MIAMI — Martin County home sales increased year over year for the fourth consecutive month, showing continued activity across the local housing market despite elevated mortgage rates and changing affordability conditions. According to July 2026 statistics released by MIAMI REALTORS® + RWorld, the MIAMI MLS, and BeachesMLS, total sales reached 288 transactions, up 18.5% from 243 sales a year earlier.
Single-family home transactions posted an even stronger gain, rising 23.39% year over year. At the same time, condominium sales increased 6.94%. Luxury activity also gained momentum, with sales of properties priced at $1 million or more climbing 45.16% during the month.
“People can come here to Stuart and Martin County for the waterfront and beautiful homes and historic downtown, but what keeps them here is the charm and the community,” said Michael Ponte, president of the MIAMI REALTORS® + RWorld Martin County REALTORS® of the Treasure Coast.
Martin County Sales Rise for Fourth Month
Total Martin County sales increased 18.5% year over year in July, climbing from 243 transactions in July 2025 to 288 transactions in July 2026. The gain marks the fourth straight month of annual growth for the county and highlights stronger buyer activity across several segments.
The luxury market also recorded a notable increase. Sales of homes priced at $1 million and above rose 45.16% year over year, increasing from 31 transactions to 45 transactions in July.
However, the reported sales figures do not capture all new construction, pre-construction and condominium conversion activity across South Florida because many of these transactions are not reported through the MLS. MIAMI REALTORS® + RWorld has continued to expand its research to provide more visibility into this segment.
International buyers accounted for 49% of new South Florida construction, pre-construction and condominium conversion purchases during the 18-month period ending in July 2025, according to the organization’s first New Construction Global Sales Report, produced with industry partners.
A second New Construction Global Sales Report, published in November 2025, showed continued growth in international sales and buyers from 73 countries. The findings highlight the importance of global demand to South Florida’s broader housing market.
Single-Family Sales Show Strong Growth
Martin County’s single-family housing market delivered one of the strongest gains in July. Sales increased 23.39% year over year, rising from 171 transactions in July 2025 to 211 transactions in July 2026.
Existing condominium sales also moved higher. Condo transactions increased 6.94%, from 72 sales last year to 77 sales in July 2026. The results suggest that buyers remained active even as financing costs continued to affect purchasing decisions.
Across South Florida, however, condominium financing remains an important issue. The limited availability of Federal Housing Administration loans for many existing condominium buildings continues to create challenges for buyers and owners. Of 2,397 condominium buildings across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, only 21 were approved for FHA loans, according to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development data.
That represents just 0.9% of South Florida condominium buildings. In addition, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac eliminated the limited-review option for many condominium loans on Aug. 3, 2026. The updated lending rules could create additional hurdles for some buyers while also encouraging stronger financial oversight within condominium communities.
Martin County Home Prices Show Mixed Trends
Martin County condominium prices continued to move higher in July. The median condo sale price increased 4.33% year over year, rising from $575,000 to $599,900.
Single-family home prices moved in the opposite direction. The median single-family sale price fell 10.68% year over year, declining from $257,500 to $230,000. The different price trends show how conditions can vary significantly between property types, even within the same local market.
Meanwhile, MIAMI REALTORS® + RWorld continues to support efforts aimed at improving housing affordability. Those efforts include reducing barriers tied to permitting and zoning, supporting the Florida Hometown Heroes Program and creating more opportunities for accessory dwelling units.
These measures are designed to help increase housing options while supporting the creation and preservation of more affordable homes.
Multifamily Growth Could Support Affordability
South Florida’s expanding multifamily construction pipeline could also influence future housing affordability. Southeast Florida ranks No. 1 in the nation for multifamily construction, according to MIAMI REALTORS® + RWorld research.
More apartment construction can increase the overall supply of housing. In turn, additional supply may help ease some affordability pressures while supporting population growth and the regional economy.
Florida’s Live Local Act is another part of the state’s strategy to encourage affordable housing development. The legislation, passed in 2023 and amended in May 2024, provides developers with incentives to build affordable units in qualifying projects.
Under the program, developers can receive the highest density allowed in a local area when they dedicate at least 40% of a project’s units to affordable housing. The state defines an affordable unit as one priced for households earning up to 120% of area median income.
Miami Remains Competitive Globally
South Florida also continues to attract attention from international buyers because of its relative value compared with other major global markets.
According to the 2026 Knight Frank Wealth Report, $1 million buys approximately 58 square meters of prime residential property in Miami. That amount is considerably more than buyers receive in several leading international markets, including Monaco, New York, London, Paris and Tokyo.
