– Primary election: Solar amendment has wide support Haven’t voted yet? It’s today. Go. Analysts say Amendment 4, which appears on the ballot and supports solar energy tax breaks for businesses, has wide support and no organized opposition. NAR forecast: Commercial real estate expansion Buoyed by an improving labor...
– Attention, jumbo-mortgage shoppers: Deals ahead More lenders are now offering jumbo loans. The high-end loans made up 20.3% of all first mortgages originated in the first quarter 2016, up from 18.9% a year ago. Homeowners tackle garage messes 2015 survey: One in four of owners can’t fit even...
– With rain on horizon, insurers say ‘be prepared’ There’s a good chance Fla. will see gusty rain this weekend, and an insurance association issued a reminder on hurricane-preparedness steps homeowners should take. FEMA nixes community flood insurance; GAO agrees The government oversight office agreed with a FEMA report...
– WalletHub: Fla. has 4 of top 10 retirement cities The website rated 150 cities on affordability, health care, activities and quality of life. Of 11 Fla. cities, all ranked above average – and Orlando was No. 1. Fla.’s housing market: Higher median prices in July The median single-family...
– What does a condo’s ‘nuisance’ provision mean? Legal QandA: What does it take to turn a nuisance provision in condo docs into a “violation”? Is it a catch-all phrase that boards can use as they wish? And does my condo have to install a fire sprinkler system? Fannie...
– Baby boomers chart new direction in housing Americans age 55-plus will play a big role in the housing market, but no one is quite sure what that role will be as they redefine the meaning of retirement. Virtual reality is reimagining real estate sales What does a virtual...
– Homes in gentrifying neighborhoods a good investment How do investors and buyers identify these up-and-coming areas? A RealtyTrac study identifies the top 35 turn-around zip codes in the U.S. – and four are in Fla. Want a quick sale? Try these words in your listing CoreLogic study: “Fenced...
– Fed interest rate hike may come ‘soon’ Investors locked on one word from the Federal Reserve’s minutes released Wednesday: “soon.” The subtle shift makes an interest rate increase more likely. Areas hit hard by downturn now see highest gains Miami is seeing the highest property price jumps since...
– What do you do if floodwater rises unexpectedly? The floods in Louisiana came without warning, spurring FEMA to issue homeowner guidelines on steps to take before and after floodwaters enter your home. Appraisers, 10 associations oppose PACE loan changes Along with NAR, the Appraisal Institute objects to the...
– Tight inventory could extend spring selling season Parents like to home shop in the spring and close in summer to maintain school stability – but with fewer houses on the market, some may still be looking. Commercial outlook: Solid but unspectacular While some commercial brokers fear another recession...
