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.”
Citizens Wants Average 7.2% Rate Hike – Up from Earlier 3.7%
The Fla.-operated insurer wanted a 3.7% increase last month but was pressured to request more to make Citizens less desirable than policies offered by private insurers.
Home Prices Rise at Fastest Pace in More Than 6 Years
S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller: Buyer demand pushed Nov. prices 9.1% higher year-to-year – the biggest increase since May 2014. For 2020, price increases hit a 14-year high.
COVID-19 Created Unique Mortgage-Approval Obstacles: The Top 3
Debt-to-income ratios became skewed for anyone who temporarily lost a percentage of income, and forbearance programs are giving lenders fits in the loan approval realm.
Census Analysis: In Population Growth, Fla. No. 2 After Texas
An analysis by Pew Charitable Trusts: 16 states’ populations have declined since the Great Recession, but the big winners are Texas (up 374K) and Fla. (up 241K).
Florida Realtors RE Trends: What’s Ahead for Fla. Real Estate?
Chief Economist Brad O’Connor, NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz and others will discuss residential outlook, new-home construction trends, more at Feb. 4 virtual event.
New Face of Luxury Homebuyers: Gen X and Millennials
More than $15T will likely be inherited by Gen X and millennials before 2030. Like their parents, these buyers will also expect excellent above-and-beyond service.