Rental Scams Explode in a Tight Housing Market
Desperation helps scammers. A strong need for affordable housing entices victims to lower their defenses, and some will send money to landlords they’ve never met.
Homebuyers Flock to Florida Real Estate
In July 2020, 2,216 Redfin users moved to Miami; in July 2021, the number grew to 7,610. Some moved because they could work from home, some to escape lockdowns.
Study: Emerging Homeowners Forget About Security
After more than a year of staying at home, many owners forget basic safety precautions before they go out. One study found that 1 in 4 forgot to lock a door.
Sept. Is High Hurricane Season: Post-Disaster Tips
A thousand things need doing after a hurricane or other natural disaster, but it’s hard to remember all of them. Deal with immediate needs first, then financial issues.
Biden Releases Plan for 100K Affordable Housing Units in 3 Years
A cross section of federal agencies tinkered with policies in an effort to boost affordable housing and the middle class, according to the White House. For example, homesteading buyers will have more exclusive time (30 days) to buy foreclosed homes under FHFA.
Could Climate Change Sink U.S. Financial Markets?
Insurers play a big role in financial markets, so if the number and intensity of natural disasters increases, could financial woes follow? A new study hopes to find out.
Adding and Modifying Language to Contracts
Many times, buyers or sellers want to add specific language to their contracts that adds terms or changes the pre-printed language. While this may be doable sometimes, agents should use caution depending on the context of the changes.
Is a Seller’s Disclosure Required?
A buyer insists on seeing the Seller’s Property Disclosure. Equally adamant, the seller refuses to fill one out. What happens next? The buyer’s Realtor calls Florida Realtors Legal Hotline to find out what they can – and cannot – demand.
Part II: Adding Appraisal Gap Language? Consider This
In today’s hot market, buyers want to make their offer more appealing, and some consider the addition of “appraisal gap” language. But that can create unexpected problems – and it’s not one of the core elements included in Florida Realtors’ contracts.
U.S. Consumer Confidence: Delta Variant Dings Attitudes 9/1/2021
Americans felt less confident in Aug. When the pandemic resurged, the confidence index fell to its lowest level since Feb – but it’s too soon to draw long-term conclusions.