The rapid rate of foreclosures in Florida is starting to change the way county property appraisers do business, and the result could mean a change in home values and property tax bills next year. The long-held wisdom of county appraisers was to ignore foreclosures when setting property values. But that's all about to change, according to Rob Turner, Hillsborough County property appraiser. ...more

December 9, 2008

Floridians continue to struggle to keep their homes out of foreclosure. One in every 157 homeowners received a foreclosure filing in October, the third-highest state foreclosure rate, according to California-based RealtyTrac. ...more

November 13, 2008

Two weeks ago, real estate agent Steve Fruit was examining the value of a Lake Placid house for the owners, who are thinking of selling. For tax purposes, the Highlands County Property Appraiser had valued the property at $254,769. ...more

October 19, 2008