Realtor News

Bubbles won’t pop, but fast price increases have made some experts take note. While the growth rate slowed, buyers in a few areas face a tricky price vs. worth balance.

A 56-page report looks at potential Fla. economic damages caused by a changing climate, such as agriculture and even the tax base of local governments.

The rule that requires title companies to identify actual buyers – not shell companies – in 12 major U.S. metro areas now stays in effect until April 29, 2022.

Calling it “the crisis of this generation,” FEMA created a single unified agency to ensure all department decisions and actions address the threat of a changing climate.

NAR says the deal that appears close to finalization includes many real estate goals it wanted, including $150B for affordable housing and keeping like-kind exchanges.

Buyers judge agents at open houses. Agents should be sharp and well rested, and come armed with info that makes them sound like the go-to neighborhood expert.

Most international visitors must be fully vaccinated, and some approved exceptions must quarantine for seven days after arrival. Children under 18 don’t need a vaccine if with vaccinated adults, but they’ll be tested for COVID once here. The CDC is still posting info to its website.

Several signs suggest it may be a good time to buy. Competition has cooled, listings receive fewer offers, and about 1/3 of metros have seen an uptick in new listings.

High prices last spring stemmed from supply problems as the industry emerged to non-pandemic operations. Now it appears to be a demand problem.

Also: A condo owner lives in a 125-unit community, and was told they need a website and must post certain official records. Must they? And: An independent contractor/handyman doesn’t legally need workman’s comp insurance. Is it okay to use him?

Also: The board passed a motion to do something and the meeting adjourned. Now a board member wants to cancel. How can this be done?  

Chief Economist Yun: The overall market is still running comfortably ahead of pre-pandemic levels, and the drop is a sign of a “calmer home price trend.” However, there will continue to be less inventory through the end of the year – a normal fall drop following the summer months.

After floating in a just-below 3% range for months, mortgage rates headed higher for the past two weeks. The likely reason: Increased optimism and a drop in COVID cases.

Different supplies cost more but are cheaper than delayed closings, builders rationalize. They’re asking, “What else can I use?” for things like plywood and insulation.

In Austin, Lennar teamed up with ICON to build the largest community of 3D homes to date. The builder says the method will help it avoid current supply chain shortages.

Time to update tech equipment? Good luck finding it at a reasonable cost. It’s taking up to 120 days to deliver some types of commercial computers.

Also: A condo owner lives in a 125-unit community, and was told they need a website and must post certain official records. Must they? And: An independent contractor/handyman doesn’t legally need workman’s comp insurance. Is it okay to use him?

Chapter 475 oversees real estate licensees, but Fla. licensees also have other obligations under Chapter 455. It’s a growing problem for licensees called before FREC, because “I didn’t know I had to report that” doesn’t carry much weight.

A listing agent told a buyer’s agent that they’d call back to follow up. But they didn’t. Is there a cooperation requirement that says an agent should always return calls and texts?

Scam alert: The pandemic led to an increase in online transactions, giving scammers a new window of opportunity: They’re contacting members as sellers who want to list their “home” – but it’s for a property they don’t actually own.