Pending sales of single-family homes in Northeast Florida fell by nearly a third in May compared with the same month in 2025 while active inventory also dropped, the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors reported.
Monthly data from NEFAR showed 1,384 pending sales in May, down from 2,023 in May 2025. Active inventory was listed at 7,109, down 15.1% from 8,370 in May 2025.
NEFAR reported that the median price of homes in May was $410,000, up 6.1% from $386,500 in May 2025. Of the 1,969 closed sales in May, 14.1% sold at more than the list price compared with 11.3% in May 2025.
Compared with April 2026, May saw a 29.9% drop in pending sales, an 8.6% increase in inventory, a 2.9% increase in closed sales and a 5.1% increase in the median price.
The data measures sales and other metrics in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties.
“May’s data highlights a market that is adjusting to a more sustainable pace,” Kim Knapp, NEFAR president, said in the monthly release recapping the data.
“Inventory growth (compared to April) is creating additional opportunities for buyers, while strong consumer interest continues to support home values and sales activity. Across Northeast Florida, we are seeing a market that remains healthy, resilient, and well-positioned for the months ahead,”
The Home Affordability Index continued a five-month decline after starting 2026 at 93. It showed an 89 in February, stayed steady at 86 in March and April and then hit 81 in May. The closer the index is to 100, the more an average family is able to afford to buy a house based on 30-year fixed mortgage interest rates, median income and median home prices.
County by county
• Baker: The median price was $455,000, a 67.9% increase from April. Closed sales equaled April’s total of 15. Due to the relatively low number of sales, transactions of premium properties can cause a large percentage increase in median price. Active inventory was 81. Months supply was 5.4.
• Clay: Median price was $359,900, a 1.4% decrease. Closed sales were down 2.3% to 297. Active inventory was 1,049. Months supply was 3.5.
• Duval: Median price was $340,000, a 3% increase. Closed sales were down 2.3% to 926. Active inventory was 3,388. Months supply was 3.7.
• Nassau: Median price was $480,000, a 3.6% increase. Closed sales were up 9% to 121. Active inventory was 491. Months supply was 4.1.
• Putnam: Median price was $279,000, a 3.5% decrease. Closed sales were up 3% to 34. Active inventory was 244. Months supply was 7.2.
• St. Johns: Median price was $580,000, a 1.2% decrease. Closed sales were up 14.5% to 576. Active inventory was 1,856. Months supply was 3.2.
Building permits
Single-family building permits posted the first monthly decline for the first time in 2026 in May, with 769 compared with 825 in April. The May number also was down from May 2025’s 874.
May was the second-busiest month of 2026.
The Northeast Florida Builders Association tallies building permits issued each month in Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties.
Month-by-month comparisons showed decreases in Clay (116 in May from 126 in April), Duval (316 from 390) and Nassau (52 from 69). St. Johns was the only county showing an increase, to 285 from 240.
There have been 3,598 permits issued in 2026, down from the 3,945 issued through the first five months of 2025.