Real Estate News

March 13, 2017

Reverse mortgages: Myths vs. realities

There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding reverse mortgages. I've highlighted six here that seem to come up most often in conversations with clients. I hope these will help when considering whether a reverse mortgage is the right path for you.

Myth No. 1: The lender owns the home

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Posted in Real Estate News
March 8, 2017

Scam alert: Fake Realtor board targets Fla. members

ORLANDO, Fla. - March 6, 2017 -

The "Florida Board of Realtors"SCAM LETTER does not exist, but Florida Realtors members have been receiving a "Final Notice" bill from them in the mail, saying their real estate licenses are in jeopardy. Complaints have come into Florida Realtors from all parts …

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March 7, 2017

Florida Legislature 2017: Where do Realtors'priorities stand?

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – March 3, 2017 –

The buzz in Tallahassee is palpable as the 2017 session of the Florida Legislature fast approaches.

With just over a day to go until the annual legislative race begins, Realtors® throughout the state will be impacted by a myriad of …

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Feb. 28, 2017

Featured Agent: Claire Brooks

Claire has been with Central Florida 55 Plus since its inception. She was the agent with the highest sales volume in 2016, selling 32 homes totaling over $6 million! She's dedicated to prioritizing her …
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Feb. 14, 2017

Which Fla. city best for a real estate business?

Many factors determine property value, but "location, location, location" continues to top the list. And if all real estate is local, it follows that certain U.S. locations are better opportunities for real estate sales agents.

To determine the best markets for Realtors, WalletHub analysts conducted a study and …

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Feb. 6, 2017

Fla. MLS offers true lifestyle cost

One of Florida's largest MLSs, My Florida Regional MLS, rolled out a new real estate search website that offers buyers an estimate of their full monthly costs after a purchase. To do so, the True Lifestyle Cost (TLC) combines buyers' financial information with a listing's historical utility costs, commuting time, …
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Jan. 28, 2017

Fla.'s housing market: Median prices rise in Dec. 2016

Florida's housing market had higher median prices and fewer all-cash sales in December, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 22,332 last month, up 0.8 percent from December 2015.

"The trend of tight housing supply continued to have an impact …

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Posted in Real Estate News
Jan. 25, 2017

Higher inflation one more reason to buy a home now

Annual inflation hit a 21/2-year high in December amid rising gasoline prices as a core measure of inflation increased moderately.

The consumer price index rose 0.3 percent, the Labor Department said Wednesday, matching economists' estimates. Prices were up 2.1 percent the past year, the largest annual jump since …

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Posted in Real Estate News
Jan. 24, 2017

Buyers are stressed: 6 reasons why

A new TD Bank survey of 135 real estate professionals nationwide reveals six stressors that are causing their clients the most anxiety:
  • Confusion about the paperwork required: 31.85%
  • Unexpected costs: 22.22%
  • Concerns over financing: 21.48%
  • Appraisal and inspection: 11.85%
  • Meeting and closing date: …
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Posted in Real Estate News
Jan. 23, 2017

Millennials more willing to buy those fixer-uppers

Millennial first-time homeowners are showing more willingness than previous generations to complete do-it-yourself projects around the house or wait until they can afford to make the improvements they desire, a new survey by Better Homes & Gardens magazine finds. Fifty percent of those surveyed said that their current home required …
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Posted in Real Estate News