**Greetings from Branon Edwards and Jelena Panfilova
from Aqualand Realty in sunny South Florida!

Welcome to another edition of InvestFloridaRealty.com's Florida real
estate newsletter. There have been a lot of changes to the real
estate landscape including the increase of foreclosures and sale
inventory, new homestead exemption and portability for property tax
reductions, as well as phenomenal opportunities for buyers and
investors. We hope to dispel some of the misinformation being touted
by the media while also giving you some solid information you can
use.

In this issue:
-Homestead Portability Thanks to Amendment 1 (Action Required)
-Time to Refinance?
-Featured Property: Porpoise Point Fishing Resort
-Our Real Estate Listings (Homes, Condos, Land, Vacation Rentals)
-What's REALLY Happening in Florida's Real Estate Market?
-Buyers' Market Highlights including Currency Exchange

---------------------------------------------------
Homestead Portability Thanks to Amendment 1 (Action Required)

What you should do to receive benefits of Amendment 1
To receive some of the benefits of the changes enacted January 29th,
certain citizens must take action by March 1, 2008. The
Constitutional amendment created four new opportunities for
taxpayers to obtain tax relief:

1. Increased homestead exemption
2. Portability of "Save our Homes" benefit
3. $25,000 exemption for tangible personal property
4. 10% annual assessment limitation for non-homestead property

What taxpayers must do to receive these new benefits:

1. Increased homestead exemption - Homeowners that are currently
receiving the homestead exemption will automatically receive the
increased homestead exemption. No action is necessary.

2. Portability of "Save our Homes" benefits - If you received the
homestead exemption in 2007 on a home that you sold or otherwise
abandoned during 2007 and have purchased a new home by January 1,
2008, you are eligible to take some or all of the benefit of "Save
our Homes" to your new home. In order to receive this benefit, you
must apply by March 1, 2008 to your property appraiser for your new
homestead exemption and for the transfer of the "Save Our Homes"
benefit to your new homestead for 2008.

3. $25,000 exemption for tangible personal property - Tangible
personal property taxes apply only to certain taxpayers in Florida -
typically businesses and certain owners of mobile homes. The tax
does not apply to homesteaded property. In order to receive the
$25,000 exemption for tangible personal property, taxpayers subject
to the tax must file a tangible personal property return with their
property appraiser by April 1, 2008.

4. 10% limit on annual assessment increases for non-homestead
property - The 10% limitation does not apply until next year. No
application is necessary for 2008.

If you have any questions about what action you must take to receive
these new benefits, please contact your local property appraiser.
For information on how to contact Florida's property appraisers, go
to http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/appraisers.html

---------------------------------------------------
TIME TO REFINANCE?

If you're like most Americans who purchased a property between 2004-
2006, chances are that you have an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).
It's also very likely that this mortgage is about to convert from
the original 'teaser' low interest rate to a much higher interest
rate that will push up your monthly mortgage payment substantially.

If your current interest rate is higher than 8%, then you will
likely benefit enough from refinancing your mortgage to make it
worthwhile. Even if you interest rate is 7%, you could benefit from
a refinance if you plan to keep the property longer than 5 years.

With recent cuts in the interest rate by the Federal Reserve (and
more on the way), interest rates are very attractive presently.
However, your actual interest rate will vary based on your credit
score, the type of property (primary residence, second home,
investment, etc), how you plan to prove your financial situation
(full documentation, bank statements, stated, etc), and the purpose
of the loan (cash-out or just rate change).

If you would like a complimentary mortgage consultation, please call
Branon at 786-417-4910 or send an email to
Branon@...

---------------------------------------------------
FEATURED PROPERTY: Porpoise Point Fishing Resort

Aqualand Realty is happy to present to our customers a new bay front
townhome development on the island community of Matlacha. Matlacha
(Mat-Luh-Shay) is a quaint fishing village located between Cape
Coral and Pine Island on the West Coast of Florida. On a broader
geographic scale, it is located between the larger cities of Fort
Myers and Sarasota. It is within a 30-minute drive of Southwest
Florida International Airport in Fort Myers (Airport Code RSW).

The best way to describe Matlacha is that it looks like the Florida
Keys 25 years ago. There are no high-rises and the historical
society and local building regulations will keep it that way. In
fact, there is a height restriction in place that limits buildings
to no more than 3 stories.

