S. Florida home sales fall in April

South Florida home sales declined in April, but prices hovered around the same levels as buyers and sellers tried to figure out the region's real estate market.

Home buyers and sellers continued to stare each other down in April, with both sides refusing to budge. Fewer homes sold, but prices held more or less steady on those that did. READ MORE

Home sales fall, prices level off as market turns in S. Florida

South Florida's housing market remained soft in April, giving buyers more choices and sellers more grief. READ MORE

More sellers holding mortgages for buyers

This time it's not because they help sellers afford homes in a high interest-rate environment, as they did in the 1980s, when 40 percent of all home sales used seller financing.

This time, it's because take-back loans allow the seller to spread out the gain over a longer period and avoid paying a large capital gains bill on profits over $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for a married couple. READ MORE

Hospitals struggle to fill the ranks

In another effort to lure new workers and maintain the ones it has, Baptist Health launched a program this month in conjunction with its credit union and Home Financing Center to provide assistance for employees wanting to buy their first home.


Eligible nonexecutive employees can receive anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 in forgiveable loans to go toward their first house purchase, Streeter said. Employees who are first-time home buyers can receive about $2,000 if they agree to stay with the hospital for at least two years. READ MORE

Home flippers' investments flop on Treasure Coast

Despite slashing his asking price by $55,000 to $285,000 and keeping vigil at sparsely attended open houses for six months, he still has no takers. READ MORE

Stable prices replacing boom, Greenspan says

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said the five-year housing "boom is over," though prices won't fall nationally.

"We're not about to go into a situation where prices will go down," Greenspan, 80, said in response to questions Thursday evening at a reception in New York hosted by the Bond Market Association. There is "no evidence home prices are going to collapse." READ MORE

In the market for a house? Better do your homework

When I bought my first home, I started by looking for pretty pictures in the newspaper and online.

Then I revved up the car and went shopping. What a dummy.


I should've first shopped for an experienced and ethical real estate agent.

Great Story! Read on. Just click the link below.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/realestate/sfl-hlpvasquez14may14,0,6224031.column?coll=sfla-busrealestate-headlines

South Floridians troubled by higher rents

After just a year in their two-bedroom apartment in Plantation, Carl and Pascale Desir were told their rent would go up by $250, to $1,150.

So they moved into a one-bedroom in North Lauderdale. They're now thinking about leaving Florida altogether.

''We had to go smaller to stay in our price range. It doesn't make sense to pay so much just for rent,'' said Carl, 27, a math teacher. ``We know it's a possibility the rent is going to go up here, too. You just can't get settled in anywhere.'' READ MORE