RE Q&A: Need Ex’s Signature to Sell House?

​ FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: When I divorced my first husband more than a decade ago, we agreed that I would keep the house. Now, I want to sell it, and I am being told that he must also sign the deed. The problem is that I have not spoken with him in years […]

Understanding Gen Z Homebuyers

​ NEW YORK — What makes Generation Z different from the prior generation? Unlike Millennials, who initially were labeled the “renter generation,” Gen Z is stepping into the housing market with big expectations and a unique set of needs.  Gen Z is the second largest generation of potential home buyers — 68 million strong and […]

U.S. Home Tours, Mortgage Locks Bounce Back

​ News & Media SEATTLE — Early indicators of homebuying demand show that buyers are returning after taking a hiatus in the lead-up to last week’s presidential election, according to the real estate brokerage Redfin. Redfin’s Homebuyer Demand Index, a measure of tours and other buying services from Redfin agents, jumped more than 15% this […]

Mortgage Rates Ease, Ending 6-Week Climb

​ NEW YORK — The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. edged lower this week, ending a six-week climb. The rate slipped to 6.78% from 6.79% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. That’s still down from a year ago, when the rate averaged 7.4%. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, […]

Most Common Home Maintenance Costs

​ NEW YORK — The expenses don’t end when you buy a house. In fact, they’re just beginning. Homes come with a lot of hidden costs — and chief among them is maintenance. You might not take maintenance into account when purchasing a home, especially if you’re moving from a rental where upkeep is largely […]

Census: Family Households Drop to 64% in 2024

​ News & Media WASHINGTON — About 64% of households were classified as family households in 2024, marking  a significant change from 50 years ago, when 79% of households were family households, the U.S. Census Bureau found. Family households are defined as those that include at least one person related to the householder by birth, […]

America’s Empty Apartments Are Filling Up

​ News & Media NEW YORK – Once empty apartment units are being filled and, for the first time in three years, the vacancy rate stopped increasing last quarter, according to CoStar. Demand for apartments increased to its highest levels since 2021. With more than 1.2 million new apartment units built over the last two […]

NAR: Strength in Numbers

​ BOSTON — Membership in the National Association of Realtors® remains near its all-time high. Reporting at the association’s Nov. 11 Board of Directors meeting, NAR Treasurer Greg Hrabcak said membership stood at 1,526,631 as of Oct. 31. That’s higher than the number Hrabcak reported May 9 — the last time the board met. NAR […]

New NAR Guide Answers Mortgage, Finance Questions

​ News & Media ORLANDO, Fla. — Do you have customers with questions about mortgages and financing? The National Association of Realtors® latest Consumer Guide provides some answers while showcasing the value of working with a Realtor. Consumer Guide: Mortgages and Financing is the 14th in the NAR’s series to equip customers with the tools […]

Third Quarter Tourism Up in Florida

​ TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida posted a record third-quarter tourism total this year, with the numbers bolstered by U.S. visitors as international travel continued to lag behind pre-pandemic levels, according to the Visit Florida tourism-marketing agency. Despite the state taking hits from two hurricanes in August and September, Visit Florida on Monday estimated 34.61 million […]

Real Estate Investing to Grow Your Finances

​ NEW YORK — Investors look for various opportunities they hope will help them grow their wealth. Some invest in the stock market directly by buying stocks and bonds, while others choose a more passive form of investing like index funds. Certain investors prefer to back enterprising entrepreneurs, and some people determine that real estate […]

Ways Agents Should Use AI for Sales

​ News & Media NEW YORK — Artificial intelligence (AI) can help real estate professionals streamline workflows and become more efficient by automating repetitive daily tasks, such as booking showings, creating client lists, making calls and answering emails. AI also can help with marketing, research, client engagement and other tasks. AI can help craft an […]