South Florida Real Estate

MBA Announces Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Awards

At the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) convention this week, MBA honored Fifth Third Bank, U.S. Bank Home Mortgage and Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group. PHILADELPHIA – The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) recognized five companies as 2023 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Residential Leadership Award recipients during its 2023 Annual Convention & Expo held in Philadelphia this … Read more

Realtor’s ‘Re-Tune’ Charity Gives Needy Kids Music

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Orlando Realtor Marc George calls music “my safe place.” His new charity collects unwanted musical instruments for children who can’t afford to buy one. ORLANDO, Fla. – A new charitable effort in Central Florida aims to place musical instruments in new loving homes with school children who need them. Re-Tune is what Orlando Realtor® Marc … Read more

Fla. Clothing-Optional Beach ‘Best in World’

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The state has several nude beaches – a draw for some buyers and turn-off for others – with a U.K. company naming S. Fla.’s Haulover Beach the best in the world. MIAMI – Can you let it all hang out on a Florida beach? The Sunshine State has several official nude beaches, and a few … Read more

RE Q&A: Fixer-Upper? Home Renovation Tips

Most buyers or current owners considering a remodel don’t know how to do the work or who to trust with the task. To start, check licenses, credentials and public records. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: We need a larger house for our growing family. Considering the price of houses lately, we decided to remodel and … Read more

Long-Term Mortgage Rate Hits 7.57% this Week

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It’s the highest average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate loan in two decades – up from last week’s 7.49% as more buyers now turn to adjustable-rate loans. LOS ANGELES (AP) – Home loan borrowing costs rose for the fifth straight week, keeping the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate at its highest level in more than … Read more

NAR Preview: Burnett Trial Starts Monday

A verdict in the Kansas City trial is expected Nov. 10. “NAR fundamentally disagrees with how (they’re) characterizing our rules,” says NAR’s top legal officer. KANSAS CITY, Missouri – The National Association of Realtors® (NAR), along with HomeServices of America and Keller Williams Realty, begin trial Monday in Kansas City, Mo., in the case Burnett … Read more

2nd Chinese Commercial Firm in Financial Trouble

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Developer Country Garden can’t meet debt payment deadlines. Unlike the U.S., the Chinese economy overbuilt and has too much housing supply for buyer demand. HONG KONG (AP) – Chinese property developer Country Garden warned Tuesday that it cannot repay on time a 470 million Hong Kong dollar ($60 million) loan in the latest sign of … Read more

Fla. Legislature: Don’t Expect Big Insurance Changes in 2024

Lawmakers are looking back on insurance changes enacted during recent sessions of the Florida Legislature and taking a “give it time to work” stance. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A key senator said Tuesday he does not expect lawmakers to make major property-insurance changes during the 2024 legislative session, as they continue to watch the results of … Read more

Property Insurance Fix Likely Won’t Lower Rates

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Home insurance costs in Florida are unlikely to fall even as reforms enacted by the state Legislature last year drive down litigation rates, a national insurance analyst predicted in a newly released report. The report by Karen Clark & Company, titled “Managing Expectations: Why Florida Homeowners Insurance Premiums Are Not Likely … Read more