This small coastal town is making big waves in Florida’s home sales despite near-stagnant housing market.
As home price growth stabilizes across the U.S., unsold inventory from new home builders is growing. We are now seeing a shift from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market. The year started with sluggish home price growth, with only 0.7% price growth reported in January 2026.
Nationally, the housing market is sharply split by region. Florida, Texas, and other states out West are seeing a decline in their markets, while Northeast and Midwest regions are seeing a 6% gain. Florida alone is home to seven of the 10 steepest annual home price declines.
In February 2026, Florida home prices were up only 0.3% compared to 2025, with the current median home price being $413,100. Earlier this year, Florida saw a 2.4% growth in the number of homes sold year-over-year. On average, unsold homes remained on the market for 83 days, up from 77 days reported in February 2025.
The Tampa Bay area is seeing significant growth in home sale prices. Nearby towns including St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Pasadena Hills, and Carrollwood rank among the top 10 metro areas with the fastest growing sales prices.
Nationally, however, one small Southwest Florida town is making waves in the home-buying world. With growing interest following Sacramento, Phoenix, and neighboring Florida city Sarasota, Cape Coral ranks fourth in the top ten major U.S. metros for homebuyers looking to relocate. This small city outside of Fort Myers is catching the attention of homebuyers for its coastal lifestyle and affordable living. Housing in Cape Coral is 12% lower than the national average, with home prices averaging $355,000.
Cape Coral is popular amongst retirees and northern adults who want sunshine, space, and better quality of life. With nearby beaches and outdoor recreation, Cape Coral is catching the attention of Northerners in particular, hailing from New York, Chicago, and Boston. Even buyers from Miami are flocking to Cape Coral for its affordability and quiet, spacious living.
Of course, Florida living isn’t complete without a view. With over 400 miles of canals, homebuyers in the Cape can get water-front property without the price tag of a larger Florida city.
Certainly, the continued growth of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers area brings a positive outlook for the future of new construction home sales in the area.
This Spring, Builder Guides is excited to announce two new additions to our full-service markets, including Fort Myers and Naples. New Home Builders in these markets can now connect with local real estate professionals beyond their inbox. Our market-specific webpage now features community information, upcoming events, resources and more!
For more information on new construction inventory, sales promotions, and events in Fort Myers, Naples, and beyond, visit us online at https://builderguides.com/.
Sources:
- 10 things to know about the property market: March 2026 Published by Cotality
- Florida Housing Market Reported by Redfin
- Why Cape Coral? Published by Berry Cessna
- Cost of Living in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL Reported by Redfin