South Florida Real Estate

HUD Clarifies RE Civil Rights Protections

HUD joined seven other agencies, saying that “Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits antisemitism, Islamophobia and related forms of discrimination.” WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and seven other agencies across the federal government – the Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban … Read more

Mortgage Rates Hit 7.31% – a 23-Year High

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Last week, a 30-year, fixed-rate loan averaged 7.19%; a year ago, it was 6.70%. The last time rates were this high was in 2000 when home values weren’t going up. LOS ANGELES (AP) – Home loan borrowing costs climbed again this week, pushing the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate to its highest level in nearly … Read more

Shutdown Can Stop FEMA Funds for Hurricane Victims

WASHINGTON – With a government shutdown as few as two days away, the Biden administration has started to ration federal disaster aid, delaying the delivery of about $2.8 billion in grants so the money is available in the event of a crisis, according to state and federal officials and budget documents obtained by The Washington … Read more

Grow Your Social Media Presence

Tips to improve your “social” skills? RE agents’ profiles should highlight their best content and have a professional headshot, short bio and uniform color scheme. NORWALK, Conn. – Real estate agents should incorporate a number of elements into their social media profile to create a standout presence, especially if they wish to appeal to millennial … Read more

Doing Your Own Drone Photography? There Are Risks

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The FAA has specific rules on drones used commercially, and there are additional real estate risks, including accidental damages to drones or property that most business insurance policies won’t cover. ORLANDO, Fla. – Many real estate agents include listing photos and videos taken by a drone – aerial scenes of a home that show nearby … Read more

Commercial Listing? Don’t Misrepresent the Facts

Dear Shannon: A broker listed a property to include a rental apartment upstairs, figuring the new buyer could get the zoning changed. But it wasn’t zoned for a residential apartment when listed. Should a complaint be filed against the commercial listing broker? ORLANDO, Fla.– Dear Shannon: I’m facing a rather astonishing situation and seeking guidance. … Read more

Government Shutdown Still Appears Likely

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A last-minute compromise is still possible, but it appears more and more likely that government services will slow or stop starting Sunday, Oct. 1. WASHINGTON – U.S. lawmakers warned that a government shutdown is increasingly certain as hopes dwindle of a last ditch compromise to resolve a budgetary stand-off in the world’s largest economy. Speaking … Read more

U.S.’s Biggest Landlords Can’t Find Houses Either

It’s a good time to be a large investor renting out single-family homes, but it’s hard to expand. They face the same problem homebuyers do: Low inventory. NEW YORK – High borrowing costs and a shortage of properties for sale have slowed home buying by “mega-landlords,” limiting their ability to grow at the same time … Read more

Credit Score Change Could Help Millions of Buyers

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The nation’s consumer bureau took a first step to erase medical debt from credit reports and lending decisions because that type of debt “has little predictive value.” WASHINGTON – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) – the national agency focused on consumer issues – began a rulemaking process to remove medical bills from Americans’ credit … Read more

Mold in a Home? Tips for Detecting and Removing

Any home can have mold, but it’s a notable problem after storms like Hurricane Idalia. The EPA says mold can sometimes be present but unseen. Start with a smell test. MARSHALL, Texas – Hurricanes and other severe storms, a humid climate, leaky pipes or continuous rain can make homes susceptible to flooding and mold. According … Read more