Palm Beach County Real Estate Market Update – September 2026

Palm Beach County Real Estate Statistics – September 2026

All Residential Properties

Palm Beach County’s residential real estate market continued to tighten in September 2026, with fewer homes available, faster selling times and a higher median sale price than a year ago.

Across all residential property types, the median sale price reached $510,000, up 5% year-over-year. Active inventory declined 17%, months of supply fell 24%, and days on market dropped 19%.

However, the transaction numbers tell a more cautious story. Closed sales declined 3%, while pending sales fell a more substantial 10%. New listings were also down 7%.

The standout story is that Palm Beach County has become a tighter and faster-moving market, but fewer buyers are entering into contracts than they were a year ago.

There are also important differences between the single-family and condo/townhome sectors, making it essential to look beyond the countywide averages.

Market Breakdown – September 2026 vs. September 2025

Median Sale Price: $510,000

📈 Up 5% year-over-year

The median sale price across Palm Beach County’s residential market reached $510,000 in September, an increase of 5% compared with September 2025.

Both major residential sectors recorded higher medians.

Single-family homes reached $656,000, up 7%, while condos and townhomes reached $310,000, up 3%.

However, the overall median is influenced by the mix of properties sold during the month. It should not be interpreted as every Palm Beach County property appreciating by 5%.

Individual neighborhoods, property types and price ranges may experience very different conditions.

Closed Sales: 1,933 properties

🔻 Down 3% year-over-year

Palm Beach County recorded 1,933 closed residential sales in September, a 3% decline compared with last year.

Both major property sectors experienced similar reductions.

Single-family closed sales declined 3%, while condo and townhome sales fell 4%.

This is particularly interesting given the substantial reduction in available inventory.

Despite fewer homes on the market, transaction volume has not increased. Buyers continue to make purchases, but the overall pace of completed sales remains slightly below last year’s level.

Active Inventory: 10,487 properties

🔻 Down 17% year-over-year

Active inventory declined 17%, leaving Palm Beach County buyers with significantly fewer properties available than they had a year ago.

However, the underlying sectors tell slightly different stories.

Single-family inventory fell 20% to 4,481 homes, while condo and townhome inventory declined 15% to 5,858 properties.

This means the single-family sector has experienced the sharper reduction in supply.

Condo and townhome buyers continue to have a larger selection of available properties, although their choices have also narrowed considerably.

For sellers, reduced inventory generally means less competition. For buyers, it makes preparation increasingly important when an attractive property becomes available.

Pending Sales: 1,835 contracts

🔻 Down 10% year-over-year

Pending sales declined 10% compared with September 2025.

This is one of the most important figures in the report because pending contracts can provide an indication of future closing activity.

The decline was particularly pronounced in the single-family sector, where pending sales fell 14%.

Condo and townhome pending sales declined a smaller 5%.

Although not every pending contract ultimately closes, the overall reduction suggests buyer activity has softened compared with last year.

With closed sales down just 3%, the larger decline in pending contracts is worth monitoring as Palm Beach County moves toward the final months of 2026.

Months of Inventory

🔻 Down 24% year-over-year

Months of supply declined 24%, confirming that Palm Beach County’s residential market has tightened significantly.

This statistic measures how long the current inventory would take to sell at the prevailing pace of sales.

The reduction reflects fewer available properties relative to market activity.

However, supply conditions vary by property type.

Single-family months of inventory declined 28%, compared with a 23% reduction in the condo and townhome sector.

Both markets are tighter than they were a year ago, but condo and townhome buyers generally continue to have more selection than single-family buyers.

Days on Market

🔻 Down 19% year-over-year

Days on market declined 19%, meaning residential properties that successfully sold moved considerably faster than they did in September 2025.

This is one of the most striking changes in the overall report.

Both major sectors experienced faster selling times.

Single-family days on market declined 16%, while condo and townhome selling times fell 18%.

That creates an interesting contrast with the weaker transaction numbers.

Fewer properties are closing and fewer buyers are entering into contracts, yet homes that successfully find buyers are selling faster.

This reinforces the importance of realistic pricing, strong presentation and understanding what today’s buyers consider good value.

New Listings: 2,772 properties

🔻 Down 7% year-over-year

New residential listings declined 7% compared with September 2025.

With active inventory already down 17%, fewer properties entering the market could make it more difficult for supply to rebuild.

Both major sectors contributed to the decline.

Single-family new listings fell 5%, while condo and townhome new listings declined 9%.

If fewer homes continue to enter the market, buyers may face limited selection even as transaction activity remains relatively subdued.

However, slower pending sales could partially offset this trend by keeping unsold properties available for longer.

What This Means for You

Buyers

Palm Beach County buyers are facing considerably fewer options than they had a year ago.

Overall active inventory is down 17%, months of supply has declined 24%, and homes that successfully sell are moving 19% faster.

However, the experience can vary significantly depending on property type.

Single-family buyers face a particularly tight supply environment, with inventory down 20% and pending sales down 14%.

Condo and townhome buyers have a larger selection of available properties, although inventory in that sector has also declined.

The 10% reduction in overall pending sales suggests buyers remain selective despite limited supply.

That means preparation is important, but careful evaluation and negotiation remain worthwhile.

For condo and townhome buyers, HOA fees, reserve funding, insurance, special assessments and community financial conditions should remain an essential part of the purchasing decision.

Sellers

Palm Beach County sellers benefit from substantially less competition than they did a year ago.

Active inventory is down 17%, new listings have declined 7%, and properties that successfully sell are moving considerably faster.

However, the reduction in pending sales is an important reminder that limited inventory does not guarantee a quick transaction.

Buyers continue to evaluate pricing, condition and value carefully.

Single-family sellers face less competing inventory, while condo and townhome sellers must also consider how association costs and community finances affect buyer affordability.

In both sectors, accurate pricing, strong presentation and effective marketing remain essential.

Investors

For investors, Palm Beach County’s shrinking inventory is an important trend, but September’s softer sales activity reinforces the need for careful property selection.

The single-family sector offers greater scarcity, while condos and townhomes provide a broader range of available opportunities.

Investors should evaluate acquisition price, financing, insurance, property taxes, maintenance expenses and realistic rental income.

For attached properties, HOA fees, reserves, special assessments and rental restrictions can have a particularly significant impact on investment returns.

Rather than relying on broad countywide price trends, investors should focus on the financial fundamentals of the individual property and its surrounding market.

Final Thoughts

Palm Beach County’s September 2026 residential market is tighter, faster-moving and recording higher median sale prices, but transaction activity remains relatively subdued.

The median sale price increased 5% to $510,000, while active inventory declined 17%, months of supply fell 24%, and days on market decreased 19%.

At the same time, closed sales declined 3%, pending sales fell 10%, and new listings were down 7%.

The contrast between supply and buyer activity is particularly important.

There are significantly fewer properties available, and successful listings are selling faster, but buyers are not entering into contracts at the same pace they were last year.

The differences between property types also matter. Single-family homes have experienced a sharper reduction in inventory and a larger decline in pending sales, while condos and townhomes continue to offer buyers more selection.

For sellers, reduced competition is an advantage, but realistic pricing remains essential. For buyers, limited inventory makes preparation important, although softer contract activity suggests opportunities to negotiate have not disappeared.

As Palm Beach County moves into the final quarter of 2026, the key trend to watch will be whether pending sales begin to recover or whether the recent decline translates into softer closing activity.

For now, the most accurate picture of Palm Beach County real estate is one of constrained supply, selective buyers and significant differences between individual neighborhoods and property types.

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