October 2025 Real Estate MARKET UPDATE

BY: D. MICHAEL BURKE, Mich Kanigsberg, & HUNTER D. HABIB

As Fall arrives, Southwest Florida’s season is officially underway. The airports are getting busier, restaurants are filling up, and our familiar wave of snowbirds is starting to return. While tourism and travel trends show strength, the local housing market continues to balance itself after an active summer.

Active Listings and Market Inventory

As of October 2025, there are 16,911 active listings across Southwest Florida. That’s a slight decline from 17,529 in September, but still higher than 15,256 in October 2024.

Here’s how the year has tracked so far:

• May 2025: 24,688 active listings

• June 2025: 20,974

• September 2025: 17,529

• October 2025: 16,911

Inventory has cooled from its summer highs but remains elevated compared to last year, giving buyers more options — and sellers a little more competition.

Over the past 7 days, there have been 1,405 price decreases, signaling sellers are adjusting to meet today’s buyers where they are.

Supply, Demand, and Market Pace

The months of supply currently sit at 7.0 months in Lee County and 7.2 months in Collier County, suggesting a shift toward a balanced-to-buyer’s market.

Days on market have also crept up — 94 days in Lee County and 111 days in Collier County on average — reflecting a more measured pace of sales as buyers take their time and inventory grows.

Economic Snapshot: October 2025

Recent data gives a mixed picture of Southwest Florida’s economy:

• ✈️ Airport passenger activity is up 6%, showing strong inbound travel.

• 💵 Tourist tax revenues increased 2%, supporting the hospitality sector.

• 🛍️ Taxable sales dropped 9%, and building permits fell 11%, pointing to moderation in spending and new construction.

• 📉 Unemployment rose slightly to 4.3%, and consumer sentiment dipped 1.5 points, showing some caution among consumers.

• 🏠 Collier County median home prices rose 4% year-over-year, while Charlotte and Lee Counties saw slight price drops of 1–5%.

Overall, tourism and travel are rebounding nicely heading into season — a positive sign for real estate activity in the months ahead.

What This Means for Homeowners

Southwest Florida’s full “snowbird season” officially ramps up by January 2026, when home inventory historically increases by 25% or more as seasonal residents return and more listings hit the market.

If you’re considering selling, now is the time. Listing before the influx gives your property the best exposure while competition remains lower and buyer traffic is already increasing.

Early-season listings tend to attract more serious buyers — many of whom want to close before the holidays or secure a home before the January rush.

Final Thoughts

The October 2025 market shows stability, motivation, and opportunity. As tourism strengthens and seasonal demand builds, sellers who act early are positioned to capture the most attention and the best offers.

If you’d like a personalized market analysis or want to discuss timing your sale ahead of full season, reach out today.