Landlord Relief Is On the Way But Timeline Still Unclear
The pandemic relief bill has $25B for rental assistance that landlords can request on behalf of tenants. But the president must sign it and each state must distribute it.
FHA Extends Help for Pandemic-Affected Homeowners
FHA borrowers can still get help to avoid an eviction or foreclosure. FHA will also maintain temporary policy flexibilities for lenders and servicers.
Has 2020 Killed These 3 Home Design Trends?
Americans expect things from a 24/7 home that they don’t from an after-I-get-home-from-work home. Sterile, open-design trends seem to be quickly falling out of favor.
NAR: Existing-Home Sales Dropped 2.5% in Nov.
Overall, U.S. sales dropped a bit, prices rose strongly (up 14.6%), and the inventory of for-sale homes fell to a record-low 2.3 months as the average home sold in 21 days.
COVID-19 Resurgence Pushes Drop in U.S. Consumer Confidence
Attitudes about current conditions fell sharply this month as the pandemic spread, but there’s hope for the future: The mid-2021 expectations index rose 3.2 points.
RE Q&A: Are Dec. 31 Fireworks Legal in an HOA?
A new law, effective April 8, 2020, prevents an HOA from enforcing or adopting rules that ban fireworks on the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
New Stimulus Bill Includes Money for Rent Assistance
A complex pandemic stimulus bill compromise appears to offer relief for landlords even as Congress extends a rental ban to Jan. 1, 2021. It also bolsters Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans ($284B more) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) grants ($20B more).
If Everyone Could Work from Home, 45% Would Move
Given the chance, many American workers would never go back to the office – and new freedom would turn most of those people into new homebuyers or suburban renters.
RE Q&A: Are Jan. 31 Fireworks Legal in an HOA?
A new law, effective April 8, 2020, prevents an HOA from enforcing or adopting rules that ban fireworks on the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Is It Time for LEED and Energy Star Programs to Be Updated?
Some experts think the environmental programs created “an amazing foundation,” but a new system that also analyzes utility costs would be a better gauge of performance.