Mortgage Rates Edge Up, Ending 5-Week Decline
Rates on 30-year mortgages ticked up to 6.72% from 6.67% last week, while 15-year mortgage rates rose to 5.86% from 5.80%, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said.
VantageScore OK’d for Mortgage Underwriting
Fannie and Freddie will now accept VantageScore 4.0, a move that could help more buyers qualify by including rent, utility and telecom payments in scores.
How Soon Can You Tap Home Equity?
Homeowners can tap equity soon after buying if they have 15% to 20% equity. The best rates go to those with more equity, strong credit and low debt.
Investors Buying Growing Share of U.S. Homes
Investors purchased 265,000 homes in the January-March quarter, an increase of 1.2% from the same period a year earlier, a new report found.
Most Popular Rooms to Remodel
Kitchen, bath and living room remodels top the list as homeowners shift toward privacy and away from open floor plans post-pandemic.
Storm Season Forecast Slightly Dialed Back
Researchers lowered their Atlantic hurricane forecast to 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes and 3 major storms, citing slightly cooler sea temps.
Florida Revenue Tops Projection
The state collected $4.56B in general revenue in May, $84.5M over forecast, with most gains from sales taxes as consumers pre-bought goods ahead of tariffs.
Dive Into AI at Florida Realtors Convention
AI is reshaping real estate. This year’s Florida Realtors Convention features expert-led sessions on tools, strategies and ethical use in daily business.
Social Engineering Scams Are Getting Smarter
FBI warns cybercriminals are ramping up social engineering attacks, using deception, AI and deepfakes to trick victims into handing over sensitive info.
High-Tech Tools Are Transforming Home Buying
Buyers are using AI-powered searches, agent-matching platforms and high-tech home inspection tools, among others.