Florida Real Estate Market Forecast 2026: What Sellers Need to Know
Last updated: February 2026
Is now a good time to sell in Florida? Here's what the data actually says—no hype, no doom.
Written by Max Cohen
Licensed General Contractor #CGC1534000 · Florida real estate since 2014
Quick Answer
Should you sell your house in Florida in 2026? The market has normalized. Prices are stable (up 1-3% year-over-year), but the days of 20% annual appreciation are over. Inventory is rising, giving buyers more leverage. Homes priced right still sell in 30-45 days; overpriced homes sit. The biggest wildcards: insurance costs (still the highest in the nation) and rising condo assessments pushing some owners to sell.
Table of Contents
Florida Market at a Glance (Early 2026)
| Metric | Current (Q1 2026) | Year Ago | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $405,000 | $395,000 | ↑ 2.5% |
| Active Listings (SFH) | 95,000+ | 72,000 | ↑ 32% |
| Median Days on Market | 62 days | 48 days | ↑ 29% |
| Months of Supply | 4.8 months | 3.2 months | → Balanced |
| % Selling Below List | 58% | 42% | ↑ More negotiation |
Translation: The frenzy is over. It's a balanced-to-slightly-buyer-favored market. Sellers who price correctly still do well. Sellers who overprice sit.
Price Trends by Region
Florida is not one market—it's dozens of micro-markets. Here's how the major metros are performing:
| Metro | Median Price | YoY Change | DOM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | $560,000 | +3.2% | 72 days |
| Tampa Bay | $380,000 | +1.8% | 58 days |
| Orlando | $395,000 | +2.1% | 55 days |
| Jacksonville | $340,000 | +3.5% | 48 days |
| Fort Lauderdale | $475,000 | +0.5% | 68 days |
| Cape Coral/Fort Myers | $360,000 | -1.2% | 82 days |
| Sarasota/Bradenton | $425,000 | -0.8% | 76 days |
| Palm Beach County | $500,000 | +2.8% | 60 days |
The pattern: East Coast metros (Miami, Palm Beach, Jacksonville) are holding strong, driven by domestic migration and international demand. Gulf Coast markets (Cape Coral, Sarasota) that were hit by hurricanes and insurance spikes are seeing modest corrections.
Inventory & Days on Market
The most important shift in 2026: inventory has roughly doubled from the 2022 lows. Florida now has approximately 4.8 months of supply statewide (6 months is considered "balanced").
What this means for sellers:
- You're competing with more listings. Buyers have choices. Your home must stand out on price, condition, or both.
- Overpricing is punished. Homes that sit on market for 90+ days become "stale" and eventually sell below what they would have if priced correctly from the start.
- Cash offers still win. In a higher-inventory market, the cost of waiting to find a financed buyer adds up fast.
The Insurance Factor
Florida's insurance crisis is the single biggest story in real estate right now. Here are the numbers:
Florida Insurance Facts (2026)
- • Average annual premium: $4,200-$6,000 (3x the national average)
- • Citizens Property Insurance (insurer of last resort): 1.3 million policies
- • Homes with older roofs: premiums can reach $8,000-$12,000/year
- • 7 insurers have left Florida since 2020
- • New insurers entering after SB 2-A reforms, but rates remain high
How insurance affects sellers:
- Buyers can't afford your house. High insurance costs reduce buying power. A $500/month insurance bill effectively reduces the home price a buyer can afford by $70K-$80K.
- Older homes are harder to sell. Homes with roofs over 15 years, galvanized plumbing, or older electrical panels face insurance challenges. Buyers may not be able to get coverage at all. Read our analysis of the Florida insurance crisis.
- Cash buyers sidestep insurance requirements. Because cash buyers don't need mortgage approval, lender-required insurance isn't a hurdle. This makes cash sales increasingly popular for older or harder-to-insure homes.
The Condo Assessment Crisis
After the Surfside tower collapse in 2021, Florida passed new laws requiring structural inspections for condo buildings 30+ years old (25+ years in coastal areas). The result: billions in special assessments hitting condo owners statewide.
- Special assessments of $50,000-$200,000 per unit are not uncommon
- Monthly HOA fees have doubled or tripled in many buildings
- Condo values in affected buildings have dropped 20-40%
- Owners who can't afford assessments are falling behind on payments
If you own a condo in a building facing assessments, selling quickly—even at a discount—may be better than absorbing five or six figures in mandatory repairs.
Mortgage Rates & Buyer Demand
As of early 2026, 30-year mortgage rates remain in the 6.2-6.8% range. While this is down from the 7.5% peak in late 2023, it's still roughly double the sub-3% rates of 2021.
The impact on sellers:
- Fewer qualified buyers. At 6.5%, a $400K home costs $2,528/month (P&I only). At 3%, it was $1,686. That $842 monthly difference eliminates ~15-20% of the buyer pool.
- Cash is king. Cash transactions now represent roughly 30% of all Florida home sales, up from 20% in 2019. If your home is attractive to cash buyers, you have a significant advantage.
- Rate lock anxiety. Buyers worry about rates rising during escrow. A cash sale eliminates this risk entirely.
Best Time to Sell in 2026
Seasonally, the best listing window in Florida is February through May. Snowbird buyers are in town, families want to close before school starts, and homes photograph well in spring light.
But timing the market matters less than pricing it correctly. Here's the honest assessment:
Sell Now If...
- • You need to relocate for work or family
- • Insurance costs are eating your budget
- • You have deferred maintenance building up
- • You own a condo facing assessments
- • The property is sitting vacant
- • You're behind on mortgage or in pre-foreclosure
Consider Waiting If...
- • You have a mortgage under 4% (you're subsidized)
- • Major development is coming nearby
- • You have at least 5+ years of roof life
- • The home is your primary residence with homestead
- • You'd struggle to buy a replacement home at current rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2026 a good time to sell in Florida?
Yes—if priced correctly. Prices are stable, inventory is rising, and properly priced homes sell in 30-45 days. Overpriced homes sit.
Are prices dropping?
Statewide, no—prices are up 1-3% YoY. But some Gulf Coast markets and condo segments are seeing corrections of 5-10%.
How long to sell?
Average 55-70 days on market statewide. Well-priced homes: 30-45 days. Cash buyers: 7-30 days.
What about insurance?
Still the highest in the nation ($4,200-$6,000/year avg). High premiums reduce buyer purchasing power and make cash sales more attractive.
Should I wait?
Waiting carries costs: insurance, taxes, maintenance, depreciation risk. Unless you have a specific reason to wait, selling when ready is usually the best strategy.
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Max Cohen
Licensed General Contractor • Buying Florida homes since 2014