– Appraisal Institute: 'Green' home improvements can pay off “The latest research shows that green and energy-efficient home improvements have the potential to pay dividends for buyers and sellers,” says AI president. IRS says business meals are still deductible Temporary guidance from the IRS says that the meal portion...
– Small biz owners optimistic but wary of expanding A growing economy with low unemployment often causes small biz owners to expand, but they’re staying conservative – a stance they’ve held since the recession. U.S. Supreme Court hearing private property rights case Should private property rights cases always start...
– Realtor.com: Inventory crisis appears to be ending It may not seem as if more homes are coming on the market because Sept. inventory dropped 0.2% after buyers made quick offers – but new listings rose 8%. Florida Realtors signs MoUs with French real estate groups Memorandum of Understanding...
– Fla. homeowners' equity increased by $1.50 per hour CoreLogic: The average Fla. homeowner saw a $13,009 year-to-year equity gain in the second quarter, though it remains No. 2 for underwater owners (7.2%). 'AOB' insurance fight may go to Fla. Supreme Court Attorneys last week filed notices asking the...
– Americans' FICO scores hit record-high average A new average credit score of 704 suggests that Americans are savvier about credit – and it lowers the chance the U.S. will have another housing meltdown. Is food served at an open house tax deductible? Maybe not The IRS is still...
– U.S. mortgage rates up; 30-year at 7-year high, 4.72% Freddie Mac: Rates are up for the 5th week in a row, driven in part by a strong economy and the anticipation of more short-term rate hikes by the Fed. Homeowners' lack of flood insurance costs billions Hurricane Florence’s...
– U.S. home prices rise at slowest pace in nearly a year The SandP CoreLogic Case Shiller 20-city home price index rose 5.9% in July vs. a year ago, down from a 6.4% annual gain in June. Rising mortgage rates could be a factor. Buyers resort to fraud to...
– CoreLogic: Strong economy boosts homeowner equity in 2Q 2018 The equity of U.S. homeowners with mortgages rose by 12.3% year-over-year – a gain of about $1T; the average homeowner gained $16.2K in equity in that same time. What businesses must know when starting back after storm After a...
– Mortgage rates rise again – 30-year at 4.65% Long-term U.S. mortgage rates are up for the fourth consecutive week, and the key 30-year FRM hit its highest level since May. Fla. housing market: Positive trends continue in Aug. 2018 NAHB: Latest tariff increases will hurt housing The U.S....
– Aug. housing construction up 9.2% – but permits slide Housing starts sent a mixed message last month: While construction surged to its highest level in seven months, a drop in permits suggests a future downturn. Photographer sues Zillow for $81M over photo copyrights Use a pro photographer to...
