HUD reconsiders RESPA rule on incentives

Florida Realtors®

 News

Daily Briefing: Friday, June 4, 2010

TODAY’S TOP STORIES Florida resources for Gulf oil spill Preparation is key now for home, business and environment. These Fla. and BP resources offer guidance or direct help. Read more. Policy didn’t cover Chinese drywall damage A Va. federal judge’s ruling that an insurer doesn’t have to pay could affect the outcome of other Chinese drywall lawsuits. Read more. HUD reconsiders RESPA rule on incentives Should RESPA ban incentives, such as free builder upgrades, that steer a buyer to a specific lender, title co., etc.? Read more. Mortgage rates up from yearly lows Rates on 30-year fixed mortgages ticked up to 4.79% this week from the lowest level of the year, says Freddie Mac. Read more. Free tips build trust with buyers Find info to help explain the homebuying process at NAR’s Realtor Content Resource on the HouseLogic consumer website. Read more.

Foreclosure risk: lawsuits from lenders

Florida Realtors®

 News

Daily Briefing: Thursday, June 3, 2010

TODAY’S TOP STORIES Foreclosure risk: lawsuits from lenders Reasons not to walk away: Fla. lenders who lost money have 5 years to file a lawsuit and the IRS could tax forgiven losses. Read more. Five ways to build personal brand The art of packaging and presenting oneself is a critical business tool; however, some Realtors mistakenly overdo it. Read more. Condo law could help struggling associations Lenders must pay 6 more months of assessments and it eases sprinkler mandates, but could it hurt mortgage approvals? Read more. Open houses that work Realtors debate the value of open houses since most buyers search online, but some insist they’re still useful. Read more. How to save on home repairs Several websites offer useful home improvement tips on everything from remodeling bathrooms to hiring contractors. Read more.

Some buyers use tax credit to harden home

Florida Realtors®

 News

Daily Briefing: Wednesday, June 2, 2010

TODAY’S TOP STORIES Governor vetoes 2 real estate bills, signs 2 Crist unexpectedly vetoes bill repealing a disclosure for coastal owners; opens door to windstorm inspection fraud. Read more. National flood insurance expires again NAR wants Congress to approve a long-term extension and issues a Call for Action as third lapse this year impacts closings. Read more. Pending home sales surge continues The index rose for the 3rd month in a row; 6% April jump reflects market strength and impact of the homebuyer tax credit. Read more. Companies expand relocation policies Many tightened real estate rules. In some, employees must use a specific Realtor and follow rules on home listing prices. Read more. Some buyers use tax credit to harden home Owners who have experienced a hurricane consider the mitigation cost a price they’re willing to pay for peace of mind. Read more.

Homeowners turn to mediation

Florida Realtors®

 News

Daily Briefing: Tuesday, June 1, 2010

TODAY’S TOP STORIES Prepare your business for hurricane season The 2010 hurricane season starts today, and businesses should prepare now for a possible interruption of services. Read more. Chinese firm knew about toxic drywall in ’06 Court docs: A Fla. builder complained about it, a distributor failed to recall it and a Chinese firm ignored the warnings. Read more. Foreign buyers flocking to Fla. condos again Canadians, Brazilians – even some Chinese – are purchasing, sometimes in bulk. The lure: rock-bottom prices. Read more. Lawmakers adjust real estate fees The fees allow an original owner to take a cut every time the home is sold, possibly forever. Read more. Homeowners turn to mediation All foreclosures on primary residences in Fla. automatically go to mediation, which forces reluctant lenders to negotiate. Read more.

Mortgage rates sink to lowest level this year

Florida Realtors®

 News

Daily Briefing: Friday, May 28, 2010

TODAY’S TOP STORIES Flood insurance expires at midnight Monday NAR now considers it likely that it will again lapse. Buyers hoping to close soon should try to secure a policy immediately. Read more. Mortgage rates sink to lowest level this year Mortgage rates dropped to 4.78% as investors poured money into the safe haven of U.S. government securities. Read more. US predicts up to 7 major hurricanes NOAA, which tends to under-estimate storms, predicts up to 14 hurricanes with 3 to 7 of them a Category 3 or higher. Read more. Judge certifies Chinese drywall class action For the first time in Fla., a judge in Miami-Dade ruled that a lawsuit over faulty drywall can proceed as a class action. Read more. Can you help a Florida Realtor in need? Life’s challenges are greater than some Realtors can handle alone, and Florida Realtors’ Silent Angel Fund can be a lifesaver. Read more.

With ownership comes risk – plan accordingly

Florida Realtors®

 News

Daily Briefing: Thursday, May 27, 2010

TODAY’S TOP STORIES Storm season’s almost here – be prepared Homeowners should bolster homes, and Realtors should remember that declared storms could temporarily halt closings. Read more. Commercial vacancies to peak near early 2011 NAR: Vacancy rates continue to rise in most sectors and will probably do so until late this year or early 2011. Read more. First-timers, boomers feel housing downturn Impact of higher unemployment for young adults could have a lasting effect on attitudes toward risk and social policies. Read more. With ownership comes risk – plan accordingly The more you pay, the more you risk; low downpayments or co-ownership minimize risk should something go wrong. Read more. Pets a challenge for buyers, sellers House hunters who encounter animals often have adverse reactions – fear and sometimes disgust – that can scuttle a sale. Read more.

Data illustrate more pain in housing market

Florida Realtors®

 News

Daily Briefing: Wednesday, May 26, 2010

TODAY’S TOP STORIES Warning: Flood insurance expires Monday NAR hopes to see a flood insurance extension before the deadline, but a possible hiatus could threaten some closings. Read more. April new home sales jump Latest gain well ahead of economic estimates. New home sales rose 14.8% following 29.8% increase in March. Read more. CPSC names toxic drywall manufacturers To help homeowners identify toxic drywall, safety commission lists the Chinese companies that seem to be at fault. Read more. Data illustrate more pain in housing market Home prices remain soft this year suggesting the market remains weak, says Standard & Poor/Case-Shiller. Read more. Fla. confidence down as tax rebates disappear Without tax rebates, consumers no longer say it’s a good time to buy big-ticket items, which dragged down the overall index. Read more.