South Florida Real Estate Update — August 17, 2025

Today’s snapshot (Miami–Broward)

Mortgage pricing is hovering in the mid-6% range for a 30-year fixed, keeping purchasing power sensitive to small day-to-day moves. Builders and rate-sensitive stocks rallied into this week’s Jackson Hole headlines, hinting at potential rate relief ahead. Meanwhile, Hurricane Erin—well offshore—adds a practical twist for showings, inspections, and insurance timing on Florida’s Atlantic side due to dangerous surf and rip currents. BankrateWall Street JournalZillowMarketWatchWLRNNational Weather Service

1) Mortgage & Interest Rates: Where we are and why it matters

• National averages today: Several trackers place the 30-year fixed ~6.4%–6.7%. Bankrate’s daily read shows ~6.60% for 30-year purchase and ~6.79% for 30-year refi; Zillow’s rate page shows ~6.375% on the 30-year fixed today. These are national baselines—local quotes vary by credit profile, points, and program. BankrateZillow

• Weekend drift & context: Independent trackers observed a slight uptick over the weekend but emphasized rates remain close to 2025 lows. WSJ Buyside (citing Bankrate) also places today’s 30-year average at ~6.60%, broadly consistent with Bankrate’s live survey. The Mortgage ReportsWall Street Journal

Why this moves your monthly payment: A 0.125–0.25% change can move payments by dozens of dollars per $100k financed. Practical next steps for buyers: maintain a fresh pre-approval, compare points vs. monthly savings, and ask lenders about float-down options so you can lock with flexibility in a volatile week. For sellers, every basis-point of relief can widen the buyer pool—and strengthen your launch-weekend strategy.

2) Macro Signals: Why investors are watching housing this week

• Builders rally into Jackson Hole: Homebuilder shares and the home-construction ETF strengthened into this week’s Fed gathering, with investors betting on continued easing (and acknowledging the role of temporary builder buydowns in keeping sales moving). The focus now is Friday’s remarks from Chair Powell and how they shape rate expectations heading into fall. MarketWatch

What this means locally: If financing costs edge down—even modestly—expect better attendance at open houses and quicker action on well-priced listings, especially in move-in-ready homes where buydowns or seller credits can pencil faster for buyers.

3) Miami–Broward Market Notes (today & yesterday)

• Luxury demand still leans toward Miami: Today’s fresh coverage reiterates that Miami ranks #1 for ultra-high-net-worth buyers of second homes, underlining durable top-end demand that helps anchor pricing in prime ZIPs. SFGATE

• International capital flows in the headlines: A weekend feature highlights South American buyer influence in Miami’s housing market—useful context for sellers of well-located homes and condos that appeal to international purchasers. Newsweek

Seller takeaway: Luxury/prime inventory benefits most when pricing is tight, photography is exceptional, and the first weekend is engineered for urgency (staging, clear disclosures, and strategic showing windows). Buyer takeaway: Focus offers on value vs. list price and align terms (earnest money confidence, realistic inspection asks) to compete without overpaying.

4) Home & Garden / Repairs: Weather-smart logistics this week

• Hurricane Erin (offshore) and coastal impacts: Official advisories emphasize no Florida landfall, but life-threatening surf and rip currents will expand along the U.S. East Coast this week, including Florida’s Atlantic beaches. South Florida outlets and state agencies are calling out the marine hazards even as the storm stays well out to sea. National Hurricane Center+1WLRNFlorida Disaster

Practical planning:

• Inspections & exterior work: Roof, seawall/dock, and coastal exterior appointments may face delays during high-surf windows—confirm vendor schedules ahead of time.

• Insurance: Ask carriers about binding restrictions when a named storm is active; have wind-mitigation, roof age, and impact windows/doors docs ready.

• Showings: Expect some beach-area access limitations; be ready with inland alternatives on shorter notice.

5) What to do next

• Sellers (Miami–Broward): Prep now for a late-August/September launch: pre-inspection, a short repair punch list, top-tier media, and pricing guided by freshest comps (not just past quarter averages). Slight rate relief can translate into more qualified traffic—capitalize with a tight first-week plan.

• Buyers: Price a 0.25% rate swing into your budget, keep your pre-approval current, and ask about builder buydowns or lender float-downs. Move quickly on homes that are well-priced and turnkey.

• Homeowners tracking value: If you’ve updated roof/HVAC/impact openings/solar, send those details so your automated valuation reflects the true replacement quality—this can materially affect estimate ranges and insurance quotes.

Sources (today & yesterday)

• Mortgage rates: Bankrate daily averages; Zillow rate snapshot; WSJ Buyside summary relying on Bankrate’s national average. BankrateZillowWall Street Journal

• Markets: Homebuilder rally ahead of Jackson Hole and the role of buydowns. MarketWatch

• Local demand: Miami’s standing with ultra-wealthy second-home buyers (today); regional international-buyer context (yesterday). SFGATENewsweek

• Weather/repairs: NHC public advisories and Florida/state/local outlets on rip-current/high-surf risks from Erin. National Hurricane Center+1WLRNFlorida Disaster

Your next move should feel simple, strategic, and rewarding. If you want clarity on value, timing, or the best way to net the most, I’m here to help—no pressure, just smart options tailored to you.
— William Gartin, eXp Realty | 305-842-6097 | williamgartinrealestate.com
Serving Miami-Dade & Broward • Equal Housing Opportunity