South Florida Real Estate

Fed Likely Raising Rates this Week. Then What?

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve is on track to raise its benchmark interest rate for the 10th time on Wednesday, the latest step in its yearlong effort to curb inflation with the fastest pace of hikes in four decades. Yet economists and Wall Street traders will be more interested in what the Fed and … Read more

Study Finds Increase in Fair Housing Complaints

There were 31,216 fair-housing complaints in 2021, a 9% year-to-year increase. Most complaints cited disabled access, with race discrimination coming in at No.2. WASHINGTON – A new study finds that fair housing complaints increased even though there were fewer agencies reporting data. When President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act on April 11, … Read more

Key Inflation Gauge Still High in March

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

An inflation measure the Federal Reserve uses rose 0.3% month-to-month and 4.6% year-to-year, raising the likelihood of another rate increase in May. WASHINGTON (AP) – A key index of underlying inflation that is closely followed by the Federal Reserve remained elevated last month, keeping the Fed on track to raise interest rates next week for … Read more

White House: Fort Lauderdale to Get FEMA Aid

President Biden approved a major disaster declaration and FEMA assistance for Broward County. Fort Lauderdale may also offer $5,000 per household. Note: Members of the Realtor family impacted by the rains and flooding are encouraged to apply for aid from Florida Realtors®’ Disaster Relief Fund. Realtors who wish to donate will also find links on the … Read more

Network More – but Online with LinkedIn

At one time, networking was a room full of people chatting and exchanging business cards. Today it can be online, with LinkedIn a top place to do it. NEW YORK –  The number of LinkedIn users exceeds 700 million people. That makes the platform ideal for connecting with other real estate professionals, potential clients and … Read more

Out-of-Town Moves Didn’t End with Pandemic

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

Number of buyers looking within their metro dropped 15.6% in 1Q, but the number looking elsewhere fell only 4.2%. Fla. has 5 of top 10 want-to-move-to metros. SEATTLE – The pandemic-era trend of buyers relocating greater distances didn’t end with the pandemic. While Redfin says searches on its website were down overall in the first … Read more

NAR: March Pending Sales Decreased 5.2%

Realtors can’t sell homes that aren’t listed for sale, and NAR’s chief economist cites a lack of inventory as the prime cause of March’s drop in signed contracts. WASHINGTON  – Pending home sales decreased in March for the first time in five months (November 2022), according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Of the … Read more

Commercial Woes Deeper Than Past Downturns

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

A one-two punch – value declines due to higher interest rates, and lower office and retail demand – has created the biggest commercial challenge since the 1970s. NEW YORK – The sudden surge in interest rates caused property values to fall, while the rise of remote work and e-commerce reduced demand for office and retail … Read more

HUD to Update Disabled Access Regulations

The planning process starts with questions. HUD notes that things like technology have changed, and it will update regulations after a public comment period. WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) says federal fair-housing regulations about access for those with disabilities should be updated – but it’s not doing so until … Read more

La. Parish Sues FEMA Over Flood Insurance Rates

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

Under Risk Rating 2.0, how does FEMA determine an individual property’s insurance cost? FEMA says it can’t share data, so a Louisiana parish sued to find out. NEW ORLEANS – St. Charles Parish filed suit against FEMA on Tuesday over its controversial new system for setting flood insurance rates, alleging the federal agency has failed … Read more