NEWS
Biden summarizes the history of U.S. housing discrimination, promises a focus on solving problems, and asks HUD to study two recent regulations that may be repealed.
The Fla.-owned property insurer’s board approved an average 7.2% rate increase – but it also wants to charge new policyholders a full actuarial rate. It’s unclear if Fla. officials will approve Citizens’ proposal, but any new-policyholder increase could affect some property sales.
Fla. students may now apply for 2021-22 Education Foundation scholarships. To date, Florida Realtors has awarded $1,739,400 in scholarships to 1,189 students.
The comment period has ended for a proposal that would allow FHA to accept private flood insurance. NAR strongly backed the change and urges immediate adoption.
A condo complex reserves funds every year to repaint buildings every seven – but it’s time to paint and the money falls short. Can they use other money for painting?
Training and promoting leaders can lead to brokerage and team success – and even real estate industry success. An Agent Leadership Council may be a good way to start.
S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller: Buyer demand pushed Nov. prices 9.1% higher year-to-year – the biggest increase since May 2014. For 2020, price increases hit a 14-year high.
Americans think current conditions aren’t great – but they’ll get better. The overall index rose more than 2 points but a future expectations index rose 5.5 points. It also had positive housing news, suggesting “the pace of home sales should remain robust in early 2021.”
The Fla.-operated insurer wanted a 3.7% increase last month but was pressured to request more to make Citizens less desirable than policies offered by private insurers.
Realtor volunteers can receive $1,000 grants to boost their project and mentoring to help extend their community outreach. Deadline for applications: Feb. 28, 2021.
Urban Institute: Virtually all household growth (new households minus leaving households) over the next 20 years will be either Hispanic, Black or Asian.
Almost every internet photo this week featured a cold Bernie Sanders with knitted mittens, and a Vermont Realtor who placed Sanders on a porch watched the listing go viral.
An analysis by Pew Charitable Trusts: 16 states’ populations have declined since the Great Recession, but the big winners are Texas (up 374K) and Fla. (up 241K).
Pres. Biden considered homeownership an important issue during his campaign and has already instituted some changes. Congress will likely focus on housing-related pandemic aid first and, once the disease fades, turn to other issues, such as a proposed $15K new-buyer tax credit.