Denisse Szmigiel

09/22/2026

09/20/2026

🏠 FINALLY… some good news about Florida home insurance.

After years of hearing about insurance premiums going UP, we’re finally seeing movement in the other direction.

New Florida insurance data shows average homeowners premiums declined in 51 of Florida’s 67 counties.

And there’s more:

📉 Citizens homeowners multiperil rates are dropping an average 8.8% statewide in 2026.

🏢 More insurers have entered Florida, creating more competition.

📊 More private insurers are filing for rate decreases or no increases.

Does that mean everyone’s insurance bill is suddenly cheap? Absolutely not.

Florida insurance is still expensive, and what you pay depends heavily on the property, location, roof, wind mitigation, coverage and carrier.

But for buyers, sellers and homeowners, the direction matters.

And if you haven’t shopped your insurance recently, this may be a very good time to compare.

Florida homeowners — has your premium actually gone DOWN yet? 👇

09/17/2026

📈 The Fed raised rates 0.25%. So should you stop buying real estate? Not necessarily.

Mortgage rates don’t move directly with the Fed, but higher borrowing costs can change affordability and investment cash flow.

For buyers and investors, the question is still the same: Do the numbers work?

A good opportunity can still be a good opportunity in a higher-rate market.

09/16/2026

LANDLORD QUESTION:

Landlords, what do you do: prescreen first or show first?

09/14/2026

Why get stuck on today’s mortgage rate if the house already has a much lower one?

Some FHA, VA and USDA loans can be assumed by a qualified buyer, letting you take over the seller’s existing rate. Yes, even rates around 3% or lower still exist.

The key is finding the right property and figuring out the equity gap.

09/12/2026

Mortgage vs. renting

🤔 Interesting real estate question: Why can someone qualify for a mortgage but get rejected for a rental?

Some mortgage programs permit relatively low credit scores, while landlords sometimes require much higher scores.

The difference? A mortgage is secured by the property. A landlord is handing someone possession of an asset and taking on a different set of risks.

Different transaction. Different underwriting.

09/12/2026

Looks like mortgage rates will go up

The Federal Reserve is now seen as extremely likely to raise its benchmark interest rate next week, as new inflation data runs hot.

09/10/2026

Can’t wait

University of South Florida officials and local leaders gathered on Sept. 8 to kick off the redevelopment of a 30-acre site that was part of the college's defunct golf course.

Read more: https://www.wusf.org/2026-09-08/usf-breaks-ground-on-500m-uptown-landing-development