FHA ADDS NEW HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IMPACTED BY COVID-19

In addition to a foreclosure extension, owners with an FHA home loan now have forbearance extension options and can find help via FHA’s new outreach program.

 

On Friday, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced more measures (Opens in new tab.) (Opens as PDF.) to help homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages who are struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures provide additional, immediate relief, while expanding outreach about home retention options for struggling homeowners.

“We must continue to take action to ensure that those who may have experienced hardships brought on by COVID-19 have the support they need to remain in their homes,” says Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge.

“These measures are important steps we need to take to ensure that the individuals and families that continue to struggle financially due to COVID-19 have access to effective and meaningful recovery options,” adds FHA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Lopa Kolluri, saying FHA will also “continue to assess additional solutions to help homeowners in distress keep their homes and avoid future foreclosure where possible.”

Extended single family foreclosure and eviction moratoria

In conjunction (Opens in new tab.) with the president and other federal agencies, FHA extended its foreclosure and eviction moratoria for all FHA-insured single family mortgages, except vacant or abandoned properties, through July 31, 2021.

FHA also continued its deadline extension for a first legal action and reasonable diligence timeframes for 180 days after July 31, 2021. It says that will give servicers additional time to focus on assisting distressed homeowners. The extension excludes vacant or abandoned properties.

Extended covid-19 forbearance request timeframes

FHA extended the time period for homeowners to start a new forbearance plan to Sept. 30, 2021, so those who haven’t previously applied for COVID-19 forbearance can request a pause or reduction in mortgage payments. The COVID-19 Forbearance for homeowners who newly request assistance between July 1, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2021, is for six months.

For homeowners who received a forbearance from their mortgage servicer between July 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020, FHA is providing one additional three-month forbearance extension for those who need and request additional time to recover financially before resuming mortgage payments.

COVID-19 advance loan modification

FHA also introduced a new home retention option – the COVID-19 Advance Loan Modification (COVID-19 ALM) – which could offer significant payment relief to eligible owners.

The COVID-19 ALM will be offered to borrowers who are 90 or more days delinquent or at the end of their COVID-19 forbearance. It’s directed at owners who have a 30-year rate and term mortgage modification, and will bring the mortgage current and reduce the principal and interest portion of their monthly mortgage payment by at least 25%.

Mortgage servicers must now review their FHA servicing portfolio and offer the new COVID-19 ALM to distressed homeowners who qualify. To accept the modification, borrowers simply need to sign and return the mortgage modification documents to their mortgage servicer.

Failure to accept the ALM doesn’t cancel out other loss mitigation options. Borrowers who cannot make the modified mortgage payments with the COVID-19 ALM or have other questions should contact their mortgage servicer to learn about other options.

Home Equity conversion mortgage COVID-19 extensions

To assist seniors with Home Equity Conversion (reverse) Mortgages (HECMs), FHA extended their ability to request an extension before the servicer may request the loan be called due and payable. For extension requests received between July 1, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2021, servicers must grant homeowners an extension of up to six months.

For HECM homeowners with loans that have already been called due and payable, servicers must approve homeowner requests for an extension for any deadline related to foreclosure and claim submission of up to six months when the request is received between July 1, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2021.

For all HECMs that received an extension between July 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020, FHA is providing one additional three-month extension period if needed, providing the homeowner requests an extension from their mortgage servicer.

FHA urges all at-risk homeowners to contact their servicers immediately if they haven’t already done so. They can also consider contacting a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.

 

Source: Florida Realtors®

Copyright Infringement - Photo Copyright Lawsuits

You need a photo of a Gulf sunset to sell a beachfront condo. A title company you often use has a perfect photo on its website and surely wouldn’t mind if you use it – so you do. It seems innocent, but the actual photo owners are going after agents claiming copyright infringement.

 

You take your own listing photos, but sometimes a webpage or flyer would pop more if you could add a single photo of a Florida beach at sunrise or a palm tree backed by a rainbow. Since you don’t like to rise before 8 a.m. and the forecast doesn’t call for rain, you do a quick Google search, find the exact picture you have in mind and use it. After all, when it comes to marketing Florida’s sunny properties, there are a million photos online, and many even look similar.

Who owns the pictures?

The problem for real estate professionals is that someone, many times a company, owns every single online image.

A bigger problem is a fundamental misunderstanding that an image readily obtainable on the internet is available for use by anyone – this isn’t true. “I found it on the internet” doesn’t mean “I have permission to use it.” In fact, this problem has become so widespread that companies are enforcing their rights, demanding that real estate professionals, among others, pay for illegally using their photos in marketing.

Cease and desist

A large and growing number of Realtors® have received demand letters from photo licensing companies, such as Getty Images, citing their illegal use of an image on their website – but a large percentage of the time, the violation is a mistake and members did not know they were doing anything wrong.

Copyright law is not kind, however, and ignorance of the law is no excuse. Violating the law may carry hefty statutory and civil penalties. Claiming that your website was developed by a third-party vendor who selected photos is also no excuse. If you own the website, you’re liable for the violation. Your website developer may share culpability, but regardless of who selected your site’s images, you may be liable.

Protection tips

How do you protect yourself and your business to ensure that you’re not violating someone’s copyright? First, audit your website and identify all the images you’re displaying. Where did they come from, and how do you know you have permission to use them? If you cannot confidently answer these questions, remove them until you receive confirmation of permission.

What if you already have a demand letter stating that you violated someone’s copyright? Consider consulting an attorney and double-check the image in question. Is it owned by the company demanding payment? If it is, remove it. Then make a business decision and see if you can negotiate a lower fine. Do not ignore such a letter; usually the amount demanded will increase over time.

