NEW YORK – As the use of artificial intelligence is expands, more small firms say they’re harnessing AI to help their businesses. In a survey by The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Teneo, nearly every small business – 98% – said they are utilizing a tool that is enabled by AI. Forty percent said […]
NEW YORK – According to a recent Zillow Home Loans analysis, 45% of borrowers purchased mortgage points in 2022 to reduce their monthly payments, up from 29% of borrowers in 2021. Nicole Bachaud, senior economist for Zillow, said, “We started seeing more buyers purchasing discount points as soon as mortgage rates ticked up in […]
News & Media WASHINGTON – The National Association of Realtors®’ newest installment in its Consumer Guide series covers seller concessions, providing customers with additional valuable information to navigate the recent industry changes. Links to /law-ethics/nar-settlement-sitzer-burnett-lawsuit The resources you need to do business in the post-NAR settlement real estate industry. The new guide covers the […]
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s unemployment rate remained at 3.3% in August as retirements continue to outpace efforts to grow the labor force. The Florida Department of Commerce on Friday estimated 368,000 Floridians qualified as unemployed in August, up 2,000 from July, while the work force of 11.044 million people decreased by 12,000. The state’s […]
News & Media By Amy Connolly WASHINGTON – U.S. house prices rose 0.1% in July, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) seasonally adjusted monthly House Price Index. House prices rose 4.5% from July 2023 to July 2024. The previously reported 0.1% price decrease in June was revised upward to 0.0%. For the […]
NEW YORK – Homeowners tend to want to maximize their homes’ space. For some, this may involve turning a garage from a utilitarian space into one that serves multiple purposes. According to The Mortgage Reports, a home-buying and improvement resource, garage renovations can increase a home’s value and add living space. Garage remodels can […]
News & Media WASHINGTON – American consumers are feeling less confident this month as concerns about jobs rose significantly. The Conference Board, a business research group, said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell to 98.7 in September, from 105.6 in August. It was the biggest month-to-month decline since August of 2021. The survey […]
ORLANDO, Fla. – One of the hot topics at the recent Florida Realtors® annual convention was artificial intelligence. The challenge for real estate agents today is that there is so much noise about AI with new announcements every day that it’s hard to know what tools agents can use to help them grow their […]
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 61 of Florida’s 67 counties ahead of a tropical system moving through the Gulf of Mexico that’s expected to become Hurricane Helene. The system is expected to intensify in the coming 24 hours with possible landfall near the Panhandle and Big Bend […]
SEATTLE – Renters are rethinking what they want and need in a home, looking beyond buildings with traditional rental amenities in favor of those with features and services that better suit their lifestyle and budget. New research from Zillow finds listings with a turfed pet area, coworking space or community happy hours are drawing […]
TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis has pledged to provide relief before the end of the year to condo unit owners facing increased costs for required structural safety inspections and plans to fund reserves for upcoming repairs. But leading members of the House and Senate aren’t endorsing a special session to enact changes, so the […]
CHICAGO – When the rent on her office increased, Atlanta-based Karen Hatcher, CEO and broker of Sovereign Realty & Management LLC, decided to buy her own space. Prioritizing convenience, visibility and value, she aimed to find a spot in a central, up-and-coming area with significant car traffic. Since the location would be prime, she […]