NAR says it faces “steep resistance” but will keep advocating for a Realtor exemption to proposals: “Congress must recognize real estate’s unique place in the economy.” WASHINGTON – A U.S. Senate committee held a hearing Thursday on the proposed Protecting the Right to Organize Act (https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/842/text), which targets the independent contractor status of millions of

Palm Beach Post editorial: Fla. Housing Funds Not a Piggy Bank for Lawmakers Another major Fla. newspaper backed the goal of Florida Realtors’ amendment petition (https://initiativepetitions.elections.myflorida.com/InitiativeForms/Volunteer/DSDE155A_999_2111_EN. drive to keep “Housing Funds for Housing (https://housingfunds4housing.org/).” Editors said it’s “nonsensical” to remove “hundreds of millions in designated housing money during an unprecedented affordable housing crisis.” PALM BEACH,

On July 22, 2021, Florida Realtors released a new addendum for use with Florida Realtors contracts, the Escalation Addendum to Contract, available through Form Simplicity and other licensed vendors. FAQs and how-to-complete info is available on the association’s website. ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Realtors released a new form, Escalation Addendum to Contract, on July 22,

Mortgage bankers say that many homeowners are coming out of forbearance, with only 7.4%, so far, either selling the home, doing a refi or otherwise paying off the mortgage. 1 in 4 (23.2%) never stopped making monthly payments; another 1 in 4 (28%) ended up having their loans deferred. NEW YORK -The number of homes

In May, the year-to-year median home price was up almost 24%. The inventory shortage played a role, says NAR’s Yun, but affordability is squeezing some buyers out too. WASHINGTON-Just how wild is the real estate market right now? You don’t hear National Association of Realtors (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun say this every day: “We’ve

In 2020, FHFA made homeowners pay an extra fee if they refinance, but that fee will go away after Aug. 1 -part of a new focus to help owners keep their property.   WASHINTON – Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Acting Director Sandra Thompson announced on July 16 that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will

 A survey of Redfin agents found a slow but steady drop in the percentage of listings engaged in a building war. In April, 74.1% of sellers entertained multiple bids; in May it dropped to 72.1%; and in June, it fell to 65%. But Sarasota tops the list of U.S. bidding-war cities at 87%. SEATTLE –

It’s too soon to call it a trend, but the pandemic-driven push for vacation homes appears to be slowing as an increasing number of buyers search for year-round homes. SEATTLE -Based on the number of buyers who locked in mortgage rates to purchase a second home, the demand for a vacation property has declined a

A law passed this year attempts to ease Fla.’s rising property insurance premiums by limiting roofing companies’ abilities to help homeowners get a “free” insurance-paid roof replacement. But a judge issued an injunction and said the Constitution protects roofers’ free speech rights.  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A federal judge has blocked the state from enforcing a

Some foreclosures were postponed due the pandemic, but for some homeowners, COVID-19 forced them into foreclosure. In either case, a courthouse backlog is likely starting Aug. 1, though most at-risk homes will be listed for sale before any foreclosure can be finalized.  MIAMI -Time is running out for thousands of South Florida families who are