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Florida Voters Face Property-Tax Choice
Amendment 3 proposed a larger homestead exemption, slower assessment growth on rentals and non-homestead property, plus tighter limits on county and city spending. The measure aimed to raise Florida’s homestead property tax exemption gradually to $250K by 2028, while keeping the existing funding structure for public schools. One Jacksonville homeowner said property taxes shaped his…
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Florida’s Proposed Homestead Tax Rollback
In ~3 weeks, Florida voters decide Question 3. Approval lifts the homestead exemption from $50K to $150K in 2027, then $250K in 2028. The outgoing governor estimated the change could erase property taxes for ~60% of homeowners, but the measure needs ~60% voter approval to pass. One gubernatorial candidate backed reform with a plan to…
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Florida Listings Below Purchase Price
In Florida, >1 in 10 active listings were priced below the seller's purchase price, showing more owners adjusted expectations to move recently. In some Florida markets, nearly half of homes for sale had already taken asking-price cuts, while seller concessions also became more common recently. Florida's shift followed earlier sharp price gains, then weaker demand,…
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Northeast Florida Home Prices: Why Headlines Disagree
Home price headlines disagree because national numbers blend together markets that are moving in very different directions. Nationally, the median asking price slipped about 3% from early August to early October, and much of that is the normal fall slowdown. What matters for you is what homes are actually selling for in your neighborhood, and…
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Northeast Florida Condos: A More Affordable Way to Buy
Yes, a condo can be a more affordable way to buy your first home in Northeast Florida. Nationally, Zillow found that starter condos average $197,468, about 6% less than the typical starter home. Condos also often come with amenities like pools and fitness centers, which is a big part of the appeal in coastal communities.…
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Northeast Florida Renters: Rent Reporting Can Help You Buy
Paying your rent on time can help you qualify for a mortgage, but only if those payments are reported to the credit bureaus. Many renters pay on time for years and still have a thin credit file, which is the most common reason mortgage applications are denied. New credit models are starting to count rent,…
First Coast Report: a blog about real estate and coastal living.
