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Real estate news: SW Florida a prime spot for home buyers right now

Real estate news: SW Florida a prime spot for home buyers right now

Mark H. Bickel | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Here’s some good news for people looking to purchase a home in SW Florida, at least according to one analysis.

As the summer homebuying season kicks off and National Homeownership Month approaches, new data from Bankrate shows that Florida is home to six of the nation’s 10 best markets for buyers, according to Bankrate’s Buyer Opportunity Index.

Among them, the Cape Coral-Fort Myers market ranks No. 2 nationwide, supported in part by strong job and population growth in recent years, along with a faster pace of new residential construction than many other parts of the country.

What they are saying: Florida is a ‘buyers’ market
“In some parts of the country, including Florida, the pandemic housing boom is clearly over,” says Jeff Ostrowski, Housing Market Writer and Analyst at Bankrate. “This is frustrating for sellers, but it represents an opportunity for buyers who have been waiting for market conditions to turn in their favor.”

Bankrate’s Buyer Opportunity Index compared market conditions in February 2026 against February 2022 by analyzing four key metrics:

  • housing inventory
  • price cuts
  • median days to a pending sale
  • the sale-price-to-list-price ratio, to identify which markets buyers and sellers have the upper hand

Buyers markets in Florida ranking in Top-10 in U.S.

Florida markets ranking in the top 10:

  • No. 2: Cape Coral-Fort Myers

See the full list on naplesnews.com.

Are you looking for a home in beautiful Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

NABOR Market Report | April 2026

NABOR Market Report | April 2026

Robust Pending Sales in April Confirm Market Resiliency

Naples, Fla. (May 22, 2026) – As high season begins to settle and traffic around town eases, the Naples real estate market is showing no signs of cooling off. Overall pending sales (homes under contract) in April increased 38.2 percent to 1,388 pending sales from 1,004 pending sales in April 2025. Steady demand for the Naples lifestyle during April resulted in a 7.7 percent increase in the overall median closed price to $630,000 from $585,000 in April 2025. Broker analysts reviewing the April 2026 Market Report by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), predict a solid summer market ahead, especially before the August elimination of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac limited review process for condominium buyers, which will require lenders to review more data, including a condominium association’s reserve fund status.

The percent of list price received in April increased .3 percent, which means more sellers are pricing homes right for today’s market. In fact, less than 30 percent of homes for sale in April initiated a price decrease.

Condo Market Stabilization
“Many condominium associations required to complete structural integrity reserve studies have opted for pooled reserves to help give the associations financial flexibility and avoid imposing sudden assessments against unit owners,” said a Broker. “Grouping funds together allows condominium associations to pay for reserve items as they occur over time in contrast to rigidly allocating funds to a specific reserve item. Pooled reserves can help condominium associations implement a variety of repairs from storm damage more quickly.”

“The condo market is definitely showing signs of improvement,” said a Broker, “especially considering all the things thrust upon them in recent years like mandatory structural integrity reserve studies for those three stories of higher and laws requiring associations fund reserves to adequately pay for structural repairs that exceed $25,000.”

Compared to sales in the single-family homes market, sales in the Naples condominium market lagged until recently. Cindy Carroll of Carroll & Carroll Appraisers and Consultants contends that “special assessments and quarterly association fees made the cost of condo ownership challenging, but the new regulations are making it easier for buyers to understand the total costs upfront.”

Sales of single-family homes outpaced condominiums during 2025, most likely because condo associations were rebuilding those reserves by issuing special assessments upon its owners. But in April, the report showed a 51.4 percent increase in condominium pending sales. Likewise, there were 575 closed sales of condominiums compared to 493 closed sales of single-family homes for the month. And despite a higher cost of ownership, in the last 12 months, there were 1,083 closed sales of condominiums priced below $300,000, while the single-family market could only claim 192 closed sales below $300,000.

The April Market Report identifies 527 condominiums for sale under $300,000 compared to only 120 single-family homes for sale below $300,000. And while inventory has decreased across every other price category and home type, the under $300,000 condominium market grew 3.9 percent in April.

Equity-rich Investment
“The median closed price has increased 86 percent since 2019,” said Carroll. “There are a lot of homeowners in Naples sitting on some good equity.”

