Sharon Fleming, Realtor® Port St Lucie~Florida

City of Port St Lucie has indeed been hit hard with the Foreclosures and all of the Short Sales. But is this a reason for our county to be declared in a State of Emergency? This would be a first of its kind, in an economy like no other. Just as we are declared in a State of Emergency with a Hurricane, Port St Lucie would be declared just that. At one point in time Port St Lucie was one of the fastest growing cities in America. With families flocking here to attain their dream homes, we are now 10,000+ strong in foreclosed properties and a staggering 10.5% unemployment rate. There is $17.5 million dollars that is set aside for our Hurricane Season, and now commissioners are wanting to use those funds to take care of this "DISASTER". The foreclosure Disaster a disaster that WE caused, not a natural disaster, a MAN MADE ONE! It is amazing that we are in an economy so bad that we are actually thinking of using these funds to take care of the foreclosures, and what will happen when a Hurricane hits this area? Is that going to leave the city strapped for funds? Yes it is! There has to be some other solution to this problem. I will tell you that THIS is not the solution! Port St Lucie is still a great place to live, the prices on Real Estate is great right now, jobs can be found, and giving hope to the communities here in Port St Lucie is something that we ALL have to do. Posting stories in local news papers and on CNN stating that St Lucie county is one of the hardest hit area is true, but is the trauma to the area so severe that it is a Disaster, I would say no in my opinion. In some sort of little or drastic way, everyone in the US, and beyond in some instances, have been effected by the downturn on the market, and yes some hit worse than others, but I still believe that Port St Lucie is one of the best places in the US to live and to raise a family. The negativity that this has brought to our area is unjust, where are the positive aspects of our area? You dont see that in the news. The prices on homes are at an all time low, and new industry and Bio-Tech jobs are coming to St Lucie county, we have to all work on this together, volunteer our time when we can, get together within your community and see where you can help, have a community "pot luck" dinner, its the little things that help, and we do have to start somewhere. I am continually amazed at even in our bleakest times, we can still come together as a community and help each other.

Here is the Law on doing such a thing, just so you know:

THE LAW

• Chapter 252 of Florida State Statutes gives local governments the authority to declare a local state of emergency.

• It gives the public safety director the ability to seize control of necessary resources

• It allows local government to bypass state purchasing and bidding requirements to repair or recover from the emergency.

Angel Food Ministries!

The staggering amount of foreclosures are leaving many HOA dues left unpaid. Is there a solution to this problem? Most HOA are using aggressive measures to try and re coupe the fees lost. Most homeowners that have fallen onto hardships are not able to pay their dues. This is Nationwide. Sometimes seeking a foreclosure, short sale, or auction is the only financial option the homeowner has. I have seen million dollar facilities within associations going unused, simply put, there is not enough money to help sustain these facilities. the remaining homeowners that are left within the community paying their HOA dues, are likely to see an increase in their dues to help make up for the ones that simply can not pay and not to mention limited services within the confines of the community or limited use of the common areas. The debate seems to be this: 1. Get rid of the Homeowners fees all together 2. Make homeowners pay in advance 3. Keep them and have the remaining homeowners take the windfall. Will the communities fall into such a state of disarray if these HOA's are abolished? There are those that choose to put food on their table and try and pay their mortgage versus paying their HOA dues. Maybe there should be a hardship letter to the HOA explaining the hardship and it needs to be on a case by case basis, is this the answer? I don't know, but something does need to be done. Maybe try and take care of your own lawn care, pay your own water, garbage, etc. Just until we get through some of this. There needs to be an overhaul on these HOA's. I do AGREE with having the HOA's, it brings increased value to the property and helps maintain the overall upkeep of the proeprties when they do fall vacant, but in times such as these, drastic measure do need to be taken.

For those of you contemplating to make ActiveRain an everday part of your business plan, if you need the little boost I hope this is it.

Since I joined active rain in August of 08. I have tried many times to get fellow Realtors to join as well, thinking that this was just another one of "those" sites that would sit in their email, waiting.....waiting....and still waiting.

I can can testify that this site does work to your advantage if you USE it!

I have received 2 Rentals, A listing, and I am Sponsoring a NEW EXIT agent which is a fellow Active Rainer who decided to switch to Exit. So Yes this does work if you intergrate it into your business plan And use it everyday, you too will find that Active Rain is more than just your normal run of the mill website, it can be your money making machine as well, and even if it does not bring you business it will bring you something that far surpasses that, Knowledge and FRIENDSHIPS! Life long friendships, it is worth it to me to use this handy tool called ACTIVE RAIN! I love it and will continue to use it as a part of my business plan!

GOOD LUCK ~In the Rain~