Bruce Gubnitsky

Today’s News December 10, 2018

– Average homeowner gained $12K in equity in 3Q CoreLogic Home Equity Report: Fla. homeowners gained a little less on average, in the 3Q: $10K. U.S. increases are down year-to-year; in 3Q 2017, it was $16K. 87,000 Fla. homeowners dropped by property insurers in 3Q Hurricanes generated more than...

Today’s News December 6, 2018

– Flood ins. extended to Dec. 21 – 10-month bill introduced Federal funding and flood insurance all now expire only days before the Christmas holiday – but a bipartisan Senate bill just filed calls for a 10-month extension. ATTOM: U.S. home flips drop 12% in the third quarter Rising...

Today’s News December 5, 2018

– Most people think there's a housing affordability crisis NAHB survey: 73% of Americans say the U.S. has an affordable housing problem; 68% say it directly impacts their state; 58% say it impacts their neighborhood. Millennials should take on debt before buying a home Burned by the recession, many...

Today’s News December 4, 2018

– Foreclosure trend reverses, spikes in many cities The U.S. foreclosure high – and then low – may be returning to “normal.” Most Fla. cities outside the Panhandle saw an uptick in foreclosure starts in Oct. What happens to closings if flood insurance expires? Congress usually extends the National...

Today’s News December 3, 2018

– Flood insurance extended – but only until Friday It’s the 8th short-term extension in 2 years, with little hope of a long-term solution by Friday. Buyers of flood-zone homes should prepare for a possible lapse. Hurricane season ends – but Michael will be remembered The 2018 hurricane season...

Today’s News November 30, 2018

– Flood insurance extended – but only until Friday It’s the 8th short-term extension in 2 years, with little hope of a long-term solution by Friday. Buyers of flood-zone homes should prepare for a possible lapse. Hurricane season ends – but Michael will be remembered The 2018 hurricane season...

Today’s News November 29, 2018

– Fed shifts gears, may not push interest rates much higher Fed Chair Powell now says interest rates are “just below” where they should be. For buyers, it suggests that ARM rates, and maybe FRMs, could stabilize. NAR: Pending home sales slip 2.6% in October Year-over-year contract signings dropped...

Today’s News November 8, 2018

– Mortgage rates hit seven-year high, close in on 5% The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose 11 basis points to 4.94%, due to “strong business activity and growth in employment,” says Freddie Mac’s chief economist. National flood insurance expiring again in 3 weeks Signing contracts for listings located in flood...

Today’s News November 7, 2018

– Team-created business plans work best Rather than have a team leader write a business plan and dictate it to their group, the plan will be more effective if the team works together to create it. NAR: Realtor-supported candidates did well nationwide Nationally, NAR supported hundreds of local, state...

Today’s News November 6, 2018

– Realtors' role in property valuations and appraisals NAR: No federal, state or agency level rule prohibits an appraiser and agent from speaking to each another – but each has a separate and distinct role. Investors have growing appetite for Fla. affordable housing Spyware, malware and ransomware threaten transactions...