South Australia Weighs Phasing out Stamp Duty
Stamp duty is back on the agenda in Australia, with the controversial property tax on the ballot for voters at next year’s South Australian election. The state’s opposition party has announced plans to phase out stamp duty by 2041, drawing mixed reactions from across the real estate industry. realestate.com.au
Kentucky Farmhouse From 1790 Lists for Sale
A five-bedroom Kentucky farmhouse older than the state itself has hit the market for $1.125 million. The 4,763-square-foot home, which dates to 1790, is in the city of Versailles, about 20 minutes west of Lexington, and underwent a recent modernization. Lexington Herald-Leader
Florida Condo Prices Fall Amid Rising Insurance, HOA Fees
Surging HOA fees and insurance premiums are squeezing Florida condo owners and causing the prices to drop. The median sale price for a condo in the state fell 8.1% in August compared with a year earlier, down to $285,000. Realtor.com
Bay Area Estate Built in the 1940s for an Oakland Mayor Quickly Bags a Buyer
A Bay Area home built in the 1940s for Herbert Beach, one of Oakland’s most popular and influential mayors, has found a buyer after less than three weeks on the market. The Mediterranean-style house, asking $2.995 million, is located in Oakland’s Upper Rockridge neighborhood and spans 3,647 square feet. SFGate
Florida Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Exempt Seniors From Property Taxes
Amid a rush of property tax reform bills being introduced in Florida, state lawmaker Juan Carlos Porras has proposed a measure that would exempt seniors from most property taxes, except the portion that goes to funding schools. The bill would apply to seniors with the homestead exemption. CBS News