South Florida Real Estate

Young buyers face tougher path to ownership

Pew Research found rising home prices, higher mortgage rates and bigger upfront costs have made homeownership harder for adults under 40. In several Florida metros, median home prices are now four to five times the median income for younger households. Young adults are facing a harder path to homeownership than previous generations, and new Pew … Read more

Survey: Gen X, Millennials still lean on parents

A new survey finds financial independence is taking longer for many adults, including millennials and Gen Xers, as housing costs, student debt and everyday expenses continue to strain budgets. Half of millennials and one-third of Gen Xers are still financially dependent on their parents, according to a new survey. The finding suggests that financial relationships … Read more

Trump will let bipartisan housing bill become law without signing

He let the bipartisan housing bill approved by Congress become law without his signature, saying he was refusing to put his name on it because of the little progress made in passing a strict voter ID bill that he has been pushing. President Donald Trump let the bipartisan housing bill approved by Congress become law … Read more

Average 30-year U.S. mortgage rate rises to 6.49%

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate drew closer this week to 6.5%, Freddie Mac reported, pushing up borrowing costs for prospective homebuyers. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate rose to 6.49% from 6.43% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the average rate was 6.72%. When mortgage rates rise, they … Read more

New construction tells different stories across Florida

A new study shows Florida’s new-home market varies widely, from luxury-level pricing in Miami to larger pockets of new-home sales in Lakeland and Cape Coral. The numbers show why new construction may be a very different buyer conversation depending on the market. Florida buyers looking at new construction see very different markets depending on where … Read more

Mortgage fraud targets nearly half of U.S. consumers

A new survey found 47% of U.S. consumers were targeted by fraud last quarter, most through phishing, smishing or voice cloning, as AI lowers the cost of mortgage fraud schemes. The same technology that has made mortgage origination faster and cheaper has done the same thing for the people trying to defraud it. New consumer … Read more

Average 30-year mortgage rate falls to lowest level in seven weeks

he average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell to 6.43% from 6.49% last week, while the average 15-year rate dropped to 5.79% from 5.84%, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said. The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell this week to its lowest level since mid-May, easing borrowing costs for prospective homebuyers. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate … Read more

More Americans favor buying over renting

A new homebuyer survey found consumers favor buying over renting for the first time since 2023, with 53% saying buying is the better choice. Prices and mortgage rates remain the top barriers, but the findings give agents a reason to reconnect with renters, past leads and homeowners who paused their plans. More Americans now say … Read more

Legal summit puts risk, readiness in focus

A July 16 legal summit in Orlando will give Realtors a practical look at legal issues showing up in daily business, including AI, contracts, disclosures, FREC, lawsuits and complex transactions. The event offers 5 CE credits and is presented by Orlando Real Producers in partnership with Florida Realtors. Links to https://www.orlandorealproducers.com/events/law-symposium   The Florida Real … Read more

Tips for Residential Sales with a Tenant-Occupied Property

A Tenant-occupied listing can still move smoothly if Realtors plan ahead. Learn key AS IS contract deadlines, including lease disclosure and tenant estoppel letter requirements.   ORLANDO, Fla. — You are off to a listing appointment. There is nothing unusual about the property, but there is a Tenant living there and their lease extends through … Read more