GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS ANNOUNCES MAJOR INSURANCE RATE RELIEF AS FLORIDA’S REFORMS DELIVER RESULTS January 12, 2026

DAVIE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced significant statewide insurance rate relief for Florida homeowners, as Citizens Property Insurance policyholders across the state will see meaningful premium reductions beginning in Spring 2026 at policy renewal. The reductions reflect continued stabilization of Florida’s insurance market following comprehensive insurance and tort reforms enacted under Governor DeSantis’ leadership. 

“Floridians are seeing rate reductions in both auto and homeowners insurance across the state, with additional relief coming soon,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The reductions in Citizens Insurance rates are the most significant in recent memory.  Premiums are lowering because we’ve enacted real reforms and withstood the pressure to reverse course. We will hold firm in our commitment not to go back to the broken insurance market of the past.” 

“Four years ago, our insurance market was near collapse, which is why I stood alongside our Governor to create historic lawsuit reform, cut out the waste, fraud and abuse, and strengthen our insurance market,” said Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. “Those reforms are working, and Florida homeowners are seeing the benefits. No other state and no other Governor is doing more to deliver on his promises and tackle housing affordability than Governor DeSantis. Florida continues to lead the nation on all fronts.” 

Click the link below to see the full Article from Flgov.com:

https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-announces-major-insurance-rate-relief-floridas-reforms

Builder Sentiment Loses Ground at Start of 2026

Builder confidence weakened as affordability pressures persisted, yet lower rates, price cuts and incentives are giving buyers more leverage.

– Builder confidence moved lower to start the year as affordability concerns continue to weigh heavily with buyers, and builders continue to contend with rising construction costs.

Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes fell two points to 37 in January, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today.

“While the upper end of the housing market is holding steady, affordability conditions are taking a toll on the lower and mid-range sectors,” said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes, a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C. “Buyers are concerned about high home prices and mortgage rates, with downpayments particularly challenging given elevated price to income ratios.”

“In a positive development, Freddie Mac reported that the average mortgage rate fell to 6.06% as of Jan. 15, the lowest rate in three years and nearly 100 basis points below the same period last year,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz.

Click the link below to see the full Article from The Florida Realtor Association:

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2026/01/builder-sentiment-loses-ground-start-2026?fbclid=IwY2xjawPbZ9dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeyKMEqNZFi6vWPGAiNyzpRohAevOblSSFbhqSnbKRS77gvPSUiQ-8zT99kf0_aem_0l9PjrPQTckuUXYql1RJ4Q

30-Year Mortgage Rate Falls to 3-Year Low

Rates on 30-year mortgages fell to 6.06% this week from 6.16% last week. A year ago, the rate averaged 7.04%. Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages dropping to 5.38%.

MCLEAN, Va. — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate is now down to its lowest level in more than three years.

The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate eased to 6.06% this week, down from 6.16% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the rate averaged 7.04%.

The last time the average rate was lower was Sept. 15, 2022, when it was at 6.02%.

Lower mortgage rates boost homebuyers’ purchasing power, good news for home shoppers at a time when the housing market remains in a deep slump after years of soaring prices and elevated mortgage rates have shut out many aspiring homeowners.

Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also fell this week, dropping to 5.38% from 5.46% last week. A year ago it averaged 6.27%, Freddie Mac said.

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Click the link below to see the full Article from The Florida Realtor Association: 

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2026/01/30-year-mortgage-rate-falls-3-year-low

Fla.’s 2025 Housing Market Ends on Positive Trends

Florida Realtors: Single-family home sales were up 0.9% YoY, median prices were stabilizing, and inventory levels suggested a return to normal seasonal patterns.

— As 2025 came to a close, Florida’s housing market showed positive momentum, with closed sales of existing single-family homes up year-over-year, inventory (active listings) levels suggesting a return to normal seasonal patterns, and stabilizing statewide median prices, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.

Click the link below to see the full Article from The Florida Realtor Association:

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2026/01/flas-2025-housing-market-ends-positive-trends