Florida Real Estate

1 in 3 For-Sale Homes Are Newly Built

Of all homes buyers could consider in the second quarter, 31.4% were new construction – the highest 2Q percentage on record. Pre-pandemic it was 17%. SEATTLE – Newly built homes made up nearly one-third (31.4%) of all single-family home listings on the market nationwide in the second quarter, according to a report from Redfin, the … Read more

Realtor Safety Tip: Wear Insect Repellant

Mosquito-borne illnesses have spiked in Florida – dengue, malaria, chikungunya and West Nile Virus – due largely to an international visitor increase. MIAMI – This year’s spike in international travel has brought more than 200 cases of mosquito-borne illnesses to Florida, including dengue, malaria, chikunguny and West Nile Virus. When it comes to dengue fever, … Read more

What Do 7% Mortgage Rates Mean for Homebuyers?

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

Some discouraged buyers should stop looking for their “forever home” and start looking for their “get my foot in the door to start building equity” home. NEW YORK – The average rate on the standard 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 7.09%, according to Freddie Mac’s latest weekly survey. Some experts say that’s close to an … Read more

Mortgage Rates Top 7% – Highest Level in 2 Decades

A 30-year, fixed-rate loan averaged 7.09% this week, its highest level since it was 7.13% in April 2002. It also exceeds a high of 7.08% hit last fall. WASHINGTON – The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate jumped this week to its highest level in 20 years, grim news for would-be homebuyers already facing high home … Read more

Warren Buffet Believes in New-Home Market’s Future

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

Buffet’s company spent $700M to buy DR Horton stock and lesser amounts for two other builders, suggesting the investment guru sees profits via the new-home industry. OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Warren Buffett’s company appears to be betting on the housing market picking up because Berkshire Hathaway bought more than $700 million worth of homebuilder DR … Read more

Florida Realtors Honors 2023 Award Winners

ORLANDO, Fla. – Aug. 17, 2023 – Florida Realtors® recognized Christina Pappas, 2022 Florida Realtors president, as its 2023 Realtor of the Year. The award – one of several – was presented Thursday during the state association’s annual Convention & Trade Expo at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla. The Realtor audience applauded as Pappas … Read more

Inclusive ‘Living Conditions’ Study Ranks Fla. No. 6

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

“Livability” is subjective, but an exhaustive study attempted to rank states based on how happy they’ll make residents. Fla. was No. 6 – but No. 1 in some categories. ORLANDO, Fla. – Around 8.6% of Americans moved last year, a slight uptick from the year before. Some movers wonder if they should stay put or … Read more

Builder Confidence Falls, First Time in 7 Months

NAHB’s Aug. index fell 6 points to 50 – the break-even point between optimism and pessimism – based on higher mortgage rates and increased construction costs. WASHINGTON – After steadily rising for seven consecutive months, builder confidence retreated in August as rising mortgage rates nearing 7% (per Freddie Mac) and “high shelter inflation have further … Read more

Slow Uptick in Foreclosures Reversed in 2Q

Galleria International Realty Thumbnail Image

The Mortgage Bankers’  2Q National Delinquency Survey found that delinquency rates dropped to 3.37% – the lowest rate since it began collecting data in 1979. ©Florida Realtors® Source link

Homes in ‘Upward Mobility’ Areas Cost 38% More

It’s not just the house: Some neighborhoods offer more opportunities. In Fla., the home price difference between high- and low-opportunity areas runs as high as 64%. SEATTLE – In a high-opportunity neighborhood, children who grew up in low-earning households went on to become higher earning adults than the typical person who grew up in their … Read more