Three housing counseling agencies have been chosen to implement the pilot Florida Hardest-Hit program being offered in Lee County – $23 million is available to help about 1,200 homeowners.

County residents will have first crack at assistance because of the pilot program, according to a release from the Florida Housing Finance Corp., which is coordinating Hardest-Hit statewide.

news-press.com/article/20100806/BUSINESS/8060361/1014/business/Lee-County-first-in-line-for-housing-help

Lee County first in line for housing help is a post from: Bonita Springs Home

Bonita Springs Utilities customers’ water and sewer rates will increase by 2.4 percent in 2010-11.

The Bonita Springs City Council voted 4-2 Wednesday to reject BSU’s proposal for a 3.5 percent rate hike.

Mayor Ben Nelson and Councilwoman Janet Martin dissented. Councilman Steve McIntosh, who serves on the BSU board, abstained.

news-press.com/article/20100805/NEWS0102/100804064/1004/ACC/Bonita-Springs-utility-rate-hike-rejected

Bonita Springs utility rate hike rejected is a post from: Bonita Springs Home

The Economic Development Council of Collier County (EDC) elected a new Board of Directors at its Annual Investor meeting today. The board members, who begin their term on October 1, 2010, will serve for the fiscal year 2010-2011.

“This newly elected Board brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of Collier County to the organization,” said Tammie Nemecek, EDC president and CEO. “Members were chosen for their commitment to the EDC’s proactive agenda for economic prosperity and their outstanding record of civic contributions to the community. We look forward to their guidance over the next year.”

naplesnews.com/news/2010/aug/03/collier-edc-elects-board-directors/

Collier EDC elects board of directors is a post from: Bonita Springs Home

TALLAHASSEE — Florida school grades are being released more than a month later than usual.

The grades are coming out Friday. The first delay was when a contractor was late in getting the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scored. The second delay was because some school districts challenged the results.

The FCAT is the basis for the grades used to reward top schools and correct failing ones.

naplesnews.com/news/2010/aug/06/schools-get-fcat-grades-today—-more-month-late/

Schools to get FCAT grades today — more than a month late is a post from: Bonita Springs Home

WASHINGTON – Aug. 5, 2010 – Mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration have performed better than expected so far this fiscal year, though the improvements could be overturned if home prices sink, according to a report the agency submitted to Congress this week.

The report analyzed the FHA’s loan portfolio from October through June and compared the results to the projections in an independent audit released late last year.

That audit found that as the FHA’s loan volume expanded, its default rate rose and the excess cash it set aside to deal with unexpected losses eroded to dangerously low levels as of Sept. 30. The auditors concluded taxpayers would be on the hook for losses if worst-case scenarios played out – a first for the agency, which has always used fees it charges borrowers to pay lenders for losses.

floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=244419

FHA is in better shape than expected is a post from: Bonita Springs Home

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Aug. 4, 2010 – Florida’s purported largest foreclosure law firm filed thousands of documents to take people’s homes that contained deceptive and intentionally ambiguous information, according to a proposed class action lawsuit.

The suit, filed last month in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, says David J. Stern and his Plantation-based legal team violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act by generating fraudulent mortgage assignments when pursuing foreclosures.
floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=244361

State foreclosure mill faces allegations of falsifying documents is a post from: Bonita Springs Home

ORLANDO, Fla. – Aug. 4, 2010 – The tax credit expired, but it’s still a great time to buy a home thanks to low mortgage rates and motivated sellers. Here are five reasons why now is a great time to buy:

floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=244373

Five reasons to buy a home now is a post from: Bonita Springs Home