Florida’s property tax plan could affect St. Johns County real estate by changing how buyers calculate affordability, how sellers position homes, and how homeowners think about long-term ownership costs. As of now, Florida property taxes have not been eliminated. The Legislature approved a proposed constitutional amendment, but it would still need voter approval before taking effect.

• It could reduce future non-school property taxes for qualifying homesteaded homeowners if voters approve the amendment.
• It could make primary residences more attractive compared with second homes, investment properties, and non-homesteaded properties.
• It may affect buyer demand, especially among people relocating to Florida for long-term residency.
• It could create uncertainty for local government funding, infrastructure, and services in fast-growing counties like St. Johns County.
• It does not change today’s property tax bills unless the amendment is approved and the effective dates arrive.

What Is Florida’s Property Tax Plan?

Florida’s current property tax proposal is tied to a constitutional amendment called Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes. According to the Florida House bill page, CS/HJR 1F proposes amendments to revise assessment limits, increase the homestead exemption, limit certain uses of county and municipal ad valorem taxes, and provide an effective date if approved.

The most important thing for St. Johns County buyers and sellers to understand is that this is not a simple “property taxes are gone” situation. The proposal focuses heavily on homesteaded primary residences and non-school property tax relief. School district property taxes are treated separately in reporting on the measure, and the proposal would not automatically erase every tax line on a property tax bill.

Governor Ron DeSantis described the broader proposal as an effort to provide property tax relief for Florida homeowners, including an increase in the homestead exemption and a schedule for possible future elimination through general law.

For real estate decisions, the practical takeaway is this: buyers, sellers, and homeowners should follow the proposal closely, but they should not make financial decisions as if property taxes have already disappeared.

Has Florida Eliminated Property Taxes Yet?

No. Florida has not eliminated property taxes. The Florida House page for CS/HJR 1F shows the measure was signed by officers and filed with the Secretary of State on June 16, 2026, and states that if approved, the amendment would take effect on January 1, 2027.

That distinction matters. A proposed constitutional amendment is not the same thing as a current tax change. Buyers purchasing in St. Johns County today still need to evaluate property taxes under the current system. Sellers listing today should also avoid promising future savings that have not yet become law.

CBS Miami reported that the proposal was approved by Florida lawmakers and sent to the November ballot, where it would require at least 60% voter support to take effect. The same report noted that the measure would increase Florida’s homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, while excluding school district property tax levies from the expanded exemption.

That means the safest language for buyers and sellers is conditional: if approved, if implemented, and if the property qualifies. Until then, the current tax structure remains part of the cost of buying, owning, and selling a home in St. Johns County.

How Could This Affect St. Johns County Buyers?

For buyers, the biggest potential impact is affordability. Property taxes are part of the monthly ownership cost. If a future approved amendment lowers non-school property taxes for qualifying homesteaded homeowners, some buyers may view long-term ownership in St. Johns County as more attractive.

That could matter for relocating buyers, retirees, military families, remote workers, and full-time Florida residents comparing St. Johns County with other Florida markets. Lower projected property tax costs could influence how buyers compare homes in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, World Golf Village, Fruit Cove, and surrounding areas.

But buyers need to be careful. The proposal appears to be strongest for qualifying homesteaded primary residences. That means the benefit may not apply the same way to second homes, investment properties, vacation rentals, or buyers who do not meet residency or homestead requirements. CBS Miami reported that first-time homeowners after January 1, 2027 may need to demonstrate five years of residency before qualifying for the expanded exemption.

Buyers should also remember that lower taxes can affect competition. If a tax benefit makes homeownership more attractive, demand could increase for certain primary-residence properties. That may help affordability on one side of the equation but increase buyer competition on the other.

The smart move is to run numbers both ways: current tax structure and possible future structure. A buyer should never stretch their budget based only on a proposal that has not taken effect.

How Could This Affect Sellers in St. Johns County?

For sellers, the property tax plan could become part of the conversation around value, timing, and buyer motivation. If voters approve meaningful homestead tax relief, some buyers may become more interested in purchasing a primary residence in Florida. That could support demand in desirable markets like St. Johns County.

However, sellers should be careful not to oversell the proposal. A listing should not imply that property taxes are already eliminated or that every buyer will receive the same benefit. The proposal is conditional, qualification-based, and tied to future voter approval and implementation.

For homeowners thinking about selling, the timing question becomes more nuanced. Some sellers may wonder whether to list before the vote, after the vote, or after any approved changes take effect. The right answer depends on the property, price point, neighborhood, buyer pool, mortgage rate environment, inventory, and the seller’s personal timeline.

Sellers should also consider how buyers may ask more detailed questions about tax portability, homestead status, assessed value, exemptions, and future tax estimates. A well-prepared seller can help reduce uncertainty by having current tax records, exemption status, and property details ready.

The best seller strategy is not hype. It is clarity. If the proposal becomes a buyer concern or buyer motivation, address it honestly and factually.

Could Property Tax Changes Affect Home Prices?

Yes, they could, but not in a simple or guaranteed way. If future tax relief lowers the cost of owning a primary residence, some buyers may be willing to pay more for qualifying homes. That could support prices in certain areas, especially where demand is already strong.

