United States Real Estate Investor

What Would the Florida Property Tax Amendment Change? At its core, the Florida Property Tax Amendment would make a permanent constitutional change to how certain ad valorem property taxes are calculated and used if at least 60 percent of voters approve it in November 2026. If passed, it would take effect January 1, 2027, and apply to ad valorem taxes rather than every property-related charge. In housing markets facing rising inventory and slower price growth, tax rule changes can further influence investor underwriting and local budget expectations. The revised ballot language, narrowed after a court challenge, frames an enduring shift in property valuation rules. The ballot title was rewritten to new title after a judge found the original wording misleading. The amendment would also lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10 percent to 5 percent beginning in 2027. That change would slow taxable value growth for commercial and other non-homestead parcels. It wo...

Inside the 1643 Brickell Penthouse The penthouse at Santa Maria, 1643 Brickell Avenue, offers 10,000 square feet of interior living space in a high-rise corner-unit layout. PH 4902 is listed with seven bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms. Inside, the layout emphasizes both scale and separation. Volume ceilings expand the main rooms, while marble flooring and wood finishes define key living areas. This level of finish aligns with Miami’s strong demand for turnkey homes with premium materials and amenities. Built-ins and closet cabinetry add structure to the residence’s storage and everyday function. The plan also includes elevator access into a formal foyer. Beyond the foyer, the home features a family room and a den, library, or office. Maid or in-law quarters provide added flexibility. Picture windows bring in broad views and natural light. Electric shutters and hurricane shutters support storm readiness. Central cooling and central heat manage interior comfort. A pantry, utility room, and ad...

Why Florida Home Sales Keep Rising Steady mortgage rates are drawing buyers back into Florida’s housing market as fears of another sharp borrowing-cost jump begin to fade. With the 30-year fixed rate at 6.49% in late June 2026, buyer psychology shifted from delay toward action. Rates near 6.5% reduced expectations of a swift return to ultra-cheap financing. Florida recorded continued sales growth through spring and summer, including strong gains in single-family and condo transactions. Realtors said the May increase marked a ninth straight month of rising sales. Pending contracts also pointed to additional closings ahead. Population growth, migration, and job creation kept demand broad across many metro areas. In markets like Lakeland, 2.9% vacancy underscored how demand continues to outpace supply. Second-home shoppers and relocators expanded the buyer pool beyond local household formation. Inventory remained imperfect but more functional than during the tightest shortage period. Im...

What Is Happening With Apollo CRE? Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance is moving through a decisive wind-down after completing the April 2026 sale of its roughly $9 billion commercial real estate loan portfolio to Athene. In June, it then announced plans to liquidate, dissolve, and return capital to stockholders. The company has shifted from originating commercial property loans to managing a shrinking pool of cash and a few remaining real estate assets. Its post-sale balance sheet was described as mostly cash, with book value near $12.05 per share after debt repayment and expenses. The sale had been approved by holders of a majority of ARI’s outstanding common stock at an April 21, 2026 special meeting, underscoring stockholder approval . Broader real estate interest remains active in markets like Albuquerque, where a $5.8 million estate recently highlighted continued demand for high-end properties. Wind-Down Focus The board said liquidation best served stockholders after reviewing...

Which Texas Cities Ranked Highest in 2026? At the top of WalletHub’s 2026 Best Real Estate Markets report, North Texas cities captured the strongest positions. Frisco ranked No. 1 overall at 70.72, with McKinney close behind at No. 2 with 69.83. Denton followed at No. 5 with 68.08. Allen placed No. 8 at 65.30. Three of the top five overall markets were in Texas, underscoring the state’s top-five dominance . These results gave Texas three cities in the national top five. They also gave the state four cities in the top eight. Category Standings Signal Broader Strength Among cities with 150,000 to 300,000 residents, Frisco ranked first. McKinney ranked second, and Denton ranked fifth. In the under-150,000 category, Allen ranked first. Richardson ranked second, and Carrollton ranked fourth. The spread across market sizes suggested that Texas benefited from balanced conditions shaped by housing policy and migration trends. It was not driven by one isolated local surge alone. Similar momentu...

What Happened to the $1.3B Office Loan? One of Florida’s largest office-backed CMBS debts, a $1.3 billion facility tied to Workspace Property Trust, fell into distress as it approached maturity and was transferred to special servicing in May. The financing was backed by a broad suburban portfolio totaling about 10 million square feet across roughly 146 properties, including office, light-industrial, R&D, and flex space. The collateral spanned 14 markets nationwide. Its scale, and its tie to about half of the borrower’s holdings, made market dynamics especially important. Extension Bought Time The transfer reflected looming maturity risk and difficult refinancing strategies, not a clean payoff. In July 2023, the borrower obtained a two-year extension. That modification gave additional time for leasing efforts and property improvements while lenders avoided an immediate forced workout. The case became a benchmark for Florida office-loan stress. Was the Florida Office Loan Foreclosed...

Why Epique Realty Ranked No. 7 on Inc. 5000 Surging revenue, rapid agent expansion, and an AI-driven brokerage model pushed Epique Realty to No. 7 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list. Inc. measures private companies by percentage revenue growth from 2022 through 2025. Epique’s performance placed it among the strongest businesses in the country, not just in real estate. The company reported 23,210 percent growth over that three-year period. AI and Agent Support Drove Results Coverage tied the ranking to Epique’s proprietary Epique.ai platform. It helped separate the brokerage from traditional competitors through AI-powered services and an agent-focused operating model. The momentum also comes as the industry faces major consolidation, including Compass’s $4.2 billion deal for Anywhere Real Estate that would create the largest residential brokerage . That model emphasized free healthcare, high-quality leads, and broad technology support. The goal was to strengthen agent retention while scaling n...