Heritage Circle Condominiums

TODAY'S TOP STORIES

Fed housing guarantee helps mortgage rates

The government pledged unlimited financial aid to Fannie, Freddie to keep the recovery rolling and the housing market stable. Read more.

Mediation not the same as modification

A new mandate for foreclosure mediation may not help owners keep their homes; in most cases, it's not even true mediation. Read more.

Foreclosures weigh on home appraisals

Realtors say many are too low. Appraisers say they're protecting homeowners. Everyone agrees it's more complicated. Read more.

Half-built homes can be bargains

Some house hunters will consider a new home abandoned before completion, but look for potentially expensive problems. Read more.

Commercial to decline slowly, then recover

Grubb & Ellis predicts the commercial market will decline slowly in 2010, recover in 2011, and "no bubble will burst." Read more.

Use Florida Realtors Legal Hotline? Read this!

Tomorrow, Florida Realtors' Legal Hotline switches to a new phone system and a new process for accessing attorneys. Before you dial (407-438-1409), you must have your Florida real estate license number or NRDS number in front of you. Here's why: You'll have a limited amount of time to type the number into the phone system. If you don't have your license/NRDS number, you'll have to hang up and call back. Once in the system, your call will be placed in queue. If your call is about ethics, MLS or procuring cause, the system will be direct you to an attorney who specializes in that area.

Endorsements an effective marketing tool

To increase a mailings' response rate, include a client testimonial. Third-party recommendations can carry a lot of weight. Read more.

Selling a home in the new year? Don't delay

Demand will be strong early as buyers seek tax credits, and any increase in foreclosures could impact sale prices. Read more.

Mortgage rates end the year above 5%

The average fixed rate on a 30-year mortgage was 5.14% last week, up from 5.05% one week earlier. Read more.

2010: New rules on sinkholes, property taxes

On Jan. 1, a handful of legislative bills became effective, changing TRIM notices, as well as sinkhole coverage and loss rules. Read more.

FHA borrowers to get drywall help

HUD instructs lenders to help at-risk owners by cancelling penalties, extending payments or offering a mortgage modification. Read more.

Fla. consumer confidence unchanged

Floridians have increased expectations for the future, but report that their current outlook is a bit less rosy. Read more.

New HUD-1 and GFEs effective now

HUD lifted a 1% cap on FHA origination fees to help lenders comply with new GFEs effective Jan. 1; HUD-1 also changed. Read more.

AROUND FLORIDA

Miami: Banks take losses on short sales