S
outhwest Florida’s housing market is poised for a boost, thanks to a hurricane‑free season and growing interest from out‑of‑state firms. Local experts say the region’s prospects are being shaped by events far beyond its borders.
Professor Shelton Weeks of Florida Gulf Coast University notes that recent conversations with real‑estate professionals paint an upbeat picture. He cites a wave of New York City businesses weighing a move to Florida amid political uncertainty after Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s election. The city’s financial sector is unsure how the new administration will affect the business climate, prompting some firms to consider relocation.
At the same time, residents who once avoided Florida because of hurricanes or high homeowners’ insurance premiums are re‑examining their options. Weeks reports that many homeowners now secure better insurance rates, a trend he believes will boost buying power. Lower premiums, falling interest rates, and proposed Tallahassee legislation offering property‑tax relief for homesteaded residents could open the market to buyers who were previously priced out. “With a $3,000 monthly housing budget, reduced insurance and interest costs could allow purchase of a pricier home,” Weeks says, a shift that may lift prices.
Realtors are already noticing changes. Cindy Marsh‑Tichy, president of Realtors of Punta Gorda‑Port Charlotte‑North Port‑DeSoto, notes a rise in cash transactions: 140 of 461 single‑family sales in October were cash, 30.4% of closings. Charlotte County remains a buyers’ market with 6.9 months of inventory; Punta Gorda sits at 6.2 months. When inventory falls below six months, the market typically turns sellers’‑dominated.
September and October saw inventory at 6.9 months, the lowest in a year. Median single‑family sale price in Charlotte County climbed to $342,000 in October from $330,000 in September, with sellers receiving 92.6% of list price versus 91% the month before. The tourist season accelerated sales, cutting average days on market to 105 days in October from 125 days in September. Active listings rose to 3,048, mainly in the $300,000‑$399,999 range; 226 homes sold for $1 million or more, a 42.1% year‑over‑year jump.
Townhome and condo activity remains weaker. Inventory for these units rose to 9.7 months in October from 9.4 months in September, though closings improved. Median sale price reached $235,000 from $215,000, and sellers received 88.9% of list price versus 86.2% previously.
Realtors anticipate further activity as seasonal residents and visitors return in early spring, potentially driving demand across all market segments.
