Real Estate

December 25, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: Can the HOA force me to remove...

Against a backdrop of downtown Fort Lauderdale, an Air Canada plane is parked at a gate at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which has seen a year-over-year decline in passengers from Canada between the spring and fall of this year. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

As winter takes hold, South Florida hotels and businesses hope Canadians come back

December 22, 2025 at 10:13 a.m.

South Florida hoteliers hope for an uptick in visits from Canadian snowbirds, many of whom...

A “For Sale” sign is displayed in front of a home in Prospect Heights, Ill., Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

November US homes sales rose from the previous month, but down from 2024 as prices climb

December 19, 2025 at 11:58 a.m.

Existing home sales rose 0.5% in last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of...

A home is shown for sale in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Homebuying cancellations in Fort Lauderdale are some of the highest in the country. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Would-be Florida homebuyers getting cold feet? Many more are walking away from purchases

By Abigail Hasebroock

December 19, 2025 at 11:13 a.m.

More homebuyers have been backing out of home-purchase agreements in many parts of Florida and...

FILE – A for sale sign stands outside a single-family residence on the market May 22, 2024, in southeast Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Average US long-term mortgage rate edges lower, remaining near its low for the year

December 26, 2025 at 7:46 p.m.

The decline brings the average long-term mortgage rate to 6.21% from 6.22% last week.

Although a constantly barking dog is upsetting, maintaining a decent relationship with your neighbor is important, as you don’t want to turn a disagreement into a feud. (The Press Enterprise file photo)

Ask a real estate pro: How can we get neighbor to deal with constantly barking dog?

December 18, 2025 at 6:30 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: How can we get our neighbors to...

In this undated photo provided by Megan Garcia in October 2024, she stands with her son, Sewell Setzer III. Garcia appeared with Gov. Ron DeSantis in Jupiter on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, to describe her son's interaction with artificial intelligence, which she said led to his suicide. (Courtesy Megan Garcia via AP, File)

DeSantis warns of dangers of AI, calls for Florida to regulate the technology

December 15, 2025 at 3:16 p.m.

Gov. DeSantis repeated calls for Florida to regulate AI. He also said President Trump’s executive...

Business loan agreement or legal document concept : Fountain pen on a loan agreement paper form. Loan agreement is a contract between a borrower and a lender, a compilation of various mutual promises.

What to say to a mortgage lender when applying to refinance

December 15, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.

To get the refinance you want, you need to explain your goal.

Average US long-term mortgage rate ticks up to 6.22%, but remains close to its low for the year

December 11, 2025 at 1:28 p.m.

This is the first increase after two straight declines.

A minimum credit score requirement is a common way for boards to evaluate financial reliability and reduce perceived risks. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Ask a real estate pro: Can condo board keep me from renting if my credit score is barely too low?

December 11, 2025 at 4:40 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: Can the condo board deny my rental...

A for sale sign is displayed outside of a home for sale on August 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

2026 Housing market: Stable rates, rising costs ahead

December 8, 2025 at 1:03 p.m.

Prospective buyers and sellers shouldn’t hold out for a major mortgage rate drop.

The city of Fort Lauderdale's skyline is seen in early 2024. It is more expensive to own a high-rise condo in South Florida than just about anywhere else in the U.S. – and that doesn’t include paying for the condo itself. That’s just the cost of upkeep in the form of monthly fees. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)

The high cost of high-rise condo living in South Florida

By Tom Hudson

December 5, 2025 at 12:29 p.m.

It is more expensive to own a high-rise condo in South Florida than just about...

Average US long-term mortgage rate falls to 6.19%, near its low for the year

December 4, 2025 at 11:25 p.m.

It’s now at the lowest level since Oct. 30.

Moving to a new area for a job is an exciting opportunity, but it also involves important decisions, one of the biggest being whether to buy a house or rent one. (Orlando Sentinel file photo)

Ask a real estate pro: Is it better to rent or buy when I move for a new job?

December 4, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: When I move for a new job,...

