Florida Real Estate

Will Bank Turmoil Create Mortgage Challenge?

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Buyers may need to shop around for a mortgage. If clients pulled money from a regional bank or deposits went down, the bank may make it harder to qualify. NEW YORK – Banking center unrest could make it more difficult for some consumers to get a mortgage loan or a loan for other big-ticket items. … Read more

Fake Property Insurer Stole Homeowners’ Money

U.S. Attorney’s Office: A Pensacola man created a fake insurance company, sold policies, kept premiums, and led homeowners to falsely believe they had coverage. PENSACOLA, Fla. – An insurance company is permanently shut down after dozens of clients paid over $4.8 million for policies that were fake, federal officials said. Instead of buying insurance for … Read more

LinkedIn Launches AI to Expand Agent Content

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As a business social media site, LinkedIn encourages online networking. To push that effort, it’s adding AI-written content that incites conversations. NEW YORK – The worldwide artificial intelligence (AI) market, valued at $136 billion, is impacting various sectors, including real estate. LinkedIn intends to merge AI technologies into its platform to better serve users. The … Read more

Fla. Legislature Passes ‘Live Local’ Housing Bill

An exhaustive pro-housing bill – one of Florida Realtors’ top priorities – passed the Legislature on Friday. It now needs only Gov. DeSantis’ signature to become law. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Friday, the Florida Legislature passed SB 102, a comprehensive housing bill and one of Florida Realtors®’ top priorities during the 2023 session. Florida Senate President … Read more

Google Local-Ad Expansion Can Help RE Agents

70 types of service businesses, including real estate agents, can more easily target ads to consumers whose search terms seem to match a Realtor’s services. NEW YORK – Google expanded its Local Services Ads by introducing a wider and more versatile toolset. This service now allows agents to incorporate advertising products and services whenever someone … Read more

Florida Realtors’ Tech Wins National Awards

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Form Simplicity and Tech Helpline won 2023 HW Tech100 awards for “the most innovative technology companies serving the mortgage and real estate industries.” ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Realtors®’ Form Simplicity and Tech Helpline have both been recognized as individual winners of the 2023 HW Tech100 Real Estate awards from HousingWire, a leading source for U.S. … Read more

HUD: $54M for Fair Housing – $2.9M Goes to Fla.

In Fla., 7 agencies get part of the $2.9M under 12 grants. The money fights discrimination, and includes funds to private investigators for “testing and enforcement.” WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $54 million to 182 fair housing organizations across the country under its Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP). … Read more

Fed Raises Interest Rates a Quarter Point

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WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve extended its year-long fight against high inflation Wednesday by raising its key interest rate by a quarter-point despite concerns that higher borrowing rates could worsen the turmoil that has gripped the banking system. “The U.S. banking system is sound and resilient,” the Fed said in a statement after its … Read more

Is Being a Landlord Worth It?

Real estate is a time-tested, tried-and-true investment for people who can afford it, but it also involves work. Not everyone wants to be a landlord. NEW YORK – Real estate has been a popular investment for a very long time – for those who can afford it. But in recent years, trends such as house … Read more

New RE Idea: Affordable Senior Housing

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A senior-housing project aimed at middle-class adults gives them an option other than “dying in my house.” The Mass. prototype charges only $1,800 per month. NEWTON, Mass. – The developer 2Life Communities broke ground March 6 on a senior housing project that’s affordable to middle-class residents. Monthly rents will be as low as $1,800 at … Read more