News & Media By Matthew Emery WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte announced on X (formerly known as Twitter) that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs) will begin accepting VantageScore 4.0 for mortgage underwriting. This change, which happens with immediate effect, hopes to create […]
ORLANDO, Fla. — From lead generation to marketing, artificial intelligence is reshaping how real estate pros work, and it’s a major theme at this year’s Florida Realtors® Convention & Trade Show. AI is no longer a futuristic concept – it’s already influencing how business gets done. Those who learn about it now will stay […]
CHICAGO — Brokers juggle many responsibilities – leadership, compliance, agent retention and client service, all while trying to stay afloat – not only financially but emotionally. At the most recent Broker Power Hour hosted by the National Association of Realtors®, Taryn Kelly, a broker-salesperson and certified wellness instructor, offered both actionable advice and heartfelt […]
News & Media TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s general-revenue tax collections beat expectations in May, with economists saying part of the gain was tied to people buying goods in anticipation of the effects of tariffs. The Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research on Monday released a report that said Florida collected about $4.56 billion […]
SEATTLE – Saying yes to Fido or Mittens can help landlords lease faster. Pet-friendly rentals draw more views, saves and shares, and they are typically snapped up eight days sooner. That’s according to a new analysis of more than 11 million rental listings on Zillow last year. Renters are getting older, and they are […]
WASHINGTON – In times of economic uncertainty — like where we seem to find ourselves today, for example — buying a house can come with heightened anxiety. The good news is that there are more tools than ever to help homebuyers make the right choice more efficiently. From AI image-matching to high-tech home inspections, […]
NEW YORK – The Federal Bureau of Investigations on Friday issued an alert concerning Scattered Spider, a cybercriminal organization currently targeting the airline industry. The group, which is also said to be behind cyberattacks on multiple Las Vegas casinos in 2023, is said to rely heavily on “social engineering” techniques for its attacks, a […]
NEW YORK — Bamboo on the bookshelf, chrysanthemums in the corner and a ficus in the foyer – many of us are putting plants everywhere in our homes lately. Not only are plants great decorative items in our home, but they’re also great for our health. Here are my tips for keeping your houseplants looking […]
News & Media By Tom Butler TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program received $280 million in new funding from the Florida Legislature this year, giving low– to moderate–income Floridians a chance to take advantage of the popular program. Florida Realtors® advocated for this new funding during the 2025 legislative session […]
WASHINGTON – The scam began with a message, then a friendly exchange. A stranger directed the victim to a cryptocurrency investment site that appeared professional – slick design, charts, even customer support. The first deposit showed a modest profit. So did the next. Encouraged, the victim sent more, even borrowing money to keep up. […]
News & Media NEW YORK — Potential customers who are waiting for the market to recover need agents who can allay their fears and provide prospective on why now is the right time to buy or sell a home. Agents can help sellers get unstuck in their decision-making process by seeking out the real […]
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Question: Our community does not allow “commercial vehicles” to remain overnight. However, the association documents define what a commercial vehicle is differently from our city, and the state has yet another definition. The Board is attempting to have the homeowner remove his “commercial vehicle,” as defined in our documents; however, […]