Entries by Toby Tobin

Which Online Listing Site is Best?

When advertising home listings, where should Realtors spend their marketing dollars? Where should homebuyers go first when they begin an online home search? NEW YORK – October 15, 2015 – When advertising home listings, where should Realtors spend their marketing dollars? Where should homebuyers go first when they begin an online home search? As a […]

HUD Charges Landlord for Adult-only Section

Charging a group of Colorado landlords with housing discrimination for allegedly relegating families with children to apartments in the rear building of an apartment complex. WASHINGTON – Oct. 14, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) yesterday announced it is charging a group of Colorado landlords with housing discrimination for allegedly […]

Florida Home Sellers Lie to Buyers, Face 20 Years in Jail

A Hernando County couple faces up to 20 years in a federal prison for actions related to a sinkhole home claim that they did not later report to the home’s buyers. SPRING HILL, Fla. – October 13, 2015 – A Hernando County couple faces up to 20 years in a federal prison for actions related to […]

Home Sales Will Be Tracking Lower: Find Out Why

The new TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rules for mortgage closings took effect for new loan applications on October 3. Closing delays will compound expected seasonal declines. PALM COAST, Fla. – October 12, 2015 – The new TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rules for mortgage closings took effect for new loan applications on October 3. The changes apply […]

Short-term Vacation Rental Lawsuit – $22.7M Bert Harris Claims Prompts Dueling Press Releases

Lawsuit was ignited by Flagler County’s ordinance to control short-term vacation rentals. New ‘unfair taking’ claims by plaintiffs prompted both sides to issue press releases yesterday. PALM COAST, FL – October 9, 2015 – February 19, 2015, Flagler County adopted an ordinance to control short-term vacation rentals. March 6, 2015, the county was hit with […]

BRED Mortgage – More Money in Your Pocket

The Blended Rate Equity Driver (BRED) mortgage gives home owners more options and puts more equity in their pockets. This report is an introduction to BRED. PALM COAST, FL – October 2, 2015 – The Blended Rate Equity Driver (BRED) mortgage, a new mortgage product proposed by Director of Housing Finance and Regional Economics Ken Fears, gives home […]

Joaquin – Understanding Uncertainty of Hurricane Forecasting

You all know the NOAA Hurricane Probability Cone graphic. It portrays the expected track of a tropical storm or hurricane. Do you know how it is developed? Meet the aptly named Spaghetti Model. PALM COAST, Fla. – October 1, 2015 – Northeast Florida watches again as a major hurricane goes somewhere else rather than here. […]

Flagler County Fully Acquires Utility Serving Plantation Bay

Flagler County and the city of Bunnell jointly entered into the operation and purchase of the facility from a private developer in 2013. The system is now the sole responsibility of the county. PALM COAST, FL – September 30, 2015 – Flagler County has fully acquired the utility system that serves Plantation Bay residents. Flagler County […]

Grand Reserve Golf Course Sale Closes

The purchaser is an entity formed by the current golf course operator. The sale assures continuity of the golf operation making the surrounding residential development more attractive for development. PALM COAST, FL – September 30, 2015 – Another of Flagler County’s golf courses is on more solid ground as Capstone Golf, the long-time operator of […]

Florida Real Estate Rebound Strongest in Nation

In a city-by-city comparison, Orlando leads the nation in both a month-to-month and year-to-year comparison, and only one non-Florida city makes the top five list for either time frame. MCLEAN, Va. – September 28, 2015 – Freddie Mac's latest Multi-Indicator Market Index (MiMi) finds that the Florida real estate market's rebound leads the nation. In a […]