Florida Welcome Home Week, July 11-17
Teachers. Firefighters. Military personnel. Nurses. Police officers. The list goes on and on: Many people who provide vital services that strengthen our communities can't afford to own a home or live where they work.

It's a problem that harms everyone. Community leaders across Florida are recognizing the link between workforce housing and the positive economic and social health of their communities. Affordable housing shortages close to work leads to longer commutes, traffic congestion, urban sprawl and limited services that degrade all residents' quality of life. On the frontlines of the state's housing market, Realtors understand this lack of housing opportunities threatens the vitality and future of Florida's communities.

Florida Realtors® is spreading the word about the crucial need for "Homes for Hometown Heroes" during Florida Welcome Home Week, July 11-17. It's the right message at the right time: As of July 1, the federal homebuyer tax credit no longer applies, (except for home purchases falling under special rules for members of the military, foreign service and intelligence community).

During Florida Welcome Home Week, turn up the radio and listen for Florida Realtors' ads promoting "Homes for Hometown Heroes." Airing during traffic reports at peak drive times on radio stations across the state July 11-17, the spots not only showcase the need for workforce housing but also note how working with a Realtor helps our Hometown Heroes realize their dreams of homeownership. The radio media campaign is made possible by a $100,000 grant from the National Association of Realtors' Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants, awarded to state Realtor associations or their housing foundations to support workforce housing initiatives.

Homebuyer Opportunity Information

• Florida Resources (PDF)
  
• Federal Resources (PDF)
  

• Add a graphic to your website. Help spread the word about Florida Welcome Home Week's "Homes for Hometown Heroes" by telling your website visitors. To add the graphic, copy the html code below:

• Promote the event on the radio and with your sphere of influence. We’ve produced two series of radio ads – a series of 15-second spots and a series of 27-second spots that you can customize with your board/association name at the end. Many stations may record the message free of charge since you’re buying airtime. Not planning a media buy? Then attach the MP3 files, as is, to e-mails to customers and clients. Play the audio to kick off a board meeting. Think of all the possibilities to share the message.
  
  
  • General promotion (:15 MP3) Download
  • Firefighter (:15 MP3) Download
  • Firefighter (:27 MP3) Download
  • Teacher (:15 MP3) Download
  • Teacher (:27 MP3) Download
  • Police (:15 MP3) Download
  • Police (:27 MP3) Download
  • Nurse (:15 MP3) Download
  • Nurse (:27 MP3) Download
  
  

• Learn about homebuying seminars. Participate in “How to Present a Successful Homebuyer Seminar” on July 16 at 1:00 p.m. Seasoned broker and experienced instructor Patti Ketcham offers tips on how to present the homebuying process to interested consumers. The hour-long webinar from Florida Realtors highlights some of the products and services available to “Hometown Heroes,” plus advice on how to follow up with potential buyers after your seminar.