SEATTLE — Less than half (46.7%) of U.S. renters feel a sense of belonging in their neighborhood, compared with almost two-thirds (63.6%) of homeowners, according to a new survey from the real estate brokerage Redfin. Just 38.9% of renters feel they have things in common with their neighbors, compared with 58.5% of homeowners. And […]
News & Media By Jim Turner TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet could be poised to approve spending more than $318 million to buy conservation land and enter other deals that would shield rural properties from development. State staff members have recommended that DeSantis and the Cabinet approve 20 proposals […]
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Affordable housing remains a top concern nationwide, especially in Florida, where high interest rates, limited inventory and rising home prices have made the dream of homeownership a challenge for many. Recognizing this, Florida Realtors®, the state’s largest professional trade association, has been at the forefront of advocating for solutions that make […]
LONDON — After a sprawling hacking campaign exposed the communications of an unknown number of Americans, U.S. cybersecurity officials are advising people to use encryption in their communications. To safeguard against the risks highlighted by the campaign, which originated in China, federal cybersecurity authorities released an extensive list of security recommendations for U.S. telecom […]
NEW YORK — When 30-year conforming mortgage interest rates fell into the low 6% range in August/September of this year, the mortgage industry experienced a welcome burst of refinance activity, according to Intercontinental Exchange’s ICE Mortgage Trends data. As Andy Walden, ICE vice president of Research and Analysis explains, homeowners with loans originated in […]
NEW YORK — Question: I want to purchase commercial real estate, but I can’t finance it on my own, what can I do? Answer: It is not uncommon for a purchaser of commercial real estate to engage in some sort of commercial financing since it may not be possible to rely on traditional bank […]
SEATTLE — Home tours, mortgage applications and pending sales are rising as mortgage rates decline from the four-month high they hit in late November, according to a new report from the real estate brokerage Redfin. Mortgage rates are declining after last week’s cooler-than-expected jobs report made it clear the Fed will cut interest rates […]
ORLANDO, Fla. — The deck is stacked against typical Floridians trying to get into their first home in today’s market. Price increases, high interest rates and competition from investors have edged people out of what is considered a starter home, changing the profile of a first-time home buyer significantly as a result. How did […]
News & Media By Alex Veiga NEW YORK — The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased for the third week in a row, welcome relief for prospective homebuyers during what’s typically a less competitive time of the year for the housing market. The rate dropped to 6.6% from 6.69% last […]
News & Media LOS ANGELES — As renters across the nation navigate a competitive housing market, the rise of sophisticated rental scams is adding financial and emotional strain to an already challenging process. According to a new survey from Rently, 93% of renters believe scams are common, and 90% worry about falling victim themselves, […]
News & Media MIAMI — Florida’s real estate market has often been a predictor of national real estate trends, and the market has recently been infused with funding from international and domestic developers for major projects. Smaller developers, however, shouldn’t feel squeezed out. With solid business plans, small developers can compete with larger players […]
News & Media WASHINGTON — The top lawmakers on the House Financial Services Committee introduced a bill that would direct regulators to study the potential benefits and risks of artificial intelligence in the financial and housing markets and propose possible regulations. The lawmakers also introduced a related resolution that, among other things, states the […]