Palm Beach County’s housing market entered 2026 cooler but still climbing. Single-family prices are up modestly year over year, homes are taking a little longer to sell, and more than half of all sales are closing in cash. Here’s what the Q1 2026 numbers say — and what they mean whether you’re buying or selling this year.
What is the median home price in Palm Beach County right now?
The single-family median sale price hit $645,000 in March 2026, up 3.2% from a year earlier, while the condo and townhome median rose to $330,000, up 6.45% (BeachesMLS / MIAMI REALTORS®). Prices are still rising, but the pace has cooled from the double-digit jumps of recent years — a sign of a market moving back toward balance.
In Jupiter specifically, the overall median sat around $722,000 in February 2026, up roughly 6.5% year over year, at about $434 per square foot (Redfin). Coastal and golf communities continue to command premiums over the county median.
How fast are homes selling?
A typical single-family home took about 42 days to go under contract and roughly 83 days total to close in March 2026; condos averaged about 71 days to contract and 111 to close (BeachesMLS). Sellers are still getting strong offers — the median sale-to-list ratio is about 94% for single-family homes and 92% for condos.
Translation: well-priced, well-presented homes still move quickly, but the days of instant bidding wars on every listing are over. Inventory has loosened, giving buyers more room to negotiate.
Why are more than half of sales all-cash?
Cash is king in Palm Beach County. About 52.6% of all closed sales in early 2026 were cash — roughly 45% of single-family sales and a striking 62.8% of condo sales (BeachesMLS). That’s nearly double the national cash share of about 27% (National Association of REALTORS®).
The reason: affluent move-down buyers, second-home purchasers, and out-of-state relocators — many from the Northeast — often pay cash to win deals and skip financing contingencies. For traditional buyers using a mortgage, that means cash offers are frequently the real competition.
What are mortgage rates doing?
As of the week ending May 28, 2026, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.53% and the 15-year fixed was 5.87% (Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey). Rates have hovered in the mid-6% range, keeping monthly payments elevated and reinforcing the cash buyer’s advantage.
For financed buyers, every quarter-point matters. Rate-shopping multiple lenders and considering a rate buydown can meaningfully change what you qualify for.
What does this mean if you’re buying in 2026?
If you’re buying, you have more leverage than during the frenzy years. Inventory is higher, homes sit around 42 days before going under contract, and sellers are accepting roughly 94% of list — so reasonable offers and inspection contingencies are realistic again. Your toughest competition is cash, so a strong pre-approval and a sharp local agent matter more than ever.
Read our first-time buyer’s guide to Jupiter for budgeting and step-by-step details, and explore neighborhoods on our Jupiter communities guide.
What does this mean if you’re selling in 2026?
If you’re selling, the market is still on your side — but pricing discipline matters. The median home sells for about 94% of asking in roughly six weeks, yet overpriced listings linger and ultimately sell for less. Price to the comps, present the home well, and you can still command a strong number, especially from cash buyers.
Start with our home value tool, then see our guide to selling your first home in Palm Beach County for the full process.
Frequently asked questions
Is Palm Beach County a buyer’s or seller’s market in 2026?
It’s shifting toward balance. Prices are still rising modestly and homes sell at about 94% of list, which favors sellers, but higher inventory and longer days on market give buyers more negotiating room than in 2021–2023.
Are home prices in Palm Beach County going up or down?
Up, but slowly. The single-family median rose 3.2% year over year to $645,000 in March 2026, and condos rose 6.45% to $330,000 (BeachesMLS / MIAMI REALTORS®).
How long does it take to sell a home in Palm Beach County?
About 42 days from listing to contract and roughly 83 days total to closing for a typical single-family home; condos take longer, around 71 and 111 days respectively (BeachesMLS, March 2026).
Why are so many Palm Beach home sales in cash?
Affluent relocators, second-home buyers, and downsizers — many from higher-tax Northeastern states — often pay cash. About 52.6% of county sales closed in cash in early 2026, versus roughly 27% nationally.
What are current mortgage rates in Florida?
As of the week ending May 28, 2026, the average 30-year fixed was 6.53% and the 15-year fixed was 5.87% (Freddie Mac). Your rate depends on credit, down payment, and loan type.
Cibie Cahur is the founder and lead agent of The Cahur Group at Keller Williams Realty, serving Palm Beach and Martin County, Florida. A Top 1% Keller Williams agent from 2017 to 2024, she leads an eight-agent team and works with buyers and sellers in English, Spanish, and French. Reach her at 561-401-5758.
Want a market read on your specific neighborhood or price point? The Cahur Group tracks Palm Beach and Martin County block by block. Call 561-401-5758 or contact us for a personalized buyer or seller strategy.