The 29-club market
| Measure | Combined club market |
|---|---|
| Cash purchases | 79.4% |
| Closed residential sales | 1,624 |
| Median sold price | $935,000 |
| Active listings | 398 |
| Estimated months of supply | 2.9 |
| Median days from listing to contract | 32 |
Closed-sale measures cover September 24, 2025 through September 23, 2026. Active inventory is a September 23 snapshot.
The combined market had an estimated 2.9 months of supply. Nationally, NAR reported 4.9 months of supply in August, the highest level in more than a decade.
These are not identical measures. The club figures cover a trailing year of activity across 29 selected communities, while the national figure comes from a monthly release. They provide context rather than a direct comparison.
Cash changes how rates reach the market
Higher mortgage rates have their clearest effect on financed purchases by raising the monthly payment on the same home. In the 29 club communities studied here, approximately one in five closings involved financing.
Any effect on cash buyers is less direct and will vary by buyer. Liquidity, financial markets, confidence, personal circumstances and the appeal of the property may all matter. The MLS data do not establish which factor drives an individual buyer’s decision.
The combined figure is only a starting point
A 79.4% cash share does not establish that every club, subdivision or price range is equally strong.
The 29 communities include different locations, housing types, membership requirements and price levels. One may have limited competing inventory while another has several similar homes available.
Renovated properties may compete differently from homes requiring substantial work. Waterfront position, golf exposure and membership costs can each change the relevant buyer pool.
As discussed in Palm Beach County Is Really Five Markets, a county headline may be accurate without describing the properties with which an individual home actually competes.
What this means
For sellers: A cash-heavy market is less directly dependent on mortgage rates. Price against the homes a buyer will actually compare, including competing listings and properties that failed to sell.
For buyers: If financing, compare current lender terms rather than relying on a national average or rate forecast. If paying cash, evaluate the full cost of ownership, liquidity needs and whether the property fits your priorities.
The 29-club composite provides useful context. A property-specific strategy still begins with the home’s community, condition, location, membership requirements and immediate competition.
What I’m watching in October
New contracts and price reductions inside the club communities, whether mortgage rates move in response to the Fed change, and whether the next inflation and employment reports alter the broader rate outlook.
Sources and methodology
Community figures come from Beaches MLS records for 29 Palm Beach County country club communities. The MLS file was last updated September 23, 2026.
Closed-sale statistics cover September 24, 2025 through September 23, 2026. Active inventory is reported as of September 23. All residential property types contained in the community sources are included. Repeated records were reconciled so qualifying transactions were counted once.
Cash share is based on the MLS financing field: 1,289 of 1,624 closed transactions were recorded as cash purchases. Months of supply divides active listings by the trailing twelve-month average monthly closing rate.
Economic and national-housing sources include the Federal Reserve, U.S. Treasury, Freddie Mac and National Association of REALTORS®.