Weekly Special | February 23, 2026

January Brings 5% Value Jump

After several months of cooling conditions, Leon County home values have shifted back into positive territory.

January posted a 5% year-over-year increase in home values, marking an important turning point for the local housing market. While that number alone may sound modest compared to the rapid gains seen during the pandemic surge, the direction of the change is what matters most.

For more than half of last year, values had dipped into negative territory. Now, the data shows appreciation again.

So what changed?

Two forces are working together.

First, available supply has tightened. Fewer homes are coming to market, and overall inventory remains below long-term norms. When buyers have fewer options, competition increases, even if demand is only moderate.

Second, interest rates have eased slightly compared to recent peaks. While borrowing costs are still elevated compared to the ultra-low rates of 2020 and 2021, even small improvements in affordability can give buyers enough flexibility to move forward.

The result is a market that feels more balanced than overheated, but firm enough to support rising values.

For homeowners, this shift reinforces the durability of long-term equity in Leon County. Despite rate volatility and national headlines predicting sharp corrections, local values have remained resilient.

For buyers, especially first-time buyers, the environment remains competitive in lower price ranges. Entry-level inventory continues to face structural supply limitations, which can amplify price pressure when demand improves even slightly.

Contact the Joe Manausa Team here

This issue went with a longer report on our blog: read the full blog post. The original one-page Weekly Special PDF is still available.