21 Aug, 2025

Florida offers various programs to assist first-time homebuyers. Key programs include Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) offerings like the Florida First-Time Homebuyer Program, offering below-market interest rates on mortgage loans. The Florida Assist Loan provides down payment and closing cost assistance, often in the form of a second mortgage. Eligibility typically requires a minimum credit score (often 620+), income limits, and completion of a homebuyer education course. Income limits vary by county and household size. Purchase price limits also apply. In 2023, Florida Housing provided assistance to thousands of first-time homebuyers statewide; approximately $200 million was allocated for down payment assistance programs.

21 Aug, 2025

In a world (like this one) where mortgage rates are dictated by bond market movement and where bonds take cues from certain economic reports, weeks like this one can be frustrating or boring.  Until today, there haven’t been any actionable economic reports to inspire a bond market reaction. Unfortunately, today’s data was relatively unfriendly for rates, primarily due to inflation implications in two separate reports (Philly Fed Index and S&P PMIs). Bonds also care about comments from Fed speakers and there were headwinds on that front as well with the Fed’s Beth Hammack saying the data don’t currently support a rate cut at the September meeting. On a positive note, the damage to the bond market was minimal in the bigger picture. Thus, the impact on average mortgage rates was also minimal. While it’s true that today’s rates are the highest in nearly 3 weeks and 0.09% higher than the recent lows, it’s also true that, apart from those 3 weeks, these are still the lowest rates since October 2024 and 0.13% lower than July 31st. [thirtyyearmortgagerates]

20 Aug, 2025

Florida’s real estate market is facing a mixed outlook. Inventory is rising, providing buyers with more options. Price growth is decelerating compared to the pandemic peak. Some areas are experiencing price corrections.

* **Statewide Median Sales Prices (Single-Family Homes):** Increased year-over-year but at a slower pace. Certain counties experienced declines.
* **Inventory:** Increased significantly across most Florida markets.
* **Days on Market:** Rising, indicating a shift towards a more balanced market.
* **Regional Variations:** South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) remains relatively strong but is showing signs of cooling. Central Florida (Orlando, Tampa) is seeing more significant price adjustments. Northwest Florida (Panhandle) demonstrates resilience due to continued population growth.
* **Factors Influencing Market:** Interest rate hikes, inflation, and economic uncertainty are key drivers of the slowdown. Migration patterns continue to play a role, with some areas benefiting more than others.
* **Luxury Market:** Still relatively robust, especially in coastal areas, but even this segment is experiencing increased inventory.
* **Forecasts:** Vary by region, with some projecting continued modest appreciation while others anticipate further price declines. Overall, a period of stabilization or correction is expected.

20 Aug, 2025

Mortgage application activity eased last week, but not in a statistically significant way.  One might be inclined to note a very slight uptick in mortgage rates, but it’s just as fair to say that rates held steady near longer-term lows.  The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey showed a 1.4% decline in the seasonally adjusted Composite Index for the week ending August 15, 2025. “Mortgage rates increased slightly last week, with the 30-year fixed rate now at 6.68 percent,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. VA applications fell 16%, while FHA refinance applications increased as FHA rates remained comparatively competitive. The Refinance Index decreased 3% week-over-week but remains about 23% higher than the same week a year ago. The Purchase Index was essentially flat (+0.1% seasonally adjusted) and is running about 23% ahead of last year’s level. The refinance share of total mortgage applications slipped to 46.1%. ARM share decreased to 8.6%. FHA share rose to 19.1%, while VA share declined to 13.4%. Mortgage Rate Summary:
30yr Fixed: 6.68% (from 6.67%) | Points: 0.60 (down from 0.64)
15yr Fixed: 5.96% (from 5.93%) | Points: 0.70 (up from 0.63)
Jumbo 30yr: 6.64% (from 6.70%) | Points: 0.60 (up from 0.56)
FHA: 6.39% (from 6.40%) | Points: 0.66 (down from 0.77)
5/1 ARM: 6.01% (from 5.80%) | Points: 0.63 (down from 0.67)

19 Aug, 2025

– Staged homes sell 73% faster than non-staged homes (National Association of Realtors).
– Home staging typically yields a 5-15% increase in sale price (Real Estate Staging Association).
– Over 81% of buyers find it easier to visualize the property as their future home when it’s staged (NAR).
– Focus on decluttering, depersonalizing, and creating a neutral color palette.
– Key areas to stage are the living room, master bedroom, and kitchen.
– Emphasize curb appeal with landscaping and a welcoming entrance.
– Consider virtual staging if physical staging is not feasible.
– Professional staging services can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the scope of the project.

19 Aug, 2025

If yesterday was marked by incidental weakness, today is shaping up to be the opposite.  In fact, yields and MBS prices are right in line with Friday’s latest levels in early trading (now moving lower), as if Monday never even happened.  “Incidental” remains a valid theme for most of the week.  Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech is just about the only event with any reasonable volatility potential.  Other than that, we’re counting the hours until the next jobs report (almost 2 weeks away) and generally forgiving any bond market movement that remains inside a 10yr yield range of 4.2 – 4.4.

18 Aug, 2025

Florida’s real estate market is experiencing a slowdown after a period of rapid price appreciation.

