Treasure Coast Insider

These are Treasure Ships that sunk off our beautiful coastline. The Treasure Coast is aptly named after Riviera Beach north of Sebastian. Do you remember when Mel Fischer found the Atocha near the Keys? The Atocha was built in Havana, Cuba, bound for Spain with precious cargo. Columbian emeralds, gold, silver, and coins. Of 28 ships, eight were lost. The Atocha was one of them. 

Spain sent convoys to search the area. Can you imagine 1622 trying to find sunken ships? No GPS and the maps, well, I'm not good at using a sextant! Fisher spent 16 years looking for the vessel before discovering its burial place just 86 miles from Cuba in 1985. Mel passed away in 1998. His Treasure Museum is at 1322 U.S. Highway 1, Sebastian, Florida.

It houses exhibits on archaeology and the 1715 Spanish treasure fleet. Taffi Fisher, Mel Fisher's daughter, opened the museum in December 1992 in an old abandoned fire station after renovating the building. The artifacts are unique. Feeling like a time capsule guest, it propels the mind back to a different time in history. That's why our area is called the Treasure Coast. The Treasure Coast is a massive graveyard of sunken treasure ships from centuries ago. 

Mona Leonard - Treasure Coast Insider Blogger 772-530-6131

Stuart area festivals and art shows are in full swing during the "season." All along the Treasure Coast, there's something for every attendee. The beautiful surroundings and weather make for a great day, whether it's jewelry, paintings, woodworking, sculpture, or clothing. Check out these Stuart area festivals and art shows. 

Downtown Stuart Art Festival 

As a personal favorite, the Annual Downtown Stuart Art Festival offers a large variety of art and attracts artists from all over the country. This February event on East Ocean Blvd typically benefits from beautiful temperatures and sunshine. With Memorial Park and its lovely grounds as a backdrop and free admission, it's an excellent opportunity to see (and perhaps buy) some fantastic art and jewelry. This February event has free access.

Hobe Sound Art Festival 

When I moved to Martin County at 20, Hobe Sound was my first choice. It's quieter than Stuart or other cities and towns to the north. It's much less traveled than south of Hobe Sound on the Treasure Coast.

The first home I built was in the Soundings in Hobe Sound. The "wet side" was not entirely built out, so I was fortunate to buy a canal-front lot on Hawksbill Way. We built the house in 1987. 

Hobe Sound Art Festival is a top-quality show and runs a quarter mile near the tracks on A1A. Beautiful Jupiter Island is just east of the famous Banyan trees on Bridge Rd, a stone's throw from the festival. After the festival, enjoy a relaxing day at Hobe Sound Beach or a drive along the famous coastline. Home to golfers Tiger Woods and Greg Norman, Jupiter Island's private industry along A1A is breathtaking. Blowing Rocks Preserve is toward the south end and is an excellent place for photos or a walk. It's easy to make a day of it with the festival and a drive. This February event has free admission.

Under The Oaks, Vero Beach

A personal favorite is Under The Oaks in Vero Beach. World-class artists with unique, high-quality pieces among substantial live oak trees in Riverside Park on Vero's barrier island (Orchid Island). This March event is a stage set for success. Advance tickets are $10, $15 at the door. Children under ten enter free.

Sunfest Music Festival, West Palm Beach

Held rain or shine, Sunfest Music Festival along the Intracoastal waterway in West Palm Beach draws 150,000+ people annually. This family-friendly four-day event has tickets for $152 for a single day. Previous performers have included Keith Urban, Earth, Wind and Fire, and Tears For Fears. The schedule is packed with back-to-back performances for hours and days! 

Sunfest is typically held in late April. Along Flagler, between Banyan Blvd and Lakeview Ave., you'll enjoy food and wine pairing events, floating bars, the battle of the bands, a 5k event, and plenty of shopping. Fireworks are on the agenda too. 

Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival 

The Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival has become a local tradition with live entertainment, art, and scheduled events. Named for the pineapple plantations that covered the landscape 100 years ago, there's fun for everyone. This 30+-year-old November event has concerts, arts and crafts, street performers, bands, and a midway. A delegation from the island of Eleuthera, Bahamas, brings the heart-pounding sounds of Junkanoo to the festival.

Several other Stuart area festivals and art shows take place in this idyllic location, including ArtsFest. This festival is located in Memorial Park and boasts culinary delights and beautiful fine art. This well-attended event began in 1988 and has grown each year. Art in the Park, a November event, is another excellent fine art show. Admission for either is $10.

