Ocala buyers push pending sales up as prices dip

Buyers in Ocala and Marion County are moving faster on homes, even as the average price tag drops.

New pending single-family home sales jumped 5.6 percent to 695 in September. That figure beats the 659 recorded in the same month last year. The increase signals that more buyers are signing contracts despite a cooling market.

Closed sales totaled 646, a 1.4 percent decrease from 655 in September 2025. The median sale price settled at $289,900, marking a 1.7 percent year-over-year decline. The average sale price dropped 12.3 percent to $338,271, while total dollar volume fell 13.5 percent to $218.5 million.

Homes spent a median of 67 days on the market before going under contract in September. That is four days fewer than the 71 days recorded a year earlier. The median time from listing to closing also improved, falling from 111 days to 103 days. Sellers received a median 95.7 percent of their original list price, up from 94.9 percent in the previous year.

Inventory levels continue to tighten. Active single-family listings stood at 3,292 at the end of September, which is 9.6 percent fewer than the 3,642 available a year ago. New listings totaled 871, down 4.8 percent. Months’ supply of inventory dropped from 5.6 to 4.8 months. Jeanne Ritt, the 2026 president of the Ocala Marion County Association of Realtors, noted that local market knowledge is especially important as prices vary by neighborhood.

Year-to-date figures show a positive trend for 2026. Closed sales reached 6,216, an increase of 2.7 percent compared with the same period in 2025. New pending sales year to date were up 4.1 percent. Ritt said buyers are making decisions and moving forward, while sellers must focus on realistic pricing and thoughtful preparation.

The data comes from the Ocala Marion County Association of Realtors and is compiled by Florida Realtors. The report indicates a market that is adjusting but remains active for buyers who can find the right property.