Homebuyers say energy-efficient features are home “must-haves” because they save money, improve resale value and help people lead healthier lives.

Among states, Florida had the highest percentage of decline (9.21%) in rent prices year-over-year in 2023, but monthly rent remains higher than the nation’s average.

Gov. DeSantis: $5.3M through the Rural Infrastructure Fund will strengthen public infrastructure; $1M through the Florida Disaster Fund will help with home repair.

Remind clients who recently bought a primary home in Florida not to miss the Homestead Exemption filing deadline of March 1 – it could cost them thousands of dollars.

As a new member benefit, Realtors and their clients get free access to Curbio’s “Build Your Own” estimate app, which offers free repair estimates for home inspections.

FAU experts: Higher interest rates and less demand for office space are concerns. Businesses and workers moving to Sunbelt states like Fla. make them less vulnerable.

RE Q&A: Communicate with your HOA or condo association. Most will try to address the issue with homeowners who have financial difficulties, but there are legal limits.

Breaking down long-term objectives into manageable increments, like monthly or quarterly production or sales targets, lets you assess and adjust plans as needed.

Sales of new homes rose nationally in 2023 for the 1st time in 2 years, up 4.2% from the previous year. However, fluctuating mortgage rates remain a wild card.

While easing, for-sale inventory remains tight in Florida and across the U.S. Buyers have to stay persistent and manage frustration levels during their home search.

The HUD survey in 2023 found that, among U.S. states, Florida had the fourth-most homeless people, at 31,000 people – a count that rose 18% from 2022.

Total existing sales slipped 1.7% year-over-year. Chief Economist Yun: Jan.’s “monthly gain is the start of more supply and demand.” Listings were modestly higher.

Freddie Mac economist: Strong economic and inflation data “caused the market to re-evaluate the path of monetary policy, leading to higher mortgage rates.”

Florida Realtors: Fla.’s single-family median price up 3.8% ($405K), condo median up 3.2% ($320K). New listings and inventory levels up in both property categories.

The state got high marks for its net influx of educated workers, job creation rate (up 12.7%) and consumer spending (up 3.4%).

Lawmakers are considering a My Safe Florida Condo pilot program that would help condo associations “harden” their buildings against severe weather.

The money paradox for real estate firms occurs when money must be spent in order to make money, even when cash flow is inconsistent or seasonal.

It’s going to take time, experts say: Expected interest rate cuts will have some impact on housing prices and mortgage rates, but more housing stock is needed.

New poll: Many also don’t think the institutions – whether federal or local – that use their tax dollars spend the money in the best interest of “people like them.”

Artificial intelligence currently is a useful tool that agents can use for research, marketing and writing emails, listing descriptions and other similar tasks.