A coastal flood watch or warning may really be a meteotsunami, such as one that hit Clearwater Beach last Wed. It’s caused by gusty ocean storms. CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. – An unexpected culprit toppled beach chairs along the sand at normally calm Clearwater Beach, Florida, last Wednesday. West Coast surfers might snicker at the cause, … Read more
HUD sees more manufactured housing as part of the nation’s affordable housing solution, and an independent office now reports directly to a top FHA official. WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Housing announced the creation of a new Office of Manufactured Housing Programs – an independent office reporting … Read more
A lead is simply “contact info for a potential buyer or seller,” and a top way to get leads is by offering something of value – a “lead magnet” – in exchange for that info. NEW YORK – Lead magnets are a popular tool for generating leads by offering something of value in return for … Read more
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On March 29, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida Senate Bill 102, called the “Live Local Act” (the Act), which becomes effective on July 1, 2023. While the Act includes incentives that may also appeal to market rate developers, such as flexibility to use commercially zoned property to develop multifamily housing if … Read more
It doesn’t make sense to refinance at-risk FHA loans due to higher interest rates, so the latest plan simply offers a reduction and extends the mortgage payoff date. WASHINGTON – On May 31, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) proposed a new plan to help mortgage borrowers behind on payments to get back on track. It … Read more
BOCA GRANDE, Fla. – Anyone who has ever been in a disaster situation has the wherewithal to know what to do when it is safe to check out their surroundings. Many people were in that boat on September 28, 2022, the day Hurricane Ian winds and rain forced their way through every nook, cranny and … Read more
On Thur., Fed Chair Jerome Powell told Congress that “inflation pressures continue to run high” and “nearly all” Fed policymakers expect at least one more rate hike. WASHINGTON (AP) – Chair Jerome Powell reiterated Thursday that the Federal Reserve will likely raise interest rates at least once more this year because of persistently high inflation … Read more
While “shelter costs” make up 25% of the Consumer Price Index, the calculation only looks at rising rents. SMR calls that “a major flaw” and developed its own index. HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – SMR Research Corp. says there’s “a major flaw in the government’s Consumer Price Index (CPI)” that its new Homeowners Cost of Living (HCOL) … Read more
Brokers’ files often have Social Security numbers, bank account information and driver’s license copies – the top targets of fraudsters. It’s important to keep that info safe – and have an internal system that provides legal protection if that fails. CHICAGO – Consumers are demanding increased transparency about how their personal information is being used. … Read more
Florida Realtors: YOY single-family home median price flat at $419.9K, supply at 2.7 months. YOY condo median price up 0.9% to $325K, supply stands at 3.6 months. ORLANDO, Fla. – In May, Florida’s housing market had more for-sale inventory (active listings) compared to a year ago, while statewide median sales prices remained relatively flat year-over-year, … Read more
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