Sarasota & Manatee County Real Estate Market – May 2026

Here’s a look at the Sarasota & Manatee Counties’ real estate market for May 2026. According to statistics from the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee, both counties continued to experience solid sales activity and declining inventory levels, while price trends and market pace varied between housing segments.

May 2026 brought continued strength to Sarasota County’s single-family home market. The median sale price climbed to $475,000, a 2.2% increase from $465,000 a year ago. Meanwhile, the average sale price surged to $673,741—up 3.4% year-over-year—reflecting notable strength in higher-end sales activity throughout the county.

Sales activity remained stable overall, with 845 closed sales recorded in May, above last year’s 788 transactions. At the same time, inventory continued to contract significantly, with active listings falling to 3,099 homes—a 25.2% decline compared to May 2025.

May 2026 showed continued momentum in Manatee County’s single-family housing market. The median sale price increased to $460,000, falling 3.8% from $478,195 last year. The average sale price also posted a strong gain, reaching $667,503—up 4.5% year-over-year—indicating continued demand in upper-tier segments of the market.

Buyer activity declined slightly during the month, with 782 closed sales completed in May, representing a 0.5% decrease over the 786 sales recorded a year earlier. Inventory levels, however, continued to move lower, as active listings declined to 2,832 homes, down 11.8% year-over-year.

The condo and townhouse market produced mixed pricing trends across Sarasota and Manatee counties in May 2026. In Sarasota County, the median sale price rose slightly to $336,829, up 4.9% from last year, while the average sale price rose 1.6% to $496,451. These figures suggest some moderation in pricing within the condo segment despite stronger sales activity.

Manatee County’s condo and townhouse market showed similar pricing movement. The median sale price rose to $297,000, a decrease of 5.1% year-over-year, while the average sale price came in at $341,985, down modestly by 1% compared to last year.

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Sales activity strengthened notably in both counties. Sarasota County recorded 371 closed condo and townhouse sales, up 8.5% from last year, while Manatee County posted 288 sales, reflecting a 8.7% increase year-over-year.

For buyers, May 2026 continues to present a competitive environment across both Sarasota and Manatee counties, particularly as inventory levels remain below balanced-market conditions.

In Sarasota County, new single-family listings rose 8.7% year-over-year to 924 homes, adding fresh inventory entering the market. Manatee County experienced a decline in new listings, with 889 homes coming to market—down 1.4% compared to last year. Fewer available homes may continue to create competition in desirable neighborhoods and price ranges.

Cash purchases remain another important factor shaping buyer competition. Sarasota County recorded 355 cash sales in the single-family market during May, while Manatee County posted 211 cash transactions. In the condo and townhouse segment, Sarasota County saw 228 cash sales and Manatee County reported 147 cash purchases, highlighting the continued presence of well-funded buyers across the region.

Overall, buyers are entering a market where inventory remains limited and competition continues in many segments. Preparation, flexibility, and strong financing—or cash purchasing power—remain important advantages when navigating today’s market conditions.

For sellers, May 2026 continues to reflect a market that remains favorable overall, though conditions are becoming more balanced compared to the rapid pace seen in previous years.

In the single-family market, Sarasota County sellers received a median of 94.2% of original list price, while Manatee County sellers received 95.4%. Condo and townhouse sellers saw slightly lower figures, with Sarasota County at 91.2% and Manatee County at 93.2%, suggesting buyers are negotiating more carefully in attached-home segments.

Homes are also continuing to spend more time on the market compared to peak-pandemic conditions. Sarasota County single-family homes took a median of 50 days to reach contract and 92 days to close, while Manatee County homes averaged 47 days to contract and 95 days to sale. Condo and townhouse properties generally moved more slowly, particularly in Sarasota County where the median time to contract settles in at 67 days.

These trends indicate that while sellers still benefit from reduced inventory and healthy buyer activity, pricing strategy and property presentation are becoming increasingly important. Buyers are taking more time to evaluate options and negotiate terms, making realistic pricing and market readiness key components for a successful sale.

See Additional Reports on the Sarasota County & Manatee County Real Estate Market

Here are the most recent home listings just added to the database in the average sale price range for Sarasota County. All homes are priced at $673,741 or less.

Here are the most recent home listings just added to the database in the average sale price range for Manatee County. All homes are priced at $667,503 or less.