News archive
Older First Coast Observer coverage — page 8 of 14.
Real Estate
Florida Leads Nation With 42,600 Empty Lots for Sale as Housing Shortage Persists
Northeast Florida is part of a statewide surplus of buildable land that could help address the nation's housing crisis, but zoning rules, permitting delays, and financing barriers keep lots vacant even as the region adds thousands of new residents.
Development
Daily's Withdraws Land-Use Application for 7.7-Acre Fruit Cove Site on SR 13
First Coast Energy has pulled its comprehensive plan amendment request for a property at 600 State Road 13 North, removing the item from the county commission's August 4 agenda. The Fruit Cove-area site will not undergo the proposed land-use change at this time.
Real Estate
New Florida Law Requires Flood Disclosure; Addendum Protects Buyers on Insurance Costs
A recently passed Florida statute now mandates sellers disclose property flood history at contract signing, while an existing contract addendum lets buyers walk away if homeowner's or flood insurance premiums exceed affordable limits — tools gaining relevance as Northeast Florida grapples with rising insurance costs and flood risk.
Environment
St. Johns County Expands Environmental Review as Development Surges
County environmental managers detailed the division's growing role in protecting habitats, cultural sites, and conservation lands amid one of Florida's fastest growth rates, including oversight of development review and the LAMP land-acquisition program.
Government
Nassau County Tree Commission Cancels August Meeting
The Nassau County-Amelia Island Tree Commission has cancelled its regular meeting scheduled for August 5, with no reason given in the official notice.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Renters Face Coverage Gaps as Landlords Push Insurance Requirements
As rental demand surges across Jacksonville and surrounding counties, tenants are increasingly required to carry renters' insurance—a policy that protects belongings and liability but is widely misunderstood by those new to the region's growing apartment market.
Housing
Palm Coast Dedicates $350K in Federal Grants to Home Repairs, First-Time Buyers
The Flagler County city approved a Community Development Block Grant action plan directing nearly three-quarters of its HUD allocation toward owner-occupied rehabilitation and down-payment assistance for income-qualified residents.
Infrastructure
CR 16A in St. Johns County to Close Two Weekends for Expressway Work
County Road 16A between Timberwolf Trail and River Reach Parkway will close for two consecutive weekends starting July 31 as crews install pipes for the First Coast Expressway, requiring a detour through SR 16 and SR 13.
Real Estate
Jacksonville Ranks Third Nationally for Millennial Homeownership Growth
Millennial homeowner households in Jacksonville surged 126% from 2018 to 2023, outpacing most U.S. metros as the generation entered prime home-buying years and Florida's population boomed.
Real Estate
Mortgage Rates Hit Year High as Northeast Florida Homebuyers Face Rising Costs
The average 30-year mortgage rate climbed to 6.66%, the fourth consecutive weekly increase, adding pressure to Northeast Florida's competitive housing market as prospective buyers confront hundreds of dollars in additional monthly costs.
Commercial Real Estate
AI Reshaping Jacksonville, Northeast Florida Commercial Real Estate Unevenly
A new analysis shows artificial intelligence is driving demand in some Northeast Florida sectors while weakening it in others, creating opportunities for investors who understand local industry composition and office quality.
Code Enforcement
Nassau County Cancels Code Enforcement Hearings for Three Callahan Properties
Three code enforcement cases against construction companies on Little Magnolia Lane in Callahan have been pulled from an August hearing, though the county has not disclosed the reason for the cancellations.
Real Estate
Dream Finders Homes Adds Banking Executive to Board as Jacksonville Builder Expands
The Jacksonville-based homebuilder, named 2025 National Builder of the Year, has appointed Steve Fischer to its board of directors, bringing three decades of banking and financial leadership to the company as it pursues growth across its markets.
Culture & Heritage
Jacksonville's Free Cultural Sites Draw Visitors to Historic Neighborhoods
From the Talbot Islands' pristine beaches to LaVilla's historic trail and working candy factories downtown, a dozen free attractions showcase Jacksonville's natural beauty, complex history, and living industries across Duval County.
