Author: Nancy Ehlen

As someone who’s witnessed Florida’s housing market cycles firsthand over three decades, I’m encouraged to see signs of recovery taking shape across the state. Recently, we’ve noticed inventory levels moving lower—a positive indicator that buyer demand is beginning to firm up and stabilize the market. It’s also noteworthy that homebuilder backlogs are growing again, which points to renewed confidence among builders and a clearer outlook on future demand. Labor trends are turning a corner as well, with job growth picking up and goods-producing employment expected to turn positive after 2025. These fundamentals matter, especially as market-watchers consider broader impacts on growth and inflation tied to Florida’s improving outlook. Having guided clients through condo sales, new builds, and investment properties in every kind of market, I can say these shifts are important milestones on the path to a healthier real estate environment.

Momentum continues to build across South Florida’s real estate landscape as we move through 2026. What’s driving this? It’s not a lack of interest—demand remains steady. Instead, it’s the limited inventory that’s shaping our market, lending stability even as buyers keep a close eye on opportunities. With mortgage rates holding in the low-6% range, many see this as a stabilizing factor, creating an environment where well-prepared buyers may find it’s the right time to make a move.

The luxury segment, particularly homes priced above $5M, remains especially active. Currently, there are about 488 single-family properties in this range, with approximately 43 homes and 20 condos selling each month. Of the roughly 4,500 homes on the market across South Florida, about 10% are listed above $5M, and another 10% are under $500K—an illustration of how tight supply supports property values at every tier.

For those navigating the possibilities, it’s important to consider how continued low inventory could keep upward pressure on prices. And with a property tax referendum on the horizon, some owners may be reassessing their next steps. Drawing on more than three decades of residential real estate experience here, I see how these factors interconnect to shape both opportunity and strategy for buyers and sellers alike.

Labor Day in the United States celebrates the contributions of workers everywhere, while also unofficially marking the final big summer weekend before fall takes over.
It’s known for backyard barbecues, road trips, and that classic tradition of buying things you didn’t know you needed because “it’s on sale.”
Beaches, parks, and grills reach peak activity as everyone tries to squeeze every last drop of summer fun out of the long weekend.
Happy Labor Day! Wishing you a fun, easygoing weekend filled with good vibes, great food, and absolutely no thoughts about Monday.

In Late-Q2 2026, Naples home prices posted yearly growth of ~10%, placing the city among the strongest-performing major metro markets in the country.
Naples ranked second for yearly home-price growth among major metros in Late-Q2 2026, highlighting how strongly local pricing momentum outpaced most peer markets.
Even as broader home-price growth slowed, Naples still delivered standout appreciation in Late-Q2 2026, showing the metro remained a clear outlier for price strength.
Only one major metro posted faster yearly price growth than Naples in Late-Q2 2026, underscoring the city’s place near the very top.
For Naples, Late-Q2 2026 reinforced a simple takeaway: local home prices were still climbing solidly, even as overall US appreciation moderated somewhat.

Florida stayed the most desirable state for a third straight year, with ~1 in 3 Americans naming it a top place to live.
Among major metros, Tampa and Orlando landed in the top 10 most desirable places to live, giving Florida two spots on that list.
Tampa also appeared in the 10 least desirable major metros, showing Florida's best-known markets can attract admiration and hesitation at the same time.
Orlando's top-10 finish reinforced Florida's reach beyond one market, highlighting that interest in the state extended across more than one major metro.
Florida has now held the top state spot for three straight years, a sign that its national appeal has remained steady recently.