Staff Writer
While the battle over Amendment 4 will be waged through November when the measure is voted on by Floridians, members of the real estate and building industry are busy pushing several measures that would assist their industries in tough markets.
Amendment 4 would require voter approval on proposed amendments to local comprehensive plans, rather than having such amendments approved or rejected by city or county commissions.
“The No. 1 thing is still Amendment 4,” said Andy Chambers, president of the Northeast Florida Builders Association.
But as the industry battles that amendment, real estate and builders organizations also are vetting many other issues.
Along with many of their colleagues, members of the builders association and the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors are in Tallahassee to meet with legislators about issues including property taxes, property insurance, affordable housing and the overall economy.
Realtors will spend much of today advocating measures like HJR 655/SJR 1254 that would replace Amendment 3, which would exempt first-time homebuyers from paying taxes on 25 percent of their home’s value, on the upcoming ballot.
Realtors want to replace it with an initiative that would define “first-time homebuyers” in the bill as those who haven’t owned a home in the U.S. within three years instead of the current eight in Amendment 3 and, in addition, provide an additional exemption equal to 50 percent of the property’s just value in the first year.
“This is a really big deal,” said Wendell Davis, 2010 Florida Realtors President and a Watson Realty executive. “They’re all issues we are trying to change that would help the economy.”
Another measure, HB 545/SB 2190, would repeal the current windstorm mitigation rating disclosure that is set to take effect Jan. 1. If not repealed, home sellers in wind-borne debris areas must provide buyers with a hurricane resistance rating, part of the expired My Safe Florida Home program, from windstorm inspectors. The Realtors group protests such inspectors are no longer certified by the state and many of mitigation premium discounts offered may be false.
Members of the builders association are also in Tallahassee with their colleagues to speak with legislators about issues that affect their industry, such as HB 2095/SB 846, which would prohibit the requirement of fire sprinklers being installed in single-family homes per the next Florida Building Code.
“In times like these, it’s important to be here and show our support,” said Daniel Davis, NEFBA executive director and a City Council member. “The industry is important to Florida’s economy.”
Both organizations advocate the repeal of the cap of the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Established in 1992, the fund is a dedicated source of revenue for state and local housing programs, including down payment assistance. Realtors agreed to increase documentary stamp taxes by 10 cents for every $100 to fund the program.
The Legislature set a $243 million cap on the amount, which combined with trust fund sweeps, has depleted the program. In response, both organizations are mounting the “Scrap the Cap” campaign to repeal the measure.
Several members of the legislature, including Senate President Jeff Atwater, House Speaker Larry Cretul, State Sen. Mike Fasano and Reps. Matt Hudson, Janet Long and Julio Robaina voiced their support of the industry and its impact to Florida via taped messages that aired to more than 1,000 Realtors during briefings.
‘Your industry is one of the ones that will lead us out of this recession,” said Cretul, in his piece.
One member of the Duval Delegation echoed her peers’ support for the industry.
“Real estate activity is responsible for almost 10 percent of all Florida workers,” said State Rep. Janet Adkins. “Realtors are the folks on the front lines helping millions of Floridians achieve the American Dream of home ownership and are working hard to revitalize Florida’s economic engine.”
Each of the priorities would help stimulate both the real estate industry and overall Florida economy, said John Sebree, Florida Realtors vice president of public policy. How each individual issue fares is still up in the air, but Sebree is hopeful for each.
“I’m pretty optimistic about them,” he said.
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