His murder made national news, was featured in a book and joined mafia lore as an unsolved murder mystery.

Away from the limelight, however, no one noticed that [...]