The ‘silver tsunami’ in real estate is here

For years, the real estate industry has heard the “silver tsunami” was coming – the long-predicted wave of baby boomers expected to sell, downsize or age in place. But that wave is here. More than 70 million Americans are now aged 65 or older. Baby boomers, between the ages of 60 and 78, have regained their spot as the largest share of both home buyers and sellers, according to the National Association of Realtors®’ 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report. Their buying power and decades of home equity are reshaping the market. [Source: Florida Realtors]

Column: Who's on your side in the complicated, evolving real estate world?

Buying or selling a home has always been among life’s most meaningful milestones. Yet with such an emotional decision happening only every 8-10 years on average, the focus is understandably on the real estate professional and not on the underlying framework of the brokerage industry itself. Most consumers need never consider that foundation. Today, however, organized real estate is navigating a period of enormous change and challenge. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Legislature begins review of efforts to reduce, eliminate property taxes

The Legislature in Tallahassee on Friday began exploring in earnest proposals that would reduce or eliminate property taxes, a populist move that would dramatically help with housing affordability but could fundamentally change how communities pay for local government services, including fire departments, trash pickup, city parks and more. The clock is ticking as state leaders work to lock in what exactly Floridians would see on ballots if they were to vote on property tax changes. [Source: WUSF]

See also:
» Do most of Florida’s property taxes come from vacation homes, businesses? | Fact check

Buyers are flocking to a once-overlooked Florida enclave for a simple reason

f you've got millions to drop on a Miami house, you want to be on the beach, right? Not necessarily, say experts. The elite are beginning to shun beach towns for a neighborhood that offers an increasingly in-demand perk—walkability. Cocowalk, revamped in 2021, is an old-style village square in the marina-dominated neighborhood, bursting with independent boutiques, artisan vendors, family-owned restaurants, and lush gardens. [Source: Realtor.com]

Florida and Japan strengthen global real estate ties with new deal

In a major step towards fostering international cooperation, Florida will augment international real estate relations from the United States to Japan. This week, Florida Realtors® established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Japan-America Real Estate Coalition (JARECO). This is a first step towards fostering business relations for real estate professionals on both sides. The MoU was signed in Tokyo during the Southeast U.S.-Japan Association (SEUS/Japan) meetings, continuing the efforts aimed at the economic and professional ties between Florida and Japan. [Source: Travel and Tour World]

STAT OF THE WEEK
$50.7 billion
The billionaire executives behind some of South Florida’s largest homebuilding, development and real estate investment firms rank among the region’s wealthiest, with a combined net worth of $50.7 billion, according to Forbes. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]

ALSO TRENDING:

› Is this the future for homes? Why a Bradenton community is getting attention [Tampa Bay Times]
It was designed to be the home of the future — steadfast against extreme weather and reliant only on the sun for power. But first, the concept had to be put to the test. That’s why developer Marshall Gobuty and his team at Pearl Homes chose hurricane and flood-prone Cortez, a coastal village in Manatee County, to bring their new idea to life. There, they planned the world’s first community of homes certified as “Zero Energy” by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

› Commercial properties in Gainesville sit vacant. Why aren’t new businesses filling the space? [WUFT]
Commercial landlords generally favor tenants with name recognition and deep pockets. That’s one reason properties may sit idle on the market long after an occupant leaves. The owner forgoes the short-term revenue they could fetch from leasing to a small business as they wait for a high-paying, long-term renter. And properties closest to UF command a premium.

› Q&A with broker representing only Frank Lloyd Wright home in Florida [Tallahassee Democrat]
There's been great interest and one serious offer to purchase a piece of history with the Spring House — the sole private residence in Florida designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It's in Tallahassee, just off of U.S. 27 north of the interstate. Brian Proctor, a longtime commercial real estate broker at NAI TALCOR who has deep ties to the owners, said he fields an average of two to three inquiries a week since the property went on sale in August for $2.1 million.

› Controversial Southwest Florida mega development will convert agricultural ruins to 10,000 homes [Naples Daily News]
When a developer announces they are building a community with up to 10,000 homes, some people envision severe environmental damage, while others see it as a way to improve water quality, bring back native vegetation and restore natural flowways. Cameratta Companies recently started construction on the new Kingston community that will span 6,702 acres.

David Denor at the 2022 Florida Southern College Winter Commencement