August Realty Group
Licensed Real Estate Broker
Selected headlines from the "Florida Realtors News" and Realtor.com appears in this section
AUGUST 29, 2023
RE Q&A: Need a Permit to Build a Shed?
By Victoria Ballard
A homeowner who wanted a backyard shed secured HOA approval and went to buy it, but the salesperson said that they needed a building permit. Is that right?
AUGUST 24, 2023
Two More Private Insurers OK’d to Insure Fla. Homes
By Kerry Smith
Two companies under the Orion180 name were approved this week in another hopeful sign that legislative changes may be having a positive Fla. market impact.
AUGUST 8, 2023
The 80/20 Rule – Intro to Mortgage Insurance
By Christopher Carter
Mortgages revolve around a 20% down payment, and buyers who put less down use mortgage insurance to do so – yet many don’t understand what that means.
AUGUST 4, 2023
FHA 203(k) Loans: What They Are, How They Work
By Libby Wells
Most buyers want move-in ready, but they’ll have a wider selection with fixer-uppers, and an FHA 203(k) loan can roll upgrade/repair costs into their first mortgage.
July 31, 2023 (Realtor.com)
Stop Believin’! 4 Housing Market Myths Hurting Today’s Buyers and Sellers
By Sally Jones (July 18, 2023)
The housing market has been decidedly stuck of late. Sellers with low mortgage rates are holding on to their homes, leaving buyers with scant listings to choose from.
And buyers who do find a house face substantial economic challenges as median home prices and mortgage rates remain high. With sellers and buyers at an impasse, misconceptions and outright myths are popping up on both sides about the state of the market on social channels and forums. However, some of the supposed housing issues that are coming up time and again aren’t true.
JULY 27, 2023
5 Fla. Metros in Top 10 for Out-of-State Buyers
By Kerry Smith
In 2Q 2023, Fla. remained a top go-to state, with the lion’s share relocating from New York, but Chicago provided more buyers for Cape Coral, No. 7 on the list. (Tampa ranked #3)
JULY 24, 2023
A Housing Recession? It May Be Over
Housing recoveries often trail recessions, and positive signs – builder optimism, rebounding prices, more investment – suggest a corner may have been turned.
JULY 19, 2023 - Tampa ranked #3
Lots of Fla. Cities ‘Best for First-Time Homebuyers’
By Kerry Smith
What makes a city “best” for first-timers? WalletHub looked at 22 key indicators, such as attractiveness, affordability and quality of life. Top of the list? Palm Bay.
JULY 10, 2023
How to Navigate Insurance Claims Post-Disaster?
By Ron Hurtibise
Experts say not all disasters, claims and insurers are alike. What’s the best way to file a claim? Who do you call first? Your insurer? A public adjuster? An attorney?
July 3, 2023
Sales Tax Holiday Starts on Energy Star Appliances
By Kerry Smith
On July 1, a Fla. sales tax exemption period began for Energy Star appliances, but there’s no rush to buy: It runs for a full year, through June 30, 2024.
JUNE 22, 2023
How Does First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Work?
By Charlestien Harris
How do you buy a house? Renters often don’t know. But first-time buyers have tools at their disposal and, oftentimes, access to mortgage assistance.
JUNE 20, 2023
New Insurance Law Offers Homeowner Safeguards
By Laura Farrant and Bradley Fischer
A law effective July 1 adds protections: Citizens, for example, can’t refuse coverage due to open FIGA claims, and policies can’t be cancelled if repairs aren’t done.
JUNE 13, 2023
RE Q&A: Tell Potential Buyers About Train Noise?
By Gary M. Singer
If a seller wonders whether or not they should disclose something to possible buyers, it’s often a sign that they should.
JUNE 7, 2023
by: CityBusiness interviewed Chris Kane, a partner with Adams and Reese, Global Trade, Transportation and Logistics team leader, and Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Recovery Practice team leader; Mike Pugh, Royal Engineering president; and Brooke Laizer, WGNO-TV, ABC meteorologist
Hurricanes and Businesses: Prepare Now
A roster of disasters can disrupt business operations, and it’s too late to start planning if a storm is two days out. Analyze current insurance coverage to start.
