Florida home sales dipped slightly in August, but tightening inventory and rising prices point to a leveling market, Florida Realtors Chief Economist Brad O’Connor said.

Florida Realtors’ new I 🧡 My Hometown series will recognize members who give back to their communities. Submissions are due Oct. 30.

AI can save time, but agents must protect customer information, question its answers and personally verify the final product, AI-expert Kevin Hawkins said during Florida Realtors Live at the Florida Realtors Convention & Trade Expo.

Uniform Appraisal Dataset 3.6, a major modernization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac appraisal reporting, will be here before you know it. Getting comfortable with it now will reduce the chance of transaction delays in the future. Waiting is not a strategy, says appraisal expert Michelle Czekalski Bra

Reading contracts closely and planning for likely problems can help agents respond confidently when negotiations become challenging.

Military buyers purchasing from afar need agents who can flag property concerns, explain VA financing and prepare early for remote closing.

Clear expectations, candid feedback and consistent accountability can help agents take ownership of their performance and turn daily habits into results.

Consumer prices rose 0.4% in August, while shelter costs increased 0.3%, keeping mortgage rates and housing affordability in focus before the Fed meets.

At Florida Realtors’ 2026 Convention, Ifoma Pierre outlined five ways agents can use AI and automation to prospect, manage leads and create useful content.

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate rose to 6.76% from 6.71% last week, while 15-year rates increased to 6.09% from 6.04%, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said.

Targeted locations, meaningful conversations and personalized follow-up can turn a single showing into an ongoing prospecting strategy.

At the recent Florida Realtors Convention, broker-owner and social media educator Billie Parrott explained how authentic branding, useful posts and clear follow-up can turn attention into business.

Continuing to prospect, serve customers and learn new tools as needed can keep business on track while agents settle into a new firm.

NAR found 46% of buyers ages 71 to 79 and 39% of those 61 to 70 paid cash, giving many older buyers greater flexibility when structuring an offer.

The campaign explains the proposed property tax changes and encourages Floridians to support Amendment 3 in the November election.

Agents can use technology to attract customers while relying on preparation, personal contact, property knowledge and impartial negotiation to earn trust, one broker said.

Florida’s 427,800 manufacturing jobs are concentrated in several major metro areas and pay an average of more than $86,000 annually. Tracking that workforce can help Realtors identify housing demand and better serve buyers working in the industry.

In 2025, homeowners' rate increases slowed to less than 1% and auto rates fell 4.1%, while litigation and claim-handling costs also declined, according to a new report commissioned by American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

Tracking repeat customers, business sources and community reputation can help agents evaluate long-term stability beyond production numbers.

Residential construction represented nearly $2.2 billion in July, even as permit volume declined 18% from June. Tampa’s leading builders posted the highest combined regional activity.