When developers undertake a project, they often need to follow environmental regulations and conduct assessments to reduce harm to ecosystems. (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)

Ask a real estate pro: Is developer of new project liable for damage to our trees?

November 27, 2025 at 3:35 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: A developer's project pushed animals out of...

Average US long-term mortgage rate falls to 6.23%, ending a three-week climb

November 28, 2025 at 9:17 p.m.

Just four weeks ago, the average rate was at 6.17%.

The Bentley Residences, currently under construction at 18401 Collins Ave. in Sunny Isles Beach, will stand 749 feet high when it opens in 2028. (Courtesy of Dezer Development)

South Florida skyscraper will be one of the tallest beachfront luxury buildings in the country

November 26, 2025 at 10:45 a.m.

The Bentley Residences will stand 749 feet high, making it one of the nation’s tallest...

Two residents of Lion Country Safari hang out at the expansive Palm Beach County wildlife attraction and conservation center, which was sold to technology billionaire Larry Ellison. (South Florida Sun Sentinel file)

Lion Country Safari sold to Larry Ellison Foundation; park operations to remain the same

November 25, 2025 at 4:12 p.m.

Lion Country Safari, the revered wildlife sancutary in Palm Beach County, has been sold to...

New limits for a rent algorithm that prosecutors say let landlords drive up prices

November 28, 2025 at 9:19 p.m.

RealPage was accused of helping property managers illegally drive up rents across the country.

High-rise towers are planned on either side of the Dalmar hotel in downtown Fort Lauderdale, shown here on Thursday. Critics say Fort Lauderdale is overdeveloped, but there are more towers on the way. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Where New Yorkers and other new Florida arrivals might live — and work — in 2026

November 24, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

South Florida's growth may have eased, but as a potential new wave of transplants looms...

Broward Property Appraiser Marty Kiar presented a detailed analysis of proposed changes to Florida property tax law to the Broward Legislative Delegation meeting in Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 13, 2025. (Anthony Man/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Property-tax changes could save thousands for Broward homeowners, but leave $1.4B hole in government budgets

November 22, 2025 at 9:09 a.m.

Florida's proposed property tax overhaul could save the median Broward homeowner $2,421, but an analysis...

FILE – A “For Sale” sign is displayed outside a home on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

Average US long-term mortgage rate rises to 6.26%, the third straight increase

November 24, 2025 at 5:05 p.m.

Just three weeks ago, the average rate was at 6.17%.

FILE – New construction homes and apartments are seen surrounding an older home on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Happy Valley, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

US homes sales rose in October as homebuyers seized on declining mortgage rates

November 28, 2025 at 9:21 p.m.

The latest sales figure topped the pace economists were expecting.

FILE – New homes dot the landscape in Middlesex Township, Pa., on April 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

How to spend a million dollars on a $400K home: 50-year mortgage math

November 20, 2025 at 10:01 a.m.

Aiding affordability is the intention of the proposed ultra-long loan, but reaction was strongly negative.

Property lines are usually established by a survey, which is a legal document that defines the features and boundaries of your land. (Steve Nehf/The Denver Post)

Ask a real estate pro: Do I need to move concrete fence before selling my home?

November 20, 2025 at 3:50 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: When I'm selling my home, do I...

A Florida judge ruled this week he will not allow a dispute over the quality of more than 340 homes constructed by Lennar on Seminole land and purchased by the Tribe to be resolved by arbitration.

Judge rejects arbitration for dispute over hundreds of Lennar homes on Seminole land

By Rafael Olmeda

November 19, 2025 at 5:07 p.m.

A Florida judge ruled this week he will not allow a dispute to be resolved...

A home is shown for sale by owner in Fort Lauderdale. This month, President Donald Trump voiced his support for a 50-year mortgage, as one more path toward homeownership. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

What Florida homebuyers should know about Trump’s 50-year mortgage plan

By Rebecca Liebson

November 19, 2025 at 9:18 p.m.

The logic is simple — if you lengthen the life of the loan from 30...

