If consumer spending drives the economy, a rebound in confidence reflected in the Feb. and Jan. reports suggests a slow emergence from the darkest days of the pandemic. Consumers’ attitudes about their current finances rose for the first time in three months.
Fueled by low interest rates and high buyer demand, home prices surged 10.1% higher year-to-year in Dec., according to the Case-Shiller 20-city home price index.
Developers have almost exclusive control over a homeowners association until turnover, and some owners preparing to take over their HOA ask for transfer advice.
Three new types of software can help buyers estimate repair costs and flood insurance costs before purchasing, and buy a home while still saving for a down payment.
A Zephyrhills listing got national attention after promoting it as a fixer-upper rather than tear down. “The roof leaks, the floor creaks and there’s a terrible draft.”
The firm responsible for flood-risk estimates on realtor.com concluded that many current flood policies don’t charge enough to cover actual risk. Their data could become even more important in 7 months when FEMA starts quoting individualized prices for flood policies.
Over the next decade, expect more clients to ask about a home or building’s ventilation and clean-air systems that mitigate pollution and remove germs in the air.
Report: The oldest millennials are turning 40 soon, but 58% couldn’t afford a home before they turned 30, and two out of three have no money toward a down payment.
Home sales rose 23.7% year-to-year in Jan., with the highest month-to-month increase (0.6%) since Oct. and second highest since 2006. Prices were up 14.1% year-to-year.
A few Realtors received a “texting you now to kill/assassinate you,” saying a hitman wants you dead. The scare-scam isn’t new and might be targeting the general public.