‘1% Down-payment Mortgages End Nov. 1’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:31 pm
August 18, 2017 ‘1% Down-payment Mortgages End Nov. 1’ By James D. York, P.A. Starting this fall, Freddie Mac will require a minimum 3% downpayment from the borrower’s own funds for its mortgages, including those purchased from other lenders. Since 2014...
‘Buy Now?’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:31 pm
August 4th, 2017 ‘Buy Now?’ By James D. York, P.A. Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve announced that further interest rate hikes are on the way, likely one more this fall and three in 2018. The announcement usually comes the same day the Fed&rs...
‘Legislature Offers Potential Tax Relief’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:29 pm
July 14th, 2017 ‘Legislature Offers Potential Tax Relief’ By James D. York, P.A. The legislative sessions that ended in May were a definite boon to Florida homeowners, as we’ve discussed in a couple previous columns. Several bills were passed...
‘Legislators Give Affordable Housing a Boost’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:28 pm
June 30th, 2017 ‘Legislators Give Affordable Housing a Boost’ By James D. York, P.A. Realtors and potential homeowners alike are rejoicing in recent decisions put in place by Florida legislators during the 60-day sessions that ended in May. New legi...
‘Tax Cap for Non-Homestead Properties’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:28 pm
June 23, 2017 ‘Tax Cap for Non-Homestead Properties’ By James D. York, P.A. Back in 2008, Amendment 1 to the state constitution was approved by Florida voters. It put a 10 percent annual cap on property taxes for all non-homestead properties in the...
‘Credit Impacts Cost of Insurance’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:27 pm
May 26, 2017 ‘Credit Impacts Cost of Insurance’ By James D. York, P.A. A new study by insuranceQuotes reveals that having a poor credit score can double or even triple the cost of your homeowners’ insurance premiums. This is yet another reason...
‘Condo Board Limits Voted In’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:26 pm
May 19, 2017 ‘Condo Board Limits Voted In’ By James D. York, P.A. A bill to impose criminal penalties for condo board violations was passed by the Florida legislature on May 2nd. Now it just needs Gov. Scott’s signature to become law on July 1...
‘A “Rising Star” Of Real Estate’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:25 pm
April 17, 2017 ‘A “Rising Star” Of Real Estate’ By James D. York, P.A. We at York Real Estate Group of Downing-Frye are very excited to announce the receipt of a recent honor recognizing one of our members. Michael P.York wa...
‘Escrow Disputes Can Cost You Money’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:25 pm
April 7, 2017 ‘Escrow Disputes Can Cost You Money’ By James D. York, P.A. Escrow Disputes Can Cost You Money Real estate sales don’t always go according to plan. Sometimes, a sale will fail. In these cases, there’s more on the line th...
‘Do You Talk to Your Oven?’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:24 pm
March 31, 2017 ‘Do You Talk to Your Oven?’ By James D. York, P.A. If you haven’t yet jumped on the voice-control bandwagon to talk to your home appliances, you might want to wait a bit and join the next wave of the future: texting them instead. Accor...
‘Federal Wetland Funding’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:23 pm
March 24th, 2017 ‘Federal Wetland Funding’ By James D. York, P.A. President Trump kept a campaign promise to reduce federal regulations by signing an executive order to start a review of Obama-era federal wetlands rules. The previous administration redefin...
‘Will the Tax Cap Expire?’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:23 pm
February 24, 2017 ‘Will the Tax Cap Expire?’ By James D. York, P.A. A property tax cap, part of the “Save Our Homes” Florida constitutional amendment that passed in January 2008, is due to expire in less than two years. Florida Realtors® have...
‘Learn to Avoid the Five Most Common Mistakes Buyers and Sellers Make’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:21 pm
February 17th, 2017 Seminar ‘Learn to Avoid the Five Most Common Mistakes Buyers and Sellers Make’ By James D. York, P.A. Anyone thinking of buying or selling real estate in the near future can do themselves – and their wallets – a huge f...