Okeechobee Speckled Perch Festival

The Speckled Perch Festival and Parade is one of my favorites. If you are Southern cooking, this is a fun and delicious way to spend a day. This March event has lots to see, including beautiful beading, leatherwork, and more. The speckled perch is outstanding, and you better get there early because they've been known to run out.  

This event dates back to 1965 and honors the fishing industry for the livelihoods it provided. It's in Flagler Park, and you can almost feel the history. Check it out easy day trip from anywhere on the Treasure Coast.

Top of the Lake Art Fest

Top of the Lake Art Fest hosts some fantastic artisans. The quality of the work will keep you craning into each booth. This juried event has some natural talent. Usually, this is a February art festival. 

Contact Mona Leonard, your Treasure Coast Insider blogger, to learn about Stuart area festivals and art shows. She can be reached at 772-53-6131.

Many Stuart area theatres and playhouses have a long and exciting history. Each is unique in its feel, intimacy, acoustics, and services. Below are several Stuart area theatres and playhouses.

The Lyric Theatre

Stuart offers plenty of plays and entertainment at the Lyric Theatre located downtown. Drawing top performers and musicians, this historic theatre is loved by many Martin County residents. The theatre also offers free movies in the summer.  

Sunrise Theatre

The oldest of the Stuart area theatres and playhouses is the historic Sunrise Theatre at 117 S Second St in Ft. Pierce; this Mediterranean Revival Style theatre was built in 1923 and is the largest theater on Florida's East Coast between Miami and Jacksonville. The first movie shown was Charlie Chaplin's silent 1923 hit "Vagabond." After renovations by the St. Lucie Preservation Association in 1997, the theater hosts outstanding performers and musicians. 

Barn Theatre

Similarly, the Barn Theatre on East Ocean in Stuart is smaller than the Lyric Theatre and the Sunrise Theatre in Ft. Pierce. Its intimate theater of just 169 seats makes it cozy and more interactive. You'll see lots of local talent and some cleverly chosen plays. 

Pineapple Playhouse

The Pineapple Playhouse is in an unsuspecting location on Weatherbee Rd in Ft. Pierce. The Pineapple Playhouse has ample parking, great plays, and a more intimate experience (100 seats) than larger playhouses. A playhouse tradition, meeting the cast after the show is a true delight. You may get hooked on a more interactive experience at the Pineapple Playhouse than other playhouses.

Maltz Jupiter Theatre

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre, once owned by Burt Reynolds, draws from talent worldwide. Famous for its events the Maltz Jupiter Theatre is well-loved by many local patrons. Located in the hustling entertainment district of Jupiter, it's sure to wow you.

Kravis Center

Located in West Palm Beach, the Kravis Center is a more regional theatre experience. This beautiful venue draws performers from across the globe. This theatre attracts the best in music, comedy, plays, and other performances. It can also be reserved for graduations and other activities. You won't want to miss The Nutcracker during the holidays. It's a delight for all fortunate enough to attend this annual tradition. 

Area Movie Theaters

The Regency 8 Theater in Stuart has many recently released movies. Many restaurants close by give a new meaning to date night. Located in the Treasure Coast Mall, the Regal Treasure Coast Mall boasts 16 theaters and amazing recliners, so you can kick back and watch the show. 

Contact Mona Leonard, your trusted Treasure Coast Insider blogger, for more information about Stuart area theatres and playhouses.

Stuart area dog-friendly parks are all around if you know where to look. With lots of space to enjoy our beautiful area, these parks are close by with easy access. Whether you want to head to the beach or stroll through our beautiful savannas, this Stuart area's dog-friendly parks are enjoyable for the entire family.

Shepard Park, Stuart

Enjoy this family pet-friendly park in downtown Stuart on the south fork of the St. Lucie River. With a boat launch, grills, and fun for the whole family, it's an accessible, convenient location for a few minutes of peace or an afternoon on the water. It's a favorite just a few blocks south of the Roosevelt Bridge on Federal Hwy. Park typically closes at 10 pm.

Flagler Park, Stuart

Dog parks in Stuart, FL, include nearby Flagler Park. It's just a two-minute walk from downtown Stuart, watering holes, marinas, great food, and entertainment. This pretty green space expanse has a full schedule of activities and can accommodate hundreds of people (and dogs). Right at the north and south forks of the St. Lucie River, it's a beautiful downtown waterside park.

