News & Media WASHINGTON— The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI) decreased 2.5 points in May to 69.4 as the component measuring consumer attitudes toward homebuying conditions fell markedly, reaching an all-time survey low. Only 14% of consumers indicated that it’s a good time to buy a home, down from 20% last month, […]
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a temporary policy on Tuesday allowing buyers using VA-guaranteed home loans to compensate their buyer brokers directly. The VA said the new rule comes as the proposed $418 million settlement agreement to the Sitzer-Burnett verdict may have put veterans at a disadvantage in the […]
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The home-buying process can be tedious. Between mountains of paperwork, inspections, bidding wars, real estate laws and the actual moving process, a new homeowner could be left with a sincere desire to simply shut the world off for a while. But once you buy and move in, the process of making […]
News & Media TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. added nearly 5,000 policies before the annual hurricane season started June 1. Citizens had 1,193,484 policies on May 31, up from 1,188,557 policies a week earlier but down from 1,201,536 policies two weeks earlier, according to Citizens’ data. The drop during the […]
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The home-buying process can be tedious. Between mountains of paperwork, inspections, bidding wars, real estate laws and the actual moving process, a new homeowner could be left with a sincere desire to simply shut the world off for a while. But once you buy and move in, the process of making […]
News & Media By Gary M. Singer FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: Our condominium building has termites and needs to be tented. This means everyone must be out of the building for a few days. Some owners are protesting the idea, its timing and the expense. Do all of the owners have to cooperate? […]
VENICE, Fla. – With hurricane season underway, Florida’s first sales tax holiday of 2024 is taking place. Now through June 14, Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax holiday provides tax exemptions on disaster preparedness items. Among the items are everything from batteries to generators, along with pet care, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, […]
News & Media TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Real estate agents must strategize to ensure their business flourishes and isn’t too caught up in the latest market trends. Agents should have goals in mind and a plan in place that mirrors their business vision. These goals and vision also need to be flexible and ensure there […]
WASHINGTON (AP) – After Federal Reserve officials meet this week, a statement they will issue may suggest that they’ve seen meaningful progress on inflation this year – a prelude to eventual interest rate cuts. Yet it’s hard to say, because the officials themselves may not know for sure until they begin their meeting. That’s […]
News & Media By Gary M. Singer FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: I want to install a pool in my backyard, but my neighbor won’t agree to let the contractor use any portion of her side yard to get equipment in and out even though I agreed to pay for all repairs and landscaping […]
NEW YORK – Open plan living also known as open concept refers to a floor plan which eliminates barriers such as walls and doors between different areas in a home to create a larger space that allows the different spaces to flow freely from one area to another. For instance, most modern homes do […]
TAMPA, Fla. – When it comes to putting a new roof over your head, you should do your homework before hiring a contractor, according to several experts in the field. We are at the start of the rainy season when roof leaks begin popping up. If you are facing roof repairs or replacement, here […]
