Starting October 1, 2024, there is a new flood disclosure requirement in Florida. Florida Statute 689.302 requires a seller to complete and provide a flood disclosure to a buyer of residential real property. This disclosure must be done at or before the time of a contract being executed.

The real estate market is abuzz with discussions surrounding location, and affordability for first-time homebuyers. WalletHub states that Port St. Lucie stands out as the third-best location for first-time homebuyers, boasting the second-highest Millennial homeownership rate in the country at 64%.

Homeowners in every state have always dealt with home insurance policies, but Florida especially has been tackling costs and insurers for a long time. The good news is that new programs and insurance are rising to help businesses and homeowners thrive.

As the year progresses, positive news has emerged in the real estate market, indicating that interest rates have reached their lowest levels in over a year. With interest rates declining, statistics show that homeowners are seizing the opportunity to refinance their home loans, leading to a rise in mortgage applications.

If you are considering purchasing your first home, it is easy to get caught up in searching through many homes and hundreds of photos, imagining which dream home could be yours. For first-time buyers seeking to purchase a home, reaching out to your local Realtor® should be your first step. They can provide valuable assistance and guide you through some logistical groundwork and assess if you’re ready to start the process or connect you with industry experts.

Our homes are where we spend most of our time, so it is only natural to want to spruce it up occasionally. If you’re considering making some changes, here are some of the latest trends homeowners have been integrating into their properties, including lighting features, leisure spaces, and design aesthetics.

Hurricane season has officially begun on June 1st and is expected to last approximately six months, with peak activity typically occurring in August and September. While predicting storm forecasts can be challenging due to various factors, preparing for severe weather as the season approaches is crucial.

Each year, the Honor Society honors members for their overall participation in Realtor® organizations at the local, state, and national levels. Florida Realtors® established an Honor Society to recognize active members in their state association.The Honor Society also salutes members for their participation in the Realtor organization at the local and national levels, their activity in the National Association of Realtors’ Institutes, Societies, and Councils, their designations earned, their educational activities, and their political involvement.

Realtors® from across the State came together on Thursday, May 30th, for the second event of the three-part Mayors' Breakfast event series. The gathering, held at the Broward Center For The Performing Arts, provided a platform for discussions on strategic communications and collaborative efforts with the Broward region's elected officials.

The South Florida market is becoming more balanced, and all signs point to the entire State of Florida benefiting from more housing options during the Spring and Summer seasons. BeachesMLS reports that the monthly supply of inventory is increasing year-over-year in Palm Beach County, currently at 4.4 months and 4 months in Broward County.

The South Florida market is becoming more balanced, and all signs point to the entire State of Florida benefiting from more housing options during the Spring and Summer seasons. BeachesMLS reports that the monthly supply of inventory is increasing year-over-year in Palm Beach County, currently at 4.4 months and 4 months in Broward County.

Just in time for the start of the Summer homebuying season, the positive news has hit the real estate market. Spring is looking bright for home buyers with these lowered borrowing costs. According to Freddie Mac’s data, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) has dipped to 6.94% as of May 23rd, which is an 8.08% decrease, from 7.02% making it the third straight week of declines. Just a year ago at this same time, the 30-year rate was averaging 6.57%.

The South Florida market is becoming more balanced, and all signs point to the entire State of Florida benefiting from more housing options during the Spring and Summer seasons. BeachesMLS reports that the monthly supply of inventory is increasing year-over-year in Palm Beach County, currently at 4.4 months and 4 months in Broward County.

Sidekick, the pioneering generative AI assistant designed to elevate the productivity and effectiveness of real estate agents, teams, and brokerages, today announced a collaboration with BeachesMLS. This collaboration marks Sidekick's entry into the East Coast and Florida markets, bringing its cutting-edge integrated datasets and AI workflow tools to over 43,000 subscribers across Broward, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties.

People crave information at a staggering rate these days, and they consume it through podcasts. Last week, we hosted our annual event, TechCon, which was a huge success. One of the TechCon panel sessions was centered around podcasts, and the subject matter hovered around the benefits of starting one and how Realtors® can understand more about topical trends and the real estate profession by listening. Here are some of the panelists from TechCon and their podcasts if you want something new to listen to.

The highly anticipated annual tech event is back on Friday, May 17th, at the Boca Raton Marriott. The Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors® and BeachesMLS, along with its Young Professional Network (YPN), are excited to present the newest technology trends and innovations that are revolutionizing the real estate industry's future.

There have been reports in South Florida regarding open house thefts. As a reminder, Realtor® Safety is important. Here are some tips so you can ensure you and your clients are protected. Hosting an open house for your client can be a great way to increase visibility on your listing. Sometimes, an agent and their buyer visit together, and house hunters within the community drop by out of curiosity. Although, every Realtor® should take precautions when opening their client's doors to the community. Here are some Realtor® safety tips and best practices you may want to consider implementing at your next open house.

The saying April showers bring May flowers rings true with the arrival of Spring, the busiest season for those looking to buy or sell their home.

Real estate has always revolved around customer service. Recognizing how to actively listen to your client’s needs, challenges, and desires plays a vital role in fostering meaningful connections. Take a look at some best practices to showcase your professionalism and knowledge to help your business thrive and help increase your customer satisfaction rates.

The real estate industry has reached a new stage of evolution. Adapting to change is a process and doesn’t happen overnight. Just like those perfect homeowners with green thumbs, they always know when it's time to prune the plants, sparking positive growth for the future. The same concept applies to brokers leading their offices through adversity with intentionality and a solid framework.