News & Media ORLANDO – On March 19, 2024, a new form was released for member use. In addition, several forms were amended: Language was removed from the CRSP Condo Addendum and Cooperative Addendum regarding a deadline by which sellers had to provide certain documents to buyers. The Septic Program Replacement Addendum was amended […]
News & Media WASHINGTON – Pending home sales in February grew 1.6%, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The South and Midwest posted monthly gains in transactions while the Northeast and West recorded losses. All four U.S. regions registered year-over-year decreases. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) – a forward-looking indicator of home […]
News & Media NEW YORK – Spring is one of the busiest seasons for real estate, and real-estate professionals should get in front of clients in fun and creative ways. Consider new ways to make connections, such as: Throwing a pie party on Easter or Mother’s Day and inviting past, present and potential clients […]
News & Media By Amy Connolly SEATTLE – Six Florida metro areas lead the nation in all-cash home purchases, possibly highlighting the impact investors are having on the state’s housing market. Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa and Orlando account for six of the top 12 metro areas in the United States […]
MIAMI – Question: I am buying a house and have been warned about the various scams, especially those involving wires. I spoke with the closing agent, and they will not accept a check to buy my new home. How can I protect myself when sending a wire? — Nick Answer: Whenever large sums of […]
ORLANDO – Dear Shannon: I’m a broker with a good size brokerage office and a fair number of sales associates. During our weekly meeting, the topic of unauthorized access to property came up. I remembered you had an article on this point and used it for a teaching opportunity. The article was called, “Why […]
ORLANDO – If you have a business entity as part of your real estate practice (or otherwise), you should familiarize yourself with a new federal reporting requirement. Many corporations, limited liability companies and other entities that are formed and registered in the United States are now required to report information about their beneficial owners […]
News & Media TALLAHASSEE – Each year, more than 300,000 people move to Florida – many who have never experienced a hurricane. For newcomers and established residents alike, hurricanes can be worrisome, albeit an inevitable part of Florida living. With forecasters saying the 2024 hurricane season will be active, Realtors® in Florida are ready […]
NEW YORK – New-home buyers may want to bring an inspector into the construction process earlier and at multiple intervals—such as when the foundation is poured and again before the walls are sealed. Adam Long, president of HomeTeam Inspection Service, which has 200-plus offices nationwide, says “phase inspections” can offer extra assurance that a […]
NEW YORK – Homeowners are spending more — an increase of 60% since 2020 — on upgrading their kitchens and other indoor and outdoor areas due to higher product and labor costs, according to a new study by Houzz, an online resource for home remodeling and design. Median renovation spending rose from $15,000 in […]
News & Media By Sara Filips TAMPA, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 621 in Orlando on Wednesday, ending the squatters scam in the state of Florida. The legislation protects citizen’s property rights, giving homeowners remedies against squatting, and penalties for squatters. “We are putting an end to the squatters scam in […]
LOS ANGELES — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell slightly this week, welcome news for home shoppers facing rising prices and a stubbornly low inventory of properties on the market this spring homebuying season. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage slipped to 6.79% from 6.87% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said […]