‘Home Value Decline Coming?’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:20 pm
January 27th, 2017 ‘Home Value Decline Coming?’ By James D. York, P.A. In some parts of the country, home values may be headed for a decline this year. But in Florida—not so much. Recent statistics from the Arch MI Risk Index indicate a 4% chance of...
‘Will 2017 Bring Internet Buyers Back to Florida?’
Thu Aug 31 2017, 12:19 pm
January 6th 2017 ‘Will 2017 Bring Internet Buyers Back to Florida?’ By James D. York, P.A. With 2016 now history, we can take a look at some stats for the year. One that stands out from a real estate viewpoint is investment by international buyers in Florida...
‘Tax Exemption for Disabled First Responders’
Tue Aug 29 2017, 10:36 am
July 21, 2017 ‘Tax Exemption for Disabled First Responders’ By James D. York, P.A. A house bill sponsored by Rep. Larry Metz, R-Groveland, during the recently-concluded Florida legislature sessions will implement a new tax exemption for first respon...
‘Let the Sun Shine In’
Tue Aug 29 2017, 10:17 am
December 23, 2016 ‘Let the Sun Shine In’ By James D. York, P.A. Can your homeowner’s association legally ban solar panels? Though HOA rules can be far-reaching and very specific, this time the answer is “No,” according to Gary M. Singer, Florida attorney and bo...
‘Reverse Negative Thinking’
Tue Aug 29 2017, 10:12 am
December 2, 2016 ‘Reverse Negative Thinking’ By James D. York, P.A. Everyone has heard of reverse mortgages, and many people have rejected the idea due to some common erroneous ideas. First of all, it’s not true that you must first own your home free and clear. Reverse...
‘Getting a Mortgage Just Got Easier’
Tue Aug 29 2017, 10:10 am
November 25, 2016 ‘Getting a Mortgage Just Got Easier’ By James D. York, P.A. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently announced plans to speed up and smooth out the mortgage process. This comes as good news to many potential homeowners, since Fannie and Freddie t...
‘What A Nuisance!’
Tue Aug 29 2017, 10:07 am
November 11, 2016 ‘What A Nuisance!’ By James D. York, P.A. Loud parties, obnoxious music, barking dogs, wandering cats, cooking odors, smoke, laundry draped over balconies… A “public nuisance” can be just about anything—vis...
‘House Damaged While Under Contract?’
Tue Aug 29 2017, 9:59 am
October 2, 2016 ‘House Damaged While Under Contract?’ By James D. York, P.A. With the wrath of hurricane Matthew fresh in our minds, let’s take a look at buyer options and seller obligations when a home is damaged by water, fire, or another casualty while a contract is in...
‘Condo Financing Details Still Undecided’
Tue Aug 29 2017, 9:56 am
October 14, 2016 ‘Condo Financing Details Still Undecided’ By James D. York, P.A. The “Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act” (aka H.R. 3700) that was signed into law earlier this year contains some important changes to condo financing regulations. The act de...
‘Florida Population Exceeds 20 Million’
Fri Sep 2 2016, 4:41 pm
September 2nd, 2016 ‘Florida Population Exceeds 20 Million’ By James D. York, P.A. Cushman & Wakefield’s newly-released Florida Population Report offers an in-depth look at population growth in the Sunshine State, as well as how population affects local economies. The r...
‘ Gray can be golden’
Fri Sep 2 2016, 4:40 pm
Sept 9, 2016 ‘ Gray can be golden’ By James D. York, P.A. Consider gray. Time was, most interior home walls featured shades of not-quite-white—beige, ecru, taupe, wheat, eggshell, khaki, ivory, biscuit, cream, and the like. But the new modern choice is gray, crisper and cle...
‘New Condo Legislation Eases Restrictions’
Fri Sep 2 2016, 4:39 pm
August 5, 2016 ‘New Condo Legislation Eases Restrictions’ By James D. York, P.A. A bill passed unanimously by the Senate last week will make it easier to buy and sell condos by reducing financing restrictions. The House had passed the bill in February; it now heads to the Preside...
