NARPM Southwest Florida

In an advisory posted earlier this week, government officials warned that a ransomware-as-a-service software called Medusa, which has launched ransomware attacks since 2021, has recently affected hundreds of people. Medusa uses phishing campaigns as its main method for stealing victims' credentials, according to CISA.

Officials Warn of Ransomware Threat The FBI and CISA warn of Medusa ransomware, which steals credentials via phishing and uses double extortion to demand payments.

Not every renter has homeownership in their plans, but if buying a home is something you hope to do—whether in the next year or further down the road—the decisions you make when looking for a rental can help set you up for success.

Why Your Rental Agent Should Also Be Your Future Home-Buying Guide Not every renter has homeownership in their plans, but if buying a home is something you hope to do—whether in the next year or further down the road—the decisions you make when looking for a rental can help set you up for success. And one of the best decisions you can make is to hire …

Trends that seem ubiquitous one day can seemingly vanish before the sun rises again just 24 hours later.

Interior Trends to Incorporate in Your Home The home renovation experts said wood-infused architectural warmth, such as ceiling beams, trim and wall paneling, is among the 10 most popular home trends.

After three cuts to its key interest rate last year, Federal Reserve officials, led by Chair Jerome Powell, have signaled that they are in a new phase of watching and waiting.

https://ow.ly/EOE750V1Wv5

Fed Seeks Clarity Before Next Rate Cuts The Fed is pausing rate cuts to monitor inflation and other economic factors. Future cuts depend on inflation trends and job market stability one Fed official said.

Real estate agents and businesses know that chatbots using artificial intelligence (AI) can speed up interactions with potential clients and provide answers to the most frequently asked questions, but AI can be leveraged in so many other ways that can improve sales.

https://ow.ly/458B50V1Vc5

How AI Is Reaching Further into Real Estate The expansion of artificial intelligence options includes helping to virtually stage a home, speeding up mortgage approvals and fueling smarter property searches.

costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners seeking to refinance their home loan to a lower rate, rose this week. The average rate increased to 6.09% from 6.05% last week. A year ago, it averaged 6.12%, Freddie Mac said.

30-Year Mortgage Rates Continue to Decrease The average rate on a 30-year mortgage fell to 6.87% from 6.89% last week, but rates on 15-year mortgages rose to 6.09% from 6.05%, Freddie Mac said.

Renting an apartment or a home is convenient for people just starting out in life who may not have ample savings or a high enough credit score to secure a mortgage. Renting also may be necessary for individuals who have been priced out of a real estate market that has remained high over the last several years.

https://ow.ly/5vCL50UGpSc

How Renters Secure Their Financial Future Renters can improve their finances by growing their credit score and contributing to retirement accounts, among other strategies.

More than 100% growth since 2019 was recorded in ZIP codes in Boca Grande, outside Cape Coral (33921), Boca Raton (33432) and Inlet Beach, near Destin (32461). All three ZIP codes showed upward momentum within the last year.

https://ow.ly/IPlu50UGpsB

Florida Home to Hottest Luxury ZIP Codes Areas that include Longboat Key, Boca Raton and Inlet Beach near Destin have seen luxury-market growth in the last year.

May the new year bring happiness, health, and success to you and your loved ones.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.

To help you keep your well running smoothly and safely, we've compiled a list of must-have equipment for homes with private wells. Ready to maximize your well's potential? Let's get started!

Must-Have Equipment for Homes With a Private Well - RISMedia's Housecall By Dixie Somers If you're lucky enough to have a well on your property, you know the benefits of having access to your own clean, fresh water. But owning a private well also means taking on the responsibility of maintaining it and ensuring that your water continues to meet safety standards; a well i...

Affordability and the so-called “lock-in effect” are expected to keep housing activity subdued in 2025, with existing home sales forecast to move only slightly upward from recent multi-decade lows, according to the December 2024 commentary from the Fannie Mae Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group.

Fannie Mae: Affordability, Lock-in Remain in 2025 Economists forecast rates to decline modestly, and new home sales to grow in 2025. The Sun Belt, including Florida, will see strong housing activity.