News & Media CEDAR KEY, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced more than $6 million in awards to Hurricane Idalia-impacted communities through the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) program and the Florida Disaster Fund. $5.3 million in RIF awards have been awarded to help nine communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia by strengthening public infrastructure and expanding job opportunities for employers […]
PLANT CITY, Fla. – If you’ve recently acquired a home in Florida and missed the Homestead Exemption filing deadline, it could cost you thousands, according to Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob “Coach” Henriquez. All Floridians should be aware of the Homestead Exemption and the Save Our Homes Amendment. As the March 1 annual filing deadline approaches, […]
News & Media NORWALK, Conn. – Business planning is essential for real estate professionals given that outside market trends, economic conditions and other factors can substantially alter a business’s profitability. Most firms will write up a business plan or strategy in December or January of the new year, but real estate professionals also should […]
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: Our condominium association recently passed a rather large special assessment to get some work done that we do not have enough money in reserve to cover. Times are tight, and some of our neighbors will have trouble paying. What happens if someone is unable to pay a large special assessment? — […]
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Sinking demand for office space in the commercial real estate market could lead to bank failures in parts of the country, according to two finance experts at Florida Atlantic University. The combination of rising interest rates, high office vacancies due to remote work, as well as lowering returns on investment […]
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – On any given night last year, nearly 653,000 people – or one in every 500 – were homeless, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Out of all the states in the country, Florida had the fourth-most homeless people, at 31,000 people, which is up 18% from 2022. On […]
MERIDEN, Conn. – Ben Borecki and Raleighe Orszulak-Borecki, both 29, searched for about a year to find their perfect home. They visited over 20 houses and bid on five. Finally, the couple purchased a 1912 colonial in Windsor this January. They had viewed the house before and liked it, but it went off the market […]
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Housing market trends are shaping up in favor of a solid 2024 for U.S. homebuilders – as long as mortgage rates don’t jump back to the highs they hit late last year. Sales of new homes rose nationally in 2023 for the first time in two years, climbing 4.2% from a year earlier, according to the Commerce Department. […]
News & Media TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Rather than follow the old model of “always be closing,” professionals should consider ways in which they can better serve their clients and provide them with value. The closing cycle itself takes 60 to 90 days, which means the more value you provide before closing one sale can […]
News & Media SHERIDAN, Wyo. – Florida ranks No. 2 as the best state for entrepreneurs and small businesses in the U.S in 2024, according to a new study from SimplifyLLC. Coming in just behind Texas, Florida received top marks because the state was No. 1 for the net influx of educated workers, at […]
WASHINGTON – Existing-home sales grew in January, up 3.1% from December, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Total existing home sales – completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – increased to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.00 million in January. However, sales year-over-year slipped 1.7% (down from 4.07 […]
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Condominium associations near Florida’s coast will get access to $175,000 per association in state funds for stormproofing projects under a House bill that’s nearing the finish line. The Senate version of the bill does not have a cap. The “My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program” would provide condo associations with the type of financial assistance currently […]