– NAR-DOJ agreement on virtual offices ends soon Today’s MLSs give consumers 24/7 access to local home listings thanks to technology, even as NAR’s agreement for online-only brokers ends soon. Audit: Mortgage borrowers tax data is easily hacked Lenders request “tax transcripts” from the IRS to confirm mortgage applicants...
– MLS group commits to common IDX feed MLS RoundTable, which serves about 300K U.S. Realtors, says it will create a consolidated backend, combine feeds, eliminate RETS servers and make other changes. New tech biz model hopes for success without an MLS A Calif.-based real estate “exchange” in testing...
– Hip adult-only apartments the latest trend in senior living For older boomers, pinochle, shuffleboard and early-bird specials are out. Yoga, happy hours, computer classes, potluck dinners and high-rise buildings are in. More buyers are busting budgets to become homeowners With U.S. homes up about 50% over their 2012...
– New rules make it easier to become a real estate appraiser The Appraisal Foundation reduced the mandated number of college hours and job training to become an appraiser in a bid to attract more people to the profession. HUD commemorating Fair Housing Act's 50-year anniversary The Rev. Dr....
– Rent increases more slowly, easing strain on Americans Apartment rent increases slowed more in 1Q 2018. Combined with faster wage growth, the trend may ease some financial stress for low and middle-income households. Rising rents pushing millennials to become homeowners 12% of millennials surveyed cited “rising rents” as...
– Housing advocates sue Facebook, allege discrimination Advocates said Facebook allows landlords and real estate brokers to illegally discriminate if they nix protected classes when selecting an audience for their ads. Tech eating away at real estate but not taking it over Artificial intelligence (AI) may not replace Realtors...
– U.S home prices post 6.2% annual gain in Jan. SandP CoreLogic Case-Shiller: The home price surge continues with values pushed higher by a shortage of homes for sale. NAR survey: Economy great but buying a home? Not so much 1Q survey finds Americans optimistic about the economy and...
– Gov. Scott signs HOA, real property and trust fund bills One bill changes some of the rules condo associations must follow. After July 1, for example, they can’t prohibit owners from installing vehicle charging stations. It also touches on financial reporting, voting on common elements and more. Flood...
– Gov. Scott signs real estate-related bills into law New laws will change the way Fla. regulates and defines “mortgage lenders,” boosts flood ins. warnings, and adjusts rules for HOA covenants and restrictions. Congress' budget extends flood insurance to July NFIP would get a four-month extension under the massive...
– Report: Fla. building codes thwarted hurricane damage Fla.’s building codes top all other states, according to a report that found the state’s newer construction was better able to withstand Hurricane Irma damage. Fla.'s housing market continues positive track in Feb. 2018 Florida Realtors’ data: More closed sales, more...
