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Florida Homes Pulled Off the Market as Houses Fail to Sell

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/2 .. ulled-off-the-market-as-houses-fail-to-sell.html
  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, September 23rd 2025 at 10:09 GMT by Newsweek
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Florida’s “Pull‑and‑Push” Housing Market: Why Homes Keep Getting Off the Market but Never Find Buyers

A new analysis from Newsweek’s real‑estate beat exposes a troubling trend gripping Florida’s housing market: a growing number of homes are being pulled from the market only to sit unsold for months, or worse, never find a buyer at all. The piece, which cites data from Florida Realtors, Zillow, and interviews with local brokers, paints a picture of a market in flux – one that still bounces from the pandemic‑era boom, but now faces new headwinds that are eroding seller confidence and buyer demand alike.

The “Pull” Phenomenon: More Homes Being Taken Off the List

Florida Realtors’ latest “Monthly Real‑Estate Report” (the article links to the agency’s official data portal) shows that, for the first time since 2019, the average days a listing stays on the market before being removed has jumped from 21 to 31 days. This surge coincides with an unprecedented 25% increase in the total number of properties that are taken off the market without selling.

The Newsweek piece highlights a handful of high‑profile examples: a $1.5 million single‑family home in Naples that was taken down after a price cut that still left it 12% above the median price for comparable homes, and a 3‑bedroom condo in Coral Gables that sat on the market for 140 days before finally going off the listing board. “When sellers pull a home from the market, it’s often because the property has failed to generate the level of interest sellers expected,” notes Sarah Mendoza, a seasoned realtor based in Miami who is quoted in the article.

Why Sellers Are Pulling Listings

The article breaks down several root causes, many of which are interlinked:

1. Pricing Misalignment: According to Zillow’s “Market Snapshot” for the Greater Orlando area, homes in the $500k–$700k bracket have a median list‑to‑sale price ratio of 0.94—meaning sellers are still paying roughly 6% over the final sale price. Many sellers, especially in the Gulf Coast, have stubbornly held onto list prices that outpace local market data. In one case, a $350k home in Sarasota was removed after a $35k price drop that still left it above the neighborhood’s median sale price.

2. Inventory Glut and Buyer Fatigue: Florida’s new‑construction boom has pushed inventory to record highs. The Florida Realtors report linked in the article states that the county‑wide active inventory is up 18% year‑over‑year. Coupled with a shift in buyer preferences toward lower‑mortgage‑debt, many buyers are looking for properties that are both affordable and ready to move in—something that many high‑priced or poorly staged homes cannot deliver.

3. Staging and Marketing Gaps: The article cites a recent survey of 150 Florida agents conducted by the Florida Association of Realtors. The survey found that 67% of agents believe homes that lack professional staging or high‑quality photos are less likely to attract offers. In the news piece, a beachfront property in Fort Lauderdale was pulled from the market after it remained on the listing board for 90 days, primarily because the photographs were grainy and the interior was cluttered.

4. Economic Uncertainty: While interest rates remain relatively low (the U.S. Treasury's 30‑year mortgage rates hovered around 6.8% in September 2024), Florida’s local economy—especially the tourism sector—has felt the brunt of the post‑pandemic slowdown. The article quotes economist Dr. Thomas Lee of the University of Florida, who warns that if unemployment in the state climbs past 4%, buyer confidence could wane further.

The Cost of a Long Wait

Beyond the frustration of sellers, the article emphasizes the economic fallout of prolonged listings. For homeowners who are renting out their properties, the delay means lost rental income. For the broader economy, unsold homes contribute to a rise in construction costs. A Florida Realtors study linked in the piece shows that for every 1% increase in unsold inventory, housing prices can stagnate or dip by up to 0.3% over the next year.

The Newsweek article also explores how “pulling” a property can affect its future value. “A home that is taken off the market can acquire a stigma,” explains Realtor Tom Garcia. “Potential buyers may wonder if there’s something wrong with the house or the neighborhood.” This perception bias can drive down final sale prices by an additional 3–5% if the property is eventually relisted.

What’s Next for Florida Sellers?

The article offers a balanced view of the market’s trajectory, underscored by quotes from local brokerage leaders. Many suggest a more cautious, data‑driven pricing strategy: “You can’t price a home at a level that is 15% above the median sale price and expect to see an offer,” says Emily Rivera, president of the South Florida Realtors’ board. She advocates for a “price‑to‑volume” model—setting the list price within 5% of the average sale price in the same zip code and ensuring the home is well‑staged and professionally photographed.

Another recommendation is to adopt a “list‑and‑hold” strategy that pairs with an aggressive marketing plan. For instance, the article cites a boutique brokerage in Tampa that has a 98% success rate on its top 10% of listings by leveraging targeted social media ads and 3‑D virtual tours.

Finally, the Newsweek piece acknowledges a broader trend: an increase in “pre‑sale” homes. These are properties that are sold to buyers before the seller has finished construction or renovation. While this can provide immediate liquidity for sellers, it also introduces new risks, such as delays in project timelines and potential misalignments in buyer expectations.

Bottom Line

Florida’s real‑estate market is at a crossroads. On one hand, the state’s vibrant tourism economy and sunny climate continue to attract buyers. On the other hand, rising inventory, pricing missteps, and lingering economic uncertainty are causing a surge in homes being pulled off the market and failing to sell. As the article stresses, sellers who can align their pricing strategy with current data, invest in quality staging and marketing, and remain flexible with their offers will be best positioned to close deals before the next wave of buyers exits the market.

For more details, readers are encouraged to consult Florida Realtors’ “Monthly Real‑Estate Report” (link in the article) and Zillow’s “Market Snapshot” tools, which provide up‑to‑date data on listing activity, price trends, and buyer behavior across the state.