– Jan. 31 the last day to get health insurance It’s also the last day to avoid IRS tax penalties. For 2016 taxes, the penalty for non-coverage is $695 per adult or 2.5 percent of household income New home sizes expand along with prices NAHB: The average size of...
– Florida Realtors Issues Call For Action Let the Florida Legislature hear from you: A lower business rent tax will help create jobs and economic opportunities. 1 in 3 closings delayed or cancelled A closing delay is fairly common, according to a recent NAR survey. Financing issues top the...
– Freddie Mac rolls out online resource for agents The online resource center offers agents info on affordable mortgage products, training, networking and customizable promotion tools, Freddie Mac says. Living trust best if heirs don’t get along Real estate QandA: What’s the best way to leave a home to...
– 1 extra week for new mortgage disclosure closings What was the impact of Oct. 3 mortgage disclosure changes? New home closings take about an extra week, according to Ellie Mae’s monthly report. What’s ahead for Fla. real estate? If Realtors could predict the future, they’d know where to...
– Foreign sellers? FIRPTA withholding increases to 15% On Feb. 17, taxes paid by foreign sellers of U.S. property will increase from 10% to 15% in some transactions. Coalition rolls out ads to fight Fla. rent tax Each month, Fla. businesses – unlike commercial firms in any other U.S....
– Homeownership not an option for some renters It may be cheaper to own than rent, but many renters can’t make the leap as wages trail the recovery, rents eat up savings and credit scores still have dings. Realtors could have drone-use rules by spring FAA rules remain secret,...
– Is rent-to-own a solution to the rental crisis? Potential buyers struggling with weak credit scores or inadequate downpayments could find it easier to become a homeowner under a rent-to-own program. More Americans say it’s a good time to sell Fannie Mae’s Dec. housing survey found a 9% jump...
– Construction wave to flood market with apartments Over the next three years, builders will complete almost 1 million new apartments – but some analysts worry that low-end renters won’t benefit much. Experts: Real estate tracking won’t hurt market The U.S. move to identify high-end cash buyers in Miami...
– What is a title company referral? Fla. creates rules The Dept. of Financial Services created a roster of banned activities it considers a title company referral, such as listing ads or sponsoring an open house. RealtyTrac: Fla. a top foreclosure state in 2015 Fla. held onto a top-tier...
– Great American Realtor Days kicks off Realtors from across Fla. are in Tallahassee for Great American Realtor Days (GARD), which wraps up Wednesday. Realtor association arbitration award affirmed NAR’s arbitration process is legally sound, according to Maine’s superior court – and it’s not easy to change an arbitration...
