Mortgage Rates Move Higher After 6-Week Decline
A 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.87% this week, up from 2.77%. Pandemic fears that pushed rates down were boosted by positive employment numbers this week.
Fla. Property Insurer Liquidates and 33K Lost Coverage
Gulfstream Property & Casualty Insurance went into liquidation on July 28, saddling the state with an estimated $60-$65 million in unpaid claims and premium refunds.
Bidding Wars Cooling: Prepare Now for a Market Shift
Some frustrated and discouraged buyers dropped out of the market, but many may jump back in as inventory grows, properties linger on the market and bidding wars ease.
Gov’t Releasing $5B to Make Communities More Resilient
FEMA’s three “funding opportunities” give money to state and local governments that apply. The “pre-disaster funding” generally goes to disaster mitigation efforts.
Buyer Shock: Identity Theft Discovered in Mortgage Review
The 14.4M Americans suffering from identity theft usually discover it happened when they apply for credit, including first-time buyers trying to secure a mortgage.
FREC Considering Some Additions to Advertising Rules
At the Fla. Real Estate Commission’s July 22 meeting, commissioners discussed some possible changes to 61J-10.025 and plan to follow-up at a meeting on Sept. 22.
Lenders Can Now Consider Rent History for Fannie Mae Loans
Renters with thin credit histories may still qualify for a home loan under a Fannie Mae program that allows lenders to consider consistent, on-time rental payments when making lending decisions. Neither buyers nor lenders pay extra to use the new tool.
Short vs. Long-Term Inflation? Housing Poses Greatest Risk
Inflation in airline fares, car production and lumber prices should flatten soon. Inflation’s highest long-term risk comes from escalating home prices and rental rates.
Build a 3D Home? Fla. a Prime Market to Click ‘Print’
3D builders see Fla. as a prime market, and a home is currently under construction in Tallahassee. But the state’s building code doesn’t include 3D techniques yet.
Federal Judge Cites ‘Gamesmanship’ in CDC Eviction Ban
The judge who first ruled against CDC eviction bans said the latest order is “almost identical” to earlier bans ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.