Florida housing slump shows signs of easing

Florida’s housing market, one of the weakest in the U.S. over the past two years, is showing early signs of stabilization as active inventory declines in some of the hardest-hit areas. Cities like Punta Gorda and Cape Coral, which saw steep post-pandemic price drops, are now experiencing year-over-year inventory decreases. While market softness remains, the slowdown in inventory growth suggests the downturn’s intensity is easing. More from MSN and Fast Company.

Florida living costs climb as housing drives pressure

Florida’s cost of living is rising faster than the rest of the South, with housing driving much of the increase, according to a new Florida TaxWatch report. Florida ranked as the fourth most expensive Southern state in 2025, with an all-items index of 101.4. Average annual price growth accelerated to 5.8% in the 2020s, up from 1.3% in the 2010s. [Source: Gulfshore Business]

Column: How could new housing bill impact homeownership?

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents a rare moment in Washington, a bipartisan agreement on an issue that touches every market and potentially every American: housing. The bill, which requires reconciliation of House and Senate versions before final passage, signals that housing has become a national priority. At its core, the ROAD to Housing Act focuses on one simple idea: We need to build more homes. The legislation is multipronged, encompassing an array of policy areas. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Reality TV star Tyler Cameron makes a big move in his real-estate career with new Florida development

Tyler Cameron has worn many hats as a reality star, a construction company owner, a real estate agent, and an HGTV host. But now, he’s taking what he sees as one of the “biggest steps” in his career—having landed the listing for a significant new townhome development in Florida, mere months after joining fellow reality TV star Ryan Serhant’s brokerage. The project, known as Ancora, is located on Hutchinson Island. [Source: Market Watch]

Billions in income fled New York — So why are many high earners still renting in South Florida?

South Florida didn’t just win the COVID-19 pandemic-era migration boom; it hit the jackpot. As money drained out of old strongholds like New York, the Sunshine State netted $20.65 billion in annual adjusted gross income from tax filers who moved between 2019 and 2023. Greater Miami alone pulled in $10.5 billion, according to newly released IRS data. By 2023, the average out-of-state mover arriving in the Magic City was making $178,382. That's the kind of income you might expect to feed a homebuying boom, but in some of the biggest hubs of this migration wave, the for-sale market has been oddly subdued. [Source: Realtor.com]

STAT OF THE WEEK
9%
In February, Naples home prices cooled off more than any other market in the country. Prices dropped nearly 9% year-over-year. [Source: WINK News]

ALSO TRENDING:

› What a $400K home looks like in Orlando right now [Realtor.com]
The latest Realtor.com® Monthly Housing Report is uncovering some very promising shifts across the Orlando real estate market and the broader South. For buyers keeping a close eye on the $400,000 mark, these latest metrics offer a clear and encouraging picture of what’s possible in one of Florida’s most iconic metros. The Orlando metro area is currently offering a rare moment of increased accessibility. The median list price in the area now sits at $415,000—a welcome 1.2% decrease year-over-year.

› Land values of large properties around World Equestrian Center declined in 2025 [WCJB]
Real estate prices have been dropping for several months, and its no different in horse country. A market report called “The WEC Effect” found that land values of large parcels of property around the World Equestrian Center declined in 2025. Real estate prices as a whole were flat across Marion County in 2025, according to Florida Realtors.

› Priced out of Paradise: Affordable housing lags in Southwest Florida [Marco News]
With Southwest Florida housing prices plummeting and an overabundance of places to live, you might think the affordable housing problem has been solved. Instead, homes here remain some of the highest priced in the country and most of what has been built is under the “luxury” label. Affordable housing is a national problem made even more difficult in places like Naples, Sanibel, Marco Island and Fort Myers.

› Northeast Florida home prices rise as inventory grows, affordability slips in February [News 4 Jax]
The Northeast Florida housing market showed signs of shifting momentum in February, with the median sales price for single‑family homes rising 5.3% from January to $388,500 even as affordability weakened and inventory expanded, the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors said. Closed sales for single‑family homes totaled 1,469, up 26.7% from the previous month, while pending sales were 1,232. New listings rose 8.9% to 2,282 and active inventory increased 3.8% to 6,667 properties.

Central Florida housing is about to get more expensive – again