* Median home prices in some Florida metro areas have seen modest declines from peak levels in 2022-2023, though remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels.
* Inventory levels are rising, offering buyers more choices and negotiating power.
* Rising mortgage rates are impacting affordability and dampening demand. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has fluctuated significantly and remained higher than pre-pandemic levels, affecting buyer purchasing power.
* Population growth, though still positive, has decelerated from its peak, influencing demand.
* Insurance costs and availability remain a significant concern, particularly in coastal areas, adding to the overall cost of homeownership.
* Different regions within Florida are experiencing varying market conditions. Some areas, like South Florida, remain relatively strong, while others are softening more noticeably.
* The luxury market segment, while still active, is also showing signs of moderating compared to the frenzied pace of the past few years.
* Forecasts suggest continued moderation in price growth, with some anticipating potential price corrections in certain markets.
* Cash buyers continue to represent a significant portion of transactions, particularly in certain markets.

18 Aug, 2025

As I type this, I’m at the doctor’s office, and some guy a few seats over is booing all the names being called that aren’t his. Do you boo the products that you don’t have? Non-Agency lending, much of it in the form of non-QM loans, has been moving steadily higher at the expense of Freddie Mac’s and Fannie Mae’s market share. Are rates helping? I went back and looked at January 2 of this year. The 2-year Treasury was yielding 4.20 percent, and the 10-year was yielding 4.52, a difference of 32 basis points. Today we have them at 3.74 and 4.29, a difference of 55 basis points, so this difference, one measure of the steepness of the yield curve, has doubled. It is steeper. How’s your adjustable-rate product offering? ARMs now account for nearly 10 percent of applications, per the MBA. Our biz could certainly use a little boost: According to Curinos’ proprietary application index, refinances decreased 20 percent in July; the purchase index decreased 28 percent for July as a whole. July 2025 funded mortgage volume increased 2 percent YoY and decreased 2 percent MoM. (Curinos sources a statistically significant data set directly from lenders to produce these benchmark figures. We drill into this data further here.) (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s is sponsored by FirstClose. FirstClose provides fintech solutions to HELOC and mortgage lenders nationwide, increases profitability and reduces costs for mortgage lenders through systems and relationships that enable lenders to assist borrowers more effectively and ultimately shorten closing times. Hear an interview with NFTYDoor’s Mark Schacknies on the reshaping of mortgage lending: from lightning-fast HELOC approvals and real-time AI underwriting to a human-plus-tech model that prioritizes loan officers over direct-to-consumer disruption.)

17 Aug, 2025

* **Median Home Prices:** Florida’s median home price experienced significant increases during the pandemic but has shown signs of stabilization and in some areas, moderate price reductions in 2023-2024. Specific price trends vary greatly by region and property type.
* **Inventory Levels:** Housing inventory in Florida has increased compared to the record lows seen in 2021-2022, giving buyers more options. However, inventory levels still remain below pre-pandemic averages in many markets.
* **Interest Rates:** Mortgage rates have fluctuated, impacting affordability and buyer demand. Higher interest rates have cooled the market compared to the peak of the pandemic buying frenzy.
* **Days on Market:** Properties are staying on the market longer compared to the rapid sales pace seen in previous years, providing buyers with more negotiating power.
* **Population Growth:** Florida continues to experience population growth, although at a slower rate than during the peak of the pandemic. This continued growth provides a baseline level of demand in the housing market.
* **Regional Differences:** Florida’s real estate market is highly localized. Coastal areas often have different market dynamics than inland areas. Tourist destinations behave differently than primary residential areas.
* **Economic Factors:** Florida’s economy, including tourism and job growth, impacts the real estate market. State-level economic health and national economic trends are key indicators.
* **Seller’s vs. Buyer’s Market:** The market has shifted from a strong seller’s market to a more balanced market, and in some areas a buyer’s market. This impacts negotiating power and time to sell.
* **Investment Potential:** Florida remains an attractive location for real estate investment, driven by factors like tourism, retirement communities, and a favorable tax climate. However, potential investors must consider increased insurance costs, rising property taxes, and potential climate-related risks.

16 Aug, 2025

Florida Home Buying Guide: Secure Your Dream Home Today!

* **Median Home Price (2024):** Approximately $410,000 statewide, varying significantly by region (e.g., Miami-Dade higher, more rural areas lower). Expect competition in desirable areas.
* **Property Taxes:** Average effective property tax rate around 0.84%, lower than national average, but subject to homestead exemption limitations.
* **Insurance:** Windstorm and flood insurance are critical considerations, especially in coastal areas, significantly impacting overall cost of ownership. Premiums can be substantial.
* **Down Payment:** While conventional loans may require 20% down, FHA and VA loans offer lower down payment options, potentially as low as 3.5% or 0% respectively.
* **Mortgage Rates:** Fluctuating, monitor closely. Pre-approval is crucial for competitiveness in the market.
* **Popular Regions:** Southeast Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale) and Southwest Florida (Naples, Sarasota) are highly sought after, driving up prices. Central Florida (Orlando) offers more affordability.
* **First-Time Homebuyer Programs:** Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers various programs for down payment assistance and lower interest rates. Eligibility requirements apply.
* **Closing Costs:** Typically range from 2% to 5% of the purchase price. Include fees for appraisal, title insurance, and other services.
* **Due Diligence:** Thorough inspection is paramount due to Florida’s unique environmental factors (humidity, pests, sinkholes).
* **Market Trends:** Inventory is increasing in some areas, providing more options, but demand remains high. Consult with a real estate professional for localized insights.