If you have been following the real estate news lately, you have likely seen the headlines: homeowners insurance costs are on the rise, and it is changing the way people buy homes.
A recent article from the Tampa Bay Business Journal highlighted a national trend that hits close to home here in Florida. National premiums rose 8% in 2025 , and two-thirds of homeowners saw their premiums increase the previous year. Perhaps most concerning for buyers is that insurance hurdles are now disrupting sales, with 21% of real estate agents reporting “significantly more” issues with transactions—including clients canceling purchases entirely because they couldn’t secure affordable coverage.
In Florida specifically, over 41% of agents reported a significant uptick in insurance-related obstacles.
While these statistics paint a tough picture for the general market, they largely reflect the reality of the resale market—older homes with aging roofs, outdated electrical systems, and plumbing that raises red flags for insurers.
At Neal Communities, we believe you shouldn’t have to inherit someone else’s problem. Here is why buying a new Neal Communities home puts you in the strongest possible position to own a home in Florida confidently and affordably.
Insurance carriers price risk. When they look at an older resale home, they see potential liabilities: roof age, outdated wiring, and building codes from decades ago. These are the factors driving up premiums and causing carriers to drop policies.
A new Neal Communities home is different. We build to the latest hurricane, wind, and energy codes. Our homes feature wind mitigation measures and up-to-date systems that older inventory simply cannot match. Because our homes present far less risk to insurers, our buyers often qualify for better insurance pricing and stronger carrier availability from day one.
The recent data shows that 47% of agents nationwide are struggling with insurance issues delaying or derailing home purchase agreements. These failures happen most often on aging inventory where the buyer suddenly discovers the roof needs replacing or the home requires expensive retrofits to be insurable.
With Neal Communities, you gain predictability. You aren’t scrambling to find a carrier willing to write a policy on a 20-year-old roof. You are stepping into a brand-new home that meets the modern standards insurers prefer.
Modern building standards translate to insurance savings that many resale buyers don’t know exist. By choosing new construction, you are setting yourself up for more predictable monthly bills and a significantly lower risk of being dropped by a carrier.
As the market shifts, owning a new Neal Communities home puts you in control. While national news makes home insurance sound scary, it serves as a reminder of the value of new construction.
Don’t let the headlines keep you from your dream home. Visit a Neal Community today to learn more about how our building standards offer you a safe, secure, and smart path to Florida homeownership.
