Home Buying

Will Bank Turmoil Create Mortgage Challenge?

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Buyers may need to shop around for a mortgage. If clients pulled money from a regional bank or deposits went down, the bank may make it harder to qualify. NEW YORK – Banking center unrest could make it more difficult for some consumers to get a mortgage loan or a loan for other big-ticket items. … Read more

Fake Property Insurer Stole Homeowners’ Money

U.S. Attorney’s Office: A Pensacola man created a fake insurance company, sold policies, kept premiums, and led homeowners to falsely believe they had coverage. PENSACOLA, Fla. – An insurance company is permanently shut down after dozens of clients paid over $4.8 million for policies that were fake, federal officials said. Instead of buying insurance for … Read more

Is Being a Landlord Worth It?

Real estate is a time-tested, tried-and-true investment for people who can afford it, but it also involves work. Not everyone wants to be a landlord. NEW YORK – Real estate has been a popular investment for a very long time – for those who can afford it. But in recent years, trends such as house … Read more

Opinion: Rates of 2% Aren’t Good for the Industry

Nest Seekers Chief Economist Erin Sykes says the market’s long-term health works best if rates stay in the 6% range. After a 2% flash sale ends, sellers just hunker down. NEW YORK – While mortgage rates may have dipped slightly this week due to several bank failures, five consecutive weeks of increases have undone the … Read more

Spring Buying Season Will Be a Challenge for Buyers

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Homeownership is likely to remain a pipe dream for many Americans this spring homebuying season. The nation’s worst housing slump in nearly a decade stoked hope among prospective buyers that homes could be scooped up more easily. But while prices appear to have peaked last summer, they still ended 2022 higher … Read more

Study: Almost 50% of Sellers Making Concessions

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Nationally, it’s 45.5%, though slightly less in the two Fla. metros noted: 41.7% in Miami (up from 31.8%) and 41.3% in Orlando (up from 33.3%). SEATTLE – Home sellers gave concessions to buyers in 45.5% of home sales recorded by Redfin agents during the three months ending Feb. 28, 2023, in a year-to-year comparison, according … Read more

Some Homeowners Regret Pandemic Purchases

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A number of people who bought homes during the bidding wars – often foregoing inspections and making offers sight-unseen – are discovering problems with the property. NEW YORK – Some homeowners who bought their homes during the pandemic say they are starting to feel some buyer’s remorse, especially those who bought their homes sight unseen. “I … Read more

Is the Media Keeping Buyers in a State of Fear?

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One year ago, mortgage rates started their rise, and people scrambled to buy homes. That means stats comparing March 2023 to March 2022 won’t make a lot of sense. CHICAGO – Are negative headlines about the housing slowdown giving homebuyers the jitters just as the busy spring season approaches? Homebuilders think so. Nearly 80% of … Read more

Fannie: Housing Sentiment Nears Record Low

After three increases, Fannie Mae’s monthly consumer index found a 3.6-point drop in Feb. when 44% of owners said it’s a bad time to sell, up from 39% in Jan. WASHINGTON – After six uplifting weeks of positive inflation reports, the economy turned on a dime when it became clear inflation had not yet been … Read more

Floridians Feel More Optimistic in Feb.

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Attitudes turn positive: A monthly UF study of Floridians saw a 1.9-point increase overall, with a rise in current expectations as well as expectations for the future. GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In February, consumer sentiment among Floridians increased 1.9 points to 67.2 from January’s revised figure of 65.3. A similar national consumer sentiment index increased 2.1 … Read more