A survey released Wednesday by the Urban Land Institute and Ernst & Young forecasts an optimistic outlook for the commercial real estate market over the next three years. With the housing market showing a strong recovery, economists and analysts are predicting a rebound in the commercial market as well. The survey measured the responses from 38 of the nation’s top..
Tampa Makes List of Top 20 Cities for Real Estate Investment
Tampa, Florida made the list of the top 20 cities where you can get the best return on your rental-home investment according to a recent study by RealtyTrac. The study focused on single-family rentals. If you’re thinking about buying or listing your home for sale, contact Teresa Williams of Prospera Realty and Property Management at 813-434-0290 or visit https://www.prosperarealty.com. Teresa is..
Florida Realtors travel to Tallahassee to lobby for legislation
Realtors from across Florida will gather in Tallahassee today for Great American Realtor Days (GARD). They will meet with lawmakers to discuss real estate issues that impact Floridians and advocate for homeownership. “The collective voice of Florida Realtors will be heard loud and clear throughout the Capitol building this week,” said John Sebree, Florida Realtors senior vice president of public..
Evaluating the Value of your Home in Today’s Market
Recent market conditions show home prices rising and inventory shrinking. When the market changes it becomes more difficult to determine how much a buyer is willing to pay for a property. It also presents a challenge for real estate agents to ascertain the right asking price for a house. Generally, the asking price is obtained by considering comparable houses in..
Mortgage Approval Rates Rising
Even though lenders do not seem to be relaxing their underwriting standards, approval rates for mortgages have risen almost 20 percent over the past 12 months. The data was yielded from the origination reports of lenders utilizing Ellie Mae’s Encompass360 software to submit mortgage applications.
Tips for the First Time Real Estate Investor
With recent upswings in the US economy and rising property values, investing in real estate is becoming more attractive for investors, and understandably so. As a long-term strategy, buying in an upswing market is a smart investment. If you’re considering getting into the world of real estate investing, there are some key things to consider before you take the plunge…
Americans Say, “It is better to own than rent”
A recent survey by CNBC found that 69 percent of Americans say “it is better to own than rent” and 79 percent say owning a home is “an essential part of the American dream.” Further, the survey found that more Americans believe home ownership is a “better long-term investment than stocks.” These percentages reflect a three-year high indicating U.S. residents..
FHFA to crack down on homeowner insurance forced by lenders
There is a problem with force-placed insurance policies that lenders issue in the name of a homeowner who has lapsed on his or her homeowner policy according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) that oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage loans. The agency reported their findings in the March 2013 Federal Register stating that the force-placed insurance is..
Should I renovate my house before I sell it?
Should I renovate my house before I sell it? This is an important question sellers should consider before putting their house on the market. Sometimes the answer is clearly yes, but it’s important to consider several factors before beginning renovations. Detailed comparisons of other homes in the area is the first step in determining the extent of the updates needed,..
House Prices Continue to Rise
House prices last month recorded their biggest increase since September 1997. It’s the latest sign that the real estate market is recovering from its downturn. If you’re thinking about buying or listing your home for sale, contact Teresa Williams of Prospera Realty at 813-434-0290 or visit https://www.prosperarealty.com.