March brought something I haven't seen much of lately: strong sales growth across nearly every segment, paired with inventory that's shrinking, yet prices barely budged.
The REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) just released the March 2026 market report, and the story it tells is fascinating. Closed sales jumped across both counties and property types. Inventory tightened significantly. But median prices? They rose modestly at best, and in some cases, actually declined.
What's happening here is a shift in buyer behavior. Today's buyers are moving with intention, not emotion. They're taking their time, negotiating deliberately, and setting clear limits on what they're willing to pay, even in a market where inventory is tightening and competition is real.
Here's what the numbers reveal.
Sarasota County Single-Family Homes: Sales Climb, Inventory Drops
Sarasota's single-family market delivered 890 closed sales in March, up 8.9% from the same month last year. The median sale price rose a modest 3.3% to $485,000, showing that while demand is strong, buyers are keeping pricing expectations in check.
Cash buyers represented 42.0% of transactions (374 all-cash deals), and sellers received a median of 93.8% of their original list price.
Here's what stands out: inventory fell 24.0% to 3,351 active listings, leaving us with just a 4.8-month supply. That's nearly balanced territory, and in a typical market, this level of tightening would push prices higher. But buyers are taking a median of 49 days to go under contract and 88 days to close, using time as leverage in negotiations.
The bottom line: Sarasota's single-family market is active and competitive, but buyers are moving strategically rather than urgently, and that's keeping prices from accelerating.
Sarasota County Condos & Townhomes: The Momentum Continues
For the second month in a row, Sarasota's condo and townhome segment posted impressive numbers. March brought 455 closed sales, up 40.4% year-over-year. That's real buyer engagement.
The median sale price rose 3.8% to $359,500, a sign that demand is supporting modest price growth even as inventory declined 11.9% to 2,392 units (an 8.1-month supply). Cash transactions dominated at 65.5% of sales (298 cash purchases), reflecting continued investor and second-home buyer interest. Sellers received a median of 92.3% of their asking price.
Homes took a median of 65 days to contract and 104 days to close. Longer timelines, but the volume of transactions tells the real story.
What this means: If you've been watching this segment, March confirms that February wasn't a fluke. Buyers are actively engaging with the condo market, and inventory is tightening in response.
Manatee County Single-Family Homes: The Strongest Market in the Region
Manatee County's single-family market had its best month yet, with 814 closed sales, up 21.9% from March 2025. That's significant growth, and it confirms what I've been seeing on the ground: this market has real momentum.
Interestingly, the median sale price dipped 2.4% to $494,205, even as sales volume surged. Cash buyers accounted for 31.4% of transactions (256 sales), and sellers received a median of 94.4% of their original list price.
Active inventory dropped 8.1% to 2,991 listings, representing a 4.7-month supply. Properties spent a median of 51 days under contract and 102 days to close.
The bottom line: Manatee's single-family market is firing on all cylinders when it comes to activity, but buyers are setting clear pricing limits, and sellers are adjusting accordingly to keep deals moving.
Manatee County Condos & Townhomes: Steady Growth, Softening Prices
Manatee's condo and townhome market saw 336 closed sales in March, up 12.0% from last year. That's solid growth, though the median sale price fell 11.3% to $300,000, reflecting continued buyer leverage in this segment.
Cash buyers represented 55.1% of purchases (185 transactions), and sellers received a median of 92.9% of their original list price. Active inventory dropped 12.1% to 1,597 units, leaving a 7.1-month supply.
Homes took a median of 61 days to contract and 105 days to close.
What this means: Buyers in this segment have options and negotiating power. If you're a seller, pricing competitively from the start is critical. If you're a buyer, this market rewards those who move with confidence when the right opportunity appears.
What March's Data Means for You
March's numbers tell a story about buyer behavior as much as they do about inventory and pricing. Today's buyers are strategic, patient, and data-driven. They're not chasing properties out of fear or urgency. They're evaluating carefully, negotiating deliberately, and using time as a tool.
For sellers, this means pricing right from the start and understanding that even in a tightening market, buyers won't overpay. For buyers, it means opportunity still exists, but so does competition, especially in segments where inventory is shrinking fast.
Whether you're ready to list your home, start your search, or just want to understand what your property is worth in today's market, I'm here to walk you through it with clarity and strategy.
Feel free to contact me using the button below or call me at 941-920-2018, whichever works best for you.
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*Based on information and monthly reports provided by Florida Realtors® with data compiled from Stellar MLS by RASM
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