Buyers Are Done Waiting: What Florida’s Housing Market Is Telling Us
Cassandra Currier
Monday, August 24, 2026
For months, many Florida buyers have been taking a “wait and see” approach, hoping mortgage rates would fall before making a move. But the latest numbers suggest something important is changing: buyers are moving forward anyway.
According to Florida Realtors, Florida single-family home sales increased just over 5% year over year in July, marking the 11th consecutive month of annual gains. New pending sales also increased nearly 2.5%, extending a streak of 12 consecutive monthly increases.
The interesting part? Buyers are doing this even as the mortgage-rate advantage seen earlier this year has narrowed considerably.
Real Estate Expert Cassi Currier of The Currier Group says this shift could be a sign that buyers are becoming more comfortable with today's market.
“Waiting for the perfect rate can mean waiting indefinitely,” Cassi explains. “The buyers who are moving forward are recognizing that the right home, the right price, and the right overall strategy can matter just as much as trying to time interest rates.”
Buyers May Be Accepting the New Normal
Earlier this year, mortgage rates were nearly a full percentage point lower than they had been a year earlier. That gap has since narrowed as rates moved higher.
Yet buyers are still signing contracts.
Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor suggests that pent-up demand may be playing an increasingly important role. Some buyers who delayed purchasing are beginning to accept that the affordability conditions of 2019 are unlikely to return anytime soon.
That doesn't mean buyers should ignore financing costs. It means they may be shifting their focus toward what they can control.
Strategy Matters More Than Timing
For today's buyers, preparation can make a significant difference.
Getting pre-approved, understanding your monthly comfort zone, comparing loan options, and identifying neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle can help you make a confident decision when the right property appears.
According to Florida Realtors, Florida single-family home sales increased just over 5% year over year in July, marking the 11th consecutive month of annual gains. New pending sales also increased nearly 2.5%, extending a streak of 12 consecutive monthly increases.
The interesting part? Buyers are doing this even as the mortgage-rate advantage seen earlier this year has narrowed considerably.
Real Estate Expert Cassi Currier of The Currier Group says this shift could be a sign that buyers are becoming more comfortable with today's market.
“Waiting for the perfect rate can mean waiting indefinitely,” Cassi explains. “The buyers who are moving forward are recognizing that the right home, the right price, and the right overall strategy can matter just as much as trying to time interest rates.”
Buyers May Be Accepting the New Normal
Earlier this year, mortgage rates were nearly a full percentage point lower than they had been a year earlier. That gap has since narrowed as rates moved higher.
Yet buyers are still signing contracts.
Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor suggests that pent-up demand may be playing an increasingly important role. Some buyers who delayed purchasing are beginning to accept that the affordability conditions of 2019 are unlikely to return anytime soon.
That doesn't mean buyers should ignore financing costs. It means they may be shifting their focus toward what they can control.
Strategy Matters More Than Timing
For today's buyers, preparation can make a significant difference.
Getting pre-approved, understanding your monthly comfort zone, comparing loan options, and identifying neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle can help you make a confident decision when the right property appears.
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