Underwater in Paradise: The Uneven Housing Market in Florida and Texas

Even as U.S. homeowners hold $35 trillion in equity, some cities are seeing the opposite—rising debt and falling home values. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down where and why certain markets, particularly in Florida and Texas, are now struggling with underwater mortgages.In this episode you’ll learn:The hotspots: Cape Coral, FL leads with 8% of homes underwater, followed by Lakeland, FL, and major Texas cities like San Antonio and Austin around 4%.Why it’s happening: Skyrocketing insurance costs, rising property taxes, and HOA fees are eroding home values in high-risk markets.Who’s affected: Primarily recent buyers (2022–2024); those who bought before 2020 remain well-positioned.Why it’s not 2008 again: Only isolated markets are underwater—far from the nationwide 25% of homes seen during the Great Recession.The takeaway: Real estate is now hyper-local—buyers must analyze insurance, taxes, and economic conditions city by city.Read the full article:https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/10-cities-underwater-mortgages-florida-texas/