How Miami’s Millionaires Are Defying Florida’s Market Meltdown
+ Spotlight on a City Where History Meets Opportunity in Florida’s Shifting Sub-Market

Hey, folks! Buckle up—because the past week (March 24–31, 2025) has delivered a rollercoaster of headlines, trends, and predictions that could make or break your next big move in the Florida real estate market. From crashing risks in Tampa to luxury booms in Miami, here’s the freshest scoop you need to stay ahead in the game.
In this week's issue:
💰 How Miami’s Millionaires Are Defying Florida’s Market Meltdown
🏰 Market Spotlight: Where History Meets Opportunity in Florida’s Shifting Sub-Market
📊 Visual: Florida real estate market heat map—Median List Price Change
🚨 Florida Housing Market Crash Warning Issued for Three Cities
…and a meme reflecting the latest public sentiment on Florida’s real estate.

MARKET BALANCE
Palm & Property Florida Market Balance Index

Sales to listings ratio: 11.2%
Week-over-week change: -0.1 pt
Data source: Redfin
STORY OF THE WEEK

How Miami’s Millionaires Are Defying Florida’s Market Meltdown
As Florida’s real estate market stumbles into a maze of oversupply and fading demand, a dazzling exception shines through the chaos: Miami’s ultra-wealthy are rewriting the script. While cities like Tampa brace for a potential crash, the Sunshine State’s luxury hub is proving that money talks louder than market trends.
Fresh insights from March 24–31, 2025, reveal a state split between peril and prosperity—here’s the inside track on where Florida’s housing rollercoaster is headed next.
Big Stories Heating Up the Market
Crash Alert: Tampa, Winter Haven, and West Palm Beach in the Hot Seat
CoreLogic dropped a bombshell on March 27: Winter Haven, Tampa, and West Palm Beach are teetering on the edge of a housing crash, with a 70%+ chance of price drops in 2025. Too many new homes, too few buyers—it’s a classic supply-demand mismatch. Could this be your chance to snag a deal as inventory piles up? Keep your eyes peeled!South Florida’s Luxury Market Laughs at the Slowdown
While the rest of the state cools, Miami’s elite are unfazed. Axios reported (March 17, still buzzing) that South Florida is crushing it in luxury sales, climate risks be damned. Wealthy buyers are snapping up high-end homes, making this a golden pocket for investors who can play in the big leagues.Price Cuts Galore: A Buyer’s Paradise Emerges
Newsweek (March 26) says sellers are slashing prices left and right—38.7% of Naples listings took a hit in February alone. Statewide, inventory’s up 34% in places like Cape Coral. Smells like a buyer’s market, folks—time to sharpen your negotiation skills!
Trends You Can’t Ignore
Homes Linger, Inventory Soars
With 168,000+ homes on the market and properties sitting for 75 days (up 13 from last year), Florida’s market is cooling fast, especially along the southwest coast. More options, more leverage—investors, this is your moment to pounce.Fewer New Floridians, Less Demand
The migration boom is fizzling—only 64,000 new residents in 2024 vs. 300,000+ in 2022. Pair that with 6–7% mortgage rates and skyrocketing insurance costs, and demand’s taking a breather. Oversupplied spots like Tampa? Proceed with caution.Condo Chaos in South Florida
Rising HOA fees and insurance premiums are pushing condo owners to sell in droves—9.7 months of supply says it’s a buyer’s market here too. Risky for current holders, but a potential steal for cash-flow hunters.
What’s Coming in 2025? Predictions to Watch
Prices Dip, But Not Everywhere
Analysts like Nick Gerli (Reventure App, March 25) see a 5% price drop statewide in 2025, especially in construction-heavy zones like Cape Coral. CoreLogic agrees, though lower rates (maybe 6.5%, says Freddie Mac) could cushion the fall. Bargain hunters, get ready!Policy Shocks on the Horizon
The Miami Herald (March 18) warns Trump’s tariff and immigration plans could jack up construction costs and slow new builds. With 54% of Florida’s construction crew potentially at risk, that housing shortage (3.7 million units nationwide) might get worse—good for resale values, tough for new projects.A Market Finding Its Feet
Florida Realtors’ Tim Weisheyer (March 20) sees a balanced single-family market emerging—flat prices, rising inventory. Long-term investors might find stability here, but flippers in oversupplied areas could be in for a rough ride.
Four Ways to Win in Florida’s Shifting Market
Negotiate Like a Pro: With oversupply in Naples and Cape Coral, sellers are ready to deal. Use your leverage to snag properties below asking price and build your empire on the cheap.
Lock in Low Rates: High mortgage rates got you down? Take over a seller’s 3–4% loan and keep your cash flow flowing. It’s a game-changer for rental properties.
Spread the Payments: Structure deals as installment sales to keep your monthly costs low and your rental profits high. Plus, sellers love the tax benefits.
Play the Long Game: Single-family homes in stable markets are your safe bet. Steady appreciation and rental income make them a no-brainer for the patient investor.
The Road Ahead
Florida’s real estate saga is far from over, but the past week has laid bare a truth as old as the market itself: opportunity hides in upheaval. Whether it’s Miami’s millionaires shrugging off the storm or Tampa’s bargains waiting to be claimed, the state’s split personality offers something for every investor willing to adapt. As 2025 looms, one thing is clear—those who read the signs and act decisively will turn today’s headlines into tomorrow’s profits.
MARKET SPOTLIGHT

