Politics
First Coast home sales slide again in July
July ended with another slide in housing sales in the six-county First Coast region.
The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) issued its monthly market analysis for July. There were 1,849 homes sold in the area stretching from the Georgia state line south to Palatka. That’s down by 6.6% from July 2024, when there were 1,980 houses purchased. It’s also a 9.4% drop from June’s figure of 2,041 homes sold.
July represents the third month in a row that home sales have fallen from the previous month in Northeast Florida. Unsurprisingly, the number of houses going on the market is rising, with an inventory of 8,882 homes for sale in the region. That’s 10.7% more inventory than July 2024, when there were 8,022 homes for sale, and it’s up by 0.8% from June’s inventory of 8,808 available homes.
NEFAR President Mario Gonzalez acknowledged publicly for the first time last month that the housing market was shifting to a buyer’s market. He said the latest figures are in keeping with that trend.
“Buyers who were unsuccessful in buying a home during the strong seller’s market of the COVID years have been begging for a market shift towards these exact conditions,” Gonzalez said. “These conditions are much more representative of a balanced market and experienced Realtors can help buyers and sellers navigate much more successfully than trying to go it alone in these waters.”
The median sales price for homes on the First Coast remained relatively stable in July, coming in at $394,000. It’s a 1.5% decline from July 2024’s figure of $399,882, but a slight increase from June’s price of $389,900.
NEFAR also provided a county-by-county breakout. In Duval County, the region’s most populous county and home to Jacksonville, there were 947 closed sales in July. That’s down 2.5% from July 2024’s figure of 971 and is an 8.5% drop from June’s tally of 1,035. The median sales price in Duval was $329,000 in July, a 4.6% decline from a year ago but a 0.3% uptick from June.
St. Johns County, one of Florida’s fastest-growing counties, saw home sales slow in July with 468 closed sales. That’s down by 13.3% from July 2024, when there were 540 home sales. It’s a 7.7% decrease from June 2025, when 507 homes were sold. The median sales price in July was $592,000, a 0.1% increase from July 2024 and a 2.1% increase from June.
Nassau County, bordering Georgia, saw a substantial decrease in closed home sales last month. There were 113 sales, down 18.7% from July 2024’s figure of 139 and a 16.3% slide from June (135 sales). The median sales price in Nassau in July was $464,000, up by 4.8% from July 2024 and up 2% from June.
Clay County also saw a notable slide in closed home sales last month. There were 261 closings, a 4.7% drop from July 2024, when there were 274 sales. It’s also a 12.4% drop from June’s 298 sales. The median home sales price was $369,485 last month, which was a 0.7% increase from July 2024 and a 1.2% uptick from June.
Putnam County recorded 40 home sales in July. That’s down 18.4% from a year ago and is a 13% drop from June. The median sales price was $257,500, a 22.6% increase from a year ago and a 2.3% uptick over June.
Baker County posted 20 home sales last month. That’s up from seven sales a year ago but is holding steady from June. The median sales price in Baker was $314,495 in July, a 39.8% increase from a year ago and a 2.7% increase over June.
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The horrific shooting in Australia that claimed at least 16 lives during a Hanukkah celebration has prompted an expression of sympathy from Florida lawmakers.
The Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus issued a statement of condemnation of the violence during the Jewish observance on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The Caucus published its statement Sunday afternoon.
“The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus unequivocally condemns the horrific and senseless killing that occurred during Hanukkah in Australia. An act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith is an attack not only on a single community, but on the fundamental values of freedom, religious liberty, and human dignity,” the Florida Legislative Caucus said in a news release.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, with the victims’ families, and with Jewish communities around the world who are once again forced to confront hatred simply for being who they are. The State of Florida’s Jewish legislators join in mourning, remembrance, and resolve.”
The Florida LegislativeJewish Caucus has a dozen members from the House of Representatives and two State Senators.
Hundreds of people had gathered Sunday at the beach for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire. At least 38 others were injured in the attack.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 16 overnight, including a 12-year-old child. Three other children are being treated in hospital, he said.
“This is absolutely horrendous for the community broadly, but particularly the Jewish community. … What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity,” Park said.
The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those and Sunday’s shooting were connected. It is the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.
One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested and in critical condition, authorities said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but there was no specific threat.
At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.
The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, including hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival.
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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report with permission.
Behavioral health officials have a list of precautions for Floridians to deal with anxieities heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day.
While the holidays can bring a lot of comfort and joy, the can also be a stressful time and Florida’s health management entities are providing some helpful tips to deal with yuletide anxiety.
There are seven behavioral health managing entities in the state and all of them are aware that stress heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day can seem overwhelming at times. They’re advising balance may be one of the key elements in dealing with the holidays.
“The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, sadness and triggering situations,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s behavioral health Managing Entities remind Floridians that behavioral health services are available, even to those who are uninsured or underinsured.”
The state’s behavioral health professionals are also providing a list of tips to help come to grips with any holiday tension including:
— Get plenty of exercise. Exercising boosts your mood and combats depression.
— Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.
— Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce stress.
— Seek the help of a counselor for mental health needs. If you feel overwhelmed or the need to get help to address your feelings, contact a counselor.
— Call 2-1-1 if needed to connect with resources in your community.
— Call 9-8-8 if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts.
A mental-health treatment network has been established in the state for providers who deliver services to residents needing help. Those services extend to parents and children, veterans and the homeless.
Providers serve patients for not only mental health needs, but substance use, housing, transportation and employment help. Those managing entities are often overseen by community organizations and administrators and are accountable to state and federal funds.
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