real estate

Five Questions: Peter Zalewski

Ruth Morris — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:55:41 +0000

Five years ago, Peter Zalewski was working as a business journalist, but he jumped into real estate before the condo crisis hit and founded Condo Vultures. His provacatively named real estate firm has grown by leaps and bounds, helping buyers to sift through the foreclosure stats and find steals in South Florida’s real estate collapse. Last year, he also appeared in Michael Moore’s response to the State of the Union address?

"Mr. President, I still live in the same working class neighborhood I grew up in," he said. "My neighbors aren't millionaires. They're retirees who depend on Social Security and Medicare.

Supreme Court: Floating Florida Home Still A Man's Castle

Nina Totenberg — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:03:07 +0000

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a Florida man's floating home was a house, not a boat, and that therefore, the city marina where he kept it docked could not seize the structure under federal maritime law. The case could affect thousands of houseboat owners nationwide.

Actually, the facts of Fane Lozman's case sound like something from The People's Court, not the Supreme Court. Lozman bought the 60-by-12-foot floating home for $17,000 and totally remodeled it to look and feel like a house on water.

Real Estate Agents Say Miami's Market Is Booming Again

Ashley Lopez — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The past couple of years have been difficult for the state's real estate market-- particularly in South Florida. However, real estate agents now say that Miami's market is finally booming after years of a lull.

According to Bloomberg News,

Marlins Trade Away Top Players - And Fans' Trust

Elaine Chen — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:06:43 +0000

The Marlins latest fire sale is official: Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig approved the trade of 5 of the team’s top players.

ProPublica: State Lawmakers Are Holding Up $300 Million Meant to Help Homeowners

Ashley Lopez — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:56:59 +0000

ProPublica reports that $300 million awarded to Florida through a settlement over bad mortgages and foreclosures remains untouched.

That money is meant to help homeowners in Florida that were hurt by the state's housing crisis.

Millions of dollars were given to individuals and state governments by big banks accused of wrongful foreclosures and other mortgage servicing abuses.

Florida got the biggest sum of money-- besides California-- because the state was wracked by the housing crisis.

Florida Leads The U.S. In Foreclosures

Marva Hinton — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 21:02:49 +0000

Florida is number one when it comes to foreclosures. This is the first time since 2005 that Florida has held the top spot.

The rankings for September are based on figures released Thursday by RealtyTrac.

Within the state, Broward County has the highest percentage of homes going through the foreclosure process.

The 9 Best Blocks In South Florida

Deborah Acosta — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:48:09 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgMDzyq_7HE

For the first time since the 1920’s, young people across the United States are migrating back to the urban cores, and leaving the suburbs behind, according to U.S. Census data.

Gone is the dream of white picket fences and perfectly manicured lawns. This generation favors walkability, vibrant street life, bicycle lanes, and public transportation in their daily lives. Because of this shift in

Citizens Hikes Rates And Jettisons Thousands Of Policyholders

Gina Jordan — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:26:07 +0000

The effort to shrink the number of homes insured by the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance is accelerating into high gear.

The Office of Insurance Regulation approved the company’s rate hike request this week.

At the same time, more than 200,000 Citizens customers are being contacted by private insurance companies that want their business.

Palm Beach County’s Middle Class Still Waiting For Promised “Workforce Housing”

Christine DiMattei — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:13:18 +0000

A controversial agreement between Palm Beach County and developers is finally producing reduced-price homes for low- to middle-income families.

It’s just not happening fast enough.