New listings, despite decreasing 14.9 percent in April to 1,169 new listings from 1,373 new listings in 2025, are not far off from what we enjoyed pre-COVID. But because a remarkable increase in sales is occurring, new listings can’t keep up with demand so the overall inventory in Naples decreased 21 percent to 5,919 properties from 7,492 properties.

Geographically, the median closed price of condominiums in Central Naples (34104, 34015, 34116) increased 9.7 in April to $334,500 from $305,000 in April 2025. The median closed price of single family homes in East Naples (34114, 34117, 34120, 34137) and Immokalee/Ave Maria, where most new homes are being built, increased 12.6 percent in April to $675,000 from $599,500 in April 2026, and 6.2 percent to $504,500 from $475,000 in April 2026, respectively.

The area still suffers from some oversupply in historically desirable neighborhoods including Aqualane Shores and Park Shore, but other desirable neighborhoods east of I-75 like the Vineyards have less than a two-month supply of properties for sale.

Heightened activity in the condominium market (20.5 percent increase in closed sales) during April resulted in an 8 percent decrease in its overall median closed price to $450,900 from $490,000 in April 2025. But demand for single-family homes in April (28.4 percent increase in pending sales), pushed its the median closed price up 14.1 percent to $850,000 from $745,000 in April 2025.

The NABOR® April 2026 Market Report provides comparisons of single-family home and condominium sales (via the Southwest Florida MLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary. NABOR® sales statistics are presented in chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium) findings for 2026:
NABOR Market Report April 2026 chart

Are you seeking a home in the Bonita Springs – Naples, Florida area? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

NABOR Market Report | March 2026

NABOR Market Report | March 2026

Home Sales in March Highlight Market Strength

Naples, Fla. (April 24, 2026) – Brisk pending and closed sales activity in the Naples housing market during March (+15 percent and +26.7 percent, respectively) signal improved market conditions and confidence. Sellers who priced properties competitively for today’s market or were open to negotiation – especially in the condominium market – enjoyed swift sales in March. Broker analysts reviewing the March 2026 Market Report by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), are confident price corrections that began last summer helped to accelerate the market’s momentum during Q1 2026 and anticipate strong home sales into Q2.

Values Hold Steady

Overall pending sales increased 15 percent to 1,394 pending sales from 1,212 pending sales in March 2025. Overall closed sales increased 26.7 percent to 1,054 closed sales from 832 closed sales in March 2025. Both pending and closed sales activity during March outperformed activity in any March since 2016, with the exception of 2021 and 2022.

Overall median closed price decreased 11.5 percent to $575,000 from $649,950 in March 2025. The median closed price in the single-family home market increased 2.4 percent to $771,950 from $754,000 in March 2025. Conversely, the median closed price in the condominium market decreased 11.5 percent to $430,000 from $486,000 in March 2025.

“The condominium market was struggling to find its footing after the onset of the mandatory inspections and reserve studies. But sales are improving in the condominium market as evidenced in the March Market Report. So those concerns appear to have been addressed and fixed,” added Cindy Carroll of Carroll & Carroll Appraisers and Consultants.

Entry Level Returns

Several brokers reviewing the March Housing Market Report remarked that the current mix of inventory provides ample choices across all price categories. The report also showed single-family homes in the $500,000 – $1.5 million price category command the highest inventory level compared to all other price categories reported.

“New listings are down slightly [14.1 percent/ytd], and this has put a governor on our inventory. That may be because some potential sellers are staying in their homes longer, especially since many locked in low interest rates before the rate rise began in 2022,” said Hughes.

The NABOR® March 2026 Market Report provides comparisons of single-family home and condominium sales (via the Southwest Florida MLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary. NABOR® sales statistics are presented in chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium) findings for 2026:

NABOR Report March 2026 report chart

Are you seeking a home in the Bonita Springs – Naples, Florida area? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

NABOR Market Report | February 2026

NABOR Market Report | February 2026

Naples Area Board of REALTORS®

February Buyers Absorbing Inventory Rapidly

Naples, Fla. (March 20, 2026) – Buyers from the north and east descended on Naples in February resulting in a 55.9 percent increase in pending sales (homes under contract) compared to February 2025; and a 23.4 percent increase in pending sales compared to January 2026. Broker analysts reviewing the February 2026 Market Report by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), remarked that agents were busy in February in both the resale and new construction home markets.

