News & Media WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has earmarked $14.1 million to support people experiencing homelessness in Florida communities impacted by Hurricane Helene and Milton. The Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) funding will be allocated to the State of Florida and 16 jurisdictions to address needs not […]
News & Media By Cora Lewis WASHINGTON – The IRS on Friday announced Jan. 27 as the official start date of the 2025 tax season and expects more than 140 million tax returns to be filed by the April 15 tax deadline. The announcement comes with agency in the midst of a massive overhaul, […]
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: We are buying our first home and are stretching our savings to pay for the down payment and closing costs, not to mention the moving expenses. Our lender sent us our closing cost estimate, which showed that “owner’s title insurance” was optional, even though we were required to purchase […]
ORLANDO, Fla. – Owning a home can be an expensive endeavor. In addition to monthly payments to service the loan, there are hidden costs of ownership, including property taxes, insurance, maintenance, electricity, internet and cable bills. The Hidden Cost of Homeownership Study by Bankrate calculated these costs in 2024 to $18,118 a year for […]
NEW YORK – As we move past the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, a crucial question arises: how can agents reconnect with clients and cultivate new leads? For many of the nation’s top agents, like Mauricio Umansky of The Agency, the answer is clear: leveraging events can build relationships and generate new business. Umansky […]
News & Media ANN ARBOR, Mich. — U.S consumer sentiment was essentially unchanged in January, inching down less than one index point from December, well within the margin of error, according to the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index. Assessments of personal finances improved about 5%, while the economic outlook fell back 7% for […]
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As he works on a proposed budget for the upcoming year, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday the state will ask President-elect Donald Trump to give Florida authority over federal money for Everglades restoration projects. DeSantis offered a few environmental snippets that will be included in a proposed 2025-2026 budget that he […]
NEW YORK – Do you use video as part of your marketing tool kit? If not, research says you should. More than 80% of U.S. adults use YouTube, and more than 50% of all consumers use video to help make a purchasing decision. Yet, only about one in three agents use YouTube for marketing. […]
NEW YORK – As hacking attempts become increasingly sophisticated, experts stress the importance of adopting robust security measures to safeguard personal devices. Cybersecurity breaches have skyrocketed, with financial losses from cyber incidents quadrupling since 2017, according to the International Monetary Fund. While most losses hover around a half million, severe attacks can cost companies […]
SEATTLE –The median U.S. asking rent fell 0.3% year over year in December to $1,594 — the lowest level since March 2022, according to the real estate brokerage Redfin. The median asking rent was down 0.1% from a month earlier, and down 6.2% from its August 2022 record high of $1,700. The median asking […]
News & Media TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Hurricane Milton, which hit Florida in October, caused about $25 billion in insured losses, the largest amount of insured losses from any natural disaster in 2024, according to an analysis by Munich RE, an international insurance and reinsurance company. Overall losses from Milton totaled about $38 billion, as […]
ORLANDO, Fla. — Homeowners insurance can be confusing for anyone, especially new buyers. How much will it cost? What does it cover? How much will the insurer pay if I make a claim? The National Association of Realtors®’ newest Consumer Guide provides essential details to help buyers make informed decisions. The guide explains how […]