The 2023 Community & Transportation Preferences Survey finds strong “walkability” demand: 4 out of 5 want an “easy walk” to parks, shops and public transport.

The widely anticipated recession may be a “soft landing” after all. Inflation growth has notably slowed and the economy has remained remarkably strong.

After Aug. 28, FHA borrowers will fill out a Supplemental Consumer Information Form, where they can request things like language translation services.

There are many variables. While the process starts by looking at nearby comparable sales, it includes the property’s age, condition, upgrades and location.

A coastal flood watch or warning may really be a meteotsunami, such as one that hit Clearwater Beach last Wed. It’s caused by gusty ocean storms.

Month-to-month, prices rose 0.7% nationally – though it ranged from a price drop of 3.8% in the Pacific region to an increase of 6.1% in the East South Central region.

Faced with a dearth of existing homes for sale, buyers flocked to new-home options even in the shadow of higher interest rates.

If consumer attitudes drive the economy, a recession appears less likely. The Consumer Confidence Index hit 109.7 in May, up from April’s 102.5.

Fla. insurers often don’t trust anyone because fraudsters have many ways to falsify claims. But enforcement is difficult. Less than 2% of fraud actions end in convictions.

Study: In some U.S. ZIP codes, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud was so prevalent that housing prices rose 5.7 percentage points more than in low-fraud areas.

A lead is simply “contact info for a potential buyer or seller,” and a top way to get leads is by offering something of value – a “lead magnet” – in exchange for that info.

HUD sees more manufactured housing as part of the nation’s affordable housing solution, and an independent office now reports directly to a top FHA official.

Homeowners are receiving official-looking letters by first-class mail saying they haven’t paid taxes yet. It’s big in Chicago now but appeared in Fla. a few years ago.

A change two years ago resulted in more court cases, with many based on questions about texts placed by an “automated system” and Fla. area-code confusion.

Buyer demand remains high, in part, because so many young adults lived with parents during the pandemic. And due to rising prices, low-income families suffer most.

Meta (Facebook) gave RE agents the ability to steer ads in ways that violate the Fair Housing Act, but “the users did it” doesn’t fully protect Meta from lawsuits.

While “shelter costs” make up 25% of the Consumer Price Index, the calculation only looks at rising rents. SMR calls that “a major flaw” and developed its own index.

On Thur., Fed Chair Jerome Powell told Congress that “inflation pressures continue to run high” and “nearly all” Fed policymakers expect at least one more rate hike.

Boca Beacon editor: Realtor Kevin Hyde and his wife Nancy “made such a difference in so many lives.”

It doesn’t make sense to refinance at-risk FHA loans due to higher interest rates, so the latest plan simply offers a reduction and extends the mortgage payoff date.