Sales volume this year is off to an even slower start than last year’s historic low, lagging an additional 31% below 2024. Despite this, average prices are holding steady. It’s still too soon to determine if this signals a broader trend. Similarly, while it’s premature to predict rental performance for 2025, there’s no indication of improvement compared to last year. Many associations have budgeted for increased overall expenses in 2025. Rising building costs were somewhat mitigated by a significant drop in insurance rates. Though insurance costs remain well above levels from five years ago, they are coming in lower than many associations had expected when planning their 2025 budgets.
Sales volume plummeted beginning in February 2024, leading to the onset of significant price drops by July. From the second to the fourth quarter, prices fell by 15%. The average yearly drop of 5% from 2023 to 2024 doesn't fully capture the depth of these price falls. Rental income decreased, while many associations saw a notable rise in condominium budget costs in 2024. In 2025 many associations are once again budgeted for higher overall expenses. Many buildings costs were partially offset in 2024 by a considerable reduction in insurance rates. Although insurance costs remain much higher than they were five years ago, they were lower than many associations had anticipated in their 2024 budgets.
The topic of association dues is often a contentious aspect of living in a Florida condo association. Owners frequently express their dislike for these dues, yet they are a crucial part of condo living. In Panama City Beach, Florida, condos are currently facing financial challenges. These include rising insurance costs, new structural mandates, and the effects of inflation. The financial management of these buildings varies; some have a better grasp on their financials than others.
Some buildings and floor plans have remained stable, showing no signs of pricing stress or reduction. Other buildings are experiencing a significant price drop, with values falling back to 2021 levels. The average price per square foot tries to balance a very segmented market, but it can be misleading. Here are a few examples:
Shores of Panama is selling at $400 per square foot
Market downturns are characterized by a significant decline in property values, often exceeding a 20% drop from peak prices within a year. In Panama City Beach, a handful of condominium buildings have experienced such downturns, primarily because of a series of questionable decisions made by their associations in previous years that are now impacting those particular properties. The Shores of Panama stands out as a notable example, with several articles highlighting ongoing issues for over five years.