IDX webpage images

What if a copyrighted image is on your IDX webpage? You didn’t put it there – how can you be liable?

There is a process you can institute to protect yourself from violations within your IDX feed – a “safe harbor provision” under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). This safe harbor provides that you, as the “service provider and/or website provider,” can take five steps to protect yourself if republishing images.

Website operator safe harbor provisions

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  Does not have actual knowledge of the infringing content

  
  


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  Is not aware of facts or circumstances from which infringement is apparent

  
  


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  Does not receive a financial benefit directly attributable to the infringing activity

  
  


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  Acts expeditiously to remove the infringing content when notified

  
  


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  Has provided a means for receiving notice of the infringing content, registered (Opens in new tab.)a person with the U.S. Copyright Office (Opens in new tab.) as the designated agent for notices about infringement, and put the agent’s name, address, phone number and email address on the website

  
  

 

Many agents have their own websites, and their brokers also need to ensure that each individual website is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office as well.

“The statute requires each website to register a person or entity that will receive notice of alleged infringement, referred to as a ‘DMCA /Service Provider agent,’” says Katie Johnson, general counsel and chief member experience officer of the National Association of Realtors. “The Copyright Office form is set up such that one person or entity can be the agent for multiple websites by specifically listing each website on the registration form. Therefore, to be fully compliant with the statute, you must list each of the websites for which you want to act as DMCA agent.”

The first line of defense to avoid photo copyright infringement? Take your own pictures or hire someone to take pictures for you. (If you sign a photographer contract, make sure you understand your obligations and limitations.)

If you use online images, pay the licensing fees to ensure that you comply with the law. If you work with a web developer, consider inserting language into your service agreement that indemnifies you in the event the developer provides an image that infringes on someone’s copyright.

Finally, images are not the only items that are copyrighted: writings, drawings, music, printed material and videos are also a source of risk. When using these materials, follow the same steps to protect yourself.

Your terms of use

Your website should clearly state what someone who suspects a copyright violation should do.

Here is the language that the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) uses (NAR says you’re free to update it with your specific information and use it on your site):

If you believe that your intellectual property rights have been violated by [brokerage name] or by a third party who has uploaded Content on our Site, please provide the following information to the [brokerage name]-designated copyright agent listed below:

a. A description of the copyrighted work or other intellectual property that you claim has been infringed;

b. A description of where the material that you claim is infringing is located on the Site;

c. An address, a telephone number, and an e-mail address where [brokerage name] can contact you and, if different, an email address where the alleged infringing party, if not [brokerage name], can contact you;

d. A statement that you have a good-faith belief that the use is not authorized by the copyright or other intellectual property rights owner, by its agent, or by law;

e. A statement by you under penalty of perjury that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright or intellectual property owner or are authorized to act on the owner’s behalf;

f. Your electronic or physical signature.

[Brokerage name] may request additional information before removing any infringing material. [Brokerage name] may provide the alleged infringing party with your email address so that that person can respond to your allegations.

[Brokerage name] has registered a designated agent with the Copyright Office pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 512(c). If you believe your copyright material is being used on this Site without permission, please notify the designated agent at:

[Brokerage’s Designated Agent name, address and contact information].

You can read Florida Realtors’ terms of use by clicking the link at the bottom of each webpage.

Where can you get photos?

A number of websites offer quality photos for use once you purchase a licensing agreement. Here are a few examples:

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  IStockphoto: istockphoto.com (Opens in new tab.)

  
  


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  Shutterstock: shutterstock.com (Opens in new tab.)

  
  


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  For blogs: PhotoDropper plug in: photodropper.com (Opens in new tab.)

  
  


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  Photodune: photodune.net (Opens in new tab.)

  
  

 

Source: Florida Realtors®

CDC EVICTION MORATORIUM UPDATE

Florida Realtors® received official word that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) extended its federal eviction moratorium through July 31, 2021.

 

Florida Realtors® official word that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) extended its federal eviction moratorium through July 31, 2021. This is very disappointing news, particularly for the thousands of Realtor® members who are also housing providers.

The agency stated in its announcement that this latest extension of the moratorium, which has been in place since September 2020 under the CDC’s powers during a public health emergency, is intended to be the last.  The eviction moratorium prevents housing providers from evicting tenants for a variety of COVID-19-related reasons.

Following the announcement, the White House released a fact sheet on “Initiatives to Promote Housing Stability by Supporting Vulnerable Tenants and Preventing Foreclosures.”  It outlines plans by the Administration to coordinate across federal agencies and the state, local, and national governments to provide resources for tenants and housing providers who are being impacted by this issue.

In late May, Florida Realtors® filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Tampa that alleges the moratorium is “an unprecedented and unlawful federal administrative order” that oversteps the CDC’s legal authority. We are currently waiting on the court to rule on the case.

In the meantime, please visit Florida’s rental assistance program (called OUR Florida). The program began accepting and processing applications for rental/utility assistance on May 17th.

 

Source: Florida Realtors®

Treasure Coast Weekend Happenings

Outdoor Green Market in Tradition

Date: Event occurs every Saturday of every month.

Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Address: 87 Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, 34987

Price: Free

Category: Food Special

Come for a nice stroll through the Tradition Green Market every Saturday from 9am to 1pm. Completely outdoors and perfect for social distancing.

Over 30 different vendors on one long strip with organic fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, fresh produce, raw local honey, free-range organic eggs, kombucha, fresh juices, baked goods, gluten-free bread, pastries, desserts, spices, marinades, jams, marmalades, plants, herbs, flowers, orchids, fresh local beef.

We also offer home decor, custom jewelry, fabric masks, clothes, shoes, custom and handmade products, arts and crafts, unique gifts, goods, services and so much more.

Our vendors and farmers rotate so we don’t always have the same products but we’ll always have something good every Saturday.

