Alarming but not devastating…

"Most analysts don’t expect higher interest rates to hurt the housing recovery, though they do believe rising rates will help tamp down home-price increases."

http://lnkd.in/crpbBj 

What the taxman doesn't want you to know…

The following article asks: Are You Leaving Money on the Table? 

source: public domain

5 Often Overlooked Tax Deductions…by AMRIK RANDHAWA


http://www.youngentrepreneur.com/startingup/start-ups/are-you-leaving-money-on-the-table-5-often-overlooked-tax-deductions/?hootPostID=525248167e7246cf89b65885c891a5f3

Economic data that some may find helpful…

The following article reports:

Source: © Freddie Mac

Low and stable inflation is placing downward pressure on fixed mortgage rates…
http://www.freddiemac.com/news/finance/index.html

A new credit score model may have benefits for you…

New credit score could help millions…

VantageScore unveiled a new credit scoring model that will potentially boost scores for many credit applicants and help establish credit for millions of people who previously had little or no credit history. money.cnn.com 

©efariel

Economic Update…

Good to know—EmploymentIn each Economic Update, the Research staff analyzes recently released economic indicators and addresses what these indicators mean…

http://economistsoutlook.blogs.realtor.org/2013/03/08/employment-4/

The Best Day to List a Home Is…

T.G.I.F. One day of the week can mean an extra $5,000 in a home-seller's pocket.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323701904578278372210330096.html

Don't Obsess About Mortgage Rates…

When most people start shopping for a mortgage, the first thing they do is look for the lowest interest rate they can find. And that can get them into trouble. A low interest rate can save you money, obviously. But it's only part of the story. 

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2013/02/14/mortgage-rates?ncid=edlinkusreal00000002&ts=1360953953

Six Reasons Housing Inventory Keeps Declining…

Home sales in December dropped by 1% from November, the National Association of Realtors reported on Tuesday, but still stood nearly 13% above the levels of one year ago. That means home sales have risen from the year-ago month for 18 straight months. http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2013/01/22/six-reasons-housing-inventory-keeps-declining/

Protect your home: Lessons from Sandy

You can never be totally prepared for a natural disaster. But you can learn from the experience and take steps to reduce the destruction the next time Mother Nature throws a curve ball. Here, four key things homeowners should take to heart in the wake of the historic storm Sandy.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/01/real_estate/home-storm-protection.moneymag/index.html?section=money_realestate

Special Report: Real estate provisions in 'fiscal cliff' bill

Daily Briefing: Wednesday, January 2, 2013
A service for members of Florida Realtors

Special Report: Real estate provisions in 'fiscal cliff' bill WASHINGTON - Jan. 2, 2013 - Yesterday, the House and Senate passed H.R. 8, legislation to avert the so-called "fiscal cliff." Following are real estate-related provisions of the bill, which President Obama plans to sign into law today: • Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act extended to January 1, 2014. In place since 2007, the act provided a tax break for homeowners who struggled through financial hardship such as a foreclosure, and were granted mortgage debt forgiveness. In the past several months, National Association of Realtors (NAR) issued numerous calls to action urging its million-plus Realtor members to ask lawmakers to extend the tax break for another year. More than a quarter of all transactions involve distressed properties, the NAR said in its plea. "Homeowners shouldn't be forced to pay a tax on money they've already lost with cash they never received." • Deduction for mortgage insurance premiums for filers making below $110,000 is extended through 2013 and made retroactive to cover 2012. • The 15-year straight-line cost recovery for qualified leasehold improvements on commercial properties is extended through 2013 and made retroactive to cover 2012. • The 10 percent tax credit (up to $500) for homeowners for energy efficiency improvements to existing homes is extended through 2013 and made retroactive to cover 2012. • "Pease limitations" that reduce the value of itemized deductions are permanently repealed for most taxpayers but will be reinstituted for high-income filers. "Pease" limitations will only apply to individuals earning more than $250,000 and joint filers earning more than $300,000. The thresholds are indexed for inflation so will rise over time. Under the formula, filers gradually lose the value of their total itemized deductions up to a total of a 20% reduction. First enacted in 1990 and named for Ohio Congressman Don Pease, who proposed the idea, the limitations continued throughout the Clinton years. The limitations were gradually phased out starting in 2003 and eliminated in 2010. Reinstitution of these limits has far less impact on the mortgage interest deduction than a hard dollar deduction cap, percentage deduction cap or reduction of the amount of mortgage interest deduction that can be claimed. • The capital gains rate remains at 15 percent for individuals earning less than $400,000 per year and couples earning less than $450,000.  Any gains above these amounts will be taxed at 20 percent. The $250,000/$500,000 exclusion for the sale of principle residence remains.

Americans mostly trust, help neighbors…

Americans are a neighborly lot, and increasingly so, says a national study that finds 76 percent trust most or some neighbors, 44 percent talk to them frequently and 65 percent exchange favors. http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=284958

Top economists: FL’s housing market growing stronger, U.S. on same trend…

ORLANDO, Fla. – Dec. 12, 2012 – Florida’s residential real estate market will continue its upward trend into 2013, though the pace of recovery may be slower than the U.S. as a whole, according to leading U.S. economists speaking today at Florida Realtors® 2013 Real Estate and Economic Forecast Conference in Orlando. http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=284687

Survey: Buyers should comparison shop for a mortgage…

The study examined how consumers across different demographic groups and income levels shop for a mortgage. http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=284267

Home prices: Biggest rise in more than 2 years…

In another sign of a housing market rebound, home prices posted the biggest percentage gain in more than two years in the third quarter, according to the closely followed S&P/Case-Shiller index. http://money.cnn.com/2012/11/27/real_estate/home-prices/index.html

Volusia set to launch new economic incentive program…

DAYTONA BEACH — While the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity already offers incentives to attract high-paying jobs to the Sunshine State, economic development officials here are creating an additional incentive to get companies to specifically consider relocating and/or expanding to Volusia County. http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20121129/BUSINESS/311299961/1024?p=all&tc=pgall

FL ‘business climate’ No. 10 nationally!

Florida tied for the No. 6 spot with Georgia in the 2012 Executive Survey Business Climate rankings, according to Site Selection magazine. In the larger survey that includes the executive info – Top State Business Climate Rankings – Florida ranked No. 10 in the nation. http://65.117.180.225/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=283105

What to expect when you’re inspecting…

Many home-buyers don’t understand how a home inspection works. Buyers should first understand an inspection isn’t adversarial. Everyone involved in the purchase – the buyer, the buyer’s agent and the listing agent – have the same goal, which is to move forward with a clean sales transaction. Read more…http://65.117.180.225/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=282212

Study: Trulia, Zillow less effective than Realtors

The WAV Group, an independent real estate industry research analyst, studied 33 zip codes in 11 U.S. markets to analyze the accuracy of website listing services.

According to the study funded by Redfin, online listing services such as Trulia and Zillow didn’t have the same accuracy as broker-owned websites, in large part because licensed agents have direct access to a local Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Read more… http://65.117.180.225/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=281967

FL’s housing market continues positive trend in August

“Buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines should see this as a sign to jump in before the market escapes them again. Sellers who have been hesitant to sell should put their homes on the market now." ~regional manager of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Florida. Read more…http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=281284

Average Florida mortgage reduction tops $114,000…

More than 1,000 Florida homeowners have seen an average debt reduction of $114,015 on their primary mortgage since the February approval of the settlement between leading lenders and state attorneys general. Read more…http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=280888