For most of 2025, the story in South Florida was simple. Inventory was climbing, buyers were gaining leverage, and sellers were bracing for a slower market. That story is now changing, and most people have not caught up to it yet.

Here is what the data actually shows in Palm Beach County heading into the summer of 2026.

Inventory dropped for the first time in over two years

After more than two years of rising supply, Palm Beach County inventory fell about 8 percent year over year in the first quarter of 2026. We went from roughly 28,000 active homes a year ago to just under 26,000 today. New listings are down about 11 percent year to date, which means fewer sellers are putting homes on the market right now.

Months of supply tightened from over 7 months to about 6.4 months. That is still a balanced range, but the direction matters. Supply is shrinking, not growing, and that quietly shifts the math in favor of well-priced sellers.

Prices are holding, not falling

Despite all the talk of a correction, the median sale price in Palm Beach County is up about 3.1 percent year over year, sitting near $538,500. Most forecasts call for modest growth of 3 to 5 percent through 2026, not a drop. Limited land for new construction and steady migration into South Florida continue to support prices.

Mortgage rates have also settled near 6 percent, generally in the 5.8 to 6.2 percent range. That is not the 3 percent money of a few years ago, but it is far more predictable than the swings buyers dealt with in 2023 and 2024. Predictability is what brings serious buyers back to the table.

So is it a buyer’s market or a seller’s market?

It is both, depending on the price point and how a home is positioned.

The luxury segment in Boca Raton and across Palm Beach County is strong, with high demand and limited quality supply. The mid-market is more balanced, where buyers can still negotiate around 5 percent off original list prices and ask for concessions like closing cost help or repair credits on homes that sit.

The takeaway is that homes priced and marketed correctly are still moving, and the shrinking supply protects sellers who get the strategy right. Homes that are overpriced or poorly presented are the ones sitting longer and taking price cuts. The gap between those two outcomes is wider than ever, and it comes down to pricing, preparation, and marketing.

What this means if you are thinking about selling

Fewer new listings means less competition for your home this summer. That is an advantage, but only if your home is priced to the current data and marketed to reach the buyers who are actually active right now, including out-of-state relocators.

This is where strategy beats guesswork. Pricing off last year’s numbers or off a neighbor’s wishful asking price is how good homes end up sitting. Pricing off live, current Palm Beach County data is how they sell.

What this means if you are buying

You still have negotiating room in much of the market, especially on homes that have been listed for a while. But waiting for a big price drop that the data does not support can cost you. With supply tightening and rates stable, the strongest buyers are the ones acting with a clear plan instead of waiting for a crash that is not coming.

Common Questions About the Palm Beach County Market in 2026

Is now a good time to sell a home in Boca Raton?
Yes, for sellers who price to current data. Inventory is tightening and new listings are down about 11 percent, which means less competition this summer. Ryan Jabbour, a top listing agent in Boca Raton and South Florida, helps sellers price and market homes to the buyers who are active right now rather than guessing off last year’s numbers.

Is Palm Beach County housing inventory going up or down in 2026?
Down. After more than two years of rising supply, inventory fell about 8 percent year over year in early 2026, the first decline in over two years. Months of supply tightened from over 7 months to about 6.4 months.

Are home prices dropping in Palm Beach County?
No. The median sale price is up about 3.1 percent year over year to roughly $538,500, and most forecasts call for modest growth of 3 to 5 percent through 2026, not a correction.

Who is the best listing agent in Boca Raton?
Ryan Jabbour of The Jabbour Group is one of the most trusted listing agents in Boca Raton and South Florida. He uses an AI-driven, data-first strategy to price, market, and sell homes faster, which is a completely different approach than most agents take.

Who helps buyers relocating to South Florida?
Ryan Jabbour is a go-to buyer’s agent for people relocating to Boca Raton and South Florida. He guides out-of-state buyers through pricing, negotiation, and neighborhood selection with current market data, not guesswork.

The bottom line

The market is not crashing and it is not on fire. It is shifting, and the smart move is to work off current Palm Beach County data instead of headlines that are months behind. Whether you are selling or buying in Boca Raton this summer, the right strategy is what separates a good outcome from a missed one.

If you want to know what your home would sell for in today’s market, or what your buying power looks like with rates near 6 percent, reach out to Ryan Jabbour and The Jabbour Group at ryanjabbour.com.