Whether you're thinking about buying, selling, or simply tracking your home's value, staying current on market conditions is one of the smartest things you can do. This update covers what's happening nationally with mortgage rates and housing supply—and what it means for buyers and sellers here on the Treasure Coast.
What's Happening with Mortgage Rates
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.76% for the week ending September 10, 2026, up from 6.71% the prior week and well above 6.35% a year ago. The 15-year fixed averaged 6.09%, up from 6.04%. Freddie Mac's chief economist Sam Khater continues to advise buyers to shop around and compare quotes from multiple lenders, noting it can save thousands over the life of a loan.
The Fed held rates steady at its July 29 meeting. The next decision lands September 15–16, 2026 — worth watching, since any move (or signal of one) will likely ripple into mortgage pricing within days.
For Treasure Coast buyers, rate relief still isn't guaranteed in the near term. Buyers financing a purchase should be working closely with a lender now to explore rate locks, two-one buydown programs, and whether an adjustable-rate mortgage makes sense for their timeline. Waiting for rates to drop may mean competing in a more active market when they do.
National Housing Supply
Nationally, existing home sales slipped to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million in August 2026 — down 2% from July and 1.2% below a year ago, the first sub-4-million reading since June 2025. Total inventory rose to 1.62 million units (up 3.2% month-over-month, 5.9% year-over-year), pushing months of supply to 4.9 — the highest level in more than a decade. The national median existing-home price was $429,100, up 1.6% year-over-year and the 38th straight month of annual price gains, even as 42.1% of listings carried at least one price reduction — above the normal 30–35% range.
The broader picture remains a market finding its footing in a persistently high-rate environment — with enough activity to keep values supported, but enough hesitation, and now enough inventory, to give prepared buyers real negotiating room.
What This Means for Treasure Coast Buyers
National inventory just hit its highest level in over a decade, and longer days on market in some pockets have handed buyers more leverage than they've had since before 2021. You have time to look carefully, negotiate on price and terms, and avoid the panic-offer dynamics of the last few years.
That said, the Treasure Coast is not a distressed market. Martin County inventory is down sharply year over year — active listings fell 20% to 1,210 — keeping values well supported even as national conditions loosen. The opportunity is real, but so is the competition for the best properties.
If you're pre-approved and ready to move, this may be one of the better entry windows the Treasure Coast has offered in several years.
What This Means for Treasure Coast Sellers
Pricing discipline is everything right now. Nationally, over 42% of listings have taken a price cut — a reminder that buyers everywhere, including here, are pushing back on ambitious pricing. The sellers doing best price accurately based on recent comparable sales, prepare the home carefully, and work with an agent who has genuine marketing reach beyond the MLS.
The good news: Martin County's inventory compression is still working in sellers' favor, and momentum is improving — single-family homes are going under contract in a median of 43 days, down from 50 days a year ago. Fewer competing listings mean your well-prepared, well-priced home has a real audience.
Local Market Snapshot — September 2026
Conditions vary meaningfully across the Treasure Coast. Here's a breakdown by area:
Stuart & Martin County
The July 2026 data from MIAMI REALTORS® marks Martin County's fourth consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Total home sales rose 18.5% year-over-year to 288 closings. Single-family transactions climbed 23.4%, condo sales rose 6.9%, and $1M+ luxury sales jumped 45.2% (31 to 45 sales).
The median sale price for Martin County single-family homes was $599,900 in July 2026, up 4.3% year-over-year from $575,000. Condo and townhouse median prices told a different story, falling 10.7% year-over-year to $230,000 from $257,500 — a reminder that pricing power varies sharply by property type even within a single strong month for sales.
Total active listings fell 20% year-over-year to 1,210 — single-family inventory down 21.3% to 696 homes, condo inventory down 19.1% to 514 units. That supply compression puts single-family homes at a 3.7-month supply and condos at 5.6 months — both figures confirmed against MCRTC's own data and classified a seller's market by MIAMI REALTORS®, tightening further from last month's 3.9 and 6.1 months, respectively.
Cash sales represented 46.2% of all Martin County closed sales in July — well above the national all-cash share of 27% — reflecting continued wealth migration and international buyer demand in our market.
Momentum keeps improving: the median time from listing to contract for single-family homes was 43 days, down from 50 days a year ago, while condos moved from listing to contract in a median of 70 days, down from 93 — both positive signs of strengthening demand.
Palm City
Family-oriented communities such as Martin's Crossing, Hammock Creek, and Highlands Reserve continue to attract buyers seeking A-rated schools and more space. Martin County's overall inventory compression supports values here, and Palm City remains one of the most consistently in-demand pockets on the Treasure Coast.
Jensen Beach & Hutchinson Island
Countywide condo inventory fell 19% year-over-year to 514 active listings, with a 5.6-month supply — a market that's balanced but tilting toward sellers. Well-maintained, amenitized units with water views continue to move faster, while older or less-updated buildings are presenting real negotiating opportunities for buyers. [Confirm this reflects Jensen Beach/Hutchinson Island specifically, or note it's countywide, before publishing — the source data is county-level.]
Port St. Lucie & Tradition
Tradition continues to offer value relative to Martin County, with builder incentives on new construction remaining competitive. Buyers comparing resale to new construction in this corridor should factor those incentives in carefully before deciding.
Hobe Sound & Tequesta
These markets continue to attract buyers priced out of Jupiter and Palm Beach County who still want the lifestyle and water access at a lower price point. With Martin County inventory compressed overall, Hobe Sound in particular offers compelling waterfront value relative to comparable properties to the south.
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law on July 11, 2026 — the most sweeping federal housing package in decades. The provision most relevant to Treasure Coast buyers bars large institutional investors (those owning 350+ single-family homes) from buying additional existing homes, removing one source of competition from the resale market. The rest targets housing supply — streamlining environmental review and zoning for new construction and expanding affordable housing funding.
As of this update, implementation is still in early stages — agency rulemaking and funding allocations are expected to roll out over the coming months. Locally, the investor restriction is worth watching in Martin County, where cash buyers already make up nearly half of closed sales. This is a structural, long-term bill, not a rate fix — we'll keep tracking its local impact as rules take effect.
Ready for a Personalized Look at Your Home's Value?
National headlines tell part of the story — but real estate is local, and what's happening on your street matters more than any national average. Whether you're thinking about selling in the next 6 months or want to understand what your home is worth right now, we're happy to put together a no-pressure market analysis for your specific property.
Contact Eric Slifkin for your free Treasure Coast market analysis — or view our full market reports for detailed area data.
