– Amendment 4 would revive housing market Florida Chamber editorial: Property tax amendment would give economy “needed boost and lead the way to new growth.” Fair Housing Act covers emotional support animal Aventura no-pet condo association paying $18,000 penalty for not allowing an animal that provided emotional support. Rural...
– NAR: Pending home sales decline in August The index slipped to 99.2 last month, down 2.6% from July’s two-year peak, but remains 10.7% higher than Aug. 2011.
– Scam du jour: ‘Deed Processing Notice’ An official document in the mail asks homeowners to pay around $100 for an unnecessary copy of their house deed. Shadow inventory less threatening Florida Realtors’ economist expects Fla. shadow inventory to continue decline; Chase issues similar outlook for nation. UF: Fla....
– Case-Shiller: Home prices up again in July “The index’s same-sales method is highly accurate,” says Florida Realtors’ economist. “This rebound seems to have legs.” 167,398 foreclosed Floridians could receive check Claim forms going to some borrowers who lost homes through foreclosure, as part of the $25 billion national...
– Real estate investors plan to buy more Despite rising prices and fewer foreclosures, 65% plan to keep up last year’s buying pace for at least 12 more months.
– Mortgages could cost more in Fla. Feds say foreclosures cost more in states that mandate court oversight and will propose higher mortgage fees in Fla. Citizens Insurance public hearing to air grievances Miami meeting tonight has activists rallying. Web-televised event seeks input on Fla. insurer’s proposed rate increases.
– Fla.’s housing market continues positive trend in August Single-family sales in Aug. up 10.8%, prices up 5.8%; condo sales up 5.7%, prices up 13.2%. NAR: Total sales up 7.8%. NAR: August existing-home sales and prices rise
– Homebuilders growing more content Monthly survey of builders’ attitudes has climbed for five months and is at its highest level since June 2006.
– NAR: Bring back sensible lending standards Survey analysis finds banks too stringent given current default rates, with too much emphasis on credit scores over 740. 20% downpayment not a QM requirement The qualified mortgage (QM) rule won’t force buyers to put so much down; however, Fed’s related QRM...
– Banks offer cash bonuses to drum up business Lenders are again adding mortgage loan incentives. Citi announced $2,500 bonus, though it has tight qualification rules. CoreLogic: Housing slowly expands everywhere Robust housing industry growth “elusive” but “accelerating in all areas.” Increase in land sales could help.