If April was the market stretching its legs, May is the market at a jog. We're not sprinting, but things are definitely moving — especially if you're priced right and marketed smart.

Inventory: Still Rising

May 2025 added another wave of listings, bringing us to 1,340 properties for sale. That’s a 15% increase in just one month, and nearly double what we saw back in October 2024. Some of these are storm holdovers. Others are sellers finally ready to stop waiting and start doing.

The takeaway? Sellers are re-entering the chat.

Buyers: Still Showing Up

Yes, buyers are back. I can tell from the click-throughs and open rates from our digital marketing. But getting them to show up in person — checkbook in hand, ready to fall in love — takes more than good timing. It takes effort.

When Buyers show up, they're bringing calculators, insurance quotes, and questions. They’re doing more due diligence and taking longer to make decisions. They’re also expecting a bit of a break on price  (even on homes that weren’t directly affected by the storms). The psychology of a post-hurricane market runs deep.

Sellers: It’s Time to Get Strategic

Want buyers to fall in love with your home? Then give them something to fall in love with.

Here’s the thing: buyers don’t have to understand your life. You have to understand theirs.

I once told a homeowner to remove clutter, personal items, and the 37 ceramic lighthouses she had on every flat surface. She got indignant and said, “Well, they have to understand — we LIVE here.” And I said, “Yes, you’re absolutely right. You do live here. And you will continue to live here… if we don't remove things that will distract buyers.”

Buyers don’t want to see your refrigerator magnets, dusty corners, or faux ivy cascading out of a wicker basket. You’re not selling memories — you’re selling surfaces. So:

✔ Clean it like Ryan Reynolds is coming to dinner.
✔ Clear off your countertops.
✔ Get the stuffed animals off the bed.
✔ Take down the family photo wall.
✔ If it doesn’t scream “calm, clean, updated,” pack it up now and thank yourself later.

Oh — and let’s talk price. If your home’s been listed for two to four weeks with no offers? Then congratulations: you’ve just discovered the price buyers won’t pay -- your list price..

What’s Actually Selling?

Single-story homes are still moving — many of them older, lower-elevation homes deemed substantially damaged after the storms. They're selling fast, mostly for land value, and clearing the board for the next generation of elevated, storm-ready builds.

On the condo side, we’re seeing strong activity in the $400K–$600K range. In fact, that price band has the largest number of active listings, pending sales, and off-market failures — it’s where all the action (and indecision) lives right now.

Final Word: This Is the Middle

Not the bottom. Not the peak. Just the messy middle. We’re in a stretch where smart sellers can still win, and well-prepped buyers can find rare opportunities.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign? This might be it. Call or text me at (727) 496-6112.

Ready to see the hottest homes on the Barrier Islands right now? Explore our Featured Properties →

 

Thinking of selling? Let’s make sure your home isn’t just another listing buyers scroll past. Call/text (727) 496-6112 & I’ll show you exactly what’s working — and what’s not.

Want the numbers for your street, your building, or your HOA? I’ll pull a custom report and help you make sense of the chaos. Call/text (727) 496-6112.