Rates could move higher in August as the war in Iran, persistent inflation and uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s next steps keep pressure on Treasury yields.
Luxury buyers are combining homes and vacant lots for more privacy, security and space, driving up demand – and premiums – for adjoining properties.
Florida Realtors General Counsel Juana Watkins warned that routine advertising, screening and customer communications can create lawsuits or ethics complaints even when they do not lead to regulatory discipline. She urged Realtors to understand overlapping rules and seek guidance before acting in legal gray areas.
FHA is considering a new way to manage partial claims that could reduce paperwork and help prevent delays when homeowners sell, refinance or transfer a property.
The Federal Reserve held its benchmark rate steady for a fifth consecutive meeting, but three officials favored an increase as persistent inflation and a potentially higher neutral rate cloud the outlook for borrowing costs. The shift suggests mortgage rates and other consumer loan rates could remain elevated longer than many borrowers expect.
New construction is giving homebuyers more choices and negotiating power across the South, including Florida, according to HomeServices of America’s 2026 Mid-Year National Housing Outlook. The shift increases competition for sellers and makes accurate pricing and local market guidance more important.
First-time buyers can make a clearer buy-or-wait decision by weighing their finances, local market conditions, housing costs and future plans.
Real estate agents can help buyers make more informed decisions by focusing on the full monthly payment, including taxes, insurance and association fees, rather than the listing price alone. Discussing those costs early can prevent surprises, narrow the home search and demonstrate the value of an agent’s market knowledge.
Florida has 42,601 empty lots listed for sale, the most in the nation. Zillow estimates that building one home on each listed U.S. lot could reduce the housing shortage by 6.3%.
New research finds AI is strengthening demand in some commercial markets while reducing space needs in others, depending on local jobs and industries.
