Florida is ‘ground zero’ in drama

Florida is ‘ground zero’ in drama Foreclosures in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties have doubled in the last year, and some experts think they will likely double again before the region and nation sort out the current mortgage morass. The rate of foreclosure in Florida was double the national average in February, according to data …

Homeowner dream turned nightmare [Virginia]

Homeowner dream turned nightmare [Virginia] They are a fairly typical Loudoun family. He is a 35-year-old engineer for a technology company in Fairfax, pulling in $80,000 a year. His wife teaches yoga. College-educated, they have two daughters: a 5-year-old and a newborn. In August 2005, the housing market in Northern Virginia is piping hot. The …

S. Florida apartment market remains tight

S. Florida apartment market remains tight South Florida apartment rental rate hikes may be slowing, though the market remains tighter than much of the country, according to a new report. The vacancy rates for South Florida apartments remain much lower than the national average, but there are signs monthly rent increases are starting to ease, …

2nd developer sues Hackensack lender [North Jersey]

2nd developer sues Hackensack lender [North Jersey] A Florida developer has accused Hackensack’s Kennedy Funding Inc. of failing to repay $525,000 from an unsuccessful loan application. A lawsuit filed by Royale Luau Resort LLC of Destin, Fla., in U.S. District Court in Newark claims the company made the payment to Kennedy Funding as part of …

Florida business owners might see tax relief

Florida business owners might see tax relief Owners of small apartment buildings and mom-and-pop businesses who have faced massive increases in their tax bills could see some relief under a plan that is moving swiftly through the Florida Legislature. A bill passed 13-0 by the House Government Efficiency & Accountability Council Wednesday would change the …

Condo converter’s debts pile up [South Florida]

Condo converter’s debts pile up [South Florida] Warren Hickernell looked like the boldest contrarian in the Southwest Florida real estate market last year. He spent millions changing motels and apartment buildings into condominiums long after the conversion trend seemed spent. But with banks foreclosing on six of his 18 conversion projects — demanding repayment of …