First Coast Report

Category: Uncategorized

  • Sellers in St. Augustine Need a Way to Compare Offers

    Sellers in St. Augustine Need a Way to Compare Offers

    A higher offer can net you less once appraisal risk, inspection rights, credits, and timing are priced in. This post lays out a worksheet for comparing offers on net proceeds and likelihood of closing in St. Augustine and Jacksonville.

  • Home Appraised Low? What It Means for Northeast Florida Buyers

    If a home appraises below the purchase price, the lender will base your loan amount on the appraised value, not the contract price — which can leave a gap between what you agreed to pay and what the bank will finance. The good news is a low appraisal rarely kills a deal. Buyers and sellers…

  • Fort Mose First Harvest

    Fort Mose First Harvest

    Mark your calendar for Fort Mose First Harvest on November 7, 2026, at Fort Mose Historic State Park in St. Augustine. This free community celebration recreates an 18th-century harvest festival and offers a memorable way to connect with the area’s history and culture. Visitors can enjoy historical reenactors, cooking demonstrations, tastings, a farm market, and…

  • How Some Areas Are Overcoming Mortgage Challenges in America

    How Some Areas Are Overcoming Mortgage Challenges in America

    Recent data shows a shift in the national mortgage landscape: as of August 2026, delinquency rates have climbed to 3.53%, with serious delinquencies up 19% and foreclosure inventory rising 41% year-over-year. Certain regions—especially those with a high concentration of FHA loans—are feeling the brunt of these changes, compounded by increasing insurance and tax burdens. As…

  • Closing Process for a Seller in Northeast Florida

    Closing Process for a Seller in Northeast Florida

    The signing is the short part of a Florida seller’s closing. The payoff, deed recording, and disbursement steps behind it decide when proceeds arrive and what comes off the top.

  • Florida Retirees Face Condo Assessment Risk

    Florida Retirees Face Condo Assessment Risk

    Navigating the realities of Florida condo ownership—especially in our historic and coastal communities—means understanding the financial landscape beyond the purchase price. Recent reports highlight that older condo assessments in Florida can reach from approximately $50,000 to over $100,000, surprising many with substantial costs that go well beyond standard insurance planning. For buildings three stories or…

  • Are Homes Still Selling in Northeast Florida? Yes, Every Day

    Yes, homes are still selling in Northeast Florida, even though national sales are down compared to last year. Sales picked up slightly in September, and the pace is slower than in some past years. But slower is not stopped, and homeowners who need or want to move can still find buyers. If you’ve seen headlines…

  • Florida’s Affordable Housing Supply Gap

    Florida’s Affordable Housing Supply Gap

    Florida’s affordable housing challenge is a pressing topic for our entire region. Recently, over 1,400 housing professionals convened in Orlando to examine a statewide report detailing affordability concerns impacting everything from rentals and home prices to cost burdens and homelessness. The data is sobering: more than 2.5 million low-income Florida households spend over 30% of…

  • What If Financing Falls Through Before Closing in Florida?

    What If Financing Falls Through Before Closing in Florida?

    A lender denial or a low appraisal doesn’t automatically hand a Florida seller the deposit or the right to walk away. The loan-approval period, written notices, and any rider in the signed contract decide what happens next.

  • Northeast Florida Homes for Sale: Why Inventory Is Rising

    More homes are for sale right now because mortgage rates above 7% have led some buyers to pause, so homes are selling more slowly. The rise isn’t coming from a flood of new listings. Unsold homes are simply staying on the market alongside new ones. For Northeast Florida buyers, that means more choices and more…