HUD May Allow Private Flood Insurance for FHA Loans
The comment period has ended for a proposal that would allow FHA to accept private flood insurance. NAR strongly backed the change and urges immediate adoption.
Florida Realtors Seeks Student Scholarship Winners
Fla. students may now apply for 2021-22 Education Foundation scholarships. To date, Florida Realtors has awarded $1,739,400 in scholarships to 1,189 students.
President Signs Executive Order on Fair Housing Issues
Biden summarizes the history of U.S. housing discrimination, promises a focus on solving problems, and asks HUD to study two recent regulations that may be repealed.
Citizens Rate Recommendation: Charge New Owners Full Price
The Fla.-owned property insurer’s board approved an average 7.2% rate increase – but it also wants to charge new policyholders a full actuarial rate. It’s unclear if Fla. officials will approve Citizens’ proposal, but any new-policyholder increase could affect some property sales.
Grow Leaders: Create an Agent Leadership Council
Training and promoting leaders can lead to brokerage and team success – and even real estate industry success. An Agent Leadership Council may be a good way to start.
Condo Q&A: What Happens If Reserve Funds Aren’t Enough?
A condo complex reserves funds every year to repaint buildings every seven – but it’s time to paint and the money falls short. Can they use other money for painting?
Bernie Sanders Mittens Meme Helps Listing Go Viral
Almost every internet photo this week featured a cold Bernie Sanders with knitted mittens, and a Vermont Realtor who placed Sanders on a porch watched the listing go viral.
Volunteering Works: NAR Taking Applications for 2021 Grants
Realtor volunteers can receive $1,000 grants to boost their project and mentoring to help extend their community outreach. Deadline for applications: Feb. 28, 2021.
Report: Net Household Growth for 20 Years Mostly Minorities
Urban Institute: Virtually all household growth (new households minus leaving households) over the next 20 years will be either Hispanic, Black or Asian.
Jan. Consumer Confidence Rises Thanks to Future Optimism
Americans think current conditions aren’t great – but they’ll get better. The overall index rose more than 2 points but a future expectations index rose 5.5 points. It also had positive housing news, suggesting “the pace of home sales should remain robust in early 2021.”