Florida’s insurance commissioner wants to oversee companies’ AI use
As Florida lawmakers dig into issues involving artificial intelligence, state Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky wants to make sure regulators can properly oversee AI use by insurance companies. “Responsible AI governance is crucial,” Yaworsky told the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee last week. “I’m not an opponent of AI, but I do think it needs to be responsibly deployed. There are some companies that I think are doing it in a much more responsible manner than others.” [Source: News Service of Florida]
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» 10 largest home insurance companies in Florida
2026 Florida real estate predictions
The real estate market was largely frozen in 2025. Home sales continued to slow, as low inventory, high prices and relatively expensive mortgage rates kept many would-be homebuyers locked out of the market. The annual buyer and seller profile from the National Association of REALTORS® found the share of first-time buyers to be at its lowest level in history, as the median age of these buyers hit a record high of 40. [Source: South Florida Agent Magazine]
More in-law suites, more housing? What Florida’s new ADU bill could mean for communities
Senate Bill 48 is a proposal that would require all Florida local governments to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family neighborhoods, advanced after winning unanimous approval in the Senate Community Affairs Committee. If passed, the bill would mandate that cities and counties permit ADUs — including garage apartments, backyard cottages, and in-law suites — in areas traditionally restricted to single-family homes. [Source: Spectrum News]
Florida's 'catastrophe exposure' sees home insurance premiums soar. These counties pay the most.
Home insurance costs have risen sharply in Florida as the state’s “catastrophe exposure” makes it an outlier in the country. Statewide, Monroe County has the highest premiums with a mean of $9,400, followed by Broward County at $6,865. Coastal communities like those in South Florida and the Panhandle have the highest average premiums. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
Several Southwest Florida cities see biggest home price dip in the country
New data shows Southwest Florida home prices continue to cool from red-hot pandemic highs as inventory increases, insurance premiums stabilize, and fewer people move to the Sunshine State. Real estate data analytics firm Cotality published a report that finds U.S. home prices decreased as inventory reaches its highest level since 2019. Four of the top ten coolest real estate markets in the country are in Southwest Florida, according to the report. The report compared September 2025 housing index data to September 2024. [Source: WFTX]
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Central Florida sellers trim prices on 1,001 homes, averaging 3.4% cuts, giving buyers more leverage and signaling a rebalanced, negotiation-driven market. [Source: WHNT]
› After a hot run, Miami housing prices are cooling down, real estate index shows
A closely watched real estate index released new numbers this week showing housing prices in South Florida still off their recent peaks. In September, prices of existing homes selling in the “Miami” market — from Miami to West Palm Beach — were about 1% below where they were a year ago, according to the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index. That’s a modest dip, but also a rare one for real estate. The Case-Shiller index last showed a year-over-year dip in September for the Miami market in 2011.
› USF eyes 2027 launch for new real estate master’s program
The University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business is expanding its real estate offerings with new graduate concentrations and a proposed Master of Science in Real Estate that could start in fall 2027. The degree is moving through the university and state approval process. USF already offers an undergraduate real estate minor that launched in 2024 and has attracted strong interest across campus.
› Veteran housing announced in Collier County
Warrior Homes of Collier announced an upcoming 10-unit apartment building to house 20 veterans within the next several months. The quest to end veteran homelessness in Collier County was a step closer with this announcement made at the nonprofit’s recent Hope & Honor Gala on Nov. 7. Calling it the Zulu Project, Warrior Homes, along with the support of the PulteGroup of Southwest Florida, the nation’s third-largest home builder, will undertake a nearly $3 million project to purchase and renovate the building. Expected to begin by mid-December, the renovations should take approximately three to six months.
› Southwest Florida's biggest homebuilders to seize opportunities in 2026 after rocky '25
The homebuilding sector, in the region and across the county, is in price cut mode as 2025 comes to a close. The share of homebuilders offering price cuts on newly built homes hit a five-year high in November, for starters, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. More than four of 10, 41% of builders cut prices, the index reports, with an average price reduction of 6% in November.