Haney Creek Dog Park, Stuart

Want a park you can exercise while walking your best friend? To keep you both in shape, Haney Creek Dog Park is a great place to stretch it out. A beautiful green space with room to roam, the park is conveniently located just north of the Roosevelt Bridge along Green River Parkway and Baker Rd. This park is for all dogs that like to run.

Walton Rocks Beach Dog Park, Jensen Beach

Another Stuart area dog-friendly park is this off-leash dog park on the Atlantic in Jensen Beach. It has 24 unspoiled acres of fun. With picnic tables, pavilions, and bathrooms, it's a great getaway from the bustle of in-town parks. For the Lab lover in all of us, it's a perfect spot for retrievers that love the water. Bring the family for a day of sunshine, swimming, and fun. Hours are subject to change. Closes at 6 pm.

Savannas Preserve State Park-Hawk's Bluff Trail, Jensen Beach

Just north of the Jensen Beach Causeway, this dog-friendly park is perfect for picnicking, fishing, trails, canoeing, and lots more. The course is a loop of just under a mile, and the scenery is unbeatable as you wander through the "old Florida" savannas. Savannas Preserve State Park is another favorite where wildlife and water birds abound. 

Peck Lake Park, Hobe Sound

Peck Lake Park is a little-known secret in Hobe Sound off Gomez Ave. With a spectacular boardwalk to the Intracoastal Waterway, it's sure to appeal to the most curious of our canine buddies. This gem is peaceful for a quieter approach to taking your dog to the park, and the views of the Intracoastal Waterway are beautiful. 

Jupiter Off-Leash Dog Beach, Jupiter

Just north of Juno Beach, Jupiter Off-Leash Dog Beach is a great place to spend the day or for a quick exercise. With beautiful blue-green Atlantic Ocean water, it's a place to unwind and let your pet have a blast. This dog beach is one of the prettiest beaches around. In northern Palm Beach County, there are lots to enjoy afterward at some of the dog-friendly waterfront restaurants in the area. 

Lyngate Park and Dog Park, Port St. Lucie

Lyngate Park and Dog Park offer three excellent choices with mazes, water stations, and waste bags for the best variety of dog areas. Just off US1 in Port St. Lucie, there are plenty of places to sit while your dog explores. You'll leave smiling when your "best friend" is exhausted and ready to go home.

For more information about Stuart area dog-friendly parks, contact Mona Leonard, your Treasure Coast Insider blogger, at 772-530-6131. 

Many great Stuart, FL, area parks throughout the Treasure Coast. This shortlist is based on a lifetime of living here and enjoying all that Stuart, FL, area parks can offer. With each unique property comes a variety of amenities to enjoy. The abundant wildlife along the Treasure Coast calls many of these parks home. These beautiful Stuart, FL, area parks include state parks, preserves, and wildlife areas. 

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

This personal favorite for a large park comes from years of enjoying the amenities and the thrilling, unexpected encounters. On a hike in the late eighties, in the mangroves in the park, I saw the largest diamondback rattler I've ever seen, before or since. It was as big around as a tin can. On another occasion, I watched a little four-foot alligator mosey across the park road. He was in no hurry.

Deer, wild hog, raccoons, an occasional bobcat, and all sorts of birds, including Bald Eagles, are within the site if you're lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Plenty of areas in the park are not visited by wildlife due to the number of humans in those concentrated areas. So, if you're faint of heart, take heart. It's safe if you don't wander too far.

With habitats including sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, mangroves, and river swamps, this one's straight out of a 1940s movie of a tropical jungle and has plenty of scrub area to view from the observation tower. There are canoes to rent to take down the Loxahatchee River, and the park is well known for its Camp Murphy Mountain Bike Trails.

In the 1930s, Trapper Nelson homesteaded on the banks of the Loxahatchee River. He trapped and sold furs and became known as The Wildman of the Loxahatchee. After he died in 1968, the state acquired the land, and in 1942, the park became a radar training camp during WWII.

Like many Stuart, FL, area parks, I enjoy cabins, fishing, kayaking, horse trails, swimming, and camping. With picnic tables and bathrooms, the park is a terrific stop for the day, a nice weekend getaway, or staying as long as you wish. Entry is $6 per vehicle.

