Property tax cuts could end up squeezing some Florida renters<\/p>\n
Some renters may face higher costs if Florida voters approve property tax cuts on the November ballot \u2014 dealing another blow to housing affordability, real estate experts say. To make up for tax-cut losses, local governments might raise tax rates on non-homesteaded properties, which could include rental properties, said Ken Johnson, the chair of real estate and professor of finance at the University of Mississippi and the founder of Florida Atlantic University\u2019s Real Estate Initiative. [Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel<\/a>]<\/p>\n Condos are for sale at the site of Florida\u2019s Surfside tragedy. Not one has sold.<\/p>\n The collapse of Champlain Towers South marks its fifth anniversary on Wednesday. It was one of the deadliest structural failures in U.S. history. The 12-story beachfront building fell in a matter of seconds in the middle of the night, a sudden rush of concrete that crushed sleeping families. Many Florida developers viewed rebuilding on the site as too sensitive. In 2021, a state court ordered the condo association\u2019s receiver to sell the land to help fund a $1 billion settlement for families of the victims. The only firm to bid on the site was Damac, paying $120 million for the roughly 1.8 acres. [Source: Wall Street Journal<\/a>]<\/p>\n Florida Trend Exclusive The St. Joe Company’s 110,000-acre Watersound development, one of the nation’s fastest-growing planned communities, is attracting a blue-chip lineup of major U.S. home builders to the Panhandle. The latest to join St. Joe’s slate of 20-plus builders \u2014 which includes DR Horton \u2014 is Atlanta-based PulteGroup, the nation’s third-largest home builder. [Source: Florida Trend<\/a>]<\/p>\n Inside the growing presence of affluent women in Florida\u2019s luxury real estate market<\/p>\n For decades, the luxury housing market was largely associated with wealthy couples, families, and male-led purchasing decisions. That story is being rewritten. Today, a growing number of affluent women are reshaping the landscape, emerging as one of the most influential buyer groups in high-end real estate \u2014 and they are arriving with clear priorities, significant capital, and an eye for what truly matters in a home. [Source: Haute Residence<\/a>]<\/p>\n See the 77 major housing markets with falling home prices<\/p>\n In the first half of 2025, the number of major metro area housing markets seeing year-over-year declines climbed. That count has since stopped ticking up. Among the 77 major metro area housing markets seeing falling year-over-year home prices, these had the biggest declines: Punta Gorda, Florida (-7.9%); London, Kentucky (-7.1%); Cape Coral, Florida (-6.1%); Austin (-5.7%); North Port, Florida (-5.3%); Kahului, Hawaii (-4.6% ); and Naples, Florida (-4.4%). [Source: Fast Company<\/a>]<\/p>\n ALSO TRENDING: <\/p>\n \u203a Miami home sales rise for 9th straight month<\/a> [Islander News] \u203a Orange County launches \u2018Building Affordable Orange\u2019 program<\/a> [WFTV]
Big-time builders<\/p>\n
\n STAT OF THE WEEK
\n $75 million<\/a>
\n A sprawling waterfront mansion recently sold for $75 million in Boca Raton, becoming the most expensive home sold in the United States in May. [Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel<\/a>]<\/p>\n
Housing transactions are hitting goals like a left-footed blast from Messi these days. Miami-Dade County’s total home sales rose year over year for the ninth consecutive month as South Florida\u2019s heavy-cash, high-demand market continues to lead the nation, according to May 2026 statistics released by MIAMI REALTORS\u00ae + RWorld, the MIAMI MLS and BeachesMLS. According to the data, total home sales increased 7.9% year-over-year in May (from 1,913 to 2,064). Single-family home transactions rose 10.5%, while condo sales increased 5.4%.<\/p>\n
Orange County has launched a new training and technical assistance program, \u201cBuilding Affordable Orange\u201d. The program is designed to help nonprofit organizations and faith-based institutions develop affordable housing projects. The five-part training series began earlier in June. The Building Affordable Orange program was developed in partnership with the Florida Housing Coalition. It provides participants with the tools, knowledge, and guidance needed to navigate the affordable housing development process while strengthening their capacity to serve the community.<\/p>\n