– Mortgage rates fall again – second straight week Fixed-rate mortgages rose above 4% three weeks ago, but they’re down to 3.92% this week even though the Fed has increased short-term rates 4 times in 18 months. Fed leaves rates alone – but it's closer to selling off bonds...
– Fla. credit/debit card skimmers increase 160% this year State officials say skimmers, which record data and passcodes, are now showing up at more gas stations and even retail stores. First-timers missing out because appraisals lag values Cash offers often win bidding wars even if lower, because skittish sellers...
– Home prices hit record high for sixth time in 6 months The Standard and Poor’s CoreLogic national home price index increased 5.6% in May, the latest data available. It’s now 3.2% higher than its July 2006 peak. When may Realtors see a buyer's Closing Disclosure? The CFPB recently...
– Some urge sprinkler mandates across U.S. after Honolulu fire It’s not only Fla. wrestling with rules for high-rises. Other U.S. cities are also trying to find a balance between the high costs to retrofit vs. resident safety. Fla. housing market: Higher prices and more sales in June Florida...
– Mortgage rates drop below 4% After two weeks of increases that took the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to 4.03%, it dropped back this week to an average 3.96%. Fla. foreclosures down 56% in two years ATTOM’s first half of 2017 report: Year-to-year, the Fla. foreclosure rate dropped 34%, and...
– Housing starts rebound 8.3% in June to four-month high In May, experts wondered if the drop in housing starts was an anomaly, and June’s surge suggests that it was. In addition, building permits rose 7.4%. The Property Brothers: Lots of money to be made in real estate However,...
– NAR balks at FCC proposal, says industry needs open internet The FCC wants to allow internet providers to charge website owners for faster loading, but NAR says that would limit consumers’ access to real estate listings. NAR: Foreign investment surges 49% – hits record high A substantial increase...
– Some homeowners losing confidence in their property insurer More private S. Fla. insurers are pulling out of the market or raising rates, in large part because assignment of benefits claims make it unprofitable to stay. Study: Best U.S. cities for first-time homebuyers WalletHub looked at affordability, quality of...
– Average mortgage rates rise above 4% The average 30-year mortgage was 4.03% this week, passing the psychologically noteworthy level of 4% for the first time since May. Survey: 84% think homeownership is a good investment NAR survey finds generally positive attitudes about homeownership, but more than 50% of...
– CFPB clarifies rule: Agents may see Closing Disclosure The federal consumer bureau says it’s okay for lenders to share buyers’ closing disclosure with agents, and it’s announcing soon the how-to-do-it details. Report: Buy a home now before prices go even higher There’s little chance Fla. home prices will...
