South Florida Real Estate

Consumer sentiment hits its highest since April. Long-term business conditions have reached their highest optimistic point in almost four years. WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer sentiment improved for the fourth-straight month, hitting its highest reading in six months, according to the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index. The index climbed to 73.0 from 70.5 in October … Read more

The Fed cut its key interest rate by 0.25%, lowering it to 4.6%, as inflation drops near its 2% target. Interest rates impact mortgage rates. WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate Thursday by a quarter-point in response to the steady decline in the once-high inflation. The rate cut follows a larger … Read more

Complex images in a social media post tend to capture greater user attention, leading to increased engagement with those posts, researchers found. NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Social media has become the main stage for marketing in the digital age, and the adage “content is king” has never been more relevant. Marketers are increasingly focused on … Read more

Updated forms include the Commission Agreement and Vacant Land Listing Agreement to incorporate changes resulting from the NAR settlement. ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Realtors® released new and updated forms Tuesday to help Realtors® as they incorporate the practice changes required for the proposed National Association of Realtors® settlement agreement following the Sitzer-Burnett verdict. The forms … Read more

The Federal Reserve meets later this week and is expected to cut their benchmark rate by a quarter-point. Interest rates impact mortgage rates. WASHINGTON — No one knows how Tuesday’s presidential election will turn out, but the Federal Reserve’s move two days later is much easier to predict: With inflation continuing to cool, the Fed … Read more

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun forecasts improved home sales, slower appreciation and falling mortgage rates over the next two years. CHICAGO — More home buyers signed contracts for a home purchase in September, a sign that the housing market may be on the mend after a sluggish summer. The National Association of Realtors®’ Pending Home … Read more

Adding just an extra $100 per month to a mortgage payment can have a significant impact on the debt, a financial expert said. NEW YORK — Mortgage rates may be declining, which puts new homebuyers in a better position than just a year ago. The 30-year fixed-interest rate mortgage hit a high of 7.79% in … Read more

The rate on 30-year mortgages rose to 6.72% from 6.54% last week, Freddie Mac said. Rates on 15-year mortgages rose to 5.99% from 5.71% last week. NEW YORK — The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. rose for the fifth straight week, returning to its highest level since early August. The rate … Read more

The drop coincided with nine private insurers approved to assume up to 410,008 Citizens policies. The policy count is expected to total 891,184 at the end of the year. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Amid long-running efforts to shift customers into the private market, the number of homeowners insured by the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. plunged … Read more