– Realtor.com unveils agent-client discussion forum Potential buyers/sellers visiting realtor.com can now ask home-related questions at “House Talk,” with answers provided by participating Realtors. Renovation mortgages a good fit for some buyers Mortgages such as FHA’s 203K and Fannie Mae’s HomeStyle allow buyers to land a good deal on...
– Realtor.com milestone: 50M unique users in Jan. News Corp, which operates the NAR-owned website, called it a bright spot for increasing revenues and “the world’s largest player in digital real estate.” Fewer buyers bringing all-cash to close However, Fla. ranks second for cash closings – 46.7% in Oct....
– Fitch: U.S. homebuilders primed for a solid spring The report predicts new home sales will increase 14.5% in 2016; existing home sales should see a 4% uptick. Threats remain, but Fitch calls them “impediments.” HUD to honor groups that help low-income residents The award recognizes charitable foundations that...
– Trending marketing tactic: Admit the listing is ugly A small but increasing number of listings say things like “worst home in the neighborhood” to entice buyers seeking a bargain-priced home. Wells Fargo tentatively settles FHA lawsuit The $1.2 billion settlement between Wells Fargo and the government would resolve...
– Subprime loans are back – but with changes Credit firm Equifax says the number of subprime loans – borrowers have a 620 or below credit score – is rising. But lenders today focus more on ability to repay. Forbes lists top investment cities – 7 are in Fla....
– Millennials have the power to reshape RE market Young adults will soon redefine the housing market – there are a lot of them out there. Pent-up demand is strong, but many aren’t quite ready to commit yet. Help buyers commit by giving them what they want According to...
– Real estate fraud nets $598,000 A popular email scam – a criminal steals a client’s password, monitors a deal and requests a last-minute wire transfer – ensnared a Fernandina Beach lawyer. 4 big real estate trends What trends could impact real estate? The Urban Land Institute suggests mortgage...
– Floridians’ confidence stable as economy improves Floridians seem to think the U.S. economy faces challenges but it won’t affect them personally: U.S. index numbers dropped but personal finance numbers climbed. Walkable neighborhoods: Demand up but supply low Just 14% of in-demand U.S. neighborhoods manage to be affordable, walkable...
– 74% of Fla. home sellers hire first agent they meet According to the new “Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers Florida Report,” 66% of buyers do the same, and 3 of 4 sellers later recommend their agent to friends. A guide to home seller etiquette Buyers touring homes...
– Man harasses female real estate agents near Tampa A man appears to have pressured two female agents while visiting model homes in Riverview. Hillsborough County’s sheriff wants help tracking him down. Seattle court unseals evidence in Move v. Zillow NAR: The realtor.com oversight company says departing execs stole...
