Florida Real Estate

RE Q&A: What to Do About a Blocked Condo View?

Once upon a time, a condo had a dynamic golf course view, but a developer bought it and the view now is two overgrown trees. Are there options? FORT LAUDERDALE Fla. – Question: When I bought my condo, my building had the best golf course view from my screened porch. However, the golf course faced … Read more

GAO Suggests Housing Trust Funds Changes

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How well does HUD oversee the nation’s Housing Trust Funds, which flow to states for affordable housing? The Fed’s oversight group suggests five changes. WASHINGTON – On August 8, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report entitled “Affordable Housing: Improvements Needed in HUD’s Oversight of the Housing Trust Fund Program.” The Housing Trust … Read more

Looking for a Search Engine Optimization Expert?

If 9 out of 10 buyers start by typing “How do I buy a home?” into a search engine, it’s worth spending money to make sure your agency’s name is near the top. NEW YORK – With 90% of house hunters using the internet as a starting point, it makes sense for realty professionals to … Read more

Attom: Foreclosure Starts Fell 9% in July

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The number of completed foreclosures rose 4% month-to-month, but Attom says the “housing market remains in flux” – they could go back up or keep dropping. IRVINE, Calif. – Foreclosure activity rose following pandemic-era bans but never completely returned to a level seen before COVID-19 shook the market. Now foreclosures seem to be falling again, … Read more

Four Tips for Creating a Healthy Agency Culture

Start with core values – but importantly, write them down to create a clear guide for the agency’s direction. It also helps keep everyone onboard if you make them short. NEW YORK – To thrive, real estate agencies need to nurture a healthy and prosperous culture. RexMont Real Estate CEO Adriano Tori offers four tips … Read more

4B People Use Email Each Day – Market to Them

The size of an email list mirrors the return on investment. To create positive vibes and build relationships, add a mea culpa email that corrects an earlier mistake. NEW YORK – Real estate agents can keep in touch with clients and contacts, produce leads and build brands through a well-crafted email newsletter – but only … Read more

The 80/20 Rule – Intro to Mortgage Insurance

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Mortgages revolve around a 20% down payment, and buyers who put less down use mortgage insurance to do so – yet many don’t understand what that means. KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – Mortgage Insurance is one of the most misunderstood topics in real estate. When buyers use financing and their down payment is less than 20% … Read more

Rule-Making Begins on Foreign Buyer Law

Fla. regulators published notices to begin creating rules required under SB 264, the new Fla. law affecting sales to some foreign principals. ORLANDO, Fla. – Two Florida agencies – the Department of Commerce (formerly DEO, the Department of Economic Opportunity) and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) announced plans to propose regulations related … Read more

Why Focus on Radon? It Can Lead to Cancer

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For many buyers, radon is a contract detail or something noted during an inspection. But a large number of buyers don’t know what radon is or what it does. SARASOTA, Fla. – Dear Doctors: Would you please address radon gas? I’ve spent 40 years in real estate sales here in Florida, and while radon is … Read more

HUD Gives $40M Neighborhood Award to Miami-Dade

HUD Secretary says Miami-Dade County shows a “commitment to neighborhood revitalization.” The grant is HUD’s maximum amount for smaller developments. MIAMI – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded a $40 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) Grant to Miami-Dade County to redevelop Cutler Manor in the Goulds suburb of Miami (population 10,994). … Read more