- The Pembroke Pines Report
- Posts
- Are Starter Home Disappearing in Pembroke Pines?
Are Starter Home Disappearing in Pembroke Pines?
What you need to know about the missing first rung on the ladder.

Is the First Step Getting Further Away?
Once upon a time in Pembroke Pines, you could grab a clean 3/2 for around $300K and call it your starter home in the 33026 zip code, for example.
These days?
That same home might cost you over $430K, and that shift is reshaping the market for everyone.
If you’re trying to buy your first place, move up, or even invest, it’s worth asking:
Where have all the starter homes gone?
This Week’s Highlights
Market Insights: Summer Wake Up: Buyers are Back
Ask Mike: Is Now the Right Time to Sell My Home
Deal of the Week: Investors Wanted: This Deal's on Fire, Literally
News You Can Use: The "Tuxedo Kitchen": A Stylish Twist for Cabinets
Weekend Watch: What’s Popping in Pines This Weekend
Local Spotlight: Living in Chapel Trail
Shrinking in Supply, Soaring in Price
The short version?
Starter homes aren’t gone, but they’ve become a lot harder to snag and significantly more expensive.
Five years ago, a typical entry level single family home in Pembroke Pines (3 beds, 2 baths, ~1,400 sq ft) sold for around $310,000, especially in neighborhoods within the 33026 zip code.
Fast forward to 2025, and that same home now averages $435,000, according to Redfin’s latest market report for the area, a 40% jump in just five years.
So what’s behind the squeeze?
Fewer listings under $500K: Especially west of Flamingo Road, where HOA neighborhoods and larger homes dominate.
Investor pressure: Smaller homes are being scooped up by cash buyers looking to rent them out.
Rate-driven compression: With higher interest rates, more buyers are shopping in lower price brackets, crowding the starter tier.
Gridlock at the move-up level: Owners of starter homes want to move, but can’t afford to, so they stay put. That keeps supply tight.
Final Thought
Starter homes haven’t vanished but they’re no longer easy to find or simple to buy.
If you're a buyer, flexibility and strategy are your best friends.
Sellers of smaller homes, on the other hand, hold a powerful position in today's market.
And if you’re wondering whether it’s time to jump in or wait it out?
The answer depends on your goals but one thing’s clear: the “starter” price tag is still moving upward.
Stay Safe,
Mike
