TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida economists Friday warned that “uncertainty exists” as they increased general revenue projections that lawmakers will use in negotiating a new state budget. A panel of economists known as the Revenue Estimating Conference updated general revenue projections, which were last issued in August, by about $1.3 billion for the current fiscal […]
WASHINGTON – Free File is a program that allows the majority of taxpayers to file their federal income tax returns for free through participating software companies. But the service remains woefully underused. Despite 70% of taxpayers qualifying for Free File, less than 1.9% used the service in fiscal year 2023, the most recent year […]
News & Media WASHINGTON – The introduction of artificial intelligence-generated overviews is transforming how users access information online, particularly in real estate. AI now provides strategic overviews on search result pages, pulling content from top-ranking, authoritative sources. This shift influences search engine optimization (SEO), requiring real estate professionals to adapt their content strategies to […]
NEW YORK – Credit report checks are an important way to gauge your ability to get loans or credit cards. It assesses all kinds of factors in your borrowing history and assigns you a number between 300-850 that gauges your creditworthiness. But why is this number important? And why should I check my credit […]
NEW YORK – If you live in an apartment or a space without a yard, you might think it’s impossible to grow your own thriving garden. But I promise you, it’s not! I live in an apartment and rely heavily on my balcony to give me access to the outside world. One of the […]
CHICACO – Let’s be honest, 2024 felt like a roller-coaster ride for the real estate industry. At its peak, we saw home prices soar; but chronically low market inventory and sky-high interest rates kept many potential buyers out of the market. Plus, a high-stakes presidential election caused some uncertainty over the next administration’s approach […]
News & Media By Gary M. Singer FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Question: I live in a great condo community, but recently we have experienced raccoons getting inside the engine blocks and causing severe damage to our vehicles. This includes biting into the wiring system, fluid lines and hood insulation. When we approached the association, […]
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement Wednesday that it will simplify the definition of the Waters of the United States rule (WOTUS) is a win for property owners, says National Association of REALTORS® President Kevin Sears. Sears joined the newly appointed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and other stakeholders at the agency’s Washington, […]
WASHINGTON — Mortgage applications increased 11.2% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending March 7, 2025. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 11.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an […]
News & Media ORLANDO, Fla. — When it comes to selling a home, a well-executed marketing strategy can make the difference between a listing that lingers on the market and one that sparks immediate interest. The newest Consumer Guide by the National Association of Realtors® explains some details about home marketing and how Realtors® […]
News & Media By Alex Veiga WASHINGTON — The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. edged higher this week, ending a seven-week slide that helped ease borrowing costs for home shoppers leading into the spring homebuying season. The rate averaged 6.65% this week, up from 6.63% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie […]
NEW YORK — You’re not alone if you spend hours daily on your desktop, laptop, or phone. Research shows the average American spends seven hours per day looking at a screen; for real estate agents, that number can be even higher. Between checking emails, updating listings and scrolling through MLS data, it’s easy to […]