Mandatory IZ Creates Housing Shortages

By James S. Burling & Valerie A. Fernandez

In the strange world of local government politics, a belief in an alternative universe exists.  In that universe, economics do not exist.

Financially Responsible Officer / Qualifier Bonds

By Greg Parrish

You may or may not be aware of the importance of Financially Responsible Officer / Qualifier bonds within your business.  When the licensed qualifier for a business is not the financially responsible officer, the State of Florida requires that a bond be placed with the applications for the qualifier and the financially responsible officer.

Why Buy Florida Real Estate Now?

By John Wiseman

Television talking heads are all abuzz about the bottom of the real estate market.
 
During the last six years we have treated homes – first, second or vacation – as an investment or a commodity. Truth be told, those homes are now acting like the commodity that they are.

Hometown Democracy: Dining On Crow

By Joseph Narkiewicz

The City of St. Pete Beach became the first city in Florida to have adopted the hometown democracy concept which gives voters in the city the authority to vote on comprehensive plan amendments and development regulations, among other things. The plan changes could include those mandated by the Growth Management Act, the Florida Department of Community Affairs, or those suggested by the local planning commission, city council, property owners, or even activist groups.

Here’s Why Hometown Democracy Fails

By Michael R. Caputo

On April 23, a state appeals court ruled unconstitutional a law allowing Floridians who have signed an initiative petition to change their minds and revoke their signatures. The decision is a disappointment for Florida's business and community leaders who supported the new law to keep bad ideas out of Florida's constitution.