The single-family home market in Sarasota County moved largely in lockstep with Manatee in April. We saw the same offsetting market data that leads to neither sellers or buyers having overwhelming negotiating leverage. As we head into the summer season, it looks like the Sarasota County market will remain in a healthy balance. The infographic from Florida Realtors below contains more detailed information on the results from April.
In March, the market for single-family homes in Sarasota County continued on the same path that we have observed over the last several months. Although sales remain slightly down year-on-year, the median sales price continues to trend upward. While we saw a shift in Manatee, Sarasota’s statistics remained unchanged.
Although we could still use more inventory in Sarasota, the market is in good shape as we head into summer. As all-cash sales decline, buyers requiring financing now have more opportunities to find their dream home.
The single-family home market in Sarasota County is moving a bit differently than Manatee. Closed sales are down materially YoY, but the median sales price still rose by 10%. That is telling us that the majority of the reduction in sales is coming from the lower end of the market. Homes from the middle to the higher end of the market seem to be less impacted by the 2023 downturn in volume. Like Manatee, Sarasota’s market is coming into balance between buyers and sellers. However, it is taking a different path depending on price point. The infographic from Florida Realtors below tells more of the story.
Unlike in Manatee, we actually saw median sales prices decrease for the first time in what seems like forever in Sarasota County (see graphic below). That said, the change was slight, and could easily reverse itself in the coming months as we move into peak transaction season. I think the headline in Sarasota County is one of balance. The market is at a point where buyers and sellers both have the opportunity for excellent outcomes. It is the type of market where both parties tend to give a little to make transactions work. Having been a real estate agent in markets where one party (either a seller or a buyer) hold virtually all of the cards, I find the current market much more conducive to positive outcomes.
While Sarasota’s results aren’t too different from Manatee County, there continues to be some variance. Prices are continuing to rise faster, and cash sales are a bigger piece of the pie. Overall, the season is shaping up to only slightly favor sellers over buyers as many sellers continue to be sitting on the sidelines this year. The infographic from Florida Realtors below has more detail on the latest month of results.
