News & Media WASHINGTON – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced tenant-protection policy changes for all new multifamily mortgage loan applications financed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac The new policies represent “the first time that tenant protections will be a standard component” of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac financing, the FHFA said. […]
News & Media By Melissa Dittmann Tracey CHICAGO – About 20% of real estate professionals say that many aspiring home buyers are holding out for mortgage rates to fall before making a move—with agents calling that one of the biggest factors limiting real estate transactions lately, according to the National Association of Realtors®’ “2024 […]
ST. LOUIS – Sixty percent of Gen Z worry they might never own a home, with nearly all adult Gen Zers (98%) citing significant barriers to homeownership, according to a new survey from Clever Real Estate, a St. Louis-based real estate company. The primary obstacles cited by Gen Z include the high cost of […]
CHICAGO – Real estate is an evolving industry, and it is natural to have questions about how practice changes may impact you and your business. “While the industry adapts to the practice changes following the National Association of Realtors®’ settlement, it is a wonderful time for brokers to bond with their agents,” says Adorna […]
CHIGAGO – Although existing-home sales last year plunged to their lowest level since 1995, real estate professionals remained committed to their business. Seventy-three percent of Realtors® say they’re “very certain” they’ll remain in real estate for at least two more years, according to the National Association of Realtors®’ “2024 Member Profile.” Home buyers and […]
News & Media ANN ARBOR, Mich. – For the second straight month, consumer sentiment is essentially unchanged, according to the University of Michigan’s recent consumer survey. July’s reading was a statistically insignificant 2 index points below last month, well within the margin of error. Although sentiment is more than 30% above the trough from […]
SEATTLE – A homebuyer on a $3,000 monthly budget can afford a $447,750 home with a 6.85% mortgage rate, the daily average as of July 11, according to a new report from the real estate brokerage Redfin. That buyer has gained $22,500 in purchasing power since mortgage rates hit a five-month peak in April, […]
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $40 million in grant funds for eligible non-profit or governmental entities to provide no cost legal assistance to low-income tenants at risk of or subject to eviction from their homes. To ensure households have access to stable housing, HUD launched the Eviction […]
News & Media MIAMI – What makes a downtown great? In South Florida, whatever Key West and Palm Beach have to offer. That’s according to World Atlas, which named both places to its list of cities with the best downtown areas in the state. “For those looking for something different, the Sunshine State is […]
News & Media TALLAHASSEE – Virtual Staging AI, an artificial intelligence tool for virtual home staging, named two Florida locales among the best for affordable waterfront homes. Naples and St. Augustine were listed as numbers 2 and 10, respectively, for affordability based on housing price-to-income ratios – a comparison of median home prices to […]
CHICAGO – Real estate professionals nationwide have reported that home buyers are increasingly curious about houses’ eco-friendly features. When considering a home’s environmental friendliness, it’s natural to think first of Energy Star appliances and water-saving bathroom fixtures. But outdoor spaces can be sustainable, too. Decks and patios already offer up to an 80% return […]
News & Media TALLAHASSEE – The state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has purchased $3.564 billion in reinsurance coverage — at a cost of $482 million — to serve as a backstop for paying claims during this year’s hurricane season. The Citizens Board of Governors in May approved spending as much as $750 million to […]