U.S. Consumer Confidence Moves Higher in June
National consumer confidence has moved higher four months in a row, and June numbers hit their highest level since the start of the pandemic – in March 2020.
End for COVID-19 Hotel Housing Will Boost Homelessness
Cities drew from various federal pots to fund hotel rooms for the homeless during the pandemic – but now officials expect thousands will be back on the street.
NAR: Realtors Relief Foundation Announces 20th Anniversary
The Realtors Relief Foundation formed during the aftermath of 9-11. In the past 20 years, it’s helped over 17,000 families and distributed $33M in housing-related aid.
Remote Work Losing Luster as Employers Call People Back
What’s the future for office space? Employees are being called back to the office, but the new office-home balance likely won’t be clear until the end of the summer.
FHA Adds New Help for Homeowners Impacted by COVID-19
In addition to a foreclosure extension, owners with an FHA home loan now have forbearance extension options and can find help via FHA’s new outreach program.
CFPB Issues Rules to Create Smooth Forbearance Transition
The consumer bureau’s acting director, Dave Uejio, says the foreclosure-ban end will “drain billions of dollars in wealth from the Black and Hispanic communities.” The rules require lenders to assertively help homeowners stay in their homes and understand their options.
Getting Listings: Tips for Finding Off-Market Property
Before contacting a Realtor, homeowners may tell a few people that they’re planning to sell. How can you find these people and talk to them first?
‘Housing Funds for Housing’ Amendment: Download, Sign, Send
Should doc stamp money collected for housing be spent only on housing? Florida Realtors members think so, and the association throws its full support behind a drive to amend Florida’s constitution. But that petition drive needs almost 1M signatures – including yours.
Habitat for Humanity Struggles with High Construction Costs
The nation’s highest-profile builder of affordable housing says rising supply costs and a drop in volunteers has made the program unsustainable, at least for now.
Miami Herald Editorial: We Need to Protect Affordable Housing
“When it comes to (Florida’s) affordable-housing needs, we need all the help we can get,” editors write. The state’s “housing funds help people who are first responders, our teachers, our paramedics with down-payment assistance,” says Florida Realtors President-Elect Christina Pappas.