HOUSING MARKET – The National Association of REALTOR’s housing report yesterday had some good news. While the sales numbers were down, they weren’t as dismal as many economists expected. Some investors saw that as positive news, and a sign that the housing downturn is on the verge of bottoming out.
Looking at the local statistics for [...]

MORTGAGE RATES – Buyers waiting for lower property prices could lose out even if prices do drop a bit more. Rates on 30-year mortgages rose to the highest level in seven weeks, breaking above the 6 percent level, and heightened worries about inflation could cause further increases. To put this into perspective for those looking [...]

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE – Homeowners insurance wasn’t supposed to be a big issue in the 2008 Legislature. But it is. “Continuing to have our friends in the Legislature keep the industry’s feet to the fire is incredibly important,” Florida Governor Crist said during an interview with The Associated Press.
JUMBO LOANS – Don’t expect sharply lower rates [...]

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE – ALLSTATE – State regulators yesterday outlined why they want to bar Allstate Insurance Co. and its affiliates from selling policies in Florida. Allstate’s recent actions, according to the complaint, demonstrate “a continuing attempt to improperly subvert, manipulate and undermine the regulatory process.”
REAL ESTATE MARKET – Slow home sales in traditional “feeder markets” [...]