Florida Realtors News

Dear Shannon: NAR amended Standard of Practice 3-9, and I’m sure it was important to change “listing broker” references to “seller.” But what does that mean? May Realtors directly contact a seller for showing instructions now?

Higher mortgage rates, changing markets and weaker demand? It’s not whether or not you’ll have tough RE conversations – it’s how you handle it when they arise.

The planning process starts with questions. HUD notes that things like technology have changed, and it will update regulations after a public comment period.

Writing for Inman News, Jimmy Burgess says a number of his go-to tech tools make his job easier, and he regrets waiting so long to adopt and learn how to use them.

Of the 20 cities included in the indices, 8 had price declines – but Fla. led the U.S. in price increases with No. 1 Miami (up 10.8% year-to-year) and No. 2 Tampa (7.7%).

A Bradenton homeowner fixed problems nine years ago after a city code violation, but a surprise lawsuit for $75K arrived last Aug. demanding money.

Sales surpassed economists’ expectations. Builders say decreasing mortgage rates and the existing-home market’s lack of inventory probably pushed sales higher.

Overall consumer confidence fell to 101.3 from March’s 104.0, dragged down by a drop in future expectations. The measure of current attitudes rose 2.2 points.

HUD will propose clearer rules shortly. Once finalized, they’ll help the RE industry comply with the Fair Housing Act and be the standard for gov’t-assisted housing.

In Tampa, for example, March inflation was 7.7%. But after backing rental costs out of the local calculation, inflation was a somewhat-reasonable 3.8%.