Brunch food trucks too!!

Come spend the morning with us, and support your local vendors and small business, we’ll have a nice gourmet coffee and warm breakfast waiting for you every Saturday from 9am to 1pm “Rain or Shine”

“Tradition Neighborhood Market “ is located in the parking lot across from Target and Michael’s in Tradition – Port St Lucie.

Free Parking-Free Parking lot and Pets are always welcome !!!

 

Burgers & Brews Festival

Indian River County

Date: Saturday June 26, 2021

Time: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location: Indian River County

Address: , , FL,

Category: Festival

Celebrate Independence Day week with a bang featuring two of Americas favorite things Burgers & Brews! Live performances will entertain the crowd along with street vendors, a free kid zone, brews, food trucks and delicious burgers.

One of the highlights of this fun-filled day is the Best Burgers in Indian River County Competition to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. along 21st St. VIP lounge will feature complimentary beverages and noshes.  click here

 

Port St. Lucie Summer Beer, Wine & Spirits Fest

MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center

Date: Saturday June 26, 2021

Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Location: MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center

Address: 9221 SE Event Center Pl, Port St. Lucie , FL, 34952

Category: Food / Beverage

Summer Fest is your all-access pass to try beer, wine and spirits from around the world. Everything from local breweries to international wine and more. Guests will enjoy beer, wine and spirit samples for the session paired with live entertainment, food and interactive games.

Tickets are on sale now at PSLSummerFest.com! Use code: EVENTCENTER and save $10 on General Admission Tickets!

More info & tickets

MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center

 

Dueling Pianos in Palm Bay!

Date: Saturday June 26, 2021

Time: 8:00 pm

Location: Copper Chimney

Address: 1181 San Filippo Dr. SE, Ste 800, Palm Bay

Price: FREE

Category: Concert / Live Music

Come by Copper Chimney for our monthly dueling piano show in Palm Bay!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1492321697788609/?active_tab=about

 

SUNDAY DECK PARTY by the Docks! Waterfront Bar, Art Market

Date: Event occurs every Sunday of every month.

Time: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Location: Causeway Cove Marina – Wet Whistle Bar

Address: 601 Seaway Dr. Fort Pierce FL 34949

Price: $0

Category: Concert / Live Music

Sunday Funday weekly Deck Party on the water – Cocktails, Live Music, Art & Table Vendors Market, Food, Water-views, FREE to attend & park!

Experience OLD FLORIDA FUN!

Spend time by the water with a deck, the docks, great drinks, yummy food, and the most chill vibe around. THE WET WHISTLE BAR at Causeway Cove Marina will transport you to the Florida of old. No attempts to be plush, trendy, or hip – just an authentic deck bar with friendly servers, fantastic river views, and good times!

**********EVERY SUNDAY you’ll hear great local musicians, while enjoying Drink Specials including $5 Margaritas (3 flavors). Stacked Bloody Mary’s include a slider! ARTIST AND TABLE VENDOR MARKET every Sunday as well. Loads of free easy parking. Plenty of space to hang out, spread out, bring your beach umbrella and chairs if you like! (no outside beverages allowed). No cover charge or event fee, just a great way to spend a Sunday Funday in the Fort. !

Friendly dogs welcome on grassy area beside bar – lawn chairs welcome. NO COOLERS OR OUTSIDE BEVERAGES allowed. All ages venue.

See you here, tell your friends! Cheers!

THIS AND MORE TREASURE COAST EVENTS

 

Flowers for the Fourth Plant Sale

Date: Friday June 25, 2021 through Wednesday June 30, 2021.

Time: 12:00 am

Location: Savannas Preserve State Park

Address: 2541 Southeast Walton Road

Price: Free

Category: Arts / Exhibits

Get festive for the Fourth of July with an Online Native Plant Sale: Flowers for the Fourth!

The Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park is hosting an online Native Plant Sale between June 25 and June 30, 2021 in honor of the Fourth of July. A variety of Florida native species are available. Purchases can be made by visiting our website. Plants will be available for pick up on July 3: 10 am to12 pm at the Savannas Preserve State Park Main Entrance at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St Lucie.

https://friends-of-savannas.square.site/

 

 

4 Pandemic–Fueled Home Remodeling Trends

Sprucing up the home has become a favorite pastime during the pandemic. Home renovation spending has increased by 15% over the last year, reaching a median outlay of $15,000, according to the 2021 Houzz & Home report, an overview of renovation in 2020 and 2021.

The main motivation to renovate over the past year, cited by 44% of survey respondents, is that they “wanted to do it all along and finally have the time.” The second driver, cited by 36% of respondents, is that they finally have the financial means. Decreased activity away from home during the pandemic has prompted more homeowners to put greater focus on their homes.

Home design, staging, and remodeling tips: The Styled, Staged & Sold blog

Outdoor Projects Grow More Popular

While interior room remodels have been the most common projects, outdoor areas have surged in popularity to become a remodeling focus. The most popular improvements to outdoor spaces were the addition of beds or of borders to lawns as well as exterior upgrades, such as the addition of decks, porches, and balconies.

Smaller Spaces Get More Luxurious

Homeowners are investing more in upgrading smaller areas in their home, notably the home office. Demand for home office projects climbed by 4 percentage points and were 10% more expensive in 2020 ($1,100). Also, the median spend on closet upgrades saw an increase of 43% to $1,000.

Smarter Home Add-ons

Smart-home technology purchases have been increasing: Streaming media players and TVs saw the largest increases. More renovating homeowners also purchased smart technology to outfit their outdoor spaces, such as security cameras, light fixtures, and speakers or sound systems.

