PPP Is Gone – But Government Help for Small Businesses Isn’t
PPP loans – the best-known business aid of the pandemic – ended May 31. But there are other options, such as EIDL or SBA 7(a) loans, plus local or state grant programs.
Workers Want Offices that Look Like Their Living Rooms
Why go back to an office if your chair is comfy and you’re 10 steps away from coffee? To entice workers, office remodels are adding lounges, green spaces and gyms.
Business Economists Less Optimistic Over Next Year’s Growth
Most economists in an annual survey agree that the U.S. economy will continue to grow next year. Two out of three predict 3%-5.9%, but 1 in 3 says only 0.1%-2.9%.
How Many Shadow Homebuyers Pulled Back Temporarily?
Some buyers have seen tons of homes, put in multiple bids, lost out each time, gave up and signed another one-year lease. That doesn’t mean they don’t still dream about owning a home; it means they’re burned out on the buying process and will be back after they recuperate.
New Homes in a Few Small Markets See a Drop in Demand
In a couple areas, builders that broke ground on new homes earmarked for city-fleeing residents are seeing a drop in demand and cutting prices.
Will More Closings Fail and Buyers Lose Deposits?
In 5 days, new FR/Bar contract versions will be released. Are you ready? Florida Realtors Legal Hotline already expects calls from members who didn’t prepare.
Oct. Consumer Confidence Improves as Delta Fades
After three declining months, U.S. consumers felt better in Oct. about both the current and future economy, with the confidence index rising 4 points to 113.8.
September New Home Sales Jump 14%
New single-family homes hit a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 800K units last month – well above economists’ expectations.
Aug. Home Prices Surged at Near-Record Pace
The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index soared 19.7% in August compared to one year ago – only slightly less than July’s 20% jump.
Coalition Pushing FHFA to Fund More Affordable Housing
20 housing groups want more out of Fannie and Freddie’s “Duty to Serve” regulation – specifically more funding for manufactured, rural and affordable housing.