‘Further Foreclosure Drop’
Fri Sep 2 2016, 4:38 pm
August 26, 2016 ‘Further Foreclosure Drop’ By James D. York, P.A. A new survey by CoreLogic shows that homes in the foreclosure process are going fast. The national rate now stands at its lowest since 2007; approximately six million American homes have been lost to foreclosure si...
‘Listings Shortfall in South FL’
Fri Sep 2 2016, 4:37 pm
August 19, 2016 ‘Listings Shortfall in South FL’ By James D. York, P.A. A market nicely balanced between buyers and sellers typically features a six-month supply of properties in the listings. In other words, it would take six months to sell all the properties if no more were add...
‘Are Florida’s “Zombie Communities” Starting To Rise From The Dead?’
Fri Sep 2 2016, 4:36 pm
August 12, 2016 ‘Are Florida’s “Zombie Communities” Starting To Rise From The Dead?’ By James D. York, P.A. Just over a decade ago, they were bustling with new construction—roads, sidewalks, sewage lines, fancy signs, guard houses, and community centers, a...
‘Are Homeowners Downsizing? Lots’
Fri Sep 2 2016, 4:29 pm
July 29, 2016 ‘Are Homeowners Downsizing? Lots’ By James D. York, P.A. With all the baby boomers at or nearing retirement these days, we hear quite a bit about downsizing of homes. A recent “Eye on Housing” blog by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) repo...
New Home Inspection Vital
Fri Sep 2 2016, 4:28 pm
July 22, 2016 ‘New Home Inspection Vital’ By James D. York, P.A. No one would think of buying an existing home without hiring an inspector to check it over. But is a professional inspection needed for a newly-built home? The answer is es, according to Gary M. Singer, Florida at...
‘The Boom of Home-buying Boomers
Tue Jun 28 2016, 1:58 pm
July 1st, 2016 ‘The Boom of Home-buying Boomers By James D. York, P.A. A recent Freddie Mac survey of the over-55 set revealed that nearly 40% of baby boomers—some 26 million people—plan to move at least once more. And 13% say they will be looking for a new home within the...
‘New Tenant Law for Active Duty Service Members’
Tue Jun 28 2016, 1:56 pm
June 24, 2016 ‘New Tenant Law for Active Duty Service Members’ By James D. York, P.A. Newly-passed Florida Statute 83.683, which will go into effect on July 1st, specifies that landlords must provide a decision on any rental application submitted by an active service member withi...
‘Boon for First-Time Buyers’
Tue Jun 28 2016, 1:55 pm
June 17, 2016 ‘Boon for First-Time Buyers’ By James D. York, P.A. Future homebuyers who are considering their mortgage options may want to take advantage of a new program announced last week by Wells Fargo. The lender has partnered with Fannie Mae to develop a way to make home ow...
‘Credit Complaints’
Tue Jun 28 2016, 1:53 pm
June 10th, 2016 ‘Credit Complaints’ By James D. York, P.A. For the past several years, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has been working to help Americans resolve errors in their credit reports. Since 2012, the U.S. government agency has responded to over 140,000 c...
‘Knowledge Is The Key To A Successful Home Purchase Or Sale’
Tue Jun 28 2016, 1:52 pm
June 3rd 2016 ‘Knowledge Is The Key To A Successful Home Purchase Or Sale’ By James D. York, P.A. There are a lot of blogs out there on the ‘net these days, but the York Real Estate Group news blog is unique. It takes an educational approach that benefits both buyers and se...
‘Sales Flat As Prices Rise’
Tue Jun 28 2016, 1:50 pm
May 13, 2016 ‘Sales Flat As Prices Rise’ By James D. York, P.A. New stats show that Americans in the middle brackets continue to show caution in acquiring homes of their own. Even with current low mortgage rates, existing home sales are up only 5.1%, and new home sales dropped 1....
‘Cost of Rentals in Florida Isn’t So Sunny
Wed Apr 20 2016, 12:40 pm
April 22, 2016 ‘Cost of Rentals in Florida Isn’t So Sunny’ By: York Real Estate Group Last week we took a look at Federal building regulations and their impact on the construction of low-income rental housing. “The Gap: The Affordable Housing Gap Analysis 2016,”...
