Cushman & Wakefield exec to launch own real estate firm

Tere Blanca, a top commercial real estate executive in Florida and current chair of Miami-Dade County's economic development arm, The Beacon Council, is going out on her own.

Florida land-buying program could be on chopping block

The Florida Senate is considering halting the state's premiere land-buying program, Florida Forever, to stave off more pressing budget cuts.

National Association of Home Builders push $150 billion plan

With lawmakers angling to pass an economic recovery package by the middle of next month, desperate home builders from around the country flew to Washington to spend Wednesday pushing a $150 billion plan to revive the housing market.

Home-equity credit delinquencies rise

Late payments on home-equity lines of credit rose to a record in the third quarter, showing consumers remain under financial stress as unemployment rises amid the credit crisis, the American Bankers Association reported.

COVER STORY

Goldman family bets on a Wynwood revival

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Joey Goldman sat at the bar of his new Wynwood restaurant, looked out at empty tables, and figured the place would end the day losing money.

Real estate listings from Michael Y. Cannon

Location: 2734 E. Oakland Park Blvd. Seller: A.T.2.B, represented by Andree Brocvielle, president. Buyer: Aurea Investments, represented by Bernel Alfredo, managing member.

Wildflower auto tag sales pay for butterfly gardens, science projects

Bright red spikes of salvia flowers swayed in the winter breeze next to blue-flowering porterweed. Yellowtops, with flattish clusters of flowers, were forming a little colony, while the black-eyed Susans and the red-yellow Indian blankets formed sweeps of color in the wildflower beds at Broward College's north campus in Coconut Creek.

OMBUDSMAN OFFICE

Mediators foresee gloom, doom in condo industry

Working for the state's Office of the Condominium Ombudsman is dirty, sometimes even ''disgusting,'' work, say Bill and Susan Raphan, who supervise the Fort Lauderdale satellite office.

Affordable Victoria's Armoire has evolved over the years

Seventeen years ago, Eddie and Anna Fuentes opened Victoria's Armoire in the Coral Gables building that house his father's printing business with a self-serving motive: Newly married, they wanted good furniture but couldn't afford the antiques they liked.

Whole Foods pulls out of Met Miami project

Whole Foods, the upscale grocery store slated for the Met Miami complex in downtown Miami, has pulled out of the project. Whole Foods was supposed to go on the ground floor of a tower that has not yet started construction. Its arrival would have given downtown Miami its first high-end grocery store, and a spokesman for Met Miami said the complex plans to recruit another grocer for the space.

30-year rates at new low

Rates on 30-year mortgages fell to a record low for the third straight week and borrowers took advantage of the drop, sending new applications soaring.

REAL ESTATE

Miami-Dade applies new state law aimed at cutting taxes inflated by mortgage fraud

In compliance with a new Florida law, the Miami-Dade property appraiser's office is reexamining tax assessments that may have been inflated by fraudulent home sales.

REAL ESTATE

Extension for Herald land deal

A provision in McClatchy's agreement to extend the closing date for the $190 million sale of 10 acres next to The Miami Herald's bayfront headquarters may now make it easier for the media company to sell the newspaper's longstanding home.

Miami Herald land sale won't close by Dec. 31

Developer Mark Siffin is being given more time to close on the purchase of 10 acres of parking lots surrounding The Miami Herald Media Company. He needs an extension to arrange financing.

Home prices drop across country

Home prices across the country fell faster than ever in October, according to a closely watched 20-city index released Tuesday, providing fresh evidence that the nationwide housing slump is nowhere near an end.

Broward mortgage fraud scheme leader gets 8-year term

The leader of a $10 million Broward-based mortgage fraud scheme has been sentenced to eight years in prison, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Real estate listings from Michael Y. Cannon

Location: 1085 and 1105 W. 76th St. Seller: Five Properties LLC, represented by Victor F. Seijas Jr., president. Buyer: Mikon Financial Services, represented by Juan Carlos Capote, president.

CONDO LINE

Who is responsible for flood?

Q: While I was away for the summer, my air conditioner condenser's drain blocked and water flooded my unit and ruined my walls and carpet. There is mold on the baseboards, walls and carpeting. I was informed by the board that it was my fault because I did not maintain the drain. I thought this was a common area drain and the association's responsibility. I filed a claim with my insurance company and the unit is being repaired. I had no idea the air conditioner drain has to be cleaned on a regular...

Clutter catharsis: Sort, purge, reinvent your space

You know you have a problem with clutter when your new 52-inch flat screen TV looks more like an old 19-inch, dwarfed by all that junk piled high around it.