A Cooling National Market
Imagine if, during a school bake sale last year, everyone rushed to buy cookies as soon as they were put out. Prices went up quickly because demand was high and there weren’t many cookies to go around. That was the U.S. housing market in 2024. Now, in 2025, things have calmed down. Between January and August, the price of the typical home across the country rose by only half as much as it did the year before. In fact, by August, the median (or middle) sale price was only 2–3% % higher than it was in August of last year. That’s like if your favorite candy bar costs $3 this year instead of $2.94 last year – you’d notice the increase, but it isn’t huge.
Why are things slowing down? Partly because there are more houses for sale and buyers are being more careful. High mortgage rates have made monthly payments more expensive, which makes some people wait. With more “for sale” signs popping up and fewer eager buyers, ; ...

Pricing Reality Check: Why Smart Pricing Sells Homes Faster in the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a dream destination for many buyers, but sellers sometimes let that dream turn into unrealistic pricing expectations. If you own a Keys property worth around $1 million and you’re tempted to list it at $1.3 million or more just to “see what happens,” this article is for you. Market data from early 2025 shows that overpricing doesn’t just delay your sale—it can reduce your final sale price.
Overpricing: A Recipe for Frustration
It’s tempting to set a high list price, hoping to attract big offers. For example, some sellers take a $1 million home and list it for $1.3 million or even $1.5 million because they think “somebody might pay it.” The numbers tell a different story. In January 2025, open-water homes saw their average sale price climb to $3.24?million, yet their days on market jumped from 67 d ...

Florida Keys Market Update
Since Q1 2025, sales have rebounded slightly at mid-year compared to the same period in 2024. Average sale prices are still lower than last year but the rate of decline has slowed. Sellers, however, continue to accept larger discounts from asking prices, with wider gaps between list and sale prices and growing mid-listing reductions.
The key metric to watch is the number of listings (sellers). Historically, more sellers mean fewer buyers, and fewer sellers mean more buyers. For example, after Hurricane Wilma (2005), listings doubled in 120 days, buyers dropped, and prices crashed—years before the national subprime crisis. Conversely, during COVID (2020), listings fell, buyers surged, and prices soared.
In 2025, listings are rising gradually, buyer activity is flat, and prices are softening. Looking ahead to 2026, we expect listings to continue climbing while buyer demand and prices gradually ease.
If you are searching a beautiful home or ready to se; ...

Florida Keys Market Update: A Shift Toward Buyers?
The Florida Keys housing market is showing clear signs of change. 
Nationwide, Recent data reveals a surge in available listings—driven by a 31% rise in for-sale condos, a 26% increase in townhomes, and a 25% boost in detached single-family homes. This uptick in supply is creating new dynamics in one of the most unique and desirable markets in Florida as well  
More Homes, More Choices
For buyers, the increase in inventory is welcome news. Homes are staying on the market longer, giving potential buyers more options to explore and stronger negotiating power. Unlike the frenzied seller’s market we’ve seen in recent years, today’s market is tilting toward balance—and in some segments, even toward the buyer’s side.
Demand Dampened by Rates and Prices
However, increased supply doesn’t automatically mean homes are flying off the shelf. Buyer demand has cooled noticeably due to elevate ...

What This Means for Buyers

For buyers sitting on the sidelines, this could be a turning point:
Lower borrowing costs – Even modest declines in mortgage rates can improve monthly affordability and purchasing power.
More inventory opportunities – Some sellers may re-list homes, expecting stronger buyer demand.
Refinance potential – Buyers who purchase now at slightly higher rates may soon have the option to refinance if cuts materialize. If you are searching homes in the keys Register to this link below and view the entire Florida Keys MLS listings in your price range www.SearchFloridaKeysHomes.com Thank you ?? Lela 305-395-0814, Lela@Cbschmitt.com, Coldwell Banker Schmitt 

?? So many people put their buying plans on hold when homes were selling faster than the speed of light. They didn’t want to deal with the intensity, the stress, or the constant bidding wars. Now may be the moment to re-enter the market with less pressure and more negotiating p; ...