South Florida Real Estate

Survey: Pets Drive Homebuying, Renovation Decisions

Real estate professionals are figuring out ways to highlight pet-friendly property features to entice consumers. CHICAGO –There are more American households with pets than children, and studies show that home buyers’ furry friends increasingly influence the type of home or remodeling project buyers choose. So, real estate pros need to be tuned in to the … Read more

Your Guide to Becoming an Influencer

NEW YORK – You’re witnessing social media influencers reshape consumer behavior through trust and authenticity. Influencer marketing’s effectiveness is evident as 90% of marketers find it impactful, contributing to projected industry growth to $16.4 billion in 2023. Remarkably, 70% of teens trust influencers over traditional celebrities, indicating a shift in loyalty dynamics. Authentic recommendations resonate, … Read more

RE Q&A: How Long Should I Keep Condo Sale Records?

Financial pros generally recommend keeping financial records for seven years. Check with the IRS and state tax collectors’ websites for the specifics. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: I helped my father sell his condo in 2017 and have been storing the paperwork from when he originally purchased it to when he sold it. I want … Read more

Down Payments at Record High

WASHINGTON – Homebuyers are putting down more money than ever to soften the blow of high mortgage rates, and in some cities, $400,000 down payments are now the norm. The typical down payment for U.S. homebuyers hit a record $67,500 in June, nearly 15% higher than a year earlier, according to a new Redfin analysis. … Read more

Claims of Guaranteed Savings | Florida Realtors

A Realtor advertised his services with guaranteed savings but was unable to provide it. The ethics panel deemed the slogan misleading, since savings couldn’t be guaranteed in every case. Dear Shannon: I am a passionate broker with a focus on helping buyers. I’m also an outstanding negotiator, and, almost every time when I represent buyers, … Read more

Saving Strategies for Financial Goals

NEW YORK – Saving isn’t always easy, but it pays off over time. It’s especially useful to have a solid savings foundation in place to protect yourself against economic uncertainty. And with the unemployment rate surging to 4.3% in August, the road ahead looks potentially rocky. But how do you save more when money is … Read more

Florida Homes More Affordable as Rates Drop

With mortgage rates declining, some Florida cities could see big gains in home affordability. Already buyers are moving off the sidelines. WASHINGTON – A new Realtor.com analysis shows the metro areas where affordability for the median earner will improve the most if rates drop to 6.3%, which could happen in the coming months. In other … Read more

Storm, Tool Tax ‘Holidays’ Teed Up

The newest sales tax holiday starts tomorrow (Saturday) and runs through Sept. 6 for storm-related items, including batteries and generators. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A sales-tax “holiday” will start Saturday that can help Floridians prepare for storms as the state moves into the peak of hurricane season, while another set of tax breaks is on the … Read more

Most Popular Rooms to Remodel

In making renovations, homeowners need to strike a balance between personal tastes and features that could appeal to buyers. NEW YORK – Home improvement trends come and go. The wildly popular open floor plan concepts that have dominated homeowners’ desires over the past decade-plus could be falling out of favor. Rachel Stults of Realtor.com linked … Read more