March 2026 experienced yet more growth in sales and pending sales over $1 million, especially in the condominium category. And while median housing prices in Sarasota have softened compared to prior year for several of the last months, March prices in all tiers grew about 3.5%. New listings in both single-family and condominiums fell considerably, creating a more balanced market across all categories and price points. In fact, new listings are down over 20% in Q1 2026 from same period 2025.
For this month’s report, I decided to take a narrower look at the market. Most of my business is in the 34228 (Longboat Key) and 34236 (Lido, Bird Key and Downtown) and is in the $1 million and up price point. Q1 2026 has shown impressive growth of 46% in pending sales over prior year, and sales have grown 26%.
Across all price points in the Sarasota Real Estate Market, pending sales have been climbing month-over-month and year-over-year for nearly a year now, with sales growth following closely. While many realtors in our market will agree, this is not our most active season in recent memory, but it has certainly improved over last year.
National news headlines have been reporting that the Florida real estate market may be in trouble – falling sales and prices and drastic increases in inventory for sale. I suppose if you try to compare today’s market to the COVID inflated boom of 2021-22, things have changed dramatically. However, those conditions were economically unsustainable. After two years of recalibrations, the market has returned to more traditional seasonal patterns and a narrowed equilibrium between buyers and sellers. Demand remains strong in all price tiers.
In-migration to Florida, and especially parts of the state such as ours that offer such an outstanding lifestyle, is especially attractive for the affluent market. Many of these buyers put their toe in the water here several years ago and have seen our prices stabilizing, while prices in our neighboring resort communities continue to remain somewhat overheated. Those buyers are now choosing to return to Sarasota to purchase.
High-end buyers are becoming more demanding for new or newly renovated move-in ready properties, with wellness amenities, modern design and finishes, seamless technology and security. They are seeking properties with flexibility to use now as a seasonal retreat, and which can be a primary residence in the future. Wealthier buyers move decisively when long-term value aligns with their lifestyle priorities.
There has been much chatter about the number of “price adjustments” on listings. There is indeed softer demand for older and unrenovated properties, but many sellers still want pandemic era pricing. It is understandable to be disappointed not to be able to sell a property at 2022 prices…but it is reality. We realtors know our market and have done our homework on your comps. I still find that I am advising my clients that unless they truly want to carry that property for another year, price it to sell and move on. You will still likely see gains – unless you did purchase it in 2021-22
As our region’s traditional peak season is ending, this is a great time for buyers. Properties that are still on the market as we move toward summer may have motivated sellers. Take a look at listings in your preferred areas before some of these homes are delisted for the off-season.
In the current dynamic real estate market, engaging a seasoned agent or broker with both local and global connections, as well as strong advocacy skills, offers significant advantages. Having served clients in The Sarasota Real Estate Market for over 40 years and carefully analyzing our business conditions, I have developed essential insight to assist both buyers and sellers in achieving their objectives.
Please reach out if you are considering selling your property or buying another – it would be my pleasure to meet with you to discuss your plans. With an understanding of the realities, the ability to evaluate and guide client expectations, and expert management in negotiating the purchase or sale of a home or condo, I ensure that your objectives are realized.
Below is a snapshot using data compiled from the Florida Association of Realtors showing March 2026 existing property market activity over $1,000,000 compared to prior year:
And now for my statistical report on the March Sarasota Real Estate Market activity:
Sales
- Total market dollar volume in March was $882.7 million, which increased by $108 million from a year ago.
- The number of properties sold was 1,345, 204 more than a year ago. The monthly average for properties sold this year is 1,026. The monthly average in 2025 was 957, 2024 it was 912 and in 2023 was 953.
- Florida’s single-family sales increased 5.9% ifrom last year, and condo sales were 12% above prior year.
- U.S. single-family sales fell 0.3% and condos declined 7.9%.
- Of the closed sales in March, 215 were over $1,000,000, with single-family growing 1.6% and condos up 63.9% from prior year.
- Florida homes sold for more than $1 million were up 17% from March 2025 and condos closed at over $1 million rose 37.4%.
- In March, 1,397 listings went to a pending contract, an increase of 188 transactions from a year ago. There was an average of 771 monthly pending transactions in 2025, 860 in 2024, and 1,159 per month in 2023.
- Florida’s single-family pending sales increased 3.3% and condominiums rose 9.6% compared to last year.
- U.S. pending sales in March were 1.1% behind a year ago.
Prices
- Sarasota’s single-family homes were sold at a median price of $485,000. The average monthly median price for 2025 was $473,000, in 2024 $505,500, and 2023 $510,000.
- In March, Florida median price for single-family homes was $420,000, a 1.8% increase over last year.
- The national median price for existing homes grew 1.3% to $412,400.
- The condominium median sale price was $360,000. The average monthly median price for condominiums sold in 2025 was $331,000, in 2024 $382,000, and 2023 $388,000.
- The median price for a Florida condominium last month was $315,000, equal to one year ago.
- U.S. median condominium price grew 2.3% to $371,500.
- Sarasota houses sold on average for $706,000 for the month. The annual monthly average was $685,000 last year, $715,00 in 2024, and $695,000 in 2023.
- Condominiums sold for an average price of $558,000 in March. The annual monthly average was $510,000 in 2025, $729,000 in 2024 and $622,500 in 2023.
Inventory
- Currently there are 5,743 properties for sale in Sarasota. At the beginning of this year there were 5,442 listings for sale, 4,426 in 2024 and 2,431 in 2023.
- The Sarasota market had 1,561 new listings in the past month, a decline of 19% from last March’s listings. The market averaged 1,131 new listings monthly last year, 1,391 in 2024 and 1,318 in 2023.
- Current inventory results in 4.8 months of single-family homes for sale in Sarasota and 8.1 months’ supply of condominiums.
- Florida currently has 4.8 months of single-family inventory and 9.1 month’s supply of condominiums.
- U.S. inventory of existing single-family homes has grown 7.8% and condos fell almost 30% compared to last March.
