Citizens Adds Policies Before Storm Season

​ News & Media TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. added nearly 5,000 policies before the annual hurricane season started June 1. Citizens had 1,193,484 policies on May 31, up from 1,188,557 policies a week earlier but down from 1,201,536 policies two weeks earlier, according to Citizens’ data. The drop during the […]

When Should You Plan Renovations After Buying?

​ EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The home-buying process can be tedious. Between mountains of paperwork, inspections, bidding wars, real estate laws and the actual moving process, a new homeowner could be left with a sincere desire to simply shut the world off for a while. But once you buy and move in, the process of making […]

Can Tenants Be Forced Out for Termite Tenting?

​ News & Media By Gary M. Singer FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: Our condominium building has termites and needs to be tented. This means everyone must be out of the building for a few days. Some owners are protesting the idea, its timing and the expense. Do all of the owners have to cooperate? […]

‘Hurricane’ Sales Tax Holiday Underway

​ VENICE, Fla. – With hurricane season underway, Florida’s first sales tax holiday of 2024 is taking place. Now through June 14, Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax holiday provides tax exemptions on disaster preparedness items. Among the items are everything from batteries to generators, along with pet care, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, […]

Run Your Real Estate Business With a CEO Mindset

​ News & Media TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Real estate agents must strategize to ensure their business flourishes and isn’t too caught up in the latest market trends. Agents should have goals in mind and a plan in place that mirrors their business vision. These goals and vision also need to be flexible and ensure there […]

Inflation Data May Influence Fed’s Rate Cuts

​ WASHINGTON (AP) – After Federal Reserve officials meet this week, a statement they will issue may suggest that they’ve seen meaningful progress on inflation this year – a prelude to eventual interest rate cuts. Yet it’s hard to say, because the officials themselves may not know for sure until they begin their meeting. That’s […]

Dealing With Neighbor’s Refusal to Allow Access

​ News & Media By Gary M. Singer FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: I want to install a pool in my backyard, but my neighbor won’t agree to let the contractor use any portion of her side yard to get equipment in and out even though I agreed to pay for all repairs and landscaping […]

Open Plan Living: Timeless Trend or Passing Fad?

​ NEW YORK – Open plan living also known as open concept refers to a floor plan which eliminates barriers such as walls and doors between different areas in a home to create a larger space that allows the different spaces to flow freely from one area to another. For instance, most modern homes do […]

Is Your Housetop Ready for Hurricane Season?

​ TAMPA, Fla. – When it comes to putting a new roof over your head, you should do your homework before hiring a contractor, according to several experts in the field. We are at the start of the rainy season when roof leaks begin popping up. If you are facing roof repairs or replacement, here […]

The Dangers of Overpricing a Home

​ WASHINGTON – It is definitely best to price your home correctly as soon as the listing goes live. That’s when the most eyes are looking at it. You want to create demand where buyers are chasing you instead of you chasing the demand for your home. Links to A Realtor’s development doesn’t happen overnight. […]

Young Adults Embrace Life With Parents

​ WASHINGTON – The Pew Research Center reports that 57% of young adults still live at home. That may seem high but is only a modest increase from the 53% reported three decades ago. In a world where criticism often eclipses celebration, it’s time to debunk a prevailing myth about today’s youth – today’s young […]

Weekly Mortgage Rates Dip, Home Prices Soften

​ WASHINGTON – The average rate on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 6.89% in the week ending June 6, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. It was a decrease of 13 basis points from the previous week. (A basis point is one one-hundredth of a percentage point.) The drop brings the 30-year […]