At the same time, any property tax shift can create ripple effects. If local governments receive less revenue, buyers may ask how services, roads, stormwater systems, parks, emergency response, and infrastructure will be funded. In a fast-growing place like St. Johns County, those questions matter.

News4JAX reported that St. Johns County officials raised concerns about the proposed amendment’s local impact, including an estimate from the county’s office of management and budget that the county could see a decrease of $113 million in tax revenue by 2029.

That does not mean the real estate market would weaken. It means the market may need to price in more than just tax savings. Buyers care about monthly cost, but they also care about schools, roads, safety, drainage, community maintenance, and quality of life.

For St. Johns County real estate, the impact would likely vary by property type. Homesteaded primary residences may be viewed differently than investment properties, vacation homes, and commercial properties. That difference could affect demand patterns over time.

Who Might Benefit Most From the Proposal?

The biggest potential beneficiaries appear to be qualifying full-time Florida homeowners with homesteaded primary residences. If the proposal is approved and implemented, those homeowners may see meaningful relief on certain non-school property taxes.

That could be especially relevant for people planning to stay in their home long term. A buyer who intends to make St. Johns County their primary residence may view the proposal differently from a buyer purchasing a second home, short-term rental, or investment property.

Investors and non-homesteaded owners should pay close attention. CBS Miami reported that the measure would also lower the cap on annual assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%, including vacation and investment homes and commercial properties.

That could create some benefit for non-homesteaded properties, but it is not the same as broad homestead tax relief. Buyers should not assume every property type receives equal treatment.

For the general public, the broader question is whether tax relief for homeowners is worth the possible pressure on local budgets and services. That is a policy question, not just a real estate question.

What Are the Local Concerns for St. Johns County?

St. Johns County is one of Florida’s most desirable and fast-growing counties. Growth brings demand for roads, schools, public safety, parks, drainage, utilities, and infrastructure. Property taxes are one of the major ways local governments fund those needs.

That is why the proposal has created concern locally. News4JAX reported that a St. Johns County commissioner warned residents should understand what is at stake, citing potential budget pressure if the amendment passes. The same report said the proposal would limit how counties and cities can use ad valorem tax revenue and restrict it to “core services.”

For buyers, this matters because real estate value is tied to more than the house. It is also tied to roads, emergency services, parks, stormwater systems, local planning, and the overall quality of the community.

For sellers, this matters because informed buyers may ask not only, “Will my taxes be lower?” but also, “How will this affect the county long term?”

The right approach is balanced. Tax relief could help homeowners. Local funding changes could also create tradeoffs. Both things can be true.

What Should Buyers and Sellers Do Right Now?

Buyers should continue making decisions based on today’s confirmed numbers. That includes current property taxes, current insurance costs, current mortgage rates, current HOA or CDD fees, and current affordability. Future tax relief may become important, but it should not replace careful budgeting.

Sellers should prepare for more tax-related questions from buyers. A seller should know the home’s current assessed value, exemption status, property tax amount, and whether the home is currently homesteaded. That information helps buyers understand the property more clearly.

Both buyers and sellers should avoid relying on headlines alone. “Property tax elimination” is a simplified phrase. The actual proposal involves homestead exemptions, non-school taxes, voter approval, effective dates, residency rules, assessment caps, and local government funding questions.

The best next step is to work with a local real estate professional who can help interpret what the proposal may mean for a specific property, not just the statewide conversation.

 

“Kim was wonderful to work with. She took the time to learn what we were searching for in our new home and surprised us with great finds. She was attentive and very responsive, no matter the time of day or whether it was a weekday or weekend. Kim was warm and personable and guided us through the whole process as new buyers to Florida. I'd highly recommend her!”— Ashley G.

FAQ

Has Florida eliminated property taxes?

No. Florida has not eliminated property taxes. The Legislature approved a proposed constitutional amendment, but it still requires voter approval before taking effect. The Florida House bill page states that if approved, the amendment would take effect on January 1, 2027.

Would the proposal apply to every property in St. Johns County?

No. The largest benefits appear tied to qualifying homesteaded primary residences. Second homes, investment properties, vacation rentals, and commercial properties may be treated differently. Buyers should verify how the proposal may apply to their specific situation.

Could the proposal lower my future property tax bill?

Possibly, if the amendment is approved by voters and the property qualifies. CBS Miami reported that the proposal would increase the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, excluding school district levies.

Could this affect St. Johns County services?

It could. News4JAX reported that St. Johns County officials have raised concerns about a potential local revenue decrease, including a county budget estimate of a $113 million decrease by 2029.

Should I wait to buy or sell until after the vote?

Not automatically. The right timing depends on your budget, goals, property type, local inventory, mortgage rates, and personal timeline. The proposal is important, but it should be one factor in the decision, not the only factor.

Next Steps

Florida’s property tax plan could become an important issue for St. Johns County real estate, but it should be approached carefully. The proposal has not eliminated today’s property taxes, and buyers and sellers should avoid making decisions based only on headlines.

If you are buying, selling, or trying to understand how this proposal could affect your next move in St. Johns County, contact the Kim Devlin Team. Their local guidance can help you evaluate current tax realities, possible future changes, and what those changes may mean for your specific property decision.