With less than two weeks before the end of the state legislative session, what have we accomplished? Zilch, Zip, Nada!
Two issues that are crucial to this state's economic well-being have still not been resolved. Real estate taxes and homeowners insurance. But wait - this just in - the bill for the "Support Homeownership for All" has reached the floor of both chambers. This is for another license plate for the state of Florida. Just what we need. I think that makes 54 specialty plates in this state. I would say the politicians' priorities are screwed. Let's make a new plate to support homeownership that no one can insure or the real estate taxes are $700 per month. Brilliant!
The insurance proposal making the rounds in Tallahassee is financial suicide for this state. Owners of a home valued at $1,000,000 or over will not be allowed insurance from Citizens and owners of non-homesteaded property face surcharges of 25 percent to 50 percent. Think of the effect on our area where many home values fall into the million dollar range. We have a tremendous number of owner occupants at $1 million not to mention the second homeowners.
How in the hell do you sell your home when a new buyer can't get insurance? No sales equals a major loss in property values which then equals less revenue for city, county and state governments. Considering the way government spends money does the word deficit mean anything to you?
Unlike a politician's spin - these are the real facts. Don't sit idly by or you will pay a huge price.
Ric Cornelius is the Broker/Manager of Sand Key Realty Sales and Rentals, Inc. Sand Key Realty has three offices with 40 agents. One office is at 740 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach, 727-443-0032; the second office is at 2701 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 727-595-5441; and the third office is at 309 Belleview Blvd., Belleair, 727-461-4200.