South Florida Real Estate

Buyers’ Tactics in the Face of High Mortgage Rates

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NEW YORK – Mortgage rates have risen to their highest levels in more than 20 years, making it harder to afford a home. And yet, out of necessity or desire, hundreds of thousands of people buy homes every month. With the 30-year fixed rate topping 7%, NerdWallet asked real estate agents and mortgage loan officers … Read more

Building Code Proven to Help During Storms

MIAMI – Florida leads the nation in strict building codes, and the decades of hard work have paid off in the increasing number of homes and buildings that survive each time a hurricane slashes the state. But a new report from Swiss Re, a major global re-insurance company, suggests that all those hard-won gains have … Read more

RE Diversity Groups Ban Together, Target Hate

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A diverse group of RE professionals – Asian, Hispanic, LGBTQ+ and women – say they will jointly oppose the “vocal minority” who fight against diversity. CHICAGO – Organizations representing Asian, Hispanic, LGBTQ+ and women professionals say persistent discrimination in housing must be stopped. Four major organizations representing diverse groups in the real estate profession have … Read more

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