Predictions can go spectacularly wrong, but a new focus on consumers could bolster lending rules (CFPB) and perhaps turn Fannie and Freddie into a “utility” (FHFA).

Florida Realtors Dec. data: More closed sales (single-family sales up 21%, condo-townhouse sales up 27.7%), more new pending sales, higher median prices and more new listings year-over-year. Chief Economist O’Connor: Higher pending sales “strongly signal” higher closed sales into 2021.

Fla. Supreme Court: State-run Citizens Property Ins. doesn’t have to compensate a Brevard County apartment owner for rental income lost after hurricane-caused damage.

U.S. buyers keep snatching up homes as soon as they hit the market. Dec. existing home sales rose 0.7%, and 2020 yearly sales were up 5.6% – the most since 2006.

Immigrants under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program who are legally allowed to work in the U.S. may also now qualify for an FHA loan.

The highest offer tends to win a bidding war, but frustrated buyers hoping to increase their odds have made Harry Potter videos and offered sellers Academy Award tickets.

The surge follows a 9.8% increase in Nov. Total housing starts for 2020 increased 7% compared to 2019, but builders voice concerns about “supply-side challenges.”

According to top agents, 2021 stories will relate in some way to the pandemic, with the tight inventory of homes topping their list. Also: How will vaccinated sellers react? Will a lot decide to list their home this year after months of waiting? And how many homes will go into foreclosure?

After last week’s notable increase in mortgage rates, the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage dipped a bit as it continues to hover near all-time record lows.

The credit-score company created guidelines for people planning to finance a home, car or other loan. Homebuyers should start up to 24 months before shopping.

The state real estate board continues to have Realtor representation, including Patti Ketcham (Tallahassee), Renee Butler (Winter Haven) and Patti Fitzgerald (Jupiter).

Everyone benefits if brokers or team leaders encourage others to lead, and in-house events as simple as a book club can facilitate conversations and encourage growth.

Biden says he’ll immediately ask the CDC and FHFA to extend eviction and foreclosure moratoriums until March 31, giving Congress time to pass new pandemic relief.

“I have not seen any evidence that the trends we are seeing now are going to reverse,” Fla. Insurance Commission Altmaier says, referring to double-digit homeowners policy rate increases and a greater number of policies in Citizens, the state-owned “insurer of last resort.”