A tight inventory of new homes didn’t slow growth in Sept. as new home sales rose 3.1% thanks to recent hiring gains and still-low interest rates. Source: Florida Realtors

Prices went up 5.1% in August after a 5% gain in July as an increasing number of buyers competed for a decreasing number of listings. Source: Florida Realtors

Study: 53% of potential homebuyers with student loan debt say the debt is “somewhat” or “very much” an obstacle to them buying a home, up from 49% in 2014. Source: Florida Realtors

A property-insurer-paid Fla. fund helps owners if their property insurer goes bankrupt, but a payout doesn’t have to be as good as the benefits stated in a now-defunct policy; and the court ruled that a 2011 law can be applied retroactively. Source: Florida Realtors

NAR created a list of top concerns today’s political candidates will deal with once in office, although housing hasn’t been a high-profile campaign topic. Source: Florida Realtors

A TransUnion study predicts a strong uptick in first-time buyers as aging millennials start families and wounds from the Great Recession continue to heal. Source: Florida Realtors

Legal QandA: Can HOA owners report their association to the state? Can condo directors accept restaurant gift cards? Can I sell my condo but keep the boat slip? Source: Florida Realtors

For the first time in a decade, the time it takes to foreclose on a home is down. Fla. remains a top foreclosure state, but it’s now No. 5 for foreclosure rates. Source: Florida Realtors

Fla. families with mortgages backed by FHA, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac may be eligible for mortgage protection, and their penalty fees could be waived. Source: Florida Realtors

A federal appeals court ruled that CFPB’s structure – the U.S. consumer bureau with oversight over RESPA rules and most financial companies – is unconstitutional. Source: Florida Realtors