Entries by Phil Whitehead

No Oversized Check? The Florida Mansion That Publishers Clearing House Built Could Be Yours

By Tiffani Sherman Sep 5, 2023 Did you know Publishers Clearing House and Disney World’s Epcot share something in common? Yes, both had TV commercials in heavy rotation in the 1980s; but, naturally, we’re referring to something more relevant to real estate. The architecture firm that designed Epcot also designed a house for Harold and LuEsther Mertz, founders of Publishers Clearing House, the direct marketing […]

Is the Fall Housing Market Really ‘Going Nowhere Fast’? What Buyers and Sellers Need To Know

 By Clare Trapasso Sep 11, 2023 The housing market is stuck—and isn’t likely to unstick itself this fall. Pinned down by high mortgage rates, which topped 7% last month, the market has slowed to a crawl. Buyers can’t afford to buy, sellers are reluctant to sell, and the number of available homes remains dangerously low. That shortage […]

Amazingly, 2023 Is Not the Most Unaffordable It’s Ever Been To Buy a Home—Not Even Close!

By Clare Trapasso Jul 10, 2023 Yes, we’ve all heard it. Buying a home today might seem like the most unaffordable, and therefore impossible, it’s ever been. Home prices are near record levels, pushed up by bidding wars erupting on anything well-situated and move-in ready. Plus, mortgage rates are nearing 7%. But here’s the thing: The baby boomers had it […]

JOB GAINS SLOW, BUT REMAIN SOLID–HERE’S WHAT IT MEANS FOR HOUSING

By Devin Meenan Ask any real estate professional about the macroeconomic challenges they’re facing today, and you’ll get an answer including both “inflation” and “interest rates.” As the former one grows, the latter does, too. The Federal Reserve’s latest meeting on July 27 saw the board raise interest rates another 25 basis points. This came despite them […]

FREDDIE MAC ANNOUNCES NEW UNDERWRITING INNOVATION TO HELP BORROWERS QUALIFY

Freddie Mac has announced the launch of a new feature to the underwriting process, designed to increase homeownership opportunities. Underwriting will now include a review of a borrower’s bank account data to identify a history of positive monthly cash flow activity as part of its technology’s loan purchase eligibility assessments, the company stated. The new feature […]