– Home builders release forecast for 2013 The good: “Every measure andhellip; has been trending upward.” The bad: “tight mortgage lending andhellip; inaccurate appraisals, rising materials prices.” FHFA: House Price Index Up 0.6% in Nov. Agency that tracks Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans found a 5.6% increase over...
– Fla.’s housing market continues positive track in Dec. 2012 Home sales up 15.8% year-to-year, prices up 14.1%; condo sales up 8.6%, prices up 26.3%. NAR: Dec. sales slip 1% compared to Nov., but up 12.8% year-to-year. NAR: Existing-home sales slip in Dec., prices rise; 2012 totals up NAR:...
– Remodeling market remains strong in 4Q Americans are upgrading property at the fastest pace since early 2004, partially thanks to buyers personalizing new homes.
– Fla. A.G. Bondi: $60M more available for housing Fund approved by Legislature includes $35 million for downpayment assistance, $10 million for counseling and $5 million to speed foreclosures. Appraisal rule issued for higher interest loans Six federal agencies issued rules that protect buyers with higher-interest loans, including a...
– Fla. has nation’s top foreclosure rate in 2012 One in 32 Fla. housing units with a mortgage – 3.11% – received at least one foreclosure notice last year. Second-place Nev. saw 2.7%. Fla. has money for foreclosed owners but few apply The window to apply ends tomorrow. Fla....
– Builder confidence steady in January NAHB: The new-home market looks much better than it did one year ago, but the fiscal cliff caused a number of builders to temper optimism this month. Buyers: Don’t just list a home – prepare it first To sell a home or get...
– What does the typical Fla. buyer, seller look like? Would a Realtor marketing to first-time buyers get more leads targeting retirees? Find out: Fla. Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers online.
– Florida Realtorsandreg; seeks student scholarship entries What if your child could get money to help pay for school – and it’s not a loan? Apply for Education Foundation Student Scholarships. How does the new QM mortgage rule impact buyers? NAR released a statement praising the QM released last...
– Website scams Realtors protecting their reputation A website appears to scam Realtors by posting a negative comment – probably fake – and then offering to remove it for a fee. Enter now: NAR’s 2013 Volunteering Works Program Realtors working with a small-scale charity could receive a year of...
– Qualified mortgage (QM) rule announced The QM (qualified mortgage) rule, which had the potential to disqualify more buyers seeking a mortgage, was released today – it’s not too onerous. Housing affordability sets all-time record in 2012 NAR has not yet reported Dec. numbers, but 2012 is lining up...
