Florida Realtors News
Florida consumer sentiment edges up as budgets tighten
Floridians grew more optimistic about the economy’s future in October, but weaker views of current finances suggest affordability remains central to customer conversations.
Flooding prompts emergency declaration; Florida Realtors opens DRF
Florida Realtors opened its Disaster Relief Fund to assist eligible members with home or office damage after heavy rain and flooding prompted a state of emergency in seven counties.
Disaster unemployment aid available after Hurricane Isaias
Disaster unemployment assistance applications are open through Dec. 28 for eligible workers, including self-employed individuals, affected by Hurricane Isaias in eight Panhandle counties.
Real Estate Q&A: Can Leased Solar Panels Derail a Home Sale?
A UCC-1 filing on leased solar panels can block a buyer’s loan, but sellers can usually clear it by transferring the lease or buying it out. An expert advised contacting the solar company early.
AI Can Speed Up Work But Still Needs Your Review
Attorney Timothy Shields shared ways to prevent misleading AI-generated listings and photos, protect customer information and set brokerage policies.
Florida’s business growth broadens economic base
The state's business locations grew 21.8% from early 2020 to early 2026, with professional services expanding and more firms moving into the state than leaving.
Rates dip to lowest level in more than a month
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate declined to 7.24%, its lowest level in more than a month, Freddie Mac said. The 15-year rate fell to 6.60%. Both remained above year-ago levels.
Federal disaster declared for Isaias as insured losses grow
Federal assistance has been approved for northwest Florida communities affected by Hurricane Isaias as potential insured losses reached $652 million. Individual assistance and hazard mitigation funding remain under review.
Florida CEOs upbeat about economy, hiring outlook tops nation
Business leaders’ expectations for hiring, sales and investment remained above year-earlier levels, despite a pullback from the previous quarter.
Fed keeps rates unchanged, gives little signal of next move
The Federal Reserve held its key interest rate steady Wednesday after last month’s increase, seeking more economic data as inflation remains above its 2% target.
Florida warehouse market shows uneven third-quarter gains
Occupied industrial space increased in six of seven Florida markets tracked by Colliers, but vacancy rates in all seven remained above the national rate.
Small habits build better conversations
Open-ended questions, attentive listening and thoughtful follow-up can help real estate agents build trust before difficult discussions about pricing and offers.
Agents should test brokerage tech, not just trust the pitch
Agents should watch how their brokerage’s CRM, transaction and AI tools handle everyday tasks, compare them with other firms’ systems and ask whether tech fees deliver reliable, integrated platforms that cut duplicate work, Inman reports.
Florida investors shop across price ranges
Investor purchases varied widely across Florida in early 2026, with lower-priced homes drawing buyers in some metros and higher-priced properties in others.