NAR News Releases

Real Estate Daily News

• Urban Rents Soar as Cities Recover From Pandemic Hit October 28, 2021
  In most metros where tech jobs are booming, the rent growth in September was higher than before COVID-19.
• Lumber Prices on Steep Incline Again October 28, 2021
  Since bottoming out in August, the costs of framing lumber are up 40%. Housing analysts say prices are likely to climb higher.
• Brokerage Adds Video Calls to Online Searches October 28, 2021
  In a hot housing market, Redfin announces a new tool where buyers can video chat as they search for homes with their family, friend, or agent.
• Some Buyers Are Temporarily Pausing Their Home Search October 28, 2021
  Pending home sales dipped 2.3% in September, but NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says it’s a short-lived blip.
• New-Home Sales Surge Despite Rising Prices October 27, 2021
  Sales of newly built single-family homes posted double-digit growth in September even as prices continue to rise higher.
• Homebuilding Giant to Offer 3D-Printed Homes October 27, 2021
  Lennar is teaming with the startup ICON to build the largest community of 3D-printed homes in the country.
• Where Seniors Are Most Likely Still Paying Their Mortgage October 27, 2021
  Nearly 19% of homeowners age 65 and up still have a mortgage. Find out which areas of the country have the highest rates.
• Co-Buying With Friends, Roommates Inching Up October 27, 2021
  With the rising costs of ownership, some Americans are teaming up to buy a home. But there is much to consider before making it official.
• Computer Supply Woes Trouble Workplace Returns October 27, 2021
  Delays for desktop PCs and other equipment are also slowing down workers coming back to the office.  
• ‘There Is No More Room for Generic Work Environments’ October 26, 2021
  It may take a lot of convincing to get workers to leave their comfy home workspaces and return to a professional office.

Florida Realtors® News

• Condo Q&A: Is It Legal for HOAs to Have 50/50 Raffles? October 28, 2021
  Also: A condo owner lives in a 125-unit community, and was told they need a website and must post certain official records. Must they? And: An independent contractor/handyman doesn’t legally need workman’s comp insurance. Is it okay to use him?
  izaakh
• Condo Q&A: Lots of Questions About Committee Hearings October 28, 2021
  Also: The board passed a motion to do something and the meeting adjourned. Now a board member wants to cancel. How can this be done?  
  kimh
• NAR: Sept. Pending Home Sales Drop 2.3% October 28, 2021
  Chief Economist Yun: The overall market is still running comfortably ahead of pre-pandemic levels, and the drop is a sign of a “calmer home price trend.” However, there will continue to be less inventory through the end of the year – a normal fall drop following the summer months.
  kimh
• Mortgage Rates Continue Heading North, Hit 3.14% October 28, 2021
  After floating in a just-below 3% range for months, mortgage rates headed higher for the past two weeks. The likely reason: Increased optimism and a drop in COVID cases.
  kimh
• Builders Seeking Alternative Materials for Faster Construction October 28, 2021
  Different supplies cost more but are cheaper than delayed closings, builders rationalize. They’re asking, “What else can I use?” for things like plywood and insulation.
  kimh
• 3D Homes Going Mainstream: Lennar Building in Texas October 28, 2021
  In Austin, Lennar teamed up with ICON to build the largest community of 3D homes to date. The builder says the method will help it avoid current supply chain shortages.
  kimh
• Technology Delays Hurting Offices and Other Businesses October 28, 2021
  Time to update tech equipment? Good luck finding it at a reasonable cost. It’s taking up to 120 days to deliver some types of commercial computers.
  marlam
• Think Only Felonies Are Reported to the Division of Real Estate? October 28, 2021
  Chapter 475 oversees real estate licensees, but Fla. licensees also have other obligations under Chapter 455. It’s a growing problem for licensees called before FREC, because “I didn’t know I had to report that” doesn’t carry much weight.
  izaakh
• Duty to Cooperate: Do They Have to Call Me Back? October 28, 2021
  A listing agent told a buyer’s agent that they’d call back to follow up. But they didn’t. Is there a cooperation requirement that says an agent should always return calls and texts?
  izaakh
• Be on the Lookout for Fake Sellers October 28, 2021
  Scam alert: The pandemic led to an increase in online transactions, giving scammers a new window of opportunity: They’re contacting members as sellers who want to list their “home” – but it’s for a property they don’t actually own.
  izaakh