– Average 30-year mortgage rates slip to 3.95% Freddie Mac says the average rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages slipped to 3.95% from 3.99% last week. One year ago, the FRM averaged 4.20%. Insurers try new tactic to limit damage claims Settlement checks sent by at least three Fla. insurers...
– Study: Lenders approved lower credit scores in 2017 In Nov. 2016, the average FICO score on a closed FHA refinance loan to a millennial borrower was 678 – but it dropped to 669 in Nov. 2017. Lawmakers will again focus on regulating vacation rentals A Fla. senator recently...
– Florida's business rent tax now less burdensome One of Florida Realtors’ top 2017 legislative goals – a cut in the rent tax on commercial leases – went into effect. The rate dropped from 6% to 5.8% on Jan. 1. Could housing market cool in 2018? Home sellers have...
– Housing starts move 3.3% higher in Nov. Single-family starts continue to outpace apartments, and starts on single-family houses rose 8.7% so far this year – but demand continues to outpace supply. Housing demand fades even as economy booms Despite steady job creation, record stock market gains and faster...
– U.S. 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rate slips to 3.93% Freddie Mac economist Len Kiefer said the market had already priced in the Fed’s rate hike on Wednesday, so mortgage rates barely moved from last week’s 3.94%. GOP forges a deal on taxes; cuts coming for next year The tax...
– FREC UPDATE: New team advertising rules approved The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) considered comments but made no changes to proposed team advertising rules before voting to approve them on Wednesday. However, the new rules have one Fed boosts benchmark rate for third time this year The Fed...
– Fannie Mae announces eviction moratorium for the holidays Freddie Mac and FHA should soon follow suit. In a holiday tradition, foreclosure actions may continue but families won’t be evicted until at least Jan. 2, 2018. Remodeling for profit? Unlikely Sellers who spend $5K on an upgrade and ask...
– HUD announces new FHA loan limits for 2018 Due to rising home prices, FHA loan limits will go up in 3,011 U.S. counties next year. In high-cost areas, the max rises from $636,150 to $679,650 next year. FHA will stop financing property with a PACE loan HUD will...
– A breakthrough in the Fannie, Freddie problem? The House financial services chair admitted that his mortgage reform bill probably won’t become law and said he’s reaching across the aisle to find a bipartisan solution. Under tax reform, 14.9% more Fla. sellers could owe capital gains taxes If an...
– Need flood insurance? Process could grow difficult Nat’l flood insurance expires Fri. and renewal could be tedious. Other issues are involved, and there’s talk of extending it multiple times for only two weeks. NAR announces new Call for Action The House and Senate approved tax-reform bills, but a...
