Rates on 30-year mortgages stood at 6.76% for the second week in a row, while 15-year rates dipped slightly to 5.89% from 5.92%, Freddie Mac said. WASHINGTON — The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. held steady this week, not far from its highest levels this year, but below where it was … Read more
WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday and said that the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen. The Fed kept its rate at 4.3% for the third straight meeting, after cutting it three times in a row at the end of last year. Many economists and Wall … Read more
Sale pending means a home is under contract but not sold. Deals can fall through due to financing, repairs or paperwork, so backup offers might still be considered. NEW YORK — When a home is listed for sale with the term “pending offer” or “sale pending,” real estate professionals say there is often an accepted … Read more
ChatGPT is evolving fast — now handling text, images and audio, and widely used in businesses, homes and school — making AI more useful than ever. NEW YORK — If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve probably noticed that ChatGPT – the AI tool that took the world by storm – isn’t just a trend anymore. … Read more
Homeowners gained $3T in equity in 2024. A HELOC might help in short-term crises, but weigh risks, alternatives and timing before tapping your home’s value. NEW YORK — As a homeowner, you likely have a lot more equity in your house than you did just a few years ago. U.S. homeowners gained almost $3 trillion … Read more
Florida Realtors secured condo, flood, and rental reforms, among other things, as lawmakers extended the session to finalize the state budget. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers voted late Friday to extend the 2025 legislative session until June 6 to finalize the state budget, but even with a temporary pause on some issues, Florida Realtors® marked … Read more
Florida cities like Groveland, Celebration and St. Cloud saw major growth from 2014–2023, driven by housing, jobs and access to self-storage. ORLANDO, Fla. — Four metro areas in Florida – Lakeland, Orlando, Tampa and Miami – are home to 13 cities that stand out for rapid population growth, according to a new study by StorageCafe. … Read more
Agents are using Instagram Reels to showcase local brands and community connections to build trust and position themselves as experts. NEW YORK — Instagram Reels can help agents build local authority and drive engagement by focusing on community-focused content rather than on listings. Successful Reels include sneak peeks of upcoming neighborhood amenities, coming-soon listing teasers … Read more
MIAMI — Piles of smelly seaweed have washed ashore on Miami Beach and Key Biscayne, a stinky reminder that this is sargassum season. The brown seaweed is a common sight across the Caribbean and on South Florida beaches. Researchers who track seaweed blooms expect 2025 to be another “major sargassum year” for the Atlantic Basin … Read more
America’s confidence in the economy dropped to its lowest level since May 2020, impacted by concerns over tariffs and a possible slowdown in economic growth. WASHINGTON — Americans’ confidence in the economy slumped for the fifth straight month to the lowest level since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic as anxiety over the impact of … Read more
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