Miami Luxury Real Estate 2025: Cash Remains the Rule in an Ultra-High-End Market

In an article published yesterday, Realtor.com highlighted a striking reality in Miami’s upscale real estate market: cash continues to dominate luxury home transactions, especially at the highest price tiers. This pattern underscores a unique dynamic where financial flexibility—more than ever—drives market strength and seller confidence in the region.

Key Insights from Realtor.com:

• All-cash transactions are now the norm in Miami’s luxury segment:
  • Homes priced between $1M–$5M see 53.5% cash sales.
  • Properties above $10M are purchased with cash nearly 59% of the time.
• Ultra‑luxury condos and homes are overwhelmingly cash purchases:
  • 83% of condos priced over $2,000 per square foot sold for cash.
  • 79% of high-end single-family homes were cash transactions.
• Transaction volumes have soared compared to pre-pandemic levels:
  • Condo sales over $2,000/square foot increased 631%.
  • Single-family luxury sales are up a staggering 1,200%.
• Miami’s luxury listings are booming:
  • The metro area had nearly 50,000 active listings in July, with over 20% priced at $1M or more—far above the national average of 13.8%.
• Sellers are showing unusual patience:
  • Luxury homes linger longer—median days on market: 96.5 days, longer than in markets such as New York or Los Angeles.
  • Many sellers opt to delist rather than lower prices, maintaining confidence in Miami’s cash-rich buyer pool.
• The role of international and cash buyers is pivotal:
  • High-net-worth individuals from around the world look to Miami as a safe, desirable investment—favoring speed, convenience, and privacy over financing.

Market Implications & Context

These all‑cash trends reinforce Miami’s reputation as a global luxury real estate powerhouse—especially when viewed alongside broader market dynamics:

• Miami is among a handful of metros with year-over-year home price declines, yet the luxury segment remains resilient.
• Delistings remain elevated, reflecting strategic pricing confidence among sellers—even amid cooling demand. Miami had 27 delistings per 100 new listings in May—one of the highest rates nationwide.
• Gables Estates in Coral Gables recently overtook Beverly Hills as the most expensive U.S. neighborhood, highlighting Miami’s growing muscle in ultra‑luxury markets.