Here is what actually moved in Naples and Southwest Florida, and what each story means if you own, want to buy, or are thinking about selling.
New UNF poll: Florida homeowners fear insurance far more than property taxes as Amendment 3 looms
A University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab poll of 1,511 homeowners, released Sept 28, found 63% are more worried about property insurance costs than property taxes, versus just 36% more worried about taxes. Nearly half (47%) said their premium rose at least 50% over five years, 25% were dropped by a carrier at least once, and 81% see the market as failing to improve or getting worse. The findings land as Florida debates Amendment 3, a November 2026 ballot measure to eliminate most non-school property taxes on homesteads that needs 60% voter approval.
Why it matters: For the team, this confirms that insurance, not price or taxes, is the number one obstacle to closing deals in coastal Collier, so leading with carrier options, wind mitigation, and realistic premium estimates wins trust. For out-of-state and relocating buyers drawn by Florida's no-income-tax pitch, the poll is a reality check: insurance can swamp the tax savings, and the pending Amendment 3 vote could reshape both property-tax bills and the county services that support home values, making insurance and tax due diligence essential before buying.
Mortgage rates hold above 7% on Sept 28, near their highest level in over two years
Heading into Monday, Sept 28, the average 30-year fixed mortgage stayed above 7%, with daily trackers reading roughly 7.14% (NerdWallet) up toward 7.5%, after Freddie Mac's weekly survey hit 7.03%, its highest in more than two years. Rates had climbed for several straight sessions before steadying. The 15-year fixed remained in the low-to-mid 6% range, keeping monthly payments elevated for Naples-area buyers.
Why it matters: For the team, financing at 7%-plus continues to squeeze affordability and lengthen days on market, reinforcing that cash and high-equity buyers hold the leverage while payment-sensitive clients need rate buydowns, ARMs, or price negotiation to transact. For out-of-state buyers, especially remote workers and second-home shoppers, elevated rates make all-cash offers and larger down payments more powerful in Naples, and underscore why watching the rate trend matters when timing a relocation purchase.
Naples Monday market brief: median holds near $575K as inventory shrinks and homes sell faster
A Sept 28 Naples market brief, drawing on NABOR's August 2026 report released Sept 25, put the median closed price at about $575,000, essentially flat year over year. Homes are selling faster at roughly 99 days on market, down from 107 a year ago, while the number of homes for sale is down about a third from a year ago. The recap frames a market where tightening supply is offsetting the drag from 7%-plus mortgage rates.
Why it matters: For the team, flat pricing plus shrinking inventory and faster sales signals a still-competitive market where well-prepared listings move, so accurate pricing and sharp marketing matter more than waiting for a price collapse. For out-of-state and relocating buyers, the data pushes back on any assumption that Naples is a deep buyer's market, and shows that serious sellers and buyers should act with current comps rather than banking on a stalling market.