News
Published May 27, 2020
Some tenants can’t cover all their expenses right now, and a few landlords are giving them a reason to make “pay the rent” a higher priority as they make hard decisions.
Published May 27, 2020
RE investors base a purchase price on future expectations, but the pandemic created market confusion. As a result, first-timers face less competition for starter homes.
Published May 27, 2020
Most lenders admit to mass confusion when new forbearance options came out; ones that both service and/or own loans could offer borrowers completely different options.
Published May 27, 2020
There is little agreement in Congress about another aid package, but the major goal of the Paycheck Protection Progam – helping businesses retain employees – seems to be shifting in the Senate. They might even ease PPP, with a new focus on helping small businesses survive and reopen.
Published May 27, 2020
Fla.’s disaster managers modified hurricane plans for evacuations, shelters and relief crews. More people, for example, may be encouraged to stay home during the storm.
Published May 26, 2020
'Netflix and Chill' With Gentrification
The series "Gentefied" digs deep into how a community deals with major change.
By:
Ally Stegman
Fair Housing, Qualified Opportunity Zones
Published May 26, 2020
Many hurricane-related items are sales-tax free May 29-June 4, notably generators costing up to $750. Retailers hope the “holiday” will also reenergize their businesses.
Published May 26, 2020
As of Tuesday morning, Fla. DBPR approved plans for 42 counties to safely reopen vacation-rental properties – an increase from 26 counties last Friday.
Published May 26, 2020
The pandemic disrupted some agricultural businesses, and the $16B Coronavirus Food Assistance Program offers aid to any Fla. farmer or rancher affected.
Published May 26, 2020
Things are getting a better, at least in consumers’ minds. The May confidence index rose to 86.7 from April’s 85.7, and while the component for current conditions fell 1.9 points, future expectations rose 2.6 points. According to the report, the “free fall stopped in May.”
Published May 26, 2020
A 0.6% increase in new-home sales isn’t much, but it suggests that a healthy number of potential buyers are still ready to move forward on their plan to buy a home.
Published May 26, 2020
Sales fell in March but prices rose 3.9% – an increase from 3.5% the month before. The 10% drop in March inventory likely helped push prices higher.
Published May 22, 2020
It’s too soon to tell, but suburban living with more open space, bigger lawns and room to stretch out could lure current urbanites to move in the wake of COVID-19.
Published May 22, 2020
It’s the 4th straight week that the 30-year home loan stayed below 3.30%; the average rate on the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage slipped to 2.70%.
Published May 22, 2020
Realtor.com: Some owners may be pivoting to longer-term, seasonal rentals. In the 100 largest metro areas, furnished and seasonal rentals are up 21% since Feb.
Published May 22, 2020
As builders reported quarterly results, many said business was going great until mid-March, when the coronavirus shutdowns began. But several also say business started to improve by mid-April.
Published May 22, 2020
While it’s hard to predict what’s next with the pandemic, it’s also unclear how people will react as lockdowns aimed at limiting the virus’s spread are lifted.
Published May 21, 2020
Existing-home sales dropped in April for the second consecutive month, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic lockdowns, says NAR Chief Economist Yun.
Published May 21, 2020
A third of the 4.1M who sought the forbearance have remained current on their payments, perhaps getting the “time-out” agreement by accident or “just in case.”
Published May 21, 2020
Despite the pandemic, homebuyers are continuing their home search by options like online open houses where they can Zoom or FaceTime with Realtors in real time.