24 Jun, 2025

The most common property valuation methods in Florida are the sales comparison approach, the cost approach, and the income capitalization approach. The sales comparison approach, relying on recent comparable sales, is frequently used for residential properties. The cost approach, estimating replacement cost minus depreciation, is often employed for unique properties or those lacking comparable sales. The income capitalization approach, converting net operating income into value, is primarily used for income-producing properties like commercial real estate. Property tax assessments in Florida are based on “just value” as of January 1st each year. Florida’s 10% Save Our Homes assessment limitation caps annual increases for homesteaded properties. Overassessment rates can vary by county, with some studies suggesting significant discrepancies between assessed and market values. Property owners can challenge assessments through county property appraisers and Value Adjustment Boards. Accurate valuation is crucial for fair taxation, property sales, and investment decisions.

24 Jun, 2025

Residential business is coming through in dribs and drabs for many lenders, but that doesn’t stop all the random news out there. To no one’s surprise, Compass is suing Zillow, the owner of Zillow Home Loans which has seen its volumes expanding nicely as of late. The inventory crunch is definitely behind us, as evidenced by Lennar (home of MBA Chair Laura Escobar) seeing its average sale price drop 8.6 percent. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act (H.R. 2808). It will be matched up with the Senate’s version to iron out any differences, and then hopefully move up the food chain. It’s trendy to own a stadium’s naming rights, or a professional sports franchise. Think loanDepot, FBC Mortgage, Rate, or Dan Gilbert (Cavaliers), Mat Ishbia (Suns), and now… Union Home’s Bill Cosgrove? Yup, his name is in the mix along with Dream Finders Homes CEO Patrick Zalupski as being in “exclusive discussions” to purchase the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team. (Dream Finders had a busy 2024 reaching company records of 8,583 closings, a pre-tax profit of $438 million, and home building revenue of $4.4 billion, which is an increase of 18% compared with 2023.) (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week is sponsored by Optimal Blue. OB bridges the primary and secondary mortgage markets to deliver the industry’s only end-to-end capital markets platform, helping lenders maximize profitability and operate efficiently so they can help American borrowers achieve the dream of homeownership. Today’s has an interview with Duke professor Marvin Chang on how mortgage lenders should prioritize AI, aligning LO incentives with company incentives, driving costs down, and securing a return on investment.)

23 Jun, 2025

* **Rising Insurance Costs:** Florida homeowners’ insurance premiums are significantly higher than the national average, impacting affordability and property values. Some sources cite premiums being three times the national average.
* **Legislative Changes:** Florida real estate laws are subject to frequent updates, including changes to property tax regulations, disclosure requirements, and condominium governance.
* **Climate Change & Sea Level Rise:** Coastal properties face increasing risks from flooding and erosion, potentially affecting property values and insurability. Risk assessments are increasingly important.
* **Condominium Safety Reforms:** Following the Surfside collapse, stricter regulations regarding structural integrity inspections and reserve funding for condominiums are in effect, increasing costs for owners.
* **Impact of Population Growth:** Rapid population growth continues to fuel demand, impacting housing availability and affordability, especially in desirable coastal areas.
* **Property Tax Considerations:** Understanding Florida’s property tax system, including homestead exemptions and Save Our Homes assessment limitations, is crucial for both buyers and sellers.

23 Jun, 2025

For many, business is slow out there, and the industry waits for the House vote on the abusive trigger lead bill. Depository banks continue to focus on residential lending in their own footprint while scaling back distant originations, and IMBs continue to look at staffing with a critical eye. A safe prediction is that this will continue, although people have grown more skeptical of others making predictions to grab headlines. A recession has yet to materialize, nor has a tidal wave of delinquencies and foreclosures. In fact, quite the opposite: The OCC Mortgage Metrics Report, First Quarter 2025 showed that 97.6 percent of mortgages included in the report were current and performing at the end of the quarter, an increase from 97.4 percent one year earlier. And The percentage of seriously delinquent mortgages decreased from the first quarter of 2024. MLOs motor forward and on today’s episode of Now Next Later at 10am PT, Sasha and Jeremy welcome Jake Vermillion, CMO at Mortgage Champions, to discuss the evolving role of mortgage loan officers and its impact on training and performance. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week is sponsored by Optimal Blue. OB bridges the primary and secondary mortgage markets to deliver the industry’s only end-to-end capital markets platform, helping lenders maximize profitability and operate efficiently so they can help American borrowers achieve the dream of homeownership. Today’s has an interview with Argyle’s John Hardesty on what’s driving lender migration in the LOS and POS space, how tech stacks are being evaluated more strategically, why “conversion” matters more than ever in verification workflows, and what true interoperability means for mortgage fintech.)

