Florida Real Estate

Study: Colors Increase Social Media Engagement

Complex images in a social media post tend to capture greater user attention, leading to increased engagement with those posts, researchers found. NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Social media has become the main stage for marketing in the digital age, and the adage “content is king” has never been more relevant. Marketers are increasingly focused on … Read more

Florida Realtors Releases New, Updated Forms

Updated forms include the Commission Agreement and Vacant Land Listing Agreement to incorporate changes resulting from the NAR settlement. ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Realtors® released new and updated forms Tuesday to help Realtors® as they incorporate the practice changes required for the proposed National Association of Realtors® settlement agreement following the Sitzer-Burnett verdict. The forms … Read more

Federal Reserve Set to Cut Rates Again

The Federal Reserve meets later this week and is expected to cut their benchmark rate by a quarter-point. Interest rates impact mortgage rates. WASHINGTON — No one knows how Tuesday’s presidential election will turn out, but the Federal Reserve’s move two days later is much easier to predict: With inflation continuing to cool, the Fed … Read more

Contract Signings Signal Market Improvements

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun forecasts improved home sales, slower appreciation and falling mortgage rates over the next two years. CHICAGO — More home buyers signed contracts for a home purchase in September, a sign that the housing market may be on the mend after a sluggish summer. The National Association of Realtors®’ Pending Home … Read more

Will Hurricanes Deter Newcomers? History Says No

ORLANDO, Fla. — The news rippled through Treasure Island, Florida, almost like a third storm: The mayor planned to move off the barrier island a month after Hurricane Helene flooded tens of thousands of homes along the Gulf Coast and two weeks after Hurricane Milton also ravaged the state. Mayor Tyler Payne’s home had been … Read more

The Benefit of Added Mortgage Payments

Adding just an extra $100 per month to a mortgage payment can have a significant impact on the debt, a financial expert said. NEW YORK — Mortgage rates may be declining, which puts new homebuyers in a better position than just a year ago. The 30-year fixed-interest rate mortgage hit a high of 7.79% in … Read more

Mortgage Rates Rise for Fifth Straight Week

The rate on 30-year mortgages rose to 6.72% from 6.54% last week, Freddie Mac said. Rates on 15-year mortgages rose to 5.99% from 5.71% last week. NEW YORK — The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. rose for the fifth straight week, returning to its highest level since early August. The rate … Read more

Citizens Insurance Policy Count Drops

The drop coincided with nine private insurers approved to assume up to 410,008 Citizens policies. The policy count is expected to total 891,184 at the end of the year. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Amid long-running efforts to shift customers into the private market, the number of homeowners insured by the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. plunged … Read more

Hurricane Milton, Helene Costs Top $4.3B

As recovery continues, more than 26,000 people have checked into FEMA-supported housing and more than 2,700 blue tarps have been installed on roofs. ORLANDO, Fla. — Total estimated insurance losses for Hurricanes Milton and Helene exceed $4.3 billion with more than 380,000 claims filed for both storms, according to information from the Florida Office of … Read more

How Airbnb Could Help Curb Rising Housing Costs

A study shows that better tax collection on Airbnb rentals can slow rising housing costs, benefiting renters and local governments. NEW YORK — Home-rental platforms like Airbnb are known to drive up housing costs, but a new study shows that doing a better job of collecting the taxes owed by these home rentals appears to … Read more