Large Kitchens Get Upgrades

Kitchen projects are the most popular projects among renovating homeowners. Fancier kitchen redos are seeing the most growth. Investment in major remodels of large kitchens—larger than 200 square feet—increased by 14% to $40,000 in 2020 compared with $35,000 in 2019.

Source: “2021 Houzz & Home” Houzz (June 23, 2021)

MOMENTUM BUILDS IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY REAL ESTATE MARKET

…MEDIAN PRICE AT $299,000

Just in! Newly released market reports from Florida Realtors® detailing recent real estate activity in St. Lucie County. The reports compare year-over-year data for May. Here are statistics on single family homes.

“The momentum keeps building in the St. Lucie County housing market! Closed sales increased 65.7% to 656 and median sale price rose 26.4% to $299,000 year-over-year. It’s safe to say that there is a ton of excitement happening in South Florida and homebuyers recognize the investment opportunity as the market continues to thrive,” said Karen Johnson, President of Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors®.

Closed sales are one of the simplest – yet most important indicators for the residential real estate market. Closed sales are affected by seasonal cycles, so actual trends are more accurately represented by year-over-year changes, rather than changes from one month to the next.

“The market stats for May are a great representation of how active the market has been. For example, the median time to contract for May 2021 was 9 days, which is a huge difference compared to the 38 days that we saw in May of 2020. People from all over the country are moving to our area in droves and Realtors® are here to help everyone with their housing needs. If you’re looking to buy or sell your home, contact a local Realtor® so they can help you find your dream home at a price that fits your budget,” continues Johnson.

Time to contract is a measure of length of the home selling process calculated for sales which closed during the month. Time to contract measures the number of days between the initial listing of a property and the signing of the contract which eventually led to the closing of the sale.

Market Reports: St. Lucie Single Family (Opens as PDF.) | St. Lucie Townhouses/Condos (Opens as PDF.)

A Taste of the 1970s?

Inflation and rising mortgage rates will add pressure to real estate markets.

Inflation is edging higher, which doesn’t bode well for interest rates. The consumer price index rose 1.7% year over year in February after having sunk to nearly zero in the early months of the pandemic. The increase was driven by higher prices for used cars, utilities, meat, and health care. In addition, rental housing costs rose 1.5%. And while February home prices rose 15% for the year, they’re not in the index.

Besides causing consumer irritation, inflation can push up mortgage rates. The Federal Reserve recently said it won’t raise interest rates until at least 2023. No matter, mortgage rates will still climb.

Millennials have never experienced 1970s-era inflation, but they could get their first taste. Then, inflation averaged 7.1% annually, topping out at 11% in 1979—the same rate as the 30-year fixed mortgage. The primary cause? Excessive printing of money. And something similar is occurring now.

The Fed prioritized reducing unemployment and keeping inflation under 2%. But its goals have loosened, and inflation as high as 5% may be tolerated.

So why does inflation lead to higher mortgage rates? Lenders don’t want to issue loans at very low rates, knowing that, if they did, their returns would fall. While the Fed has said it won’t change very short-term rates, it can’t control long-term rates, which can easily rise if lenders get nervous about inflation. For now, mortgage rates are still very attractive at around 3%.

One component to monitor is housing rents, which, before the pandemic, were rising by 3.8% annually. Rental demand softened due to the pandemic, but now that jobs are returning, vacancies are falling and rent increases may again approach 4%. As a result, inflation will end the year above 2%. Higher inflation looks likely in 2022 and beyond. As mortgage rates head higher, becoming a first-time homeowner will get tougher. But current owners have fewer worries. In the 1970s, the median home price rose from $23,000 to $55,700, an average annual gain of 9.9%—and a reminder of the wealth-building potential of homeownership.

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Housing Inventory Remains at Record Low

Housing inventory remained at a record low of 1.03 million units at the end of February, down by 29.5% year over year, which is a record decline. Meanwhile, homes are practically flying off the shelves.

 

 

Lawrence Yun – Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research at the National Association of REALTORS®

JUNE IS NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP AND PRIDE MONTH

June is National Homeownership and Pride Month, a time to share our stories and create opportunities for future homeowners. To bring awareness, Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors® (“Rworld”) launched the Realtors® for Equality Campaign.

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Housing discrimination? Not in our house! Together, Rworld is uniting with local Realtors® to advocate against discrimination in the housing sector based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity and national origin.

They are taking the month of June to celebrate National Homeownership and Pride Month, recognizing the valuable contributions that LGBTQ+ individuals have made in real estate and in our communities.

Throughout the month, Rworld is sharing helpful tips and news with Realtor® members on why homeownership should be available to all persons. Owning a home doesn’t just help you build wealth, it also impacts your life and your children’s life. A recent study by the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health and the National Association of Realtors® shows that homeowners are healthier on average, less likely to suffer from depression, less likely to be victims of crime, and more likely to see their children earn more over their lifetimes among plenty of other benefits.

Today, too many people are still locked out of the futures that homeownership can make possible. Rworld acknowledges that it will take a group effort to make sure the fight for fair housing is won. This involves Realtors® standing up for what is right and everyone asking hard questions each step of the way to support the fair housing movement.

“While these trying times have brought us unique challenges, Realtors® have proven to be resilient & strong. We want to make it  clear that we stand for diversity & have adopted the National  association of Realtors® (NAR) Code of Ethics and Professional standards policies,” said Karen Johnson, President of Broward,  Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors®.

The new Code of Ethics Standard of Practice 10-5 was added in November 2020. Realtors® must not use harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The rationale behind the bias against protected classes is that it

was revealed that public posting and hate speech could result in Realtors® not taking clients from certain protected classes or not treating them equally.

“It’s our duty to be an example for our community by representing people of all backgrounds and complying with the Fair Housing Act. We realize that real estate is stronger when everyone is unified, and that is why our Association embraces diversity. Together, We ‘R’ One,” continues Johnson.

