Author: Tim Mathes

Thinking about a new construction home in Northeast Florida? The landscape is shifting. Recent analysis shows that, for the first time, some new homes in Jacksonville are actually priced a bit below existing homes on a per square foot basis heading into 2026. Builders are stepping up their game—offering not just price reductions, but also perks like help with closing costs and attractive mortgage rate buy-downs, instead of just sticking to the sticker price.

One option that’s caught my eye is the builder-paid 2-1 buy-down: on a $400K mortgage, this can lower your initial payments by dropping the interest rate to the mid-4% range at first, then mid-5%—making those early years a little easier on your budget. And while new homes often come with lower insurance premiums (thanks to updated building codes), it’s important to remember that property taxes may be higher based on today’s purchase prices.

When I’m guiding clients through the decision between new and existing homes, we look at the full ownership picture: mortgage terms, insurance savings, closing costs, builder concessions, and taxes. My goal is always to help you feel confident and well-informed, so you can make the choice that fits your needs best—without any unwelcome surprises.

Labor Day in the United States celebrates the contributions of workers everywhere, while also unofficially marking the final big summer weekend before fall takes over.
It’s known for backyard barbecues, road trips, and that classic tradition of buying things you didn’t know you needed because “it’s on sale.”
Beaches, parks, and grills reach peak activity as everyone tries to squeeze every last drop of summer fun out of the long weekend.
Happy Labor Day! Wishing you a fun, easygoing weekend filled with good vibes, great food, and absolutely no thoughts about Monday.

In Q2, banks kept commercial and industrial lending standards largely unchanged, while demand strengthened among large and middle-market businesses across the United States.
Household lending looked mixed: residential Real Estate loan demand weakened, credit card standards tightened, and auto plus other consumer loan standards stayed largely unchanged.
Demand for vehicle financing declined, while borrowing demand from smaller businesses stayed broadly unchanged, showing very different credit conditions across business and household borrowers.
The broader backdrop remained persistent inflation, steady economic growth, and a resilient labor market, with the US central bank recently leaving benchmark rates unchanged.
Economists watch this survey closely because it can signal shifts in bank lending behavior, business investment, consumer borrowing, and Real Estate activity.

In Mid-Q3, the avg. 30-yr fixed rate sat near 7%, and an expert expected near-term borrowing costs to stay in the mid-6% range.
Across major forecasts, analysts expected the 30-yr fixed rate to remain ~6% to mid-6% through 2028, with no return to much lower ranges.
For buyers, waiting on dramatically lower rates may mean missing a market with slower price growth, more listings, and fewer bidding-war pressures.
In the current market, pending and existing home sales edged higher, and improving inventory plus builder concessions could give buyers and sellers more flexibility.
Refinancing relief appears limited, but homeowners can still consider refinancing to shorten a loan, switch from an ARM, or access equity strategically.

Florida stayed the most desirable state for a third straight year, with ~1 in 3 Americans naming it a top place to live.
Among major metros, Tampa and Orlando landed in the top 10 most desirable places to live, giving Florida two spots on that list.
Tampa also appeared in the 10 least desirable major metros, showing Florida's best-known markets can attract admiration and hesitation at the same time.
Orlando's top-10 finish reinforced Florida's reach beyond one market, highlighting that interest in the state extended across more than one major metro.
Florida has now held the top state spot for three straight years, a sign that its national appeal has remained steady recently.

Here's a quick update on Jacksonville's real estate market. Homes are selling at a similar pace as last year. The number of homes available and sold has not changed much.