On October 8, 2026, the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) released its September 2026 market statistics, and the headline is a market that is holding its value while demand cools. The six-county median single-family price rose 1.1% from August to $399,000, but closed sales fell 9.5% to 1,581, homes spent a median of 36 days on market, and the region's Home Affordability Index slipped to 81, below the 100 threshold that marks an affordable market.
The September Numbers at a Glance
How Each County Fared
County-level September figures tell a varied story across Northeast Florida, per NEFAR data reported by News4JAX, the Jacksonville Daily Record, and Hoodline:
- Duval County (Jacksonville): median price $345,000, up 3.6% from August, with a median 29 days on market and the county's affordability index easing from 86 to 82.
- Clay County (Orange Park): median price $355,000, down 4.1% from August, with the affordability index improving to 89, the most favorable county-level reading in the region.
- St. Johns County (St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra): median price $568,750, down 0.5% from August, with 390 closed sales and a 3.7-month supply, the region's tightest inventory.
- Nassau County (Fernandina Beach, Yulee): median price $496,500, up 9.3% from August, with 96 closed sales (down 19.3%) and an affordability index of 68.5, the region's least affordable county.
What the September Report Tells Us
The September data continues the story that has been building all year: more inventory, longer seller timelines, and prices normalizing after years of rapid appreciation, rather than collapsing. The median held above $399,000 even as sales slowed, and buyers across the region are gaining negotiating leverage, as Hoodline's October 9 coverage put it. The counterweight is affordability: with Freddie Mac's weekly survey at 7.40% for the week ending October 8, 2026, the highest since late 2023, and insurance and tax costs elevated, the typical Northeast Florida buyer finds the median home a real stretch, which is exactly what the falling affordability index reflects.
For sellers, the message is to price realistically and be patient: homes are taking longer to sell, and a well-priced, well-marketed listing still moves. For buyers, more inventory and softer timelines add negotiating room, and government-backed programs like FHA, VA, and USDA still offer lower-down-payment paths. For homeowners facing financial distress, this is a constructive market to act in: when values hold, a short sale or a well-timed traditional sale can often pay off more of the mortgage than in a falling market, which can reduce or eliminate a deficiency a lender might pursue. The right move always depends on your specific situation, which is why a free consultation is worth your time before you decide.
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