Baby Boomer Challenge: Find a Home for Downsizing
The inventory for homes smaller than 1,400-square feet has hit a 50-year low – and it’s the same record-low inventory eyed by many first-time buyers.
A Pandemic Side Effect: More Americans Like Their Commute
Survey: “Commute time to work” may be less important to urban buyers. After a year of working from home, slightly over half say they now see some benefits.
Crowdfunding RE Company Owner Sentenced for Mail Fraud
A Jacksonville-based firm connected investors with projects via crowdfunding, but a judge ruled it was fraud. The owner pleaded guilty and will serve 21 months in prison.
Fed Makes It Official: It Will Slow Mortgage Bond Purchases
The central bank bought bonds to keep mortgage rates low, and it will start “tapering” those purchases. It means rates will likely move higher – but that’s not assured.
Apple iOS Privacy Updates Impact Real Estate Ads
Targeted ads work if software builds a profile of users. With Apple’s new privacy options, however, apps have more trouble collecting needed data for targeting.
Long-Term Mortgage Rate Ticks Back Down to 3.09%
Average mortgage rates moved higher over the previous two weeks, but this week’s 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage dropped from last week’s average 3.14%.
OSHA Vaccine Mandate Doesn’t Include Independent Contractors
All U.S. companies with 100+ employees must confirm employees’ vaccination status or have them supply a negative COVID-19 test once per week starting Jan. 4, 2022 – but the rule likely won’t affect most Fla. RE brokerages.
States with the Fewest Outgoing Residents? Fla. No. 3
The LendingTree study also identified Fla. as a top destination for out-of-state movers: More than a third (36%) of state-to-state movers preferred relocating to Fla.
The Top Buyer Concern on Moving? Local Crime Data
A survey found that the pandemic shifted some buyer priorities. The desire for a safe neighborhood became more important than the cost of living or local schools.
Lenders Deny Higher Percentage of Asian Americans’ Mortgages
Urban Institute report: The mortgage-denial rate for Asian Americans is 8.7% compared to 6.7% for whites, despite the former’s generally better credit scores and income.