Charlotte County’s housing market showed signs of stability in February and renewed momentum heading into March, as inventory declined, and buyer activity picked up during peak selling season.
While overall conditions still favor buyers, local Realtors say confidence is improving. “We’re still sitting in a buyers’ market, but we’re pulling through it,” said Brian Helgemo of The Helgemo Team at Compass Realty in his March market report.
He said the market is “coming alive,” with buyers becoming more confident.
Helgemo’s data, which covers Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Rotonda West and Englewood, shows tightening inventory and increased sales activity. As of March 24, the county had a 6.9-month supply of homes, down from 8.6 months in February and from 11 months a year earlier. The decline represents a 36% drop in inventory year over year.
Brian Helgemo
Realtors of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto Inc.
Helgemo reported 2,764 properties for sale in March, down 3.3% from February’s 2,800 listings and well below the 3,600 homes available at the same time last year.
Sales activity also increased. The 401 properties sold in March represent a 20.4% increase from February, while 567 pending sales reflect a 12.9% rise month over month.
Helgemo said the uptick aligns with seasonal expectations but also suggests the market is beginning to rebalance after a prolonged period favoring buyers.
Data from the Realtors of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto Inc. supports that trend, though the association tracks a broader geographic area and separates single-family homes from condos and townhomes.
In February, sellers received 94.3% of their original list price, up from 93.3% in January.
However, some agents caution that those figures can be misleading. In some cases, sellers have withdrawn listings and reentered the market at lower price points, ultimately achieving near their revised asking prices.
Inventory levels declined across all housing types. Single-family home supply fell to 6.7 months in February, a 30.2% decrease year over year and the lowest level in the past 12 months.
Inventory for condos and townhomes also dropped, from 10.6 months in January to 9.4 months in February.
The Realtors association reported 434 closed sales of single-family homes in February, a 20.9% increase from a year earlier. The median sale price was $350,000, up slightly, by 0.3%, year over year. Active listings totaled 3,083, down 23.7% from February 2025.
The condo and townhome segment showed stronger sales gains but continued pricing pressure. There were 128 closed sales in February, up 58% year over year, while the median sale price fell 9.2% to $242,500.
Industry observers attribute the price decline in that segment to rising costs for owners, including higher insurance premiums and mandatory inspections for older buildings. Those expenses often are passed along through homeowners association fees, which can affect buyer demand.