News
Report: Buy a home now before prices go even higher
Published Wednesday, July 12, 2017
GREENSBORO, N.C. – July 11, 2017 – The risk of home price declines remains low, but affordability is increasingly a concern in cities across the U.S., according to the Summer 2017 edition of The Housing and Mortgage Market Review (HaMMR) published by Arch Mortgage Insurance Company.
Arch has an interactive U.S. map comparing the states by risk more»
4 vacation home issues every buyer should know
Published Monday, July 10, 2017
NEW YORK – July 7, 2017 – Before clients purchase a vacation home, make sure they're ready for the responsibilities of owning a second property.
"Costs of owning and renting a vacation home can be very high," says Todd Huettner, owner of Denver-based lending company Huettner Capital. "The hassles and costs of short-term vacation rentals are more»
Brokers: How free are you to run your own business?
Published Wednesday, July 5, 2017
July 3, 2017 – In general, a real estate company's broker is responsible for overseeing sales associates and broker associates conducting their real estate activities. But what does this really mean for the broker? Are there specific provisions within Chapter 475 of the Florida Statutes that lay out how a brokerage should be run? Or suggestions on more»
New Fla. laws go into effect July 1
Published Thursday, June 29, 2017
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – June 28, 2017 – Seven real estate laws drafted by the 2017 Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Scott go into effect Saturday, including a Florida Realtors priority: estoppel fee caps.
Laws effective July 1
Cap on estoppel certificate fees – Sellers of properties who live in an HOA, condo association or co-op more»
Survey: More lenders expected to ease credit standards
Published Tuesday, June 27, 2017
WASHINGTON – June 26, 2017 – According to Fannie Mae's second quarter 2017 Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey, more mortgage lenders say they've eased credit standards recently, and they expect further easing in the coming months.
The share of lenders who said they eased mortgage credit standards over the prior three months has ticked up more»
What paint color nets sellers $3,496 more at closing?
Published Monday, June 19, 2017
NEW YORK – June 16, 2017 – According to a new analysis of more than 32,000 photos of homes sold across the United States, the best paint colors for influencing home buyers are blues and grays.
The Zillow analysis found homes with bathrooms that have soft blue walls, like periwinkle or power blue, sold for $5,440 more than expected. Homes with a more»
Fla. Realtor 1 of 5 NAR ‘Volunteering Works’ recipients
Published Wednesday, June 7, 2017
WASHINGTON – June 6, 2017 – Realtor® Magazine and the Good Neighbor Society announced the recipients of the ninth annual Volunteering Works grants and mentoring program, one of which is a Realtor in Ocala, Florida. The program matches Realtors who work on small-scale charitable efforts with mentors; it also awards them grant money.
Karen more»
You find this buyer purchase contract clause confusing
Published Monday, June 5, 2017
June 5, 2017 – Paragraph 8 of the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar ("FR/Bar") contracts contains several options about the ways a buyer may purchase a property.
When considering paragraphs 8(a) and 8(b), many agents believe these options give buyers two choices: To pay for the property in cash, 8(a), or obtain a mortgage loan to pay for the property, more»