Key Takeaways
This past week, I had the privilege to attend the Florida Realtors Mid-Winter Business Meetings in Orlando—a gathering of real estate professionals from across the state to discuss industry trends, policy updates, and the future of Florida’s housing market. It was a packed event full of valuable insights, and I’m excited to share some of the most important highlights.
PAC Jamboree & Our Triple Crown Win
The conference kicked off with the PAC Jamboree, and I couldn't be more proud of our local association, the Central Panhandle Association of Realtors. We were honored to receive the Triple Crown Award, recognizing us as the top-performing medium-sized board in Florida for both fundraising and major investor (members who contributed $1,000 or more) participation. As the 2024 Local PAC Chair, this achievement was especially meaningful to me.
The Realtor Political Action Committee (RPAC) plays a vital role in protecting private property rights, advocating for policies that support homeownership, and pushing back against excessive regulations. Every dollar contributed strengthens our ability to influence legislation that affects real estate professionals and property owners alike. Seeing the commitment and support of our local members firsthand was inspiring!
Florida’s Housing Market Outlook with Dr. Brad O’Connor
Day 2 brought an insightful presentation from Dr. Brad O’Connor, Chief Economist for Florida Realtors, who provided an in-depth analysis of Florida’s real estate market as we head into 2025.
One key takeaway was the growing divide between the condo and single-family home markets. The condo sector is facing challenges due to new reserve funding laws and special assessments, which have led to rising HOA dues and increased costs for buyers, making condos less affordable. As a result, Dr. O’Connor expects continued declines in the condo market.
On the other hand, the single-family housing market is expected to remain steady with no major shifts. Interest rates are likely to hover around 6% for the foreseeable future, and while affordability remains a concern, Florida is still experiencing an influx of people moving to the state which continues to drive real estate activity.
Legal Updates: New Florida Condo Laws for 2025
Day 3 focused on legal updates, with one of the most talked-about topics being the new Florida condominium laws taking effect on January 1, 2025. These changes require specific disclosures in condo sale contracts, including:
- Milestone Inspection Report – Required if the association was supposed to complete this inspection on or after July 1, 2023, but has not yet done so.
- Turnover Inspection Report – Required for associations that have completed (or failed to complete) this inspection as part of the developer turnover process.
- Structural Integrity Report (SIRS) – Sellers must disclose whether this report has been completed or is still outstanding.
These new requirements are critical for sellers and realtors to understand, as missing disclosures could give buyers the right to void the contract. With these laws going into effect soon, staying informed is essential for anyone involved in condo sales in Florida.
Final Thoughts
The Florida Realtors Mid-Winter Business Meetings provided an invaluable look into the evolving real estate landscape. From market predictions to legal updates and advocacy wins, it’s clear that staying engaged in our industry is more important than ever.
As real estate professionals, buyers, and sellers, knowledge is our greatest asset. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of a community that is actively shaping Florida’s real estate future, and I’m committed to continually growing in my role. This month, I am excited to begin at Florida Leadership Academy, having been selected as one of only 15 participants in the entire state. This opportunity will allow me to sharpen my expertise, expand my network, and develop new strategies to better serve my customers and community.
I look forward to sharing more insights with you soon!
