The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.49% from 6.47% this week, while 15-year rates climbed to 5.84%, Freddie Mac reported. Rates remain below year-ago levels as easing oil prices help cool bond market pressure.
Investment activity is not surging, but it remains strong enough to shape attention around certain homes, especially lower-priced properties and homes with rental potential.
Harvard found Florida had the nation’s highest renter cost-burden rate in 2024, while Census data shows nearly 1.7 million renter households here spent at least 30% of income on gross rent.
A broad housing bill passed by Congress will impact Florida conversations about new construction, financing, manufactured housing and entry-level competition. The White House previously signaled support for the measure, but the president canceled a planned Wednesday signing, leaving the bill’s final path unclear.
Real estate professionals say unprepared homes captured in listing photos can drive buyers to competing properties. Clutter, lighting and staging remain within sellers' control before a shoot.
NAR data highlighted during the association’s recent Legislative Meetings points to several groups who may be closer to buying or selling than they realize, including longtime owners, younger sellers with equity, renters, pet owners and first-time buyers with questions about financing.
Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor told Homes.com that Florida remains attractive to buyers, but higher prices have cooled some relocation activity. The story found affordability improved in Jacksonville, Ocala, Orlando, Tampa and Port St. Lucie as some markets gained inventory.
Collaboration with other top producers and consistent marketing assistance matter more than brokerage branding or commission structures when choosing where to work, agents say.
AI is closing the information gap between real estate professionals and customers while reshaping how agents work, NAR officials said at the association's midyear conference, raising both new opportunities and compliance concern.
Google's move toward AI-generated search answers means Realtors must ensure their profiles, websites and content clearly communicate their expertise to be surfaced in results.
