VA loan knowledge can open more doors

Military buyers and sellers face unique financing, legal and timing issues, from VA loans and BAH income to assumptions and SCRA protections. Agents who understand those details can help them avoid costly mistakes and make better use of benefits many still leave untapped.
Read MoreFlorida home sales gain momentum, extend growth streak to 10 months

Closed sales, pending sales and median prices increased in both property categories in June. Florida Realtors researchers said a weak June 2025 comparison contributed to the size of the gains. Sales are now tracking closer to 2023 levels.
Read MoreSaudi Arabia opens property ownership portal to foreign buyers

Saudi Arabia’s new foreign property ownership system gives non-Saudi buyers and companies a clearer path to own real estate through designated areas and an online portal. The shift is worth noting in Florida, where international buyers are part of the real estate market.
Read MoreMature trees can add to resale value, agent says

Well-placed, well-maintained mature trees create an emotional response in buyers and can meaningfully increase a home's resale value, according to a Next Brokerage agent.
Read MoreAverage 30-year mortgage rate climbs to highest level in nearly a year

The average 30-year mortgage rate rose to 6.55% this week, Freddie Mac said. The increase is adding to borrowing costs and reducing purchasing power as inflation concerns push bond yields higher.
Read MoreNew NAR survey: Americans value walkable neighborhoods

Most Americans consider sidewalks, nearby amenities and other walkability features important when choosing where to live — and nearly two-thirds say they would pay more for them.
Read MoreFlorida economy moves up to No. 14 globally

The state's $1.8 trillion economy is now the world’s 14th largest after surpassing Australia and Mexico, according to the Florida Chamber Foundation. The foundation said Florida’s economy grew 6.3% over the past year, moving the state closer to its goal of ranking among the world’s 10 largest econom
Read MoreYoung 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.
Read MoreRenovations with the biggest bang for your buck

Zonda Home's 2025 remodeling report ranks garage doors, steel doors, stone veneer, fiber-cement siding and kitchen updates as top return-on-investment projects, with backup generators debuting at number seven.
Read MoreNAR leaders help deliver landmark housing law

The bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act has been enacted after a nearly two-year advocacy effort led by the National Association of Realtors. The package includes nearly 50 measures aimed at increasing housing supply, improving affordability, expanding homeownership opportunities and support
Read MoreFlorida inventory tells a split-market story

The July 2026 Mortgage Monitor found most major Florida metros have more inventory than before the pandemic, though levels have eased from last year’s highs. Lakeland and Orlando had the largest surpluses, while Miami was the only major Florida market tracked below pre-pandemic norms.
Read MoreCyberattack puts real estate data security in focus

A recent cyberattack on a global real estate firm is raising fresh concerns about how companies protect customer, tenant and transaction data. Propmodo reported the May incident involved vishing, or voice phishing, underscoring the need for employee training, access controls and verification procedu
Read MoreSurvey: Gen X, Millennials still lean on parents

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.
Read MoreHispanic homebuying confidence falls despite brighter financial outlook

Hispanic consumer confidence improved slightly in the second quarter, but fewer said it was a good time to buy a home, a Florida Atlantic University survey found.
Read MoreTrump 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.
Read MoreFed minutes: Officials deeply divided over future path of U.S. inflation

Federal Reserve minutes show officials remain split on where rates should go next, with some worried inflation will stay high because of the Iran war, AI-related costs and consumer expectations. The Fed kept rates unchanged in June, but policymakers were divided on whether to raise, hold or lower ra
Read MoreHurricane season now envisioned ‘well below normal’

Storm forecasters have further downgraded predictions a little more than a month into the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which has so far produced a single named tropical system.
Read MoreAverage 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.
Read MoreReport: LGBTQ+ Gen Z buyers may face longer path to ownership

A new LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance report says family financial support, down payment savings and discrimination concerns may shape when some young adults are ready to buy. For Realtors, the survey offers a reminder to start financing conversations early and connect customers with trusted resources.
Read MoreFuture homebuyers cite prices, payments as top barriers

Americans who plan to buy a home in the next five years say affordability concerns are keeping them from purchasing now, according to a new survey. High prices, monthly payment worries, mortgage rates and down payment costs were among the top barriers.
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