Florida Trends

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Florida is offering a new Hunting, Fishing & Camping Sales Tax Holiday from September 8th through December 31, 2025, following its approval via House Bill 7031, signed by Governor DeSantis. 

Rip currents, are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that flow from the shore out to sea. They are one of the leading hazards on beaches worldwide and can pose a serious risk to even the strongest swimmers. Understanding how rip currents work, how to spot them, and what to do if caught in one can save lives. 

 The Gulf Coast of the United States is one of the most hurricane-prone regions in the world. With a history of devastating storms such as Hurricane Katrina (2005), Hurricane Harvey (2017), Hurricane Michael (2018) and Hurricane Ida (2021), communities along the Gulf of Mexico—stretching from Texas to Florida—must prioritize preparedness every hurricane season, which runs from June through November.  

 In recent years, the cost of insuring coastal properties has increased significantly, raising concerns for homeowners, investors, and policymakers alike. This trend is driven primarily by escalating climate risks, particularly the increasing frequency and severity of hurricanes, storm surges, and flooding events. 

In 2025, Florida's legislative landscape has seen several ambitious proposals to reduce or even eliminate property taxes, particularly for homesteaded property owners. This reflects a growing political push to ease financial pressure amid soaring home values and insurance costs.   

Pensacola’s housing market in early 2025 reflected both cooling and pockets of resilience. In January, the median home sales price was $345,000, up 19% from January 2024’s $290,000 . Yet as the year progressed, that momentum tapered: by July, Redfin reported a median sale price of $361,000, an 8.6% increase year-over-year, while Zillow recorded a decline of ~3.8% in average home values, estimating them at $264,718