A scam converts Airbnb listings into discounted “Home for sale” ads targeting first-time buyers. If a buyer asks to tour the home, the scammer rents it for a day to do so. PORTLAND, Ore. – Airbnb hosts in Oregon are warning of a new scam, saying that some guests could be using local Airbnb properties

The pandemic cut the number of foreign buyers traveling to the U.S., but the first wave is reappearing. A Miami condo has seen a 30% increase in Brazilian buyers. NEW YORK – Real estate insiders say they’ve seen a resurgence in foreign buyers to the U.S. market after the pandemic made them virtually nonexistent. Levels

The spring season will likely draw sellers and buyers to the market, but after that, U.S. metros will probably go different directions for buyers’ and sellers’ markets. NEW YORK – As the reality of higher home prices and mortgage rates sets in, U.S. homebuyers will likely gain some leverage in 2023. But it depends on

Inflation slowed and the stock market climbed in the first six weeks of 2023, but then it stopped. A soft landing seemed possible; now recession fears are back. WASHINGTON (AP) – Maybe it was just too good to be true. For a few weeks in late January and early February, the U.S. economy seemed to

A major housing bill strongly backed by Florida Realtors passed the Fla. Senate Wed. The House may suggest changes, but it’s a good start early in the 2023 session. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Moving quickly on priorities of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, Florida senators Wednesday passed measures aimed at spurring more affordable housing for workers and

It’s the fifth weekly increase in a row. Last week, the 30-year, fixed-rate loan averaged 6.65%. One year ago, it was 3.85%. WASHINGTON – The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose for the fifth straight week to its highest level since breaching 7% in November, just as the spring buying season gets ready to kick

FHA Approves 40-Year Loan Modifications By Kerry Smith If homeowners with an FHA loan default, they may still be able to keep the house through a mortgage modification, which now includes a 40-year option. WASHINGTON – The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, Increased Forty-Year Term for Loan Modifications,

Treasury Rule Aims to Identify All Corporate Owners By Fatima Hussein Some Fla. counties have been identifying corporate ownership in RE sales, but FinCEN will now fight money laundering by creating a U.S. corporate-ownership database. WASHINGTON (AP) – Tens of millions of small U.S. companies will be required to provide the government with details on

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