Moving to Sebring, FL

Sebring in a few facts

Sebring is the county seat of Highlands County, with 11,382 residents inside city limits and a larger surrounding area that uses a Sebring address. It sits on US-27 in Florida's lake country, with Lake Jackson on the west side of town and many smaller lakes around it. The historic downtown is laid out around a circle, and Sebring International Raceway, home of the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race, is just southeast of town. Highlands Hammock State Park is nearby.

Avon Park is a short drive north and Lake Placid is to the south. The nearest large airports are in Orlando and Tampa, each a long drive, so frequent flyers should plan around that.

Prices, and what has moved

Zillow's figures by size:

• 1 bedroom: about $101,243
• 2 bedrooms: about $189,146
• 3 bedrooms: about $271,845
• 4 bedrooms: about $346,158
• 5+ bedrooms: about $492,586

The lower third of the market is around $155,507 and the upper third around $347,142. Single-family homes average $241,433. Condos average $138,515 and are down 7.5% over the past year, a steeper drop than houses (-1.6%). Over five years, all homes are up 24.3%.

Nearby, Avon Park is cheaper at about $206,119, while Lake Placid ($236,774) is close to Sebring and Lorida ($251,059) slightly higher. For a newcomer, the main point is that a three-bedroom house in Sebring often costs less than a two-bedroom condo in a coastal metro.

The five-year gain and the soft last year tell a common Florida story: prices jumped as buyers arrived from pricier areas, then leveled off as insurance and interest costs rose. Today that means more listings to choose from and sellers who will usually negotiate on repairs. Older homes that have sat on the market for a while are where the most room tends to be, especially if the roof or AC is near the end of its life and the seller would rather credit you than replace it.

Older homes and a real condo market

Sebring's median home was built in 1979, among the oldest housing stock you will find in a Florida town of this size. Single-family detached homes are 52.6% of housing, 11.5% are in buildings of 10 or more units and 7.0% are mobile homes.

That 11.5% means Sebring has more condos and apartment-style buildings than most inland towns. Condo prices are low, but the building matters more than the unit. Florida's condo safety laws require milestone inspections for buildings of three or more habitable stories once they reach 30 years (or 25 if the local building official requires it), and Structural Integrity Reserve Studies every 10 years. Since budgets adopted on or after December 31, 2024, owners can't waive those reserves. In older buildings this has pushed up fees and led to special assessments, which may be part of the reason for the 7.5% drop. Ask for the milestone report, the SIRS, the current budget and any planned assessments before you write an offer. You have 7 days after receiving the association documents to cancel a resale condo contract.

Who lives in Sebring

The median age is 45.6 and 26.4% of residents are 65 or older. Seasonal homes are 7.8% of housing, so winter traffic picks up and some neighborhoods are partly empty in summer. The rest of the town runs year-round, with county government, healthcare and local businesses as major employers. Race weeks bring crowds and fill hotels; locals plan errands around them.

Healthcare is a strength for a town this size. AdventHealth Sebring and HCA Florida Highlands Hospital are both in the Sebring area, which is one reason retirees from smaller nearby towns end up here.

Pros and cons

• Pro: low home prices across houses and condos.
• Pro: lakes, parks and a slower pace.
• Pro: local hospitals and county services.
• Pro: inland, so no storm surge.
• Con: old housing that needs inspection and updating.
• Con: condo buildings facing new reserve and inspection costs.
• Con: limited job market and long drives to major airports.
• Con: hot, humid summers with fewer coastal breezes.

What people moving here often get wrong

Thinking inland means low insurance. Sebring avoids storm surge, but hurricanes can still bring damaging winds this far inland. Insurers price older roofs harshly. Ask for the roof age and permit, a wind mitigation report and a 4-point inspection, and get a written quote during the inspection period.

Ignoring flood zones near the lakes. Lakefront and low-lying lots can be in FEMA A or AE zones. Check the exact address and ask whether the house has ever had water inside.

Using the seller's tax bill. The assessment resets at sale. With homestead on a permanent residence, up to $51,411 comes off assessed value in 2026 and yearly increases are capped at 3% or CPI. A second home gets no homestead and only the 10% non-school cap. Florida has no state income tax.

Buying the cheapest condo without reading the budget. A $100,000 unit with a pending special assessment can cost more than a $150,000 unit in a well-funded building.

Skipping the utility questions. Ask whether the home is on city water and sewer or a well and septic system, and inspect accordingly.