Amendment 1 to the Florida constitution passed by a 64% majority on Jan. 29, 2008.

 Experts say it's not enough but at least it's a start toward equitable property taxes.

School taxes are not affected by this.

In November, another proposal will be on the ballot.  "Another big property tax break is headed to Florida voter, but this one would benefit only owners of vast swaths of vacant land.  The proposal:  Keep your land green forever, and you'll never pay property taxes on it again.  If voters agree, thousands of acres worth billions of dollars could be saved from development.  But the property also would vanish from tax rolls of counties already coping with reduced revenues after last year's tax rate rollback and Tuesday's voter-approved tax cut."  St. Pete Times, 1-31-08.

For more info go to tampabay.com/taxes.  This is the site for the St. Pete Times and the archives will have lots of info on the effect of the new tax assessments.

Hi,

I have a condo listed that has a deeded boat slip, a hot commodity in Florida.  The condo, built in 1980, is 2BR, 2BA, 1225 sq. ft., with sheltered parking and a security entrance.  It has all new upgrades--new tile, new AC, new closets.  The boat slip is deeded to this condo.  The lift and the pier are new within the last three years.  The lift is 10,000 lb. and the pier is 32' long.  The draft is 3' and the slip is in a sheltered part of the ICW.  There's easy access to Johns Pass and the Gulf of Mexico.  The maintenance fee is reasonable and includes insurance for the building.  The condo can be rented, as per the condo docs; the minimum rental period is 90 days.  Small pets are allowed---fish, birds, a cat, gerbils, ferrets, and--get this--a 5 lb. dog.  I don't understand this--there are birds and cats that weigh more than 5 lb.!  There seems to be some flexibiity in the dog weight, but who knows?  Buy this condo for your permanent residence or as a vacation getaway, or buy it as an investment, such as for a son or daughter who is in school in the area and doesn't want to live in a dorm, or for vacationers who want to stay in the area for 3 months or more, or for foreign investors.  I work with the international real estate community.  The price is $445,000.  Please call me at 727-365-2467 with any and all questions, and to view the property.  Thanks! ~~Amy

Hi...the issue of property taxes here in Florida is high profile, as is the issue of affordable insurance for homeowners and small businesses and rental property.  Owners of single family homes are protected by the Save Our Homes tax cap which was voted in in 1992.  But when homeowners leave their SFR to move to another SFR, their taxes on their just-purchased home revert to market level, which can be thousands of dollars.  Some options for tax relief are adding a Super Tax on SFR, and eliminating the SOH tax altogether and increasing the sales tax, which would create as much money as the SOH tax is now eliminating and would be spread evenly among residents and visitors.  Controversy on this subject????  Lots of controversy.  An election in Jan. 2008 will allow residents to vote on what is meant to be a first step in improving the tax situation.  The Realtor board here supports the measure, while some Realtors with years of experience are strongly opposed to it.  Well see.

My very first blog!

I specialize in real estate in St. Petersburg, Seminole, Largo and the Gulf Beaches (barrier islands between the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway).

Please call or email me with any questions on this area.  Thanks!

More blogging to be done later!