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Post-Thanksgiving Buzz: What Experts Say to Watch for Heading into 2026

Post-Thanksgiving Buzz: What Experts Say to Watch for Heading into 2026

Find out why one economist predicts a 14% nationwide increase in home sales next year, how our market's doing, and what's happening on the Island during the holidays

Edward Karas
November 30, 2025

Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with good food and great company. 🦃

As we move from the holiday weekend into the festive season, Marco Island is bustling with activity! Let's take a moment to unwind and catch up on what's happening around town, see how the market’s doing, and look at some national trends to keep an eye on heading into 2026—it’s just around the corner, after all.

MARCO ISLAND NEWS

Marco Island Farmers Market Resumes: “The 2025-2026 season will resume every Wednesday starting on November 12, 2025, and end on April 15, 2026, at Veterans Community Park!”

🎄12th Annual Festival of Trees: “Marco Island Center for the Arts is inviting artists, creatives, families, businesses and organizations — everyone — to help “spread holiday cheer” and participate in the 12th Annual Festival of Trees, Dec. 2-5. Tree installation takes place on Dec. 1, with the festival and silent auction running from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Dec. 2-4. The auction closes at 4 p.m., Dec. 4, and trees must be picked up on Dec. 5. Visitors are invited to stroll through the festive gallery, vote for their favorite tree, and bid in the silent auction. Proceeds are shared between the decorator and Marco Island Center for the Arts or may be designated as full donation to support the nonprofit’s mission. For details or to register, visit marcoislandart.org or call 239-394-4221.”

Marco Island Designated as a Florida Trail Town: "Marco Island received the official designation as a Florida Trail Town! A ‘Trail Town’ in Florida is a community located along or in proximity to one or more long distance non-motorized recreational trails. The town is a safe place where both town residents and trail users can walk, bike, jog etc., find the goods and services they need, and easily access both the trail and the town. In such a town, the trail is an integral and important part of the community.”

📊 The Marco Island Market Summary

Months of Inventory: 7.44 (↓ 2.87%)
Sold to List Price Ratio: 93.2% (↑ 1.07%)
Days on Market: 101 (↑ 8.6%)
Median Sold Price: $947,500 (↓ 13.86%)

Buyers Reemerge: Lower Mortgage Rates Lift Fall Home Sales

“Buyers are stepping back in as mortgage rates drop—nudging home sales higher, according to new data from the National Association of REALTORS®.

Despite the record-breaking 43-day government shutdown, the housing market didn’t stall last month. Existing-home sales eked out a 1.2% increase, the National Association of REALTORS® reported Thursday. That momentum is likely to carry into 2026, especially as mortgage rates are predicted to become less of a barrier for buyers.”

Housing Market Set for a 2026 Comeback, NAR Predicts

Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®, is forecasting a 14% nationwide increase with home sales for 2026, following 2025’s stagnating levels. New-home sales are also projected to rise 5% next year.

“Next year is really the year that we will see a measurable increase in sales,” Yun told attendees Friday at the Residential Economic Issues and Trends Forum during NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience, in Houston.

“Mortgage applications have been consistently above last year, implying that people’s desire to enter the market has been consistently positive,” Yun said. In the latest week, mortgage applications for home purchases surged 31% higher compared to a year ago, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported.

Whether you're wondering if now's the right time to buy or sell, curious about your home's current value in this market, or just want to talk through what’s best for your situation, I'm here to help.

I love talking real estate (it's kind of my thing!), and I'm always happy to share what I'm seeing here on Marco Island. Reply to this email or call me at (239) 388-7715 and let's connect.

Take care and enjoy the holiday season,

Edward Karas
REALTOR® | PSA | RSPS | C2EX
Premiere Plus Realty
(239) 388-7715 | [email protected]

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