Florida Realtors® News

Florida's existing home, condo sales up in 4Q 2011

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:16:39 +0500

Existing home sales rose 7%, condo sales 4%. Home prices down 1%, condos 4%. NAR: sales up 5.9%, prices down 4.2%.

SBA 504 loans hit record low interest rate for February

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:23:50 +0500

Interest rates for commercial investment or upgrades estimated at 4.7% or 3.81% for 10-year loans.

Realtor University Approved for Master of Real Estate degree program

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:31:17 +0500

The Master of Real Estate degree, available online, includes five areas of concentration. First course starts Feb. 27.

Trulia: 1 in 3 home searches cross state lines

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:26:54 +0500

Trulia analyzed users' locations and where they searched for a home. Of the top 10 desired locations, seven are in Fla.

Fannie Mae expands online offers for HomePath properties

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:28:47 +0500

An Orlando-area pilot program goes national. Realtors now submit offers online and track status through HomePath.com.

Aid for military families facing foreclosure

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:45:28 +0500

Hope Now, a private lender alliance, will start to focus on military families at risk of foreclosure.

NAHB: Nearly 100 house markets improving

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:04:56 +0500

Seven Fla. metro areas have shown consistent improvement for at least six months, with Miami new entrant on latest list.

Survey: Apartment industry continues recovery

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:07:06 +0500

Survey: Multi-family market continues upswing as developers play catch-up to growing consumer demand for rental housing.

Short sale sellers need to close in 2012

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:14:53 +0500

If lawmakers don't extend break and a bank nixes $100K in short sale debt, it could cost a taxpayer in 25% bracket $25K.

Baby boomers geared up to move

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:40:46 +0500

Mason-Dixon: Up to 1/3 of soon-to-be retirees could move out of state, with 18% of those to Fla.'s warm climate.

Florida Realtors to launch new data system soon

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:41:52 +0500

Jan. 2012 report to launch new housing market data system; includes only statewide numbers and not Realtor sales by MSA.

CoreLogic releases 2011 home price stats

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:44:08 +0500

Fla. better than nation overall with a 3.3% price drop compared to 4.7%; prices down only 0.9% without distressed sales.

VA loans have lowest delinquency rate

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:50:33 +0500

In its year-end report, VA says it backed 14% more loans last year; at the same time, its foreclosure rate dropped 28%.

UF: Fla. consumer confidence surges upward in January

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:56:05 +0500

U.S. consumers may be a tad gloomier, but Floridians' outlook surged 7 points; economic expectations rose 14 points.

Obama details broader housing refinance plan

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:57:46 +0500

NAR-supported plan faces uphill battle; but, if passed, could help underwater owners refinance at lower interest rates.

EEM mortgage rewards energy efficiency

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:56:27 +0500

If a home conserves energy, a buyer can qualify for a higher mortgage because it stretches the debt-to-income ratios.

HUD: Sexual identity a protected class

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:58:11 +0500

Starting in March, all HUD-run programs will ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, including FHA mortgages.

Consumer Confidence Index decreases slightly

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:59:16 +0500

The Conference Board says American's confidence rose in Dec., but it dropped back to Nov. levels in this month's survey.

St. Joe Company has new real estate strategy

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:01:01 +0500

It will cut back on current developments, including amenities, and possibly sell inventory at lower prices or in bulk.

NAR's Confidence Index shows upswing

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:03:06 +0500

Each month, Realtors' market outlook improves, says NAR. In Dec., the index was 31.6 compared to 24.5 one year earlier.

HUD: Can't use 'lead paint' to discriminate

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:35:54 +0500

A Mass. apartment owner didn't certify her units as lead paint free and used that to turn down families with children.

2011's foreclosures lowest in four years

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:43:06 +0500

RealtyTrac: Fla. seventh in number of owners facing foreclosure - 1 in 49 homes; process now takes 806 days to complete.

Fla. No. 5 nationally as 'best for business'

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:49:11 +0500

Tax Foundation: State ranks high for its business-friendly low tax burden in annual study based on dozens of provisions.

High downpayments: More harm than good?

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:41:36 +0500

UNC study: A QRM rule that mandates a 20% downpayment would push 61% of creditworthy borrowers out of the market.

