South Florida’s real estate landscape is showing a clear divergence, with Palm Beach County experiencing robust growth in home sales, significantly outpacing its southern neighbor, Miami-Dade. While Broward County also sees positive trends, Palm Beach is emerging as a leader in key market indicators, attracting buyers and demonstrating resilience.
Key Takeaways
- Palm Beach County is outperforming Miami-Dade in home sales volume and growth.
- Both single-family homes and condominiums in Palm Beach are seeing increased sales.
- Miami-Dade County continues to lag behind its northern counterparts.
- Cash sales remain a significant factor in Palm Beach County’s market.
Palm Beach County’s Ascendancy
Recent data indicates that Palm Beach County’s real estate market is on an upward trajectory. In November, the county saw 321 single-family home contracts signed, a 27.9% increase compared to the previous year. While monthly sales saw a slight dip from October, the annual comparison highlights a strong recovery and growth. Condominium sales also showed a healthy 33.2% increase year-over-year, with 309 units sold in November.
This positive trend is not new. In September, single-family home sales in Palm Beach County rose by 25% year-over-year, with 1,163 deals closed. The median home price held steady at $615,000, and cash sales surged by 31%, underscoring the market’s appeal to buyers with readily available funds.
Miami-Dade’s Lagging Performance
In contrast, Miami-Dade County is still grappling with a slowdown in its real estate market. November saw a 30.6% decline in single-family home closings compared to the previous year, with only 406 homes sold. The monthly comparison also showed a decrease, with 487 homes sold in October. Condominium sales in Miami-Dade also experienced a downturn, dropping by 30.6% year-over-year.
Broward County’s Steady Growth
Broward County is also demonstrating positive momentum. In November, it recorded a significant 98.5% jump in single-family home closing contracts compared to the previous year, with 387 homes sold. Condominium sales in Broward also saw a substantial 41.6% increase year-over-year. Despite these annual gains, both Broward and Palm Beach counties experienced a slight decrease in monthly sales from October to November.
Factors Driving the Market
Several factors are contributing to Palm Beach County’s strong performance. A significant portion of buyers, approximately 43%, are paying in cash, a trend that has placed Palm Beach County at the top nationally for all-cash deals. This is attributed to retirees and affluent executives who can leverage existing assets. While mortgage interest rates have decreased, making financing more accessible, the prevalence of cash offers provides a competitive edge for buyers in this market. Buyers from the Northeast, particularly New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, continue to be drawn to Palm Beach County’s lifestyle offerings, including its equestrian facilities, coastline, and cultural attractions.
Sources
- South Florida home sales in March 2026 from Florida Realtors, The Business Journals.
- South Florida home sales show upbeat increases for Palm Beach and Broward counties, Miami-Dade still
struggling, Florida Politics. - South Florida home sales in January 2026 from Florida Realtors, The Business Journals.
- Palm Beach County home and condo sales data for September released, The Palm Beach Post.