Why did Florida homes get so expensive?
Ron DeSantis (R) announced the state had received a record-setting number of visits in 2022 with 137.6 million visitors — 12.9 percent more than the state saw in 2021. The influx of newcomers is clashing with a limited housing market that can't meet the increased demand, driving up prices for both renters and buyers.
"As an influx of residents moved to the state following the pandemic in search of better weather and lower taxes, residential real estate has grown more expensive." That's compounded by a limited housing supply as well as higher mortgage costs and property insurance, he added.
A recent report from researchers at Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University shows that prices in the housing market are significantly overvalued.
The housing market will continue to warm up between high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty. As per Zillow's Florida housing market forecast, the national Zillow home value index rose by 4.4% in February 2023. Over the next year, it is expected to rise by 0.6%.
“But if you look in the Southwest, prices are going up. You have some cities where prices are rebounding by 20% in six months.” Another area where prices will continue to rise is South Florida. “[Home prices in South Florida] are still going up, and it's one of the hottest markets,” Corcoran said.
For would-be homebuyers on the sidelines, real estate experts offered a sour forecast — prices will remain steady or increase. Total home sales fell steeply for the first six months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 in Miami-Dade and Broward, according to data from the Miami Association of Realtors.
Florida's popularity soared during the pandemic, with people seeking warmer climates and cheaper living costs. The result was a frenzied housing market that saw prices rise by almost 50% over three years. Although demand is beginning to wane, housing affordability has been severely impacted.
All in all, Florida is a great place to buy a house due to its favorable climate, low cost of living, and Florida's affordable real estate market. Florida property taxes are also among the lowest in America. Residents have no shortage of things to do, from theme parks to world-famous beaches.
Florida's housing market is expected to remain strong in 2023 and 2024, with continued demand for homes and steady price growth.
The report found that from 2015 to 2022, the median home price in Florida climbed from under $300,000 to $450,000. But the median household income dropped from nearly $67,000 in 2019 to under $60,000 in 2021.
Will 2023 be a good time to buy a house in Florida?
Florida's Mortgage Rates Are Decreasing
The primary reason why July 2023 presents an excellent opportunity for first-time home buyers in Florida is the favorable trend in mortgage rates, which are steadily declining and expected to remain stable.
Real estate prices and mortgage rates are rising, and the few affordable houses that remain are being snapped up like sardines. If you want to buy in this market, now's not the time to buy. Whether or not the country enters a recession, the housing market appears to be in good shape for the foreseeable future.

Severe damage can lead to decreased property values after hurricanes, as homes may require significant repairs or even complete rebuilding. This can result in decreased demand and reduced market activity in affected areas.
That's partly due to the slew of homebuyers that have flocked to Florida in recent years to take advantage of the state's affordable housing, which has ultimately increased demand and pushed prices higher.
- Bay Pines, FL. Number of Days to Sell a House: 3. ...
- Oak Ridge, FL. Number of Days to Sell a House: 6. ...
- Lakeland Highlands, FL. Number of Days to Sell a House: 6. ...
- Charlotte Park, FL. ...
- Ocean City, FL. ...
- Mary Esther, FL. ...
- Venice Gardens, FL. ...
- Zephyrhills West, FL.
A private island in Palm Beach could become the most-expensive home ever sold in Florida, if it gets its asking price of $218 million. Developer Todd Michael Glaser and his partners bought 10 Tarpon Isle — the only private island in Palm Beach — for $85 million in 2021.
Beyond this year, the group expects mortgage rates to slide to 4.9% by Q4 2024.
Lakeland- Winter Haven, Florida. North Port- Sarasota- Bradenton, Florida. Cape Coral - Fort Myers, Florida. Port St.
Cape Coral: Known as the “Waterfront Wonderland,” this charming town is not only one of Florida's most affordable places but it is also one of the safest. Located in the southwestern part of the state near Fort Meyers, Cape Coral has an intricate system of canals which allow its residents to always be near the water.
Between its beaches and warm climate, there's a reason why it was the number one state that people moved to in 2022. Yet, Florida gets a lot of flack too — raised rents, recent unruly hurricane seasons, and constant political turmoil complete with controversial new laws.
Where is the cheapest place to live in FL?
- Gainesville. ...
- Dade City. ...
- Dunedin. ...
- Kissimmee. ...
- Bartow. ...
- Homosassa Springs. ...
- Melbourne. Melbourne is right on the Atlantic coast, close to Cape Canaveral. ...
- Edgewater. Last up is the city of Edgewater, located on the eastern coast of Florida.
Seller closing costs in Florida are higher than what the buyer pays because the seller is responsible for the real estate commission, which is typically about 5.8% of the sales price, based on national averages. The average effective property tax rate in Florida is 0.8%.
Florida's housing market is expected to remain strong in 2023 and 2024, with continued demand for homes and steady price growth. However, the market is likely to stabilize as the growth rate slows down, which may lead to more balanced conditions between 2026-2027.
So What Is The Average Closing Cost? The simple overarching answer is that the average closing cost in Florida is 1.98% of whatever the final purchase price is. Since the average house in Florida is currently in the $200,000 to $300,000 range, that means the average range of closing costs is going to be $3960 to $5940.
How much are closing costs on a $400,000 house in Florida? Typical Realtor fees on a $400,000 sale would be $24,000, all paid by the seller. After that, factor in 2.3 percent of the purchase price to cover the appraisal, taxes, title insurance policies, settlement, recording fees and more.
Closing costs averaged $6,905 as of 2021, according to ClosingCorp. This includes costs paid by both the buyer and seller. Washington, D.C. buyers and sellers pay the highest average closing costs, at $29,888. Missouri buyers and sellers pay the lowest, at $2,061.
Should I wait to buy a home? If you want to become a homeowner but are waiting for mortgage rates to decline, a bit of patience might be in order. Things may get better sooner than you think: Fannie Mae predicts that 30-year mortgage rates will average 6.3 percent throughout 2023 before falling to 5.7 percent in 2024.
In 2025, the housing market is expected to start picking up again, with home prices rising by approximately 1% to 2% above the current inflation rate.
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