Pending home sales decline in Dec.; above year ago

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:42:34 +0500

Slight 3.5% monthly decline follows two strongest months of contract signings since the homebuyer tax credit expired.

Real estate agents opting for mobile office

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:04:00 +0500

In today's fast-pace world, consumers want fast responses, and agents need mobile offices to retain and attract clients.

Citizens backs off pricey replacement costs

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:35:57 +0500

In a win for Florida Realtors and state homeowners, insurer won't base costs exclusively on a single appraisal source.

FHA to limit seller help at closing

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:37:14 +0500

Tighter rules were announced for FHA lenders; new rules that lower the amount sellers can pay at closing are expected.

Casting call for HGTV' 'House Hunters'

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:43:34 +0500

Want 15 minutes of fame and national marketing? HGTV show auditions require three-minute videos and willing buyers.

Florida's housing sales activity higher as 2011 ends

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:46:09 +0500

Home sales rose 8%, condos 15% in 2011. Fla. home, condo Dec. median price up 1%, 4% respectively. National sales up 5%.

NAR: Dec. existing home sales show uptrend

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:47:38 +0500

Florida Legislature advances Realtor issues

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:08:33 +0500

Committees approved septic tank inspection changes, competitive property insurance rules and new homestead exemptions.

Single-family housing starts up 4.4% in Dec.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:41:35 +0500

Single-family starts have risen for three consecutive months, though drop in multi-family caused overall 4.1% decline.

Appraisal Institute: Don't shoot the messenger

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:37:37 +0500

New effort, materials attempt to counter a belief that appraisers did something wrong if appraised value comes in too low.

Builder confidence rises fourth consecutive time in January

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:47:23 +0500

Index at its highest level in four-and-a-half years; latest uptick seen in every component and region of the country.

Avoid foreclosure with help from HUD-approved agencies

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:35:59 +0500

Owners at risk of foreclosure can tap into HUD's nationwide network of counselors for a free evaluation and counseling.

Federal foreclosure prevention programs seek volunteers

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:36:17 +0500

Events in Miami (Feb. 22) and Tampa (Feb. 24) require about 200 volunteers to help owners hoping to avoid foreclosure.

Program educates public on foreclosure scams

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:41:17 +0500

A program backed by the U.S. Congress lists signs of a scam as it encourages owners to avoid trouble and report crimes.

Serving a military market niche

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:42:45 +0500

After leaving Iraq, many service personnel are returning to Fla.; a Realtor can help them with their real estate challenges.

Florida Realtors PAC gets makeover

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:59:55 +0500

Florida Realtors PAC has a new name, logo and advocacy campaign as it tackles issues impacting Realtors and homeowners.

NAHB survey: Voters value homeownership

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:05:16 +0500

73% of owners and renters believe it's appropriate and reasonable for the feds to promote homeownership tax incentives.

HUD to release $110M in assistance grants

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:47:52 +0500

Program focuses on improving impoverished areas and neighborhoods; under the rules, for-profit developers may apply.

Florida Realtors Mid-Winter Meetings begin

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:16:08 +0500

It's not too late to register at the door - or virtually visit by staying connected through Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Home builders: Twice as many 'improving housing markets'

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:56:28 +0500

Home builders: 76 U.S. markets have improved in last six months, including Jacksonville, Cape Coral and Punta Gorda.

Fed issues housing market white paper

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:47:45 +0500

Report: While no one solution exists, U.S. needs easier credit, plus more modifications, refinancings and short sales.

HUD homes: $100 downpayment in Fla.

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:00:56 +0500

Through Oct., HUD will sell REO homes to owner-occupants who qualify for FHA financing, including 203k fix-up loans.

5 insurance mistakes consumers make

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:03:57 +0500

Insurance Info Institute: Trim costs but don't lower coverage, drop flood option or make decisions based on price alone.

Retirees could again lead Fla. rebound

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:48:36 +0500

Latest U.S. Census report finds Fla. No. 1 for in-migration from other states, with older adults leading the pack.

Citizens Property Ins. raising costs by looking at details

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:02:05 +0500

Fla. insurer increases revenue by nixing hurricane mitigation discounts and increasing mandatory replacement costs.

Florida Realtors call for Education Foundation scholarship applications

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:06:00 +0500

Students in college or about to graduate high school may qualify; find online application, info on floridarealtors.org.