Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Staging a Comeback
An “every penny counts” approach by buyers boosted ARMs 12.5% year-to-year, even though average ARM rates (2.54%) are only a bit lower than FRM rates (2.98%).
Spread Your Wings: Identify Your Area’s Top Feeder Market
Florida Realtors economist: Need to find an untapped source for new clients? Look past your own turf to the largest source of movers coming from a different county or state. If 10% of your new residents come from Any County, N.Y., spend some marketing dollars in Any County.
Why Is the Market White Hot? No, It’s Not the Pandemic
The groundwork for today’s inventory shortage was created during the 2008-2009 Great Recession. The pandemic merely made existing problems worse.
Fannie Exec: Think Hard Before Turning Equity Into Cash
Owners dazzled by their home’s equity sometimes keep more than they should in a cash-out refinance – but that can lead to foreclosure if home prices drop even a bit.
Baltimore System Provides Instant Info on Vacant Homes
The city put a QR Code on the front of every vacant house. Realtors, neighbors and curious onlookers can quickly find out who owns the property via their cellphone.
Condo Q&A: Many at Fault for an Accident – So Who Pays?
The line between “a condo owner’s obligation to fix” and “the association must fix” isn’t always clear, especially if a number of people contributed to the problem.
Federal Reserve Member Wants to Slow Housing Market First
When the Fed moves to slow inflation and moderate the economy, Boston Fed Pres. Eric Rosengren thinks housing should be targeted first to avoid any “boom and bust.”
Where Can Buyers Find a Fla. Home for Around $250,000?
$250K homes are out there, but finding one largely depends on where a buyer chooses to live. South Floridians have sometimes moved about 80 miles north to find lower housing prices, but each area of the state has a few areas – typically smaller towns – with a few $250K homes.
Condo Q&A: Can Domestic Partner Run for HOA Board?
Also: Can a treasurer, on her own, give cash gifts to outgoing board members? And does a law require owner notification before sending assessment issues to an attorney?
Fed: Low Loan Rates Led to Refis, but Fewer Blacks Did So
3 Fed banks looked at home refis in the first 9 months of 2020. They found that 6% of Black borrowers switched to a lower rate compared to 12% of white borrowers.