Home sales up in Jacksonville and statewide

Existing single-family home sales were up 7 percent in Jacksonville during the first quarter 2009, and the statewide numbers were even better. Condominium sales in Jacksonville dropped 9 percent, according to the Florida Association of Realtors.
Some 2,231 single-family homes were sold during the first quarter compared to 2,080 sold during the same period 2008. Median [...]

Should the Government Subsidize Mortgage Modifications?

Should the government be bribing mortgage servicers to modify loans and reduce payments?
Under the current housing plan, the federal government pays for one-half of the cost when lenders reduce mortgage payments to 31 percent of borrower income from 38 percent. When this plan was revealed, I was relieved because it seemed so much more reasonable [...]

Fla. budget negotiators OK increased fees

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Motor vehicle registration, driver license and court fees will be going up and tobacco taxes will increase, but Florida also will join every other state in waiving court filing fees for poor people through a series of budget conforming bills approved Tuesday by top House and Senate negotiators.
Meanwhile, Gov. Charlie Crist at [...]