So… what’s really happening in the housing market right now?

As we move through the typical year-end slowdown, the data is starting to tell a more constructive story for 2026. Activity hasn’t disappeared — it’s simply paused for the calendar, while fundamentals quietly improve.

Here’s what the latest national and real-time housing signals are showing — and why it matters locally in Fort Lauderdale.

📊 Market Snapshot: What We’re Seeing Right Now

The housing market is transitioning, not retreating.

• List prices and asking price per square foot are running about 1.5% below last year, a clear signal that pricing pressure is easing.

• Buyers active today are seeing more negotiating room and better value than they had at this time in 2024.

• Mortgage rates, while not “low,” are more supportive than last winter, hovering in the low-6% range.

This combination is creating a market that feels calmer, more balanced, and more strategic.

🔍 Key Insights Driving the Shift

Here’s what the data shows beneath the surface:

• Inventory is meaningfully higher than last year.
  Active listings nationwide are holding around 750,000–800,000 homes, roughly 13–16% higher than 2024 and back within pre-pandemic norms.

• Sales are stabilizing, not collapsing.
  Weekly pending sales dipped during the holidays (normal seasonality), but overall activity remains slightly above last year and near multi-year highs for late December.

• Pricing pressure is still present.
  Softer asking prices tend to lead closed-sale prices by several months, suggesting continued cooling — not crashing — ahead.

📍 What This Means for Fort Lauderdale

While this data is national, we’re seeing the same patterns locally across Fort Lauderdale and South Florida:

• More inventory means less urgency and more thoughtful decision-making

• Pricing is becoming more realistic, especially for homes that started out aggressive

• Well-positioned properties still attract attention, while overpriced homes sit longer

This is no longer a market driven by panic or bidding wars — it’s driven by strategy.

🧭 Takeaways: How to Think About 2026

• For buyers:
  More inventory + softer pricing = more leverage, better terms, and stronger negotiating power than in recent years.

• For sellers:
  Acting early can help you lead the market, rather than competing once spring inventory increases.

• For anyone considering a move in 2026:
  This is shaping up to be a smart planning window — not a reactive one.

The MPH Team Perspective

The housing market is resetting into something healthier: more inventory, more transparency, and better alignment between price and value. That’s a positive shift — especially for Fort Lauderdale.

If you’re planning ahead, staying informed, and moving strategically, 2026 could offer meaningful opportunities.

Lourdes Maestres | The MPH Team
Your trusted Fort Lauderdale real estate resource