Inflation and higher interest rates are taking a toll. Many are cutting back on nonessential items, such as dining out, and using credit cards for must-have purchases. DALLAS – A consumer sentiment survey on spending and summer plans by ScoreSense, a credit score monitoring product, found that about half of American consumers are feeling financial stress. As a result, they’re canceling or postponing summer vacations. Most consumers said they’re cutting expenses across…
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Gov. DeSantis recently signed SB 264, which restricts, in part, the sale and ownership of certain Fla. properties to “foreign principals, persons and entities.” TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – During the 2023 session of the Florida Legislature, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 264, called “Interests of Foreign Countries.” Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed it into law. The new law, in part, limits and regulates the sale, purchase and ownership of certain properties in Florida by specific…
U.S. News & World Report for 2023-2024: Sarasota ranked No. 5 and Naples No. 6. Fla. cities landed 7 of the top 50 spots and 12 of the top 100 spots. WASHINGTON – U.S. News & World Report calls itself “the global authority in rankings and consumer advice.” That may be an overreach, but the magazine’s city rankings carry a lot of weight with consumers. This week U.S. News & World Report…
New homeowners who “married the house but dated the rate” are tired of dating, and a surge of refinancing is expected if rates drop a full 1%. NEW YORK – Today’s buyers may love their home but hate their mortgage. However, for the foreseeable future, rates may very well stay higher than the 3% to 4% loans that made home buying more affordable through much of 2020 to 2022, notes Doug Duncan,…
NAR study: 63% of agents and brokers promote a listing’s energy efficiency, 48% say their buyers like sustainability, and 32% are concerned about climate change. WASHINGTON – Almost two out of three agents and brokers (63%) say it’s “very” or “somewhat” valuable to promote a listing’s energy efficiency, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). The 2023 Realtors® and Sustainability Report – Residential examines sustainability issues facing the real…
As out-of-state and international buyers focused on Miami and other cities, more residents of those cities headed to Fla.’s smaller and more affordable towns. MIAMI – Florida’s population grew by 416,754 last year, with a whopping 318,855 of those migrating from other states, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Many of the new residents made a bee-line to major metropolitan areas like Miami-Dade, Tampa and Orlando, adding to congestion and traffic. But…
A Bradenton homeowner fixed problems nine years ago after a city code violation, but a surprise lawsuit for $75K arrived last Aug. demanding money. MIAMI – Last month, Marina Adair returned to Bradenton desperate to save her home. The 1925 house, located in the Village of the Arts neighborhood Adair helped found, had once been the location for her art space, Marina’s Village Studios and Gallery, which spotlighted local artists. But Adair,…
A survey found that 84% of sellers who closed within the past two years cite at least one of four mistakes, including pricing incorrectly and ignoring curb appeal. ORLANDO, Fla. – Of Americans who sold their home within the past two years, 84% wish they had done at least one thing differently, according to a Zillow survey. In addition, nine out of 10 (87%) think they could have made more money if…
The Census Bureau says Fla. is now the nation’s fastest growing state, a rank it hasn’t held since 1957. Why? Taxes often get some credit, but it’s mainly the sunshine. WASHINGTON – Florida is the fastest-growing state in America for the first time since 1957, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The population in the southeastern state, which is known for its warm weather and sandy beaches, now tops 22 million. “I hate…
The Florida Legislature initiated the changes as a way to cut down on frivolous lawsuits by limiting injury cases, insurance litigation and attorney fees. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis approved major changes Friday to the state’s tort laws, cutting down so-called frivolous lawsuits by limiting injury and insurance litigation and attorney fees. According to the governor’s office, House Bill (HB) 837, titled Civil Remedies, modifies the “bad faith framework, eliminates…