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Back to Blog postingsSarasota Real Estate Market September 2026: Sales Rise, Inventory Falls & $26M Waterfront Sale
Sarasota County Housing Market Update: September 2026
The Sarasota real estate market continued to gain momentum in September 2026, with rising sales, higher median home prices, and declining inventory across both single-family homes and condominiums.
Throughout Sarasota County, 990 residential properties sold, generating more than $1 billion in total sales volume. Single-family home sales increased 5.4% year-over-year, while condominium and townhouse sales surged 34.3%.
At the luxury end of the market, waterfront real estate dominated. All 10 of Sarasota County’s highest-priced residential sales were waterfront properties in coastal communities, led by a spectacular $26 million new-construction waterfront home.
From Sarasota and Siesta Key to Longboat Key, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch, the latest market data reveals a changing landscape for buyers and sellers.
Sarasota County Real Estate Market: September 2026 at a Glance
| Market Indicator | September 2026 | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Total Closed Sales | 990 | ▲ +13.0% |
| Total Sales Volume | $1.01 Billion | ▲ +95.7% |
| Single-Family Median Price | $485,000 | ▲ +7.8% |
| Condo/Townhouse Median Price | $335,000 | ▲ +6.3% |
| Single-Family Inventory | 2,629 | ▼ -16.2% |
| Condo/Townhouse Inventory | 1,601 | ▼ -12.0% |
| Properties Sold for $1M+ | 145 | — |
The takeaway: Buyers were more active than a year ago, inventory was tighter, and both major property categories recorded higher median sale prices.
The market was particularly strong at the luxury end, although a handful of exceptionally expensive transactions contributed disproportionately to September’s increase in total sales volume.
Sarasota Luxury Real Estate: $26 Million Waterfront Sale Leads September
Luxury waterfront real estate was the headline story in Sarasota County during September 2026.
The highest-priced residential sale reached $26 million for a newly constructed waterfront home.
Even more notable, 100% of Sarasota County’s top 10 highest-priced residential sales were waterfront properties located in coastal areas.
That concentration reinforces the distinction between Sarasota’s broader housing market and its premier waterfront luxury segment.
Buyers at the upper end of the market continue to place significant value on features such as direct water access, boating opportunities, Gulf proximity, privacy, architectural quality, and newer construction.
Sarasota Million-Dollar Home Sales
Luxury activity extended beyond the top 10 transactions.
According to Florida Realtors:
- 103 single-family homes sold for $1 million or more, an increase of 18.4% year-over-year.
- 42 condos and townhouses sold for $1 million or more.
- 145 residential properties sold for at least $1 million across both categories.
- 15 single-family homes sold for $5 million or more.
- 21 condos and townhouses sold for $5 million or more.
The luxury condo figures were particularly unusual, with 10 transactions recorded at $10 million or more. These transactions had an outsized influence on September’s condo sales volume and average price.
Why Sarasota Waterfront Real Estate Remains Distinctive
Sarasota’s coastal communities offer a combination of luxury residences, beaches, boating, dining, cultural attractions, and proximity to downtown Sarasota.
For waterfront buyers, however, location alone isn’t enough. Water depth, bridge clearances, seawall condition, flood exposure, insurance requirements, and the age and quality of construction can all materially influence property value.
The $26 million sale is a powerful illustration of the upper end of the market, but it should not be used as a benchmark for every luxury waterfront property.
Sarasota Single-Family Home Sales Increase as Inventory Tightens
Sarasota County recorded 681 single-family home sales in September 2026, up 5.4% from 646 transactions in September 2025.
The median sale price climbed to $485,000, an increase of 7.8% year-over-year.
What Stands Out in the Single-Family Market?
1. Home prices increased.
The median sale price rose to $485,000, indicating that the midpoint of September’s closed transactions was higher than a year earlier.
2. Inventory continues to shrink.
There were 2,629 single-family homes available at the end of September, representing a 16.2% decline from the previous year.
With just 3.7 months of inventory, supply remains relatively limited at the countywide level.
3. Homes are going under contract faster.
The median time to contract dropped from 64 days to 51 days, a 20.3% improvement.
4. Luxury transactions boosted the average sale price.
The average single-family sale price jumped 52.5% to $985,116. This is a much larger increase than the median price, reflecting the influence of high-value transactions on the overall average.
For buyers and sellers, the median price provides a more useful benchmark for understanding the broader market.
Sarasota Condo Sales Surge 34.3% in September
The condominium and townhouse market delivered one of September’s most notable results.
Sarasota County recorded 309 condo and townhouse sales, a 34.3% increase over September 2025.
The median sale price also increased, reaching $335,000 compared with $315,000 one year earlier.
Why Is Sarasota's Condo Market Worth Watching?
Condominium sales rose significantly while available inventory declined.
