Florida Man Charged in North Carolina Farmland Sale Scam

by Phil Hall | Feb 20, 2026 | Current News & Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

A Florida man was arrested for trying to sell North Carolina farmland that he did not own. Kellie Brian Butler of Orlando forged North Carolina real estate documents – including a “Working with Real Estate Agents Disclosure (For Sellers)” form and an “Exclusive Right...

December’s New Home Sales Down 1.7%

by Phil Hall | Feb 20, 2026 | Current News & Events, Real Estate News, U.S. Housing Market, WRE News Exclusive

Sales of new single-family houses in December were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 745,000, according to estimates released by the US Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is 1.7% below the November rate of 758,000, but it is...

Teresa King Kinney to Retire as CEO of Miami Association of Realtors After 33 Years of Service

by Phil Hall | Feb 20, 2026 | Current News & Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

Teresa King Kinney has announced her retirement as CEO of the Miami Association of Realtors after leading the nation’s largest local realtor organization for 33 years. At the end of the year, Kinney will transition to CEO Emeritus and move into a one-year consulting...

Texas Real Estate Accountant Sentenced for Wire Fraud

by Phil Hall | Feb 20, 2026 | Current News & Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

An El Paso certified public accountant who assisted real estate businesses in Texas and New Mexico was sentenced to 33 months in prison for wire fraud. According to court documents, Carol Talamantes stole $603,738.96 from her clients between Oct. 20, 2020, and Oct....

Florida House Passes Resolution on Eliminating Property Taxes

by Phil Hall | Feb 20, 2026 | Current News & Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

Florida’s House of Representatives approved a resolution ending non-school property taxes on homestead properties starting on Jan. 1, 2027. Florida Phoenix reports the resolution would place the proposal on November’s ballot, with voters determining whether to amend...