NEW YORK – Mortgage rates may be declining, which puts new homebuyers in a better position than just a year ago. The 30-year fixed rate mortgage hit a high of 7.79%n in late October 2023; now, we’re seeing this type of mortgage at an average of 6.38% (forecast for the fourth quarter of 2024). […]
ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s on track for a one-two punch from the 2024 hurricane season as Hurricane Milton moves across the Gulf of Mexico, marking the second major storm targeting the state in as many weeks. Hurricane Milton became a Category 5 storm on Monday with winds greater than 157 mph. It was expected […]
News & Media TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State general-revenue collections in August were 4.3% higher than projected, according to state officials. With a boost from sales taxes and earnings on investments, Florida had net general revenue during the month of $3.639 billion, $149.5 million more than anticipated when a panel of economists revised projections on […]
WASHINGTON (AP) – America’s employers added a surprisingly strong 254,000 jobs in September, the latest evidence that the U.S. labor market is still solid enough to support steady hiring and a growing economy. Last month’s hiring gain was far more than economists had expected, and it was up sharply from the 159,000 jobs that were added in […]
News & Media NEW YORK – With the recent action by the U.S. Federal Reserve to reduce its benchmark interest rates, commercial mortgage rates may have declined over the past few weeks. However, many commercial real estate investors may find that the declining rates are too little, too late for their highly indebted properties. […]
News & Media TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With 84,400 claims filed, estimated insured losses in Florida from Hurricane Helene have topped $835 million. Data posted Thursday on the state Office of Insurance Regulation website showed $835,853,221 in estimated insured losses, up from $656,767,627 on Tuesday and $507,534,581 on Monday. Of the 84,400 claims, almost exactly […]
CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. – Home sellers who choose to work without a real estate agent are twice as likely as agent-assisted sellers to be unhappy with the results of their sale, according to a new study from Clever Real Estate. Those who opt to do it themselves – for sale by owner, also known […]
STATE COLLEGE, PA. – As the scope of catastrophic infrastructure damage, loss of life, business disruptions and other economic impacts becomes clearer in the wake of Hurricane Helene, the AccuWeather Global Weather Center increased its estimate of the total damage and economic loss in the U.S. to between $225 billion and $250 billion. Links […]
ORLANDO, Fla. – Recent practice changes require Realtors® and MLS participants who are working with a buyer to enter into a written agreement prior to touring a home. There are different forms they can use to establish this relationship (Exclusive Buyer Broker Agreement, Showing Agreement, Property Pre-Touring Agreement, or a brokerage firm’s own agreement). […]
NEW YORK – The Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time in more than four years, which will have consequences for mortgage rates, car loans and credit card debt. The Fed’s half-point rate cut is a major strategic shift and a sign policymakers believe they’re winning the war against […]
Dear Shannon: I’m a new-ish Realtor® and I’m doing really well, except I forgot to let the listing broker know that my buyer decided not to view the property. I didn’t cancel the showing until it was too late, and I feel awful. The owners wanted to be present for the showing and they […]
CHICAGO – Lead generation might be the lifeblood of your business, but money is the oxygen. Without it – and a keen understanding of how your money is working – your business can’t breathe. Cash flow allows us to pay off debt, earn a living and build a scalable real estate business. When managed […]