Rworld is dedicated to protecting all individuals seeking housing, including renters, homebuyers, and more. Together, we are united in advocating against all discrimination in housing.

For more information on the Realtors® for Equality campaign, please visit Rworld.com/fair .

The History of Father's Day

The nation’s first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in the state of Washington. However, it was not until 1972—58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official—that the day honoring fathers became a nationwide holiday in the United States. Father’s Day 2021 will occur on Sunday, June 20.

 

Mother’s Day: Inspiration for Father’s Day

The “Mother’s Day” we celebrate today has its origins in the peace-and-reconciliation campaigns of the post-Civil War era. During the 1860s, at the urging of activist Ann Reeves Jarvis, one divided West Virginia town celebrated “Mother’s Work Days” that brought together the mothers of Confederate and Union soldiers.

Did you know? There are more than 70 million fathers in the United States.

However, Mother’s Day did not become a commercial holiday until 1908, when–inspired by Jarvis’s daughter, Anna Jarvis, who wanted to honor her own mother by making Mother’s Day a national holiday–the John Wanamaker department store in Philadelphia sponsored a service dedicated to mothers in its auditorium.

Thanks in large part to this association with retailers, who saw great potential for profit in the holiday, Mother’s Day caught on right away. In 1909, 45 states observed the day, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson approved a resolution that made the second Sunday in May a holiday in honor of “that tender, gentle army, the mothers of America.”

 

Origins of Father’s Day

The campaign to celebrate the nation’s fathers did not meet with the same enthusiasm–perhaps because, as one florist explained, “fathers haven’t the same sentimental appeal that mothers have.”

On July 5, 1908, a West Virginia church sponsored the nation’s first event explicitly in honor of fathers, a Sunday sermon in memory of the 362 men who had died in the previous December’s explosions at the Fairmont Coal Company mines in Monongah, but it was a one-time commemoration and not an annual holiday.

The next year, a Spokane, Washington, woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, one of six children raised by a widower, tried to establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents. She went to local churches, the YMCA, shopkeepers and government officials to drum up support for her idea, and she was successful: Washington State celebrated the nation’s first statewide Father’s Day on June 19, 1910.

Slowly, the holiday spread. In 1916, President Wilson honored the day by using telegraph signals to unfurl a flag in Spokane when he pressed a button in Washington, D.C. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge urged state governments to observe Father’s Day.

Today, the day honoring fathers is celebrated in the United States on the third Sunday of June: Father’s Day 2021 occurs on June 20.

In other countries–especially in Europe and Latin America–fathers are honored on St. Joseph’s Day, a traditional Catholic holiday that falls on March 19.

 

Father’s Day: Controversy and Commercialism

Many men, however, continued to disdain the day. As one historian writes, they “scoffed at the holiday’s sentimental attempts to domesticate manliness with flowers and gift-giving, or they derided the proliferation of such holidays as a commercial gimmick to sell more products–often paid for by the father himself.”

During the 1920s and 1930s, a movement arose to scrap Mother’s Day and Father’s Day altogether in favor of a single holiday, Parents’ Day. Every year on Mother’s Day, pro-Parents’ Day groups rallied in New York City’s Central Park–a public reminder, said Parents’ Day activist and radio performer Robert Spere, “that both parents should be loved and respected together.”

Paradoxically, however, the Great Depression derailed this effort to combine and de-commercialize the holidays. Struggling retailers and advertisers redoubled their efforts to make Father’s Day a “second Christmas” for men, promoting goods such as neckties, hats, socks, pipes and tobacco, golf clubs and other sporting goods, and greeting cards.

When World War II began, advertisers began to argue that celebrating Father’s Day was a way to honor American troops and support the war effort. By the end of the war, Father’s Day may not have been a federal holiday, but it was a national institution.

In 1972, in the middle of a hard-fought presidential re-election campaign, Richard Nixon signed a proclamation making Father’s Day a federal holiday at last. Today, economists estimate that Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on Father’s Day gifts.

 

 

Citation Information: Article Title Father’s Day 2021, Author History.com Editors, Website Name HISTORY, URL https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/fathers-day Access Date June 18, 2021, Publisher A&E Television Networks

Rental Prices Climb to Highest Level in 2 Years

U.S. median rental prices have surpassed pre-pandemic growth and are now at their highest point in two years, according to realtor.com®’s latest Monthly Rental Report.

Monthly rents rose 5.5% year over year and averaged $1,527 in May. One-bedroom and two-bedroom rentals climbed to the highest levels since May 2019 at $1,718 and $1,422, respectively. Rents for studio apartments rose for the first time in the last 10 months, reaching a median of $1,254, realtor.com® reports.

Rents in 38 of the 50 largest metros reached new price peaks.

But it’s the smaller markets and emerging tech areas that are leading the rebound in rental prices. For example, Riverside, Calif.; Memphis, Tenn.; Tampa, Fla.; Phoenix; and Sacramento, Calif., posted increases in rental prices of 15% or higher over the past year.

“Highlighting COVID’s uneven impact across the U.S., rents continued to decline in the nation’s largest metros like Los Angeles and Boston, where May prices were below prior peaks,” says realtor.com®’s Chief Economist Danielle Hale. “However, some big cities, San Jose, are making big strides toward recovery, with rents on pace to see new highs later this year.”

 

Source: realtor.com®

Vacation Homes Are a Hot Commodity

Buyers flooded the real estate market in the second half of 2020 through April 2021 in search of a vacation home. Vacation home sales are posting double-digit growth as the pandemic has encouraged more consumers desiring a second home and more flexibility for remote work to take the leap.