The statue of Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, namesake of the Florida county, used to stand in the courthouse but was removed in 2017. Business leaders and some elected officials want to ask voters in 2026 if they'd like to change the county's name to "Lauderdale."(Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

Poll finds Broward voters strongly oppose switch to ‘Lauderdale County.’ Only 7% support.

November 18, 2025 at 7:06 a.m.

Four out of five likely Broward voters surveyed for public opinion poll oppose changing the...

Efforts to change Broward County's name to Lauderdale County have suffered setbacks, but the proposal for a 2026 voter referendum on the question is still possible. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Proposed referendum to change Broward’s name to Lauderdale draws opposition, suffers setbacks

November 14, 2025 at 7:05 a.m.

The idea of changing Broward County’s name to Lauderdale County is still alive — but...

Workers attach siding to a house at a new home construction site in Trappe, Maryland, on Oct. 28, 2022. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images North America/TNS)

Homebuilders bet on 1% mortgage rates to wake up US buyers

November 16, 2025 at 9:27 p.m.

These aren’t the perks of a healthy housing market.

Average US long-term mortgage rate rises again, inching up to 6.24%

November 16, 2025 at 9:23 p.m.

The average rate hovered near its low point so far this year.

Feeding ducks and other wildlife can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity that brings you closer to nature. However, it is common for community associations to step in and regulate activities like this, especially if they believe it is causing issues for the neighborhood. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Ask a real estate pro: Can HOA stop us from feeding the ducks?

November 13, 2025 at 6:30 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: Can a homeowners association prevent residents from...

Top business leaders drive effort to jettison Broward’s name and become ‘Lauderdale County’

November 12, 2025 at 4:08 p.m.

Coveting the cachet that they see associated with Miami and Palm Beach, leaders of the...

White House’s 50-year mortgage proposal has one notable benefit but a number of drawbacks

November 11, 2025 at 9:31 p.m.

FHA's Bill Pulte called it a "game changer" for homebuyers.

Average US long-term mortgage rate ticks up to 6.22% after four straight weekly declines

November 11, 2025 at 9:33 p.m.

A year ago, the rate averaged 6.79%.

Whether you’re updating a few features or doing a full-scale renovation, there are steps you can take to make the experience as stress-free as possible. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel file photo)

Ask a real estate pro: How can we keep our kitchen remodel from becoming a nightmare?

November 6, 2025 at 6:30 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: What tips can you offer to help...

A view of the Miami skyline in February 2023. Some brokers and developers in Florida are waiting eagerly to see if the election of a democratic socialist will drive more wealthy New Yorkers south. (Scott Baker/The New York Times file)

Will South Florida’s real estate market benefit from Mamdani’s New York City victory?

By Patricia Mazzei

November 7, 2025 at 12:54 p.m.

From the moment that Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor...

A poll released on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, by the Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative found half of Floridians are thinking of leaving the state because of the high cost of living. Just how many really will uproot themselves and moves is less clear. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Quarter of Florida residents ‘seriously’ contemplate leaving state because of high cost of living, survey says

November 4, 2025 at 6:33 a.m.

A quarter of Floridians surveyed are "seriously considering" moving elsewhere because of the high cost...

Americans staying put: US home turnover rate at lowest level in decades as housing slump drags on

October 31, 2025 at 12:59 p.m.

Many homeowners are reluctant to sell after securing low mortgage rates in 2020 and 2021.

Average long-term US mortgage rate dips to 6.17%, its lowest level in more than a year

October 30, 2025 at 2:01 p.m.

The latest dip brings the average rate to its lowest level since early October 2024.

The law requires every property owner to use their property in a way that does not cause unreasonable harm to others. While your neighbor has every right to water their landscaping, that right ends when their actions damage your property. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)

Ask a real estate pro: Can I sue owner of building next door over damage caused by sprinklers?

October 30, 2025 at 4:10 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: Can I sue the owner of neighboring...

A protester carries a tent through Freedom Plaza during a rally against big banks and home foreclosures in Washington, D.C., May 20, 2013. (Jim Watson/AFP/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/TNS)

Foreclosures are up. Here’s why experts aren’t worried

October 27, 2025 at 10:14 p.m.