St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park

At the mouth of the St. Lucie Inlet lies one of Martin County's most beautiful places to enjoy riverfront views and nature. The park is accessible by boat and is situated at the northern end of spectacular Jupiter Island, home to the rich and famous. You'd never know it from the park. The lush flora includes hammocks of live oaks, cabbage palms, mangrove forests, and even wild lime. 

This Florida state preserve has a pristine beach on the Atlantic Ocean and a boardwalk from the docks to take you there. Summertime brings egg-laden loggerhead, green, and leatherback turtles to lay their eggs and awaits the miracle just a few weeks later. Some environmental groups have expeditions to watch this miraculous event occur safely.

Visitors come to swim, sunbathe, or picnic at the pavilion on the quiet beach. Others make the trip for excellent surf fishing. Snorkeling and scuba diving. The unmolested park is a favorite for students because of the native fauna and flora typical for a Florida barrier island. 

Hours are from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. Fees are $3 per boat. Please use the honor box to pay fees. Correct change is required. For more info, call 772-219-1880

Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park

The quiet and seclusion of this scenic area attract locals and visitors alike. These sloping wetlands offer a peaceful retreat from the world, yet it's minutes from Stuart's city center. Sabal palms are abundant (our state tree), live oak hammocks, and wild coffee (easy-to-grow native flora). The 4,886-acre preserve is located between U.S. 1 (Federal Highway) and the South Fork of the St. Lucie River. The preserve gently slopes toward the St. Lucie River, changing from a hydric hammock to wet flatwood and wet prairie.

The land changes from hydric hammock to wet flatwoods and wet prairie as it slopes toward the river, away from U.S. Other native flora includes saw palmetto and wax myrtle. The species of birds are numerous, and you'll often see Great Blue herons, various egrets, Sandhill cranes, wood storks, red-shouldered hawks, and bald eagles.

Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park has limited access. Contact Jonathan Dickinson State Park at 772-546-2771 for the gate code. The Florida Park Service is working to allow more visitors and programming in the future. Atlantic Ridge Preserve is at the terminus of Southeast Paulson Avenue in Stuart, Martin County.

Hours are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., 365 days a year. Call Jonathan Dickinson State Park at 772-546-2771 for the gate code. Fees are $6 per vehicle (2 to 8 people), $4 for single-occupant, and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. Please use the honor box to pay fees. Correct change is required.

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park

Parks near Stuart, FL, include this spectacular half-mile beach. It's great for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing. It's the perfect spot for every beachgoer to catch some rays, relax, picnic, or walk the beach.

The Navy Frogmen trained at Dynamite Point during WWII. Now, it's a fantastic bird sanctuary and will awe any bird-watcher. The park's south end is ideal for anglers looking to bring dinner home. With delicious saltwater fish in abundance, it's a favorite pastime on the Treasure Coast. 

Jack Island Preserve, just a mile north of the park, has bike and walking trails for hiking for nature study. Visitors can climb an observation tower at the west end of the Marsh Rabbit Run Trail for a bird's-eye-view of the Indian River and Hutchinson Island. 

Hours are from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. Fees are $6 per vehicle. Call 772-468-3985

Savannas Preserve State Park 

One of my favorite Stuart, Fl area parks is The Savannas, as we call it. The park's scenic landscapes represent what the first pioneers would have seen in the area. Before the site grew, this basin marsh extended throughout South Florida.

Pavilions and picnic tables are available near the center and at trailheads throughout the park. Canoeing, kayaking, and fishing in the wetlands are popular recreational activities. Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts enjoy the habitat diversity this undisturbed area affords. 

The park boasts over 15 miles of multi-use trails providing ample hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding opportunities. Canoe trips and scheduled guided walks are available by reservation.

Hours are from 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year. Fees are $3 per vehicle. Use the honor box if the correct change is required. The location is 2541 S.E. Walton Road, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952. Call 772-398-277

Blowing Rocks Preserve

With over 60,000 annual visitors, this pristine preserve is the most visited site of the Nature Conservancy's 400 preserves in the United States. The main attraction is the mile-long rock formation separating the sand from the sea. During high tide and a choppy sea, plumes of water shoot 50 feet in the air through the rocks. At low tide, comb the shoreline for shells, fossils, and great photos.

Much of Florida was formed on limestone. This preserve is part of the Anastasia Formation of limestone, and it's unusual because of the exposure of the formation here. The rock was formed over 2.5 million years ago when Florida's sea levels were much higher. As coral reefs break down over millennia, carbonate rock (limestone) forms. This is the foundation for much of Florida. 

