Florida leads U.S. in manufactured housing growth
Florida continues to rank No. 1 in the nation for manufactured housing, with more than 824,000 units statewide, accounting for about 8% of all housing, according to new analysis. The report highlights Florida as a leader in providing more attainable homeownership options amid rising housing costs nationwide. At roughly $135,000, a new manufactured home in Florida costs about one-third of a site-built home, drawing first-time buyers and retirees. More from Gulfshore Businessand the Jacksonville Business Journal.
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Climbs in construction
Florida’s rapid population growth comes with a climbing demand for health care services. As a result, the state’s health care construction market is soaring, according to Robins & Morton, an Alabama-based construction firm specializing in health care facilities. It employs around 400 across its offices in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando. From 2019 to 2024, the company’s Florida-specific revenue jumped 127% from $483.6 million to $1.1 billion. [Source: Florida Trend]
Column: Floridians, let’s talk about those property tax cuts
A new report commissioned by the Florida League of Cities reminds that Florida’s revenue structure already relies “on only two legs: the sales tax and the property tax.” Because the state constitution prohibits a personal income tax, Florida has fewer options than other states for rebalancing its tax base. Second, property tax reform “does not occur in isolation.” Keeping state and local governments financially stable requires some agreement between the two, “partnership rather than preemption,” the study suggests, and “coordination rather than confrontation.” [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
2025 Florida market cools, early rebound emerging
Florida’s housing market slowed through much of 2025 as high mortgage rates and affordability pressures weighed on buyer demand, but early signs suggest activity is beginning to rebound as rates ease, according to Florida Realtors®’ review of international sales and economic conditions. While Florida’s market reflects local challenges — from insurance costs to elevated prices — it is also being shaped by a cooling global economy marked by slower growth, trade tensions and lingering uncertainty. [Source: Florida Realtors]
Cities with the most expensive homes in Florida
Although home prices have inflated all across the U.S., there are some cities that command a higher price tag than others. Location, size, age, and condition are all contributing factors to home value. Stacker compiled a list of cities with the most expensive homes in Florida using data from Zillow. Cities are ranked by the Zillow Home Values Index for all homes as of November 2025. [Source: Stacker]
23.5%
Luxury homes in the Naples-Marco Island metro are selling 23.5% faster year over year then luxury homes across the U.S. [Source: Realtor.com]
› Report: Tampa No. 2 retail real estate market nationwide
Tampa has the second best retail market in the country, trailing only Charlotte, North Carolina. That’s according to a report from CoStar, which ranked the top 43 U.S. retail markets with at least 100 million square feet of inventory. The real estate technology company took a look at several factors when compiling its findings: Percent of inventory leased; availability rate; market rent growth; change in sales volume; and total return for retail properties as measured by its market price index.
› Habitat Orange and Osceola receives $3 million for land, roof improvements
Orange County leaders gave their stamp of approval for Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando and Osceola County to expand their work. Commissioners approved a $1.5 million agreement to acquire land, so Habitat Orlando and Osceola staff can build between 25 to 35 single-family homes for low-to-moderate-income families. The funds come from the county’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The group’s growth management officer says acquiring the land will allow them to build homes for families in areas like Holden Heights, Parramore and east Orange County.
› Most Miami metro homes lost value in the past year
Over half of U.S. homes — and about 76% of homes in the Miami metro area — lost value in the past year, according to Zillow. The national figure, 53%, is the highest since 2012, but the vast majority of homeowners still "have plenty to feel good about," the real estate site reports. Many homeowners bought before prices surged in the early 2020s. As of October, the median home value had jumped roughly 67% since the property was last sold.
› Closed home sales in Northeast Florida drop 20.4% from last year
The median price of a single-family home fell 2.1% in November and the active inventory of homes for sale dropped 4.4%, according to the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors. NEFAR supplies monthly home sales data for Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties. The November median price of $375,000 is 4.1% lower than a year ago.