Home prices are poised to dip in 22 U.S. cities next year, 8 in Florida

Home prices in Florida are expected to slide further next year after several years of weakness, according to new projections from the Realtor.com® 2026 national housing forecast. Across Florida's eight largest metro areas, median sales prices for existing homes and condos are projected to fall an average of 1.9% in 2026, well below the 2.2% positive gain the forecast expects nationally. Among those top Florida markets, only Miami is expected to eke out a positive gain in home prices next year, with projected price growth of 1.1%. More from Realtor.com and CBS News.

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» Map shows 22 U.S. cities where house prices could fall in 2026

Condos are being built along a Florida river. They’re selling for millions

The stylish hotel brand that reinvigorated the luxury market in Miami Beach with Argentine flair and flavor a decade ago wants to bring that style to the Miami River area — but this time with condos. After several delays, the residential project is now making progress, evidence that people who have money and enjoy spending it continue to look to South Florida. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Commentary: Florida should monitor offshore real-estate buyers more closely

Offshore capital has proven to have a major influence on Florida’s real-estate market — in fact, Florida is the top destination for foreign residential real estate buyers, attracting over 20% of all international buyers. Although foreign investment is evidently providing Florida with economic growth, this is also creating concerns about national security. To safeguard all of us, Florida should establish a statewide foreign investment review board to monitor and guide offshore real estate buyers. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida Realtors tech gets national spotlight

Florida Realtors is drawing national attention for its in-house technology tools that have become staples for real estate professionals across the U.S. and Canada. In a recent feature, RISMedia highlighted the association’s long-standing commitment to building practical, agent-focused technology. In developing these tools, Florida Realtors has positioned itself as “the quiet giant of real estate tech,” said 2025 Florida Realtors President Tim Weisheyer, broker-owner of Dream Builders Realty and dbrCommercial Real Estate Services in Central Florida. [Source: Florida Realtors]

Michael Yaworsky says insurance costs are finally stabilizing for Floridians

Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky said he believes the state’s insurance industry has stabilized, adding consumers “are finding relief” and have more options “than we’ve had in decades.” In an interview last week with Florida Politics, Yaworsky said consumers went from “massive rate hikes year-over-year to very modest rate hikes.” But it’s clear Floridians are still worried about rising property insurance costs. [Source: Florida Politics]

STAT OF THE WEEK
$30 million
A company led by billionaire Larry Ellison, the former CEO of Oracle, acquired Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee for $30 million. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]

ALSO TRENDING:

› Orange County approves nearly half a million dollars for home repair help [Click Orlando]
Orange County is using affordable housing trust fund dollars to help some homeowners make repairs. Last week, county commissioners voted unanimously to allocate $460,000 to Rebuild Together Greater Florida, a nonprofit organization that helps low and moderate-income families with housing repairs. The money is specifically for the group’s Safe and Healthy Homes program, which especially helps older adults, families with children, and people with disabilities.

› Jacksonville's Seven Pines hits development milestone [Jacksonville Business Journal]
The master-planned community of Seven Pines is entering a new phase of growth, marking a year defined by brisk home sales, completed amenities and the start of major commercial development. Developers ICI Homes and David Weekley Homes report that nearly 500 homes have already sold at the Southside community, which sits on the last large parcel of the Skinner family’s historic land holdings near Kernan and JTB.

› Miami development expands Lincoln Road to the ocean — with luxe homes and public art [New York Post]
Lincoln Road was once Miami Beach’s most iconic street. But this “Fifth Avenue of the South” — built by Carl Fisher and redesigned in the 1950s by Miami’s most influential architect, Morris Lapidus — had seen better days. For decades, empty storefronts and tchotchke shops that served tourists, not locals, blighted the pedestrian mall. Now, a Lincoln Road redevelopment plan, drawing $4 billion in new investments, is underway.

› St. Petersburg’s tallest tower, 400 Central, is move-in ready. See inside. [Tampa Bay Times]
After more than four years of construction, St. Petersburg’s tallest tower will soon welcome its first tenants. Developer Red Apple Group secured the certificate of occupancy for the first 25 floors of the Residences at 400 Central this week. Buyers will start moving in by the end of the year. The 46-story tower rises 515 feet, making it the tallest on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

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