Author: Karuna Singhvi
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Fla.’s Housing Market: Closed Sales and New Pending Sales Rise in July
Florida's housing market showed growth in July 2026 with closed sales of single-family homes up 5.1% and condo-townhome sales up 11% year-over-year. New pending sales also increased, marking over a year of consecutive gains. The median price for single-family homes rose 3.7% to $425,000, while condo-townhome prices remained steady at $295,000. Inventory levels were 4.5 months for single-family homes and 7.8 months for condos. Buyers are returning despite mortgage rates remaining high.
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Happy Labor Day!
Labor Day in the United States celebrates the contributions of workers everywhere, while also unofficially marking the final big summer weekend before fall takes over.
It’s known for backyard barbecues, road trips, and that classic tradition of buying things you didn’t know you needed because “it’s on sale.”
Beaches, parks, and grills reach peak activity as everyone tries to squeeze every last drop of summer fun out of the long weekend.
Happy Labor Day! Wishing you a fun, easygoing weekend filled with good vibes, great food, and absolutely no thoughts about Monday. -
Central Florida Home Market Offers More Opportunities for Buyers
Navigating the Central Florida real estate market takes both local knowledge and a steady hand—especially as we see shifts like July's 7.4% drop in home sales and a 7% decrease in new listings compared to June. While median home prices are now at $410,500 (down $6,000 from June, but still $8,000 higher than last year), affordability remains a challenge for many families. Having called Florida home since 2003 and spent years exploring its neighborhoods, I understand just how important it is to have reliable guidance in times of change. My approach is always rooted in accountability, reliability, and a genuine commitment to making your buying or selling journey as smooth as possible. Whether you're weighing your options or ready to make a move, know that my focus is on helping families thrive—not just in today's market, but for years to come.
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Nashville and Florida Just Topped America’s ‘Most Desirable Places to Live’ List — Again
More than half of Americans (54%) can't afford to move to their preferred location. Nashville tops the list of most desirable metros, followed by Denver and San Diego. Florida is the most desirable state, while California is polarizing. Key factors for desirability include low crime, low cost of living, and good weather. Chicago ranks as the least desirable city due to crime concerns. Despite this, 75% of Americans are content where they live, though many remain open to relocating.
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AI Housing Predictions: Help or Hidden Influence?
AI models analyze vast datasets, from rates to neighborhood signals and online sentiment, uncovering patterns humans miss and sharpening housing and mortgage decisions.
For buyers and sellers, AI tools can flag future hot spots, suggest pricing, timing, and renovations, and add data-driven confidence to major decisions.
Trust remains central because many models work like black boxes, making strong predictions without clear explanations and raising questions about hidden bias in training data.
Widespread adoption could blur prediction and influence, as shared signals steer investor, lender, and buyer behavior, potentially reinforcing trends and amplifying market swings.
Across developed and emerging markets, adoption differs with data quality and oversight, making collaboration, education, and human oversight central to next steps. -
Orlando, FL Buyers Gain Negotiating Room
Orlando homes sold for ~2.5% below asking on avg., placing the city among the 10 US housing markets with the biggest discounts.
That pricing gap aligned Orlando with a broader Southern pattern, where buyers generally paid 2%-3% under asking across many major housing markets.
Across the nation's top housing markets, 38 of 50 saw homes sell below asking, giving context for Orlando's discount-friendly environment among major metros.
For Orlando shoppers, that suggested a buyers' market, where price expectations and offer strategy mattered as sellers accepted deals under list more often.
The key takeaway for Orlando: buyers had measurable negotiating leverage, though the typical sale still landed close to list, at only ~2.5% below. -
Florida Leads 2026 Desirability Rankings
Florida stayed the most desirable state for a third straight year, with ~1 in 3 Americans naming it a top place to live.
Among major metros, Tampa and Orlando landed in the top 10 most desirable places to live, giving Florida two spots on that list.
Tampa also appeared in the 10 least desirable major metros, showing Florida's best-known markets can attract admiration and hesitation at the same time.
Orlando's top-10 finish reinforced Florida's reach beyond one market, highlighting that interest in the state extended across more than one major metro.
Florida has now held the top state spot for three straight years, a sign that its national appeal has remained steady recently. -
NAHB Research Finds Three States Lead Q1 2026 Remodeling Activity
As someone who’s proudly called Florida home for over two decades, I’m always tuned in to the latest trends shaping our real estate market. The newest NAHB report highlights that California, Texas, and our very own Florida are leading the nation in remodeling activity for Q1 2026. California currently holds 8% of the market at $22.2B, but Florida’s strong showing is especially exciting for those of us helping families find homes that truly fit their needs. Even with some states seeing negative growth, inflation-adjusted remodeling spending jumped over 10% from 2023 to 2025—largely fueled by rising home equity. For many buyers and sellers, this means more opportunity to create spaces that reflect their dreams. Navigating these market shifts can be complex, but my commitment is always to guide you with reliability and enthusiasm, ensuring every real estate journey is seamless and stress-free.
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U.S. Cities With Newer Luxury Homes Priced Below $1 Million in 2026
One fascinating aspect of today’s real estate landscape is how luxury homes can look so different depending on where you’re searching. While coastal cities often feature older, smaller homes with higher price tags, there’s a different story unfolding in the Sun Belt and Midwest regions. Here, it’s possible to find newer, more spacious luxury properties—many built between 2008 and 2013—often priced below $1 million, with current ranges from $750,000 to $994,000. As someone who has spent years guiding families through the Florida real estate market, I love helping buyers discover these hidden gems that balance modern features with exceptional value. For those seeking their dream home, it’s all about matching your lifestyle with the right opportunity—and sometimes that means exploring regions where your dollar stretches a little further while still enjoying the luxury experience. Every client’s journey is unique, and I’m passionate about making these transitions seamless and rewarding.
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