Realtor News

Rising Rates Haven’t Slowed Pending Sales

Pending home sales posted their biggest increase since 2021 recently, but some house hunters are starting to pull back, Redfin said. SEATTLE – Pending U.S. home sales rose 3.2% year over year during the four weeks ending October 13, the biggest increase in three years, according to a new report from the real estate brokerage … Read more

NAR Consumer Guide: Fair Housing

The Fair Housing Consumer Guide doesn’t constitute any change in NAR policy. It covers the Realtor’s role in promoting housing equity as well as other matters. WASHINGTON – The newest National Association of Realtors®’ Consumer Guide covers fair housing: Why it’s important, how the laws apply to buyers and sellers and why Realtors® are integral … Read more

Consider Using a Realtor When Selling Your Home

Home sellers who don’t use an agent are twice as likely as agent-assisted sellers to be unhappy with the results of their sale, says a study from Clever Real Estate. CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. – Home sellers who choose to work without a real estate agent are twice as likely as agent-assisted sellers to be unhappy … Read more

Forms, Consumer Guides Available in Spanish

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Realtors® released six forms translated into Spanish to help Spanish-speaking buyers better understand the recent practice changes, providing Realtors® with additional resources to further build customer trust. Links to /law-ethics/nar-settlement-sitzer-burnett-lawsuit The resources you need to do business in the post-NAR settlement real estate industry. Learn more ► The forms are only … Read more

Demand for Second-Home Mortgages Fall

Mortgage-rate locks for second homes have dropped 13% since last summer – more than twice as much as rate locks for primary homes, Redfin reported. SEATTLE – Mortgage-rate locks for second homes fell 13.1% year over year in August to the lowest level since March 2016 on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to a new … Read more

Use Focus and Flexibility to Navigate Change

When change happens, stay flexible and focus on your strengths. Control your attitude and actions to thrive in real estate – pivot, provide value and adapt. LOS ANGELES – Imagine you woke up on a remote tropical desert island. No one is around. No restaurants. No Starbucks. No Wi-Fi. Everything completely changed. In an instant. … Read more

Down Payments at Record High

WASHINGTON – Homebuyers are putting down more money than ever to soften the blow of high mortgage rates, and in some cities, $400,000 down payments are now the norm. The typical down payment for U.S. homebuyers hit a record $67,500 in June, nearly 15% higher than a year earlier, according to a new Redfin analysis. … Read more

Claims of Guaranteed Savings | Florida Realtors

A Realtor advertised his services with guaranteed savings but was unable to provide it. The ethics panel deemed the slogan misleading, since savings couldn’t be guaranteed in every case. Dear Shannon: I am a passionate broker with a focus on helping buyers. I’m also an outstanding negotiator, and, almost every time when I represent buyers, … Read more

Florida Realtors Honors 2024 Award Winners

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Realtors® recognized Mike McGraw, 2023 Florida Realtors president, as its 2024 Realtor of the Year. The award – one of several – was presented Thursday during the state association’s annual Convention & Trade Expo at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla. The Realtor audience applauded as McGraw accepted the award from … Read more

Creating Brands That Lasts | Florida Realtors

Creating a memorable brand includes knowing your audience and communicating your business needs and expectations. NEW YORK – To create a lasting brand, it is more than just finding the right logo and color scheme, it’s about creating a unique and authentic feeling for home buyers and sellers that they will remember. The first step … Read more