Politics, sunshine and affordability: The factors fueling Florida's housing market
Politics aren’t just playing out at the ballot box — they’re also shaping where people choose to live. A survey from Realtor.com shows more Americans are thinking about politics when picking a place to call home. During this time of year, many realtors say they’re busy. With the recent election on top of that, Jonathan Cole, a realtor in Central Florida, says it’s adding a new layer of activity and conversation among buyers. [Source: Spectrum News]
Florida housing market slows as listings rise and sales drop
Florida’s single-family housing market revealed a striking disconnect in early November 2025, with homes taking a median 98 days to sell, 21 days longer than the national median of 77 days, even as market conditions shifted decisively in favor of buyers. The state’s housing inventory reached 97,224 active listings for the week ending Nov. 1, with 43.9% of sellers cutting prices to attract buyers. Despite these concessions, Florida homes lingered on the market significantly longer than properties elsewhere in the country. [Source: Housing Wire]
Florida's Save Our Homes makes property tax reform less urgent for some residents
Save Our Homes, which was approved by voters in 1992 and took effect in 1995, limits county assessments on dwellings inhabited by titled owners. Save Our Homes shields only the dwellings of permanent residents. There are well over four million of those lucky homeowners in the program now. The owners of non-homestead properties, such as snowbird second-homes or rental apartments or commercial and industrial real estate, are out of luck. [Source: WGCU]
See also:
» Florida property tax relief proposals ready for 2026 session
The next real estate boom will be on high ground
Until recently, some of the fastest-growing places in the U.S. were also among the most exposed to climate risk. But that’s starting to change—more Americans are now moving out of the areas that are most likely to flood. In the Miami area, where nearly a third of homes face flood risk, nearly 70,000 more people moved away than moved in last year, according to a new report from Redfin. Florida “has been a migration destination, but this year the Florida housing market changed a lot,” says Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at Redfin. [Source: Fast Company]
U.S. appeals court says Florida can ban Chinese citizens from buying property
A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday cleared the way for Florida to enforce a law restricting real estate and land purchases by Chinese citizens, rejecting claims that it violates federal law and discriminates against Asians. The 2-1 ruling by the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals could encourage other states to adopt so-called alien land laws, which were once common but fell out of favor a century ago. Lawmakers in more than 30 states have passed or introduced bills restricting foreign property ownership. [Source: Reuters]
6.5%
Sales volume for luxury single-family homes in South Florida hit $8.4 billion — an increase of 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. [Source: South Florida Agent Magazine]
› The most expensive neighborhoods in Orlando
Homebuyers and sellers are navigating a slow and expensive housing market, with rising prices and stagnant demand keeping many on the sidelines. This comes amid rising economic uncertainty and growing wealth concentration. But luxury homes—multimillion-dollar estates, sleek penthouses, and one-of-a-kind custom builds—are still selling, even as most buyers pull back.
› Tampa’s oldest house is back on the market for $1.8 million
Over the course of its nearly 200-year history, the oldest house in Tampa has narrowly escaped destruction at every turn. It’s been converted from a family home to a boarding house to an office, changed locations twice and was even caught up in a Ponzi scheme. Now it’s on the market again for $1.8 million. Built in 1842 by physician Sheldon Stringer, the 2,120-square-foot bungalow fell into disrepair in the 1980s but has since been fully restored as a two-story commercial office.
› Why St. Lucie County residents pay the highest property taxes in Florida
Florida’s latest tax data shows St. Lucie’s combined millage rate sits near 22 mills — higher than Palm Beach, Martin, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, and well above the statewide average. Millage refers to the amount paid per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, and St. Lucie’s higher rate means a larger bill before factoring in rising values.
› Crypto-forward real estate firm moves headquarters to Aventura
A South Florida real estate firm that specializes in serving Latin American buyers has shifted its longtime headquarters. In October, Elite International Realty moved into a new, 2,000-square-foot headquarters at 20764 W. Dixie Highway in Aventura. It is a major change for the firm, which was based at 16139 Biscayne Blvd. in North Miami Beach for three decades.