As Mortgage Rates Rise, Brokers Urge Calm
Rates go up and down. One broker expects a slow rise in part to world events, and then a slow fall. And when rates fall, today’s buyers “will go back to refinancing.”
Dubai Developer Buys Surfside Collapse Site
A Dubai billionaire bought the land where a condo collapsed in Surfside for $120M – the only bid submitted and high enough to apparently deter other bidders.
Buyers Got Cold Feet? 6 Objection Handlers
The real estate market can be scary for buyers, but education can help – like saying we don’t want another global collapse even if the last one did lower mortgage rates.
DeSantis Green Lights Hometown Heroes Housing
The $100M program, a top Florida Realtors priority, will provide zero-interest loans to be used toward down payment and closing costs – up to 5% of the loan or $25K.
Fla. Man Found Guilty in Email Closing Scam
In an “email compromise scheme,” a Miami Gardens man monitored business emails, changed wiring instructions at the last minute, and stole almost $400K in closing money.
Some Homeowners Refuse to Sell to Investors
For some sellers, it’s emotional: A beloved family home should only be sold to a family, and they’ll take less money to make it happen. Others worry about neighbors.
Agents: Buyers More Interested in ‘Green Features’
Panhandle Realtors note an uptick in interest for energy-efficient homes, but it comes with a downside: Many homebuyers can’t afford the increased cost.
A Secret Stash of Leads?
Listings that expired more than a year ago may offer opportunities. Owners who didn’t sell for some reason may not realize how much equity they’ve gained since then.
NAR Group to Study Crypto’s Real Estate Impact
NAR’s president created a presidential advisory group (PAG) to study cryptocurrency’s growing real estate influence, suggesting, “We should consider our own platform.”
Not Just Hurricanes: Fla. Also Faces Wildfire Risks
Realtor.com added “wildfire risk” to all listings, and while 6% of Fla. homes face a threat, that number could double by 2052, according to the rating company.