Reverse Mortgages Became Far Less Appealing
A reverse mortgage helps older adults use equity to remain in their home, but higher interest rates, lender rebates and FHA mortgage insurance deplete tappable equity.
How to Minimize Final-Walkthrough Stress
The final walkthrough is often the ideal time for stressed buyers to get upset, and agents should prepare them for imperfections that can show up in now-empty rooms.
Fla.’s Insurer-of-Last-Resort Now Has 1M+ Policies
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. hasn’t had 1M policies since 2014, and the latest surge comes despite strong efforts to lower Fla.’s potential liability.
NAHB: Affordability at Lowest Point Since Recession
Only 42.8% of Americans with a median income could afford a median-priced home in the second quarter of 2022 – a sharp drop from 56.9% in the first quarter.
2 Fla. Cities in Top 10 for ‘Where to Buy a Fixer-Upper?’
A fixer-upper is ideal for buyers willing to invest sweat equity and live in less-than-ideal conditions. In Fla., Miami and Jacksonville rank high for fixer-uppers.
Fla. Town Considers End to Single-Family Zoning
Is single-family zoning good or bad? It’s a hot issue, but affordable-housing advocates say it’s one of the problems, and Gainesville might nix it altogether.
Mortgage Rates Switch Direction, Rise to 5.22%
Last week, mortgage rates dropped below 5%; this week, they changed direction. One year ago, the average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.87%.
Fair Housing: Problem Ran Deeper than Redlining
Discrimination tends to find loopholes. In the 1960s, Blacks bought homes using a land contract – but sellers held the deed and could evict for one missed payment.
Self-Employed? You’ve Got to Plan for Retirement
Small biz owners can live on hope – hope that future deals and success will automatically create a retirement nest egg. But they need a better plan now.
Build a Base Through YouTube Videos
Many consumers randomly watch YouTube videos, and engaging Realtors who can entertain and even be funny can build their online audience.