April 2026 Real Estate MARKET UPDATE

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

The Southwest Florida real estate market continues to stay active as we move through the heart of season. Buyers are in town, homes are coming on the market, and overall activity remains strong. While the market has shifted from the frenzy of a few years ago, it is still moving and creating real opportunities for both buyers and sellers.

If you are wondering whether now is the right time to make a move, the numbers tell a very clear story.

Inventory Levels in Southwest Florida

As of April 2026, there are 20,299 active listings across Southwest Florida. This is a small increase, which is typical this time of year as more sellers list their homes during peak season.

Here is how inventory has trended over time.

Inventory has stabilized compared to where we were in 2025. Buyers have more options today, but we are not seeing inventory continue to spike. That is a sign the market is finding its balance.

Price Reductions Continue

In the past 7 days, there have been 1,958 price decreases across the market.

This is not a negative sign. It is the market adjusting. Sellers are aligning pricing with current buyer expectations. Homes that are priced right are still selling. Homes that are not are sitting longer and eventually making adjustments.

Months Supply of Inventory

Months supply helps us understand the balance between buyers and sellers.

Lee County currently sits at 7.1 months of inventory
Collier County is at 8,4 months

Both have seen a slight decrease, which shows buyers are still active and absorbing homes from the market.

Days on Market

Homes are taking a bit longer to sell compared to earlier this year.

Lee County average is around 93 days
Collier County average is about 96 days

This is where strategy matters. Pricing, presentation, and marketing make all the difference in today’s market.

Sales Activity Remains Strong

Even with higher inventory and longer days on market, homes are still selling at a healthy pace.

Total homes sold in 2025 was 30,655
Total homes sold in 2024 was 30,171

So far in 2026, we are already at 8,409 homes sold

That is a strong start and shows demand for Southwest Florida real estate is still very real.

Season Is Busy but It Is Not the Only Time to Sell

There is a common belief that you have to sell during season to be successful.

That is a myth.

Yes, season brings more buyers into town, but Southwest Florida is a year round market. We see relocation buyers, second home buyers, investors, and local moves happening every single month.

Homes sell here all year long.

Why Now Is a Great Time to Buy

Buyers are in a much stronger position than they have been in years.

• More inventory gives you more choices
• Price reductions are creating better opportunities
• Less competition compared to past markets

Why Now Is Still a Good Time to Sell

Sellers can still do very well in this market with the right approach.

• Over 8,000 homes have already sold this year
• Serious buyers are actively looking right now
• Less competition later in the year can work in your favor

Local Development and Investment Activity

There are also some major headlines locally that reinforce long term confidence in Southwest Florida.

One of the biggest recent deals involves the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, where a deal has been announced for approximately 835 million dollars. This is one of the largest hospitality transactions in our area and involves a major institutional buyer. Deals like this show that large scale investors continue to believe in the long term growth of Southwest Florida.

https://www.gulfshorebusiness.com/gb-daily/deal-set-for-835m-sale-of-jw-marriott-marco-island/article_14ef0d7b-16eb-4434-bc28-328639b96022.html

In another major move, a development site along Alico Road has been acquired by a national developer. This corridor between Fort Myers and Naples continues to grow rapidly, and projects like this typically bring more jobs, infrastructure, and long term demand for housing.

https://www.gulfshorebusiness.com/real_estate/alico-road-development-site-acquired-by-ryan-companies/article_fee689af-61c5-4db1-9d8a-2530c5a16b04.html

These types of developments matter because they support population growth, job creation, and overall demand for real estate in our area.

The Bottom Line

The Southwest Florida real estate market in April 2026 is steady and balanced.

Inventory has leveled off
Buyers are active
Homes are still selling
Pricing matters more than ever

This is a more normal market, and that is a good thing.

Whether you are buying or selling, success today comes down to having a clear strategy and understanding how the current market works.

Mortgage Minute

Mortgage rates have been a little choppy lately, moving higher off recent lows as inflation data and strong economic reports continue to put pressure on the bond market. The key takeaway for buyers is that while rates are not at their lowest point of the year, they are still within a workable range. More importantly, we are seeing more inventory and less competition than we did during the peak frenzy, and that combination is creating real opportunities for buyers who are willing to move now instead of waiting for perfect timing, which rarely shows up when everyone expects it.

For buyers, the real advantage in today’s market is understanding how to structure deals beyond just price. Seller concessions, temporary and permanent rate buydowns, and strategic financing options are helping improve affordability without requiring major price reductions. Many buyers hesitate when they hear today’s rate, but when you focus on the full payment strategy instead of just the rate itself, deals start to come together. This market is not about chasing the lowest rate, it is about making smarter moves with the right strategy.

Shawn Flinders
Sales Manager | NMLS #628471
1222 SE 47th St., Suite 204
Cape Coral, FL 33904
M: 239-385-2240 FL
Company NMLS #3274
Equal Housing Opportunity