RE Florida HOMES/mjl

08/11/2022

The 30-year fixed-rate went back up to well over five percent this week, a reminder that recent volatility remains persistent. Although rates continue to fluctuate, recent data suggest that the housing market is stabilizing as it transitions from the surge of activity during the pandemic to a more b...

08/11/2022

9 ways to deal with extreme summer heat!
August 2022
You've no doubt seen the news from around the world. This summer is the hottest that many areas have experienced in recent history.

I don't know about you, but I'm already looking forward to autumn this year! In the meantime, I found an article with a lot of helpful tips about dealing with extreme temperatures - both around the house and in your personal health.

Here are nine of them: Cover windows with drapes or shades. Weather-strip doors and windows. Use window reflectors specifically designed to reflect heat back outside. Add insulation to keep the heat out. Use a powered attic ventilator, or attic fan, to regulate the heat level of a building's attic by clearing out hot air. Install window air conditioners and insulate around them. If you are unable to afford your cooling costs, weatherization, or energy-related home repairs, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help. Identify places in your community where you can go to get cool such as libraries and shopping malls or contact your local health department to find a cooling center in your area. I recommend reading through the article for more information and ideas.

Okay, and aside from the concerns with the hot weather that deserve attention, I'd also love to hear about what sorts of fun you're getting into this summer. Drop me a note or give me a call if you'd like to share!
Please drop me an email or call if you have any questions - or someone you know is in need of expert advice. I love to help those you care about. If you have a referral please click the button down below. Your referrals are the heart and lifeblood of my business!

www.micheljoselapommeray.myrefh.com

04/12/2022

HUD Announces Fair Housing Act Charges Against Milwaukee Property Owner
April 10, 2022

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued a press release announcing Fair Housing charges against Leaf Property Investment, LLC, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Sam Leaf, the property owner, and manager Dennis Parker operate a 19-unit property in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They are charged with discriminating “against a former male tenant because of his s*xual orientation and disability” according to a press release on the HUD official site.

The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate in the housing process at any stage. Illegal discrimination includes s*xual harassment, inappropriate questions about religion or orientation, family status, and much more.

A Supreme Court decision, Bostock v. Clayton County, describes s*x discrimination under the Fair Housing Act as including “...discrimination because of s*xual orientation or gender identity” according to HUD.

We mention this because such problems are Included in this Fair Housing case. HUD reports allegations that the property manager Dennis Parker, “...harassed the tenant because of his s*xual orientation and disabilities.”

Parker’s alleged harassment included” making unwelcome, s*xually aggressive verbal comments; demanding s*xual favors; sending unwanted, threatening, and degrading text messages; and using slurs and other demeaning language about the tenant’s s*xual orientation and disability“ according to the HUD press release.

The tenant reported this harassment to the authorities and as a result, HUD alleges, the tenant was subject to reprisals and also physically assaulted.

“No one should feel unwelcome or unsafe in the sanctity of their own homes because of their s*xual orientation or disability,” said Demetria L. McCain, HUD’s Principal Deputy Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, who is quoted in the HUD press release. McCain adds, “Violating these rights is not only unacceptable, it is illegal.”

HUD’s Fair Housing charges in this case will be heard by a United States Administrative Law Judge unless anyone involved in the charge requests to have the case heard in federal district court.

Have you had a similar experience with housing discrimination? Have you encountered a different type of housing discrimination? In any case, report the problem to HUD by calling (800) 669-9777 (voice) 800-927-9275 (TTY). You can also contact the Department of Justice at (800) 896-7743 for assistance.

Remember, sometimes the only people with the power to stop future violations of the Fair Housing Act are the victims of the discrimination. If you don’t report Fair Housing violations to HUD, any alleged perpetrator is allowed to continue repeating the cycle of discrimination. It is best to report all violations immediately to the agencies listed above.

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04/07/2022

04/06/2022

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2022/04/one-reason-rising-prices-fear-missing-out

Worried buyers wonder how high mortgage rates will go, how fast, and whether inventory levels will ever rise – fears that help push housing prices ever higher.

04/06/2022

Fla. Rent-Relief Program Helps 211K Households
By Kerry Smith
OUR Florida – a state program that offers help to lower-income, at-risk renters – says it has committed $1.5B so far to help 211,667 rental households.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – From March 24 through March 30, OUR Florida approved 4,462 applications and obligated more than $28 million in relief to families behind on rent and utilities payments.

More than $1.15 billion has been obligated to 211,667 households across Florida since the program launched May 10, 2021.

“OUR Florida remains committed to providing opportunities for Florida families to get back on track with relief on past due rent and utilities payments,” says Melissa Gordon, chief administrative officer of Tidal Basin Group, which manages OUR Florida. “Through our partnership with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), we’re helping eligible applicants stay in their homes.”

OUR Florida provides utilities and rental assistance to Florida families and businesses that qualify. The goal is to help families get back on track after falling behind on utility bills and rent payments, but it also benefits rental property owners because tenants’ rent relief can be paid directly to their landlord.

OUR Florida eligibility for renter applicants

Rent a home, apartment or other residential dwelling in Florida
Earn an income at or below 80% of their area’s median income (AMI)
Qualified for unemployment, experienced a loss of income, incurred significant costs or faced financial hardships due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
At risk of losing their home, experiencing housing instability or living in unsafe or unhealthy conditions
Visit OUR Florida for more information or call (833) 493-0594 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. The site also includes a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs).

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