Waterfront Development
Metropolitan Park Marina Opens With 78 Slips for Downtown Jacksonville Boaters
Downtown Jacksonville gains its first full-service marina as Metropolitan Park Marina begins taking reservations July 31, adding riverfront amenities and transient docking capacity to the Northbank waterfront.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Realtors Guide First-Time Buyers Through Market Uncertainty
With mortgage rates and home prices creating hesitation among first-time buyers, real estate professionals across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida are helping clients separate market headlines from personal financial readiness.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Homebuyers Face Hidden Costs Beyond List Price, Realtors Warn
As insurance and tax burdens reshape affordability across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, real estate professionals are urging buyers to focus on total monthly payments rather than sticker prices when house hunting.
Workforce Development
Jacksonville educators tour JAXPORT to connect students with maritime careers
Duval County teachers and FSCJ instructors explored Talleyrand Marine Terminal and met with industry leaders as the port sector pushes to build the pipeline for 30,000 local jobs supported by maritime operations.
Community Services
Elkton Nonprofit Opens Permanent Food, Clothing Resource Center in Rural St. Johns County
The S.E.A. Community Help Resource Center opens a permanent facility at 6408 Armstrong Road in Elkton, bringing food distribution, clothing, and support services closer to residents in underserved areas of rural St. Johns County after 15 years of mobile and church-based outreach.
Real Estate
Curb Appeal Increasingly Shapes Northeast Florida Home Buying Decisions
A new survey finds 77% of homebuyers consider curb appeal a moderate or major factor when choosing a home, with 14% calling poor exterior appearance a dealbreaker—a trend with implications for sellers and agents across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida's competitive housing market.
Environment
Flagler County Docks to Get Free Oyster Gardens to Filter Intracoastal Water
Three public boat docks in Flagler County will receive vertical oyster gardens this month through a volunteer initiative aimed at improving water quality in the Intracoastal Waterway by creating artificial reef habitats.
Development
Palm Coast Approves $31M Rehabilitation Hospital, 100+ Jobs on Former Blighted Site
The 36-bed ClearSky Health inpatient rehabilitation facility will be built on 8.5 acres of City-owned land along the State Road 100 corridor, turning a former residential subdivision into a specialized medical center expected to generate $310,000 annually in CRA tax revenue.
Public Safety
Flagler County Installing Tsunami Warning Signs at Beach Parks Ahead of National Recognition
The county is one of the final steps away from being designated TsunamiReady by the National Weather Service, a recognition that could also lower flood insurance rates for coastal property owners.
Municipal Finance
Palm Coast Sets Maximum Property Tax Rate 2.2% Above Rollback for 2027
The Palm Coast City Council approved a maximum millage rate of 4.2296 for Fiscal Year 2027, allowing the city to advertise the ceiling while budget deliberations continue through September public hearings.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Realtors Must Disclose Fees From 'Preferred Provider' Referrals, Ethics Guidance Warns
A Florida Realtors ethics opinion clarifies that listing vendors as 'preferred providers' on agent websites constitutes a recommendation requiring fee disclosure — a reminder for Jacksonville-area brokers who monetize service-provider links.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida remains top landing spot as retirees weigh relocation costs
New data shows seniors selling homes aren't necessarily downsizing, but tax advantages, lower cost of living, and proximity to family continue drawing retirees to the Jacksonville region and coastal counties.
Environment
Clay County lifts burn ban after rainfall eases severe drought conditions
Recent precipitation has alleviated drought conditions sufficiently for county officials to rescind the outdoor burning restrictions, though vegetative waste remains the only permitted burn material.
Local Government
Palm Coast sets July 28 budget workshop for fiscal 2027 proprietary funds
The Palm Coast City Council will review proprietary funds — including water, sewer, and stormwater utilities — for fiscal year 2027 at a public workshop, part of the annual budget process that sets rates and capital spending for city services.
Infrastructure
I-95 Off-Ramp to U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach Faces Overnight Closures This Month
FDOT will close the southbound I-95 exit to U.S. 1 for five nights between July 14-21, routing motorists through an 8.6-mile detour via Old Dixie Highway as road work advances on the heavily-traveled Volusia County interchange.
Government
Clay County offices to close July 3 for Independence Day holiday
County facilities will be closed Friday ahead of the July 4 weekend, with normal operations resuming Monday, July 6.
