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📅 April 24 Smart Starters: Florida Market Watch – Tariffs, Mortgage Moves, and a Dash of Optimism

By Phil Ganz | Florida Mortgage Expert
Helping Floridians make smarter homeownership decisions – every day.

🏖️ Welcome to This Week’s Florida Real Estate Snapshot

The Florida sun might be heating up, but the real economic story is what’s going on with tariffs, inflation, and mortgage rates—and what that means for homebuyers and homeowners here in the Sunshine State.

Let’s break it down Smart Starters style: simple, direct, and focused on what matters for your wallet.

📉 Yesterday: Bonds Got Spooked by Inflation

Bonds started strong Wednesday after some positive Fed-related news and hopes of tariff relief. But then… BAM 💥—hot inflation data from the S&P PMI reports came in, and the bond market flinched.

Why it matters:
Higher inflation = higher mortgage rates = less affordability for buyers.

The lesson? Even unexpected economic reports can move mortgage markets fast—so being proactive matters.

💥 Today’s Big Headline: Tariffs Might Chill Out 🎉

That’s right—the White House is reportedly considering rolling back tariffs on Chinese goods. That could be huge for consumer prices, supply chains, and even housing costs in Florida.

✅ Lower tariffs = cheaper goods
✅ Cheaper goods = lower inflation
✅ Lower inflation = less Fed pressure
✅ Less Fed pressure = better rate stability for homebuyers 🏡

This isn't just good news for Wall Street—it could help Main Street buyers right here in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Miami get a better deal.

🧮 What Economic Reports Moved Markets Today?

📌 Jobless Claims (221K – Still Low)

That’s a sign of strength in the labor market. Florida’s tourism and healthcare industries are still hiring—good news for steady incomes and mortgage eligibility.

📌 Existing Home Sales (Down 3% to 4.13M)

Not crashing—just cooling. This is a great moment for Florida buyers who were getting outbid last year to re-enter the market with more leverage.

🏠 Mortgage Demand Dropped… but Don't Panic

Applications dropped 13% last week as average 30-year rates ticked up to 6.9%. Refinance activity also fell 20%.

But here’s the Smart Starter truth:

• 🔁 Refinances are still up 43% vs. this time last year

• 💡 Buyers are adapting, turning to HELOCs, debt consolidation, and investment strategies like fix-and-flips

• 📈 Home values in Florida are still climbing—waiting may cost you more in the long run

• 🛠️ You can always refinance if rates drop later. But you can’t go back and buy the perfect property that got away.

🏖️ Florida-Specific Insight

Whether you're in Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, or Tampa, now is the time to start planning. With the potential for tariff relief and rate stabilization, Q2 might bring one of the best buying windows we’ve had in months.

Sellers, too, are becoming more realistic—which means more accepted offers and fewer bidding wars.

🧠 Final Thoughts: Be Proactive, Not Perfect

✅ The market is reacting to inflation (finally).
✅ Buyers are staying in the game—just smarter.
✅ Tariffs may cool down, easing pressure on rates.
✅ The labor market is strong.

It’s not a perfect market—but it’s a smart one for those prepared.

Let’s talk strategy. Whether you’re refinancing, buying your first home, or investing in a rental, I’ll help you make the most of today’s trends and tomorrow’s opportunities.

👋 Ready to run your day (not let it run you)?
📞 Call or text me: [Insert phone number]
📅 Schedule a free consult: [Calendly link]
🌐 Learn more: www.makefloridayourhome.com

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