The CARE Firm-The Calhoun & Associates Real Estate Firm

09/03/2026

Manatee County’s single-family market is moving in a positive direction, creating an exciting opportunity for buyers. Closed sales jumped 11.2% to 694 transactions, while the median sale price edged up just 1.0% to $495,000 and the average sale price climbed 7.1% to $675,943. At the same time, new listings increased 9.6% to 821 homes, giving buyers more choices, while properties are still moving at a healthy pace with a median of 50 days to contract.

For buyers, this is a market worth watching—and acting in. Inventory remains at a relatively balanced 4.1 months of supply, while active listings have declined 7.9%, suggesting the market is strengthening without the frenzy of years past. The luxury market is particularly strong, with $1M+ sales up 14.9%, and sales from $1.5M–$1.99M doubling. With rising sales, modest price growth, more new listings, and a healthy level of inventory, Manatee County offers buyers an excellent window to make a smart move while the market continues gaining momentum.

08/19/2026

So, about 114,400 additional residents are now living in Sarasota and Manatee counties compared with the 2020 population base.
But here's the really interesting part for real estate
The Census data shows that migration—not natural population growth—is doing most of the heavy lifting.

From 2021–2025, Sarasota County had approximately:
58,687 domestic migrants — people moving from elsewhere in the U.S.
9,897 international migrants
≈68,584 total net migration

Sarasota's domestic migration alone was 17,789 in 2021, 16,191 in 2022, then slowed to 8,317, 4,337 and 6,053 in the following years.

Manatee has been even stronger. Its domestic migration was approximately:
2021: 14,134
2022: 15,047
2023: 10,918
2024: 10,444
2025: 8,418

That's roughly 58,961 net domestic migrants over those five years. Adding international migration puts Manatee's total net migration at roughly 72,200 people.

Combined picture
Sarasota + Manatee have added roughly 114,000 residents since 2020, with migration accounting for well over 100,000 of that growth when domestic and international migration are combined.

That's a huge underlying demand driver for housing.
And there's another interesting wrinkle: the pandemic migration surge has cooled considerably, but people are still moving here in substantial numbers. In 2025, Sarasota had about 6,053 net domestic migrants, while Manatee had about 8,418.

08/07/2026

08/06/2026

What a strong market! Look at the average home price in Sarasota in June 2025 $692,793 vs June 2026 $732, 527. Average days on the market fell to 47 days with 4 months of inventory which now went from a buyers market to a neutral market

07/26/2026

The Sarasota and Manatee real estate markets are moving fast, and the window of opportunity is closing quickly. In June 2026, closed sales surged—led by a massive 15.2% jump in Sarasota single-family homes—while active inventory shrank across every county and property type for the second month in a row. With supply hitting multi-year lows and median single-family prices rising sharply (up 8.2% to $492,450 in Sarasota alone), competition is heating up fast, cash buyers are moving in, and sellers are securing higher percentages of their asking prices.

Waiting to make your move will only cost you more as inventory tightens and prices continue to climb. Partner with The Care Firm today to secure your home before the market leaves you behind—our experts are ready to help you navigate this fast-moving landscape and lock in your dream property before competition pushes it out of reach.

07/18/2026

🏡 Record-Breaking Luxury on Longboat Key

An extraordinary under-construction waterfront estate on Longboat Key has hit the market for $38.45 million, making it the most expensive home currently listed in the Sarasota-Manatee region. Originally designed as a family's dream home, the estate is now poised to become one of the most significant luxury sales in Southwest Florida history.

If it sells near its asking price, it could establish a new residential sales record for our area, highlighting the continued strength and global appeal of Sarasota's luxury waterfront market.
Whether you're searching for a waterfront retreat, an investment property, or simply keeping an eye on our incredible local market, Sarasota and Longboat Key continue to attract discerning buyers from around the world.

Thinking about buying or selling luxury real estate on Florida's Gulf Coast?
Let's talk.

THE CARE FIRM
Always Caring. Always Serving.

05/26/2026