Ocala pending home sales jump 5.6%

New pending single-family home sales in Ocala and Marion County climbed 5.6% in September to reach 695.

The figure marks a clear uptick in buyer activity compared to the same month in 2025. This increase occurred while the total number of closed sales slipped slightly. The market showed a shift toward faster transactions and lower pricing during the period.

Jeanne Ritt, the 2026 president of the Ocala Marion County Association of Realtors, pointed to the data in a news release. She noted that the rise in pending sales indicates buyers are still making decisions. Ritt emphasized that local market knowledge is vital because prices vary by neighborhood and property type. She stated, 'September’s numbers show a market that continues to adjust, but there are encouraging signs in buyer activity.'

Closed sales in September totaled 646, a 1.4% drop from 655 a year earlier. The median sale price decreased by 1.7% to $289,900. The average sale price fell more sharply, dropping 12.3% to $338,271. Total dollar volume for the month declined 13.5% to $218.5 million.

Time on the market shortened for both pending and closed deals. Homes that went under contract in September spent a median of 67 days on the market, down from 71 days in the previous year. The median time from listing to closing also improved, falling from 111 days to 103 days. Sellers captured a median 95.7% of their original list price, a slight gain from 94.9% in the prior year.

Inventory levels tightened at the end of the month. Active single-family listings numbered 3,292, which is 9.6% fewer than the 3,642 available a year ago. New listings totaled 871, representing a 4.8% decrease. The months' supply of inventory dropped from 5.6 to 4.8 months.

Year-to-date figures show a positive trend despite the September dip in closed deals. Closed sales reached 6,216 through the end of September, an increase of 2.7% compared to the same period in 2025. New pending sales for the year are up 4.1%.

Ritt advised that buyers might find opportunities in the modestly lower median price, but they face fewer available listings. She noted that realistic pricing and thoughtful preparation remain critical for sellers. A Realtor can help both sides understand what these numbers mean for a specific home and community.