Vacation home sales jumped 57% year over year in 2020 compared to the 20% annual growth in total existing-home sales, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ newly released 2021 Vacation Home Counties Report.

“Vacation homes are a hot commodity at the moment,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “With many businesses and employers still extending an option to work remotely to workers, vacation housing, and second homes will remain a popular choice among buyers.”

Read more: Vacation Homes Evolve to Meet Hyper Demand

Median existing-home sale prices in vacation counties grew faster than the rest of the country, NAR notes. The median existing-home sales price for vacation homes increased by 14.2% in 2020 compared to 10.1% in non-vacation home counties.

Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Maryland had counties with some of the top vacation home sales over the past year.

NAR identified the following 10 counties as seeing the largest upticks in vacation home sales in 2020:

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    • Lee County, Fla.
    
    
    • Oscoda County, Mich.
    
    
    • Swain County, N.C.
    
    
    • Collier County, Fla.
    
    
    • Dukes County, Mass.
    
    
    • Alleghany County, N.C.
    
    
    • Garrett County, Md.
    
    
    • Barnstable County, Mass.
    
    
    • Alcona County, Mich.
    
    
    • Macon County, N.C.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

 

“The enduring opportunity for remote work will continue to raise the already high demand for property in these counties, particularly in those counties with reliable broadband internet service,” Yun says.

Buyers who purchased a vacation home are more likely to do an all-cash transaction than other home buyers. From January to April of this year, all-cash sales rose to 53% of all vacation home purchases.

 

Source: “2021 Vacation Home Counties Report,” National Association of REALTORS® (June 15, 2021)

The Future of Office Meetings...

…Beam Them Up, Scotty?

 

Holograms may be coming to workplaces as Zoom fatigue sets in, enabling remote workers to “beam into” the office. Several companies say the technology could become commonplace in conference rooms worldwide.

The Wall Street Journal reports a number of tech companies unveiling such technology. For example, Google recently unveiled Project Starline, a video chat feature that enables participants to appear three dimensional. WeWork announced a partnership with hologram technology company ARHT Media Inc. to bring holograms to 100 WeWork buildings in 16 locations globally. Microsoft announced Microsoft Mesh, which brings 3D images to many devices.

“There’s Zoom fatigue. There’s a lot of friction to being on video all day—it is exhausting,” Brianne Kimmel, founder and managing partner of WorkLife Ventures, which specializes in workplace technologies, told the Journal. Holograms will foster “a new style of communication, where you’ll have better, more frequent interactions.”

Holograms help people read body language and bring a more personal touch to remote interactions, say proponents of hologram technology. It could also keep coworkers more connected in an office with a hybrid approach to reopening. But the costs of such technology may be a barrier to initial adoption by firms. Some companies say holograms may best be used for recorded events, trainings, or seminars. Live hologram meetings may be too complex and time-consuming, Kanishka Chauhan, principal research analyst at research firm Gartner Inc., told the Journal.

 

Source:  “Tech Companies Want to Make Holograms Part of Routine Office Life,” The Wall Street Journal (June 9, 2021)

Hurricane Season is Here! Be Prepared!

Hurricane season is Here!

The best way to handle a hurricane is to make a plan before the storm. Making an emergency plan can seem overwhelming, but the City of Port St. Lucie created a comprehensive planning guide complete with Federal Emergency Management Agency resources. Visit www.cityofpsl.com/hurricane to make your plan today.

Be Prepared with Help from the City

Hurricane season officially began on June 1. The City premiered the 15th Annual Hurricane Preparedness Virtual Expo on Facebook to help residents start preparing for the season ahead. The Expo gives helpful tips and information from special guests and much more!

Flooding is a significant problem during a hurricane. How can you be prepared?

Flooding is a major concern during a hurricane. To avoid major damage to your family and belongings, it is important to be aware of flood warnings and know your flood zone. For more information on floods, visit www.cityofpsl.com/flood

Flood Warnings



Local authorities will issue flood warnings when flooding is imminent, so it is key to monitor local media. Local media channels include:

• The Weather Channel


• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)


• Weather radios for emergency updates

Sign up for emergency notifications from St. Lucie County at www.stlucieco.gov/alert

Know Your Flood Zone



Knowing your flood zone is the key to knowing if you have to evacuate during a hurricane. Visit the City’s Flood Zone interactive map and search your address to learn if you’re in a designated evacuation zone: www.cityofpsl.com/floodzone.

To find out if your home is in a Special Flood Hazard Area has a history of flooding, or may be affected by erosion, contact the Public Works Department.

Thank you and stay safe.

Weekend Happenings - June 12th and 13th

Taste of the Tropics Plant & Craft Sale

Date: Saturday June 12, 2021

Time: 8:30 am – 2:00 pm

Location: Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

Address: 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34952

Price: Free

Category: Sale

Please join us at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens on Saturday, June 12th, 2021 for our annual plant and craft sale featuring a Taste of the Tropics. The plant sale will begin at 8:30am and run through 2pm. In cooperation with the Treasure Coast Rare Fruit Club, the Taste of the Tropics Plant Sale will feature our beautiful Botanical Gardens where you can explore the wonderful world of tropical fruits available on the Treasure Coast and join in tasting Tropical Fruit grown locally.

Additionally, there is free parking and no admission. Tour the Botanical Gardens while you explore the wonderful world of tropical fruits available on the Treasure Coast. Well have annuals, perennials, Florida friendly plants, Garden Art, Crafts and More. Fruit trees and shrubs, Native plants, Orchids and exotics, all things Tropical. Browse our Gift Shop & Propagation Garden Center for member Specials. Find what you need to make your Garden grow and sparkle, and talk with the experts.

