Fed’s Powell: Rate Cuts Likely Delayed This Year

​ WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cautioned Tuesday that persistently elevated inflation will likely delay any Fed interest rate cuts until later this year, opening the door to a period of higher-for-longer rates. “Recent data have clearly not given us greater confidence” that inflation is coming fully under control and “instead indicate that […]

Florida Home Values Skyrocket

​ MIAMI – The national median home price is twice what it was ten years ago. Molded by a storm of inflation, tight supply and surging demand, the average home price in the U.S. went from around $200,000 to $400,000, according to a new study from Point2. However, in Florida, it took much less than […]

Florida Counties With Lowest Cost of Living

​ News & Media By Elena Cox MIAMI – While inflation has fallen from 2022 peaks, high prices are still eating into household budgets. Many Americans are paying keen attention to their finances and finding ways to reduce spending. Home prices, rent, and food inflation, as well as higher prices for gas in the last […]

Speeding Up the ‘Know-Like-Trust’ Process

​ News & Media NEW YORK – In real estate, people have to know, like and trust you. This ‘know-like-trust’ process creates strong bonds between real estate pros and their clients. To generate trust with potential buyers, real estate professionals should ask previous clients to review the firm online with quality feedback that others can […]

Judge Blocks State’s Wetland Permitting Authority

​ TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In a case closely watched by business and environmental groups, a U.S. district judge Friday finalized his rejection of a 2020 move by the federal government to shift permitting authority to Florida for projects that affect wetlands. Judge Randolph Moss issued a 27-page opinion that, as he acknowledged, likely will set […]

Gift Cards: The Newest Hack to Own a Home

​ NEW YORK – In an era defined by skyrocketing housing prices and innovative financial strategies, a surprising trend is emerging: the use of gift cards as a means to navigate the landscape of homeownership. Traditionally reserved for birthdays and holidays, gift cards are now finding a new role as unconventional tools to help save […]

Housing Starts, New Permits Fall in March

​ WASHINGTON – New single-family home construction and permits fell in March on higher-than-expected interest rates and stubborn inflation readings, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. Builders have also been stymied by higher supply-side costs and tighter lending conditions, the National Association of […]

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Clarify IPCs

​ WASHINGTON – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac said Monday they will not count buyer agent commissions as part of allowable interested party contributions (IPCs). The government-sponsored agencies (GSEs) said their guidance was not an update to their selling guidelines but a clarification to the treatment of seller-paid real estate agent fees. “Buyer agent fees […]

Prices Top Location in Dream Home Purchase

​ News & Media MIAMI – A nationwide Coldwell Banker Realty consumer survey found 56% of consumers prioritize price and 50% prioritize location when searching for a new home. Sixty percent of women prioritize price compared to 48% of men. Fifty-six percent of consumers also believe the real estate market will remain stable or improve […]

New Foreign Buyer Rules for Ag Land Take Effect

​ News & Media ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Division of Consumer Services finalized its rules that prohibit certain foreign principals from owning, having a controlling interest in or acquiring more than a de minimis indirect interest in Florida land classified as agricultural by the property appraiser for tax […]

The Basics of Home Flipping

​ NEW YORK — In recent years, home sellers have experienced record profits as the value of real estate has risen dramatically. Bankrate indicates the median home price across the United States is around $486,000. Flipping homes gained popularity prior to the spike in real estate prices, but that increase has led some novices to […]

Builder Sentiment Unchanged in April

​ WASHINGTON – Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes remained unchanged in April from the previous month when it hit its highest level since July 2023, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). The builder confidence index remains at 51, breaking a four-month period […]