Florida Realtors data shows Canadian buyers spent $1.9 billion on Florida properties in 2025 — a 52% increase from the prior year. International aviation buyers represent a significant and growing segment of the market for premium fly-in communities.
The Florida real estate market has always attracted international buyers, but the February 2026 data from Florida Realtors revealed a figure that underscores the scale of this demand: Canadian buyers spent $1.9 billion on Florida properties in 2025 — a 52% increase from the prior year. This surge in international buying activity, combined with the broader market recovery documented in Southwest Florida's February 2026 data, creates a compelling backdrop for premium aviation real estate development.
Why Canada Matters for Aviation Real Estate
Canada has one of the highest rates of private aircraft ownership per capita among developed nations, and Canadian pilots have long been drawn to Florida for its year-round flying weather and aviation infrastructure. For Canadian aircraft owners who spend significant time in Florida — whether as seasonal residents, snowbirds, or full-time relocators — a hangar home in a private aviation community represents the ideal solution to the challenge of aircraft storage and access.
The 52% year-over-year increase in Canadian buying activity in Florida reflects a combination of factors: favorable exchange rates, the continued appeal of Florida's tax environment, and the post-pandemic acceleration of lifestyle-driven relocation decisions. For Shepard's Landing, this trend represents a meaningful expansion of the potential buyer pool beyond domestic aviation enthusiasts.
The Broader International Context
Canada is not the only source of international aviation buyers. The private aviation industry's global growth — with the market projected to reach $41.38 billion by 2030 — is creating a worldwide population of aircraft owners who are evaluating Florida as a base of operations. The state's position as a hub for Caribbean and Latin American aviation routes, combined with its lifestyle appeal and tax advantages, makes it a natural destination for international pilots seeking a permanent or semi-permanent home.
Shepard's Landing's location in DeSoto County, with its private non-FAA runway and proximity to the Gulf Coast, positions it well for international buyers who want the privacy and flexibility of a private airstrip without the regulatory overhead of a public airport.
The Market Recovery Context
The broader Southwest Florida market recovery provides important context. Pending sales across the region hit 3,637 in February 2026 — the highest since January 2023 — while active inventory fell 17.5% year-over-year (Florida Gulf Coast MLS, analyzed by Worthington Realty). The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 5.98% by the last week of February 2026 (Freddie Mac), the first sub-6% reading in three and a half years.
For international buyers, who often purchase in cash or with larger down payments, the mortgage rate environment is less directly relevant than it is for domestic buyers. What matters more is the direction of the market — and the direction is clearly positive. Buyers who act now, before the full recovery is priced in, will capture the best combination of value and upside.
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Sources: Florida Realtors, international buyer data, February 2026; Worthington Realty / Florida Gulf Coast MLS, "Southwest Florida Housing Market: March 2026 Data"; Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, February 2026.