Porpoise Point Fishing Resort is a new 20-unit townhome community
that is located right on a wide expanse of Bay on the South side of
the island. We can tell you from personal experience that the name
is justly earned. We have yet to spend any time at the community
without seeing the local pod of dolphins swimming by during the day.
There are also families of Osprey and a Bald Eagle, not to mention a
plethora of tropical birds and wildlife. Matlacha and Pine Island
are perhaps one of the few unspoiled islands left in Florida that
you can actually reach without a boat. Of course, the fishing in the
area is phenomenal and it's home to the World's Richest Tarpon
Tournament – the entry fee for the tourney is a mere $100,000!

This exclusive community will offer owners a 2,000-square foot
private residence with 3 balconies, 3-bedrooms, and 3-and-a-half
baths. In addition, the third bedroom can be converted to a guest
suite with nightly renting potential. The community's zoning permits
the main part of the residence to be rented with a 5-night minimum.
There will also be deeded boat docks available including
approximately six shoal-draft slips that should accommodate up to 26-
foot boats, and deep water slips that should accommodate larger
vessels with approximately a 5-foot draft at mean low tide. These
slips should be large enough for a +40-foot sailboat with direct
access (no bridges) to the Gulf of Mexico.

Click Here for More Information About or to Schedule a Private Tour
of Porpoise Point:
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/porpoise-point.htm

---------------------------------------------------
OUR REAL ESTATE LISTINGS (Homes, Condos, Land)

1,129 Acres
Evans Road, Labelle, FL
90-1,129 Acres of Mostly Cleared Land
Currently Zoned AG and Operated as Farm and Pasture
Could be Single Family Homesites, Dirt Mine, or Farm for
BioDiesel/Ethanol
Priced from $20,000 Per Acre
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/792-labelle.htm

Galt Island Estate
4981 Galt Island Ave
Saint James City, FL
3-Bedrooms / 3-Baths / Boat Dock with Lift
3-Story on Private Island
Originally $2.5 Million
Reduced to Just $2.2 Million
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/galt-island-home.htm

Waterfront Castle with Gulf Access!
3651 Turtledove Blvd
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Brand New Construction
3-Bedrooms/3.5-Baths/Boat Dock with Lift
Gulf Access for Sailboats
Originally $2 Million
Blow Out Priced at $1,499,900!
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/pgi.htm

Porpoise Point Fishing Resort
Matlacha, FL (Pine Island)
3-Bedroom/3.5-Bath/3-Balcony/3-Story Bayfront Townhomes
Preconstruction Prices from $875,500
Private Boat Docks Available
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/porpoise-point.htm

Trump Towers One
Brand New Beachfront Construction
2-Bedrooms/3-Baths + Den
Direct Ocean Views
3 Units to Choose From
Purchase Preconstruction Contract for 50% of Deposit!
Prices from the $800,000s to High $900,000s

Ocean Four
17201 Collins Ave, Unit 1506
Sunny Isles Beach, FL
2-Bedrooms / 2-Baths / 2-Balconies
Beachfront Building. Unit has direct West views
of Intracoastal, City, and Fabulous Sunsets.
Over $750,000 Invested
Blow Out Priced at Just $635,000!!
Rented Short-Term @ $2200/month until May 2008
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/ocean-4.htm

Marina Walk on Pine Island
Saint James City, FL 33956
Gated Waterfront Community with Boat Docks
Homes from the high $400,000s
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/marina-walk.htm

Cape Coral Gulf Access Home – Reduced $190,000!
2540 SW 36th Lane
Cape Coral, FL
3-Bedrooms / 2-Baths / 2-Car Garage
U-shaped Captain's Dock with 7,000-lb Lift
Originally $650,000
Priced for Immediate Sale at $459,900!
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/gulf-access.htm

Saint James City Gulf Access Building Lot
2395 Sycamore Street
Saint James City, FL
New Sea Wall plus Dock Permit
Originally $500,000
Reduced to $475,000
Reduced Again to $460,000
Blow Out Priced at $375,000!
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/sycamore.htm

Axis at Brickell Village
Brand New Construction in Downtown Miami
Close to EVERYTHING, Great Amenities!
Contract Now, Close with Developer in February
Unit #3404-S - 2/2 Bay View @ $459,900
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/axis.html
Unit #1412-S - 2/2 City View @ $400,000
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/axis.htm

Hollywood Hills
3701 Washington Street
Hollywood, FL 33021
3-Bedroom / 2-Bath / 2-Car/Fenced Yard
Fenced Yard, lots of upgrades
Tenant at $2,100/month until July 2008
Originally $384,000 (below Appraisal)
Priced to Sell at Just $373,900
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/3701-washington.htm

