NEW YORK — In a recent study evaluating how chatbots make loan suggestions for mortgage applications, researchers at Pennsylvania’s Lehigh University found something stark: There was clear racial bias at play. With 6,000 sample loan applications based on data from the 2022 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the chatbots recommended denials for more Black applicants […]
NEW YORK —Your real estate firm is at risk from the growing threat of cybersecurity attacks. The days of retaining hard copies and physical files are increasingly phasing out. In an era where digital transformation is altering the industry landscape, real estate firms are becoming progressively more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats due to the […]
NEW YORK — Home-rental platforms like Airbnb are known to drive up housing costs, but a new study shows that doing a better job of collecting the taxes owed by these home rentals appears to slow the rise in home prices. The finding suggests that tax policy can help to mitigate rising home prices, […]
WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency Thursday finalized stronger standards for identifying and cleaning up lead paint dust in pre-1978 U.S. homes and childcare facilities. According to an EPA estimate, the new rule will cut lead exposures of up to 1.2 million people each year, including hundreds of thousands of children. “Too often our […]
NEW YORK — U.S. taxpayers will again see higher standard deductions for 2025, allowing them to shield more of their money from taxation on future returns. The Internal Revenue Service detailed the increases in its annual inflation adjustments. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately in tax year 2025, the standard deduction is […]
News & Media By Mackenzie LaPorte TAMPA, Fla. — Rebuilding after two back-to-back storms has been a challenge for Tampa Bay area communities. Jimmy Patronis, Florida chief financial officer and state fire marshal, launched a “Check My Contract” portal for concerned policyholders. Links to /tools-research/hurricane-resources/helene-recovery-assistance-realtors-resources We have gathered resources for Realtors in Florida to […]
WASHINGTON — Pending U.S. home sales rose 3.5% year over year during the four weeks ending October 20, the biggest increase in three years (with the exception of the prior 4-week period, when they rose 3.7%). On a local level, pending sales are up in 35 of the 50 most populous U.S. metros, the […]
News & Media By Jim Turner TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Tourism-industry leaders are once again looking to counter negative media images of Florida, this time after Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton caused widespread damage — including in areas of the Gulf Coast that are popular with visitors. Allison Hopkins, a spokeswoman for Visit Florida, the […]
WASHINGTON — New home sales in the U.S. rebounded by much more than expected in the month of September, according to a new report released by the U.S. Commerce Department. The Commerce Department said new home sales surged by 4.1% to an annual rate of 738,000 in September after tumbling by 2.3% to a […]
News & Media By Amy Connolly WASHINGTON – Buyers should feel confident and empowered to find an agent who aligns with their needs and keeps their best interests front and center. To support this, the National Association of Realtors® released its latest Consumer Guide, spotlighting important questions buyers should ask when choosing an agent. […]
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: I recently graduated and landed a good job. I am about to rent my first apartment and want to make sure I don’t make a mistake. What should I look out for? — Christine Answer: Renting a home is a significant commitment, not only because of the legal agreements […]
News & Media MIAMI – Data released by Douglas Elliman shows that in the third quarter of 2024, Florida’s luxury home regions have experienced price increases and higher home sale volumes. Six Florida markets, excluding mainland Miami, saw 137 luxury sales, which was in line with 2023’s third quarter, but prices rose 9.6%. In […]
