08/28/2026
Which Condo Claims The Title?
Now that the 2026 prime rental season is behind us, we can look back on this year and see which condo complexes lost the most value, and which ones heroicly defeated the odds and maintained (or even gained) value.
Let me preface this by saying that the condo market as a whole has seen values steadily decrease the last few years. It really irks me, but I am still hearing folks say that the condo market is crashing. To that I say, let's ignore the "fantastical over exaggerations" and focus on facts...
Simply put, a "crash" is a fast and dramatic downward change. Although many condo owners (like myself) have felt the impact of this recent downward trend, when we take the emotions out of it, what we are seeing is actually far from a crash. In fact, It is slow, it is steady, and it is predictable. It is nothing more than a stabilization.
If you look at the graphic, you can see what a true "crash" looks like when going back to the housing market bust in the early 2000's. Even with arguably the worst real estate crash the US has ever witnessed, it still only took about 7 years for our values to recover. "Why such a quick recovery" you might ask, and the answer is simple: Nothing is more resilient and has created more wealth for the average American than real estate.
Then we saw a reverse effect with values skyrocketing at unsustainable rates during COVID. Florida is the greatest state in our country, and since we were the only folks to remain open during the pandemic, the rest of the US wanted to be here. This drove prices to crazy historic highs at a lighting fast speed! 🌴
And as the world slowly returned to normalcy (whatever that even means anymore), prices slowly did the same. 💸
To add insult to injury, Florida implemented new condo safety laws over the last few years, which resulted in a rush for folks to sell off condos in attempts to avoid potential special assessments. Although the laws will have a positive end result by making sure condo complexes are safer and financially managed better moving forward, the short term impact resulted in high inventories of condos for sale, high times on market, and with all the competition to sell, lower values.
You know me, and you know that for honest folks, words kind of matter - so thanks for letting me clear that up! 😇
2024 saw an average 7% decrease in values
2025 saw an average 6% decrease in values
2026 has seen a steady 6% decrease in values - BUT that trend appears to be slowing over the last few months. In fact, July and August showed back to back INCREASES in value. It is critical to note two important facts: (1) This is the first time that we have had back to back monthly increases in value since spring of 2025, and (2) August values are the highest we have seen in almost a year.
I am not saying that the decline is over, but the data gives me hope that the end might be in sight!
And without further ado, let's get right to why you are probably here - to figure out who is crushing it, and who doesn't even get a participation trophy... 🏆
THE CHAMPS!!!
These complexes not only beat the market, some of them actually saw their values increase, which has been unheard of in the Condo Market lately!!! 😎
Regency +4%
Treasure Island +3% (Trending up STRONG! this year)
Ocean Ritz +2%
Portside +2%
Edgewater Towers +1%
Top of the Gulf +1%
Sugar Beach 0%
Moondrifter 0%
Summit -1%
Edgewater Villas -2% (Great rebound, lost 19% value last year)
Sunrise Beach -3% (Values have been going up in 2026)
Fontainebleau -4%
Tidewater -5% (Values are Trending up STRONG the last few months)
MARKET AVERAGE -6%
BLESS YOUR HEART - YOU TRIED
And these are the poor souls that got picked last for their team in gym class... Ouch! 😢
Sunbird -6% (Values were stable until Summer)
Gulf Highlands -7%
Endless Summer -7%
Calypso -7%
Saint Thomas Square -8% (Only 2 have sold this year)
LTW -10% (Values have been slowly going up the last few months)
Seychelles -10% (Only 1 sold this year, and it went for a discount)
Wendwood -12% (Only 2 sold this year)
Tropics Winds -19% (See note below)
HONORABLE MENTIONS: 🧐
Worst to "Almost" First - Edgewater Villas and Fontainebleau were some of the hardest hit communities when it comes to losing value last year. 2026 has been incredibly kind to both of them, going from some of the worst impacted on the beach, to actually outperforming the market average. Well done!!!💪
First to Worst - Tropic Winds is perhaps the biggest loser on the beach so far this year. Last year it only had 2 units sell, and they remained very stable on pricing. This year we have seen 6 units sell, and they have averaged a 19% reduction in value. The pain is real for what is otherwise a great building (IMO)! 🤕
And that's that. The data pulled directly from the MLS has spoken, and it is critical that folks understand that not all complexes are created equal (and neither are all Realtors)!
There are clear winners and losers - and people deserve to know the Truth!!!
