African coup leader was a Utah car salesman
Christian Malanga, who started a used-car lot in Salt Lake City after moving to the U.S. as a teenager, was killed while trying to overthrow the Congolese government.
Should I wait until August to sell my home to save on commission?
By Holden Lewis | NerdWallet
If you sell your home after the middle of August, cheers: You could end up pocketing the money that previously would have gone to the buyer’s agent.
But before you celebrate, consider the downside of waiting until late summer to list your home for sale: House prices tend to fall after August. The price drop might surpass the money you save on commission.
New policies governing real estate commissions are set to go into effect Aug. 17 as a result of the settlement of an antitrust lawsuit. The amended policies give home sellers more room to negotiate what to do about the buyer’s commission — whether they want to use it to induce competitive bids or keep it to themselves entirely.
The choices complicate this season more than usual, for both buyers and sellers. Here’s what to know to help you and your agent come up with the best strategy for you.
What, exactly, is changing?
Starting Aug. 17, sellers will no longer set the commissions for real estate agents who represent buyers. Buyers will decide how much their agents will be paid. Even when sellers are willing to pay some or all of the commission for the buyer’s agent, the amount will no longer appear on the multiple listing service.
Stellantis-backed battery maker ACC halts plans for German, Italian plants
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said the automaker is adjusting its investment plans to the pace of EV growth amid slowing sales of the vehicles and the need to reduce battery costs.
Florida regulators go public with property insurance hikes under 15%
TALLAHASSEE — Property insurance companies in Florida have consistently avoided scrutiny when seeking to raise rates by keeping proposals just below the threshold that would trigger a public hearing.
These hearings are mandated when an insurer proposes a 15% rate hike or higher.
Out of 134 rate requests since 2022, the most commonly sought increase? 14.9%
Companies have also used a practice of piggy-backing rate adjustments — first introducing a rate under 15% and then coming back again. That has caused some homeowners to see premiums surge more than 20% when their policies renew.
Now state regulators have a message for insurance companies: No more games when it comes to requesting rate increases.
Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation is signaling that such tactics are no longer tolerated. On Thursday, regulators held a public hearing for Deerfield Beach-based People’s Trust Insurance Co., seeking an overall 14.8% rate hike for about 38,000 policies that mostly cover vacant homes.
Toyota recalls more than 110,000 vehicles over possible debris in engine
Toyota is recalling 112,000 Toyota Tundras and Lexus LX 600s because of possible debris in the V35A engine that could cause engine knocking, rough running and stalling, potentially leading to crashes at high speeds.