Navigating the South Florida Housing Market: Insights from Bobby Souza
The South Florida housing market is entering a new chapter in 2025. After years of explosive growth fueled by the pandemic, the region is being reshaped by economic shifts, regulatory pressures, and evolving consumer priorities. The market remains dynamic, but with a renewed focus on quality, sustainability, and long-term fundamentals.
With a strong background in tech and short-term rental management, Bobby Souza serves as Asset Manager at Gilberti Group, helping drive real estate strategy and operations. Drawing from hands-on experience in South Florida’s most active submarkets, Bobby brings a data-driven perspective on where the market stands—and where it’s headed.
A booming job market means growth, but post-COVID demand is still cooling
One of the most important tailwinds supporting the housing market is South Florida’s booming job sector. South Florida is projected to add 80,000 new jobs in 2025, a 2.4% employment increase that continues to draw new residents from across the country. Inbound migration from high-tax states like New York and California remains strong, particularly among high-earning buyers who are attracted to the luxury lifestyle South Florida offers. Median sales prices for single-family homes are expected to rise by 6.5%, with million-dollar properties in Miami-Dade County especially in demand.
Still, the market is adjusting from the exponential growth of the pandemic years. “The pandemic boom created an unnatural pace: people were buying like crazy, making offers over asking. That’s slowed down, but it doesn’t mean demand has disappeared,” says Souza.
Souza, who previously ran a short-term rental management business in high-volume markets like Miami Beach and the Disney corridor, sees today’s market as a natural correction. “Gone are the days when simply listing a property on Airbnb guaranteed results,” he says. “Now it’s about quality operations, strategic pricing, and understanding local demand.”
New regulations and market pressures
One of the biggest shifts impacting the region is unfolding in the condominium sector. New regulations introduced in the wake of structural safety concerns now require stricter financial reserves and mandatory building inspections. These changes are driving up ownership costs and creating hurdles for both buyers and existing condo owners. While these regulations are intended to increase safety and long-term building stability, they also add to the financial burden, particularly in older buildings.
Despite these challenges, inventory remains tight, especially in prime coastal markets such as Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami Beach. While new construction is underway, zoning limitations and high building costs are slowing supply-side relief. “Scarcity is propping up prices, even as higher interest rates have edged some buyers out of the market,” Souza notes.
Interest rates are among the most significant points of pressure in today’s housing landscape. “Buyers who could comfortably afford a $3M home in 2021 are now capped closer to $2.3M, purely due to rate-driven payment shifts,” says Souza. Still, serious buyers remain in the market, adapting with creative financing and more calculated negotiations.
Investors must stay agile and strategic
Institutional players that once dominated the South Florida boom are pulling back or pivoting strategies, especially in multifamily and short-term rental sectors. But smaller, more agile investment groups are finding opportunities in niche markets. “High-net-worth individuals are still targeting income-producing properties,” says Souza. “South Florida is still a safe long-term bet.”
Looking ahead, Souza sees future growth coming from multifamily developments and boutique hospitality projects, particularly in underserved areas. He points to infrastructure improvements and Miami’s emergence as a tech and finance hub as key growth drivers over the next decade.
“This is less about a bubble popping and more about a market finding its footing,” he says. “If you’re strategic and working with the right team, there’s opportunity everywhere.”
For investors eyeing South Florida in 2025, Souza’s message is clear: success won’t go to the boldest – it will go to those who execute precisely, stay disciplined, and align with experienced partners.