Experts Urge Early Prep for Hurricane Season

​ SANFORD — With the start of hurricane season less than a month away, U.S. officials who predict, prepare for and respond to natural disasters had a message for Floridians on Friday: It’s not a matter of if a hurricane will hit, but when. The 2024 hurricane season is expected to be busier than average. […]

Best Types of Roofing for Florida

​ MIAMI – Choosing the right roofing material for your Florida home is essential due to the state’s unique climate. The right choice can protect your home from the harsh elements and potentially save you money on repairs and energy costs in the long run. This article will guide you through what to know about […]

Pros & Cons of Amendment 5

​ TALLAHASSEE – Florida voters have the opportunity this November to hand homeowners more savings on their tax bills. Should they? Amendment 5, placed on the ballot by Florida lawmakers, would in most years increase the value of a tax break known as the homestead property tax exemption by adjusting its value to match inflation. […]

HUD Provides AI Guidance for Housing

​ News & Media By Amy Connolly WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released new guidance documents about using artificial intelligence (AI) in tenant screening and the advertising of housing opportunities in relation to the Fair Housing Act. HUD warned the misuse of AI and algorithms can introduce bias and discrimination […]

Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund Open

​ ORLANDO – The Florida Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund began accepting applications after tornadoes ripped through downtown Tallahassee and the surrounding area on Friday, killing one person. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 12 North Florida counties. Links to /about/charities/disaster-relief-fund Realtors helping others in times of need is what this charity is […]

Fed’s Powell: Interest Rate Hike ‘Unlikely’

​ WASHINGTON — The sharp interest rate hikes of the past two years will likely take longer than previously expected to bring down inflation, several Federal Reserve officials have said in recent comments, suggesting there may be few, if any, rate cuts this year. A major concern expressed by both Fed policymakers and some economists […]

NAR Podcast With Settlement Insights Available

​ WASHINGTON – The National Association of Realtors® released three new episodes of its Drive With NAR podcast with information to help Realtors® navigate the potential challenges and opportunities that come with the proposed settlement agreement. The podcasts include facts about the settlement, along with tools and information for Realtors®. The podcasts can be found […]

Stop Micromanaging and Start Leading

​ News & Media NEW YORK – Real estate professionals should not micromanage agents on their team, as it can interfere with their job performance and limit creative thinking and independent decision-making that makes agents better advocates for their clients. Agents need the space to leverage their expertise to help clients find properties, and micromanagement […]

Home Remodeling Spending Down 1.2% in Q1

​ LOS ANGELES — Homeowners have been spending more on home renovations in recent years, as high interest rates and stubbornly high inflation drove up costs for everything from flooring to refrigerators. The home improvement spree got particularly heated early in the pandemic, when Americans invested to make their homes better suited for remote work […]

Real Estate Tech Leaders Discuss Impact of AI

​ WASHINGTON – Tech leaders took the stage at the 2024 Realtor® Legislative Meetings to discuss the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) into real estate business practices. Several hundred real estate agents attended the Emerging Business Issues and Technology Forum, where a panel of experts explored how […]

Insurer to Pay $1 Million Over Ian Claims

​ TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A property-insurance company has agreed to pay a $1 million fine after a state review found it violated claims-handling requirements following Hurricane Ian, according to an order signed Thursday by Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky. The order and a report issued in March said Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Co. violated […]

Sales Tax Holidays, Insurance Premium Breaks Ahead

​The governor signed a package that includes sales tax holidays and a one-year exemption on residential property and flood insurance premium taxes.