Home Buying

Floridians’ Confidence Drops One Point in April

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After three monthly increases, UF’s sentiment index fell one point, due mainly to “somewhat unexpected” concerns about the nation’s long-term economic health. GAINESVILLE, Fla. – After three consecutive monthly increases, consumer sentiment among Floridians dropped one point in April to 68.7 from a revised figure of 69.7 in March. However, national consumer sentiment increased 1.5 … Read more

Study Finds Increase in Fair Housing Complaints

There were 31,216 fair-housing complaints in 2021, a 9% year-to-year increase. Most complaints cited disabled access, with race discrimination coming in at No.2. WASHINGTON – A new study finds that fair housing complaints increased even though there were fewer agencies reporting data. When President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act on April 11, … Read more

Investors Lost Money on 1 Out of 7 Sales in March

SEATTLE – Roughly one of every seven (13.5%) U.S. homes sold by an investor in March sold for less than the investor bought it for, according to a new report from Redfin. That’s comparable with February’s 14.5% rate – the highest since 2016. It’s also nearly triple the share of a year earlier and compares … Read more

4 Misconceptions About Flood Insurance

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Many homeowners still think standard property insurance covers flooding – it doesn’t – but some companies do offer credits or money for flood mitigation efforts. STATEPOINT, Wash. – Many people look forward to spring when the weather warms up and flowers start to bloom, but it also marks the start of the peak time of … Read more

Buying a Fixer-Upper? The 203(k) Program Can Help

WASHINGTON – For more than four months, Amina Thompson-Wright and her husband, Dannelle Wright, tried to buy a home in Southwest Philadelphia, where they had rented for a decade. But sellers kept rejecting their offers. So they switched their strategy. They started considering homes that needed work. “When you see something new and shiny, that’s … Read more

Home Loans Can Be Challenging After Retirement

Older adults who want to buy a home after retirement or remodel using a second mortgage should apply for a loan before they retire rather than after. NEW YORK – Retired engineers Kelly and Derek Barkey assumed they would be approved when they applied for a $50,000 home equity line of credit two years ago … Read more

Was Your Home, Car Flooded? Here’s What to Do

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After torrential rains hit South Florida, particularly in Broward County, many residents are dealing with flooded cars, boats and homes. And while the storm wasn’t a hurricane, many will be filing insurance claims for their soaked property. Fort Lauderdale was drenched with a record 25.91 inches of rain Wednesday – an … Read more

Why Aren’t Homeowners Listing and Selling?

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MIAMI – Six years ago, Tanjim Hossain and his wife, Christine Oliver, bought a single-story house on a corner lot dotted by palms in pedestrian-friendly North Miami. They had just sold their first house in Homestead and wanted to move to a more walkable neighborhood closer to their jobs. Since then, they welcomed their son … Read more

Vacation-Home Demand Down by Half

When the pandemic hit, vacation sales soared until mortgage rates rose and fewer owners listed their homes. The result: Second-home mortgage-rate locks are down 52%. SEATTLE – Due in part to higher mortgage rates, it’s a difficult time to buy a second home. In March, rate locks for second homes were down 52% compared to … Read more

Need to Have a Difficult Conversation? Use SunStats

Florida Realtors economist: Maybe a seller wants to overprice their home? A buyer insists on low bids? Statistics can help you focus on facts rather than falling prey to emotions. ORLANDO, Fla. – There’s no doubt: Today’s real estate market bears little resemblance to the one from 2021-2022. High sales prices plus high interest rates … Read more