If you own a home in Florida, 2026 could be one of the most important years to reassess your long-term housing strategy. Insurance premiums have skyrocketed, property taxes continue to rise, and home price, once soaring at historic levels, are starting to cool in several key markets.

For many Florida homeowners, the question isn’t simply “Should I sell?”
It’s becoming: “Is it financially smart not to sell in 2026?”

Let’s look at what’s happening across the Sunshine State and why now may be the ideal moment to list your home.

Mortgage Rates in Florida: Holding Steady, Not Crashing

Many Floridians hope for a return to the 3% mortgage rates of the pandemic era, but those levels usually only appear during major economic downturns.

Forecasts for 2026 show stable rates between 5.9% and 6.4%, not extreme, but not dropping dramatically either.

What this means for Florida sellers:

Buyers relocating from high-cost states like New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and California are already accustomed to higher borrowing costs. They’re not waiting for a miracle rate, they’re moving to Florida for lifestyle, taxes, weather, and work opportunities.

That means buyer demand remains strong, especially throughout Central Florida and the coastal regions.

Florida Home Prices Are Cooling,  but Ownership Costs Are Exploding

From 2020–2023, Florida became one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, with homeowners gaining tens or even hundreds of thousands in equity.

But beginning in 2024–2025, prices in several Florida markets started leveling off or turning downward. In fact, 7 of the 10 largest price drops in the U.S. were right here in Florida.

Yet the real challenge for homeowners isn’t price, it’s the cost of owning a home in Florida.

📌 From 2020–2025, Florida escrow costs (insurance + taxes) rose 70%,  the 2nd highest increase in the United States.

This includes:

• Steep homeowners insurance increases

• Carriers exiting the state

• Windstorm & hurricane coverage spikes

• Rising property taxes tied to higher assessments

For many homeowners, these rising costs are beginning to outweigh the benefits of staying in place.

What this means for sellers:

If your insurance is becoming unaffordable, or if property taxes climb year after year, 2026 could be the most financially strategic time to sell, cash out your equity, and move to a home or state with more manageable carrying costs.

Renting Trends Are Shifting Buyer Behavior (In Your Favor)

As ownership costs rise, renting has become more attractive to Floridians. Rents have softened after years of increases, and built-to-rent communities are expanding rapidly across Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and the Gulf Coast.

What this means for sellers:

Some local residents who intended to buy may delay their purchase plans.
But out-of-state relocation buyers, who represent a HUGE share of Florida’s demand, are still moving at full speed.

This creates a unique window:
Less competition from local buyers, but more serious, motivated relocation buyers ready to act.

Florida Homeowners Hold Record Equity, But for How Long?

Thanks to the early-2020s boom, Florida homeowners still hold substantial equity. The average U.S. homeowner has roughly $204,000 in tappable equity, and many in Florida have significantly more.

But equity isn't guaranteed to grow forever.

Cooling prices, rising insurance, and increasing taxes create real downward pressure on future values.

What this means for sellers:

Selling in 2026 allows you to capitalize on strong equity before further insurance-driven depreciation impacts Florida markets.

Is 2026 the Right Time to Sell Your Florida Home?

Here’s why many homeowners are choosing to list:

✔ Insurance premiums have doubled or tripled
✔ Property taxes continue rising
✔ Price growth has slowed or reversed in key cities
✔ Buyer demand from other states is still strong
✔ Equity gains may peak and begin tapering off

For many owners, 2026 offers the perfect balance, high buyer demand, healthy equity, and a chance to exit before carrying costs become even higher.

Curious What Your Home Could Sell For in Today’s Florida Market?

A personalized Florida Home Value Review can show you:

🏡 Your current equity
📉 How rising insurance/taxes affect your long-term return
📍 What homes like yours are selling for right now
🚚 Who the active relocation buyers are in your area
📈 Whether selling now—or waiting—makes the most financial sense

Ready to Discover Your Home’s True Value in Today’s Florida Market?

With insurance costs rising, taxes increasing, and buyers actively searching in the Orlando and Disney-area markets, 2026 may be the ideal moment to protect your equity and move strategically.

If you’re even thinking about selling, a no-pressure, personalized Florida Home Value Review will give you clarity and confidence.

You’ll learn:
✅ What your home could sell for right now
✅ Your current equity position
✅ How rising costs may impact your property value
✅ Whether selling in 2026 or holding longer makes the most financial sense

There is absolutely no obligation,  just expert guidance to help you plan your next move wisely.

👉 Click here to request your complimentary Property Evaluation:
www.vacayreflorida.com/propertyevaluation

Or reach out directly — we’re here to help.

Vacay & Co Real Estate, Florida Home Selling Experts

📍 Specializing in Orlando, Kissimmee, Davenport, Clermont & Disney-Area Vacation and Residential Sales

📧 [email protected]
📱 321-333-1338
🌐 www.vacayreflorida.com