Governor Ron DeSantis is calling for a solution to the skyrocketing condo assessment fees that have left many Florida condo owners struggling. He urged lawmakers to take swift action and deliver relief by the end of this year.

Following the 2021 Surfside condo collapse, Florida passed stringent safety reforms requiring inspections and structural repairs on older buildings. While these new regulations aim to enhance safety, they’ve also led to a surge in special assessments, putting financial pressure on condo owners, especially retirees and those on fixed incomes.

DeSantis emphasized that while safety is a priority, the financial burden on condo owners needs to be addressed. "People should not have to choose between paying for essential safety…

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Hey, it's Andy with the Mandel team. And I'm here to bring you your August, 2024 housing market update.

As always, for the purposes of these videos, we're talking about single family homes only. So no condos, no townhouses, no 55 and over and no country clubs. Those are wildly different markets.

And we're talking about Boca Parkland and Coral Springs. Those are the areas where our team does the predominant amount of our business.

So I want to give you the leading indicator showing you what happened last month in July. So, you know, where the market is headed. Not where it's been.

A lot of times when you hear these stats from the national news media, they're talking about closed sales price, which is really indicative of what happened…

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Mortgage rates have recently dropped to their lowest levels of the year, creating a great opportunity for homebuyers and those looking to refinance. Our preferred lender offers a competitive rate of 6.375%, which is about 0.25% to 0.5% lower than the national average.

If you're considering purchasing a $750,000 home with a 10% down payment, your mortgage would be $675,000. At our lender's rate of 6.375%, your monthly principal and interest payment would be approximately $4,211.

Just 30 days ago, the rate was around 7%, making the payment on the same mortgage roughly $4,491. By securing a loan at our lender’s current rate, you could save over $280 per month compared to last month’s rates.

With these favorable conditions, now is the perfect time…

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Have you heard about the changes to how everyone in America buys or sells real estate? If you’re planning on buying a home anytime in the future after August 17th, 2024, you need to listen to this. There is a lot of misinformation out there, so I’m going to give you the truth, read the contracts to you, and explain how this whole thing works. So make sure you stay to the very end. Knowing about these changes and how to navigate them could save you from paying a ton of money to a real estate agent.

The Old Way: How Real Estate Commissions Were Handled

Previously, when a seller listed a house with a real estate agent, if the seller chose to offer compensation to a potential buyer’s agent, that amount was entered into the MLS for all agents to…

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Hey, it's Andy with the Mandel team and I'm here to bring you your July 2024 housing market update.

As always, we're going to be talking about single family homes only. So no condos, no townhouses.

We're going to be primarily focusing on Boca, Parkland, and Coral Springs. That's the area where our team does the predominant amount of our business.

So when we talk about these areas, we're talking about no country clubs, no 55 and overs, we want to give you the leading indicator showing you what happened in the real estate market last month, so you know where the market is headed, not where it's been.

A lot of times when you hear these stats from the media, you're hearing about you know, closed sales price, which is really indicative of…

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In May 2024, U.S. home prices rose by just 0.3% from the previous month, marking the smallest increase since January 2023. This slow growth is attributed to a slight rise in new listings, providing buyers with more options amidst high mortgage rates. Despite a 7.2% year-over-year increase, the pace is plateauing, suggesting a cooling market.

The Redfin Home Price Index (RHPI) indicates this trend, which uses repeat-sales pricing to measure changes in single-family home prices. While the housing shortage remains severe, it's easing compared to last year, with new listings increasing gradually. This slight increase in supply has alleviated some pressure on sale prices.

Chen Zhao, Redfin’s Economics Research Lead, noted that cooling inflation could…

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As we navigate through 2024, the U.S. housing market presents a compelling narrative shaped by robust job growth and significant homeowner equity gains. This dual perspective offers a deeper understanding of the market dynamics influencing both homeowners and potential buyers.

Big Job Growth in May 2024

In May 2024, the U.S. economy added 272,000 jobs, much more than expected. This strong job growth is helping the economy and making life better for workers, who are now seeing their wages grow faster than inflation.

Even though job growth is strong, the unemployment rate went up a bit to 4%, ending a 27-month period of very low unemployment. This shows that even in a strong job market, there are still challenges to face.

Key Highlights:

…

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Governor Ron DeSantis has recently enacted a bill aimed at curbing controversial enforcement practices by homeowner associations (HOAs) and enhancing their transparency. This new legislation, set to take effect on July 1, introduces a variety of measures designed to protect homeowners and ensure fair treatment.

Key Provisions of the New Law

Restrictions on Fines

HOAs can no longer fine homeowners for not bringing in a trash can within 24 hours before or after collection time. Additionally, holiday decoration fines can only be issued if a written notice is provided first.

Transparency and Accountability

Homeowners must receive a 14-day written notice of their right to a hearing to contest violation notices. Post-hearing, the HOA must notify…

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Are home prices finally beginning to cool off? Recent data suggests that we might be seeing the first signs of a shift in the market, as more sellers are now willing to reduce their asking prices compared to any time last year.

According to a recent report from Redfin, 6.4 percent of sellers across the country cut their asking prices during the four-week period ending May 26. This is the highest percentage of price reductions since November 2022. Additionally, the median asking price dropped by approximately $3,000 last week, bringing the national median to $416,623. While this figure remains high, the decline is notable given that it's the first drop in six months.

Several other indicators point towards a potential slowdown in price growth. For…

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Downtown Fort Lauderdale, FL, is a vibrant area known for its beautiful beaches, dynamic nightlife, and top-notch dining options. Whether you're visiting for a vacation or considering making this sunny city your new home, knowing the best places to eat and drink can enhance your experience. Here's a comprehensive guide to some of the best restaurants and bars downtown Fort Lauderdale has to offer, complete with addresses, contact information, and links to their websites for your convenience.

Beach and Beach Bars

Downtown Fort Lauderdale's beaches are a major attraction, and the beach bars provide the perfect spots to enjoy the ocean breeze with a refreshing drink in hand.

Blondies

- **Address:** 229 S Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort…

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