The Latest Buzz in Multifamily? Biophilic Design
Biophilic design attempts to bring a suburban atmosphere into urban cores. The main tool? Plants – and lots of them, often incorporated into a building’s design.
Inflation, Fed Action Set Stage for Higher Mortgage Rates
Planned changes by the Fed will likely push mortgage rates higher – but refis will dry up, and lenders may still offer deals as they compete for homebuyers’ loans.
Paint Brick Exteriors to Be Trendy? There’s No Going Back
Refreshing old brick exteriors with paint gives a listing a new, clean look. But what if the current trend fades? Removing paint later is close to impossible.
Judge Rejects COVID-19 Property Rights Case
In Walton County, commissioners shut down beaches during the pandemic, including private ones. Homeowners sued claiming they deserve compensation, but a judge said no.
NAR: Existing-Home Sales Surge 7.0% Higher in September
While the inventory of for-sale homes is down 13% year-to-year, NAR Economist Yun credits a boost in supply for the increase, and buyers’ fears of rising interest rates.
Fla. Builders Investing Heavily in New Single-Family Construction
How many new homes are being built? A study looked at building permits and year-to-year increases as of June. Out of all U.S. cities, 10 Fla. metros are in the top 20.
Mortgage Rates Climb Again This Week, Hit 3.09%
The average for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage moved notably higher this week. Freddie Mac economist blames “the trajectory of both the economy and the pandemic.”
Industry Leaders Go to U.S. Capitol, Advocate for Housing Money
NAR and others held a meeting and pushed for Congress to keep housing dollars in the massive infrastructure project, saying it “must stay in the reconciliation package.”
Fla.’s Housing Market: Median Prices, All-Cash Sales Up in Sept.
Florida Realtors’ data: Median prices up 18.3% for single-family homes to $355,000 year-to-year; up 17.2% to $255,000 for condos. Single-family home sales down 1.3% year-over-year; condo sales up 4.9%. However, Sept. 2020 saw a huge sales surge because the pandemic shifted transactions into summer and fall, says Chief Economist O’Connor.
Millennials Worry Less About Using Their Home Equity
14% of millennials would use home equity for a vacation compared to 3% of boomers. But 64% of boomers would tap it for home improvements, compared to 49% of millennials.