Luxury Real Estate

Best Fla. City to Avoid Flooding? Ocala

Climate Alpha uses AI to identify those Fla. cities with the least risk from flooding. For overall storm risk, Ocala is No.3 behind Lake City and Tallahassee. NEW YORK – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that 40% of U.S. hurricane landfalls occur in Florida – significantly more than any other state. But some … Read more

Buyers Still Waive Appraisal Gap in Some Markets

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To secure a home, some U.S. buyers still agree to make up the difference when a mortgage appraisal comes in at less than the contract price – an often risky move. NEW YORK – Some buyers looking for a luxury home in a competitive market waive the so-called appraisal gap to entice a seller to … Read more

Rents Still High but Landlords Offering Concessions

Aug. report: Rather than lower monthly rents that remain within $2 of their all-time high, more landlords are offering perks, such as a free month or two. SEATTLE – The median U.S. asking rent in August was $2,052, just $2 below the record high set a year earlier, according to a Redfin report. It’s up … Read more

2 of Every 25 U.S. Homes Worth at Least $1M

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While $1M signified luxury property a short while ago, it’s now 8% of the nation’s housing stock – but a large percentage of those homes are still in Pacific Coast states. SEATTLE – Just over 8% of U.S. homes are worth $1 million or more, near June 2022’s all-time high of 8.6%, according to a … Read more

FHA 203(k) Loans: What They Are, How They Work

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Most buyers want move-in ready, but they’ll have a wider selection with fixer-uppers, and an FHA 203(k) loan can roll upgrade/repair costs into their first mortgage. NEW YORK – When you buy a home, there are usually a few repairs to pay for. Buyers who want to take on a real fixer-upper might be facing … Read more

Market Yourself Like a Luxury Agent

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A survey of 1,000 luxury agents about their top marketing strategies finds them focused on personal websites, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and SEO. NEW YORK – A report based on a survey of over 1,000 luxury real estate agents identified the sector’s top marketing strategies. The result? Agents’ efforts should be concentrated in websites, Instagram, search … Read more

What Are Florida’s Wealthiest Counties?

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Monroe County tops the list with a median home value just shy of $1M ($957,819) – but it’s not No. 1 for median income ($73,153). MIAMI – If your retirement plan is a vision of luxury, maybe one of Florida’s wealthiest counties will catch your attention. Or maybe you want to live out your youthful … Read more

Marketing with Google Discovery Ads?

Google’s system could get listings and other ads in front of a wider – yet also targeted – audience of potential buyers and sellers. NEW YORK – The Google Discovery Ads platform’s goal is to help companies reach consumers in more engaging and personalized ways. Ads developed through the platform appear on YouTube and Gmail, … Read more

Investigators Find Cause of Surfside Condo Collapse

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Fed investigators blame the tragedy on the builder’s failure to comply with building codes and standards. Also this week: Its new Dubai-based owner revealed its plans. MIAMI (AP) – The swimming pool deck of a beachfront South Florida condominium that collapsed two years ago, killing 98 people, failed to comply with the original building codes … Read more

For Some, It’s Not ‘Near the Beach,’ It’s Disney

For prices ranging from a few million to $19M– and yearly fees from $20K to $30K – upscale Disney fans live 5 minutes from Epcot and enjoy a roster of insider amenities. ORLANDO, Fla. – Disneyphiles have flocked to Golden Oak, the only residential community in the world located on Walt Disney Co. resort property, … Read more