As Miami moves through 2026, the luxury real estate market is holding its ground. Sales activity remains steady while pricing has found a more disciplined balance, and buyer composition continues to reflect long-term confidence and not short-term speculation.
What stands out is that this steadiness shows up across different luxury price points and carries into the broader housing landscape. Buyers are committing capital with a clear sense of purpose. As this year unfolds, the market appears positioned to move forward with confidence and consistency.
What Is Driving Miami’s Luxury Real Estate Momentum in 2026?
Miami’s luxury market continues to show strength going into 2026. Sales remain consistent, and the buyer pool is broad. Interest isn’t concentrated in one segment, which helps the market hold up over time.
Sales activity at the $1 million–plus level continues to trend upward in Miami-Dade County, according to MIAMI REALTORS:
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Single-family homes priced at $1 million and above saw a 12% year-over-year increase in December 2025, rising from 208 to 233 closed sales
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Condominium sales at the $1 million–plus level also moved higher, increasing 2.45% year-over-year, from 163 to 167 transactions
These gains are notable because they occurred alongside a broader market that has normalized from the rapid pace of prior years, suggesting continued confidence among affluent buyers rather than short-term acceleration.
The ultra-luxury segment reinforces the market’s overall momentum. In 2025, South Florida recorded 361 home sales priced at $10 million and above, making it the second-highest year on record, behind only the exceptional activity seen in 2021. That works out to nearly one $10 million-plus sale per day, roughly double the volume recorded in 2020. This level of activity reflects continued demand from high-net-worth buyers, even as conditions in other markets have cooled.
Several factors support this momentum. Miami-Dade continues to benefit from population growth and wealth migration, particularly from higher-income households relocating from other major metro areas. International buyers also remain deeply involved, accounting for nearly half of new construction and pre-construction sales during the most recent reporting period, further diversifying demand.
This shift is also visible in inventory trends. By the end of 2025, the Miami metro edged past New York for the highest number of $1 million–plus listings in the country, reflecting how luxury supply is increasingly concentrated in Miami as buyer migration and second-home demand deepen the market.
Looking at the full picture, Miami’s luxury market isn’t being driven by short-term spikes. As 2026 unfolds, consistent high-end activity and a broad buyer base continue to support confidence.
“Miami has seen plenty of market cycles over the years. What’s consistent is that buyers continue to believe in the long-term value of Miami real estate. When you see strength across single-family homes, condominiums, and $1 million plus properties at the same time, that tells you the market is one that remains strong.”
— Mauricio Barba, Miami Signature Homes
Why Are Cash and International Buyers Still Dominating Miami Luxury Real Estate?
Cash and international buyers continue to play a leading role in Miami’s luxury market because the city sits at the crossroads of global capital, lifestyle-driven demand, and relative value on an international scale.
Miami consistently exceeds national averages for cash activity. In December 2025, cash sales represented 40% of all closed transactions, compared to roughly 27% nationwide, according to MIAMI REALTORS. Within the condominium market, cash participation was even higher, accounting for 50.9% of existing condo sales. This level of equity-driven buying reduces sensitivity to interest-rate changes and helps support pricing stability.
International demand remains a central component as well. Over an 18-month period ending in mid-2025, international buyers accounted for 49% of new construction, pre-construction, and condo conversion sales in South Florida. Buyers from 73 different countries were represented, reinforcing Miami’s role as a global real estate destination. Many of these purchases are second homes or long-term holds, with timelines less influenced by local employment cycles or seasonality.
Despite Miami’s growth and global profile, pricing remains competitive on an international basis. According to the 2025 Knight Frank Wealth Report, a $1 million budget buys approximately 58 square meters of prime residential property in Miami, significantly more than in many other global cities. This dynamic continues to attract buyers seeking both lifestyle alignment and long-term asset preservation.
This buyer composition adds durability to Miami’s luxury market. A strong presence of high-equity buyers helps the market stay steady through different cycles. Heading into 2026, cash and international buyers continue to play a stabilizing role.
How Do Lower Mortgage Rates Affect Miami Luxury Real Estate in 2026?
Mortgage rates began easing toward the end of 2025 following the Federal Reserve’s third rate cut in December. By that point, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.19%, down from levels above 7% earlier in the year. This change carries meaningful implications for participation in 2026.
Luxury buyers in South Florida remain largely equity- or cash-driven, but lower rates still matter. They expand the pool of qualified buyers, particularly among high-income purchasers who are financing selectively or considering leverage. Even cash buyers often factor in borrowing costs when evaluating timing and strategy.
This environment also supports move-up buyers and secondary luxury purchasers, including those transitioning from condominiums into single-family homes or acquiring additional residences. As financing becomes more favorable, flexibility increases, helping sustain transaction volume across upper-tier segments.
Looking ahead, easing rates are expected to increase competition for well-positioned properties, especially homes with strong fundamentals such as prime location, thoughtful design, and pricing aligned with current conditions. The result is a more engaged and confident buyer base moving into this year.
What This Momentum Signals for Luxury Buyers and Sellers in 2026
Current sales activity, buyer composition, and inventory levels point to a market operating from a position of strength as Miami moves deeper into 2026. Demand remains supported by cash and international buyers, while inventory, though improving, continues to sit below pre-pandemic levels.
Luxury real estate continues to anchor confidence across Miami’s broader housing market. Strength at the $1 million–plus and ultra-luxury tiers reinforces pricing stability and reflects sustained belief in Miami as a long-term destination for both capital and lifestyle.
Today’s luxury buyers are informed and prepared, willing to act when a property aligns with their criteria. Sellers, in turn, are pricing with greater realism, responding to current conditions rather than peak-cycle expectations. This environment favors preparation. Well-positioned, well-priced homes continue to attract serious buyers, with decisions grounded in clarity and long-term planning.
Miami’s Most Trusted Luxury Real Estate Agent
As Miami’s luxury market unfolds in 2026 from a position of strength, experience and perspective matter more than ever. Understanding where momentum is building and how to act on it thoughtfully is what separates confident decisions from reactive ones.
Mauricio Barba is trusted by clients who value discretion, clarity, and access beyond the public market. Mauricio and his team provide 24/7 white-glove service designed to protect both outcome and experience.
Private consultations by invitation only. To explore Miami’s luxury real estate opportunities, contact Mauricio at 305-439-8311.
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