NAR: Realtor Assoc. Donations Doubled During Pandemic
92% of broker-owners made donations in 2020, up from 81% in 2018 – and in addition to money, volunteerism also increased, NAR says.
RE Q&A: How Can I Get Ex’s Name Off Deed?
The divorce agreement called for an ex-husband to deed the family home over to his ex-wife – but he didn’t. How can this be fixed if she can’t track him down?
Pandemic Fears Fuel New Appliance Options
Appliance manufacturers are pushing refrigerators with sterilizing ultraviolet lights and germ-killing washing machines during the pandemic.
Lumber Tariff Cut Could Help Buyers of New Homes
The Commerce Dept. lowered the tariff from 20% to 9%. Higher lumber prices aren’t caused exclusively by tariffs, but lumber prices for a new home are up $10K-$15K.
NAR Clarifies New Code of Ethics Rule During Webinar
In the first of six training webinars, NAR speakers answered questions about a new Code of Ethics Rule, effective Nov. 13, that bans “harassing speech, hate speech, epithets or slurs” against protected classes. Must a Realtor, for example, no longer oppose same-sex marriages?
Mortgage Rates Drop to 2020’s 14th Record Low: 2.71%
It’s only a slight drop from last week’s 2.72%, but it’s enough to break another record. One year ago, the rate for a 30-year mortgage loan averaged 3.68%.
25 and Ready to Buy? We’ll See with Gen Z
Florida Realtors economist: Gen Z (oldest members turn 25 this year) faces unique obstacles with a pandemic marking their entrance into adulthood. Here’s what we know right now about their homeownership potential.
Investors Vying for Build-to-Rent Single-Family Homes
A pandemic-inspired push from cities to suburbs has sparked interest from investors who see profit in buying build-to-rent homes to lease to those urban relocators.
FHA Announces 2021 Loan Limits Starting at $356,362
The limit for Title II and reverse mortgages rises from this year’s base of $331,760. In high-cost areas, the limit can go as high as $822,375, up from $765,600 in 2020.
RE Q&A: Why Push Owners to Obtain Proof of Insurance?
Also: Fla. law gives unit owners more power to upgrade to hurricane standards – but a condo complex can’t have an array of different windows. How does that work?