Supreme Court Backs Insurer in Lost Rent Dispute
Fla. Supreme Court: State-run Citizens Property Ins. doesn’t have to compensate a Brevard County apartment owner for rental income lost after hurricane-caused damage.
FHA Now Backing Mortgages for DACA ‘Dreamers’
Immigrants under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program who are legally allowed to work in the U.S. may also now qualify for an FHA loan.
Fla.’s Housing Market: Strong Gains in Dec. Despite Pandemic
Florida Realtors Dec. data: More closed sales (single-family sales up 21%, condo-townhouse sales up 27.7%), more new pending sales, higher median prices and more new listings year-over-year. Chief Economist O’Connor: Higher pending sales “strongly signal” higher closed sales in 2021.
NAR: 2020 Existing Home Sales Hit 14-Year High
U.S. buyers keep snatching up homes as soon as they hit the market. Dec. existing home sales rose 0.7%, and 2020 yearly sales were up 5.6% – the most since 2006.
Housing Industry Changes Expected During Biden Administration
Predictions can go spectacularly wrong, but a new focus on consumers could bolster lending rules (CFPB) and perhaps turn Fannie and Freddie into a “utility” (FHFA).
Do Some Buyers Go Too Far In a Bidding War?
The highest offer tends to win a bidding war, but frustrated buyers hoping to increase their odds have made Harry Potter videos and offered sellers Academy Award tickets.