Charlotte County Realtors reported a surge in home sales in December as seasonal residents returned to Southwest Florida, and buyers moved quickly to close before the end of the year.
Sales of single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums all increased from November, reflecting renewed activity driven by tourists, favorable weather and buyers seeking to establish homestead status for tax purposes.
In December, 466 single-family homes closed, up from 399 in November. Townhome and condominium sales also rose, with 92 units sold compared to 70 the previous month.
Prices edged higher, as well. The median sale price of single-family homes in December reached $350,000, up from $342,900 in November. For townhomes and condos, the median price increased to $229,000 from $217,450.
Year-over-year comparisons showed mixed results. The median price for single-family homes was up 2.3% from December 2024, while townhomes and condominiums saw a decline of 18.2% over the same period.
Anthony Antuono
Realtors of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto Inc.
Anthony Antuono, newly elected president of Realtors of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto Inc., said a combination of factors fueled the December uptick.
Among them were mortgage interest rates that stabilized heading into 2026, seasonal migration patterns and price adjustments by sellers. Antuono said buyers are responding to homes that are priced realistically, while sellers are recognizing that competitive pricing helps properties move faster.
Weather also plays a role, he said, noting the continued appeal of Florida’s climate for buyers looking to relocate or purchase second homes.
Despite the December increase, the market remains favorable for buyers, with inventory levels still elevated. Single-family homes posted a 6.8-month supply of inventory, down slightly from 6.9 months in November. Townhomes and condos carried a 10.1-month supply, compared to 10.4 months the prior month.
Inventory levels measure how long it would take to sell all homes on the market at the current pace of sales. A supply of about five months typically indicates a balanced market, while anything above that favors buyers.
Sellers received slightly more of their asking prices in December. Single-family home sellers averaged 92.4% of their original list price, up from 92.1% in November. Condo and townhome sellers averaged 91.6%, a notable increase from 87% the previous month.
Homes also sold more quickly. The median time to contract and close for single-family homes dropped to 100 days from 106 in November. Townhomes and condos sold in a median of 90 days, down from 99 days.
Antuono said continued improvement in mortgage rates could increase buyer demand and gradually shift the market toward balance.
“Southwest Florida is very insulated from the rest of the country,” he said, pointing to the region’s appeal for retirees, remote workers and second-home buyers.
Local Realtors also said the absence of hurricanes in 2025 allowed the market to stabilize following years of storm-related disruption. If homeowners insurance rates moderate, they said, additional buyers could be drawn into the market.
For now, December’s surge reflects renewed confidence among buyers and sellers as the region enters the heart of its seasonal real estate cycle.