The first quarter of 2026 points to a market that is stabilizing and, in many ways, more encouraging than expected. Across Florida and North Carolina, conditions are shifting toward balance: inventory is normalizing, buyers are more measured, and success increasingly depends on pricing discipline and professional guidance rather than urgency. While luxury resort markets like Naples are leading with strong momentum driven by cash buyers, Sarasota is seeing a steady, more measured increase in activity. Overall, the market is rewarding well-positioned properties and experienced representation, with quality and strategy standing out as the defining factors in today’s environment.
Q1 2026 Market Outlook
Budge Huskey, Chief Executive Officer
Jackie Thiel, President
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty
The first quarter of 2026 delivered a clearer picture of where our markets stand and, considering the considerable geopolitical and economic uncertainty that has defined the period, the story is more encouraging than anticipated. As is often the case, individual markets do not always align with overarching national trends, thus requiring greater insight and expertise.
Across our Florida and North Carolina footprint, the broad narrative is one of rebalancing. Inventory has normalized or decreased, buyers are approaching decisions more deliberately, and the frenzied pace of recent years has given way to a market that rewards preparation, expertise and honest pricing. Within that shared context, however, the differences between our markets are striking and worth understanding.
Our resort-destination markets, Naples chief among them, have led the quarter with remarkable momentum. Pending and closed sales surged dramatically year-over-year, driven by cash buyers whose decisions are rooted in lifestyle and long-term wealth strategy rather than mortgage rate sensitivity. The luxury segment across Southwest Florida has demonstrated particular resilience, with both transaction volume and pricing at the higher tiers moving in a decisively positive direction. Sarasota has participated in this recovery as well, with increasing activity year-over-year, though at a more measured pace, reflecting a broader buyer mix and a defined distinction between single-family and condominium product.
Across Central Florida and Tampa Bay, conditions are more stable than spectacular. Sales activity is tracking close to prior-year levels, inventory has expanded to near-balanced territory and appreciation has moderated to a far more sustainable pace. These are healthy, fundamentally sound markets, yet are more interest rate sensitive, thus not witnessing the urgency of our resort communities.
In North Carolina, Charlotte continues to enjoy the benefits of population growth, corporate expansion, and demand across all price points with lower inventory tight and steady appreciation. Western North Carolina has regained momentum following Hurricane Helene, and the region’s enduring lifestyle appeal is drawing buyers back with the confidence and patience that a recovering market invites.
The common thread is this: quality endures. Well-positioned properties, priced with discipline and presented with care, are finding buyers. As the market increasingly rewards expertise over urgency, our professionals are precisely where they need to be, providing the local intelligence, strategic guidance and trusted counsel that defines the Premier Sotheby’s International Realty difference.
