– Struggling homeowners get holiday break Most lenders, along with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, say they won’t evict homeowners going through foreclosure during the holiday season. Trends: Today’s buyers want a ‘healthy home’ When today’s buyers weigh home choices, many consider more than good schools, granite countertops and...
– Rising mortgage rates could tighten listing inventory While higher rates would hurt buyers, they could also entice current owners not to move so they can keep enjoying their current lower-rate monthly payments. Solar’s Florida future: mostly sunny Voters defeated Amendment 1 in Nov., removing one regulatory hurdle for...
– 30-year mortgage rates rise to 4.13% It’s the highest level for the year following a six-week rise after the presidential election. But no expert polled this week predicts more increases. Flipping down in 3Q – but 4 Fla. metros in top 10 Four Fla. metro areas made ATTOM’s...
– Real estate speakers see challenges, opportunities Top economists meeting at NAR’s Washington headquarters said that it’s tough out there for buyers right now, especially first-timers – but help is available. Election sparks more Republicans to buy a home In a post-election Trulia survey, 26% more Republicans think 2017...
– Report: Home prices still ‘have room to run’ Fla. ranks second for improving “housing market stability” year-to-year, says Freddie Mac, and its MiMi Index for Fla. (86.7) beats the national index (86.7). Start at the beginning to attract more buyers Survey: Even a conversation about credit scores may...
– 30-year mortgage rate rises again, now at 4.08% The average FRM reached its highest point of the year this week following a post-election surge in prices – and 50% of experts think the trend will continue. Mortgage rate increases help and hurt homebuyers The post-election mortgage-rate increase has...
– Realtor.com forecast: 2017 real estate trends Mortgage rates will hit 4.5%, home sales will rise 1.9% and prices will go up 3.9% as millennials, boomers and Western cities dominate the real estate market. NAR: Pending home sales a tiny bit higher in Oct. Oct. saw a meager gain...
– Work begins to extend Fla. property tax increase cap A constitutional amendment passed in 2008 – one that caps non-homestead property owners’ tax increase at 10% per year – expires in 2019. However, Florida Realtors strongly backs an extension, and voters might reauthorize it in 2018. U.S. home...
– Conforming mortgage limits go up in 2017 For the first time since 2006, the federal government has increased the maximum amount of a conforming loan by $7,100, boosting it to $424,100 in most regions. Congress could be homeowners’ Grinch this Christmas Some tax benefits – mortgage debt forgiveness,...
– Sales of new homes slipped in October Commerce Dept.: This month’s sales fell 1.9% compared to Sept., but the rate over the past 10 months is much stronger than the same period in 2015 (12.7% higher). Fla. consumer confidence rises slightly in November UF survey: Consumer sentiment among...
