HOMESTEAD NOW AND PREVENT LOSS

A Declaration of Homestead is a simple legal document which can help to protect your house and property in times of economic hardship. It has nothing to do with the process of filing a claim for unused government holdings . . . rather, it's a short form that can sometimes prevent the attachment of your land and dwelling by creditors.
Homestead rights don't exist under common law, but they have been enacted in at least 27 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
If you own, and live on, property in any of these states, you should definitely take the hour or so necessary to file this important document. The fee for doing so is nominal, the forms are easy to fill out stores), and no lawyer is necessary.
Though they vary from one state to another, homestead statutes are similar in intent. They're designed to preserve family homes, which might otherwise be taken in times of monetary misfortune or upon the death of the head of the household. In general, this protection is available only if the declaration is filed in advance of such a catastrophe.
Although the cash value of homestead exemptions does vary, in most areas it's periodically adjusted upward to keep pace with inflation. Therefore, it pays homeowners to keep pressuring their legislators to increase these exemptions as the price of real estate rises.
The “Save Our Homes Amendment”, (sometimes referred to as “Amendment 10”) became effective on January 1, 1995 as an amendment to the Florida Constitution.
It was voted upon and passed by a Florida citizen’s initiative on November 3, 1992. The amendment stated that the annual assessment of homestead property shall not exceed the lower of either three percent (3%) of the assessment for the prior year or the percent increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This means that the annual increase in value for residential property with a homestead exemption is limited by constitutional amendment approved by the voters.
This amendment does not apply to non-homestead property (such as residences without homestead, vacant land, or non-residential property), agricultural, tangible personal property as well as homestead property that has sold or otherwise been conveyed to a new owner during the calendar year.


WHAT PROPERTIES ARE NOT SUBJECT TO SAVE OUR HOMES? Only homestead property that remains under the same ownership during the calendar year qualifies for the limitation.
A buyer purchasing after January 1st shall inherit the benefit of the seller’s homestead for the current year. This results in a tax bill not too different from the previous year. However, when the property is reassessed on January 1st of the year following the purchase, and the tax bill arrives in November of that year, the SAVE OUR HOMES Cap has been removed and the new owner will see a substantial increase from what the previous owner paid.
HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE BENEFIT OF SAVE OUR HOMES? The new owner(s) MUST apply for homestead exemption. If the new owner applies for and receives homestead exemption, then the new owner’s SAVE OUR HOMES Cap on increases will commence for the year following the homestead exemption approval.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PROPERTY IS SOLD? When the property is sold it causes the SAVE OUR HOMES Cap to be removed and as of January 1st following the date of transfer to new ownership a reassessment will occur with substantial increase in the following November bill.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I ADD OR SUBTRACT NAMES ON MY DEED? A change in title could cause the SAVE OUR HOMES Cap to be removed and as of January 1st following the date of the transfer a reassessment will occur with a substantial increase in the following November bill. You must re-apply for homestead if you change the deed. Parents who add their children to the title of real property in an effort to avoid probate might experience an increase in property tax. Contact your attorney for the proper wording for the new deed to assure the continuation of the homestead and SAVE OUR HOMES Cap.

WHAT ABOUT ANY IMPROVEMENTS OR ADDITIONS TO THE PROPERTY? The full market value of physical alterations to the property such as additions or improvements (not including normal maintenance) will be added to the property’s assessment after the SAVE OUR HOMES Cap has been applied to the qualifying homestead property.
If you have further questions regarding SAVE OUR HOMES call 407.665.7506

Resources: Collier County Government
Mother Earth News

Dazzling Views of the Gulf and Three Miles of Pristine Beaches

Hi and welcome to the Naples Lifestyles and Homes blog. You are going to enjoy visiting us, because we are great people and we live in one of the most gorgeous cities in the world! Just in case you are not familiar with Southwest Florida, and specifically Naples, let me introduce you.
Naples, Marco Island, and the western portion of the Everglades make up Southwest Florida's Collier County – also known as The Paradise Coast... Collier is the largest county in the state of Florida, by land area, yet more than 80% of the vast expanse of land is preserved as park and nature preserve land by federal, state, county, city and private agencies. This gorgeous area is known as, “Florida’s last paradise”.
What do you like to do? Golf, fishing, shelling, shopping, bird watching, wildlife viewing, boating, riding your Harley , going to the beach or spending a little time with the arts? Yes, it is all available in Naples. Naples is a sophisticated enclave bursting with fine art, symphonic concerts, high-end shopping, and restaurants that serve dishes that delightfully dance across your palate.

It is gorgeous here! The city is charming and sits right on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll enjoy walking downtown and viewing the meticulously manicured lawns, and row after row of homes with such beautiful landscape they will take your breathe!

Think I like it here? Well, if you said yes, you’re right. I moved here six years ago, after living in Farmington Hills, Michigan and, I haven’t been hit with a snowball once!

It’s gorgeous out today. About 90 degrees with a little breeze. I’m going to take a dip in the pool and then meet some friends at Trulucks for a toddie and dinner. Stop by again tomorrow, I want to tell you more about Naples and the surrounding areas. I’ll tell you about my favorite places, tell you a little about the real estate market here, and share some of my most recent experiences and photos!

See you later!


The area is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches, golf courses, fishing, boating, water sports, spectacular sunsets, and “beautiful people”.

Getting A Quick Sale In A Slow Market

Some real estate markets are experiencing increasing listing times and decreasing sales, others are still doing well or even booming. So, in a market where it is more and more difficult to sale at full price, what can you do to increase your chances of a quicker sale?
What role do you play in ensuring that your home sells quickly?

Price, Terms, and Condition! - The best performers are homes that are priced correctly, offer good terms for the buyer, and are in excellent condition. You won’t consider competitive pricing a concession when offers come in more quickly and with less negotiation. Peace of mind and a quick sale are more than worth the difference between your asking price and that of the competition.

At First Glance - With so many homes on the market, it is important that your home shows better than your competition. Make sure that when you walk in the front door all of your senses are pleased. A nice visual affect, soft music and a clean smell can help the buyer immediately feel connected to your home.

Selecting A Good Realtor Makes A Difference - A professional who shows your home to a qualified and motivated group of buyers is worth his or her weight in gold at the closing table. Combine price, condition, and marketing for a satisfying sales result!