The changes were approved at Florida Realtors’ Mid-Winter meetings and will be released in Form Simplicity and via Florida Realtors other licensed vendors. Source: Florida Realtors

Florida Realtors: Single-family home sales up 1.2% over 2016, median price up 8%; condo sales up 2.9%, median price up 7.8%. Strong positive trends continued in 4Q. Source: Florida Realtors

An owner with home damage has the right to assign insurance benefits to a contractor without getting his mortgage holder to agree to the arrangement. Source: Florida Realtors

The average rate on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages shot up to 4.32% this week from 4.22% last week – its highest level since Dec. 2016. Source: Florida Realtors

New consumer survey says lifestyle changes are the top motivation to buy a home, followed by an improvement in finances and the desire to settle in one location. Source: Florida Realtors

The lender can’t expand unless it fixes mistakes, like charging unfair fees to lock in mortgage rates, opening fake accounts and force-placing unneeded insurance. Source: Florida Realtors

Rates on 15-year, fixed-rate and five-year adjustable-rate mortgages hit their highest level since 2011 as lending standards continue to tighten. Source: Florida Realtors

Despite a lack of inventory, U.S. pending home sales still managed to move a bit higher, though NAR expects tax law changes to impact higher-cost areas in 2018. Source: Florida Realtors

UF: Consumer sentiment among Floridians started the year at its highest level in 16 years, up 2.3 points in Jan. to 99.8 from a revised Dec. figure of 97.5. Source: Florida Realtors

For legal and ethical reasons, it’s important to protect clients’ privacy – but it’s also good marketing since 81% feel they’ve lost control over personal data. Source: Florida Realtors