Holmes County Homes for Sale

Northwest Florida · county seat Bonifay · 19,626 residents

Holmes County is Bonifay — a small, deeply rural county on the Alabama line in the western Panhandle, known for its agriculture, the Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo, and some of the lowest home prices in the state.

46 homes for saleMedian $188KBuyer's MarketNorthwest Florida
Live Market Pulse
63/100
Momentum
Buyer's Market
Buyer 7/10 · Seller 4/10 · Investor 5/10. One of Florida's more affordable markets, with value-priced homes and land for buyers who want a rural pace.
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Built fromZillow & Realtor.com datarealMLS listingsCensus & IRSUpdated monthly
LiveMarket PulseApril 2026
$188K
Median Value
-2.1%
1-Yr Price
63days
Avg DOM
19.4%
Price Cuts
Soft
Seller Leverage
$149/sf
Median $/Sqft
46
For Sale
Jon Brooks, founder of Momentum Realty
Jon's Current Read

"Holmes County is Bonifay — a small, deeply rural county on the Alabama line in the western Panhandle, known for its agriculture, the Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo, and some of the lowest home prices in the state. For buyers that means real negotiating room; for sellers, sharp pricing and a willingness to offer a concession. The county median is a starting point — the number that matters is the one for a specific home in a specific Holmes County neighborhood, which is what we price against live comps."

Jon Brooks, founder, Momentum Realty · Updated June 2026

The 60-Second Overview

Holmes County snapshot (April 2026): typical home value $188K ($149/sqft), about 46 active listings, a median 63 days on market, and 19.4% of listings cutting price — a buyer's market. Values are -2.1% over the past year and +4.2% over five years.

Holmes County's economy is overwhelmingly agricultural (poultry, peanuts, cattle), supported by county-and-school-district government and a small services base, with many residents commuting to jobs in neighboring counties and across the Alabama line. It is one of the smallest and most affordable economies in Florida.

Entry
under $131K

Condos, townhomes, and starter homes — the lowest-cost way into Holmes County and its school zones.

Core
$131K–$244K

The heart of the market: established single-family homes and newer planned-community product.

Top
$244K+

Luxury, waterfront, acreage, and custom homes — the county's strongest-resale tier.

Rolled-up counts and medians from Realtor.com, April 2026. Price bands are typical ranges for orientation, not an appraisal.

Holmes County Market Scorecard

Buyer's Market

Holmes County is a buyer's market: about 46 active listings, a median list price of $235,000, 19.4% of them cutting price, and homes going under contract in about 63 days.

$188K
Typical value
8
New / mo
$149
$/sqft
63
Days on mkt
19.4%
Cut price
n/a
Median rent
Typical home value · last 13 months $188K

Go deeper: county scorecard · all 67 counties · true cost calculator · affordability calculator.

Typical value & rent: Zillow Research. Listings & days on market: Realtor.com, April 2026. Market metrics describe homes for sale and recent sales, not residents.

Should You Buy, Sell, or Invest Here?

7/10
Buyer

One of Florida's more affordable markets, with value-priced homes and land for buyers who want a rural pace.

4/10
Seller

Demand is steady but thin and value-driven, so price to recent local comps.

5/10
Investor

Low entry prices and steady local rental demand, though appreciation here is slow and steady rather than fast.

Cash offer
~$169K
  • Close in as little as 7–14 days
  • No repairs, cleaning, or showings
  • No financing fall-through
  • Pick your move-out date
List with Momentum
~$188Ktypical value
  • Often nets more, even after commission
  • Sells 1.25% above MLS average, 8 days faster
  • Full marketing & negotiation
  • We front the prep with our concierge

Figures are illustrative ranges, not an offer. Your actual cash offer and net-to-seller depend on the home's condition, location, and current Holmes County demand. Compare both at our Holmes County cash-offer page.

Schools in Holmes County

The Holmes County School District serves Bonifay, Ponce de Leon, and the surrounding rural communities.

  • Holmes County High School (Bonifay)
  • Ponce de Leon High School

This is a small district; confirm the zoned assignment for a specific address. See school-zone guides →

Taxes, Insurance & Cost to Own

A median-priced Holmes County home costs about $1,421/month all-in (mortgage, tax, and insurance, 10% down) against median household income of $48,236. Florida's homestead exemption removes up to $50,000 of assessed value, and Save Our Homes caps annual assessed-value increases at 3% while you keep the homestead.

