South Florida Real Estate

Biden Vetoes Bill, Keeps Strong Water Protections

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How strict should U.S. water rules be? The issue has spanned three administrations, and the latest resolution to ease water rules failed with Biden’s second veto. WASHINGTON (AP) – Defending his administration’s actions on clean water, President Joe Biden on Thursday vetoed a congressional resolution that would have overturned protections for the nation’s waterways that … Read more

No Full Homestead Exemption for Partial Rentals

Rejecting lower-court decisions, the Fla. Supreme Court ruled that homeowners who rent out rooms within their property may lose part of their homestead exemption. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Rejecting lower-court decisions, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday said a Sarasota man should not have received a homestead property-tax exemption for part of his house that he … Read more

Fewer Bedrooms Have Beds Thanks to Pandemic

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A COVID-pushed trend, “functional décor,” has driven many people to put a sofa bed in their living room and convert little-used guest rooms for other functions. NEW YORK – A growing number of consumers prioritize “functional décor” as they spend more time at home. “Functional decor is about making your space work for you, your … Read more

Why Does It Still Feel Like a Seller’s Market?

RE usually sees cycles between buyer’s and seller’s markets, but this time it’s a bit different. Supply vs. demand hasn’t changed because both sides pulled back. SEATTLE – New listings fell 21.8% year-to-year during the four weeks ending April 2, one of the biggest drops since the start of the pandemic, according to a Redfin … Read more

HUD Targets Zoning in Affordable Housing Push

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Local zoning generally cedes more space to single-family homes than multifamily, HUD says, and it’s releasing new data that backs up recommendations for change. WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a new publication that summarizes the effects of zoning policies on housing supply, location and affordability. HUD says it’s … Read more

Wall Street Expects Robust 2023 New-Home Market

The stock for many major U.S. builders is up 20% so far as investors bank on it probably “crossing the valley from recession to potential recovery” in fall 2023. LOS ANGELES (AP) – Homebuilder stocks are on a tear as investors bet that a dearth of previously occupied homes on the market and moderating mortgage … Read more

HUD Extends Time for Affirmative Housing Program

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Rather than just react to fair housing complaints, HUD plans to be more assertive via a program announced in Jan. This week, it extended the comment period to April 24. WASHINGTON – In January, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed a new program called “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing” that would be … Read more

Is Commercial RE Dying or Just Media Clickbait?

Commercial real estate remains strong in many areas of the country, and even in metros seeing a slowdown, it’s often considered “an opportunity” rather than “a catastrophe.” NEW YORK – American humorist Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” The actual statement was that “the report of my … Read more

City-to-Suburb Moves Continue but at Slower Pace

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The pandemic pushed many city dwellers to the suburbs, and cities are still losing residents – but urban and small-town population growth is now relatively flat. ©Florida Realtors® Source link

The Not-So-Secret Way to Build Equity?

Rather than paying a mortgage monthly, make a half payment every two weeks, equaling one extra payment per year. It can shave about 6 years off a 30-year loan. every year? No, not the one where you make a full extra payment at the end of the year. That’s not a secret and coming up … Read more