Fed Gov. Michael Barr said limited homebuilding, rising costs and owners’ reluctance to give up low mortgage rates add to housing affordability problems.
Florida recorded 7,842 new-home permits in August, up 28% from July, with Tampa and Southwest Florida accounting for more than half of the total.
OpenAI plans to retire custom GPTs Dec. 11, prompting users to prepare replacements and test tools they rely on for daily work.
Some Florida agents say remote work is bringing younger seasonal buyers to the state, with buyers in their 30s and 40s splitting time between homes.
Florida approved home insurance rate cuts of up to 10.4% for more than 62,000 policies, while Citizens urged homeowners facing increases to shop for coverage.
During a Florida Realtors Live interview at the Florida Realtors Convention & Trade Expo, DeLand-area Realtor Cynthia DeLuca shares how long-term rental ownership can generate cash flow, build family wealth and help investors reach financial goals.
The average U.S. 30-year mortgage rate rose to 7.03%, topping 7% for the first time since January 2025 and further limiting buyers’ purchasing power.
About 22% of Realtors have faced a safety concern. Screening apps, panic buttons and smarter lockboxes can provide added protection before and during showings.
Lakeland-Winter Haven ranked first nationally, with more than 83% of its new-home listing views coming from shoppers outside the metro area.
Fake sellers increasingly target vacant land and absentee-owned properties, prompting agents and title firms to strengthen identity checks.