These limestone formations are made from quartz and carbonate rock called coquina. It's shell upon shell compressed together over time. This type of rock is only found on Florida's east coast, and Blowing Rocks are one of the few places visible for us to enjoy.

An Ecological Treasure

The preserve extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian River with over 250 native plant species, including hardwoods, sea oats, gumbo limbo, and a mangrove swamp. A 20-year period of removing invasive plants has yielded a flourishing, biodiverse habitat. In addition to wildlife, four sea turtle species return year after year, creating over 600 turtle clutches with an average of 100 eggs per clutch. Fact: Female turtles visit the shore several times a season to lay more eggs.

During the season, adult and baby turtles can get trapped in craggy rock formations. The Nature Conservancy manages the Florida Sea Turtle Rescue Program, and every morning during nesting season, volunteers and staff search for turtles trapped in the rock formations to release them into the ocean.

Avalon State Park

Avalon has more than a mile of increasingly rare undeveloped beachfront. Dune crossovers protect the fragile ecosystem, and the park is ideal for swimmers, snorkelers, fishermen, and sunbathers. Swimmers and snorkelers are advised to be cautious of underwater obstacles left behind by amphibious warfare exercises during World War II. Visitors can enjoy a meal at sheltered picnic tables overlooking the beach. Launch a canoe or kayak. No lifeguards on duty. 

Fishing here proves abundant with Snook, Red/Black Drum, Bluefish, Pompano, and Whiting. A fishing license may be required. All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture, and season. 

This Stuart, FL, area park offers four medium-sized pavilions with barbecue grills off the main parking area. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Electric and water are not available. Two public showers are located in front of the restroom to rinse off at the end of the day and hop in your car.

Snorkeling is a popular recreational activity, weather permitting. Snorkelers can enjoy the beautiful sea life; most of the time, the water is as crystal clear as the Bahamas. No lifeguards are on duty, so be careful, especially around the concrete and steel structures created for WWII training. 

Hours are from 8:00 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. Fees are $2.00 per vehicle. Please use the honor box to pay fees. Correct change is required. Limit eight people per vehicle. Call (772) 468-3985

DuPuis Wildlife and Environmental Area

John G. and Susan H. DuPuis, Jr. Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA) consists of nearly 22,000 acres in Palm Beach and Martin counties and adjoins the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area to the east. Initially, the White Belt Ranch, a working livestock ranch, the area was once part of the Everglades ecosystem. Drainage changed the area's hydrology, and the South Florida Water Management District has restored portions by rehydrating the interior wetlands. 

With a Cyprus swamp, pinelands, and a freshwater marsh, there's something for every explorer. Only hunting is permitted during the season to quota hunt permit holders and through-hikers on the Ocean to Lake Trail. An official side trail of the Florida Scenic Trail. Turkey, hog, and deer are plentiful. There are 35 miles of hiking trails, and parking for hikers is at Gate 2.

An equestrian center at Gate 3 has horse barns, paddocks, campsites, restrooms with showers, a dump station, and a trailhead marking the beginning of 40 miles of equestrian trails. Children under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet when horseback riding on public lands. All horseback riders must have proof of negative Coggins Test results for their horses on state lands.

Designated campgrounds, as well as primitive campsites, are available along the Ocean to Lake Trail. River otters, feral hogs, coyotes, bald eagles, alligators, and white-tailed deer call this expansive preserve home.

Anyone camping on DuPuis (except hunters during the quota permit hunts) must obtain a Special Use License from the SFWMD in advance. Dogs must be leashed in this Stuart Fl area park.

John D MacArthur Beach State Park

Nestled on an Atlantic Ocean barrier island, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is the only state park in Palm Beach County. It is an environmental treasure preserved for present and future generations to experience.

With 1.6 miles of pristine beach, swimming, snorkeling, and much more, the possibilities for exploration and fun are endless! Visit the Nature Center and the Beach Outfitters Gift Shop. Discover the unique plants and animals in the estuary by standup paddleboard or kayak. Hiking trails and picnic pavilions are available. 

Take advantage of the yearly offerings: daily nature walks, recreational skills lessons, MacArthur Under Moonlight concerts, school programs, summer camp, and more. Open daily.

