Recent Articles
The True Cost of Owning a Home in South Florida in 2026 (What Your Mortgage Doesn't Show)
In 2026, many South Florida homeowners spend $800–$1,500+ per month on top of their mortgage once you add insurance, HOA or condo fees, property taxes, utilities, and maintenance. The buyers who feel comfortable after closing are the ones who budget for all five, not just principal and interest. These numbers reflect what buyers actually experience after closing, not best-case estimates.
How Much Cash Do Florida Buyers Really Need in 2026? (Real Cash-to-Close Breakdown for South Florida)
In 2026, most Florida buyers need about 7%–10% of the purchase price in total cash to close, including down payment, closing costs, inspections, prepaids, and early move‑in expenses. On a $450,000 home, that usually means $31,500–$45,000 before any seller credits or assistance programs. These numbers surprise buyers who focus only on the down payment, but they're exactly what lenders and title companies require.
The 2026 Florida Homebuyer Playbook: What's Changed, What Hasn't, and How to Buy Confidently in South Florida
In 2026, Florida buyers are navigating tighter rules, stubbornly high insurance, stricter condo standards, and calmer but still competitive markets. What hasn't changed is what actually gets you the keys: clean documentation, realistic budgets, and choosing properties that work with Florida's insurance and condo rules, not against them.
Holiday Week Catch-Up: Mortgage Rates Hover Near 2-Month Lows
A holiday-week catch-up: light trading kept markets mostly sideways, but the average 30-year fixed edged to near two-month lows as bonds got a small lift from Europe and pending home sales improved.
Inflation Cools in November — What It Means for Mortgage Rates
Inflation slowed in November after peaking earlier this fall. Here’s what that means for mortgage rates and what homebuyers should watch next.
Fed Cuts Again, But Dot Plot Steers Mortgage Rate Outlook
The Fed cut rates by 0.25% and ended quantitative tightening, but the real story for the average 30-year fixed is in the dot plot and Powell’s comments. Here’s what that means for mortgage rates and homebuyers.
Average Closing Costs in South Florida: County-by-County Guide
Most buyers in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach can expect total closing costs (excluding down payment) of roughly 2%–4% of the purchase price in 2025. On a $450,000 purchase, that's often $9,000–$18,000, depending on county taxes, title fees, and services like inspections and surveys, not on your interest rate.
New Construction Homes in South Florida: What to Expect in 2025
Is new construction worth it in 2025? For buyers in Broward and Miami-Dade, the answer depends less on flashy ads and more on understanding builder incentives, smart upgrades, warranty coverage, realistic timelines, and total costs. When you know how South Florida builder incentives work and what delays construction, you can get more value without closing-day surprises.
This Week in Mortgage Rates: Buyers Are Back as Rates Hover in the Low 6s
Mortgage rates bounced around but stayed in a tight range near the low 6% area this week, while purchase applications hit their highest level since early 2023 and refinance demand more than doubled compared to last year. Here’s what that means if you’re thinking about buying or refinancing.