Hail strikes Michigan dealership
A hailstorm damaged vehicles at a dealership in Davison, Mich., on Thursday
Sea Life Orlando Aquarium offers Summer of Sharks activities
Sea Life Orlando Aquarium is kicking off its Summer of Sharks event, which will feature its zebra, epaulette, bonnethead, white spotted bamboo and coral cat species.
Starting Sunday, visitors can upgrade their regular admission ticket to include a virtual-reality swim with sharks and manta rays. The cost is $10, and participants must be at least 40 inches tall.
The attraction’s behind-the-scenes tours will have a shark focus with aquarists delving into the animals’ lives, beach repair and Sea Life’s mission. The cost is also $10, and tours last about 35 minutes.
Summer of Sharks offerings are available through Aug. 27.
Sea Life Orlando Aquarium is located within International Drive’s Icon Park. Tickets and reservations are available online, and there are combination deals that include admission to sister attractions such as Madame Tussauds Orlando and the Wheel at Icon Park, as well as Legoland Florida theme park in Winter Haven.
For more information, go to visitsealife.com/orlando.
Ford deal with Chinese battery maker in Michigan probed by U.S. lawmakers
The move highlights concern on Capitol Hill about the role Chinese companies may play in U.S. efforts to manufacture technologies from semiconductors to EVs at home after decades of production abroad.
Bankrate: Can you back out of a house offer once it’s accepted?
When you’re buying a home, the sale can fall through for many reasons. But what if you just change your mind? If you’re in contract to buy a home but are having second thoughts and want to back out of your accepted purchase offer, things can get complicated. When is it too late to back out of buying a house?
It’s not impossible for a buyer to back out of a signed real estate contract with a seller, but there could be repercussions — especially if no escape hatches were included in the deal. Understanding your financial and legal rights as a homebuyer is critical. Here’s what to consider if you’re thinking about rescinding an accepted offer.
Can a buyer back out of an accepted house offer?
The short answer: yes. When you sign a purchase agreement for real estate, you’re legally bound to the contract terms, and you’ll give the seller an upfront deposit called earnest money. Your earnest money deposit shows the seller that you’re serious about your intention to purchase the house and plan to follow through on the agreement.
Existing-home sales fall but prices continue rising
The housing market remained soft in June, a new report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows. Sales of existing homes — previously occupied properties, rather than newly built homes — resumed their long downward slide, dropping 3.3%. The number of sales in June was off 18.9% compared to June 2022.
Home prices, meanwhile, were up from May’s median of $396,100 to reach NAR’s second-highest price of all time: $410,200. That’s less than 1% off from the all-time high of $413,800, recorded one year ago in June 2022. “Limited supply is still leading to multiple-offer situations, with one-third of homes getting sold above the list price in the latest month,” Yun said.
“The fate of the housing market in the coming months will be dictated in part by the direction of mortgage rates, as well as the health of the broader economy,” said Mark Hamrick, Bankrate’s senior economic analyst. “The market could benefit from a combination of tailwinds, if they were to develop and are sustained, including easing inflation.”