Housing Market 2026: Seeing Rise For 11th Straight Month
Florida Housing Market Shows Continued Momentum
Florida’s housing market continued to gain momentum in July, with closed home sales increasing year over year for the 11th consecutive month across both major property categories. The latest data from Florida Realtors® shows that buyers are continuing to move forward despite mortgage rates remaining elevated.
The numbers are particularly notable because the recent increase in sales is happening without the major mortgage-rate decline many buyers had been waiting for. Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor suggests the data may indicate that pent-up demand is becoming an increasingly important factor in the market.
Single-Family and Condo Sales Both Increased
Florida’s July numbers showed broad-based improvement. Single-family closed sales increased just over 5% from July 2025, while condo and townhouse sales climbed 11%. New pending sales for single-family homes also increased nearly 2.5% year over year, marking the 12th consecutive month of annual growth.
The continued growth in pending sales is especially important because contracts signed today can provide an early indication of future closed sales. While individual transactions can still fall through, sustained growth in pending activity suggests buyers remain engaged with the market.
Inventory Is Tightening Again
One of the biggest changes in July was the decline in available inventory. Single-family inventory fell almost 13.5% year over year, while condo and townhouse inventory declined just under 13%.
This shift could have important implications for negotiations. More inventory generally gives buyers greater choice and leverage, while declining supply can gradually strengthen sellers’ positions—particularly for well-priced homes in desirable locations.
However, Florida remains a highly varied market. Inventory conditions can differ substantially by city, neighborhood, price range, and property type, making local market data increasingly important.
Florida Home Prices Continue to Move Higher
Prices also showed moderate growth in July. The statewide median price for single-family homes increased 3.7% to $425,000, while the median price for condos and townhouses remained unchanged at $295,000.
The combination of rising sales, tighter inventory, and moderately higher single-family prices suggests Florida’s housing market is becoming more active without returning to the extreme conditions seen during the pandemic-era boom.
For buyers, this means waiting for a dramatic improvement in affordability may carry its own trade-offs. If demand continues strengthening while inventory declines, competition for desirable properties could increase.
What Does This Mean for South Florida Buyers?
The statewide numbers provide an encouraging backdrop for South Florida, but buyers should avoid assuming that every local market is moving in exactly the same direction.
Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County each have their own inventory levels, pricing patterns, insurance considerations, and buyer demand. A property that represents a strong opportunity in one neighborhood may not offer the same value just a few miles away.
For buyers, the current environment reinforces the importance of understanding the full cost of ownership, including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, HOA or condo fees, and potential maintenance costs.
Sellers Should Pay Attention to the Changing Supply Picture
For sellers, the decline in statewide inventory is an important development. As supply tightens, accurately pricing and effectively marketing a property becomes even more important.
A well-presented home that is positioned correctly against competing listings may benefit from the return of buyers who are no longer willing to wait indefinitely for mortgage rates to fall.
The latest numbers do not suggest that every property will sell quickly or above asking price. Instead, they show that buyers are returning—and sellers who understand their specific local market may be in a stronger position to capture that demand.
The Bigger Picture: Buyers Are Moving Again
Perhaps the most significant takeaway from July’s data is behavioral. Buyers appear increasingly willing to make decisions despite mortgage rates that remain higher than many had hoped.
That could signal a broader shift away from the “wait for rates to fall” mindset. If buyers begin accepting today’s financing environment while inventory contracts, Florida’s housing market could continue its gradual recovery.
For consumers, the smartest strategy may be less about predicting the perfect moment and more about understanding whether a particular property, price, and financing structure makes sense for their individual circumstances.
South Florida Market Guidance from Laura Graves Real Estate
For buyers and sellers navigating Miami’s changing housing market, statewide statistics are only the starting point. Local expertise can help identify where inventory is tightening, which properties are appropriately priced, and where buyers may still have negotiating opportunities.
CALL LAURA: 786-457-8001
SEND EMAIL: lauragravesrealestate@gmail.
