New Homes Sitting Longer in Niceville and Fort Walton Beach: What Buyers Need to Know
New Home Inventory Up Across the Country and in Our Local Area
Are you looking for a brand new home in Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, Shalimar, or Crestview? There are more choices now than in recent years! New homes are taking longer to sell across the country, and our local area is seeing similar trends.
National New Home Inventory Reaches 15-Year High
The number of unsold new homes across America has been growing. In January 2025, there were 115,000 new homes waiting for buyers. That's the highest since 2009! Let's look at how the numbers have changed:
January 2018: 63,000 unsold homes
January 2020: 76,000 unsold homes
January 2022: 32,000 unsold homes
January 2024: 83,000 unsold homes
January 2025: 115,000 unsold homes
Most of these unsold homes are in the South, especially in Florida and Texas. Builders in these areas are offering special deals to attract buyers.
Local New Home Inventory in Our Area
Right now, there are 292 new homes for sale in Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, Shalimar, and Crestview. Here's what we found when looking at these homes:
Average days on market: 114 days
Average price: $497,419
Median price: $365,900
Price range: $179,900 to $7,990,000
Average size: 2,008 square feet
Average price per square foot: $229.39
Many new homes in our area have been on the market for over 3 months. Some homes have been waiting for buyers for more than 200 days!
How Niceville Compares to National Trends
Our local new home market shows similar patterns to what's happening nationwide:
More inventory: Like the rest of the country, we have more new homes for sale now than in recent years.
Longer selling times: New homes are taking longer to sell, with many sitting on the market for 3-4 months.
Price range: While the average price is around $497,000, there are options at many price points, starting at about $180,000.
Most active areas: Crestview has the most new construction, with many homes in neighborhoods like Patriot Ridge Drive and Cambrian Ridge.
What This Means for Buyers in Fort Walton Beach and Niceville
If you're looking to buy a new home in our area, this is good news! With more homes available and longer selling times, you have:
More choices in neighborhoods and floor plans
Better chance to negotiate price or get extras
Less pressure to make quick decisions
Possibility of move-in ready homes instead of waiting for construction
What Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com Show
Looking at major real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com confirms our local findings. These sites show many new construction homes with similar days on market and price ranges. Builders are offering incentives like closing cost help or free upgrades to attract buyers.
Best Areas for New Home Buyers
Based on current inventory and days on market, these neighborhoods have the most options:
Crestview Area: Many new homes, with 3-5 bedroom options starting in the $330,000s
Niceville: New construction in neighborhoods like Deer Moss Creek
Fort Walton Beach: Several new infill homes in the mid $300,000s to $700,000s
Shalimar: Limited but high-quality new construction options
Ready to Find Your New Home?
With so many new homes sitting on the market, now might be the perfect time to buy in Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, Shalimar, or Crestview! Builders are eager to sell, and you'll have plenty of choices.Want to see these homes in person? Contact a local real estate agent who knows the new construction market in Okaloosa County. They can help you find the best deals and negotiate with builders for the best price.