For more information about Stuart, FL, area parks, contact Treasure Coast Insider Blogger Mona Leonard at 772-530-6131

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has recently hin hinted at removing property taxes from the burgeoning cost of living for Florida residents. It would be a welcome relief to home ownership due to rising taxes and insurance, not to mention interest rates that doubled in a few months creating a situation ripe for shifting to a buyer's market. Seems like a pipe dream, but we can remain hopeful.

This month, each Treasure Coast County's stats are showing increased active inventory, longer days on market, and fewer closed sales. Palm Beach and St Lucie County median sale prices are flat with Indian River County losing 10% and Martin County home prices are up over 6%.

Here's Palm Beach County's numbers...

and St Lucie County...

while Indian River County single-family homes have dropped by 10% in median sale price. 

Martin County home values have risen by over 6% over the last year. 

Inventory has risen and demand in some areas is holding. With the huge rise in inventory on the market, it's taking longer to sell houses by more than two months compared to a year ago. The median percent of original list price averages 94% on the Treassure Coast. 

Understanding what's happening in the market helps you as a buyer or seller when considering transacting real estate. For a free consultation or details on your county, town, or neighborhood, visit monaleonard.com or call 772-530-6131.

In my April 2025 Market Update, I showed graphs of the four Treasure Coast Counties in Florida — Palm Beach, Martin, St Lucie and Indian River, from March of 2008 to this year, showing our market's temperment for higher interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty and inflation bringing the volume of sales down significantly from the Covid Era.

This month, let's look at some single family home numbers over the past year in Martin County and see where the market's headed. Closed Sales are down 15% from a year ago and Dollar Volume is down by 14%. Median Sale Price is down only 1.2% and New Listings are up 6.4%. Active inventory in Martin County is up 52% from a year ago which is filling the void created by the migration of buyers moving to Florida a few years ago.

Inventory has risen and demand, while properties are taking longer to sell, seems to be holding sale prices pretty steady. With the huge rise in inventory on the market, it's taking longer to sell houses by more than two months compared to a year ago. The median percent of original list price is about 93% which is where the market was prior to 2021.

Cash sales in Martin County are down from almost 61% to about 56% compared to a year ago. Median Time to Contract is only 37 days in Martin County, showing market influence on pricing. The outliers are sellers pricing high, then remaining on the market. Six months supply of inventory is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers in real estate.

Understanding what's happening in the market helps you as a buyer or seller when considering transacting real estate. For additional insights and info on other counties or cities, call, text or email or visit monaleonard.com/blog.

It seems the market for Real Estate is pretty edgy right now with buyers pulling back a bit and sellers still thinking it's 2021 in some areas. It makes for interesting results.

This first geographic area comparison is of all four counties of the Treasure Coast including Palm Beach, Martin, St Lucie and Indian River. You can see the patterns are very similar throughout most of this graph beginning in March of 2008 through March 2025. In 2008 in some instances the asking price and the actual selling price were almost 18% apart.

Right now, especially in Martin County you can see the median percent of original list price is down to 92.5% and while that's not terrible it is an indication sellers are wanting too much for their homes currently. It can be a mistake to overprice your home. Ask me how!

You can see during the Covid era beginning in early 2021 and lasting through much of 2022 these numbers jumped often above 100%, meaning properties were sold for above listing price. That all changed when interest rates shot up like a rocket and slowed buyers down considerably taking some completely out of the market.

In the second graph also going back to March of 2008 is the months supply of inventory for each of the Treasure Coast counties. During the last major downturn in real estate in 2008 you can see in some instances, properties were on the market up to 23 months before being sold. While right now it seems like houses are sitting much longer, on average, they're about where they were for Days on Market between 2013 and 2019.

It seems severe because it's been such a quick upward trend over the last year. Since perspective is everything that certainly is important and it doesn't necessarily mean the trend will continue up. Six months supply of inventory is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers. Hard to believe because perception is everything.

Understanding what's happening in the market helps you as a buyer or a seller when considering transacting real estate. For additional insights on these and other locations call text or email or visit monaleonard.com/blog.

In this month's market update the active inventory over a 7-year period shows some interesting findings. In Martin County in January of 2018 the county had about a thousand properties on the market and that fluctuated a little up and down until the spring of the covid era in which time it dropped rapidly and it's the same time that multiple offers and many sales above asking price occurred. Then as interest rates began to rise especially as rapidly as they Rose inventory began to climb in 2022 and is still below 2018 levels.

