LEGISLATIVE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
REALTOR® ACTION:
Advocate for full
funding from the
aff ordable housing
trust funds to
be allocated for
aff ordable housing
projects.
The State and Local Government Housing
Trust Funds were created in the early 1990s
to help Floridians in good times and bad.
They are supported entirely by a portion of
the doc stamp taxes charged on every real
estate transaction. For thousands of
families, these funds are the only way to
realize the American dream of homeownership.
They also provide housing rehabilitation
and rental assistance to Florida’s homeless, veterans, seniors,
and persons with disabilities.
• As the economy continues to strengthen and home values rise,
the need for housing assistance will increase as well.
• Additionally, Florida’s aff ordable housing trust funds carry a
large return on investment ($9 for every $1 spent), according to
a report issued by Florida State University.
ONLINE REMOTE NOTARIZATION
REALTOR® ACTION:
Support legislation
that enables the use
of online remote
notarization in real
estate transactions.
Throughout Florida, REALTORS® provide
consumers with the advantage they need
to succeed in today’s market as they buy,
sell and lease their homes, businesses and
investment properties. When implemented
with appropriate safeguards to protect the
privacy and security of consumers, online
notarization will result in a more accessible, streamlined and
verifiable way to have critical transactions notarized.
Florida Realtors® supports the adoption of tools and processes
that improve the experience for consumers and the REALTORS®
serving them. Remote online notarization is one of those tools,
modernizing the sales transaction and allowing for increased flexibility
when it comes to closings.
• Online notarization preserves the traditional assurances of
integrity provided by a notary, with the added benefit of better
fraud detection in an evolving digital commerce world.
PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS
The Internet has made it easier for homeowners
to rent their property, expanding
housing options for individuals who live
in, or travel to, Florida. Many local governments
have enacted new ordinances designed
to discourage property owners from
exercising their right to rent their property.
• Being able to rent your home is a
fundamental right of property owners.
• Short-term rental (STR) ordinances, including local licensing
requirements and guest restrictions, can infringe upon this
fundamental property right in significant ways. State and local
REALTOR® associations, while respecting community concerns,
are well positioned to monitor state and local regulatory activity
and to take action to protect private property rights.
WATER QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL FUNDING
REALTOR® ACTION: Support policies that help eliminate harmful
discharges that are polluting our coastal estuaries; seek funding
and additional policy changes for Everglades Restoration; encourage
septic-to-sewer conversions; support maintenance programs
for property owners still on septic so their systems don’t discharge
pollutants into surface and groundwater; and advocate for funding
of beach and shoreline restoration projects around the state.
Water is the lifeblood of all Florida residents and visitors to our
state. It forms the foundation of our communities and must be
protected. Florida Realtors® will continue to advocate for Florida’s
natural resources and a pristine environment. We will also encourage
all stakeholders, including the State of Florida, to do their part
to help solve environmental problems such as red tide.
OPEN AND EXPIRED PERMITS
REALTOR® ACTION: Support legislation that would provide owners
with the ability to use a new contractor to perform the necessary
work and receive a final inspection for an open permit and support
legislation that would provide for an open permit to be automatically
closed seven years aft er issuance.
REALTOR® Action:
Continue to advocate
for solutions
that prevent local
governments from
restricting homeowners’
right to rent
their own properties.
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