Sarasota County Housing Market: May 2026 — Prices Are Climbing Again

Sarasota County is leading the Southwest Florida recovery, and it's not close. May 2026 data from Florida REALTORS and Stellar MLS confirms what April hinted at: prices are growing, inventory is shrinking, and buyer demand is accelerating. Here's what the numbers say for both single-family homes and condos.

Single-family: second straight month of price growth

The median sale price for Sarasota County single-family homes hit $475,000 in May — up 2.2% year-over-year. That's the second consecutive month of positive growth after Q1's modest 2% dip. The brief correction is in the rearview mirror.

Volume tells an even stronger story. Closed sales climbed 7.2% to 845 transactions, and total dollar volume rose 10.9% to $569 million. Sellers are capturing 94.2% of their original list price, up a full 1.5 points from May 2025.

The inventory squeeze is accelerating

This is the number that should get your attention: active single-family listings dropped 25.2% year-over-year. That's roughly 1,100 fewer homes available than a year ago. Months of supply collapsed from 6.6 to 4.4 — firmly in seller-favorable territory. Homes are going under contract in a median of 50 days, essentially unchanged from last year, but with supply shrinking this fast, expect that number to compress through summer.

Condos: the strongest price growth in the metro

Sarasota County condos posted their best month in the data series. The median surged 4.9% year-over-year to $336,829 — a dramatic reversal from Q1's 2.8% decline and April's near-flat reading. Closed sales rose 8.5% to 371 transactions, and pending inventory jumped 27.3%, signaling continued momentum into summer.

The inventory picture is improving rapidly. Months of supply fell from 9.2 to 7.1 — still above balanced territory but trending sharply in the right direction. Active listings dropped 13.2% year-over-year. Cash buyers remain dominant at 61.5% of closings, but the improving price trend may start pulling financed buyers back into the market.

What this means if you're buying in Sarasota

The negotiating leverage buyers had in late 2025 has largely evaporated. Inventory is down 25% for houses and 13% for condos, and pending sales are surging. That doesn't mean you should panic, but it does mean preparation matters more than ever.

• Single-family under $500K is the most competitive price point — come in with pre-approval and be ready to act
• Condo prices just posted +4.9% — the deep-discount window is closing
• Focus on buildings with strong HOA reserves and manageable insurance — those are recovering fastest
• Homes priced at market are moving; overpriced homes are still sitting

What this means if you're selling in Sarasota

The data is in your favor. Less competition on the market than at any point in two years, rising prices, and strong buyer demand. But the market still punishes overpricing — list-price-received at 94.2% for houses and 91.2% for condos means buyers are doing their homework.

• Months of supply at 4.4 (SFH) means you're in a seller's market — list now while inventory is at its lowest
• Condo sellers: lead with your building's financial health — reserve studies and insurance costs matter more than cosmetic upgrades
• Price at market value, not aspirational value — correctly priced homes are moving in under 50 days
• The summer season brings more buyers — this is the window

The data source

All numbers come from Florida REALTORS and Stellar MLS. I publish detailed market reports for Sarasota County — both single-family and condos — with the full metrics, trends, and my honest read on what they mean. If you want the data for a specific neighborhood, price range, or building, reach out and I'll pull the numbers.