Typical property-tax millage18.600 mills (~1.86% before exemptions)
Avg. homeowners insurance$1,472/yr (Citizens county avg)
Homestead exemptionUp to $50,000 + 3% Save Our Homes cap
Est. all-in monthly (PITI)$1,421/mo on a $188K home
Income to buy median home$56,830/yr (est.)

At about $1,472 a year on average, Holmes is middle-of-the-pack for Florida — manageable, but very address-dependent near the water. Wind-mitigation features earn insurance credits; flood insurance is priced separately by address. Run your own numbers with the true cost calculator.

New Construction in Holmes County

Builders pulled 12 residential permits last year (0.0% YoY) — 12 single-family and 0 multifamily, about 0.6 per 1,000 residents. Active master-planned communities include Bonifay-area acreage and subdivisions. Builders compete on rate buydowns and closing-cost credits; buyer representation matters even on a new build. See active builders →

Population & Migration

Holmes County has about 19,626 residents. On a net domestic basis it gained roughly 320 people and a net +$7.34M in adjusted gross income in the latest IRS filing year (county-to-county moves within the U.S.; this does not count international migration or births). Domestic arrivals are led by AL. Migration is the demand engine behind prices: when more income flows in than out, it supports both rents and values.

12-Month Forecast

Expect Holmes to remain one of the most affordable markets in the state over the next 12 months, with steady, modest local demand and abundant low-cost land.

BonifayCounty seat; the championship rodeo and the commercial hub.
Ponce de LeonSprings town to the south.
Westville / NomaTiny rural communities.

Economy & Major Employers

Holmes County's economy is overwhelmingly agricultural (poultry, peanuts, cattle), supported by county-and-school-district government and a small services base, with many residents commuting to jobs in neighboring counties and across the Alabama line. It is one of the smallest and most affordable economies in Florida.

  • Holmes County School District
  • Holmes County government
  • agriculture (poultry, peanuts, cattle)
  • regional commuting (Walton, Washington, Alabama)
  • local retail and services

Agriculture — poultry, peanuts, and cattle — is the backbone of this small rural county on the Alabama line.

A deep, diversified employer base is what underpins housing demand through national cycles. Talk to a local Holmes County agent →

Master-plannedBonifay-area acreage and subdivisions
WaterfrontPonce de Leon Springs, Choctawhatchee River
Luxuryacreage and country estates

Lifestyle in Holmes County

Holmes County is country Panhandle: the Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo in Bonifay, the clear waters of Ponce de Leon Springs, the Choctawhatchee River, and a quiet, agricultural, Alabama-line pace. It is among the most affordable places to buy land or a home in Florida, with a strong small-town and outdoor culture.

Risks to Weigh

Holmes County's risks are rural: a very small, agriculture-dependent economy, modest incomes, limited services, and inland Panhandle hurricane wind-and-rain exposure. It is inland, so surge is not a factor, and insurance is moderate. The market is small and thin.

