Home Selling

Owner-Occupied Multifamily — The Path to Financial Freedom?

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

LOS ANGELES – Emily Johnson recalls her first duplex fondly — well, sort of. She rented to a friend’s sister, who ended up being “a nightmare”: The tenant smoked in the house, paid rent late and knocked on Johnson’s door at 11 p.m. with maintenance requests. Nevertheless, Johnson caught the investing bug. That experience 20 … Read more

Average Long-Term U.S. Mortgage Rate Falls to 6.67%

Some economists say home sales will increase in 2024 as mortgage rates ease. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Home loan financing costs eased again this week, pulling the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate down to a six-month low. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage dropped to 6.67% from 6.95% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac … Read more

Fannie Mae Maintains Secret List of Restricted Condos

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

MIAMI – Some people trying to buy a condominium in South Florida but getting mysteriously rejected for a mortgage could be in for a jolt: The reason they can’t get a loan may be that the condo is on a secret quasi-governmental blacklist. News media reports and data leaks to a pair of law firms … Read more

Changes – and Opportunities – Ahead During Hurricane Ian Cleanup

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

New building codes and regulatory changes are in the future as Southwest Florida continues to recover from Hurricane Ian’s wrath.   FORT MYERS BEACH – When it comes to once-in-a-generation hurricanes and Florida’s real estate market, one thing is clear: change is afoot. Consider Hurricane Andrew. More than three decades ago, that deadly 1992 storm … Read more

Lower Rates to Draw Buyers – Sellers Not so Much

While mortgage rates moving closer to 6% will draw buyers into the 2024 housing market, several economists don’t think it will create a similar rush of sellers listing their homes LOS ANGELES (AP) – Several housing economists are projecting that mortgage rates will ease moderately next year, though the forecasts call for the average rate … Read more

Commercial Real Estate Will Revitalize

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

NAR Chief Economist Yun: Except for office space, commercial property rates are expected to stabilize, though higher interest rates are impacting commercial loans. ANAHEIM, Calif. – Commercial property rates are expected to stabilize – aside from office space – and commercial real estate will revitalize, according to NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. Yun presented yesterday … Read more

NAR Issues 2024 Real Estate Forecast

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

Economist Lawrence Yun predicts that home sales will rise by 15% next year, and by spring, mortgage rates will hover in the 6% to 7% range. ANAHEIM, Calif. – National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun looked the current state of the U.S. residential real estate market and shared his 2024 outlook yesterday … Read more

Older Condo Woes Make it Harder to Buy/Sell Units

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After Rich Engels’ mother died earlier this year, Engels decided to sell her condo unit in Sunrise Lakes Phase 4. He lined up a buyer, but he said the deal fell apart after the lender learned that the condo building had no wind insurance. Lenders won’t approve mortgage loans on buildings … Read more

RE Investing: Retirement Life Raft or Sinking Ship?

More people are adding property investments to their retirement portfolios. If added cautiously, it can be a viable hedge against the volatility of stocks and bonds. NEW YORK – In light of the uncertain and volatile nature of investment markets, many individuals are seeking to enhance their retirement savings beyond employee pension funds or retirement … Read more

Fla. Island Purchased with COVID Disaster Funds

YANKEETOWN, Fla. (AP) – A freshwater spring bubbles amid the mangroves, cabbage palms and red cedars on Sweetheart Island, a two-acre uninhabited patch of paradise about a mile off the coast of this little Gulf Coast town. Pelicans divebomb nearby into the cool waters of Florida’s Withlacoochee Bay and the open view westward holds the … Read more