As 2025 comes to a close, the Sarasota County real estate markets tell a story of contrast, adjustment, and increasing balance. The REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) has released its Year-End 2025 Market Report, offering a comprehensive look at how housing trends evolved across property types and counties throughout the year.
The data confirms what many buyers and sellers experienced firsthand: there is no single market narrative. Instead, performance varied notably between single-family homes and condos/townhomes, and between Sarasota and Manatee counties. Understanding these nuances is key to making informed decisions in today’s hyper-local real estate landscape.
A Look Back at December 2025
December capped off the year by reinforcing many of the trends seen throughout 2025:
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Sarasota County ended the year strong in the single-family sector, closing 711 sales, up 17.7% from December 2024, with a median sale price of $485,000. Condo and townhome sales also increased to 295 closings, though median pricing softened to $345,000.
As David Crawford, 2026 RASM President and Broker/Owner of Catalist Realty, noted, real estate remains deeply local. Even neighboring counties can behave very differently depending on property type, buyer demand, and inventory composition.
Key Takeaways from Year-End 2025
Sales Activity
Sarasota County posted strong single-family home performance, with 8,183 total sales in 2025—up 9.3% year over year.
Home Prices
Pricing moderated across the board in 2025.
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Single-family median prices eased to $474,700 in Sarasota and $475,000 in Manatee.
Inventory Levels
Inventory conditions diverged by property type:
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Sarasota single-family inventory tightened to 4.7 months of supply, signaling relative balance.
Speed of Sales
Homes took longer to sell compared to 2024, reflecting a more deliberate buyer mindset.
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Single-family homes averaged 99–104 days to close.
Single-Family Homes: Stability with Softer Pricing
Single-family homes remained the most resilient segment in 2025.
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Sarasota County closed over 8,100 sales, supported by strong cash activity (40.8%) despite moderate price declines. Inventory remained relatively tight, helping stabilize the market.
What This Means Moving into 2026
The Year-End 2025 data confirms a market that is normalizing, not collapsing. Single-family homes remain a strong foundation, while condos and townhomes continue to recalibrate after years of rapid appreciation.
For buyers, this environment offers more choices, more time, and more negotiating flexibility. For sellers, success now depends on strategic pricing, strong presentation, and expert guidance.
Final Thoughts
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to real estate in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Market conditions vary by county, neighborhood, and property type, making local expertise more important than ever.
Working with a knowledgeable REALTOR® ensures you’re not relying on broad headlines—but on data-driven insights tailored to your specific goals.
📊 Monthly and annual reports are provided by Florida Realtors® using data from Stellar MLS. For historical statistics dating back to 2015, visit www.MyRASM.com/statistics.