Florida Keys SunStats · Monroe County · Residential Properties
Florida Keys Real Estate Market Report
January 2026
The market didn’t ease into the new year - it accelerated. Here’s what the numbers say.
Published march 2026 · Jim Signor – Florida Keys Real Estate
New pending sales hit 201 in January - up 34% from a year ago. When buyers are signing contracts at that pace in the first month of the year, it tells you something important: the sidelines are emptying out.
January is supposed to be quiet. The holidays just ended, snowbirds are still settling in, and the market usually takes a few weeks to find its footing. Not this January.
Every single metric in the Florida Keys residential market moved higher year over year. Inventory rose. Listings rose. Contracts rose. Closings rose. And after December’s median sale price pulled back to $905,000, prices rebounded sharply - jumping $195,000 in a single month to reach $1,100,000. That kind of move doesn’t happen in a hesitant market.
For buyers and sellers watching from the sidelines, the January numbers are a signal worth paying attention to. Here’s the full picture.
Wondering about financing? Mortgage rates recently dipped below 6% - see my February 2026 Florida Keys mortgage rate update and what it means for your purchasing power.
Key Market Highlights - January 2026
What These Numbers Tell Us
Buyers Moved Fast in January
A 34% jump in new pending sales is not a rounding error - it reflects buyers who came into the new year with a decision already made. Pending inventory also rose 11%, meaning the contract pipeline is fuller than it was a year ago. These two data points together suggest sustained demand, not a one-week spike.
The Listing Supply Finally Caught Up
452 new listings came to market in January, up 22% year over year. For buyers who spent 2024 and 2025 frustrated by thin inventory, this is a genuine shift. More choices are coming online - and with active inventory at 1,800 homes (up 10%), there is real depth in the market entering the spring season.
Deals Got Done - Up 26% Over Last Year
125 closings in January, up 26% from a year ago. This is the proof point behind all the contract activity: buyers aren’t just browsing, they’re completing purchases. For sellers wondering if demand is real, closed sales at this pace confirms it is.
Prices Rebounded Sharply From December
A $195,000 single-month swing is a reminder of how quickly the mix of closings can shift the median in a market like the Keys.
December’s dip reflected the specific mix of properties that closed that month - not a trend reversal. January’s return to $1,100,000, up 12% from January 2025, confirms that Florida Keys real estate is holding its value and then some. Sellers who waited out December to list are entering a healthier pricing environment.
Seasonality in the Florida Keys - What January Signals
- January marks the true start of the spring buyer season. Snowbirds are in residence, northern buyers begin their search, and contract activity typically builds through April.
- The 34% surge in new pending sales suggests 2026’s spring season may arrive earlier and with more force than last year.
- High inventory and high demand can coexist - but the best properties still attract immediate attention. Priced correctly and presented well, homes are not sitting.
- Fewer-than-expected new listings in late 2025 created pent-up supply. January’s 452 new listings may be the beginning of that release valve opening.
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
For Buyers
More inventory means more options - but the 34% jump in new pending sales is a reminder that the best homes don’t stay available long. Getting pre-approved keeps you positioned to act. Visit KeysLender.com for Florida Keys financing →
For Sellers
Prices are up, closings are up, and buyers are actively contracting. You’re entering the spring season with wind at your back - but the market still rewards preparation. Pricing strategy and presentation remain the difference between a clean sale and a long runway. Florida Keys home selling guidance →
For a closer look at how these countywide numbers apply to a specific neighborhood, property type, or price range - reach out directly.
Contact Jim SignorPosted in Florida Keys Market Update · Monroe County Residential Properties · Single-Family & Condo Statistics · January 2026