Every month I pull the numbers and write up what I'm actually seeing. Not the spin, not the headline. Just a straight read on what's happening and what it means for buyers and sellers in St. Pete right now.
The numbers for May 2026:
Median sale price: $440,000 Days on market: 39 Homes sold this month: 481 List-to-sale ratio: 94.2%
That 94.2% list-to-sale ratio tells you something important: buyers are negotiating, but not dramatically. We're not in a market where sellers are getting 5% over ask, but we're also not in a market where buyers are beating sellers up on price. Most transactions are landing at or just under list.
What 39 days on market actually means:
A year ago, well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods were going in 7–14 days. At 39 days, there's more breathing room, and buyers have a little more time to think, do due diligence, and negotiate. That's meaningful, especially for buyers who felt burned by the frenzied pace of 2022 and 2023.
That said, 39 days is still an average. The right home in the right neighborhood, Historic Kenwood, Old Northeast, Shore Acres, can still move in two weeks if it's priced correctly. The slower number reflects the overall market, not every micro-market.
What sellers need to hear:
Pricing matters more than it has in years. The homes sitting the longest right now have one thing in common: they came on at an optimistic number and didn't adjust quickly enough. Buyers are informed. They're pulling comps, they know what else is out there, and they're not overpaying.
If you're thinking about selling, the question I'd want to answer together isn't "what's my home worth?" It's "what price gets us the most money in the least time without leaving anything on the table?" Those aren't always the same number.
What buyers need to hear:
This is the most favorable buying environment we've had in St. Pete in three years. You have more inventory to choose from, more time to make decisions, and more room to negotiate, especially on homes that have been sitting. Flood zone, insurance, and carrying costs still need to be factored in carefully, but the urgency that was driving bad decisions in recent years has come down significantly.
If you've been on the sidelines waiting for things to "normalize," this is a reasonable time to re-enter the conversation.
My take:
The St. Pete market right now is functioning. Not overheated, not distressed. For buyers who are ready, it's a good window. For sellers who are patient and priced well, deals are still getting done.
Want to talk through what this means for your specific situation? Reach out. I'm happy to pull neighborhood-specific data or run comps on a property you're watching.
Written by
Alexis Kaplowitz
Realtor · Smith & Associates · St. Petersburg, FL