Florida Real Estate

RE Q&A: ‘As-Is’ Contract OK for Flipped Home?

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

A prospective buyer of a renovated home worries that an “as-is” contract may release the seller from not-yet-discovered problems. Should they sign it? FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: We are looking to purchase our new home from a real estate renovator who bought it last year and fixed it up. The contract has a lengthy, … Read more

Mortgage Rates Again Push Close to 7%

The average rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rose for the third week in a row, hitting 6.96% – up from last week’s 6.81% and 6.71% the week before. LOS ANGELES (AP) – The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed this week to just under 7%, the highest level since November and the latest setback … Read more

2 Days Too Good To Miss: Convention & Trade Expo

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

Join RE colleagues at Florida Realtors® Convention & Trade Expo, Aug. 16-17, 2023. It offers business-boosting success tips, latest tech info, trends and much more. ORLANDO, Fla. – Success strategies from top real estate leaders, the chance to network with other industry professionals, and the latest in high-tech devices: That’s what the Florida Realtors® 2023 Convention … Read more

Hometown Heroes: $20M Applications in Week 1

The Hometown Heroes Program strongly backed by Florida Realtors received applications requesting $11M the first day the updated program went into effect. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Hometown Heroes down payment assistance program reached $20 million in applications within the first week of launching the program’s second year of funding, which includes $11 million in applications … Read more

More Retirees Choose Rent – a Lifestyle Decision

Why do long-time homeowners rent when they can afford to buy? For more and more older adults, it’s simple: less responsibility with more money to spend. PLACERVILLE, Calif. – Jack called me last week to say he and his wife Jill wanted to sell their home in El Dorado Hills. They have been longtime friends … Read more

Off-Market Inventory: 4 Search Strategies

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

Too many buyers are pursuing too few for-sale homes. That gives a strong edge to any agent who can find listings that do not yet exist. LAS VEGAS – When there is a high demand for buyers in a low-inventory market, learning to find and create off-market listings can set you apart from other agencies. … Read more

House Looks Great – What About Neighborhood?

Politics can hurt home sales if a neighbor’s yard flag pushes views offensive to a potential buyer – but flags can help if buyers agree. SEATTLE – People buy homes in neighborhoods, and the area surrounding a property listing carries a lot of weight with buyers who hope to fit into their new community. A … Read more

HUD: $30M Released for Fair Housing Enforcement

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

The money helps “root out housing discrimination,” says HUD, going to local-state governments that enforce rights equivalent to those under the Fair Housing Act. WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) made $29.5 million in noncompetitive funding available to HUD’s state and local fair housing enforcement agencies across the country under … Read more

Marketing with Google Discovery Ads?

Google’s system could get listings and other ads in front of a wider – yet also targeted – audience of potential buyers and sellers. NEW YORK – The Google Discovery Ads platform’s goal is to help companies reach consumers in more engaging and personalized ways. Ads developed through the platform appear on YouTube and Gmail, … Read more

Study: Real Estate Hot in Hurricane Ian-Hit Areas

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

Storms rarely have a long-term effect on the local real estate market. Cape Coral-Fort Myers listings dropped for two months after Ian but rose for the six after that. FORT MYERS, Fla. – After plunging in the wake of last fall’s Hurricane Ian, home listings in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area have recovered, and … Read more