Current foreclosure numbers aren’t quite as scary when you give them a little historical context.

(credit: MarkBartram/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Surreal estate: How hauntings affect home sales

October 25, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

A disturbing history like murder can affect the value of a home.

Average long-term US mortgage rate drops to 6.19%, lowest level in more than a year

October 23, 2025 at 12:21 p.m.

A year ago, the rate averaged 6.54%.

US home sales accelerated in September to their fastest pace since February as mortgage rates eased

October 23, 2025 at 12:09 p.m.

Declining mortgage rates and a pickup in available properties on the market encouraged home shoppers.

Generally, property owners are not responsible for nuisances caused by trees or other vegetation on their property. (South Florida Sun Sentinel file photo)

Ask a real estate pro: Do I have to pay for damage neighbor says is caused by palm tree root?

October 23, 2025 at 6:30 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: My neighbor says a tree root is...

John’ s Lutheran Church in Madison, Wisconsin, is being converted into a 10- story high-rise that will combine a worship space with more than 100 affordable apartments. (Video screenshot courtesy of St. John’s Lutheran Church/Stateline/TNS)

Can states, and a little bit of faith, convert church land into affordable housing?

October 24, 2025 at 8:52 p.m.

There's a growing movement known as YIGBY — Yes in God’s Backyard.

Workers lay steel rebar within wall forms at Onx’s Pompano Beach factory in 2024. The company now says it is laying off 137 workers in South Florida due to rising costs and slowing demand,. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel file)

Onx Homes laying off 137 South Florida workers, ‘winding down’ Pompano, Homestead factories

October 16, 2025 at 3:18 p.m.

Onx Homes, which operates factories in Pompano Beach and Homestead for prefabricated storm-proof homes, is...

Average long-term US mortgage rate slips to 6.27%, nearing a low for 2025

October 17, 2025 at 12:24 p.m.

The dip brings the average rate to just above where it was four weeks ago.

A sign advertising an open house in a neighborhood.

I asked real buyers: How hard is it to find a house right now?

October 16, 2025 at 10:01 a.m.

Despite recent growth, inventory is still 13% below pre-pandemic levels.

Sometimes, buyers want to move in a few days early or rent the condo for a weekend before the sale is finalized. Although this might seem like a simple request, there are significant risks and considerations to keep in mind. (Gerry Broome/AP file)

Ask a real estate pro: Should I let buyers rent condo for weekend before closing?

October 16, 2025 at 5:30 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: Should I say yes to buyers' request...

The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. (JCC Press Center photo/Courtesy)

Many smaller NYC congregations rent their space. As real estate prices soar, how do they find a home?

By Joseph Strauss

October 14, 2025 at 11:34 a.m.

New York City congregations have gotten creative, leasing from a variety of properties that moonlight...

Tavistock Development Company Senior Vice President Chris Gandolfo is shown at Fort Lauderdale's Pier Sixty-Six Resort, which has emerged as a village filled with luxury amenities. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Communities within communities: Projects like Bahia Mar, Galleria, FAT Village and more gain steam

October 13, 2025 at 9:04 a.m.

"Communities within communities" loom as a key growth component as Fort Lauderdale seeks to refine...

FILE – A development of new homes in Eagleville, Pa., is shown on April 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Average long-term US mortgage rate eases to 6.3%, back to its lowest level in about a year

October 9, 2025 at 1:29 p.m.

The modest drop brings the average rate back to where it was two weeks ago.

Living in an apartment comes with its own set of challenges, including dealing with noisy neighbors. While every apartment community has its own rules and guidelines, the steps for addressing noise issues are generally the same. (South Florida Sun Sentinel file photo)

Ask a real estate pro: How can I get my neighbor to keep it down during 5 a.m. workouts?

October 9, 2025 at 6:30 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: My neighbor's 5 a.m. workout keeps waking...

An aerial view of the Galleria mall on Oct. 6 shows the sprawling property that sits on Sunrise Boulevard just east of the Intracoastal in Fort Lauderdale. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Galleria Mall could be replaced by nine 30-story towers, hotel and affordable housing

October 6, 2025 at 8:01 p.m.

