Study: Human Activity ‘Helped Fuel’ Red Tide Events
A University of Fla. study found that a combination of factors contributes to red tide blooms, but human activity has intensified them over the past decade.
20 RE Companies Have 60% of Market Share
According to T3 Sixty, Realogy Holdings ranked No. 1 for sales volume in 2021 with $737.6B, while eXp World Holdings’ sales grew the most – 116%.
NAR: Supreme Court Should Review Floor-Plan Case
A design firm sued a Missouri brokerage, claiming it violated U.S. copyright law because its listings included floor plans – and last week an appeals court agreed.
Big Theme Parks Commit to Affordable Housing
Both Disney World and Universal Studios say they’re building affordable housing on company-owned land – a total of 2,300 new units for the Orlando area.
Study: COVID-19 Slowed Black Ownership Even More
A study of Census Data found that 15% of Americans are Black, but their homeownership rate is only 10%. Fla. cities included in the study ranked about average.
Fair-Housing Ad Violations Aren’t Always Obvious
Describe the property, not the potential buyer or tenant. “Ideal for empty nesters” or “perfect for students” raises red flags; “easy walk to train” does not.
Mortgage Rates Edge Up Again to Hit 4.72%
A 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rose from last week’s 4.67% – up 1.5% in the past three months, the fastest increase pace over that time period since May 1994.
Win/Win: St. Pete Program Builds Homes, Boosts Revenue
An aggressive attitude and foreclosure threat against zombie homes’ owners have opened up land for building/rehab – or it’s fed city coffers if owners pay their tax debt.
Remodel Survey: ‘Joy’ in Floors, Walls and Closets
NAR joined the Remodeling Industry and found a perfect “Joy Score” by owners after painting, adding a home office, installing hardwood or renovating closets.
Girl Scout Patch Encourages Construction Careers
A Utah one-of-a-kind home was built by women – the “House that SHE built.” Now the group has helped roll out a Girl Scout badge that will be offered nationwide.