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If moving to Florida for the winter appeals to you, as it does thousands of snowbirds from colder climes, now is a good time to snag a deal as inventory piles up and sellers get desperate.
According to Realtor.com, inventory has hit record highs for two months in a row. Orlando and Cape Coral saw 43.8% and 42.7% surges in available homes, respectively. Miami isn’t far behind, with an increase of 39.2%.
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“For-sale home supply has climbed annually in the state since May 2022, but have only exceeded pre-pandemic levels since mid-2024,” Realtor.com Senior Economic Research Analyst Hannah Jones said. “High home prices and mortgage rates have stifled demand in the state, leading to a buildup in home inventory.”
Although the entire state has experienced a sizable 33.1% increase in inventory, certain cities have seen their listings swell significantly with distinct patterns forming. Two Gulf Coast cities are particularly prime for buyers looking to scoop up deals.
“Home shoppers in Bradenton and Sarasota are in for a treat with climbing inventory, falling prices, and longer time on market,” said Jones. “Buyers are likely to find more seller flexibility as homeowners aim to attract buyer attention.”
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Bradenton, a small city of 57,000, had long been a favorite for snowbirds because of its proximity to Tampa and Sarasota. Realtor.com reports that house prices have been declining since March 2023. The previous year, in June, the median list price peaked at $549,000. In January, the median price was down over $100,000 to $432,000. Homes lingered on the market for 67 days — three more than a year ago. The number of for-sale listings had increased to 1,900 from 1,600 in January before the pandemic.
According to Realtor.com data, Sarasota experienced a dramatic monthly drop from November 2023 to January, falling to a median list price of $575,000 from $725,000. Houses stayed on the market longer, too.