Plans submitted to the city show the developers who acquired Fort Lauderdale's Galleria Mall envision...

Metropica, a $2 billion megaproject going up in Sunrise, calls for 3,000 luxury apartments and condos, two hotels, four office towers and nearly 500,000 square feet of retail. (Metropica Development LLC/Courtesy)

Sunrise’s skyline is looking up: 3,000 new Metropica condos and apartments on the way

October 6, 2025 at 7:00 a.m.

Metropica, a $2 billion megaproject going up in Sunrise, calls for 3,300 luxury apartments and...

For now, the trend points to gradually lower home equity borrowing costs, especially for HELOCs. (Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS)

Forecast: Home equity rates, the Fed and what’s next for home equity borrowing

October 4, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

How much rate relief can home equity borrowers actually expect?

Paying off your mortgage early can give you a sense of security and more flexibility in your budget. (Monkey Business Images/Dreamstime/TNS)

Should you pay off your mortgage early?

October 3, 2025 at 10:01 a.m.

Most mortgages don’t come with a prepayment penalty.

Average long-term US mortgage rate ticks up for second straight week, to 6.34%

October 2, 2025 at 8:49 p.m.

A year ago, the rate averaged 6.12%.

Hurricane windows often fall into a gray area, so the fine print matters. Knowing precisely what your bylaws state will help you present your case effectively. (New York Daily News file photo)

Ask a real estate pro: Who pays to replace hurricane windows removed during condo restoration?

October 2, 2025 at 3:35 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: My condo's hurricane windows were removed during...

The Florida Highway Patrol car belonging to Trooper Eduardo Hernandez, parked in front of the clubhouse at Carter Glen Condominiums on Goldenrod Road in Orlando, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. The Carter Glen HOA told Hernandez that he cannot park his patrol car in the guest lot at the clubhouse. He says state law preempts HOA rules. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

State trooper vs HOA: Tussle over parking patrol car overnight tests state law

By Jeffrey Schweers

October 1, 2025 at 9:53 a.m.

A heated confrontation in Orlando over an FHP patrol car's parking space has moved beyond...

FILE – This March 16, 2015 photo shows a “now leasing” sign outside an apartment complex near Millville, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, file)

FTC sues Zillow and Redfin over deal it accuses of supressing competition in rental ads

September 30, 2025 at 8:24 p.m.

The FTC claims a February deal violates federal antitrust laws.

Metropica on the rise: $2 billion megaproject expected to transform Sunrise

September 30, 2025 at 2:15 p.m.

On Tuesday, Metropica celebrated another groundbreaking at 2000 Metropica Way. When the work is done,...

The Seminole Tribe is suing Lennar Homes over complaints about construction of homes just southeast of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood. (BrianAJackson / Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Seminole Tribe sues Lennar over 552 ‘defective’ new houses across Florida

By Rafael Olmeda

September 29, 2025 at 1:11 p.m.

A Seminole Tribe lawsuit says hundreds of homes built by Miami-based Lennar Corporation on tribal...

Shoppers stroll through Fort Lauderdale’s Galleria mall on Sept. 23. The mall was sold to a team of developers who plan to embark on a major revamp. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Galleria Mall revamp: No details yet on a redesign, but new GM wants to add tenants

September 27, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.

Now that new owners have acquired Fort Lauderdale's Galleria Mall, a new management team is...

FILE – A for sale sign stands outside a residence in Wheeling, Ill., Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Profit margin on flipping a home is at a 17-year low due to high prices

September 26, 2025 at 3:22 p.m.

It pays less and less to buy and flip a home these days.

A sign lists a home for rent in Fort Lauderdale on May 7, 2025. Real estate experts are saying the market in South Florida is becoming more balanced and buyer-oriented. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

A buyers’ housing market? Here are the latest trends in South Florida real estate

By Abigail Hasebroock

September 25, 2025 at 12:15 p.m.

An increase in the housing inventory and stabilizing prices are helping homebuyers see an advantage...