The Port St Lucie Botanical Gardens is a twenty-acre gem in the heart of Port St. Lucie, adjacent to the St Lucie River north fork on Westmoreland Boulevard near Port St. Lucie Boulevard. A serene, tranquil setting for residents and visitors alike to enjoy Florida at its best. This is a free admission event.

Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

 

Fishing for Futures

Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County

Date: Saturday June 12, 2021

Time: 6:00 am – 4:00 pm

Location: Corporate Office

Address: 3104 Avenue J, Fort Pierce, FL, 34947

Price: vary

Category: Sports

The ‘3rd Annual Fishing for Futures’ tournament benefiting the Club kids and programs of Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County is proudly presented by founders at TRM Construction Management in partnership with our title sponsors at Summit Risk Advisors.

The winner with the largest catch will receive the 45,000 Grand Prize

3rd Annnual Fishing for Futures

 

Farmers Market and Craft Show at the Fort Pierce Marina

St. Lucie County

Date: Event occurs every Saturday of every month.

Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Downtown Fort Pierce

Address: 1 Avenue A – Fort Pierce

Category: Other

Come enjoy the extraordinary Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market where there are over 70 friendly vendors that offer a wonderful and diverse selection of delicious foods, exotic plants, savory spices, and much much more!

For More Information

 

Outdoor Greet Market in Tradition

Date: Event occurs every Saturday of every month.

Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Address: 87 Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, 34987

Price: Free

Category: Food Special

Come for a nice stroll through the Tradition Green Market every Saturday from 9am to 1pm. Completely outdoors and perfect for social distancing.

Over 30 different vendors on one long strip with organic fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, fresh produce, raw local honey, free-range organic eggs, kombucha, fresh juices, baked goods, gluten-free bread, pastries, desserts, spices, marinades, jams, marmalades, plants, herbs, flowers, orchids, fresh local beef.

We also offer home decor, custom jewelry, fabric masks, clothes, shoes, custom and handmade products, arts and crafts, unique gifts, goods, services and so much more.

Our vendors and farmers rotate so we don’t always have the same products but we’ll always have something good every Saturday.

Brunch food trucks too!!

Come spend the morning with us, and support your local vendors and small business, we’ll have a nice gourmet coffee and warm breakfast waiting for you every Saturday from 9am to 1pm “Rain or Shine”

“Tradition Neighborhood Market “ is located in the parking lot across from Target and Michael’s in Tradition – Port St Lucie.

Free Parking-Free Parking lot and Pets are always welcome !!!

 

Father’s Day Native Plant Sale

Date: Friday June 11, 2021 through Wednesday June 16, 2021.

Time: All Day Event

Location: Virtual

Address: 2541 SE. Walton Road

Category: Arts / Exhibits

Celebrate Fathers Day and GO NATIVE! with an Online Native Plant Sale.

The Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park is hosting an online Native Plant Sale between June 11 and June 16, 2021 in honor of Fathers Day. A variety of Florida native species are available. Purchases can be made by visiting the Friends of Savannas web site. Plants will be available for pick up June 19th 10 am to 1 pm at the Savannas Preserve State Park Main Entrance at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St Lucie.

https://friends-of-savannas.square.site/#VYvRfB

TAKING AIM AT APPRAISAL BIAS

The president is launching a first-ever interagency effort to address “home appraisal inequities” and recommend rules to “aggressively combat housing discrimination.”

 

President Joe Biden traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma, this week to honor the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, an infamous event where a Black business district, nicknamed Black Wall Street, was razed and hundreds of people killed.

Biden spoke of planned efforts to combat racial inequities, and he focused on the housing market and boosts for Black-owned businesses. A media release (Opens in new tab.) put out by the White House provided an overview of each initiative:

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      Housing market: Biden will “take action to address racial discrimination in the housing market, including by launching a first-of-its-kind interagency effort to address inequity in home appraisals, and conducting rulemaking to aggressively combat housing discrimination.”

      
      
    
    
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      Black-owned businesses: Biden plans to “use the federal government’s purchasing power to grow federal contracting with small disadvantaged businesses by 50%, translating to an additional $100 billion over five years, and helping more Americans realize their entrepreneurial dreams.”

      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

 

“The horrific acts of violence and property destruction that occurred in Tulsa 100 years ago and the subsequent public and private policies that frustrated the recovery of ‘Black Wall Street’ help illustrate why racial wealth gaps persist in America today,” said National Association of Realtors® (NAR) President Charlie Oppler in response to Biden’s announcement. “We commend the Biden Administration for its commitment to closing the gap, specifically by focusing on the intergenerational wealth building opportunities offered by property and homeownership.”

Housing market proposals

Biden issued a memorandum during his first week in office directing the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address discrimination in the housing market, and this week’s announcement is the result of that effort. HUD has now sent a proposed rule and proposed interim final rule to HUD’s authorizing committee in the Senate and the House of Representatives for review. They will be published in the Federal Register next week.

According to the White House, those rules will “provide the legal framework for HUD to require private and public entities alike to rethink established practices that contribute to or perpetuate inequities.”

Appraisals: Biden says a Brookings study (Opens in new tab.) in 2018 found that “homes in majority-Black neighborhoods are often valued at tens of thousands of dollars less than comparable homes in similar – but majority-white – neighborhoods,” and that the “crisis is worsening.”

In this week’s announcement, Biden said he asked HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge to create a first-of-its-kind interagency to address home appraisal inequities. He said the goal is to use “the many levers at the federal government’s disposal,” including:

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      Potential enforcement under fair housing laws

      
      
    
    
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      Regulatory action

      
      
    
    
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      New standards and guidance created in partnership with industry and state and local governments

      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

 

“NAR is particularly encouraged by the administration’s most recent efforts to address inequities in the home appraisal process (Opens in new tab.), and we support a thorough review of the current appraisal system alongside both public and private stakeholders,” says NAR’s Oppler. “We look forward to working with White House and HUD on other upcoming rulemakings that seek to more effectively combat housing discrimination and redress the legacy of residential racial segregation.”

