CHICAGO – Real estate professionals nationwide have reported that home buyers are increasingly curious about houses’ eco-friendly features. When considering a home’s environmental friendliness, it’s natural to think first of Energy Star appliances and water-saving bathroom fixtures. But outdoor spaces can be sustainable, too. Decks and patios already offer up to an 80% return […]
News & Media TALLAHASSEE – The state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has purchased $3.564 billion in reinsurance coverage — at a cost of $482 million — to serve as a backstop for paying claims during this year’s hurricane season. The Citizens Board of Governors in May approved spending as much as $750 million to […]
WASHINGTON — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed new rules to make it easier for homeowners to get help when they are struggling to pay their mortgage. The proposal, if finalized, would require mortgage servicers to focus on helping borrowers, not foreclosing, when a homeowner asks for help. The proposed changes would also […]
WASHINGTON — Inflation in the United States cooled in June for a third straight month, a sign that the worst price spike in four decades is steadily fading and may soon usher in interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. In a better-than-expected report, consumer prices declined 0.1% from May to June after having […]
News & Media By Alex Veiga LOS ANGELES — The average rate on a 30-year mortgage fell slightly this week, a modest relief for home shoppers facing record-high home prices. The rate fell to 6.89% from 6.95% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, it averaged 6.96%. Borrowing costs on […]
News & Media TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State general-revenue tax collections in May were 4.2% higher than expected, according to a report released Tuesday by the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research. The report said net general revenue during the month totaled about $4.48 billion, $182.4 million more than expected when a forecast was […]
News & Media NEW YORK – To truly connect online with an audience, real-estate professionals need to be authentically themselves, Mauricio Umansky, founder and CEO of the real estate agency The Agency in Los Angeles, said. Honestly and vulnerability can help forge connections with clients. Make a good first impression by keeping social media […]
NEW YORK – Over the last few years many of us have worked in a unique market. If you got your license after 2020, you most likely learned real estate in a world of over-list-price offers, waived inspections and appraisal gaps. As the ground shifts in 2024, we are slowly starting to see increased […]
SEATTLE – The median apartment asking rent in America rose 0.7% year over year in June to $1,654, the biggest gain in over a year and the highest median price since October 2022. That’s according to a new report from real estate brokerage Redfin. Florida is bucking the national trend. The Sunshine State’s four […]
WASHINGTON – In 2023, when the volume of existing-home sales hit the lowest level since 1995, 26% of Realtors® named lack of inventory and housing affordability as the most important factors limiting potential clients from making a purchase, according to the National Association of Realtors®’ 2024 Member Profile. This annual report analyzes members’ business activity […]
WASHINGTON – The federal government is updating a program that helps homebuyers purchase and renovate properties using a single mortgage in an effort to get more people to use a loan it considers key to preserving the country’s housing stock. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is allowing homeowners more time and […]
News & Media NEW YORK – Real-estate agents who invest in mobile technology can provide clients with what they need when they need. Mobile tech allows real estate agents and customers to navigate the sale process from anywhere. Consider some of the commonly used mobile tech: Paperless documents allow for easy reading and signing […]