The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped to 3.57% – far below its 3.85% one year ago and the third week in a row for a decline. Source: Florida Realtors

Chief Executive magazine’s annual list put Texas in the top “best for business” category, but No. 2 Fla. “continued to steadily edge up in qualitative measures.” Source: Florida Realtors

Starting in Oct., a buyer’s credit score may drop after a late homeowners’ association payment the same way it drops if mortgage payments arrive late. Source: Florida Realtors

Source: Florida Realtors

RealtyTrac: Only 1 out of 150 seriously delinquent Fla. homeowners (.67%) qualify under the fed’s latest rules to help at-risk owners by reducing their mortgage principal. Nationwide, it’s 1 in 200 (.5%). Source: Florida Realtors

A New York cooperative doesn’t allow trust fund ownership, but HUD says that discriminates against a disabled buyer and isn’t “reasonable accommodation.” Source: Florida Realtors

The U.S. House unanimously passed a bill that promotes private flood insurance, and the Senate could now simply pass the House version. But that might not happen. Source: Florida Realtors

The first quarter of this year saw the homeownership rate decline again, plummeting to 63.6 percent – the third lowest rate on record. Source: Florida Realtors

RealtyTrac: In Southwest Fla., cash buyers in two local housing markets paid more for listings than buyers taking out a mortgage – a possible sign of a peak. Source: Florida Realtors

Pending home sales increased slightly in March for the second consecutive month, reaching its highest level in almost a year, according to NAR. Source: Florida Realtors