Florida builders meet with Governor Crist

Robert Parrish, President of the Florida Home Builders Association, (FHBA), joined with other Florida business leaders this past week to discuss Florida's economy.

In a message released on FHBA's website, Mr. Parrish noted that in Florida:

• 81,000 construction jobs have been lost since June of last year.
• Building permits are down 48 percent since this time last year.
• Florida has a 22 month inventory of housing on the market

Mr. Parrish described Florida's building industry as needing antibiotics not aspirin and encouraged Governor Crist to:

• Create a housing and construction task force.
• Make emergency funds available for down payment assistance programs.
• Stop the rampant increases in impact fees.
• Investigate the problems created in the market by appraisers including short sales and foreclosed homes in their comps for evaluating the market value of other homes.

The FHBA encourages all to investigate opportunities to publicize the new $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers.

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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Florida Governor Crist addresses Florida foreclosures

The following excerpt is from Governor Crist's 2008 State of the State address:

"Florida’s families and business are faced with extraordinary economic times
– sky rocketing gas prices, the threat of foreclosure and a
softening housing market. And, like Florida’s families, these challenging times
will require us to meet the demands of declining revenues.

And how will we do this?

By keeping taxes low, creating jobs, and fueling an economy that ranks
ahead of most nations of the world, we set a model at which others can
marvel.

Pessimists see problems, while optimists see opportunities. You know I
am an optimist, but no matter the perspective, we can dare to be great. "


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