14 Jun, 2025

* **Inventory:** Increased significantly in many Florida markets compared to 2022/early 2023, offering more buyer choice. Some areas are experiencing a surplus.
* **Interest Rates:** Elevated mortgage rates (fluctuating around 6-7% as of late 2023/early 2024) are impacting affordability and buyer demand.
* **Price Appreciation:** Slower appreciation compared to the peak boom years. Some markets are experiencing price corrections or stabilization. Appreciation varies widely by location.
* **Days on Market:** Increased. Homes are taking longer to sell compared to the rapid sales seen previously.
* **Sales Volume:** Decreased. Fewer homes are being sold compared to the peak of the market.
* **Cash Buyers:** Still prevalent, especially in luxury markets. Florida continues to attract out-of-state buyers with cash.
* **Insurance Costs:** Rising insurance premiums are a significant concern for Florida homeowners, impacting affordability and property values, especially in coastal areas.
* **Property Taxes:** Continue to rise, adding to the overall cost of homeownership.
* **Migration:** While still positive overall, migration patterns may be shifting due to factors like affordability and remote work trends in other states.

13 Jun, 2025

* **Median Florida Home Price (Oct 2023):** $405,000 (Florida Realtors).
* **Average Days on Market (Oct 2023):** 50 days (Florida Realtors), indicating a slower market compared to peak pandemic times.
* **Inventory:** Rising, providing more options for buyers than previous years. Active listings up year-over-year.
* **Interest Rates:** Fluctuating, significantly impacting affordability and buyer strategy. Stay updated with current rates.
* **Property Taxes:** Can vary significantly by county; factor this into budget calculations. Florida offers homestead exemptions.
* **Insurance:** Homeowners insurance rates are high and rising in Florida due to hurricane risk; crucial to obtain quotes early.
* **HOA/Condo Associations:** Restrictions and fees can heavily influence lifestyle and budget; review documents carefully.
* **Due Diligence:** Emphasize inspections (including wind mitigation) to identify potential issues before closing, due to Florida’s unique climate and aging infrastructure.
* **Closing Costs:** Typically 2-5% of the purchase price; factor in lender fees, title insurance, recording fees, and other expenses.
* **Financing:** Pre-approval is essential. Understand different mortgage options (conventional, FHA, VA) and down payment requirements.

13 Jun, 2025

After a Memorial Day-induced lull, mortgage application activity rebounded sharply last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) latest survey. Both purchase and refinance demand climbed to their highest levels in over a month, with the composite index rising 12.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis.  “Coming out of the Memorial Day holiday, mortgage applications increased to the highest level in over a month, driven by growth in both purchase and refinance applications,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “Despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the economy, homebuyers seem to be taking advantage of loosening housing inventory in certain markets.” Refinance applications jumped 16% on the week and are now 28% higher than the same week last year. Purchase apps rose 10% week-over-week and are now running 20% above 2024 levels, marking a continuation of the strong year-over-year gains seen in recent reports. There are only 2 other weeks with higher purchase index readings going back to May 2023, and they were only barely higher. It should be noted that refi index, while not officially seasonally adjusted  does include a smoothing adjustment for holiday weeks.  Last week’s data noted a Memorial Day adjustment, one that is not present in the current week’s data.  Because certain holidays fall on a different day of the week, adjusting for them is an imperfect science. In all likelihood, if we could completely remove seasonality and holiday effects, last week’s refi index would have been stronger and the present week would have shown a much smaller increase.

12 Jun, 2025

Florida offers several programs to assist first-time homebuyers. Key programs include Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) offerings, providing options like the Florida First-Time Homebuyer Program with below-market interest rates. Down payment and closing cost assistance is available, potentially covering up to $10,000 or more depending on the program. Income and purchase price limits apply; these vary by county and program. Eligibility typically requires completing a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Credit score minimums exist, often around 620-640, depending on the lender and program. Properties must be the buyer’s primary residence. Military veterans may have access to additional benefits and programs.