JUNE 5, 2023
by: Veronica Dagher (WSJ)
More Inherited-Home Recipients Prefer to Sell
Faced with the cost of property insurance, taxes and utilities, more children inheriting parents’ homes are deciding it’s best to sell rather than move in.
MAY 12, 2023
It’s a Tough Market for Buyers – Many Don’t Care
By Kerry Smith
Survey: Most would-be buyers (55%) know it’s a really tough market right now, but a majority (54%) still plan to maintain current goals or speed up the buying process.
MAY 8, 2023
When Can Recent Buyers Plan to Refinance?
By Marilyn Kennedy Melia
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%.
MAY 4, 2023
What Does the Interest Rate Hike Mean for Buyers?
Even economists stumble when it comes to mortgage-rate predictions, but little should change. Lenders expected Wed.’s increase and already baked it into current rates.
MAY 4, 2023
Bill Expands My Safe Florida Home Program
By Kerry Smith
The update – if signed by Gov. DeSantis – essentially allows Fla. owners to boost their home’s hurricane protections, with the state paying $2 for every $1 a homeowner spends.
April 28, 2023
Flood Ins. for Hurricane Season? Buy Now
By Kerry Smith
Homebuyers can secure flood insurance right away, but most current homeowners face a 30-day waiting period – and the 2023 hurricane season begins June 1.
APRIL 21, 2023
4 Misconceptions About Flood Insurance
Many homeowners still think standard property insurance covers flooding – it doesn’t – but some companies do offer credits or money for flood mitigation efforts.
APRIL 19, 2023
Buying a Fixer-Upper? The 203(k) Program Can Help
By Michaelle Bond
A tight listing market pushes buyers to look at potential more than curb appeal, and HUD’s 203(k) program helps them include upgrade costs in their first mortgage.
APRIL 7, 2023
Why Does It Still Feel Like a Seller’s Market?
By Kerry Smith
RE usually sees cycles between buyer’s and seller’s markets, but this time it’s a bit different. Supply vs. demand hasn’t changed because both sides pulled back.
4/7/23
30-Year Mortgages Dip Again, Hit 6.28%
By Matt Ott
It’s the fourth week of declines. This week’s average 6.28% for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage dropped from last week’s 6.32%, says Freddie Mac.
4/5/23
RE Q&A: What if a Seller Replaces the Good Stuff?
By Gary M. Singer
During a final walk-through, the buyer realized the seller had replaced expensive chandeliers and appliances with cheaper versions. What do they do next?
3/17/23
House Prices Declining but Still Up 7.7% Year-to-Year, But U.S. metros aren’t all the same. Of the top 10 states for price declines, 8 of 10 are in the West, as Miami, Tampa and Atlanta show the biggest price jumps.
3/16/23
Another Reason to Hire a Realtor? Avoiding Scams
By Pat Kruis
Is that property really for sale? A Realtor and title company saved an Oregon couple $136K. Their agent noted red flags and researched the “owner” selling the property.
2/23/23
FHA Loans Now Cost $117 Less Per Month
By Kerry Smith
FHA lowered its mortgage-insurance premium for borrowers by 30 basis points. The $117 monthly savings is based on a $467.7K home with 3.5% down.
2/20/23
Why Cancelled Ins. Policies? It’s Not Just Storms
By Hillard Grossman
Storm risk is one reason insurance policies get cancelled – but not the only one. Late payments, pets, old roofs, ill-placed trees and other things can do it too.
2/15/23
Builders Turn ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ in Feb.
By Kerry Smith
The NAHB index measuring builders’ attitudes rose 7 points this month to 42. While 51 and higher leans positive more than negative, it suggests better times ahead.
2/9/23
Mortgage Rates Inch a Bit Higher this Week
By Matt Ott
After four weeks of declines, the average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.12% from last week’s 6.09%. It may suggest some short-term stability.
2/9/23
Latest Scam: Fake Citizens Insurance Websites
By Kerry Smith
State-run Citizens’ policies are sold only through insurance agents, but scammers are creating fake websites to target Fla. homeowners seeking coverage.
2/6/23
Yes, You Should Buy a House This Year
By Brian O’Connell
Buyers who wait for more inventory, lower interest rates or something else may never own a home. And given history, 2023 is a pretty good year to commit.