The median time to contract also fell by nearly 29%, suggesting that properties closing in September generally found buyers faster than those sold a year earlier.
Another striking figure was the 157.9% increase in average condo sale price.
However, this does not mean the typical Sarasota condominium appreciated by that amount. The median condo price increased 6.3%, while the exceptionally high average was influenced by the mix of transactions, including multimillion-dollar luxury sales.
For anyone considering a Sarasota waterfront condo, it’s especially important to evaluate the individual building, association finances, insurance costs, amenities, and recent comparable sales rather than relying on countywide averages.
What Does the September Sarasota Market Mean for Buyers?
For buyers considering Sarasota County real estate, the biggest change is that there are fewer homes available than a year ago, and recently sold properties are generally reaching contract faster.
That doesn’t eliminate opportunities.
Many sellers are still negotiating, and buyers should pay attention to properties with extended market time, recent price adjustments, and features that may affect resale value.
For golf community buyers, membership availability, course access, club amenities, and the community’s overall lifestyle should be evaluated alongside the home itself.
Our advice: Choose the right community first, then identify the property that best fits your lifestyle and financial goals.
What Does the Sarasota Market Mean for Sellers?
September’s numbers offer encouraging signs for Sarasota County homeowners.
Sales increased, median prices rose, and available inventory declined.
However, buyers remain selective, particularly when properties are priced above comparable sales or require substantial updates.
The median single-family property sold for 94.3% of its original asking price, while condos and townhouses received 93.0%.
These figures reinforce the importance of accurate initial pricing, professional presentation, and understanding the competition within your specific community.
The opportunity for sellers is real, but strategic pricing still matters.
Sarasota Real Estate Market September 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sarasota real estate market improving in September 2026?
Several indicators improved year-over-year. Both single-family and condo sales increased, median prices rose, inventory declined, and median time to contract shortened. However, conditions vary by neighborhood, price range, and property type.
What is the median home price in Sarasota County?
The median sale price for single-family homes in September 2026 was $485,000, up 7.8% from September 2025.
What is the median condo price in Sarasota?
The Sarasota County median condo and townhouse sale price was $335,000, an increase of 6.3% year-over-year.
How many homes sold in Sarasota County in September 2026?
There were 990 closed sales across single-family homes, condominiums, and townhouses: 681 single-family sales and 309 condo/townhouse sales.
Are Sarasota home prices going up or down?
Median prices increased year-over-year in both major residential categories during September 2026. Single-family median prices rose 7.8%, while condo and townhouse median prices increased 6.3%. These are countywide measures, not estimates of appreciation for individual properties.
How many Sarasota homes sold for more than $1 million?
A total of 145 residential properties sold for $1 million or more in September 2026, including 103 single-family homes and 42 condos and townhouses.
What was the most expensive Sarasota home sold in September 2026?
The highest-priced residential transaction was a $26 million new-construction waterfront home. All 10 of the month’s highest-priced residential sales were waterfront properties in coastal areas.
Is Sarasota a buyer’s or seller’s market?
The county recorded 3.7 months of single-family inventory and 4.9 months of condo/townhouse inventory. These figures generally indicate tighter conditions than a balanced market, although individual communities and price segments can differ considerably.
Looking Ahead: Sarasota Real Estate as Seasonal Buyers Return
As Southwest Florida approaches its winter buying season, September’s numbers suggest a market entering the final quarter of 2026 with improving sales activity and less inventory than a year ago.
The luxury waterfront market remains a major source of high-dollar transactions, while both single-family homes and condominiums are showing renewed activity.
For buyers considering Sarasota, Venice, Lakewood Ranch, or the surrounding coastal communities, the right decision starts with understanding how the market differs from one location to another.
And for those exploring Southwest Florida’s golf communities, the home is only part of the equation. Membership options, amenities, tee-time availability, and the overall lifestyle are equally important.
Thinking about buying or selling in Sarasota County?
The Naples Golf Guy Team specializes in helping buyers and sellers navigate Southwest Florida’s golf and lifestyle communities, from Naples and Bonita Springs to Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota.
We can help you compare communities, understand local market conditions, and find the property and lifestyle that best fit your goals.
Explore Southwest Florida golf communities and real estate opportunities at NaplesGolfGuy.com.
📲 Call or Text: 239-370-0892
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Sarasota Real Estate Market September 2026 – Single Family Homes
About Naples Golf Guy
For expert guidance in Southwest Florida real estate, contact Naples Golf Guy, Matt Klinowski P.A. Whether you’re looking to buy a single-family home or condo in Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Ft. Myers or Sarasota I can help. With over 20 years of experience, I offer valuable market information and insights into individual communities to help you find the perfect home and lifestyle in the best golf community to fit your needs. Reach out to me today to get started!
Contact Matt: [email protected] or at 239-370-0892
