WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. economy grew at a robust 3.2% annual pace from October through December, propelled by healthy consumer spending, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday in a slight downgrade from its initial estimate. The expansion in the nation’s gross domestic product – the economy’s total output of goods and services – slipped […]
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Consumer sentiment among Floridians increased for a fifth month in a row in February to 74.1, up 1.5 points from a revised figure of 72.6 in January, reinforcing the optimistic outlook set at the beginning of the year. “The last time consumer sentiment increased for five consecutive months was before the […]
News & Media TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. had about 1.164 million policies on Feb. 23, 2024, a total that was little changed from the end of January, according to data posted on its website. Citizens had nearly 1.166 million policies on Jan. 31. Citizens, which was created as an […]
News & Media CHICAGO – Social media and online interactions are the norm when it comes to building relationships with potential buyers. Gone are the days of distributing business cards at in-person networking and local events. Real estate professionals should serve their communities by offering tips and education on home selling markets and creating […]
News & Media LYNCHBURG, Va. – Companies with fully remote work policies have become as rare as masking in the office, according to a recent report by Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. (JLL), a commercial real estate company. While last year saw the establishment of in-office policies, this year marks the adoption of these rules, […]
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Rising mortgage rates through much of 2023 kept many prospective homebuyers and sellers on the sidelines and the housing market in a deep slump. Homebuilders responded by lowering prices and offering incentives like mortgage rate buydowns to help buyers get over their affordability hump. The approach helped lift sales of new U.S. homes 4.2% over 2022, […]
IRVINE, Calif. – Attom has released its fourth-quarter 2023 U.S. Home Equity & Underwater Report, which shows that 46.1% of mortgaged residential properties in the United States were considered equity-rich in the fourth quarter, meaning that the combined estimated amount of loan balances secured by those properties was no more than half of their estimated market […]
News & Media NEW YORK – American consumers are feeling less confident this month as concerns over a possible recession grew. Links to /news-media/news-articles/2024/02/when-will-housing-affordability-improve It’s going to take time, experts say: Expected interest rate cuts will have some impact on housing prices and mortgage rates, but more housing stock is needed. The Conference Board, […]
NEW YORK (AP) — This year looks to be a much better one for the U.S. economy than business economists were forecasting just a few months ago, according to a survey released Monday. The economy looks set to grow 2.2% this year after adjusting for inflation, according to the National Association for Business Economics (NABE). That’s up […]
News & Media WASHINGTON – The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) today announced Curbio as a new partner with NAR REALTOR Benefits®. Curbio, which operates in more than 55 markets nationwide, is a pay-at-closing contractor for pre-sale home improvements of any size. As part of the agreement, NAR members and their clients will receive […]
WASHINGTON, Penn. – Consumer efforts to be more eco-conscious are more and more noticeable. For proof of that, one need look no further than the increase in vehicle charging stations. Such stations are more accessible than ever and illustrate that consumer preference is increasingly leaning toward products that leave as small a carbon footprint […]
News & Media JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Rent.com reported that in January, Florida had the highest percentage of decline (9.21%) in rent prices year-over-year in 2023 compared to other states. Rent in Florida, however, remains high at $2,095 monthly, compared with the national median rent of $1,964. Jacksonville had the sixth highest year-over-year increase (7.62%) […]