South Florida Real Estate

Single-Family Home Starts Flat in October

Overall housing starts rose 1.9% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.37M units. NAHB chair: A lack of for-sale existing homes supported new construction demand. WASHINGTON – Single-family construction held steady in October as high mortgage rates depressed demand, but more buyers turned to new homes because of a lack of existing inventory. Overall housing … Read more

Latest Data Shows Home Prices, Rates May Improve

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

Freddie Mac Chief Economist: “New data indicate inflationary pressures are receding” – which, along with lower mortgage rates, may lure more homebuyers into the market. JONESBORO, Ga. – Mortgage rates have fallen for three straight weeks, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 7.44% Thursday, down from 7.5% a week earlier, according to Freddie Mac. But the … Read more

What’s Pushing Inflation Down? | Florida Realtors

WASHINGTON (AP) – Long past its painful peak, inflation in the United States may be heading steadily back toward its pre-pandemic levels, without the need for further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Such a scenario became more likely, if hardly guaranteed, after Tuesday’s surprisingly tame report on consumer prices for October. The Labor … Read more

Commercial Real Estate Will Revitalize

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

NAR Chief Economist Yun: Except for office space, commercial property rates are expected to stabilize, though higher interest rates are impacting commercial loans. ANAHEIM, Calif. – Commercial property rates are expected to stabilize – aside from office space – and commercial real estate will revitalize, according to NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. Yun presented yesterday … Read more

Buyer Representation Not a Thing of the Past

NAR attorneys: Real estate professionals should maintain clear communication with clients about the services they provide and how they get paid. Anaheim, Calif. – The Sitzer/Burnett verdict does not prohibit the practice of making offers of cooperating compensation, NAR attorneys said this week at NAR NXT, The Realtor® Experience. Listing brokers decide how much compensation … Read more

NAR Issues 2024 Real Estate Forecast

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

Economist Lawrence Yun predicts that home sales will rise by 15% next year, and by spring, mortgage rates will hover in the 6% to 7% range. ANAHEIM, Calif. – National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun looked the current state of the U.S. residential real estate market and shared his 2024 outlook yesterday … Read more

Older Condo Woes Make it Harder to Buy/Sell Units

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After Rich Engels’ mother died earlier this year, Engels decided to sell her condo unit in Sunrise Lakes Phase 4. He lined up a buyer, but he said the deal fell apart after the lender learned that the condo building had no wind insurance. Lenders won’t approve mortgage loans on buildings … Read more

Inflation Eased in Oct. as It Continues to Cool

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

Gas, cars and airfare cost less last month. Prices rose 3.2% year-to-year in Oct. – still higher than the Fed’s 2% goal – for the smallest increase since June. WASHINGTON (AP) – Inflation in the United States slowed last month in a sign that the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes are continuing to cool the … Read more

Gov. Signs My Safe Florida Home and Other Bills

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed bills passed during the recent special session, including up to $10K for owners to harden homes and more aid for Hurricane Idalia victims. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed four bills passed during a special legislative session last week, including measures to fund the My Safe Florida Home … Read more

Forming a Dream Team: Super-Sized or Niche-Focused?

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

A super-sized team ups the chances that someone can handle any buyer that comes your way, but a niche-focused team can dominate a specific market area. NEW YORK – Real estate teams are flexing their might in today’s market, using economies of scale to gain a competitive edge. As agents consider switching to this model, … Read more