Jaimee and I recently attended an exclusive luxury real estate panel at The Delmore, Surfside’s newest planned oceanfront residential tower, where some of the most influential voices in South Florida real estate shared their insights on our evolving market. The event, moderated by Israel Kreps, Founder and CEO of Kreps Public Relations & Marketing, featured industry leaders Jay Phillip Parker, CEO of Douglas Elliman Florida; Ana Bozovic, Founder and CEO of Analytics Miami; and Craig Studnicky, Founder and CEO of ISG World.
Together they offered a data-driven look at how the South Florida real estate market continues to outperform expectations and reshape the definition of luxury living, regardless of what some headlines may suggest.
Miami’s Market Momentum: A New Reality
One of the strongest themes from the conversation was the resilience and continued acceleration of the Miami-Dade resale market.
Based on data shared by Ana Bozovic, luxury single-family home sales above $3,000 per square foot have surged 3,300% since 2018. At the same time condo sales above $5,000 per square foot have increased by more than 500%. Just as important, 82–88% of these transactions are cash purchases, highlighting the influence of affluent, liquidity-rich buyers who are largely insulated from interest rate fluctuations.
This is more than simple growth. It reflects a fundamental shift in Miami’s buyer profile toward ultra-wealthy domestic and international clients who see South Florida as both a premier lifestyle destination and a long-term wealth preservation market.
Record-Breaking Years For Luxury Condos
Craig Studnicky underscored how powerful this shift has become. From January through September 2025 there were 609 condo sales above $3 million across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, nearly double the 330 sales recorded during the same period in 2024.
The ultra-luxury segment is seeing similar strength. The number of condo sales above $10 million nearly doubled from 36 in 2024 to 71 in 2025, signaling sustained demand at the very top of the market.
Even as transaction volume rises, inventory at the high end is tightening. Active listings for condos above $10 million across the tri-county area dropped from 284 in October 2024 to just 104 one year later. That level of scarcity is a defining feature of today’s luxury market.
The South Florida Lifestyle Still Leads
Behind the numbers is a powerful lifestyle story. Florida’s population boom remains one of the primary drivers of demand. Data presented at the panel showed that 2025 is on pace to set a new record for daily population growth, with more than 1,350 new residents moving to Florida each day.
This steady inflow of new residents, combined with ongoing wealth migration from the Northeast, California and international hubs, continues to support demand for high-end residences in Miami, Palm Beach and key coastal communities throughout South Florida.
Pre-Construction Trends And Oceanfront Dominance
The panel also examined the pre-construction landscape, where the numbers tell another compelling chapter of the story.
As of mid-2025 nearly 29,000 new condo units are in development across South Florida, with approximately 88% located in non-oceanfront areas. This reflects the rising demand for urban luxury living in neighborhoods like Brickell, Edgewater and Downtown Miami, where walkability, dining and cultural amenities play a major role in buyer decisions.
Oceanfront, however, remains in a category of its own. Roughly 12% of the new development pipeline is oceanfront, yet these projects — primarily in Miami Beach, Surfside and Bal Harbour — account for more than 50% of total sales volume. Their appeal lies in a combination of exclusivity, world-class architecture and direct-water access that continues to command a premium.
Global Events Set To Fuel The Next Chapter
Looking ahead the panelists pointed to several major global events that will once again place Miami at the center of the world stage. In 2026 the city will host both the FIFA World Cup and the G20 Summit, bringing an unprecedented level of global visibility, tourism and investment to the region.
These events are expected to reinforce Miami’s status as an international hub and further stimulate demand from global buyers who want to establish or expand their footprint in South Florida.
Final Thoughts: Miami Luxury Has Arrived
As Israel Kreps guided the discussion one core message emerged: Miami is no longer an “emerging” luxury market. It has fully arrived as a global capital of wealth, innovation and design.
From record-breaking sales and sustained population growth to sophisticated urban developments and rare oceanfront product, South Florida continues to evolve at a remarkable pace. The insights and data shared at The Delmore made it clear that our market is now defined by scarcity, strength and enduring international appeal.
For me, attending this event was a powerful reminder that Miami’s success is driven not only by impressive statistics, but also by the people, passion and vision behind every project and transaction. As 2026 approaches the world will be watching what we have created along this stretch of coastline.
If you would like to learn more about Miami and the surrounding beaches or explore opportunities in our luxury market, please feel free to contact me directly at 786.566.1700 or michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
