South Florida Real Estate

Who’s Moving Here? What Driver’s License Data Says

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A second notable swell of newcomers traded out-of-state driver’s licenses last year for ones with a Sunshine State address following temptations of tropical succor, an income tax desert or a particular political ethos. More than 583,200 people were freshly entered into the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles database in … Read more

Interest Rates, Inflation Impact Fla.’s 2022 Housing Market

Florida Realtors data: But for-sale inventory rose and median sales prices up year-over-year. Single-family homes up 15.7% to $402,500; condos up 21.6% to $306,500. ORLANDO, Fla. – As 2022 ended, Florida’s housing market looked similar to the more traditional market years prior to the pandemic in terms of total closed sales, though it fell short … Read more

Fannie, Freddie 2023 Loan Costs Favor Buyers

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FHFA, the oversight agency for Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac, announced a continuing loan structure that generally favors first-time and lower-income buyers. WASHINGTON – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to reduce the Loan Level Price Matrix (LLPAs) in 2022 for most homebuyers, though LLPAs may be a bit … Read more

NAR: Existing Sales Dropped 1.5% in Dec.

Sales rose in Jan. 2022 and then fell for the next 11 months. Based in large part on rising mortgage rates, 2022 U.S. home sales were down 17.8% year-to-year. WASHINGTON – Existing-home sales retreated for the eleventh consecutive month in December, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Three of the four major U.S. … Read more

Real Estate Trends: What’s the 2023 Fla. Outlook?

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Florida Realtors chief economist: Expect Fla. housing to return to a more “traditional” market like in 2018-2019 “as supply and demand become more balanced.” ORLANDO, Fla. – What should consumers, Realtors® and policymakers expect when it comes to Florida real estate over the next year? After the unexpectedly strong years of 2020 and 2021 despite an … Read more

Marketing Tip: Go for the Easy ‘Wins’

The “easy wins” don’t result in immediate leads, but simple marketing – such as optimizing social media network profiles – can be the bedrock of long-term success. NEW YORK – In a challenging market, real estate professionals should make sure they’re focusing on easy “wins,” such as optimizing their profiles across agent-based and social media … Read more

5 Ways to Build a Credit Score in 2023

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By taking charge of debt, first-time buyers could start 2023 unable to qualify for a mortgage and end the year celebrating the holidays in a new home. NEW YORK – You’ve got big financial plans for 2023. Maybe they include buying a home or car, or getting a new travel rewards credit card to help … Read more

Builder Confidence Up After 12 Straight Drops

Good news 2: While the builder confidence index remains in bearish territory, it rose 4 points to 35 in Jan., suggesting Dec. was “the low point … in this cycle.” WASHINGTON – Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes in January rose four points to 35, according to the National Association of … Read more

U.S. Inflation Slowed to 6.2% in December

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Good news 1: Wholesale prices rose 6.2% year-to-year in Dec., a drop from 7.3% in Nov. It’s the 6th straight drop and hopefully suggests some stability going forward. WASHINGTON (AP) – Wholesale prices in the United States rose 6.2% in December from a year earlier, a sixth straight slowdown and a hopeful sign that inflation … Read more

Top Office Owners Don’t Want Only Offices

The office market is in a state of flux, and future demand relies on factors that have not yet played out. As a result, investors are considering other commercial areas. NEW YORK – Many of the most prominent office developers in the United States are shifting gears, looking to buy or build real estate that is … Read more