With all of the unanswered questions caused by COVID-19 and the economic slowdown we’re experiencing across the country today, many are asking if the housing market is in trouble. For those who remember 2008, it’s logical to ask that question. Many of us experienced financial hardships, lost homes, and were out of work during the Great Recession – the recession that started with a housing and mortgage crisis. Today, we face a very different challenge: an external health crisis … [Read more...]
Looking to the Economic Future: What the Experts Are Saying
Our Economic Future As our lives, our businesses, and the world we live in change day by day, we’re all left wondering how long this will last. How long will we feel the effects of the coronavirus? How deep will the impact go? The human toll may forever change families, but the economic impact will rebound with a cycle of downturn followed by economic expansion like we’ve seen play out in the U.S. economy many times over. Here’s a look at what leading experts and current research … [Read more...]
Florida Breaks Tourism Record for Fifth Consecutive Year
105 million people travel to Sunshine State in 2015, governor says Florida welcomed 105 million visitors last year, making 2015 the fifth consecutive year where the tourism record was broken. The new record exceeded the previous high of 98.5 million in 2014 by 6.6 percent, according to Visit Florida, the state's tourism promotion arm. The total number of visitors to the Sunshine State last year exceeded the populations of most of the world's countries. It was about 3 million more people, for … [Read more...]
Florida Consumer Advocate Questions Citizens’ Rate Hike
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Sept. 3, 2015 – Florida's new insurance consumer advocate wants Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty to "strongly consider" the large amount of reinsurance purchased by the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance – and to do it before the Florida-owned firm makes a decision about its requested 3.2 percent rate hike. Consumer advocate Sha'Ron James also asked McCarty in a letter Monday to review Citizens' debt financing and water-loss claims before setting rates for … [Read more...]
FLORIDA TOURISM HITS RECORD HIGH FOR 2015
Florida tourism is on pace to pass the highly anticipated 100-million visitor mark for 2015, with more than 54.1 million visitors coming to the Sunshine State in the first half of 2015. New quarterly numbers released Wednesday from Visit Florida, the state’s tourism arm, show a 5.8 increase from last year and the highest amount of visitors of any six months in the state’s history. In just the second quarter of 2015 ending June 30, 25.8 million visitors came to Florida, an increase of 5.5 … [Read more...]
These 18 Cities Will See the Most Economic Growth Next Year
For the past few years, oil towns have dominated the ranks of the fastest-growing economies in America. Now that the energy boom is fading, a new leader is emerging: Retirement communities in Florida that are buoyed by a surge in baby boomers. Naples, Florida, topped the list of metropolitan areas that are expected to see the most economic growth next year, according to an analysis of data in a new report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors prepared by IHS Global Insight. The economy there … [Read more...]
Florida Economic Forecast – Sunny Days in the Sunshine State
Florida Economic Forecast – Sunny Days Dr. Hank Fishkind - With over 30 years of experience in the field of economic analysis and forecasting, Dr. Fishkind is a well-regarded economist in the state of Florida. Dr. Fishkind recently discussed broad economic markets and narrowed down to Florida economics, giving his opinion of what Floridians might expect in the upcoming year. Tourism is expected to increase significantly due to the recent declines in oil & gas prices. On average, … [Read more...]