LICENSING FEES

Every real estate licensee in Florida can now enjoy a license renewal
fee holiday. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation
announced it is waiving license renewal fees for one complete two-year
cycle effective Sept. 30, 2006, through March 31, 2008.

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INSURANCE RATES

If people vote with their wallets, the rising cost of property
insurance likely will be a pivotal issue in the next election.
Some Democrats hope voters will rally around their plan to
create a state-run insurer that covers windstorm damage.

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HOME PRICES

In the coming months, NAR Chief Economist David Lereah says
he expects "price numbers to start deteriorating," though he still
projects home prices will be up 5.3 percent for the year.

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FLORIDA CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

Consumer confidence among Floridians rose one point to 89
in July, according to University of Florida economists. However,
"The rise in confidence among Floridians was weak and is
starting to show signs of the increased burden on consumers,"
says Chris McCarty, director of UF's survey research center.

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