Mortgage rates are displayed at a credit union in Wheeling, Ill., Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Average rate on a 30-year mortgage edges higher after declining four weeks in a row

September 25, 2025 at 1:04 p.m.

Mortgage rates are influenced by factors like the Fed’s interest rate.

US home sales remained sluggish in August despite late-summer mortgage rate slide

September 30, 2025 at 8:27 p.m.

The housing market has been in a slump since 2022, when mortgage rates climbed from...

Recurring water damage in a condominium can be a frustrating and costly issue for unit owners. (Joshua McKerrow/File photo)

Ask a real estate pro: Who pays for condo repairs after second leak from association’s AC unit?

September 25, 2025 at 6:30 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: My condo association says I have to...

In Pompano Beach, construction cranes hover in the horizon Tuesday at the site of the Waldorf Astoria. The tower is not far from the Ritz-Carlton, another luxury condo that’s also under construction in a town seeing a surge in development. (Amy Beth Bennett/ South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Pompano Beach getting many more luxury towers, boosting city’s status as destination

September 25, 2025 at 12:19 p.m.

Casamar, the latest boutique condo tower to open in Pompano Beach, isn’t the first and...

Paul and Ruby Callary speak with their realtor Mark Wong, left, before an open house Sunday morning, April 3, 2016, at their home of 27 years in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

How to negotiate commissions with your real estate agent

By Kate Talerico

September 24, 2025 at 8:30 p.m.

Here's how to make sure the fee you're paying is competitive.

Eric Itakura stands at his home in Los Gatos, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

A big Realtors settlement could have led to lower agent commissions. They haven’t changed

By Kate Talerico

September 24, 2025 at 8:21 p.m.

A year later, commissions have barely budged.

Franklin Castillo works on cutting stone for wall cladding for the Obama Presidential Center at GI Stone in West Town on Aug. 28, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Developers say on-again, off-again tariffs are making it difficult to predict prices and kick off projects

By Brian J Rogal

September 24, 2025 at 8:33 p.m.

“The uncertainty is worrying builders,” said Molly McShane, CEO of The McShane Cos., a national...

FILE – Coldwell Banker realtor Suzanne Hunter puts a sold sign on a home that she sold in Santa Clara, Calif., on Oct. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)

Compass to buy rival brokerage operator Anywhere Real Estate for about $1.5 billion

September 22, 2025 at 4:10 p.m.

The deal will bring Century 21, Compass and several other major brokerage brands under the...

A real estate sign sits outside a home for sale in Richardson, Texas, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

The Fed cut rates. Will it help the housing market?

September 22, 2025 at 1:39 p.m.

Mortgage interest rates aren’t the only thing holding back would-be buyers.

A rendering shows the 14-story 21 Hollywood luxury apartment project in Hollywood, which is under construction and in part is being financed by foreign investors seeking residency in the United States. (Kobi Karp Architecture/Courtesy)

Trump ‘Gold Card’ plan: Can it co-exist with investor residency program for developers?

September 23, 2025 at 6:57 p.m.

Experts assert the U.S. EB-5 program for foreign investors seeking residency is likely to remain...

Customers wait before the opening of the Mac Store at The Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale. The mall, which emerged as the city's main retail attraction in the 1980s, has been sold and a major makeover is ahead. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Fort Lauderdale’s Galleria Mall sold; new owners planning ‘retail and lifestyle destination’

September 23, 2025 at 12:43 p.m.

Fort Lauderdale's Galleria Mall, which emerged as the city's main retail attraction in the 1980s,...

Alice Shobe, who is Amazon’ s community impact program director, greets a guest after a press conference at Pacific Tower in Seattle on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Ivy Ceballo/The Seattle Times/TNS)

Amazon pledged to support affordable housing. How has it fared so far?

September 19, 2025 at 12:11 p.m.

Amazon’s housing investments have resulted in a 31% increase in affordable housing stock in Bellevue.

