Ocala home buyers sign more contracts as prices dip

Ocala Marion County Association of Realtors reported a rise in new pending single-family home sales for September. The data indicates that more buyers are moving forward with purchases even though the overall market is adjusting. Closed sales and median prices showed slight decreases during the same period.

New pending sales reached 695, a 5.6% increase from the 659 recorded in September 2025. Closed sales totaled 646, which is a 1.4% drop from 655 a year earlier. The median sale price settled at $289,900, down 1.7% year over year. The average sale price fell more sharply by 12.3% to $338,271, and total dollar volume dropped 13.5% to $218.5 million.

Jeanne Ritt, the 2026 president of OMCAR, commented on the shifting activity levels. She stated in a news release that the rise in pending sales shows buyers are still making decisions. Ritt noted that prices vary by neighborhood and property type, making local market knowledge essential for both sides of a transaction.

Homes that closed in September spent a median of 67 days on the market before going under contract. This is four days less than the 71 days recorded in September 2025. The median time from listing to closing also improved, dropping from 111 days to 103 days. Sellers received a median of 95.7% of their original list price, compared with 94.9% the previous year.

Inventory levels decreased at the end of the month. There were 3,292 active single-family listings, a 9.6% reduction from the 3,642 available a year ago. New listings totaled 871, down 4.8% from the prior year. The months supply of inventory fell from 5.6 to 4.8 months, indicating a tighter market for prospective buyers.

Ritt added that buyers may find opportunities in the modestly lower median price but face fewer available listings. For sellers, she said realistic pricing and thoughtful preparation remain critical. A Realtor can help both sides understand what these numbers mean for a specific home and community.

Despite the slight decrease in September closed sales, year-to-date totals show growth. Closed sales reached 6,216, an increase of 2.7% compared with the same period in 2025. New pending sales year to date were up 4.1%.