This unprecedented financial backing will provide vital resources for the center’s executive director, Yvonne Baker, a seasoned real estate professional who took on her role in April 2021. Baker, appointed in part due to her longstanding professional relationship with Lindquist, is now honored with the title Brett C. Lindquist Executive Director, highlighting her contributions to both the center and the wider academic community.
Lindquist, who co-founded The Mortgage Firm, reflects fondly on his time at FSU, noting the profound impact the institution had on his professional achievements. He asserts that his philanthropic endeavors are driven by a desire to give back to a community that has greatly influenced his career.
Lindquist’s gift also forms part of a series of donations made alongside his wife, Cindy Lindquist, which have supported various projects within the university, including the Brett C. and Cynthia R. Lindquist Classroom in Legacy Hall. Beyond financial contributions, Lindquist is actively involved with FSU, frequently mentoring students, speaking at events, and utilizing his industry expertise for the university’s benefit.
His contributions are pivotal as the College of Business celebrates multiple anniversaries, including the 40th year of the FSU Real Estate Center and the 50th anniversary of the real estate program. The Brett C. Lindquist Endowed Directorship is a part of the broader strategic effort to sustain the program’s position among the top ten public university real estate programs in the United States.
Lindquist envisions his investment as a means to cultivate enduring relationships between academia and the commercial real estate sector, ensuring that students receive quality education bolstered by real-world insights and opportunities.
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A federal judge has denied class‑certification in the high‑stakes Batton commission lawsuit, delivering a temporary win for NAR and major brokerages while leaving the door open for plaintiffs to try again. With as much as $3.6 billion in potential damages on the line and nearly 80% of the proposed class now disqualified due to conflicts with earlier settlements, the case stands at a pivotal moment. Real estate professionals nationwide — especially in Florida — should watch closely, as the ruling could shape the future of buyer‑agent compensation.
Florida homeowners are paying nearly double the national average for insurance, with premiums now reaching $5,838 a year and denied claims topping 40 percent. Residents report tripled rates, underpaid claims, and mounting financial strain, pushing lawmakers in Tallahassee to propose caps on rate hikes, tax breaks for storm‑proof upgrades, and tighter oversight of insurers. These developments are reshaping real estate and insurance conversations across the state as professionals brace for major industry shifts.
Berkshire County closed Q3 2025 with strong momentum as sales, dollar volume, and buyer competition all climbed year‑over‑year. Inventory showed slight improvement but remains far below demand, keeping the market tilted toward sellers. Single‑family homes and condos led the surge, while multifamily, land, and commercial sectors showed mixed performance. The region continues to stand out as one of New England’s most resilient real estate markets heading into 2026.
Florida homeowners now face the highest insurance burdens in the nation, with average premiums topping $5,800 per year—roughly $3,000 above the national average. As rates triple for some residents, more Floridians are skipping coverage altogether, while denied claims and slow payouts add to the frustration. With over 40 percent of claims closing with no payment and lawmakers battling over reform in Tallahassee, the crisis is reshaping budgets, homebuying decisions, and the real estate industry statewide.
Global capital is surging back into real estate—and this time, investors want more control. Colliers’ 2026 Global Investor Outlook reveals a major shift toward direct investments, joint ventures, and hands‑on strategies as money moves across North America, Europe, and the booming Asia‑Pacific markets. Data centers are now the top‑funded asset class, offices are staging a comeback, and adaptive reuse is reshaping cities worldwide. For real estate and finance professionals, the message is clear: opportunity is accelerating, and those with the right education and licensing will be at the center of the action.
The Fed’s recent rate cuts should have offered relief to commercial real estate—but long-term borrowing costs haven’t budged. While short‑term rates are falling, stubborn long‑term yields, broken deal math, and a trillion‑dollar refinancing wave are keeping the market frozen. For investors and professionals across Florida and the nation, understanding this disconnect is key to navigating the opportunities and risks emerging in today’s shifting CRE landscape.
