First Coast Report

Mortgage rates aren’t stuck where they are by accident — they’re shaped by a number called the “spread,” the gap between the 10-year treasury yield and the average mortgage rate. Understanding that spread is the key to understanding why rates haven’t dropped dramatically, and why they likely won’t anytime soon. If you’re house hunting or…

If you’re planning to buy your next home, you don’t need 20% down to do it. Plenty of loan programs let qualified buyers put down far less. But a growing number of repeat buyers across St. Johns County, St. Augustine, and Nocatee are choosing to put down 20% anyway, and it’s not because they have…

A ten-minute pre-showing reset can be the difference between a buyer who lingers and one who walks straight through. Opening blinds, clearing counters, and tucking away distractions gives buyers a clean, welcoming first impression the moment they step inside. Small, fast adjustments right before a showing consistently make homes feel larger, brighter, and more move-in…

If you’re holding off on buying because you expect mortgage rates to drop significantly, the latest forecasts suggest that’s unlikely to happen anytime soon. Rates are projected to stay in the low-to-mid 6% range well into 2027. That means waiting could cost you more time than it saves you money. Here in St. Johns County,…

Big investors are buying fewer homes across the country than they have in years, and that’s opening up real opportunities for everyday buyers in St. Johns County. If you’ve felt boxed out by cash offers and bidding wars with deep-pocketed buyers, the landscape is shifting in your favor. Investors aren’t just slowing their purchases —…

If you’re planning to sell your current house and buy your next one, start by selling first. It clears your biggest hurdle up front, protects you financially, and puts you in a stronger position when you’re ready to make an offer. Whether you’re in St. Johns County, St. Augustine, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, Palencia, Jacksonville, or…

The best way to know if your home still works for you is to watch your own week in motion. If mornings feel like a bottleneck, homework has nowhere quiet to happen, and storage can’t keep up with sports gear and swapped-out wardrobes, your home is telling you something. The good news: sometimes the fix…

If you’re buying a home, insurance costs are still climbing — but the pace of those increases is finally starting to slow. Here’s what that means for your budget as you shop for a home in St. Johns County, St. Augustine, and Nocatee. Between mortgage rates and home prices, there’s already a lot to track…

Home price growth across Northeast Florida is showing early signs of turning back up after more than a year of slowing down. The shift is small so far, but it matters for anyone weighing a move in St. Johns County, St. Augustine, or Nocatee this year. Whether that’s good news or something to watch closely…