Navigating the Sarasota County housing market requires understanding the latest trends and data. Whether you’re buying or selling, knowing what’s happening right now can help you make smarter decisions and plan your next steps effectively.
A Balanced Housing Market
Currently, the months of inventory in Sarasota County stand at 6.87, indicating a balanced market. Neither buyers nor sellers hold a clear advantage.
Inventory trends show a slight 1-month decrease of 2% but a 12-month increase of 32%, signaling stability in the short term with more options over the past year. Sellers may want to act sooner rather than later, while buyers could anticipate even more inventory if the trend continues.
Homes in Sarasota County are selling for about 95% of their asking price, providing buyers room to negotiate and reminding sellers to price their homes competitively. The median days on market is 64, giving buyers time to evaluate properties without rushing, while sellers should be prepared for a moderate sales timeline. The median sold price is $410,000, offering a benchmark for both buyers and sellers.
Rental Market Update: A Rare Cooling
If you’ve felt like rent prices in Sarasota only go up, here’s a change: they’re actually falling.
-
July 2025 report: Rents down 5% year-over-year and 1.6% from June
-
Median rents: One-bedroom ~$1,300, two-bedroom just under $1,400
Rents in Sarasota are cooling faster than the Florida state average (1.3% drop) or the national average (0.8% drop). The main drivers? A surge in apartment supply and city efforts to promote affordable housing, including mixed-use developments, density bonuses for builders, and a $40 million investment toward attainable units.
Bottom line: Renters now have more options and negotiating power, making this a welcome shift in an otherwise competitive market.
Local Programs Helping Buyers
Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program
For our local heroes, the 2025 Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program is back, making homeownership more affordable. Eligible full-time workers in health care, education, public safety, child care, and military positions can receive up to 5% of their first mortgage (max $35,000, min $10,000) toward down payments and closing costs.
This is a 0% interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage, meaning no payments while living in the home. The program opens doors for first-time buyers and makes homeownership much more attainable.
My Safe Florida Home Grant Program
Starting August 4, 2025, Florida is offering up to $10,000 in matching grants for hurricane mitigation improvements. Priority is given to low- and moderate-income homeowners, covering upgrades like:
-
Roof reinforcements and secondary water barriers
-
Impact-resistant windows and doors
-
Garage door reinforcements
-
Shutters and storm protection
This program helps homeowners protect their properties and can even boost resale value—an added perk in Sarasota’s market.
Commercial Real Estate Update
Starting October 1, 2025, Florida will no longer charge state sales tax on commercial rentals. This affects office space, retail, warehouse leases, self-storage, and vendor spaces—simplifying leasing for landlords and tenants.
Key takeaways:
-
Rent periods beginning on or after October 1 are non-taxable
-
Existing payments for prior periods are still taxable
-
Landlords and tenants should adjust accounting and lease agreements
This is a big win for Florida’s commercial real estate scene, reducing costs and making lease math simpler.
Bottom Line
Sarasota County’s market offers balanced opportunities for buyers and sellers, a cooling rental market, and local programs that make homeownership more achievable, especially for heroes and those investing in hurricane mitigation. Whether buying, selling, or renting, staying informed about these trends is critical.
For personalized guidance on how these trends impact your situation, contact Ram-Z Home Team
