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The new law is controversial, but one element – a big investment in broadband for rural areas – could open up areas of Fla. to buyers who no longer commute to work.

Inventory remains tight, but it could get tighter if more buyers arrive. Some S. Fla. agents say they’re already getting calls from returning international buyers.

A VA loan is attractive if you’re active or retired military, but sellers sometimes think conventional loans present fewer problems. A larger deposit might help.

Two experts clarified historic discrimination at NAR’s convention, saying homeownership helps “launch the next generation,” and many young Black adults lost that edge.

While indoor smoking is generally banned, some condo associations have started nixing it in outdoor spaces – but it likely requires a majority vote of unit owners.

HUD’s “Climate Action Plan” has broad goals: Help communities prepare, set green building/electrification goals, create jobs and revise environmental review policies.

At 3.1%, this week’s average 30-year-mortgage rate is barely higher than last week’s 2.98%, but any rise above a whole number can have a psychological impact on buyers.

After Zillow’s stock price fell, a shareholder filed a lawsuit alleging execs drove up prices with “misstatements and/or omissions” about its home-flipping business.

Homeownership remains an American dream, perhaps more so as first-time buyers face escalating challenges. A Harris Poll found younger Americans (age 18-44) are more likely to consider homeownership an important financial goal (45%) than older, 55+ adults (30%).

Get creative: Boost the curb appeal by tackling overgrown plants or with new paint. The right home staging can also help buyers see their things in the space.

NAHB survey: Almost 9 out of 10 builders can’t find enough framers and carpenters, with more than 55% of single-family builders reporting a shortage in 16 trades.

The national association’s 2022 president, Leslie Rouda Smith, is a broker associate from Dallas, Texas. President-elect Kenny Parcell is a broker-owner from Utah.

While construction fell in Oct. – builders blame supply and labor issues – a 4% increase in building permits suggest developers expect an increase in housing starts.

The award honors the most active Realtor associations working internationally. The fifth-year-in-a-row win allows Florida Realtors to apply for Diamond status next year.

In marketing content, a hyperlocal focus says, “I’m a friend who can help you navigate and love this community.” Start by keeping up with all neighborhood events.

In Front Range, Colo., Zillow bought hundreds of homes and, in one case, outbid a private buyer already offering more than list price. Many sellers wondered why Zillow would pay so much for their home, thinking the company had a magic formula they didn’t understand.

According to NAR, the changes create greater transparency for consumers and “more explicitly state’ the spirit and intent of the NAR Code of Ethics and policies regarding information about commissions and broker participation in the marketplace.” Policies take effect Jan. 1.

A property is “smart” if it has an internet connection and at least 3 “smart” items. That’s not very expensive to create now and 33% of U.S. homes are considered smart.

NAR’s board and delegate body met in back-to-back meetings Monday. In addition to MLS changes, it focused on governance, financing, taxation, legal actions and more.

Commercial real estate is often considered a hedge against inflation since rents can be increased and real estate values tend to rise.