Mortgage Rates Continue Heading North, Hit 3.14%
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.
3D Homes Going Mainstream: Lennar Building in Texas
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.
Technology Delays Hurting Offices and Other Businesses
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.
Condo Q&A: Lots of Questions About Committee Hearings
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?
Builders Seeking Alternative Materials for Faster Construction
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.
Duty to Cooperate: Do They Have to Call Me Back?
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?
Be on the Lookout for Fake Sellers
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.
Updates: Florida Realtors/Florida Bar Residential & AS IS Contracts
https://www.floridarealtors.org/law-ethics/2021-residential-contract-updates
Think Only Felonies Are Reported to the Division of Real Estate?
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.
HUD Settles Case Alleging ‘National Origin’ Discrimination
HUD’s complaint focused on a Phoenix-area renter who said their landlord didn’t provide needed language services. The owner will pay $34K and update procedures.