Biden also outlined proposals that would impact the overall housing market, including:

New Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit: The American Jobs Plan calls for this tax credit to attract private investment for affordable housing for low- and moderate-income homebuyers. These tax credits will increase homeownership opportunities and asset-building for underserved communities, reduce blight and vacant properties, and create thousands of good-paying jobs. The Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit would, if passed:

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      Encourage investment in homes that cost more to redevelop than they can sell for on the open market. The White House says that about 40% of the U.S. housing stock is at least 50 years old, and more than 15 million properties are vacant as families struggle to find affordable housing. Under the tax credit program, each state’s housing finance agency would award tax credits to project sponsors – developers, lenders or local governments – through a competitive application process. Sponsors would use the credits to raise investment capital for their projects, and the investors could claim the credits against their federal income tax when the homes are sold and occupied by eligible homebuyers.

      
      
    
    
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      Bolster homeownership rates for low- and moderate-income homebuyers in underserved communities and protect against gentrification. Homes located in census tracts with poverty rates of at least 130% of the area poverty rate, median family income below 80% of area median income, and median home values lower than the area median value are eligible for the credit – about 1 in 4 census tracts nationwide. Homes redeveloped using the credit may only sell for four times the area median family income, and homebuyers cannot have incomes exceeding 140 percent of the area median family income.

      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

 

Incentivize an end to exclusionary zoning to expand housing choices: In Biden’s American Jobs Plan, he asks Congress to enact the Unlocking Possibilities Program, a $5 billion competitive grant that awards flexible and attractive funding to jurisdictions that take steps to eliminate barriers to affordable housing and expand housing choices for people with low or moderate incomes.

 

Source: Florida Realtors®

NEAR, FAR, WHEREVER: FIND OUT WHO’S MOVING TO YOUR TOWN

Florida Realtors economists: Where do most buyers come from? It’s no secret: Lots of people are on the move, and if you know they’re relocating locally or coming from afar, you can adjust your approach to client prospecting. To help, Florida Realtors’ research team studied moving patterns.

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times – a lot of people are moving to Florida every day. But there are also plenty of people moving around Florida as well.

Whether moving in or moving around, it all translates into opportunities for you to transact business. While it may seem that people moving within the state are similar to those moving from another state, the approach to client prospecting can differ. Knowing the mix in your particular area can help you come up with the best ways to find new clients and serve the ones you have.

So how can you find out what’s going on in your local area? The American Community Survey (ACS), administered by the U.S. Census Bureau, is the premier source for detailed population and housing information in the country. Although a gold standard, the ACS data isn’t the timeliest source.

Alternatively, Florida Realtors®’ Research team determined moving patterns for 2020 from change-of-address filings for individuals and families submitted to the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Data from USPS does not include international movers, and three geographic buckets were established: people who move within the same county, people who move from a different county within Florida, and people who move from a different state.

The 2019 American Community Survey indicated that 8% moved within the same county, 3.1% moved from a different county within Florida, and 2.8% moved from a different state. Overall, 15% of Floridians moved that year, including 1% from abroad.

But trends varied wildly among different counties. Take a look at 2019 geographic mobility for your area on data.census.gov (Opens in new tab.) for more info.

For 2020, Florida Realtors calculated a residential amount by combining individual and family USPS filings, though it’s important to note that a family represents an unspecified count of people. Also, movers can be renters or buyers.

This graphic gives a heads-up display for what’s happening in your area based on the USPS data. Put simply, the pie chart looks at the three main buckets of people, focusing only on people who filed a change of address in 2020 in Florida (excluding people coming from abroad).

If your area has a large slice of orange:

A lot of people come from a “different state.” (We’re looking at you, Sumter.) These people are particularly important for your business but require a different level of service. Not being local, they rely more on your expertise to help them winnow down to specific areas. Be prepared to sell more than a home – brush up on the amenities different communities offer, including restaurants, retail and other aspects that make each place desirable.

By working well with an out-of-state client, you could potentially become the “go-to” Realtor for the rest of your client’s network because people generally move to areas where they already know people, and then encourage others to follow. Making an extra effort to remove friction during a large move could pay dividends down the line when the rest of their family, or friends of their family, look to relocate.

Also, you may be expected to play a more involved role for buyers willing to purchase homes sight unseen. Realtors able to step up and step in will likely create a tremendous loyalty and clients for life.

If your area has a large slice of green:

People are local-ish. A deeper dive into the data can reveal if these are small moves that technically cross county lines, or if these are larger – like Central Florida to South Florida moves. It’s worth checking out what’s going on in your area as those are pretty different.

Once you figure out what’s going on, think about the things that pull people to your area. Are they attracted to different job opportunities, more affordability, or amenities – there’s a myriad of reasons to move! Once you know what drives people in, figure out ways you can target them. New employer on a hiring spree? Connect with their HR person and see if you can be the Realtor of choice for their new employees. Certain kind of lifestyle appealing to people? Engage with meetup groups that cater to it. Socializing often leads to business opportunities.

If you see a lot of gray:

Stick to your turf, as most movement happens in your own backyard. Make connections locally – consider professional organizations or volunteer opportunities where you can connect with your peers and potential homebuyers. Think about how you can target people who have lived in their homes for a while and may have outgrown their space but want to remain in the area.

Whatever your pie:

Acknowledge how it is sliced. Different proportions indicate unique tactics to apply to prospecting. Also, remember that the pieces can change size, which will influence what future strategies to pursue.

 

Source: Florida Realtors®