USA Today: Small States Getting More Rent Assistance Money
An analysis finds that the $25B allocated to pay back rent isn’t enough, and the federal distribution plan favors smaller states on an amount-per-capita basis.
Lack of Black Neighbors Leads to Fair Housing Act Lawsuit
Two white and one Asian American filed the lawsuit saying they’ve been denied the chance to live in a racially integrated community in Detroit’s Islandview rentals.
Florida Legislature: Vacation Rental Fight Revs Up Again
How – and who – should oversee Fla. vacation rentals? The Florida Legislature has debated the topic for years, and it’s still a high priority issue for Florida Realtors. This year’s version would make Airbnb collect taxes, remit them to the state, ensure proper licensing and more.
Floridians Have Voluntarily Taxed Themselves $10.8B
Florida TaxWatch: Since 2010, Fla. voters have voluntarily passed 142 local tax referenda and new bond issues, often increasing their own sales taxes or property taxes.
NAHB’s ‘Biggest Remodel of 2021’ Is in Winter Haven
Builders picked a lakeside 1973 home as their “2021 New American Remodel.” In a major redo, the home gained higher ceilings and grew 1,400 square feet.
The Big Foreclosure Story? There Aren’t Many – Yet
ATTOM: In Jan. 2021, Fla. foreclosures were down 83% year-to-year, in part due to the foreclosure moratorium, which “doesn’t reflect market reality.”
HUD Prohibits Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Discrimination
HUD now considers sexual orientation and gender identity to be protected classes under the Fair Housing Act, calling its change “the correct reading of the law.”
Fla.’s Housing Market Wraps Up 2020 Strong Despite COVID-19
Florida Realtors’ latest data: Single-family home sales in 2020 up 5.8% year-over-year, median price at $290K up 9.6%. Condo-townhouse sales up 2.5%, median price at $215K, up 12% from 2019. Chief Economist O’Connor: “Sales of Florida homes in the 4Q were very strong.”
What Sellers Shouldn’t Display in Their Home Office
Take a lot of the “you” out of your home office space, like college memorabilia and other personal items so buyers can see themselves using it.
Average Mortgage Rates Unchanged – Third Week in a Row
The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.73% this week, just as it did the previous two weeks. But one year ago, the FRM averaged 3.47%.