Realtor News

Under U.S. tax law, payers can have only one official residence, and lockdowns may have changed the state a vacation owner calls “home.” But it’s also not that simple.

Most new phones make it easy for users to snap and go. A QR code on a for-sale sign, for example, can help pedestrians quickly secure listing info and the agent’s bio.

An iBuyer program can help homeowners willing to take a slightly lower price in exchange for a quick and easy sale. But sellers aren’t willing to come down too much, and Zillow may not have enough resources under current market conditions to essentially be a large-scale home flipper.

United Wholesale Mortgage, the U.S.’s second-largest lender, decided it won’t be the first to accept bitcoin, citing its incremental costs and regulatory uncertainty.

How much does student-loan debt impact buyers? A three-year NAR study calls for reform, noting that millennials are “drowning in student loan debt.”

Starting in 2022, homeowners with an affordable loan backed by Fannie Mae can fulfill the education requirement using a qualified third-party vendor.

The usual move-to-Fla. reasons – sun, beaches and no income tax – omit one item: home-heating costs. A harsh NE winter this year could push natural gas prices 50% higher.

FHA, VA and other government-backed loans are often favored by first-time and low-income buyers. But in bidding wars, cash offers or conventional financing seem less problematic to sellers. As a result, low-income buyers face yet another hurdle if they hope to become owners.

The Oct. builder sentiment index rose 4 points higher to 80. Any 50-plus score indicates optimism, so today’s hot market still overshadows supply-chain worries.

Commercial brokers have always crunched data to make sure an investment makes financial sense. But high-tech analytics can take that analysis to a new level.

Florida Realtors economist: Real estate’s residential side has been on fire since summer 2020. How has the commercial side fared? It’s hot – and it’s not. It depends on where you look. The delta variant of COVID-19 slowed the office market even as it relit a fire under other commercial sectors.

In the U.S., closing costs, including taxes, were up 10.5% year-to-year, and almost $7K for an average price home. In Fla. it’s a bit higher: $8.5K for the average home.

The head of Citizens Property Insurance calls losses among all state insurers “absolutely staggering.” He blames the marketplace itself, saying it impacts every company.

A new 40-page report takes a broad view on steps being taken to mitigate risks, including possible HUD and VA buyer disclosures on flood and climate-related threats.

The U.S. will increase loan caps for multifamily housing by 11.4% next year, and 50% of the $156B total ($140B this year) must go to “mission-driven affordable housing.”

While stories about multiple offers and foregone inspections are pervasive, a study found that most buyers won by their second bid and 88% had a home inspection.

In 3Q, the number of U.S. foreclosures surged 67% year-to-year as homes exited forbearance and bans ended. But compared to “normal” 3Q 2019, they’re down 60%.

Average mortgage rates continue to hover around 3%, but they’ve slowly ticked higher. This week, the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.05%.

In response to the Surfside condo collapse, Fannie Mae says its condominium loan decisions after Jan. 1 will include a stronger look at the overall condo building. Loan decisions will consider current or planned special assessments and any deferred maintenance issues.

Officials say Canadians can start returning in early Nov. if they’re fully vaccinated. One twist: It’s unclear if that includes Canadians who got two different vaccines.