Posts by Wall Street Journal
After Florida Building Collapse, Task Force to Consider Changes to Condo Laws
SURFSIDE, Fla.—A task force has been created to investigate Florida’s laws surrounding condominiums and make recommendations for legal reforms to the governor’s office and state legislature in the wake of the building collapse in Surfside, according to people familiar with the plans. The Florida Bar organized the task force, said Bill Sklar, a South Florida real-estate…
Read MoreThese home renovations will give you the greatest returns
It should come as no surprise that outdoor spaces are more valued than ever. The coronavirus pandemic sent us all home for a year, and being cooped up inside made us long for upgraded outdoor spaces. The home renovation market boomed last year, and continues to flourish now, with outdoor renovations leading the list of…
Read MoreConsumer watchdog group issues policy to strengthen national eviction moratorium
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced an interim rule on Monday that will allow tenants to sue debt collectors who violate the national ban on evictions. Attorneys for landlords and other debt collectors who wrongly evict tenants could also face federal and state prosecution, the bureau said. In addition, these debt collectors must now provide tenants notice…
Read MoreMortgage refinance demand hits lowest level in over a year, and homebuyers retreat, too
It was a mixed week for rates, which started high and then fell slightly, but the damage was done early. Total mortgage application volume decreased 3.7% for the week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($548,250 or less) decreased…
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