Mission Statement
The Real Estate Department is committed to supporting the Tribal Members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida by providing expert guidance and services in real estate matters. Our goal is to empower Tribal Members with access to homeownership, financial counseling, property leasing, and land management. With a strong focus on integrity and respect, our team works to facilitate seamless transactions and ensure sustainable growth within the Tribe's land and property holdings.
Overview of Tribal Land and Real Estate Management
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) administers most tribal real estate interests as part of the federal government’s trust responsibilities. In 1985, the Seminole Tribe of Florida assumed control of these matters under a self-determination contract funded by the BIA (Public Law 93-638, as amended).
The Tribe currently has ownership interests in many acres of land, including both trust and non-trust land, distributed across six reservations in multiple counties across Florida. The Tribe regulates, controls, and enforces the occupancy and use of its lands through ordinances, policies, procedures, and regulations established by federal law and the Tribal Council.
Trust Land
The Tribal Council adopted a Land Use Ordinance establishing policies, procedures, and regulations for all land use activity on Tribal trust land. This ordinance also created the Land Use Commission, which plays a key role in the preliminary review of applications for Tribal approval of permits, leases, and other grants of authority for the use or occupancy of Tribal land.
- The Land Use Commission duties include reviewing all submissions and making recommendations to the Tribal Council to approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove applications for land use.
- The Tribal Council holds the exclusive authority to give final approval on all leases, permits, and grants of authority, including appeals.
Anyone intending to use or occupy Tribal land must first obtain a permit, lease, or other formal authorization through the Real Estate Department. The application process is managed by the department, which ensures all necessary steps are followed through to presentation before the Land Use Commission and ultimately the Tribal Council.
Non-Trust Land
The Real Estate Department also manages several fee-owned properties. This includes leasing, coordinating with local governmental agencies, addressing property maintenance, and handling other property-related issues typically managed by property owners.
Tribal Member Services
Homeownership Assistance:
We offer a variety of services to help you secure a place to call home:
- Mortgage Counseling & Prequalification: Get prequalified for home purchases, construction loans, refinancing, or loan modifications
- Homesite Lease Application: Apply for Tribal land to build your future home.
- Foreclosure Prevention Assistance: Protect your home with strategies to avoid foreclosure.
- Rent-to-Own Program: Transition toward homeownership with an affordable, structured plan.
Credit & Debt Solutions:
Providing expert guidance on credit management, addressing outstanding balances, and improving financial health:
- Credit Counseling: Receive expert guidance on managing and improving your credit.
- Debt & Credit Support: We offer guidance on addressing outstanding balances, correcting credit report inaccuracies, and negotiating debt reductions.
Business Leasing & Property Management
We provide comprehensive services for both on and off-reservation commercial leasing and property management:
Business Permits & Leasing: Secure a commercial property lease and navigate the permitting process, whether on or off Tribal land.
Commercial Property Management: Get professional management services for business spaces, including maintenance, tenant support, and more, for both on and off-reservation properties.