Do be aware that homeowners who plan to make their homes their permanent residences, or in other words, their homesteads, should apply for the exemptions just has they have in the past. That means that they must close on the purchase of their next home and occupy it before the end of 2010. Then they need to file for their exemptions by March 1, 2011. You need to check with your local property appraiser to see what ALL of the requirements are. Having a Florida drivers license and car registration are just a couple of them. Your county's appraiser can give you the complete rundown.
Whatever exemptions you qualify for will apply to those persons who requested and got their homestead exemption. But again, I suggest strongly that if you have any doubts at all, you should contact your local county property appraiser before the end of 2010! The county appraisers are the experts in these matters and can answer all of your particular questions.
The main thing is to be sure you apply in time. If you meet the legal requirements, you have nothing to lose by declaring your homestead with the county. If you don't do it in time, you could be making a very costly mistake.
If you go to my website you will also find a menu button for our local counties' Property Appraisers. To get there just click on the following link: www.jelwell.century21bnr.com If you find your county listed, just click on the link that will give you a list of all of the counties that exist in Florida. All of the sites will have information concerning Homestead Exemptions, and also contact numbers if you wish to speak with someone in the appraiser's office. I am sure they will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. I have always found them to be very helpful. If you like, you can click on the following link to download a brochure in Adobe PDF format that is currently on our Pasco County site: Download Homestead Exemption Brochure-Pasco County Your own county probably has similar documents.
If your county is not listed, I have included a link that will display all of the internet hyperlinks for all of the counties in the State of Florida. By clicking on your county's name you should be able to find your appraiser's site very easily.
So if you believe you will be closing and occupying a home that will be your primary residence here in Florida before the end of 2010, I suggest that you start making some calls now so you can be sure that everything is done correctly and you get all of the exemptions that you deserve!
For more information or questions about this topic you can call me at: 813-783-4444 or e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com
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