New to ChatGPT? Ask It What to Do
As artificial intelligence (AI), ChatGPT can “get to know you.” Start off by saying, “Ask me questions to help you better understand me and my business.” ©Florida Realtors® Source link
Teams: A Difference Between Winners and Others
It starts at the top with strong and involved leaders, but technology is also important, notably the tools that help keep everyone on a steady path to success. NEW YORK – Mosaik CEO Sheila Reddy offers a game plan to help real estate companies’ teams realize success through technology. “One of the most common attributes … Read more
Mortgage Rates Move Higher Yet Again, Hit 7.49%
Skittish investors keep nudging mortgage rates higher. Last week, a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.31%; a year ago, it was 6.66%. LOS ANGELES (AP) – The cost of financing a home surged again this week as the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed to its highest level since December 2000, further dimming the affordability outlook … Read more
Office Landlords Face Surging Insurance Costs
The office market – challenged by inflation, more natural disasters and a drop in lease income – also faces insurance costs that have risen 7.6% each year since 2017. NEW YORK – Moody’s Analytics reports that commercial real estate insurance costs rose 7.6% annually, on average, since 2017. The rising cost of insurance piles onto … Read more
Pandemic Migration Creates Housing Crisis
Buyers complain about too-few sellers selling – but some homeowners want to move and feel frustrated that an ultra-low mortgage rate has locked them in. BOSTON – One out of every 5 homeowners who moved within the last three years now regret their decision. Many Americans relocated either permanently or temporarily because of the COVID-19 … Read more
$6.4M in Bridge Biz Loans for Idalia Victims
161 businesses in 25 Fla. counties hurt by Hurricane Idalia have received Fla. bridge loans as they await insurance or other help. Deadline to apply: Oct. 25. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis says more than $6.4 million has been approved through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to small businesses impacted by … Read more
Idalia Survivors Surprised by FEMA’s 50% Rule
Impacted homes with more than 50% damage (home value only) must rebuild, and in some areas, one owner may just make repairs while a next-door neighbor must rebuild. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) –Between the flooding and the cleanup, Hurricane Idalia survivors have faced many hurdles. Now, a federal regulation, FEMA’s so-called “50% rule,” might cost them … Read more
Shutdown Agreement Includes $16B for FEMA
The government continues routine operations, but a shutdown threat could occur again as Nov. 17 looms – but storm victims were also handed a lifeline. WASHINGTON (AP) – The threat of a federal government shutdown suddenly lifted late Saturday as President Joe Biden signed a temporary funding bill to keep agencies open with little time … Read more
Congress Extends Flood Ins. in Last-Minute Deal
Following a “Call for Action” issued by NAR Fri. night and shared by Florida Realtors Sat., Congress and the president extended government funding to Nov. 17. WASHINGTON – Flood insurance and transactions it might impact are safe for now after a down-to-the wire vote in the U.S. House that was soon passed by the Senate … Read more
Core Inflation Prices Barely Budged in Aug
While inflation rose 3.5% year-to-year in Aug. – still above the Fed’s 2% goal – it was only up 0.1% month-to-month after backing out higher gas prices. WASHINGTON (AP) – An inflation gauge closely tracked by the Federal Reserve rose in August, boosted mainly by higher gas prices. But measures of underlying inflation slowed in … Read more
