Since the national Pandemic Housing Boom fizzled out in 2022, the national power dynamic has slowly been shifting directionally from sellers to buyers. Of course, across the country that shift has varied.

Generally speaking, local housing markets where active inventory has jumped above pre-pandemic 2019 levels have experienced softer home price growth (or outright price declines) over the past 36 months. Conversely, local housing markets where active inventory remains far below pre-pandemic 2019 levels have, generally speaking, experienced, relatively speaking, more resilient home price growth over the past 42 months.

Active Florida Housing For Sale

At the end of January 2026, 9 states were above pre-pandemic 2019 active inventory levels: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington.

Over the coming months, let’s keep an eye on Florida, which has now entered its seasonal window when its active inventory typically begins to rise again.

Source: ResiClub

Mortgage Rates 

Remain Stable

For the last several weeks, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has remained at its lowest level in years. The combination of improving affordability and availability of homes to purchase is a positive sign for buyers and sellers heading into the spring home sales season.

• The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.11% as of February 5, 2026, up slightly from last week when it averaged 6.10%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.89%.
• The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.50%, up slightly from last week when it averaged 5.49%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 6.05%.

A massive generational shift in wealth is beginning to reshape the luxury real estate market, as Gen Xers and Millennials prepare to inherit trillions in property over the next decade. According to a Coldwell Banker Global Luxury report reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, younger generations are set to inherit $4.6 trillion in global real estate, including nearly $2.4 trillion in the United States, prompting families to involve heirs earlier in high-value housing decisions.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Fed holds key 

interest rate steady 

as economic view improves

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday voted to take a break from a recent run of interest rate cuts, as the central bank navigates questions about its independence and awaits a new leader.

Meeting market expectations, the central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee voted to keep its key interest rate in a range between 3.5%-3.75%. The decision put a halt to three consecutive quarter percentage point reductions, billed as maintenance moves to guard against potential downturns in the labor market.

Source: CNBC

Mortgage Rates 

Remain Lower and Steady

Mortgage rates remain near their lowest levels in three years, which is encouraging for potential homebuyers who have waited to enter the market for some time. Lower rates, combined with strong income growth, have led to a steady increase in purchase applications compared to last year. More homeowners refinancing their mortgages are also benefiting from these lower rates, as shown by the rise in refinance applications over the past year.

• The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.10% as of January 29, 2026, up slightly from last week when it averaged 6.09%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.95%.
• The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.49%, up from last week when it averaged 5.44%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 6.12%.

Florida’s housing market is entering the next phase of its growth cycle, with steady demand and moderate price momentum expected from 2026 through 2030. Population inflows remain the market’s biggest tailwind, as Florida continues to attract retirees, remote workers, second home buyer sand households seeking affordability relative to other high-cost states.

State economists have updated their projections. They now expect Florida to add roughly 305,953 new residents each year between April 1, 2026, and April 1, 2030. That’s about 838 people every single day! To put that in perspective, it’s like adding a new city the size of St. Petersburg to the state annually.

The areas poised for the strongest activity will likely be places where jobs are booming, lifestyle amenities are plentiful, and there’s that special appeal for retirees. Think of the popular coastal cities like the Tampa Bay area, the vibrant central Florida hubs, and even some of the up-and-coming inland communities.

Source:Florida Realtors

30 Year Fixed Rate 

Remains At Lowest Level 

In Over Three Years

With the economy improving and the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage nearly a percentage point lower than last year, more homebuyers are entering the market. Buyers always should shop around for the best rate, as multiple quotes can potentially save them thousands.

• The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.09% as of January 22, 2026, up from last week when it averaged 6.06%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.96%.
• The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.44%, up from last week when it averaged 5.38%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 6.16%.

Florida’s housing market is entering a more balanced and opportunity-rich phase after several years of volatility, according to economists speaking Jan. 9 at the 2026 Florida Real Estate Trends summit.

Lower mortgage rates and more inventory are starting to bring sidelined buyers back into the market – and Florida stands to benefit more than most.

Despite slower sales since 2021, Florida continues to attract new residents at one of the highest rates in the country. Florida Realtors research shows that 27% of people who moved into Florida homes in 2024 came from another state, and 5% from abroad, continuing a long-running migration trend.

One of the most encouraging developments for Florida homeowners is the stabilizing property insurance market. Following reforms enacted in 2022 and 2023, to date, 17 new insurers have entered Florida, and premium growth has slowed sharply.

Source:Florida Realtors

30 Year Fixed Rate 

Hits Lowest Level 

In Over Three Years

Late last week, mortgage rates dropped, driving the weekly average down to its lowest level in more than three years. The impacts are noticeable, as weekly purchase applications and refinance activity have jumped, underscoring the benefits for both buyers and current owners. It appears that housing activity is improving and poised for a solid spring sales season.

• The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.06% as of January 15, 2026, down from last week when it averaged 6.16%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 7.04%.
• The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.38%, down from last week when it averaged 5.46%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 6.27%.

Rising mortgage rates have left homeowners with little reason to move.

The surge in borrowing costs has reshaped the housing market — and why homeowners who locked in rock-bottom rates during the pandemic have so little incentive to move.

The typical existing mortgage holder has a 3.88% rate and pays $1,597 a month, according to ICE Mortgage Technology data cited by Barron’s.

But mortgage rates have recently surged to around 7.3%.

At that rate, a buyer putting 20% down on the $429,100 median-priced home would face a monthly principal-and-interest payment of about $2,353 on a 30-year mortgage, Barron’s calculated. That’s $756 more every month — or roughly 47% higher — than the median payment shouldered by current mortgage holders.

The enormous gap helps explain the so-called mortgage-rate lock-in effect that has dogged the housing market since borrowing costs began climbing.

Millions of Americans refinanced or purchased homes when mortgage rates plunged during 2020 and 2021. Those loans have become increasingly valuable as prevailing rates have more than doubled.

Source: FRED / Barons

Mortgage Rates 

Average 7.4%

As market conditions continue to evolve, borrowers should remember that shopping around for a mortgage rate and getting multiple quotes can potentially save them thousands over the loan’s lifetime.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.40% as of October 8, 2026, up from last week when it averaged 7.28%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.30%.

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.73%, up from last week when it averaged 6.60%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.53%.

Do you like our weekly Newsletter?

Please leave a review

Florida’s wage growth has outpaced the national average in recent years

For many Floridians, household incomes have been moving along and becoming more competitive with other parts of the nation, particularly for leading sectors including professional and business services, technology and healthcare.  

For people purchasing in recent years, these wages have not kept pace with the median sale prices, which have risen nearly twice as fast as household incomes since 2019.

• The Migration of Wealth: The pandemic shift to remote work brought a flood of buyers from high-cost states. Armed with out-of-state salaries and coastal home equity, they easily outbid locals and permanently raised the price floor for Florida real estate.
• The Math Gap: Since 2019, Florida home values have surged by nearly 56%, while median household incomes grew by less than 29%. Because housing costs rose twice as fast as wages, local purchasing power has actively eroded.
• Hidden Carrying Costs: The sticker price of a home is only part of the problem. Property insurance premiums and higher mortgage interest rates have pushed monthly carrying costs out of reach for much of the homegrown workforce.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau / Florida REALTORS

Mortgage Rates 

Average 7.03%

The housing market remains supported by a solid labor market and an economy that is growing at a healthy rate.

• The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.03% as of September 24, 2026, up from last week when it averaged 6.95%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.30%.
• The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.42%, up from last week when it averaged 6.26%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.49%.

Do you like our weekly Newsletter?

Please leave a review