Universal Design Gains Among Homebuilders
Homes with universal design benefit people at all stages of life and allow aging in place; key are features anyone can use despite age, height, size or disability.
To Stage or Not to Stage? NAR Study Finds It Helps
82% of Realtor buyers’ agents say staging helps buyers visualize a property; and 7 out of 10 agents say the pandemic added value to photos, videos and virtual tours.
CFPB Proposes Rules to Prevent or Delay Foreclosures
After warning mortgage servicers not to repeat their Great Recession mistakes, the consumer bureau proposed actual rules to prohibit starting foreclosures before Dec. 31, 2021, with a few possible exceptions – such as proof that they’ve unsuccessfully tried to contact unresponsive owners.
HUD’s Low-Income Housing Grant Doubles in Size
States will get almost $700M in federal grants this year, a special program for low-income housing. It’s more than double the amount HUD sent out last year.
As Mortgage Relief Plans End, What’s Next for Homeowners?
For owners in forbearance, a possible foreclosure is closely tied to whether or not they’re working again. This spring, about 800K owners in forbearance – out of a total of 2.6 million homeowners – hit the 12-month mark, though a six-month extension may still be possible.
Consumers Often Overestimate a Home’s Investment Value
Fannie Mae survey: Americans have an ingrained belief that housing investments are almost as safe as savings accounts with the growth potential of a stock investment.
Fleeing New Yorkers Seek Homes with Old-World Charm
To Floridians, an old home is more than 25 years old. But for New York buyers used to older housing, an older home has unique charms and “character.”
Commercial Q&A: Marcus & Millichap CEO on 2021 Market
Marcus & Millichap CEO Hessam Nadji says he “saw confidence return fairly quickly in the third quarter … and then really build up to, for us, a record fourth quarter.”
Florida Realtors Issues Housing Trust Fund Call for Action
Help make Realtors’ voice in Tallahassee a little louder: Email lawmakers. Ask them not to permanently cut 66% of the housing trust funds many hard-working Floridians need.
FEMA Releases Rate Overview for Flood Insurance Risk 2.0
FEMA did not release a tool to answer the question on most Fla. homeowners minds: “Will my flood insurance rate go up or down?” But overall, it says 1 out of 5 residents (19.8%) will see a reduction, and 3 out of 4 (76%) won’t see a change higher than $120 more per year.