Realtors:
A Market Turnaround: Existing-Home Sales Make Record Climb in June

According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), existing home sales increased at a record pace in June, a significant turnaround after  three consecutive months of sales declines  due to the pandemic. Completed transactions for all property types increased 20.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.72 million. Year-over-year, however, existing-home sales are still down 11.3 percent.
Lenders:
A Call for a More ‘Equitable’ Housing System


The Center for American Progress (CAP) is calling on lawmakers to make homeownership and affordable rental housing more accessible to people of color. Citing specific historical instances of racial discrimination and segregation in the housing finance system, the center is calling on lawmakers to reverse the ongoing impacts of this discrimination and  make the housing system more “equitable.”  .

Homeowners:
A Lawn Mowing Trick to Upgrade Landscaping


Imitating this mowing pattern can give the appearance of professional work. Give your lawn the pro treatment with a checkerboard pattern. If you’re trying to sell your home, taking the time to mow the lawn twice in a checkerboard pattern can make the landscape stand out.
Title:
ALTA Registry Connects Lenders With RON-capable Closing Companies


Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of mortgages are being closed online in order to comply with federal and state social distancing guidelines.
To help meet this need, ALTA recently updated the ALTA Title & Settlement Agent Registry (ALTA Registry). The Registry now identifies title and settlement companies that can perform RON closings. This will help mortgage companies identify closing companies that offer this increasingly in-demand service, which allows homeowners to review, sign and notarize documents online to complete mortgage transactions.
VA Hospital Oncology Clinic
Our philanthropic efforts went towards two different organizations in July. We partnered up with James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Voluntary Service by purchasing thermometers to help their Oncology Clinic keep their Veteran patients safe.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay
We, also, partnered with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and held a drive to collect items from their Wish List. Our staff did a great job in providing the items!

We coupled this effort with a monetary donation that was made to the bostonrescueflorida.org in honor and loving memory of our firm mascot, Lizzie. She will be dearly missed.