SARASOTA, Fla. (March 20, 2025) – The REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) has released its February 2025 real estate market report, providing an in-depth analysis of key trends across both counties. Based on data from Florida REALTORS®, the housing market in Sarasota and Manatee counties showed a shift toward a more balanced, or even buyer-friendly, environment in February 2025. Across all property types, sales activity slowed compared to the previous year, while inventory levels grew, creating more options for buyers. Home prices showed signs of softening, with declines in median and average sale prices across most segments. Cash sales remained a significant portion of transactions but trended downward, reflecting changing market dynamics. Additionally, homes are staying on the market longer, signaling a shift in buyer demand and seller expectations.

Key Trends in Sarasota/Manatee February 2025:

• Falling Median Sale Prices: Property prices have seen slight declines, with Sarasota County townhouses/condos seeing the largest drop.
• Increased Inventory & Supply: Inventory and months of supply have grown, indicating a shift toward a buyer's market.
• Longer Time to Contract & Sale: The median time to contract and sale has increased across all segments except for Manatee County single family homes, reflecting slower market movement.

Single-Family Homes

In Sarasota County, there were 589 single-family home sales in February 2025, reflecting a 2.1 percent increase from February 2024. The median sale price declined slightly by 1.5 percent year-over-year to $499,990, with nearly 43.8 percent of these transactions paid in cash.

Despite the increase in closed sales, inventory levels rose, with a 28.6 percent year-over-year increase to 4,292 active listings, bringing the months’ supply to 6.8 months. The median time to contract and median time to sale also increased to 46 days and 86 days, respectively.

In Manatee County, there were 500 single-family home sales, marking a 8.6 percent decrease year-over-year. The median sale price dropped 4.8 percent to $475,995.

Manatee County ended February with 3,097 active listings, representing a 4.9-month supply of inventory. The median time to contract decreased by 19.3 percent to 46 days, while the median time to sale decreased 6.9 percent to 95 days.

“After years of a strong seller’s market, the increase in inventory and more stable pricing indicate that the market is shifting toward a more level playing field for buyers and sellers alike,” said Debi Reynolds, 2025 RASM President and Managing Broker at SaraBay Real Estate.

Townhomes and Condos

The townhouse and condo market in Sarasota County saw a 12.2 percent decrease in closed sales year-over-year, with 237 transactions in February 2025. The median sale price fell 12.3 percent to $342,000, with 71.7 percent of sales being cash purchases.

Inventory grew significantly, with 2,618 active listings and a 9.1-month supply, continuing a further shift into a buyer’s market. The median time to contract increased by 4.8 percent to 44 days, while the median time to sale rose 3.7 percent to 85 days.

In Manatee County, townhouse and condo sales increased 28.1 percent year-over-year to 251 transactions, with 48.2 percent of sales being cash purchases. The median sale price dropped 8.4 percent to $319,990.

Manatee County ended the month with 1828 active listings, equating to an 8.3-month supply of inventory, further strengthening buyers’ leverage. The median time to contract stayed relatively consistent year-over-year to 51 days, while the median time to sale decreased 5.4 percent to 88 days.

“With more condos and townhomes available and prices trending downward, buyers have a unique opportunity in today’s market,” added Reynolds. “That said, there are many unknowns, from condo association fees to insurance requirements, making it critical to work with a REALTOR® who can help navigate the complexities.”

Summary

Overall, February’s market data suggests a cooling phase for the real estate sector in Sarasota and Manatee counties. While demand remains steady, increasing inventory and longer time-to-contract trends indicate a shift away from the highly competitive conditions of recent years. Buyers may find more negotiating power, while sellers will need to adjust pricing strategies to attract interest. In this evolving market, working with a REALTOR® is more important than ever. A REALTOR® brings expert knowledge, market insights, and negotiation skills to help buyers secure the best deals and ensure sellers position their properties competitively. As the market continues to shift, having a trusted real estate professional by your side will be essential for making smart, informed decisions.

Monthly reports are provided by Florida Realtors® with data compiled from Stellar MLS. For comprehensive statistics dating back to 2015, visit www.MyRASM.com/statistics.