South Florida Real Estate

Swanepoel Power 200 List Includes Fla. Leaders

Congratulations to those recognized for their influence, inspiration, innovation, decision-making and leadership in the real estate industry across the nation. ORLANDO, Fla. – The annual Swanepoel Power 200 – named for T3 Sixty Chairman and CEO Stefan Swanepoel – rates real estate’s leaders across the nation. The just-released list for 2023 includes Realtor® association leaders, … Read more

FAU: Short-Term Rentals Hurting S. Fla. Residents

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S. Fla. demand for short-term rentals entices more RE investors to offer them, but, according to an FAU report, that helped pushed rents higher for year-round residents. MIAMI – South Florida renters can partly blame high home rents on the popularity of short-term rentals in the region, according to a new report from a Florida … Read more

Turn One Listing Into Five or Six Sales

An open house is a listing generator. Network with potential clients during the open house, but also canvas the neighborhood beforehand and meet the neighbors. NEW YORK – Open houses should be seen as listing lead generators. In addition to advertising a current listing, it gives agents an opportunity to meet the neighbors, pick up … Read more

Wells Fargo Downsizing Its Mortgage Business

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NEW YORK – Wells Fargo & Co. confirmed Tuesday it is shrinking the size of its home-lending serving business as part of retrenching what had been the nation’s largest mortgage provider. Bloomberg News reported in an Aug. 14 article that Wells Fargo was pulling back from providing funds for mortgage loans made by third-party lenders, … Read more

RE Q&A: Can Board President Demand Mediation?

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A condo HOA director received a demand letter for pre-suit mediation over parking but never received a warning or violation letter first. Is this legal? WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Question: I am a director of my HOA and firmly believe that I am being harassed by the president, who clearly dislikes me and my … Read more

FHA: Some Buyers Can Request Second Appraisal

New HUD process will allow FHA borrowers to request a second appraisal if they suspect their first appraisal was skewed due to an appraiser’s racial bias. WASHINGTON, Fla. – Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced that HUD, through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), is creating a process that people seeking FHA … Read more

December Inflation Eased Again to 6.5%

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While a recession remains on the table for 2023, easing inflation numbers increase the chance of a “soft landing” and future Fed rate increases in the quarter-point range. WASHINGTON (AP) – Rising U.S. consumer prices moderated again last month, bolstering hopes that inflation’s grip on the economy will continue to ease this year and possibly … Read more

U.S. Rent Growth Slows, Up 4.8% in Dec.

A year-to-year comparison of rate increases finds the smallest jump in over a year. Rents rose less than that in 3 Fla. metros and were down 0.8% in Jacksonville. SEATTLE – The median U.S. asking rent rose 4.8% year-over-year to $1,979 in December – the smallest increase since July 2021, according to a report from … Read more

2023 RE Trends: What’s Ahead for Fla. Real Estate?

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Want to prepare for this year? On Jan. 19, virtually and in-person, top economists like Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor will share insights for 2023. ORLANDO, Fla. – Real estate drives Florida’s economy, and having a look into what may lie ahead in a still uncertain 2023 is key for policymakers, residents and … Read more