With the deadline for structural integrity reserve studies and milestone inspections on condominiums three stories or higher and over 25 years old if within three miles of the beach now in the rearview mirror (December 31, 2025), pending sales of condominiums in Naples during February rocketed up 82 percent to 714 pending sales from 392 pending sales in February 2025.

“Unlike many areas on the east coast of Florida, milestone inspections of condominiums that fell under the new state requirements in the Naples area revealed fewer issues because they were built well originally and have been maintained to a higher standard,” said a Broker.

Eyes on the Horizon

Overall closed sales in February increased 21.3 percent to 718 closed sales from 592 closed sales in February 2025. Not surprisingly, closed sales in the condominium market increased a remarkable 39.3 percent to 390 closed sales from 280 closed sales in February 2025. In comparison, the single family homes market had a 5.1 percent increase in closed sales during February to 328 closed sales from 312 closed sales in February 2025. The momentum for closed sales in the single family home market is expected to continue as pending sales in the single-family home market increased 33 percent in February to 600 pending sales from 451 pending sales in February 2025.

The overall median closed price in February decreased .4 percent to $647,500 from $650,000 in February 2025. Of the 6,447 properties in inventory during February, there were 2,104 price decreases recorded in the month. Increased pending sales activity in both January and February indicate sellers are following REALTOR® advice to price homes competitively for a faster sale.

The rush of sales is reducing overall inventory, which decreased 15.1 percent in February to 6,447 properties from 7,594 properties in February 2025. Not even a historically consistent level of new listings is helping to replenish what’s being sold. New listings decreased 13.5 percent to 1,527 new listings from 1,765 new listings.

New Builds Fill the Gap

“We are four years out of the top of the market and maintaining stability,” said Cindy Carroll of Carroll & Carroll Appraisers & Consultants, LLC. “Everything we are seeing today in the new construction market will only improve the resale market.”

However, according to Carroll, new construction of speculative homes in several desirable communities like Aqualane Shores, Royal Harbor, Vanderbilt, and Pine Ridge are oversupplied. “There are few homes under $10 million in Aqualane Shores. In fact, there is one and a half years of inventory in this community. And we’re seeing similar oversupply issues in pockets around Old Naples too.”

This isn’t stopping new home development in Naples though. Bone added that “construction by several developers on 14,000 new homes is slated to start in eastern Collier County in the next nine to 12 months. Being near the beach isn’t a driving factor in home sales for Naples anymore. Most of these new communities will be 30 miles from I-75.”

Closed sales of single family homes in eastern Collier County (34114, 34117, 34120, 34137) increased 19.1 percent in February.

The NABOR® February 2025 Market Report provides comparisons of single-family home and condominium sales (via the Southwest Florida MLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary. NABOR® sales statistics are presented in chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium) findings for 2025:

NABOR Report February 2026 report chart

Perception vs. Reality

According to Mike Hughes, Vice President and General Manager for Downing-Frye Realty, Inc., “Some buyers are still sitting on the fence because they believe interest rates will go back down soon. But the reality is, if sales activity continues to reduce inventory at the rate we saw in January and February, then it’s likely these buyers will have less room to negotiate price when they do finally reenter the market. Plus, prices could also rise again because of the laws of supply and demand, so waiting and hoping for an incremental rate drop may not improve home affordability.”

Are you seeking a home in the Bonita Springs – Naples, Florida area? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

NABOR Market Report | January 2026

NABOR Market Report | January 2026

Naples Area Board of REALTORS®

January Activity Shows Competitive Pricing Sparks Sales

Naples, Fla. (February 20, 2026) – Sellers in the Naples area housing market enjoyed increased buyer activity in January as pending sales increased 40.3 percent to 1,065 pending sales from 759 pending sales in January 2025. According to the January 2026 Market Report by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), there were 2,053 price decreases during January and 1,906 new listings, which opened the door to buyers seeking more choices in all price points and home types. Broker analysts reviewing the report anticipated January would enjoy continued sales momentum, as seen during the second half of 2025, and point to the 9.2 months of inventory as a signal that Naples has returned to a balanced market.