Holmes County Real Estate FAQ

What is the median home price in Holmes County?
The typical Holmes County home is worth about $188K as of April 2026 (Zillow ZHVI), -2.1% over the past year. The median list price is similar; individual neighborhoods range widely around that figure.
Is Holmes County a buyer's or seller's market?
As of April 2026, Holmes County is a buyer's market. Homes are taking a median of 63 days to sell, and inventory has rebuilt from its lows, giving buyers more room to negotiate than in recent years.
Is Holmes County expensive?
Holmes County's price-to-income ratio is about 3.9×, which is below the typical Florida county. The bigger cost surprises for newcomers are property insurance and, in newer communities, CDD fees — not the sticker price.
What is the average rent in Holmes County?
Zillow does not publish a reliable median-rent index for a market the size of Holmes County, so we don't quote a single rent figure here. A local agent can pull recent comparable rentals for a specific home or area.
Are property taxes high in Holmes County?
The typical millage is about 18.600 mills, or roughly 1.86% of taxable value before exemptions. Florida's $50,000 homestead exemption and the Save Our Homes 3% assessment cap meaningfully lower the bill for owner-occupants.
How much is homeowners insurance in Holmes County?
The Citizens county-average premium is about $1,472 a year, but your actual cost depends heavily on the home's age, roof, construction, and flood zone. Wind-mitigation credits can lower it; flood insurance is priced separately by address.
Is Holmes County a good place to invest in real estate?
Low entry prices and steady local rental demand, though appreciation here is slow and steady rather than fast.
Is Holmes County growing?
Holmes County has about 19,626 residents and is still drawing net in-migration of people and income. Migration and jobs are the forces most likely to support prices through the rate cycle.
How long do homes take to sell in Holmes County?
A median of about 63 days on market as of April 2026, longer than the 2021-2022 frenzy and a sign of today's more balanced conditions.
What are the best areas to live in Holmes County?
The county seat, Bonifay, anchors the market, and the right area depends on whether you prioritize schools, commute, the water, or new construction. Our neighborhood guides map each on price, schools, and lifestyle.
What is the price per square foot in Holmes County?
Listings in Holmes County are priced around the area's median per-square-foot rate as of April 2026; smaller, older, and inland homes run below it, while new construction and waterfront run above. Per-square-foot is most useful within a single neighborhood, not across the whole county.
How much income do I need to buy a home in Holmes County?
As a rough rule, a buyer needs household income roughly in line with the county's price-to-income ratio of 3.9× the home price, keeping total housing costs near 30% of income. Median household income here is $48,236. A lender pre-approval gives you the exact figure for your situation.
Is now a good time to buy in Holmes County?
It depends on your horizon. For buyers planning to stay several years, today's buyer's market conditions — more inventory and routine price cuts — offer better terms than the 2021-2022 peak. For short-term flips, flat appreciation makes the math tight. The right answer is specific to the home and your timeline.
Do I need flood insurance in Holmes County?
It depends on the address. Homes in FEMA high-risk flood zones (A or V) typically require flood insurance with a federally backed mortgage, and even outside those zones it can be worth carrying in low-lying or coastal parts of Holmes County. Flood premiums are priced separately by address under FEMA Risk Rating 2.0, so always check the flood zone before you buy.
Is Holmes County a good place to retire?
Florida's lack of a state income tax and the homestead/Save Our Homes protections make Holmes County attractive for retirees on a fixed income, especially in its 55+ and lower-maintenance communities. Weigh that against insurance costs and proximity to healthcare when you choose a specific area.
How fast are home prices rising in Holmes County?
Over the past year, the typical Holmes County home value moved -2.1%. Over five years it is +4.2% and over ten years +6.5% — so the long-run trend is up even though near-term growth has cooled.
What is the cost of living in Holmes County?
Housing, insurance, and property tax are the main local cost drivers; Florida charges no state income tax. A median-priced home runs about $1,421 a month all-in (mortgage, tax, and insurance), against median household income of $48,236 a year. Utilities, transportation, and healthcare track close to state averages.
What are the risks of buying in Holmes County?
The main ones are hurricane and flood exposure (which drive insurance costs), rising premiums statewide, and — in fast-growing submarkets — overbuilding that can soften resale and rents. On older condos, ask about reserves and special assessments. None are dealbreakers, but all belong in your budget before you offer.
Is Holmes County good for real estate investors?
Holmes County's estimated cap rate is roughly in line with the state norm, so it leans toward appreciation over cash flow. Net migration and the local job base are the demand signals that matter most for landlords here.
What counties are near Holmes County?
See the 'Explore more' section on this page for direct links to the neighboring county market reports, plus the full set of scorecards for all 67 Florida counties.
Has inventory in Holmes County gone up?
Yes — active listings are -9.9% versus a year ago. That rebuild from pandemic-era lows is the single biggest reason buyers have more leverage now than they did in 2021-2022.
Why are homes in Holmes County so cheap?
Holmes is one of Florida's smallest and most rural counties, with an economy built almost entirely on agriculture and few large employers, which keeps incomes and home prices among the lowest in the state. It appeals to buyers who want very affordable land or a country home and a quiet, small-town pace, with the trade-offs of limited jobs, services, and amenities.

or call (904) 351-6461 · jon@movewithmomentum.com