Florida’s new-construction market held steady in May, giving Realtors® a useful signal about where future inventory may be taking shape and where builder activity remains strongest.

The state recorded 6,382 new residential construction permits in May, nearly unchanged from 6,385 permits in April, the DeBary-based building permit data company HBW reported. The permits represented $2.39 billion in construction value across five major regions, with a statewide average value of about $374,000.

For Realtors, permit activity is more than a construction scoreboard. It helps identify where newly built home options may be growing, where builders are staying active and which counties may deserve closer attention in buyer conversations, local market updates and business planning.

“The latest data for new residential construction in Florida last month was a study in balance: stable statewide totals, strong regional performances, and clear distinctions in value profiles,” the report said. “Permits are the breadcrumbs that lead you straight to the next growth market.”

Regional highlights include:

• Tampa led the state in volume, with 1,701 permits, $571.1 million in total value and an average value of $335,768. Polk County had 447 permits and $141.3 million in value, while Hillsborough County had 304 permits and $124.2 million. HBW called Tampa “one of Florida’s most active residential construction hubs.”
• Southwest Florida nearly matched Tampa, with 1,652 permits, $608.8 million in total value and an average value of $368,513. Lee County led with 497 permits and $153.4 million in value, followed by Manatee County with 463 permits and $113.8 million. HBW said the region shows “steady output with even more of an upscale tilt.”
• Orlando posted 1,214 permits, $479.3 million in value and an average of $394,817. Orange County had 315 permits and $116.5 million in value, while Lake County had 302 permits and $93.4 million. HBW said Orlando reflects “a blend of strong demand and elevated construction costs.”
• Jacksonville crossed the 1,000-permit mark, with 1,001 permits, $304.7 million in value and the lowest regional average at $304,389. HBW said the region signals “affordability and scalability.”
• Southeast Florida had fewer permits but higher values, with 814 permits, $424.9 million in value and the highest regional average at $521,970. HBW called the region Florida’s “luxury construction epicenter.”

The statewide numbers point to a stable new-home market, but the local details matter most. Realtors can use the data to spot where buyers may see more new-construction choices, where builders may be expanding and where value trends could shape conversations about price, location and timing.

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