St. Augustine: Where History Meets Opportunity in Florida’s Shifting Market
Picture this: cobblestone streets, Spanish architecture, and the sound of waves crashing nearby. Now imagine that same place becoming a magnet for remote workers and savvy investors alike. Welcome to St. Augustine, where history isn’t just in the museums—it’s in the real estate market. As Florida’s broader housing scene cools, this coastal gem is writing its own story—one of opportunity, negotiation, and untapped potential. Here’s what you need to know to get in on the action.
The Big Picture: A Market in Transition
St. Augustine is no stranger to change. Once a pandemic boomtown, it’s now navigating a shift to a buyer’s market. With 378 homes for sale in February 2025 (Rocket Homes), properties are lingering longer—about 69 days on average. That’s music to buyers’ ears, especially since 66% of homes sold below asking last month. But don’t mistake this for a downturn. The median sold price still climbed 8.4% year-over-year to $450,000 (Redfin), proving that the right properties in this historic haven still command a premium.
What’s driving the trends
A perfect storm of oversupply and a remote work revolution. St. Augustine has become a top U.S. hub for remote workers, with 24% of St. Johns County’s workforce dialing in from home (U.S. Census Bureau). That’s triple the pre-pandemic rate, and it’s reshaping demand for homes with lifestyle appeal. But here’s the twist: while remote workers flock to the city, local affordability is under siege. The median home price of $535,000 (2023) is out of reach for many locals, creating a market split between luxury resilience and mid-tier softness.
St.Augustine Real Estate Market Trends
Here’s a snapshot of St. Augustine’s housing market numbers:
Metric | Value (Feb 2025) | Year-over-Year Change |
Median Sale Price | $450,000 | +8.4% |
Homes Sold | 42 | -2.3% |
Inventory | 449 | +37.7% |
Median Days on Market | 123 | +5 days |

Based on No of Homes Sold vs No of Active Listings. Source: Rocket

Sources: Redfin, Rocket
Why St. Augustine Is a Winner
St. Augustine isn’t just Florida’s oldest city—it’s a modern-day goldmine for investors. Here’s why:
Timeless Appeal: Founded in 1565, its historic charm and coastal beauty make it a magnet for buyers and renters alike.
Remote Work Boom: With 24% of St. Johns County workers now remote (U.S. Census Bureau), demand for lifestyle-driven homes is soaring.
Buyer’s Market Leverage: Oversupply means negotiation power—think discounts, creative financing, and motivated sellers.
Tourism Goldmine: Millions of visitors yearly fuel a thriving short-term rental market.
Resilient Niches: Luxury and historic properties are holding strong, even as other segments soften.
In short, St. Augustine blends history, opportunity, and lifestyle like nowhere else.

Opportunities in the Oversupply
Yes, there’s oversupply—9.2 months of inventory, to be exact (Rocket Homes). But for investors, that’s not a red flag; it’s a green light to negotiate. Sellers are motivated, and creative deals are on the table. Think seller financing, subject-to deals, or even discounts on properties with value-add potential. The market’s current state is your playground if you know how to play.
But it’s not all about snagging bargains. St. Augustine’s tourism economy and historic allure keep demand ticking, especially for short-term rentals near hotspots like the fort or the beach. And with commercial real estate in Northeast Florida poised to stabilize in 2025 (Florida Trend), there’s potential beyond residential plays.
Watch Out: Risks on the Horizon
No market is without its challenges. St. Augustine faces affordability pressures, with essential workers priced out and rental vacancies rising in new developments (X posts). Plus, analysts warn of a 5% statewide price dip in 2025 (Reventure App), though St. Augustine’s unique appeal might soften the blow. Keep an eye on mortgage rates—currently 6–7%, but a drop to 6.5% could reignite buyer interest.
Four Ways to Win in St. Augustine’s Market
Here’s how to turn these trends into profits:
Remote Worker Haven Play: Target homes with dedicated office spaces or lifestyle perks. Remote workers are here to stay—cater to them.
Luxury and Historic Niche Focus: Bet on premium properties in iconic areas. They’ve held their value and will continue to shine.
Buyer’s Market Bargain Hunt: Use your leverage to negotiate discounts or creative financing on mid-tier homes or fixer-uppers.
Short-Term Rental Goldmine: Cash in on tourism with rentals near attractions. High yields await in this visitor-driven city.
The Bottom Line
St. Augustine’s market is a tale of two stories—history and opportunity. Whether you’re chasing cash flow, long-term growth, or a quick flip, there’s a strategy here for you.

VISUAL OF THE WEEK

Florida real estate market heat map: Median List Price Change (Year-Over-Year)
Top 3:
1: Arcadia, FL (+17%)
2: Clewiston, FL (+5.3%)
3: Tallahassee, FL (+2.0%)
Source: Realtor.com
NEWS ROUNDUP
Florida Housing Market Crash Warning Issued for Three Cities
Landlords are reporting mass vacancies in Florida: Migration down 80%
Florida Housing Market Echoes 'Great Recession'—Real Estate Analyst
Florida's real estate market 'needs a boost now': Former Douglas Elliman CEO
This ‘ultra-luxury’ Florida mansion can be yours for a record $26 million: Take a tour
NEW ON THE MARKET: ST. AUGUSTINE
SENTIMENT MEME


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