12 Jun, 2025

Florida’s apartment market is experiencing significant growth and opportunity, but also increasing challenges.

* **Population Growth:** Florida’s population increased by roughly 1.9% from 2022 to 2023, adding approximately 416,754 residents, fueling apartment demand.
* **Rent Growth Deceleration:** While rents surged previously, rent growth is slowing, with some markets experiencing negative growth.
* **Increased Supply:** A surge in new apartment construction is hitting the market, potentially impacting occupancy rates and rent prices.
* **Higher Insurance Costs:** Property insurance rates in Florida are significantly higher than the national average and continue to climb, impacting investment profitability.
* **Interest Rates Impact:** Rising interest rates are making financing more expensive, impacting acquisition costs and potentially reducing investor returns.
* **Cap Rate Compression:** Cap rates have compressed in recent years, but may adjust upward due to interest rate hikes and market conditions.
* **Strong Job Market:** Florida has a robust job market, particularly in sectors like tourism, healthcare, and technology, which supports housing demand.
* **Specific Markets:** Cities like Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville have seen considerable growth, but also face varying degrees of supply pressure.
* **Investment Considerations:** Location, property class, and management quality are crucial factors for successful apartment investment in Florida’s current environment.

12 Jun, 2025

* **Florida’s housing market is normalizing after a period of rapid growth:** Expecting slower appreciation and increased inventory.
* **Population growth remains a key driver:** Florida continues to attract residents, although at a reduced pace compared to 2020-2022.
* **Interest rates & Insurance costs impact affordability:** Higher mortgage rates and escalating insurance premiums are challenging potential buyers.
* **Regional Variations Exist:**
* **Southeast Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale):** Luxury market softening; high-end inventory rising; still strong rental demand.
* **Southwest Florida (Naples, Cape Coral):** Recovery from Hurricane Ian impacting the market; some areas seeing price corrections.
* **Central Florida (Orlando, Tampa):** Theme park employment stabilizing; robust job growth in other sectors; relatively more affordable than coastal areas.
* **Northeast Florida (Jacksonville):** Continued population influx; strong job market; offering more value compared to South Florida.
* **Inventory:** Statewide inventory levels are up compared to recent lows but still below pre-pandemic levels.
* **Days on Market (DOM):** DOM is increasing, indicating a shift towards a more balanced market.
* **Investment Considerations:** Consider cash flow properties, renovation opportunities in impacted areas, and long-term rental demand in areas with continued job growth. Affordability is a key factor.
* **Data Point:** Median sales price increases are decelerating statewide, with some areas experiencing price decreases year-over-year.

12 Jun, 2025

* **Inventory:** Florida’s housing inventory remains relatively low compared to historical averages, although it’s been increasing year-over-year in many metro areas. Some markets have seen double-digit percentage increases in active listings.
* **Median Home Prices:** While prices surged dramatically in 2021-2022, appreciation has cooled. Some areas are experiencing price corrections or stabilization. The statewide median sales price for single-family homes has shown some fluctuations but remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels.
* **Interest Rates:** Mortgage interest rates are significantly higher than in the recent past, impacting affordability and buyer demand. This has led to a shift towards a more balanced market.
* **Days on Market:** Homes are staying on the market longer than they were a year or two ago, indicating a slower sales pace.
* **Sales Volume:** Closed sales have decreased year-over-year in many regions, reflecting the reduced buyer activity due to higher rates and prices.
* **Regional Variations:** The Florida real estate market is highly localized. Coastal areas and popular destinations may exhibit different trends than inland or less-developed regions. Demand and pricing vary significantly across different counties and cities.
* **New Construction:** New construction is adding to the housing supply in some areas, potentially impacting resale values.
* **Migration:** Florida’s population growth continues, but may be slowing compared to the peak of pandemic-era migration. In-migration still supports overall demand, but it is not as robust as it once was.

