Florida Home Sales Edge Up in Q3 2026 Even as September Softens
Florida's housing market held steady in the third quarter of 2026, even as September alone softened. Statewide existing single-family home sales totaled 65,904 in the quarter, up 0.2% from a year earlier, while condo-townhouse sales totaled 22,664, up 3.1%, according to Florida Realtors' report released October 16, 2026.
That headline needs its second half. September's closed sales fell year over year for both property types. The quarter rose and the month fell, and both facts are true at once, because closed sales reflect contracts signed weeks or months earlier.
The quarter: steady sales, steady prices
The third quarter picture is one of stability rather than strength. The single-family median sales price for the quarter was $420,000, up 2.4% from a year ago. The condo-townhouse median was $295,000, unchanged from a year ago.
Supply tells the same measured story. Single-family existing homes were at a 4.4-months' supply in September and the third quarter, while condo-townhouse properties were at a 7.7-months' supply for both periods. A higher months' supply means more choice for buyers and more competition for sellers, and condos clearly offer buyers more room to negotiate than single-family homes do.
"Florida's housing market continues to move at a more measured pace, with encouraging signs of stability heading into the final months of the year," said 2026 Florida Realtors President Chuck Bonfiglio. "Third-quarter sales remained steady, prices showed modest changes, and homes generally moved through the market faster than they did a year ago."
September: the month that softened
September's closed sales totaled 20,537 single-family homes, down 3.5% from September 2025, and 7,179 condo-townhouses, down 0.1%, or about the same as a year earlier.
September prices were mixed. The single-family median was $415,000, up 1.2% from a year ago, while the condo-townhouse median was $293,500, down 1.8%. Remember what a median means: half the homes sold for more, half for less. It is not an average, and a rising median does not mean every home gained value.
The timing caveat matters here. Florida Realtors notes that closed sales may occur from 30 to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written. September's closings therefore reflect buyer decisions made earlier in the year, when rates and sentiment were different. Reading September closings as a verdict on today's buyer mood would be a mistake.
Rates are the story, says Florida's chief economist
Chief Economist Dr. Brad O'Connor puts rising mortgage rates at the center of the slowdown. "The fluctuation in rates over the last two years has not been significant by historical standards but given that the home sales growth we experienced over the past 12 to 14 months was rather modest, the rise in interest rates that's occurred so far this year has been enough to put a halt to this growth," he said.
He added: "So, we now find ourselves with a second straight month of declining year-over-year sales." That line describes monthly sales, not the quarter. Quarterly sales rose. Keeping those two frames apart is the key to reading this report honestly.
O'Connor's summary of where the market stands is deliberately unsensational: "As we head into the final quarter of 2026, the story remains one of a housing market that has lost some momentum, but certainly hasn't fallen apart." He added that inventory and prices remain relatively stable, and that the upper end of the market continues to perform quite well. That last point is his characterization, not a figure the release breaks out, since the report gives no price-band breakdown.
What this means if you are buying or selling in Florida
For buyers, the split between property types is the actionable detail. Condo-townhouse supply at 7.7 months is far looser than single-family supply at 4.4 months, and the condo median price slipped 1.8% in September while the single-family median rose. Condo buyers have more negotiating room right now.
For sellers, the lesson is in the September numbers. Single-family closings fell 3.5% even as the quarterly total rose, which means momentum cooled as the quarter went on. Pricing against recent comparable sales, rather than against last year's market, is what will move a home before the end of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Florida home sales rise or fall in Q3 2026?
Both, depending on the window. Third-quarter sales rose year over year: single-family up 0.2% to 65,904 closings and condo-townhouse up 3.1% to 22,664. September alone fell: single-family closings down 3.5% and condo-townhouse closings down 0.1%.
What is the median home price in Florida now?
For the third quarter of 2026, the single-family median was $420,000, up 2.4% year over year, and the condo-townhouse median was $295,000, unchanged. In September alone, the medians were $415,000 for single-family homes and $293,500 for condos.
How much housing supply is there in Florida?
Single-family homes were at a 4.4-months' supply and condo-townhouses at a 7.7-months' supply in September and the third quarter of 2026, according to Florida Realtors.
Why did September sales fall while the quarter rose?
Closed sales can occur 30 to 90-plus days after contracts are written, so September closings reflect earlier buyer decisions. The quarter averages July, August, and September together, which smooths out the September dip.
Are Florida home prices crashing?
No. Florida Realtors describes prices as relatively steady: the quarterly single-family median rose 2.4% and the condo median was flat. Chief Economist Brad O'Connor says the market "has lost some momentum, but certainly hasn't fallen apart."
