The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.49% from 6.47% this week, while 15-year rates climbed to 5.84%, Freddie Mac reported. Rates remain below year-ago levels as easing oil prices help cool bond market pressure.

Investment activity is not surging, but it remains strong enough to shape attention around certain homes, especially lower-priced properties and homes with rental potential.

Harvard found Florida had the nation’s highest renter cost-burden rate in 2024, while Census data shows nearly 1.7 million renter households here spent at least 30% of income on gross rent.

A broad housing bill passed by Congress will impact Florida conversations about new construction, financing, manufactured housing and entry-level competition. The White House previously signaled support for the measure, but the president canceled a planned Wednesday signing, leaving the bill’s final