Home Selling

Spring Listing Moves That Attract Higher Offers

NEW YORK — Every spring, thousands of homeowners list with the same goal: Sell quickly and walk away with the highest possible price. But in the busiest season of the year, strong demand alone doesn’t decide the outcome. The difference between a good sale and a great one often comes down to a handful of … Read more

Does Refinancing Make Sense Near Retirement?

MIAMI – If you’re approaching retirement and wondering whether refinancing your mortgage still makes sense, you’re far from alone. Millions of homeowners across the country are asking the same question as mortgage rates shift, federal policies change and the financial landscape heading into 2026 looks markedly different from just a few years ago. Here’s a … Read more

Hometown Heroes Exhausts 2025 Funding

Florida’s Hometown Heroes used all 2025-2026 funds in six months, aiding 3,000 buyers. Continued funding remains a Florida Realtors legislative priority. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Hometown Heroes Housing program, the state’s workforce homebuyer initiative, has exhausted its 2025-2026 funding in just six months, helping more than 3,000 families become homeowners, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation … Read more

Lead-Safe Certification: What to Know

Property managers and contractors working in pre-1978 homes may need EPA certification. Recent guidance clarifies who can be held liable. ORLANDO, Fla. – Federal law requires all renovation, repair and painting firms that work in housing or facilities where children are routinely present built prior to 1978 be certified. In Florida, this law is enforced … Read more

Can Betting Markets Forecast Home Prices?

New prediction markets let users trade on where home prices are headed, sparking debate over whether crowd sentiment can meaningfully inform housing decisions. NEW YORK – Prospective home buyers and sellers traditionally rely on familiar signals — days on market, inventory levels and recent sale prices — to judge where prices may be headed. Now, … Read more

2025 Florida Market Cools, Early Rebound Emerging

Florida’s housing market slowed in 2025, but easing mortgage rates, steady migration and improving international activity point to early momentum. ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s housing market slowed through much of 2025 as high mortgage rates and affordability pressures weighed on buyer demand, but early signs suggest activity is beginning to rebound as rates ease, according … Read more

Design Trends Driving Buying Decisions for 2026

A new survey shows buyers are focusing on design for 2026, favoring calming paint colors, flexible layouts, quality finishes and curb appeal over square footage alone. MADISON, N.J. — A growing number of home buyers say design features, not just price or location, are shaping their home search for 2026, according to new research from … Read more

Buyers Favor Space, Views, Location

NEW YORK — When it comes to their ideal homes, Americans are dreaming big. The typical dream home is a new-construction, ranch-style house, spanning over 2,000 square feet and costing more than $500,000, according to a new survey by Clever Offers. It comes with scenic views of the countryside or water and plenty of outdoor … Read more

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

Two More Home Insurers Approved in Florida

The two new companies are the 16th and 17th to enter Florida’s market since legislative reforms were enacted in 2022 and 2023. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Two more new home insurers — one opened by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and another founded by a Tampa-area philanthropist — have been approved to sell policies in Florida. Stand Insurance … Read more