Based on the January–May 2026 Florida Keys market report, Keys-wide sales are up 14%, dollar volume is up 23.8%, average sale price is up 8.6%, inventory is down 7.7%, and months of inventory improved from 12.3 months in 2025 to 10.0 months in 2026. The market is active, but buyers are more selective, and pricing remains a key consideration.
How Is the Florida Keys Real Estate Market?
One of the most common questions I hear from both buyers and sellers is:
“How is the market?”
The honest answer is: the Florida Keys market is active, but it is not the same market we experienced during the frenzy years. Buyers are still purchasing, sellers are still closing, and waterfront properties are still moving — but today’s market requires better strategy, stronger pricing, and clearer expectations.
From January through May 2026, the Florida Keys market showed positive movement compared to the same period in 2025. Keys-wide sales increased by 14%, dollar volume i; ...

www.SearchFloridaKeysHomes.com
Lela Ashkarian, PA, CRS, ABR, GRI, epro
305-395-0814
Hi from the Florida Keys!
 
Most of you know me as Lela — from life, friendship, community, faith, and years of walking alongside people through important chapters.
 
For nearly three decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Florida Keys real estate market, helping buyers and sellers make confident decisions about island homes, waterfront properties, vacation rentals, and lifestyle moves.
 
Now I’ve made that knowledge easier to access.
 
Go to SearchFloridaKeysHomes.com, copy the link, paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Gemini, and ask anything about buying or selling in the Florida Keys.
 
Ask about Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Duck Key, Islamorada, waterfront homes, boating access, vacation rental rules, pricing, market timing, or what it truly feels like to live the Keys lifestyle.
 
This is not a sales pitch.
 
It is kno ...

 
Why a Pre-Approval Is the Smart First Step Before You Start Your Home Search
 
Starting your home search is exciting, especially in a beautiful and unique market like the Florida Keys. But before you fall in love with a property, there is one important step that can make the entire process smoother, stronger, and more successful: getting pre-approved.
A pre-approval helps you understand exactly what price range fits your financial comfort level. It gives you clarity before you begin looking, so your search is focused on homes that truly match your goals, lifestyle, and budget.
It also shows sellers that you are a serious and prepared buyer. In a competitive market, this can make a meaningful difference. When the right home comes along, being pre-approved allows you to move quickly and confidently instead of losing valuable time gathering documents after the fact.
Pre-approval also helps uncover important details early, such as loan options, estimated monthly payments ...

From the moment you arrive, Key Lime Kottage invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and fall in love with the Florida Keys lifestyle. Tucked behind lush tropical privacy, this charming soft-yellow waterfront cottage feels less like a home and more like your own private resort.
The setting is unforgettable. A beautiful composite dock guides you through the mangroves to open Gulf views, where mornings begin with peaceful coffee by the water and evenings end in golden sunset skies. Whether you are boating, relaxing, entertaining, or simply soaking in the stillness of the bay, this property captures the magic that buyers come to the Keys to find.
The heart of the home is the extraordinary screened outdoor living area. The pool and spa create a private sanctuary for floating under filtered sunlight, dining outdoors, reading beside the water, or gathering with family and friends. Surrounded by mangroves, the space feels peaceful, secluded, and resort-like.
Inside, this turn-key 3-bed; ...

One thing I keep explaining to Florida Keys sellers right now:
Lela Ashkarian, PA, ABR, CRS, GRI, e-Pro
 
You cannot compare the Florida Keys market to what’s happening in other parts of Florida.
Yes, the market has shifted from the frenzy years.
Buyers today are more analytical.
They’re evaluating insurance costs, carrying costs, rental potential, updates, elevation, dockage, and overall value much more carefully than they were a few years ago.
But waterfront homes are still selling in the Keys every single day.
What I’m seeing is that the homes performing best are typically the homes where sellers understand today’s buyer psychology and position the property accordingly from day one.
The Florida Keys buyer is often purchasing a very specific lifestyle:
boating
water access
vacation flexibility
island living
walkability
privacy
and lifestyle experience.
That buyer still exists.
But pricing strategy, presentation, and positioning matter ...