If you have been watching the Northeast Florida housing market this fall, September's numbers tell a calm but slower story. Prices held fairly steady. Fewer homes closed. And buyers have plenty of homes to look at.
This post walks through what was reported, where the counties differ, and what it may mean for your plans. Every figure below comes from a linked source with its data date. Where two reports disagree, we say so instead of picking a number.
1. The September snapshot
On October 8, 2026, the Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS (NEFAR) released its September report. According to NEFAR, Oct. 8, 2026 (September data), the median price for single-family homes across the region rose 1.1% to $399,000.
Closed sales were 1,581, which is 9.5% lower than August, with 1,591 pending sales. New listings came in at 2,199. Active inventory was 6,287 homes, which NEFAR describes as a four-month supply. The Jax Daily Record, Oct. 8, 2026 reported the same figures. The Jacksonville Business Journal, Oct. 9, 2026 headline also put the monthly drop in sales at 9.5%.
NEFAR and the Daily Record both note that affordability softened across the region, and that county results were mixed.
NEFAR President Kim Knapp summed it up this way in the release: "What stands out in September is that home prices remain relatively stable even as the pace of sales has slowed." The same quote appears in the NEFAR release and in the Florida Politics, Oct. 12, 2026 report.
A note on small differences
The Florida Politics, Oct. 12, 2026 story, which also draws on NEFAR figures, lists 1,608 closed sales and a $398,566 median. That is a slightly different cut of the data than the press release. The direction matches in both: the median rose about 1.1% from August and sales slowed. We use the press release numbers above and round when a county figure differs between sources.
2. How the counties compare
Northeast Florida is not one market. The table shows only the county figures that match in both NEFAR's release and Florida Politics. The September medians are for single-family homes, and the change is compared with August 2026.
| County | September median | Change from August | Closed sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duval | About $345,000 | Up roughly 3.5% | Not compared here |
| Clay | $355,000 | Down 4.1% | Not compared here |
| Nassau | $496,500 | Up 9.3% | 96, down 19.3% |
Sources: NEFAR, Oct. 8, 2026 (September data); Florida Politics, Oct. 12, 2026. Duval is shown as a rounded figure because NEFAR lists $345,000 (up 3.6%) and Florida Politics lists $344,000 (up 3.5%).
Putnam County is a small market, with 34 closed sales in September according to both NEFAR and Florida Politics, Oct. 12, 2026. With numbers that small, one or two sales can move the median a lot, so read county medians as a general guide.
St. Johns County is left out of the table on purpose. The two reports show a different median and a different direction of change, so we would rather wait for the data to settle than guess.
3. Where mortgage rates stand
Freddie Mac's weekly survey, released October 15, 2026, put the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 7.40%, unchanged from the week before. A year earlier, on the same date, it averaged 6.27%. See the Freddie Mac release, Oct. 15, 2026 and the Freddie Mac rate page. Realtor.com, Oct. 15, 2026 reports the same weekly figures.
That is a national average, and your own rate depends on your credit, down payment and loan type. A lender can show you the monthly payment at a few different rates so you can see what fits your budget.
4. If you plan to sell
Knapp's comment for sellers, as published by NEFAR and the Daily Record, was that homes with "the right combination of price, condition and value are better positioned to attract attention." Buyers are comparing options, so the first price you choose matters.
Here are a few practical steps that fit this kind of market:
- Start with recent nearby sales, not a neighbor's asking price.
- Fix the small things a buyer will notice first, like a stuck door, a dim bulb or a stained ceiling spot.
- Plan your timeline around your next move, not around a headline.
- Ask for a pre-listing net sheet so you can see an estimate of costs and what you might keep at a few price points.
A net sheet is an estimate. It is not a promise of a sale price or of a result.
5. If you plan to buy
NEFAR says inventory remained at a level that offered buyers more options and more negotiating power. The release, the Jax Daily Record, Oct. 8, 2026 and Florida Politics, Oct. 12, 2026 all point to more than 6,200 homes available across the region.
More choice does not mean every home is a bargain. It means you can take a little more time to compare homes, ask for inspections and think through the monthly payment. A few steps that help:
- Get a lender pre-approval so you know your range before you tour.
- Compare the total monthly cost, including insurance and taxes, not just the price.
- Look at how long a home has been listed and whether the price has changed.
- Ask your agent for recent sales on the same street or in the same neighborhood.
6. Reading this for your own street
Regional numbers are a starting point. Your home sits on one street, in one neighborhood, with its own recent sales. Two homes a mile apart can see very different results in the same month.
That is why a short, focused review can be more useful than a headline. In a 10-minute neighborhood equity review, we look at recent sales near you and talk through what they may mean for your home's value. If you are thinking about listing, we can also prepare a pre-listing net sheet. There is no pressure to list.
Curious what this means for your home? Schedule a 10-minute neighborhood equity review or ask for a pre-listing net sheet. Call or text 904-606-9163.
7. Frequently asked questions
Did Northeast Florida home prices fall in September 2026?
Not across the region. NEFAR reported that the median single-family price rose 1.1% from August to $399,000. County results were mixed, with Clay lower and Nassau higher. Source: NEFAR, Oct. 8, 2026 (September data).
How many homes were for sale?
NEFAR reported 6,287 active homes in September, about a four-month supply. Florida Politics reported a slightly different count from a different cut of the data, but all sources agree on more than 6,200 homes. Sources: NEFAR, Oct. 8, 2026 (September data); Florida Politics, Oct. 12, 2026.
Is this a good time to sell?
It depends on your price, your home's condition and your timeline. The September data shows steady prices and slower sales, which means buyers are being careful. A neighborhood review can show where your home may fit. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
What is a pre-listing net sheet?
It is an estimate of what you might keep after typical selling costs at a given price. It is not a promise of a result, and your actual costs can differ.
Where do these numbers come from?
The county and regional figures come from NEFAR's monthly report, with a second outlet checked for each figure used. The mortgage rate comes from Freddie Mac, with Realtor.com as a second source. Links and dates are in the Sources section below.
8. Sources
- Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS (NEFAR), Northeast Florida Housing Market Shows Shifting Conditions in September. Data/publication date: Oct. 8, 2026 (September 2026 data).
- Jax Daily Record, Home sales activity declines in Northeast Florida. Data/publication date: Oct. 8, 2026.
- Jacksonville Business Journal, Home sales activity down 9.5% in September on First Coast (headline and summary visible; article is paywalled). Data/publication date: Oct. 9, 2026.
- Florida Politics, Northeast Florida housing sales slide again in September. Data/publication date: Oct. 12, 2026.
- Freddie Mac, Mortgage Rates Hold Steady at 7.40%. Data/publication date: Oct. 15, 2026.
- Freddie Mac, Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Data/publication date: Data as of Oct. 15, 2026.
- Realtor.com, Mortgage Rates Hold Steady at 3-Year High as Bond Market Stabilizes. Data/publication date: Oct. 15, 2026.
This article is general information about local market data. It is not legal or financial advice, and it is not a promise of any price or result. Talk with a licensed lender, attorney or tax professional about your own situation.
Chris Moore, REALTOR, Momentum Realty, license SL3389080.