Spring Thaw: St. Johns County Finds Firmer Footing in 2026

by Kevin Howard

After years of softening, March and April data point to the first genuine signs of stabilization — more sales, leaner inventory, and fewer price cuts heading into peak season.

The Big Picture

St. Johns County's housing market entered spring 2026 with something it hasn't had in a while: momentum. After several years of rising inventory, falling sales counts, and sellers steadily lowering prices to find buyers, March data finally broke the pattern in all three categories simultaneously — a combination not seen since the pandemic-era boom.

Home sales climbed to 714 in March 2026, up from 667 in the same month last year — the first year-over-year gain in March closings in five years. At the same time, active inventory fell to 2,236 listings, down from 2,786 a year earlier. And the share of listings with price reductions dropped sharply, from 33.4% to 24.4%. Taken together, these three signals suggest the market is finding firmer footing just as the spring buying season gets underway.

That said, perspective matters. This is not a return to the frenzied conditions of 2021 and 2022. Homes are still taking longer to sell — often 80 to 100 days on average — and median values have softened modestly year-over-year. But the direction of change has shifted, and that shift matters.

Looking Ahead

The spring and summer season of 2026 is shaping up to be the strongest window for measured optimism that the St. Johns County market has offered in several years. Inventory is slightly leaner, sales are ticking up, and the frantic overpricing of recent years has largely cleared. Buyers have more realistic choices; sellers have less competition from overpriced listings than a year ago.

Neither a boom nor a bust, this is a market where preparation, local knowledge, and precise pricing determine outcomes. The fundamentals that make St. Johns County exceptional — schools, location, lifestyle, population growth — remain firmly intact. If you're looking to buy or sell in St. Augustine this summer, reach out to schedule a free consultation with me.