Florida’s housing market kicked off 2026 with robust momentum, reporting significant year-over-year increases in closed sales, new pending sales, and new listings. This positive start signals a strengthening market, offering more options for buyers and encouraging activity for sellers, with inventory levels showing notable improvement.
Key Takeaways
- Sales Momentum: Both single-family homes and condo/townhouse sales saw healthy year-over-year increases in January 2026.
- Rising Inventory: New listings are up significantly, providing buyers with more choices and contributing to a healthier market balance.
- Pending Sales Surge: A consistent rise in new pending sales over several months indicates sustained buyer interest.
- Price Stabilization: While sales are up, median prices have seen modest year-over-year declines, suggesting a move towards more stable affordability.
- Regional Strength: Central Florida, in particular, is experiencing a rebound with increased listings and pending contracts.
January Sales Soar
Florida Realtors data reveals a strong start to 2026, with closed sales of single-family homes rising by 5.9% and condo-townhouse sales increasing by 5.1% in January compared to the previous year. This surge in transactions is supported by a substantial jump in new pending sales, which climbed 15.2% for single-family homes and 16.9% for condos and townhouses. This marks the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year growth in pending sales for both categories, indicating a sustained level of buyer engagement.
Inventory Expansion Bolsters Market
The increase in new listings is a significant development, with single-family home listings up 7% and condo/townhouse listings up 2.7% in January compared to the prior year. This rise in available properties is helping to rebalance the market, offering buyers more choices. The supply of single-family homes reached a 5.2-month supply, while condos and townhouses had a 9.7-month supply in January, moving towards more typical market conditions.
Central Florida Shows Renewed Vigor
In Central Florida, the real estate market is demonstrating renewed momentum after a slower 2025. January saw a notable increase in new listings and pending contracts. While homes spent an average of 81 days on the market in early 2026, a ten-year high, the surge in new listings (up 59%) and pending sales (up 24%) from December to January signals a positive shift. Decreasing interest rates, hovering around six percent, are contributing to increased consumer confidence and more buyers entering the market.
Price Trends and Future Outlook
Despite the increase in sales activity, statewide median sales prices saw slight year-over-year decreases in January 2026. The median price for single-family homes was $405,000 (down 1.2%), and for condos/townhouses, it was $305,000 (down 2.4%). This moderation in prices, coupled with increased inventory, suggests a move towards a more balanced and sustainable housing market. Experts remain cautiously optimistic, noting that while the start to 2026 is strong, it’s still early to predict the full year’s trajectory.
Sources
- January Shows Strong Start for Florida Housing, | Florida Realtors.
- Central Florida’s real estate market building momentum, Spectrum News 13.
- Florida Housing Market Opens 2026 With Gains In Sales And Inventory – NMP, National Mortgage Professional.
- More Inventory, Steadier Sales, Cooling Prices – NMP, National Mortgage Professional.
- Fla.’s 2025 Housing Market Ends on Positive Trends, | Florida Realtors.