Regeant Panday and Sarah Tang in their living room as Tang holds onto Kaali, one of their two cats, in their Bridgeport neighborhood home on July 17, 2025. The couple bought their house nearly a year ago. While they were able to achieve homeownership, it has come with sacrifices for the couple, ones that many Americans are having to make because of climbing housing costs. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

They bought a house to ‘grow up.’ Now they can’t afford to start a family.

By Lizzie Kane

September 19, 2025 at 12:19 p.m.

The costs associated with owning a home — insurance, property taxes, maintenance, utilities — are...

Average rate on a 30-year mortgage falls again, dips to lowest level since early October

September 19, 2025 at 12:17 p.m.

The rate eased to 6.26% from 6.35% last week.

I’m a real estate writer who sold a house in a buyer’s market. Here’s what I learned

September 18, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Take care when describing any updates you've done.

How the Fed’s rate cut impacts mortgage rates

September 19, 2025 at 12:22 p.m.

The Federal Reserve just cut its benchmark rate, but that doesn't guarantee mortgage rates will...

Your homeowners association plays a significant role in maintaining the appearance and harmony of your community. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Ask a real estate pro: Should I take HOA to small claims court over landscaping demand?

September 18, 2025 at 6:30 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: Should we challenge HOA's demand in small...

Even so, the economic data remains decidedly mixed. (350jb/Dreamstime/TNS)

Mortgage rate scenarios to watch following a likely Fed rate cut

September 17, 2025 at 8:01 a.m.

If the Fed does cut rates by a quarter-point, what will happen to mortgage rates?

Average rate on a 30-year mortgage falls to lowest level in nearly a year

September 14, 2025 at 3:24 p.m.

The average rate is at its lowest level since Oct. 10, when it was 6.32%.

Buying a home is an exciting milestone, but it can come with surprises — like discovering a homeowners association you did not know existed. (File photo)

Ask a real estate pro: Is our new home in an HOA neighborhood or not?

September 11, 2025 at 6:30 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: We thought our new home wasn't in...

Doug McCormick is shown outside his four-bedroom home that has been up for sale for almost two months Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, near Evergreen, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Shortage of homebuyers forces many sellers to lower prices or walk away as sales slump drags on

September 8, 2025 at 4:05 p.m.

Many Americans still can't afford homes, but those who can are finding that they have...

At left, Instagram influencer Jake Adams participates with Isaac Scharf in an Orthodox ritual known as wrapping tefillin during Adams' visit last Dec. to the Boca Grove golf club community (right). The photo on the left, taken from a video posted by Adams, was included in a federal lawsuit filed against the community by Scharf. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel).

Orthodox family’s suit against Boca HOA hits snag; creator of video that led to fight says he won’t be back

By Ron Hurtibise

September 8, 2025 at 9:20 a.m.

The Scharf family remains determined to challenge the Boca Grove Property Owners Association despite a...

Average rate on a 30-year mortgage drops to 6.5%, lowest level since last October

September 5, 2025 at 11:28 p.m.

The trend should give prospective homebuyers more purchasing power.

FILE – A home for sale in Sudbury, Mass., is shown on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File)

Reasons why this fall is the ideal time to buy a house

September 4, 2025 at 10:01 a.m.

Housing supply hasn’t been this plentiful since May 2020.

Heribeto Blanco-Joya sits in his living room, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Artificial intelligence helps break barriers for Hispanic homeownership

September 5, 2025 at 11:29 p.m.

Some mortgage experts are using AI to help Hispanic homebuyers navigate the loan application process.

Disputes between neighbors arise for many reasons, and landscaping disagreements are a common one. (BestReviews)

Ask a real estate pro: What can I do after neighbor trimmed my hedge without permission?

September 4, 2025 at 6:30 a.m.

A reader asks real estate lawyer Gary Singer: My neighbor trimmed my hedge even though...

Average rate on a 30-year mortgage slips to 10-month low

September 1, 2025 at 4:46 p.m.

The recent downward trend bodes well for prospective homebuyers.

Special assessments can be a financial challenge for condominium owners, especially when they come unexpectedly. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Ask a real estate pro: What happens if I can’t afford to pay ‘huge’ condo assessment?