– Does Starbucks brew higher home values? The coffee chain doesn’t simply identify hot areas for stores. A study finds that the mere presence of a new store can be the catalyst that leads to change. FHA fee cuts expected to boost home sales impact the market? Some think...
– 87% of buyers qualify for some downpayment help RealtyTrac: Every Fla. county has at least 10 downpayment assistance programs, and some have more than 20. In most Fla. counties, 84% to 97% of buyers qualify. Homebuyers need to act now If predictions of higher mortgage rates and greater...
– $84M in HUD grants to help Fla. homeless Nationwide, $1.8B will go to homeless programs. In Fla., the money ranges from over $32M for 94 Miami-Dade programs to $49K for two in Bay and Jackson counties. More young adults may leave nest, spark economy Up to 44% of...
– Rupert Murdoch interview: Why I bought realtor.com The mega-investor believes that realtor.com has more marketing muscle, up-to-date listings and ready-to-buy visitors than any of its online rivals. Florida Realtors announces new CEO Bill Martin joins Florida Realtors as CEO on March 23 after 14 years as the CEO...
– Smaller Fla. counties tops for residential investors RealtyTrac identified top counties for residential rental investments, and Fla.’s smaller ones appear to offer a higher potential return than larger metro areas. ‘Assigned benefits’ a hidden property insurance cost A Fla. House member issued a warning about “assignment of benefits”...
– Consumer confidence surges higher in Jan. The gauge of Americans’ attitudes surged almost 10 points higher in one month, rising from 93.1 to 102.9 – its highest point in almost seven years.
– Outdoor kitchens’ popularity grows Only 4% of owners making at least $150K per year have an outdoor kitchen, but 13.6% want one. Most popular items are also unusual, such as a pizza oven. Millennials want small homes with upscale details Surveys suggest Millennials like the suburbs and willing...
– Existing-home sales rebound in Dec., 2014 total sales down 3% Fla. real estate sales, listing, prices up in 2014 “In Dec. and throughout 2014, we’ve seen positive signs that Fla.’s housing sector is on a steady, sustainable path,” says Florida Realtors Pres. Andrew Barbar. Real estate doing well...
– Forecast: 2015 Fla. economy, housing market strong Florida Realtors Summit: Economist says last year’s Wall Street Journal headline may be correct: “Has Florida found the secret to saving the economy?” Half as many Fla. owners are ‘seriously underwater’ RealtyTrac: By the end of 2014, the percent of Fla....
– NAHB 2015 forecast: A more robust year for housing Homebuilders released their 2015 forecast – a boost in new home sales thanks to jobs, low interest rates and pent-up demand – from their Las Vegas convention.