‘The High Cost of Regulations’
Wed Apr 20 2016, 12:39 pm
April 15th 2016 ‘The High Cost of Regulations’ By: York Real Estate Group The National Association of Home Builders appealed to Congress recently in an attempt to ease costly government regulations on builders and potential homeowners. Says NAHB vice-chairman Granger MacDonald,...
‘Spend A Few Bucks To Rake In More’
Wed Apr 20 2016, 12:38 pm
April 8th, 2016 ‘Spend A Few Bucks To Rake In More’ By: York Real Estate Group Thinking about listing your home for sale? Then you may want to take advantage of some ways to give your selling price a boost without breaking the bank. A new Consumer Reports National Research Cent...
‘New Appliances Put Sales in the Black’
Wed Apr 20 2016, 12:37 pm
April 1st, 2016 ‘New Appliances Put Sales in the Black’ By: York Real Estate Group Sometimes, keeping up with the latest trends turns out to be worth the money you invest. The latest in appliance and plumbing finishes is called “Satin Black,” “Matte Black,&rdquo...
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Wed Apr 20 2016, 12:36 pm
March 25th, 2016 ‘Credit Where Credit Is Due’ By: York Real Estate Group Ah, the infamous FICO credit score that rules our lives. Until recently, you had limited access to this very important bit of your own vital information, and often had to pay for it at that. According to Chi...
Get Your Max Tax Credit Here
Tue Mar 8 2016, 5:25 pm
March 18, 2016 ‘Get Your Max Tax Credit Here’ By James D. York, P.A. It’s that time of year again—we’re all going to have to reckon up with the Tax Man. Homeowners will want to consider every angle to get the highest possible tax credit, and a home-energy assess...
Florida Tops National List
Tue Mar 8 2016, 2:48 pm
March 10th, 2016 ‘Florida Tops National List’ By James D. York, P.A. And this time, not for a good reason. Recent statistics on property insurance rates show the Sunshine State to have the highest premium costs in the nation, despite the fact that no major hurricanes have hit our...
Title Insurance Ruling Clarified
Tue Mar 8 2016, 2:33 pm
February 26, 2016 ‘Title Insurance Ruling Clarified’ By James D. York, P.A. A ruling last week by the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) relayed some new information from the Florida Division of Agent and Agency Services. It informed realtors that it was unlawful to p...
New Licensees Abound
Tue Mar 8 2016, 2:11 pm
February 19th, 2016 ‘New Licensees Abound’ By James D. York, P.A. The year 2015 saw 28,507 newly licensed real estate agents added to the Florida rosters—the highest number since the 2005 peak, when over 42,000 people took and passed the real estate exam. In contrast, 2011...
Golf Tournaments Bring New Buyers
Tue Mar 8 2016, 2:02 pm
February 12, 2016 ‘Golf Tournaments Bring New Buyers’ By James D. York, P.A. Naples is a wonderful place to live—and a wonderful place to golf. We’re fortunate to be able to host world-class golf tournaments and attract new visitors to our beloved area. Next up for...
Free Golf School With Bobby Clampett
Thu Jan 21 2016, 10:57 am
January 22, 2016 ‘Free Golf School With Bobby Clampett’ By: York Real Estate Group York Real Estate Group is currently offering a special bonus! To jump start your game, we will include a half-day golf school (Impact Zone Golf) Bobby Clampett with any sale in a golf c...
Foreign Investment Changes Coming
Thu Jan 21 2016, 10:55 am
January 15th, 2016 ‘Foreign investment changes coming’ By: York Real Estate Group In December, Congress acted to ease the way for foreign investors--but also to increase the withholding rate on foreign sales. The revised law, called the Foreign Investment Real Property Tax Act or...
First-time Buyers With Student Loans Will Face Tougher Challenges Getting A Mortgage
Mon Jan 11 2016, 4:27 pm
January 8th 2016 ‘First-time buyers with student loans will face tougher challenges getting a mortgage’ By: York Real Estate Group Some new changes in how the Federal Housing Administration determines a prospective buyer’s debt-to-income (DTI) ratio will make it more diffic...