12 Jun, 2025

* **Inventory:** Florida’s housing inventory remains relatively low compared to historical averages, although it’s been increasing year-over-year in many metro areas. Some markets have seen double-digit percentage increases in active listings.
* **Median Home Prices:** While prices surged dramatically in 2021-2022, appreciation has cooled. Some areas are experiencing price corrections or stabilization. The statewide median sales price for single-family homes has shown some fluctuations but remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels.
* **Interest Rates:** Mortgage interest rates are significantly higher than in the recent past, impacting affordability and buyer demand. This has led to a shift towards a more balanced market.
* **Days on Market:** Homes are staying on the market longer than they were a year or two ago, indicating a slower sales pace.
* **Sales Volume:** Closed sales have decreased year-over-year in many regions, reflecting the reduced buyer activity due to higher rates and prices.
* **Regional Variations:** The Florida real estate market is highly localized. Coastal areas and popular destinations may exhibit different trends than inland or less-developed regions. Demand and pricing vary significantly across different counties and cities.
* **New Construction:** New construction is adding to the housing supply in some areas, potentially impacting resale values.
* **Migration:** Florida’s population growth continues, but may be slowing compared to the peak of pandemic-era migration. In-migration still supports overall demand, but it is not as robust as it once was.

12 Jun, 2025

* **Inventory:** Florida’s housing inventory remains relatively low compared to historical averages, although it’s been increasing year-over-year in many metro areas. Some markets have seen double-digit percentage increases in active listings.
* **Median Home Prices:** While prices surged dramatically in 2021-2022, appreciation has cooled. Some areas are experiencing price corrections or stabilization. The statewide median sales price for single-family homes has shown some fluctuations but remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels.
* **Interest Rates:** Mortgage interest rates are significantly higher than in the recent past, impacting affordability and buyer demand. This has led to a shift towards a more balanced market.
* **Days on Market:** Homes are staying on the market longer than they were a year or two ago, indicating a slower sales pace.
* **Sales Volume:** Closed sales have decreased year-over-year in many regions, reflecting the reduced buyer activity due to higher rates and prices.
* **Regional Variations:** The Florida real estate market is highly localized. Coastal areas and popular destinations may exhibit different trends than inland or less-developed regions. Demand and pricing vary significantly across different counties and cities.
* **New Construction:** New construction is adding to the housing supply in some areas, potentially impacting resale values.
* **Migration:** Florida’s population growth continues, but may be slowing compared to the peak of pandemic-era migration. In-migration still supports overall demand, but it is not as robust as it once was.

12 Jun, 2025

“I was always a home builder, but lately I’ve developed an apartment complex.” Here in Florida, so many structures are made of stucco because stucco is fairly inexpensive, creates a great finished look, and is easy to apply to homes constructed with concrete blocks. But it can be damaged as a house shifts and settles over time. Companies like Icon, or COBOD International, are making news with their 3-D printed homes (and communities) that build houses layer by layer with cement-based material. But they have generated more headlines than buildings: “Building houses that work twice as good in half the time at the half the price” is a noble goal. The method is largely used to construct walls while conventional methods are used for foundations, floors, roofs, and finishes. Builders have created innovation arms… Lennar, for example, has LenX). Speaking of which, MBA Chairperson Laura Escobar echoed what every MLO in Florida, and most around the nation, know: make homeowner’s insurance and HOA fees part of the pre-qual discussion. (After 6:30AM PT today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s are presented by Flyhomes, the leading wholesale lender for Buy Before You Sell solutions. Whether your borrowers run into DTI issues, need to unlock home equity for down payment, make a stronger, cash-like offer, or even move potentially with no cash out of pocket, Flyhomes provides a full suite of financial products to help them move forward, before selling their current home. Hear an interview with Jeremy Potter and Brian Levy on how the conforming credit box that once offered liquidity to the mortgage market is now fading into obsolescence with the rise of products like non-QM and other creative lending solutions.)