Palm Beach County showed active inventory at about 7,500 units each month and dropped but not as severely as other counties and it too is not back to pre-covid era levels. Active inventory is improving however.

St Lucie County's active inventory has been a little different and has a higher amount of inventory now than before the covid era. It's now in many areas considered a buyer's market.

This graph shows active inventory in Indian River County for the last 7 years. You can see back in 2018 they were at about 1500 units per month in the county and it rapidly dropped off during the covid years.

Closed sales in zip code 34996 that's Sewall's Point, and some of Hutchinson islandand Stuart, has been showing an increase in inventory since last July however it is still somewhat below the pre-pandemic years. 

Active inventory in Jensen Beach and zip code 34957 show it's up from prior to the covid. And close sales are pretty close to the same. The Jensen Beach areas inventory has climbed fairly steadily since the spring of 2022.

Hobe Sound and Jupiter Island Real Estate has shown growth and clothes sales and active inventory since last summer and are still below those figures in 2018. The trend there currently is up.

Palm City's inventory has grown by Leaps and Bounds and is holding its own while closed sales are still down slightly. 

Understanding what's happening in the market helps you as a buyer or a seller when considering transacting real estate. For additional insights call, text or email me. Have a great day.

2024 saw a shift in Florida real estate. With interest rates doubling over the last couple of years, buyers have snapped their purses shut and are much more "discerning" when evaluating buying properties. The inflated values and some panic buying of the Covid Era saw multiple offers on many homes. One was my client, selling a half-million-dollar property for 12% MORE THAN ASKING PRICE! Sellers were in control! Ah, the good ol' days for sellers.

Not so for the buyers at the time, but they didn't care because real estate was HOT. People from the Northeast and Western states of California, Oregon, and Washington also saw a mini-mass exodus to Florida and other states, offering more freedom and less taxation. No state income tax in Florida entices people and businesses from less endowed states. Real estate markets in most areas are normalizing to a balanced market of six months of "Days On Market" in Florida and many Florida counties.

With up to $521B in fraud, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and with receipts of proof presented by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, DOGE is actively working through the corruption and fraud at the Federal level. Did you know the witness responsible for finding waste in government under the Biden Admin happened to be BLIND? Do you suppose the Deep State of corruption in government was sending a message to US citizens? Like, you'll never "see" how clever we've been in laundering money, creating wars, trafficking humans, assassinating presidents, and inflating markets with money printing.

Corruption is bipartisan in America. Nancy Pelosi's Salary: $223k annual salary. Net Worth $202M Mitch McConnell $200k yearly salary. Net Worth $95M.

The talking points of Mainstream Media speak of a "crisis" in government. The only crisis is for those involved in the corruption, regardless of political persuasion. The American people HAVE stated a mandate, an edict, to right the wrongs and balance our checkbooks at the Federal level.

The system is broken. It happens. It has happened many times throughout history. This time MAY be different. No physical revolution or collapse of the currency, we may be watching exactly WHY our Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution as they did, with Freedom of Speech and Religion being #1 on Amendments, and the 2nd Amendment to protect the 1st!

With the experts chosen to lead this new administration uncovering the fraud, we all know the government has been stealing and is still stealing our money. I picture it as a terrible wound. We need to stop the bleeding and then repair the injury. Let's hope we can make government transparent and accountable. A system of money printing, then spending the paper money on an array of crimes against the Constitution, including laundering, will only destroy the people of the US in illegal spending. Inflation, which is caused by this money spending, is the silent tax and is cumulative. It never goes away! It must stop.

We may have already been in a recession for several years. In many cases, the books have been tainted for decades. Red Cross, Foreign Aid, USAID? Are we unhappy yet? It's about time Americans realize the continuation of the fraud will destroy us. Accountability is what Americans expect now. Drain the corruption and make the government efficient and transparent. Let the people govern, which was the original intent.

Here's my update from the National Association of Realtors for the Year 2024. The most striking info is the "Total Existing Home Sales" for the US. The overall number of sales in the US has gone from 6.5M in 2020 to 4.2M in 2024. That's a 35% reduction in overall sales from four years ago. Perhaps recessionary indicators for real estate that have been with us for years, supported by artificially low interest rates and inflated sale prices?

While this may seem negative, it's ok. We can all handle the truth! And we may already be through the worst of it. Recessions are called almost after the fact, and with fake numbers at the Federal level, it's a challenge to surmise. 

Call, text, IM, or email for insights about the market.