Mortgage Rates Inch a Bit Higher this Week

After four weeks of declines, the average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.12% from last week’s 6.09%. It may suggest some short-term stability. McLEAN, Va. – The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate ticked up slightly this week after four weeks of declines, a possible sign of stabi

Renting a Room Can Hurt Homestead Tax Exemptions

Some Fla. homeowners with homestead property-tax exemptions are finding that the exemption is at risk if they rent out part of the home or run a small business. SARASOTA, Fla. – When Dan Graue read a letter from the Sarasota County Property Appraiser that notified him he had been dodging taxes on hi

FHA: Some Buyers Can Request Second Appraisal

New HUD process will allow FHA borrowers to request a second appraisal if they suspect their first appraisal was skewed due to an appraiser’s racial bias. WASHINGTON, Fla. – Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced that HUD, through the Federal Housing Administration (

Collier County Commissioners repeal 60-day rent increase ordinance

The Collier County ordinance that said landlords had to provide a 60-day notice to renters if they planned to increase the rent by 5% or more has been repealed. The board of commissioners voted Tuesday to repeal the ordinance less than a year after it was passed in October. The repeal passed 4-1. In