Saint James City Acreage
4094 Sunshine Blvd
Saint James City, FL 33956
5 Acres Building Lot on Paved Road
Road frontage on 3 sides
Could Possibly be Subdivided
Should be $400,000
Asking Just $316,000 ($63,500 per acre!)
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/sunshine-blvd.htm

Latitude on the River
185 SW 7th St, #1708
Brand New Construction in Downtown Miami
1-bedroom/1-bath with Bay Views
Was $269,900
Blow-Out Priced at $259,900! - UNDER CONTRACT
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/latitude.htm

BUSINESS FOR SALE
Cash Cow High-End Flower Shop in Downtown Fort Lauderdale
High Profits, Low Overhead, Over $100,000 in Inventory Included
Unbelievable Price of $249,900
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/flower-shop.htm

401 Blu
401 69th Street, #311
Miami Beach, FL 33141
1-Bedroom / 1-Bath
Newly renovated building
Tenant at $1300/month until June 2008
Originally $275,000
Priced for Quick Sale at $239,900
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/401-blu.htm

Meadowbrook Towers
610 NE 12th St
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
1-Bedroom/1-Bath Condo in 55+ Community
Overlooking Pool and Clubhouse, Recent Upgrades
Was $138,900
Now Just $129,900!
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/meadowbrook-towers.htm

Little Palm Village
Saint James City, FL 33956
Single Family Home Building Lots
Buy Now, Build Later
Priced from the high $40,000s
Various Olde Florida Home Plans Available
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/listings/little-palm-village.htm

-----
VACATION RENTALS – TurnKey Furnished with Ocean Views:

2080 Ocean Drive, Hallandale Beach

2-Bed/2-Bath Penthouse-09 from $3250/month
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/rental/hallandale-beach.htm

2-Bed/2.5-Bath Corner Penthouse-01 from $3750/month
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/rental/2080-ocean-dr.htm

2-Bed/2-Bath Lower Penthouse-10 from $3250/month
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/rental/2080-ocean-drive.htm

Hollywood Beach Resort - #438
Large Oceanfront Studio with 2 Queen Beds from $1600/month
($999/week)
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/rental/hollywood-beach.htm

Alexander Towers - #806
2-Bed/2-Bath Oceanfront, 3 Queen Beds + 1 Twin Bed
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/rental/alexander-towers.htm
---------------------------------------------------
What's REALLY Happening in Florida's Real Estate Market?

We know the media has basically been saying that the sky is falling
for over a year now. In fact, if you listen to everything on the
news or believe everything you read in the papers, you're likely
standing on the edge of a tall building at the moment. However,
you'll probably be surprised to know that things really aren't as
horrible as they would like you to think. Step away from the ledge
now please.

According to the media, housing values have dropped by 50% in some
places - this is, of course, an exaggeration, but what's new? As an
example, the Miami market hadn't depreciated at all until just this
last quarter. And even then, it was an annualized depreciation of
just 3.1%. That's a far cry from thinking your house had been
devalued by 50%. In fact, over the last 12 months, homes in Miami-
Dade County have actually APPRECIATED by 3.4% overall.

We subscribe to a very high-end real estate software system that
tracks almost 400 large municipal markets throughout the USA. This
system tracks the ACTUAL property appreciation for single family
homes in these areas by sales, not by median home price. Median Home
Price is the most commonly used gauge of how markets are performing,
but if you know what the 'median' really means, you know it's not a
good gauge at all. The system we use tracks individual homes in a
given market over a 30-year period. By doing so, it can calculate
what each home has sold for over time and thereby calculate the true
appreciation rate.

By the way, if you would like more information on subscribing to
this service, click here:
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/RealEstateToolKit

Here's the actual overview of several markets here in Florida:

Miami & Miami-Dade County
Last Quarter Annualized -3.1%
2 Quarters Ago Annualized +1.8%
Last 12 Months +3.4%
3 Years Ago +21.9%
5 Years Ago +14.9%
10 Years Ago +2.0%

Fort Lauderdale & Broward County
Last Quarter Annualized -13.7%
2 Quarters Ago Annualized -4.2%
Last 12 Months -4.7%
3 Years Ago +24.1%
5 Years Ago +14.1%
10 Years Ago +1.7%

West Palm Beach & Palm Beach County
Last Quarter Annualized -11.1%
2 Quarters Ago Annualized -9.8%
Last 12 Months -6.9%
3 Years Ago +26.1%
5 Years Ago +13.7%
10 Years Ago +2.3%

Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Lee County
Last Quarter Annualized -16.6%
2 Quarters Ago Annualized -9.2%
Last 12 Months -9.7%
3 Years Ago +19.6%
5 Years Ago +13.5%
10 Years Ago +1.6%

