AUGUST 4, 2022 At 4.99% it’s not far below, but it’s the first time in four months the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged below the psychologically significant 5% mark. WASHINGTON (AP) – The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell below 5% for the first time in four months, days after the Federal Reserve jacked up its

AUGUST 4, 2022 By Catherine Mesick The chief economist pointed to signs of a recession – and signs that suggest no recession. At the least, he says, the latter should block a major economic slowdown. WASHINGTON – The country isn’t officially in a recession yet, despite two consecutive quarters of national contraction of the gross

By Kerry Smith NAR says May’s increase in pending home sales ended a six-month skid of declines, but despite the gain, “the housing market is clearly undergoing a transition.” WASHINGTON – Pending home sales crept higher in May, ending a six-month streak of declines, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Regionally, month-over-month results

By Kerry Smith Attitudes about current conditions were relatively unchanged, but attitudes about the future fell more based on fears over inflation and the cost of gas, food, etc. BOSTON – American consumers’ attitudes fell a bit more in June after a decline in May, the second month in a row for a decline. The

JUNE 8, 2022 Rent Increases: 8 of Top 10 Highest Are Fla. Metros By Paul Owers FAU: At 32.8%, Fort Myers tops U.S. metros in year-to-year rent increases. S. Fla. (up 31.07%), Sarasota (30.88%) and Tampa (26.9%) also made the top five. BOCA RATON, Fla. – Rents for homes and apartments have soared nationwide over

By Gary M. Singer A widow remarried but wants to leave the family home to her sons rather than her new husband. What’s the best way to do that? FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: I am a remarried widow and live with my husband. I bought our home before our marriage, and only my name is

By Gary M. Singer There are three types of ownership that pass property upon death, but only one usually requires probate – and it’s not “joint tenants with right of survivorship.” FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Question: When a spouse passes away and the spouses owned their home with right of survivorship, should the surviving spouse go

  There has been another series of mass shootings in America. This time at a grocery store in New York and an elementary school in Texas. That means there are more communities stunned with grief, much like ours was almost six years ago. Our Orlando community knows first-hand the burden and sorrow that comes with such

In a special session this week, the Florida Legislature passed a roster of bills to ease problems in the state’s insurance market, including SB 2D, which Florida Realtors heavily supported. Lawmakers also took steps to improve the safety of condo buildings. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida lawmakers met this week in Tallahassee for a special session

APRIL 27, 2022 Home Prices Continue to Rise 20-city price index: A 20.2% year-over-year gain in Feb; up from 18.9% in Jan. Tampa and Miami were in top 3 cities for highest rate of home-price growth. NEW YORK – The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city price index posted a 20.2% year-over-year gain in February, up from