The overall median closed price in January decreased 4.1 percent to $627,500 from $654,000 in January 2025. However, this was driven by the condominium market, which had a 3.4 percent decrease in median closed price, to $450,000 from $466,000 in January 2025. The single-family home market, which had about 500 fewer properties for sale than the condominium market, reported a 1.6 percent increase in median closed price, to $812,500 from $800,000 in January 2025.

Despite a surge of 907 more new listings in January compared to December, overall inventory during January decreased 10.6 percent to 6,328 properties from 7,082 properties in January 2025, which highlights a rapid pace of sales outpacing new supply.

The Time to Buy is Now

“Buyers are making purchase decisions earlier because they can’t wait and look around—the property they want might be gone,” said Mike Hughes, Vice President and General Manager for Downing-Frye Realty, Inc. “Historically, sellers drop prices at the end of season, but we are seeing a shift as more sellers understand being competitive from the start of season is an advantage.”

The report showed 67 percent of sales during January were cash sales. In January 2025, 61 percent were cash sales.

Overall closed sales increased 0.5 percent to 564 closed sales from 561 closed sales in January 2025. Closed sales of condominiums increased 8.2 percent to 276 closed sales from 255 closed sales in January 2025. However, closed sales of single-family homes decreased 5.9 percent to 288 closed sales from 306 closed sales.

Depending on several factors including negotiations, inspections, and financing, it can take a sale under contract (pending sale) up to 90 days to close. “My advice to agents working with buyers today is to be vigilant and schedule inspections as early as possible,” said Hughes.

The NABOR® January 2025 Market Report provides comparisons of single-family home and condominium sales (via the Southwest Florida MLS), price ranges, and geographic segmentation and includes an overall market summary. NABOR® sales statistics are presented in chart format, including these overall (single-family and condominium) findings for 2025:
NABOR Report January 2026 report chart

Luxury Market Shines

The median closed price of single-family homes nearest the beach continue to rise. In Central Naples (34104, 34105, 34116), the median closed price of single-family homes increased 11.4 percent in January to $715,000 from $642,000 in January 2025. And in the Naples Beach area (34102, 34103, 34108), the median closed price of single-family homes increased 5.8 percent to $2,645,000 from $2,500,000 in January 2025.

Interestingly, condominiums over $5 million sold faster than any other home type and price point this January. Days on market for this property type in January fell 30.9 percent to 105 days from 152 days in January 2025. And in the 12 months ending January 2026, closed sales of homes with 4 or more bedrooms increased 9 percent.

The median closed price of single-family homes nearest the beach continue to rise. In Central Naples (34104, 34105, 34116), the median closed price of single-family homes increased 11.4 percent in January to $715,000 from $642,000 in January 2025. And in the Naples Beach area (34102, 34103, 34108), the median closed price of single-family homes increased 5.8 percent to $2,645,000 from $2,500,000 in January 2025.

Interestingly, condominiums over $5 million sold faster than any other home type and price point this January. Days on market for this property type in January fell 30.9 percent to 105 days from 152 days in January 2025. And in the 12 months ending January 2026, closed sales of homes with 4 or more bedrooms increased 9 percent.

Are you seeking a home in the Bonita Springs – Naples, Florida area? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

NABOR Market Report | 2025 Year End

NABOR Market Report | 2025 Year End

Naples Area Board of REALTORS®

Housing Market Moved Toward Improved Stabilization in 2025

Naples, Fla. (February 17, 2026) – Housing market experts with the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island), provided insight and predictions during its annual Year-End Conference at the Naples Conference Center on Monday, February 9, 2026. NABOR® members and inquiring citizens tuned in either in-person or via Zoom to better understand the Naples housing market during 2025 and to gain perspective of the market’s potential in 2026. The 2025 Year-End Conference slides and video are available on NABOR.com.

Are you seeking a home in the Bonita Springs – Naples, Florida area? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.