9 Of The 10 'Easiest' Housing Markets For Buyers Are In Florida, Realtor Says

In a change for a state long associated with soaring real estate prices, Florida now claims nine of the top 10 “easiest” housing markets for buyers in the U.S., according to a new report from Realtor.com.

The analysis, which examined factors like price trends, inventory levels, and time on the market across 200 metro areas, points to an area whose real estate market has shifted in favor of those buyers.

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"Buyers in the easiest markets tend to be relatively slow-moving as supply outpaces demand," Hannah Jones, an economist at Realtor.com, was quoted in the report. "Many of these markets saw prices and competition climb significantly during the early days of the pandemic, but the combination of high prices and climbing mortgage rates tempered demand, leading to building inventory."

Punta Gorda topped the list of Florida’s buyer-friendly markets, with a median list price of $425,000. Homes typically spend 90 days on the market. Other Florida cities in the top 10 included Lakeland, Crestview, Tampa, North Port, Miami, Port St. Lucie, Gainesville, and Orlando.

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The lone non-Florida market in the top 10 was Lubbock, Texas, where an 80% year-over-year increase in available homes has pushed the median time on the market to 55 days.

The shift contrasts with the frantic buying that characterized much of Florida’s real estate market in 2021 and 2022, when out-of-state buyers flocked to the state during the pandemic.

Several factors are contributing to cooler market conditions. New construction, particularly in the condo sector, has increased supply in many areas. In addition, new safety standards implemented after the 2021 Surfside condo collapse have led to expensive assessments for many owners, further softening demand in coastal markets, the report said.

The findings align with a recent WalletHub analysis that ranked several Florida cities, including Palm Bay and Cape Coral, as top destinations for first-time homebuyers based on affordability and market attractiveness.

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However, challenges remain for Florida’s housing market. The state continues to grapple with elevated home insurance costs due to increased weather-related risks, which could dampen enthusiasm even as inventory grows.

Nationally, the report identified the Northeast and Midwest as home to the most challenging markets for buyers. Cities like Erie, Pennsylvania, and Syracuse, New York, topped the list of “hardest” markets, marked by their limited inventory and continued price growth.

After overheating during the pandemic, Florida’s emergence as a buyer’s market marks a predictable trend in the post-pandemic era.

The shift may present an unexpected window of opportunity for those who have long eyed the Sunshine State’s palm-lined streets and coastal views.

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