Home Buying

AI Is Rewriting the Rules of Real Estate SEO

As search habits shift to AI tools, agents should target ready buyers and sellers through local expertise, strong calls to action and multimedia content. NEW YORK — Traditional search engine optimization (SEO) strategies are rapidly losing relevance as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes how people find information online. Real estate agents have relied on blog posts, … Read more

Florida Ends 57-Year Tax on Commercial Leases Today

The state’s Business Rent Tax has officially been repealed after decades of advocacy by Florida Realtors, saving commercial tenants $2.5 billion annually. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A decades-old state tax on commercial leases, known as the Business Rent Tax, will disappear today after 57 years on the books. Florida Realtors® has been actively working for years … Read more

Buyers Are Test-Driving Homes With Sleepovers

Luxury buyers are increasingly requesting overnight stays before making offers, using the “try-before-you-buy” approach to test a home’s fit. MIAMI — A growing number of luxury home buyers are asking to spend the night in a property before making an offer, treating homes like a “test drive.” Sellers in markets such as Florida, California and … Read more

Can’t Pay A Condo Assessment? What’s Next?

RE Q&A: Owners are required to pay special assessments. Boards may allow payment plans, while options such as reverse mortgages or selling may help manage costs. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Question: Our condo board just passed a huge special assessment to fix the roof. I live on a fixed income and cannot afford to pay … Read more

Insurance Outlook Brighter in 2025

TAMPA, Fla.— As the scenario of a higher-than-average hurricane season is again upon us, the property insurance scenarios for homeowners and business owners in Florida are definitely getting better, insurance experts say. Some even say the industry has recovered. If so, that’s saying quite a lot. This follows several years of devastating storms making various … Read more

Pre-Sale Upgrades That Make a Difference

Before listing a home, boost the potential value with small changes, such as upgrading cabinets, new paint and decluttering. NEW YORK – People considering buying or selling a home are facing a unique market. The real estate market has been in flux for several years, and high interest rates have made it more expensive to … Read more

Reducing and Taming Workplace Clutter

NEW YORK — It starts with a Post-it note scrawled with a reminder. Then a chocolate bar you’ll probably eat later. An extra charging cord or two find their way into the mix, along with a laptop, a folder full of projects, a lanyard from a recent conference and a permission slip sent home from … Read more

Tips for Co-Owning a Home

Buying a home with friends? Be clear on goals, share finances openly, consult experts and plan for exits, co-homeownership pros say. NEW YORK — Real estate broker Amy McKenna and mortgage lender Ruby Grynberg work with groups of people who are interested in co-homeownership. The pair hosts info sessions nearly every month throughout Seattle on … Read more

Sellers Enter Spring Market With High Hopes

A new Realtor.com survey finds potential sellers think it’s a good time to sell, with most expecting to get asking price despite mortgage rate concerns. AUSTIN, Texas — Sellers across the U.S. are optimistic heading into this year’s Best Time to Sell with 70% of potential sellers thinking it is a good time to sell, … Read more

Spring Buying Season Offers More Opportunities

LOS ANGELES — This spring homebuying season is shaping up to be more favorable for home shoppers than it’s been in recent years — as long as they can afford to buy. Home prices are rising more slowly. Mortgage rates remain elevated but have been mostly easing and could be headed lower. Most importantly, the … Read more