Steady on

Fluctuations in the housing market bring hope that sales will start improving with prices to satisfy home buyers. St. Lucie County, like other counties, could see costs leveling off after home sales fell slightly last year compared to the previous year.

Fluctuations in the housing market bring hope that sales will start improving with prices to satisfy home buyers. St. Lucie County, like other counties, could see costs leveling off after home sales fell slightly last year compared to the previous year.

Real estate market is moving towards stability

BY JERRY SHAW

Home sales and skyrocketing costs have been a concern for home sellers and home buyers for the past few years, but signs of steadiness are on the horizon. Although prices are still going up in the three counties, there could be some stability ahead. 

St. Lucie County has shown typical fluctuations in the last couple of years. Single-family home sales fell a bit in 2024, with a slight increase in prices compared to 2023, according to the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser’s office. In 2024, there were 8,378 qualified sales, with a median sales price of $420,000. There were 9,068 qualified sales in 2023, with a median single-family home sales price of $399,000. By mid-March of this year, the county saw 383 qualified sales, with a median sales price of $395,000. 

Property values increased in 2024 following a parcel count of 122,437, with a total value of $42,279,233,367. In 2023, the single-family home parcel count was 121,964, with a total value of $39,593,043,136. 

Western Port St. Lucie had the most significant areas of growth in the county, according to Denise Davis Helms, public affairs manager for the property appraiser’s office. “Tradition continues to thrive, and the Veranda area off Becker Road continues to attract new development,” she stated. This includes businesses and family structures in a region that offers residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Donna Benton, a real estate agent with Southern Castles in St. Lucie County, is optimistic about sales and prices in the future. “Everything is great,” she said. “It’s turning around.” She recently closed on five properties and is working on several more listings. “Prices have come down some,” she said. “There has been an adjustment; it’s starting to level off.”

Homes on the barrier islands often have good sales around this time of year, but slow down in the summer. Hurricane season doesn’t interfere with development as buyers are always attracted to life and beauty along the beaches.

Homes on the barrier islands often have good sales around this time of year, but slow down in the summer. Hurricane season doesn’t interfere with development as buyers are always attracted to life and beauty along the beaches.

GOOD CONDITIONS

Martin County reports small differences in the market since 2023. Sean Quinn, a real estate agent in Stuart, sees some strong signs in Martin County, but there is still uncertainty. “It depends on why people are selling,” he said. “There are better sales in homes that are in good condition. Homes that need any kind of work don’t do as well. They are not going for the asking price.”

Homes on Hutchinson Island have seasonal adjustments, Quinn said. Sales go well in the fall and winter months while there is a slowdown in the summer.

Home sales, year over year, in Martin County remained similar. There were 1,965 closed sales in 2024 compared to 1,958 in 2023, according to Florida Realtors. The median sales price was $599,000 in 2024, compared to $585,000 in 2023. The dollar volume remained about the same at $1.8 billion for each year.

Statistics for single-family homes in January 2025 saw 115 closed sales compared to 107 in the same month last year. But the median sales price jumped from $570,000 in January 2024 to $619,000 in January 2025.

HOMES STABILIZING

Port St. Lucie continues to grow significantly. This includes construction of homes and business centers that are bringing an increase to residential, commercial and recreational areas. Homes on the river are particularly attractive.

Port St. Lucie continues to grow significantly. This includes construction of homes and business centers that are bringing an increase to residential, commercial and recreational areas. Homes on the river are particularly attractive.

Home sales in Indian River County are remaining consistent, according to Kyle Von Kohorn, a real estate agent with Alex MacWilliam Real Estate in Vero Beach. There was about a 10% increase in sales overall in January, but it’s not certain if the trend will continue.

Single-family home prices appear to be stabilizing, Von Kohorn stated. However, the condo market has seen price declines “due to an over-supply of units in the market,” he noted.

As with Martin County, Von Kohorn said many buyers in Indian River County are looking for properties that need little or no improvements.

Reports from the Indian River County Property Appraiser reveal few changes in sales numbers. In 2024, there were 3,003 sales on the mainland, compared to 2,801 in 2023. Barrier island sales amounted to 328 in 2024 while there were 353 in 2023.

The median sale price on the barrier island went down from $1,394,500 in 2023 to $1,372,500 in 2024. But early results for 2025 show an increase to $1,410,000.

On the mainland, median prices remained steady with $404,900 in 2024 compared to $404,550 in 2023. Mainland median sales prices dropped to $390,500, early this year. 

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