This pricing advantage, combined with South Florida’s population growth, employment opportunities and international connections, continues to support the region’s appeal among domestic and international buyers.
Mortgage Rates Remain Elevated
Mortgage rates remain one of the biggest factors shaping housing decisions. Although expectations for additional rate increases have weakened as energy-related inflation moderates, borrowing costs remain well above the levels seen during the pandemic.
Freddie Mac reported an average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.54% in July 2026. Higher financing costs can affect both monthly payments and the amount buyers are willing or able to spend.
“South Florida is seeing strong wage growth driven by net job migration in higher-paying jobs like professional/tech services, health care, and finance, and tech jobs,” said Gay Cororaton, chief economist at MIAMI REALTORS® + RWorld. “The widening gap in tax policy is driving an acceleration in migration from high-tax states.”
Martin County Inventory Continues to Fall
Martin County’s housing supply declined sharply in July. Total active listings fell 20% year over year, dropping from 1,519 properties in July 2025 to 1,210 in July 2026.
Single-family inventory decreased 21.27%, from 884 active listings a year earlier to 696 listings in July. Condominium inventory also declined, falling 19.06% from 635 listings to 514.
The lower supply is important because fewer available homes can create additional competition among buyers. However, the impact varies by property type and price range.
Martin County had 3.7 months of single-family inventory in July, indicating a seller’s market. Existing condominiums had 5.6 months of supply, also pointing toward a seller-leaning market but moving closer to balanced conditions. Generally, six to nine months of inventory is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.
Nationally, total housing inventory stood at 1.54 million units, down 0.6% from July 2025. The national market had 4.6 months of unsold inventory, unchanged from a year earlier.
Martin County Real Estate Adds $37 Million
Residential transactions generate economic activity well beyond the initial sale. Home purchases create income for real estate professionals, moving companies and other service providers. Buyers also spend on furniture, renovations and other household needs.
According to the National Association of Realtors, a typical Florida home sale generates approximately $129,000 in total economic impact. With 288 homes sold in Martin County during July, the estimated local economic impact reached approximately $37 million.
The county’s total residential dollar volume also increased substantially. It rose 26.98% year over year to $204 million in July 2026.
Single-family dollar volume increased 32.10% to $179 million. Meanwhile, condominium dollar volume rose 5.73% to $22 million.
Distressed Sales Remain Historically Low
Despite changes in prices, inventory and financing costs, distressed sales remain limited in Martin County. Only 0.7% of all closed residential transactions were classified as distressed in July.
Short sales represented 0.3% of total sales, while real estate-owned properties accounted for another 0.3%. The low level of distressed activity suggests that most homeowners and sellers continue to operate outside forced-sale conditions.
This remains an important sign of stability for the local market. While affordability challenges continue, the data does not point to widespread financial distress among Martin County homeowners.
Florida and U.S. Housing Markets
Florida’s broader housing market also recorded gains in July. Statewide, closed sales of existing single-family homes reached 23,870, increasing 5.1% from a year earlier. Existing condominium and townhouse sales totaled 8,194, up 11% year over year.
The statewide median price for an existing single-family home reached $425,000, a 3.7% increase from the previous year. The median price for condominium and townhouse units was $295,000, essentially unchanged from a year earlier.
Nationally, existing home sales increased 0.7% year over year to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million. The national median existing-home price reached $434,100, up 2% from $425,700 a year earlier.
That marked the 37th consecutive month of annual price increases, showing that limited housing supply continues to provide support for prices even as buyers face higher borrowing costs.
Martin County Homes Selling Near List Price
Homes in Martin County continued to attract offers relatively close to their original asking prices in July. The median percentage of the original list price received for single-family homes was 95%.
Existing condominiums recorded a median of 92% of the original list price. These figures indicate that sellers are still receiving a substantial share of their initial asking prices, although buyers continue to have different levels of negotiating power depending on the property.
Single-family homes spent a median of 43 days between listing and contract, compared with 50 days a year earlier. The median time from listing to sale was 88 days, compared with 97 days in July 2025.
For condominiums, the median time between listing and contract was 70 days, compared with 93 days a year earlier. The median time from listing to sale was 126 days, down from 136 days last year.
Overall, the July figures show a Martin County market with stronger sales, lower inventory and continued demand. While higher mortgage rates and affordability concerns remain, the fourth consecutive month of annual sales growth points to a market that continues to attract buyers.