22 Jun, 2025

Staged homes sell 73% faster on average than non-staged homes. Properly staged homes can see a 1% to 5% increase in sale price, and in some cases, up to a 10% increase. Home staging focuses on decluttering, depersonalizing, and highlighting key features. Key areas to stage include the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom. Real estate agents often recommend staging to improve market appeal and reduce time on the market.

21 Jun, 2025

– Median home price in Florida: ~$400,000 (fluctuates; check recent data).
– Average days on market: Varies significantly by region and property type (check local MLS data).
– Common contingencies: Financing, appraisal, inspection.
– Required disclosures: Property tax disclosures, mandatory HOA disclosures if applicable, known defects.
– Typical earnest money deposit: 1-3% of the purchase price.
– Property tax rate: Average of around 0.98% of assessed value (varies by county).
– Documentary stamp tax: $0.70 per $100 of the purchase price (paid by the buyer in many counties).
– Common closing costs: Title insurance, recording fees, lender fees (typically 2-5% of the loan amount).
– Homestead exemption: Reduces taxable value by up to $50,000 for primary residences.
– First-time homebuyer programs: Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers various programs.

20 Jun, 2025

Florida’s median home sale price in 2024 is projected to continue moderate increases compared to the rapid gains of the past few years. Staging can increase offer price by 1-5%. Homes with professional photos sell 32% faster. Curb appeal improvements (landscaping, paint) yield a 200-300% ROI. Disclosing all known defects is crucial to avoid legal issues. Timing the market (selling in peak seasons like Spring/Summer) can increase profits by 5-10%. Properly pricing the home initially leads to a faster sale and potentially a higher final price, avoiding prolonged time on market. Investing in necessary repairs (roof, HVAC) before listing can significantly boost value. Working with a local real estate agent familiar with the specific market is vital to optimizing pricing strategies and negotiation.

20 Jun, 2025

With Thursday being a federal holiday, banks (and more importantly, the underlying market for mortgage related bonds) were closed.  This means that lenders were not able to update mortgage rates.  It turns out that it wouldn’t have mattered either way as the average lender has barely budged from Wednesday’s levels.  But let’s not miss an opportunity to deliver news that’s technically good even if only just.  Over the past 3 business days, average rates have fallen 0.05%.  This keeps us close to the lowest levels seen since April 4th with top tier 30yr fixed scenarios at 6.86 on the MND daily rate index. Given some of the news headlines this week, it bears repeating that this week’s Fed announcement has nothing to do with rates holding steady.  In fact, even if the Fed had cut rates (which was not seen as even a remote possibility by financial markets), mortgage rates could just as easily have moved higher.  

19 Jun, 2025

* **Inventory:** Florida’s housing inventory is still low compared to historical averages but is increasing in many markets, offering buyers more choices.
* **Price Growth:** Home price appreciation has slowed significantly from the peaks of 2021-2022, with some areas experiencing price corrections or declines.
* **Interest Rates:** Mortgage rates are elevated, impacting affordability for buyers and potentially cooling demand. Expect rates to be volatile and sensitive to the macroeconomic outlook.
* **Sales Volume:** Closed sales are down year-over-year in many Florida markets, reflecting the impact of higher interest rates and affordability challenges.
* **Days on Market:** Properties are staying on the market longer than they were in the peak of the market, indicating a shift towards a more balanced market.
* **Regional Differences:** Florida’s real estate market is not monolithic. Conditions vary significantly between regions (e.g., South Florida vs. the Panhandle).
* **Population Growth:** Florida continues to experience population growth, driving underlying demand for housing, even with the short-term cooling.
* **Economic Factors:** Florida’s economy, including tourism and employment, plays a crucial role in the real estate market’s health. A strong economy generally supports housing demand.
* **Investment:** Investors are still active in the Florida market, but they are more cautious and discerning due to economic uncertainty and higher borrowing costs.
* **Rentals:** Rental rates in some areas are beginning to stabilize or even decrease, impacting the investment appeal of rental properties.

18 Jun, 2025

Homes with professional real estate photos sell 32% faster and for 3-15% more. Listings with high-quality images receive 61% more views. Drone photography is increasingly popular, showcasing waterfront properties and overall land size. Twilight photography is effective for luxury homes. Virtual tours enhance buyer engagement and can reduce unnecessary showings. Staged homes photographed well command higher prices. Listings should include at least 20-25 high-quality images, focusing on key features and unique selling points. Professional photographers understand composition, lighting, and editing, resulting in more attractive listings. Curb appeal photos are crucial as first impressions impact buyer interest.