Home Construction Increased 4.9% in Oct.
The increase follows a more modest 1.9% increase in Sept. Building permits – a sign of future activity – remained steady in Oct. but are still up 2.8% year-to-year.
Mortgage Forbearance Helped Homeowners – and the RE Market
Freddie Mac: Forbearance did more than help at-risk owners. It also stopped a foreclosure surge from hurting the market and helped all homeowners retain their value.
Fla. Legislators Could Limit Covid-19 Lawsuits
Should a business be protected from lawsuits that allege COVID-19? Florida Realtors supports change, and lawmakers will likely consider the issue in 2021. They must work out details to shield businesses from frivolous claims but also keep them accountable for their actions.
Business: Did the Pandemic Finally End the Open Floor Plan?
Created as a way to boost collaboration, open floor plans started to fall out of favor even before the pandemic, in part because workers still found ways to form barriers.
Survey: Gen Z Expects Homes to Come with Tech
The RE industry is watching Generation Z as the leading edge turns 24. What do they want in a home? One survey found 62% expect to have smart-home technology.
Builder Confidence at Record High, 6% Above Previous Record
Builders are almost giddy. An Index of 50 suggests a balance between optimism and pessimism, but Nov.’s confidence number hit 90 after a record-breaking 85 in Oct.
Pandemic Pushed the RE Industry to Adopt More Tech Tools
If the average transaction takes 181 steps, how many can be simplified? Agents are now finding out as pandemic precautions pushed more of them to adopt new technology.
COVID Challenge for Biz Owners: What If You Can’t Work?
Some brokers and independent contractors have pragmatic concerns about COVID-19: If a business can’t function without its owner, what happens if they get sick?
Landlord or Investment Owner? Your Renters Are RE Leads
Many renters still think they need 20% down to buy a home. Landlords are in a unique position to explain the buying process and convert renters into buyers.
Will Fla. Lawmakers Do Something About High Property Insurance Costs?
Property insurance costs keep going up, and the 2020 Florida Legislature is feeling pressure to do something about it. The issue generates controversy, but, among other things, they could change attorneys’ fees, reduce coverage, create claim deadlines or adjust a number of other things.