Please keep in mind that these are the appreciation rates for single
family homes - not for condominiums. Given the overbuilding of
condos in recent years in Southeast Florida, the condo market is
substantially different than the market for houses. Condos tend to
be even more localized markets with individual buildings acting as
neighborhoods and fluctuating based on the individual investor mix
in that particular building. Our condo market is wide open presently
with units that originally sold in preconstruction for $600 per
square foot being offered for $400 per square foot, etc. If you
don't plan to sell in the next year or two, condos can be an
excellent addition to your portfolio right now - particularly in
buildings that allow seasonal rentals.

If you would like more information on subscribing to the market
tracking service, click here:
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com/RealEstateToolKit

---------------------------------------------------
BUYERS' MARKET HIGHLIGHTS including Currency Exchange

What is a Buyers' Market? Simply put it is a real estate market when
the market conditions favor the buyer more so than the seller.
Typically it means that there are more properties listed for sale
than there are buyers to purchase them. In this specific market, it
also means that in addition to the large amount of available
inventory, sellers are also experiencing increased motivation to
sell.

Florida experienced a huge increase in property values during the
heat of the market in 2003-2005. This wave of appreciation attracted
vast numbers of inexperienced investors into the market. Many of
these investors are now sitting on properties that are vacant with
mortgages that are inching upward as their rates adjust. Lots of
these folks are now offering their properties at a substantial loss
from what they paid for them just a few years ago. Foreclosures are
looming across the United States, which again adds to the seller
motivation.

From an investor's perspective, a Buyer's Market is exactly that - a
great time to BUY. It's not a great time to sell, especially if
you're artificially motivated, but the opportunities in the Florida
market are exceptional. However, in any market, people are always
buying and selling because of changes in their housing needs.

If we factor in the weak US Dollar, Florida real estate is an
unbelievable bargain for foreigners or those buying with non-US
currencies like the Canadian Dollar, the Euro, and the British
Pound. These buyers have the benefit of additional incentives
because of the attractive currency exchange rates.

At this writing, the exchange rates for these currencies are:
1 Euro = $1.48
1 British Pound = $1.97
1 Canadian Dollar = $1.01

Historically, the Canadian Dollar traded in recent years for about
60-cents in US Dollars. With this in mind, it means that Canadian
buyers are now buying US real estate at about a 40% Discount! Many
of these buyers are paying cash now with the anticipation of the
market eventually normalizing. Once the exchange rate 'goes back to
normal', these buyers will refinance their properties and take cash
out. They can then convert the resulting US Dollars to Canadian
Dollars and reap a nice profit once again from the exchange rate -
leaving them with very little actually invested in the property.

In short, if you're considering investing in Florida, now is a great
time to do so. Even if we haven't technically reached a 'bottom' of
the market, many sellers are sufficiently motivated that negotiating
the few points between the present market and 'the bottom' that you
can often get an even better deal. Granted, highly sought after
properties are still selling well and prices are holding steadily in
established areas without high investor concentrations. As always,
location is still the dominating factor in determining value in the
real estate market.

---------------------------------------------------

We hope you found this information useful. Of course, if you have
any questions about the market in general or your specific
situation, please feel free to give us a call at any time.

As always, thank you for the opportunity to earn your business. We
also appreciate your trust and welcome the opportunity to assist
your family and friends with their Florida real estate needs as well.

All the best,

--Branon A. Edwards, Licensed Florida Real Estate and Mortgage Broker
--Jelena Panfilova, Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker-Associate

Branon Direct: 786-417-4910
mailto:Branon@...

Jelena Direct: 786-417-4911
mailto:Jelena@...

Our Private Fax: 786-524-5747

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.com

VISIT OUR BLOG:
http://www.InvestFloridaRealty.BlogSpot.com

---- Office Information ----

Real Estate Office:
Aqualand Realty, Inc
8359 Stringfellow Road
Saint James City, FL 33956

Mortgage Office:
Mainland Mortgage Corp
2803 E Commercial Blvd, Suite 210
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Apply Online: http://www.mainlandmortgage.com/apply-fora-loan.shtml

Thank you for the opportunity to
EARN your business.

To Subscribe from our newsletter, please click here:
mailto:branon@...?subject=SUBSCRIBE-
INVESTFLORIDAREALTY

To unsubscribe from our newsletter for any reason, please click here:
mailto:branon@...?subject=UNSUBSCRIBE-
INVESTFLORIDAREALTY