Opinion: Vote Yes on Amendment 4 – Will Improve Florida Economy
By Bobby Freeman // October 11, 2012
november ballot - your vote
(VIDEO: Florida Realtors)
Amendment 4 is a constitutional amendment that will appear on Florida’s November 2012 ballot would create jobs, increase Floridians’ personal income and grow Florida’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) according to an independent analysis by Florida TaxWatch, a nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research institute.
Amendment 4, if passed, would create about 20,000 private, non-farm jobs over a 10-year period. Also, Florida GDP would increase by approximately $1.1 billion, and personal income would increase by more than $5.3 billion according to the analysis.
“I am overwhelmed by the positive impact this amendment would have on jobs in Florida,” says Florida Realtors Senior Vice President of Public Policy John Sebree. “It’s certainly worth fighting for a constitutional change that results in nearly 20,000 new jobs. I’m excited about the fairness this amendment would bring to Florida’s tax structure, and thrilled the TaxWatch study confirms that it will have such a positive impact on the state’s economy.”
Amendment 4 will create an additional homestead exemption for first time homebuyers that is equal to 50 percent of their home’s value. This new exemption will make a huge difference for young families who are purchasing a home for the first time and buyers who are returning to the real estate market.
This amendment reduces from 10 percent to 5 percent the limitation on annual changes in assessments of non-homestead real property. Renters must understand that their rent is dependent upon the expenses the landlord of the property incurs. If your landlord has less expenses, usually your monthly rent payment will be less.
FACTS ABOUT AMENDMENT 4
• Amendment 4 creates an additional homestead exemption for first-time homebuyers for 5 years.
• Amendment 4 protects Floridians from increased property taxes when their property values have declined.
•Amendment 4 lowers the maximum yearly assessment increase on non-homestead properties from 10 percent to 5 percent (on non-school levies).
For homeowners, renters, business owners and first time home buyers of a Florida property, take a good close look at this amendment and vote YES! I realize there are many decisions and many choices on the November 6th ballot, all of importance, so is Amendment 4.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bobby Freeman, a life-time resident of Brevard County, has been a top Realtor in the area for two decades. In his first year as an agent, Freeman received a Rising Star award from his Brokers. Since then he has achieved numerous sales awards and has recently been presented with the prestigious RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award.
Freeman, Jennifer McCoy and Nikki McCoy Freeman are family partners for RE/MAX Elite’s McCoy-Freeman Group. Together they have more than 30 years of extensive experience in all aspects of the real estate industry and have sold over $150 million. Among McCoy-Freeman Group’s achievement are RE/MAX Hall of Fame, RE/MAX 100% Club, Certified Distressed Property Experts (CDPE), Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) and voted Best Realtor in Brevard County. The group has been featured in many news publications including CNN Money Magazine, CNNMoney.com, WFTV 9 ABC News, Coastal Condo Living, & Hot Retirement Towns Magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com.
For more information log on to BrevardRealtyConnection.
