– New mortgage rules: A ‘Y2K’ panic that didn’t happen Mortgage lenders and real estate agents worried that new Oct. 3 TRID rules would prolong closings and delay home sales. But overall, that hasn’t happened. Cities hunt owners lying about homestead exemption A private company tracks down homeowners who...
– NAR: Pending home sales nudge forward in Oct. U.S. pending home sales didn’t rise much in Oct. – only 0.2% – but it marks a change in direction after two month-to-month declines. NAR: Commercial to see mild expansion, easing prices Job growth and credit conditions will keep commercial...
– Fla. consumer sentiment ticks up in Nov. in time for holiday sales Just in time for holiday sales, Floridians are feeling more positive about the economy. The latest UF consumer index rose more than two points to 91.5. What is going on with homebuilders? That’s the question posed...
– NAR: Existing-home sales dial back in October Fla.’s housing market: Rising median prices in Oct. Florida Realtors: Single-family median price up 12.4% year-to-year, sales up 1.2%. Condo price up 7.2%. NAR: U.S. sales down from Sept. but up 3.9% from year ago. Study: Strong outlook for green homes...
– Fla. leads U.S. dive in flood policies After Congress increased the cost of flood insurance policies, Fla. homeowners had a choice: Pay more or drop coverage? About 300,000 (13%) dropped it. 6 reasons why a housing crash isn’t likely The housing bubble popped almost a decade ago, and...
– Fla. ‘business climate’ No. 4 in nation Tax Foundation’s “State Business Tax Climate Index” looked at the different ways state governments’ generate tax revenue and ranked their appeal to businesses. Avg. downpayments rise with tighter inventory LendingTree: Downpayments for conventional 30-year FRMs rose slightly in 3Q to 17.63%,...
– Late mortgages down, super prime lending leaps TransUnion report: Fla.’s mortgage delinquency rate tumbled to 3.75% in 3Q 2015 from 6.42% in 3Q 2014 – the biggest drop of any state. Why buying the worst house may be best Consider a home an investment: Look for one in...
– Orlando Realtor wins top NAR award Cynthia Shelton, 2009 Florida Realtors pres., received the Distinguished Service Award in honor of her outstanding leadership and service to the industry. U.S. still favored by Chinese property buyers A weakened Chinese economy hasn’t hurt demand for U.S. homes. Fla. is one...
– Market moving OK under new mortgage disclosure rules A panel discussing the new RESPA-TILA mortgage disclosure rules that went into effect on Oct. 3 said they’ve seen few “closing delays and other harmful effects” so far. New NAR president optimistic about future Tom Salomone, who served as Florida...
– HUD eases FHA condo financing rules The change, effective immediately, should qualify more condo complexes under FHA. That, in turn, will give more buyers access to FHA low-downpayment loans. 360-degree cameras: Listing photo game changer? A bevy of new cameras make it easy to take 360-degree photos. At...
